When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreWedge pillows elevate your head or legs while reclining and can help alleviate conditions like sleep apnea, snoring, or lower back pain. They're also comfortable to use when lounging in bed to read or watch TV.Suzy Hernandez/Business InsiderIf you've ever woken up with acid reflux, struggled to breathe through nighttime congestion, or had trouble getting comfortable after surgery, you've probably considered a wedge pillow. The problem is that not every wedge is comfortable to sleep on all night. Some are too steep, some feel overly firm, and others work better for reading than they do for overnight sleep. Wedge pillows are also more versatile than they may seem; you can place one beneath your upper body to help you sleep at an incline, under your knees to elevate your legs while resting, or upright against a headboard as a backrest for reading, watching TV, or working on a laptop.To find options that balance proper spinal support with genuine overnight comfort, I spent weeks testing popular wedge pillows — building on our testing for the best pillows — across different incline heights and fills to find the best options for a number of uses, whether you're hoping to alleviate snoring, improve circulation, or simply lounge upright in bed. My top choice for most people is the Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Wedge Pillow, a supportive, medium-firm design available in three incline options. If you like the idea of something adjustable to play around with your desired elevation, the Coop Adjustable Wedge Pillow has removable foam inserts to tailor the height to your needs, and also features a small pillow to cushion your head.Our top picks of the best wedge pillowsBest overall wedge pillow: Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Wedge Pillow — See at Brentwood HomeBest budget wedge pillow: Kölbs Bed Wedge Pillow - See at AmazonBest adjustable wedge pillow: Coop Adjustable Wedge Pillow - See at Coop Sleep GoodsSoftest wedge pillow: The Company Store Down Alternative Wedge pillow - See at The Company StoreBest organic wedge pillow: Avocado Organic Latex Wedge Pillow - See at Avocado Who this guide is forWho may benefit from a wedge pillowA wedge pillow uses gravity to keep your torso or legs elevated, making it a simple, non-invasive solution for several specific health and comfort needs:People with GERD or acid reflux: Elevating your torso 6 to 10 inches keeps stomach acid from traveling up into the esophagus overnight.Sinus congestion, allergy, or mild snoring sufferers: Elevation helps keep nasal passages clear and opens the airways to ease nighttime breathing.Post-surgery patients: Makes getting in and out of bed easier while keeping pressure off chest, shoulder, or abdominal incisions.Back sleepers seeking lumbar relief: Place the wedge under your knees to elevate your legs above heart level, reducing lower back strain and boosting circulation.In-bed readers and loungers: Upright 10- to 12-inch inclines support the full spine for reading or watching TV without stacking flimsy pillows.Who should skip (or proceed with caution)Strict side sleepers: Steep or overly firm foam wedges can jam your shoulder and force your neck out of alignment. Consider contouring materials instead, a lower incline, and adding a regular, thin bed pillow on top of the wedge to fill the hollow space under your neck. Check out the best pillows for side sleepers for suggestions tailored to your needs.Stomach sleepers: Upper-body wedge pillows force your lower back to arch backward unnaturally and strain your neck. Check out the best pillows for stomach sleepers for suggestions tailored to your needs.Sleepers experiencing lower back pain: If you slide down during the night and bend at the waist, a steep wedge can strain your lumbar spine. Pair it with a knee bolster or choose a lower 7-inch incline. Best overallProvided the most consistent night-to-night support of any wedge pillow tested. I noticed that after rotating through all the wedge pillows I tested, I kept coming back to the Brentwood Zuma Foam Wedge Pillow. It wasn’t the softest pillow I slept on or the one with the most features, but it consistently gave me a comfortable night’s sleep without any fuss. Available in three sizes (7-, 10, and 12-inches), I like that you can choose the incline that fits your needs. I tested the 7-inch version and found it to be supportive without feeling too steep. If you’re searching for a wedge pillow to help you sleep at an incline because of nighttime acid reflux, congestion, snoring, or simply for added comfort, it’s the one I'd recommend to most people.Available in three sizes, the Brentwood design is simple and supportive for a range of needs.Suzy Hernandez/Business InsiderThe Brentwood doesn’t rely on inserts or adjustable layers; it just simply works. This is where choosing the right elevation comes in handy. The bamboo-derive
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