Heartburn Ruining Your Sleep? Experts Say These Are the Best Acid Reflux Pillows

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If you suffer from acid reflux and your heartburn symptoms are keeping you up at night, acid reflux pillows are worth trying. These wedge-shaped pillows are specifically designed for heartburn relief by keeping your upper body slightly elevated while you sleep.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises into your esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms like a burning sensation. The wedge design keeps the body propped up so the acid doesn’t rise in the first place.

Meet the expert: Sugirdhana Velpari, M.D., director of the Reflux and Motility Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

One important factor in managing acid reflux is gravity, says Sugirdhana Velpari, M.D., director of the Reflux and Motility Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. “When lying down, gravity is no longer helpful and symptoms of acid reflux can worsen. It is the principle of gravity assistance that is behind the use of a special acid reflux pillow.”

These pillows are usually regular foam pillows shaped like a wedge. The triangular shape allows the upper body to be angled slightly to assist with gravity and decrease acid reflux, Velpari says.

Our top picks

There are hundreds of wedge pillows on the market, but not all are the same. Some are equipped with helpful features like an adjustable design or layers of cooling gel, while others are best suited for side sleepers or frequent travelers. To help you find the right option, we’ve rounded up the best acid reflux pillows to promote a better night’s sleep.

Wedge Pillow

Finding a high-quality wedge pillow for under $100 isn’t the easiest task, but this option from Helix Sleep fits the bill. It's designed with hot sleepers in mind, hanks to the gel-infused memory foam, which draws heat away from your body as you lay on it. When it's time to clean, the breathable cover is designed to come off easily and is even machine-washable.

The pillow is medium firm, so it works equally well for back and side sleepers. Plus, the 10-inch incline provides a steep enough wedge that is sure to help reduce symptoms of acid reflux and sleep apnea. Bonus: Helix offers a 1-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial so you can try out the pillow in the comfort of your home.

Bed Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux

If you’re looking for a simple but high-quality option, look no further than this wedge pillow from Relax Home Life. Experts like this pick as it has a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam that provides great support and comfort.

Plus, this pick has a removable, washable cover. For a budget-friendly option, this option covers all your bases.

Adjustable Wedge Pillow

If you struggle with finding a sleeping position that’s just right, this two-in-one option could be the solution. Sleep Number’s wedge pillow has three foam inserts of varying heights: one squishy four-inch wedge and two firmer two-inch wedges. This allows you to mix and match inserts to customize elevation, support, and softness. The cotton cover with an adjustable polyester gusset is even machine-washable, and Sleep Number offers a 100-night sleep trial and a one-year warranty so you can be sure it’s right for you even after you purchase.

Sleep Number’s wedge pillow boasts over 1,200 five-star ratings on the brand’s website. “This pillow provides excellent support and comfort for my back and neck,” said one reviewer. “It’s easy to adjust to my personal sleep preferences, and the wedge shape makes it comfortable for side sleepers too.”

Contoured Bed Wedge Support Pillow

This wedge pillow’s contoured and ergonomic design makes it an excellent choice for side sleepers. This pick will allow side sleepers to rest comfortably and still get relief from acid reflux. It also comes with an easy-to-clean cover and gel-infused memory foam for a cooling feel with added support.

One Amazon customer wrote, “I chose this product because I like to sleep on my sides in addition to my back and I liked the longer length of it. It is very comfortable. I’m only minimally aware that I’m sleeping on a wedge. I am comfortable on my sides and on my back.”

Adjustable Cooling Gel Foam Wedge Pillow

If you’re looking for relief from acid reflux and night sweats, you’ll need a wedge pillow that works for hot sleepers. Topped with an inch of cooling gel memory foam, this option will help prevent you from feeling hot and stuffy at night. Another plus: for shoppers who may be unsure of how steep you want your incline to be, this wedge pillow is adjustable, so you can choose a height of seven or 10 inches. No matter which you choose, it comes with a machine-washable cover for easy cleaning.

One satisfied Walmart customer wrote, “I have terrible acid reflux. It's impossible to sleep on your side with most wedge pillows, but the adjustment option actually allows you to make that an option. This is a great pillow!”

Foam Bed Wedge Pillow and Headrest Pillow

If you’re looking for a solution for your acid reflux but still like the idea of having your head propped up, this pick provides the same relief as other wedge pillows while also featuring a headrest, which is adjustable with the help of a removable insert. It comes with a machine-washable cover and offers a 12-inch incline, one of the steepest on our list! And no worries, hot sleepers, this pick will work for you, too. With two-inch thick gel-infused memory foam, it helps you get the sleep you need, sans sweat.

