Snoring products are big business—and for good reason. Snoring affects nearly 57% of men and 40% of women—and their bedpartners. But do snoring prevention devices work?
It depends. Snoring has one basic cause: obstructed upper airways. When your airway is too narrow, you work harder to breathe in, and the air that gets through becomes turbulent, making the surrounding soft tissues vibrate. But obstructed airways can be caused by a number of factors, including a floppy soft palate, a large tongue, nasal blockage, an oversized uvula, large tonsils, or a combination of any of the above. Snoring products tend to address one of these issues (and not all of them, e.g., large uvulas or tonsils). How do you know which snoring solution is best for you if you don’t know the exact cause of your snoring?
You can discover the anatomical cause behind your snoring by visiting a snoring specialist like Dr. Marc Kayem. An ENT who’s successfully treated snoring for over 25 years, Dr. Kayem, has a wealth of knowledge regarding the pros and cons of anti-snoring products and treatments. “You’ll get a better result after an exam determines the root cause of your snoring,” he says, “but some anti-snoring devices may relieve some people.”
If you already know what’s causing your snoring or are willing to try a few products as a test, you’ll find you have many choices (Amazon alone lists over 1000 results). To assist with the overwhelm, Dr. Kayem has reviewed the most popular snoring devices below:
ZQuiet Mouthpieces (Anti-Snoring Devices starting at $49.95)
Anti-snoring mouthpieces move the jaw forward, which can help open the airway. If you have teeth or jaw problems (including implants, dentures, or braces), do not use any mouthpiece that hasn’t been professionally fitted, as it can cause alignment issues. Mouthpieces are also not recommended for snorers who have central sleep apnea or severe respiratory disease or are under 18 years old.
In terms of over-the-counter mouthpieces, ZQuiet has several advantages. Its design allows for both mouth- and nose-breathing, and it’s made in the USA of BPA-free material. You’ll need to figure out what size works best for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effective in certain cases | Can cause jaw and teeth alignment issues |
| Dentist-designed | Should not be used by people with dentures, implants, or braces, |
| Made in the USA | May need to buy more than one size in order to find the correct fit |
| You may need to buy more than one size in order to find the correct fit |
Mute Nasal Dilators (Anti-Snoring Devices $13.95 Amazon)
Nasal dilators do exactly that: dilate the nasal passageways. Are they effective? Maybe. Studies show that anti-snore device does not help snoring in patients without nasal pathology. If you have congestion or narrow nasal passages, dilators may help you breathe easier and snore less.
Mute nasal dilators come in three different sizes and are adjustable, although some snorers still reported that the dilators would fall out at night, which could be especially problematic for side sleepers. The size and fit of nasal dilators varies among individuals, which could be why some people say they find the dilators comfortable while others find them “unbearable.”
Mute nasal dilators come in 3 to a pack and can be reused up to ten times, making each package a 30-day supply.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| BPA and latex-free | Not effective for people with mouth- or throat-based snoring issues |
| Adjustable | May fall out at night |
| Difficult to find the right size |
Sleep Legends Premium Anti-Snoring Chinstrap (Anti-Snoring Devices $13.99 on Amazon)
Like mouthpieces, chinstraps pull the jaw forward to open the airway. They also keep their mouths shut, which can be problematic for people with difficulty breathing through their noses. Do they work? According to the American Sleep Association, the efficacy of chinstraps is poorly established in the research literature. They may help you if you use a CPAP machine for obstructive sleep apnea and don’t want to use a full mask, as a nasal mask plus the chinstrap may work just as well.
Sleep Legends’ chinstrap is one-size-fits-all with an adjustable strap, but some snorers find the buckle uncomfortable. It’s made of lightweight, soft-touch fabric, but several people reported a strong chemical smell.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One size fits all | Not effective for people who can’t breath through their nose |
| Adjustable | Efficacy not established |
| Strong chemical smell |
KKmak Magnetic Nose Clips (Anti-Snoring Devices$9.99 on Amazon)
Nose clips are designed to maximize airflow by opening the nasal passageways. They are shaped differently from dilators and use magnets to help keep the clips in place.
They are not recommended for people with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or anyone with nasal polyps, tumors, or severe sinusitis.
As with nasal dilators, they could work for snorers with simple congestion or narrow nasal passageways, though many people report that nose clips do not stop their snoring.
KKmak magnetic nose clips are designed of BPA-free silicone, can be washed with soap and water, and are reusable. They are one-size-fits-all.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be effective for snorers with clogged or narrow nasal passageways | Not effective for people with mouth- or throat-based snoring issues |
| Reusable | Not suitable for people with severe nasal issues or TMJ |
| Made of BPA-free silicone | Uncomfortable for some people |
Snore Care Nose Vents (Anti-Snoring Devices $19.95 on Amazon)
Nose vents are another type of anti-snore device designed to open the nasal passageways. Their shape—two small tubes attached under the nose—is supposed to keep the vents from falling out of the nostrils. Like the other snoring products that open nasal airways, they may work for people with congestion or narrow nasal passages.
Snore Care nose vents are reusable, pliable, and ergonomically designed in silicone. Their fit may help keep them inside the nose. Some reviewers complained of discomfort and even pain and sores. (Sidenote: The company has been accused of inflating Amazon reviews.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It may stay in nose better than other nasal anti-snore devices | Not effective for people with mouth- or throat-based snoring issues |
| Painful for some people |
Put Your Snoring to Bed with Snoring Treatments
Even if one of the snoring products above works for you, it’s good to be aware that the product itself will not last—and the effects might not, either. “What might work in Year 1 may not work in Year 2,” says the American Sleep Association. In addition, the association suggests speaking with a doctor to learn the cause of your snoring and to be sure your snoring isn’t linked to sleep apnea, which is a serious condition.
Luckily, there are other solutions for snoring besides over-the-counter products. Dr. Kayem offers treatment for every type of snoring and sleep apnea, all of them effective, long-lasting, and minimally invasive.
Low-power radio frequency (RF) treatments shrink and remove excess tissue and/or stiffen a soft palate.
Both types of treatments help snoring and can help sleep apnea sufferers ditch their CPAP machines.
There was a void left in the world of snoring treatment when Pillar implants became unavailable a few years ago. Because of this, Dr. Marc Kayem is developing (and patenting) a revolutionary idea, The SNOREX procedure, using a hidden stitch in the soft palate. This is a 15-minute office procedure that is already showing excellent efficacy and safety.
Want to stop snoring for good? Find out the cause of your snoring and the best solution for you. Contact snoring specialist Dr. Marc Kayem today.
