Is a “Sleep Divorce” on the Horizon? First, Try These 4 Anti-Snoring Products
Updated: Jun. 23, 2022
Whether it's for you or a snoring spouse, this list can help you you rest better, together.
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My husband and I got a sleep divorce a few years ago. Before we got married, I did plenty of overnight test drives to determine that he did not snore, so I could go ahead and marry him.
Fast-forward about a decade later: I had a bait-and-switch on my hands. He started snoring. Loudly. So, naturally, we got a sleep divorce, and he moved into the basement every night to snooze. Fearing I was being a little unreasonable, I then asked him to try every snoring device ever invented to get the awful sounds to stop.
In time, we learned that you have to know the cause of the snoring before you can actually fix it. My husband, turns out, suffered from sleep apnea, so a CPAP machine worked magic. The first step for him was to do a sleep study under a doctor’s supervision. If you’re trying to stop a habitual snorer, however, these are a few of the latest products on the market sleep specialists told us are helping couples around the country breathe, and sleep, easier.
Side Sleeper Pillow for Pain Relief Sleeping
Snoring caused by sleeping position: According to the Sleep Foundation, snoring is more likely to occur when you’re sleeping on your back, as gravity pulls your airway tissues down, making your airway more narrow. You’re less likely to snore when you’re on your side, in a lateral position.
Why this product will help: Created specifically for side sleepers, the Side Sleeper pillow goes under your neck and around your shoulders, giving you the perfect support—and you’re less likely to flip onto your back in the middle of the night, says Robert Pagano, the co-founder at Sleepline, a sleep information site. “It would position your head in a way that would keep your airway open and reduce snoring,” Pagano says.
Amazon reviewer Wez shared their experience with the Side Sleeper pillow: “This pillow is amazing. Finally woke up feeling great and with no neck pain. I had to wrestle mine back from my wife last night. Definitely ordering some more for the home.”
Geniani Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier
Snoring caused by nasal congestion: When you have a stuffy nose, an allergy, or an infection, you may snore because you have a reduced flow of air. One study found that middle aged adults who have nasal congestion at night are three times more likely to be habitual snorers than those who don’t have nasal congestion.
Why this product will help: This Geniani humidifier is designed to keep your room (and your nose) nice and damp, helping your airflow stay open. The brand says it works for rooms up to 220 square feet (a standard medium room), it’s quiet, and it can run for up to 18 hours.
At press time, the Geniani had over 32,000 reviews on Amazon with an average 4.4-star rating. Verified shopper Alex Owens gave the humidifier five stars, saying, “I love that this doesn’t scream humidifier like so many other options do. It’s very easy to use with just the simple push of a button. Cleaning is fast and easy too. If you enjoy diffusing oils, there’s a spot in the back for you to add your oil of choice.”
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Rhinomed Mute Nasal Dilator for Snore Reduction
Snoring caused by alcohol: Drank too much? Alcohol will relax your throat muscles, closing them to make you snore. The more you drink, the more likely you’ll snore.
Why this product will help: The Mute nasal dilator opens your nose during sleep so you don’t have to rely on your mouth to breathe. This is also available in three sizes, all of which are customizable to fit your nostril perfectly. In a proof of concept trial by Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, this product increases airflow by an average of 38 percent.
Amazon shopper B Lynsay White said: “The first rush of air was amazing. No congestion, no blockage. I do not really remember how I slept, jut that I woke up in the same position that I went to sleep in. No fitful sleep! Did I snore? Don’t know but I woke up rested and felt really good.”
One of The Healthy‘s leaders had a chance to sample Mute, and said, “I highly recommend.”
Clear Passage Nasal Strips Extra Strength
Snoring caused by allergies: It’s one of the most common causes of snoring. Your allergies cause a stuffy nose, which closes your airway…which leads to snoring.
Why this product will help: Stick the Clear Passage Nasal Strip across the bridge of your nose, and it gently keeps your nasal passage open all night, Cacho says. These come in varying strengths—and some even come scented with lavender and other sleep-inducing smells. There’s very little difference between the brands and the strengths (my husband tried them all), but I’d recommend sticking with the extra strength, as they’re less likely to pop off in the middle of the night.
Of Clear Passage Nasal Strips, Amazon shopper M said, “I haven’t had a terrible night of sleep since purchasing these. I literally can’t live without nose strips now!”
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Originally Published: June 23, 2022