Amazon customers especially love the extra width that this pillow provides. One reviewer wrote, “I especially like the larger size so that my shoulders are comfortable because my arms and hands don’t hang off!”

Reflux Relief System

This pick from MedCline is a splurge to be sure, but you do get what you pay for. According to the brand, this pillow has been validated in seven independent clinical trials and has proven to be an effective treatment for heartburn, regurgitation, coughing, choking, nausea, and many other symptoms of acid reflux & gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The “system” includes the classic wedge design with a full length memory foam body pillow and a smaller insert pillow; all with removable covers. It also features an arm pocket to alleviate pressure on your side.

Bed Wedge Pillow

AllSett Health’s multi-purpose, foldable, memory foam wedge pillow can be used to support the head, back, or even your legs and is comfortable for both sitting and sleeping. This versatile pick allows you to alternate between inclines of nine and 12 inches, and between a 30- or 60-degree angle that supports a gradual or steep slope—allowing any head to get the right amount of pressure. The pillow comes with a machine-washable cover and a travel handle for easy transport.

One satisfied Amazon customer wrote that it “provides the needed support and elevation for recovery or just comfort. It is great because it is adjustable so I can adjust it for daytime or nighttime use. If you are researching, then don’t hesitate...this is a high quality, comfortable, and adjustable pillow.”

Dual Chamber Inflatable and Adjustable Air Wedge Pillow

If you travel often or if you have minimal storage space, you may want to look into an inflatable wedge pillow. While this option from Thomasville is a bit pricier than some other inflatable pillows on the market, it comes with its own pump (a huge bonus if you don’t already have one). Another plus is that this option is fully customizable, meaning that you can make the pillow as firm or cushioned as you like. At full inflation, this pillow has a 12-inch incline and features puncture-resistant fabric technology, designed to prevent stretching and puncturing.

One five-star Amazon reviewer wrote: “I highly recommend this wedge for anyone needing one. It is light, compact to travel with and store. It inflates within a few seconds AND deflates just the same! Very easy to use. It’s covered in a velvety finish and is comfortable.”

Mattress Elevator

If you and your partner both struggle with acid reflux, a mattress elevator may be a great fit for you. Unlike a traditional wedge pillow, this “pillow” goes underneath your mattress, raising the entire thing up to a seven-inch incline. Because this pick hides beneath the mattress, it is sure to stay in place, and is also ideal for side sleepers or people who move around a lot.

One Amazon customer and acid reflux sufferer wrote, “this full mattress wedge has been a game changer for me! It runs the entire length of the mattress so you never realize you are sleeping on an incline. Both my husband and I sleep very well now and I haven’t had a reflux incident since we placed it under our mattress. I’m also no longer needing to take medication each day to control the acid in my stomach. It really is the most amazing thing!”

How to choose the right acid reflux pillow for you

Acid Reflux Treatment: It’s important to keep in mind that while purchasing an acid reflux pillow is a simple and safe way to help decrease nocturnal acid reflux, it is not the only treatment recommended for acid reflux, Dr. Velpari says. “Treatment of acid reflux also includes other lifestyle and diet modifications and not infrequently will also require medicines and occasionally, surgical interventions.” If you are suffering from acid reflux, it is best to consult with your primary care physician or gastroenterologist to be adequately evaluated and treated, he adds.

Incline: When purchasing an acid reflux pillow, it’s important to keep the height/incline and material of the pillow in mind. Most acid reflux pillows are between six to eight inches tall.

Adjustable: Some acid reflux pillows can also be adjusted to different heights and be used to prop up different parts of the body, so if you’re looking for versatility, one pillow with different height options may be worth trying.

Do acid reflux pillows work?

If you regularly struggle with heartburn symptoms, acid reflux pillows are a reasonable method for relief from those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation, Dr. Velpari says, “especially if bothersome at night or in the morning.” However, if you struggle with acid reflux routinely or it is interfering with your sleep multiple times per week, speak with your doctor about possible treatments, Dr. Harris advises.

Who should use an acid reflux pillow?

If you suffer from uncomfortable burning and chest pain at night, a wedge pillow may help manage symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. Wedge pillows not only help alleviate heartburn, but they may also help with snoring, back and neck pain, sinus pressure, and more.

You can also use an acid reflux wedge pillow to elevate your legs to improve circulation or place it between your legs to relieve back pain—a popular option for sleeping while pregnant.

How we chose the best acid reflux pillows

We consulted Sugirdhana Velpari, M.D., director of the Reflux and Motility Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. We also conducted our own research, including digging through hundreds of online reviews to find the best acid reflux pillows available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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