Wedge pillows aren’t for everyone. In fact, their large size and sloping shape will probably feel a bit clunky set down your mattress, which is why they’re not quite as popular as traditional bed pillows. However, wedge pillows do bring some specific benefits that can serve a variety people well.
If you snore, for instance, the best wedge pillows can be a very effective tool to substantially reduce your snoring, as they can align your head and shoulders to keep your airways as open as possible. As you can imagine, that same sleeping position can benefit some individuals suffering from sleep apnea, too.
The best wedge pillows keep your head propped up when sleeping, which can help drain your sinuses of mucus, allowing for easier breathing. This inclined position also alleviates pressure on the spine, making it a more comfortable way to sleep for individuals with neck and back pain, all while helping prevent acid reflux. Some people also use wedge pillows to elevate their legs during sleep, which can improve circulation for those suffering from issues in their lower extremities.
Not all wedge pillows are the same, of course. Some have a steeper incline than others, while some will have a taller height. Some people find wedge pillows with extra-firm foam the most comfortable, while others prefer a more forgiving foam or the custom fit of memory foam. Of course, what will be most comfortable will depend on each individual, so you might want to try out a few before settling on a specific pillow. As a general guideline, an incline between 30 and 45 degrees work best for most people, along with heights between seven and 12 inches.
These are the best wedge pillows for those who need additional support during sleep.
Drive Medical Folding Bed Wedge
Pros
- Hinged design folds to save space
- Very firm and stable support
- Three height options
Cons
- Might be too firm for some
Size: 23 x 23 x 12 (width x depth x height)
Material: Foam
This wedge pillow has a simple hinged section that turns it into a rectangular block to save a little space when you’re not using it. We really like it. It’s designed for a specific type of sleeper, though: those who prefer very dense foam with very firm support. If that’s you, then you’re in luck, since this also happens to be the most affordable option in the list, all while very effectively supporting you at a slight incline when you lie down in bed. It comes in three heights, so you can choose between seven, 10, and 12 inches. Which one to choose? As a rule, most people choose the lower heights to help with snoring, while opting for taller ones to help with back pain and acid reflux, though your own mileage may vary. Either way, it’s a really effective and comfortable wedge pillow, so long as you don’t mind the very firm material.
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AllSett Health Convertible Wedge Pillow
Pros
- Offers two angles and two heights in one pillow
- Versatile design
- Memory foam is supportive yet soft
Cons
- 22-inch depth might be too short for taller people
Size: 22 x 22 x 12 inches (width x depth x height)
Material: Memory foam
This memory foam wedge pillow has two parts, a larger section and smaller section, attached to each other by the cover, with the smaller section able to fold from one side to the other. Why? This allows you to set the incline angle at either 30 degrees or 60 degrees, allowing you to use the lower angle for sleeping and the steep one for use as a backrest, all while making it possible to set it at either nine or 12 inches in height. You can also use either the top or bottom sides as a sleeping surface, too, with each one offering a slight adjustment in angles and position, essentially allowing you to play around to find the most comfortable setup. Yeah, they call it a “convertible pillow” for good reason.
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Kӧlbs Bed Wedge Pillow
Pros
- Combines dense foam core with plush memory foam on top
- Wide variety of sizes available
- Affordable price
Cons
- Doesn’t fold, so takes up a lot of space full time
Size: 24 x 24 x 7.5 inches (width x depth x height), with various other sizes available
Material: Dense foam core with 1.5-inch memory foam on top
Available in two heights, this wedge pillow is offered in 7.5 and 12-inch tall variants, with the taller one also being one inch wider and deeper than the other. They also have extra wide and extra long versions for both heights, though we think those take up too much of the bed to be all that comfortable. We used the 7.5-inch standard version, which we found to be very comfortable with its combination of a high-density foam at the core and a 1.5-inch thick soft memory foam on top, allowing it to deliver firm and stable support while offering a soft, plush surface to lay your head and shoulders on. It’s OEKO-TEX certified, too, so it’s free from any harmful chemicals.
