If you’re one of the many people with acid reflux, then you know the irritation that comes with symptoms like heartburn and chest pain, and how much they affect daily activities like eating and sleeping. In fact, when you sleep, you probably notice those symptoms become more obvious, which is why many gastroenterologists recommend using a wedge pillow to help with acid reflux. Acid reflux symptoms occur when stomach acid rises into the esophagus after you eat food and drink, according to Dr. Gulchin Ergun is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist Leading Medicine. It happens more often when you lie down and sleep because you don’t swallow when you sleep, according to Ergun. Swallowing normally eliminates the remaining acid, but since this cannot happen while you are sleeping, gravity must do all the work.
That’s why a wedge pillow can help relieve those symptoms – unlike regular pillows, it helps elevate the upper body, especially the chest and throat, and keeps stomach acid down. To learn more about how to find the best wedge pillows for acid reflux, I spoke with Ergun and other experts about what to look for as you shop.
How I chose the best wedge pillows for acid reflux
There are several important factors to consider when purchasing a wedge pillow for acid reflux. Here’s everything our experts recommended I keep in mind when making this list:
- Height: Since elevating your head and chest is the most important part of relieving acid reflux symptoms while lying in bed, it’s best to buy wedge pillows that are at least six to eight inches high, according to Ergun. While a regular pillow elevates your head, it doesn’t do as much as a wedge pillow when it comes to elevating your esophagus high enough to prevent acid from rising.
Additionally, Ergun recommends buying a pillow that starts at the top of your stomach and elevates your chest and head. The pillow should also fit snugly at the head of the bed, which may also depend on the size of the mattress. I made sure that all the pillows listed below are at least six inches high.
- Strength: While the texture and firmness of any pillow comes down to preference, Ergun recommends using a fluffy pillow of at least medium firmness, as one that’s too soft won’t provide enough support. “It has to be high enough to maintain that angle and you don’t want to go into it,” Ergun said. In terms of material, most wedge pillows, like regular pillows, are made of memory foam, an alternative to down, or down. Memory foam provides stress relief and supports the body, according to some experts I’ve talked to in the past, but which material you choose comes down to what you find most comfortable. Although height is the most important factor, I made sure to include wedge pillows that mean firm texture, if possible.
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Best wedge pillows for acid reflux
All products below have an average rating of four stars from 500 or more buyers on Amazon or at least 100 on their product site.
The best wedge pillow for acid reflux
This wedge pillow comes in different lengths, allowing you to find the right size for your body and mattress size. It is 7.5 inches long, 24 inches long and 24 inches wide, although there are other sizes available. It has a foam top inside and memory foam on top. The pillow also has a removable, machine-washable cover. It’s also great for relieving back and shoulder pain (in addition to acid reflux), and helps provide support to the body after surgery, according to the brand. The pillow also has an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 28,500 buyers on Amazon.
The best splurge wedge pillow for acid reflux
The avocado wedge pillow is made from sustainably sourced latex material that is antibacterial and hypoallergenic, according to the brand. It comes with a removable, machine-washable cotton cover that repels dust mites, according to the brand. It also notes that the pillow helps with symptoms of acid reflux, snoring, neck and back pain and shortness of breath. Additionally, the pillow has an average rating of 4 stars from 245 reviews. Plus, it’s also great to use as a laptop stand and to elevate your legs.
The best adjustable wedge pillow for acid reflux
This memory foam wedge pillow has 10 adjustable positions, so it’s easy to find the right shape to help with acid reflux and other issues. With nearly 3,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, it helps reduce snoring and back pain, provides support for pregnant women and elevates your legs after surgery or injury, according to the brand. It also features an adjustable strap, handle and a breathable, machine-washable cover.
The best wedge pillow for acid reflux under $100
This wedge pillow, which has an average rating of 4.6 stars from 579 reviews, is available in three sizes and is made of high-density foam. According to the product, it helps with acid reflux, snoring, poor circulation, shoulder pain, allergies and hiatal hernia. It also has a machine washable bamboo cover. Available in seven, 10, and 12 inch lengths, the standard width and depth size is 24 inches x 24 inches.
The best affordable wedge pillow for acid reflux
Made of thick foam that provides relief to pressure points on the body, this wedge pillow maintains its shape after sleeping on it, according to the brand. The cover is removable and machine washable and has an anti-slip bottom to prevent it from sliding around on your bed. It also has an average rating of 4.4 stars from 1,356 buyers on Amazon.
How to buy wedge pillows for acid reflux
There are a few important things to keep in mind when buying a pillowcase to help with your acid reflux symptoms. Here’s what our experts recommend:
Determine the appropriate height and length
As Ergun mentioned earlier, you have to make sure the pillow is high enough to angle the throat down. “Wedge pillows help elevate the head and upper body, not just head,” says Dr. Heather Viola, chief physician at Mount Sinai Doctors-Ansonia. With this in mind, buy a wedge pillow that’s no less than 6 inches, at least 7 to 8 inches and up to 12 inches, according to Viola. Additionally, make sure it’s long enough to support your upper back and shoulders.
Prioritize comfort and durability
When buying a wedge pillow – like any pillow – you should make sure that it is not too soft or too firm. However, with a wedge pillow, it’s important to be more on the medium side, as this will allow it to provide support over time, according to Viola. He also recommends a wedge pillow made of memory foam or high-density foam to ensure adequate support. Also, the breathable cover may prevent you from overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Ergun and Viola recommend sleeping on your back or left side when using a wedge pillow for acid reflux. Sleeping on your back makes the acid stay in the stomach, and sleeping on your left side helps because on that side your stomach is always lower than your throat (compared to the right), according to Viola. He does not recommend sleeping on your stomach with a wedge pillow because it increases abdominal pressure.
As I mentioned above, both Ergun and Viola recommend using a wedge pillow that is at least 6 inches high but no higher than 12 inches. This supports your head, shoulders and upper back and prevents acid build-up.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with professionals who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all professional advice and recommendations are made independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts.
- Dr. Gulchin Ergun is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist Leading Medicine.
- Dr. Heather Viola is a board-certified primary care physician at Mount Sinai Doctors-Ansonia.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commercial editor at NBC Select, where I write about home and kitchen products, including roundups, reviews and guides. I also write about wellness and health, including lumbar support pillows, the dangers of hot showers and neck pain treatment. I interviewed experts for their guidance and included the most reviewed products for this article.
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