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Intevision Foam Wedge Bed Pillow
Pros
- Combines dense foam core with plush memory foam on top
- Detachable headrest on top of the wedge
- Built-in air channels
Cons
- Might be too wide and deep for some
Size: 26 x 25 x 7.5 inches (width x depth x height)
Material: Dense foam core with two-inch memory foam on top
Some people like to use a regular pillow on top of their wedge pillow for additional support. If you’re like them, you might appreciate this option, which ships with an additional headrest for further elevating your head while lying down. The headrest isn’t attached to the wedge, so you can easily remove it if you prefer the standard incline. Like many pillows in the list, it’s made using dense foam at the bottom and memory foam on top (two inches, in this instance). Unlike them, though, it integrates cooling channels at the intersection between the two foam types, making this genuinely cooler than other wedge pillows. It even uses similar cooling channels on the detachable headrest, so it’s plenty comfortable, especially if you pair it with a cooling mattress. We also love the feel of the bamboo-polyester cover, though the print on the fabric can look much nicer. This pillow is wider and deeper than most others, by the way, which makes it more ideal for taller individuals.
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Sleep Number Adjustable Wedge Pillow
Pros
- Adjusts to four heights
- Lets you use dense foam or memory foam on top
- Cover has zippered gusset to accommodate different heights
Cons
- Maxes out at eight inches in height
Size: 24 x 20 x 8 inches (width x depth x height)
Material: Foam and memory foam
Most wedge pillows come in a fixed size, so you’re stuck with the same height and incline angle. Not the case with this one, which comes with one four-inch thick foam insert and two two-inch thick foam inserts, allowing you to adjust the pillow height to either two, four, six, or eight inches. Yes, we do wish they also offered 10- and 12-inch options, but the versatility is really quite special. We think this is a great way to ease yourself into using wedge pillows, since you can start out with the two-inch height before switching to the taller ones. The included cover also comes with an adjustable gusset, so it fits the pillow plush, regardless of how many inserts you use. One of the inserts is made with memory foam, too, so you get a plush insert you can put on top for more comfortable sleep.
Lunix LX8 Orthopedic
Pros
- Two stackable wedges let you adjust height
- Three-inch headrest makes it even more versatile
- Soft but supportive memory foam
Cons
- 22-inch depth might be too short for taller people
Size: 22 x 22 x 12 inches (width x depth x height)
Material: Memory foam
This wedge pillow comes with two layers of wedges, one that’s seven inches in height and another wedge you can put on top that gives it an extra five inches, giving you a seven- and 12-inch wedge pillow in one. Even better, it comes with a strap-on headrest that adds another three inches of height, making it an extremely versatile option. That means, you can set it up at five-, seven-, eight-, 12-, and 15-inch heights, which is really unique in the category. It’s made entirely from memory foam, so it’s soft and comfortable, although it does offer adequate support, regardless of how you like to lay down on the wedge. The foam is OEKO-TEX certified, too, so there’s none of that chemical smell that sometimes come with freshly-unpacked foam. We also appreciate the velvety cover, which is surprisingly breathable (we initially thought it might be too hot).
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Relax Support RS6
Pros
- Two stackable wedges, plus headrest, let you adjust height
- Better fit for taller individuals
- Soft but supportive memory foam
Cons
- Included cover feels cheap
Size: 25 x 25 x 12 inches (width x depth x height)
Material: Memory foam
If you like the idea behind the Lunix LX8, but find the 22-inch depth a bit too short for your tall frame, you might want to opt for this wedge pillow instead. It works very similarly to the LX8, as it combines a two-level wedge, one measuring 7.5 inches and another measuring 4.5 inches, so you can stack them together for a 12-inch height. They also include a headrest to add even more height to the mix, if you need it, all while being made from a similar quality of memory foam that’s both comfortably soft and supportive. This one, though, measures 25 inches in both width and depth, making it a better fit for taller and wider individuals who might find the 22-inch LX8 just a tad too lacking.
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