9 Best Acid Reflux Wedge Pillows of 2023, According to Sleep Experts

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Give yourself a rest from your heartburn with these top picks.

If you suffer from acid reflux and your heartburn symptoms are keeping you up at night, it can sometimes seem like there aren’t enough tums in the world to help you sleep peacefully. Enter: acid reflux pillows. These wedge-shaped pillows are specifically designed to grant you heartburn relief when you hit the hay so you can rest easy.

An acid reflux pillow will keep your upper body slightly elevated while you sleep, says Shelby Harris, M.D., director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis. “Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows up into the esophagus causing an uncomfortable burning sensation, and this pillow’s wedge-shape helps to keep the upper body at an incline to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus while you sleep,” she adds.

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 and the triangular shape allows the upper body to be angled slightly to assist with gravity and decrease acid reflux, he explains.

Meet the experts: Shelby Harris, M.D., director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis, Sugirdhana Velpari, M.D., director of the Reflux and Motility Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

If you regularly struggle with heartburn symptoms, acid reflux pillows are a reasonable added treatment method for patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease with symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation, says Dr. Velpari, “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, advises Dr. Harris.

Ready to shop? Read on to find our top acid reflux pillow picks for every kind of sleeper and budget.

Finding a high-quality wedge pillow for under $100 isn’t the easiest task, but this pick from Helix Sleep fits the bill. The easy-to-remove cover is breathable and machine washable. This pick is also ideal for hot sleepers thanks to the layer of gel-infused memory foam, which is designed to draw heat away from the body. The pillow is medium firm, so it works equally well for back and side sleepers. Lastly, the 10-inch incline provides a steep enough wedge that is sure to help reduce symptoms of acid reflux, as well as sleep apnea. Bonus: Helix offers a 1-year warranty, as well as a 100-night sleep trial, so you can try out the pillow in the comfort of your home.

If you’re looking for a simple but high-quality option, look no further than this wedge pillow from Relax Home Life. Plus, this affordable pick is doctor-approved! Dr. Harris says she recommends this pick because it “has a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam that provides great support and comfort.” Plus, this pick “has a bamboo cover that can be removed and washed,” so it has both the cooling sensation that bamboo provides and the ease of machine-washing as needed. For a budget-friendly option, this option covers all your bases.

This wedge-pillow’s contoured and ergonomic design is one-of-a-kind find 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 says, “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.”

If you’re looking to get relief from acid reflux and night sweats, you’ll need a wedge pillow that works for hot sleepers. With 2-inch egg crate memory foam and four-way airflow, this pick from Zenesse Health will prevent excess build up of heat. 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 eight or 12 inches. No matter which incline you choose, this pick comes with a machine-washable cover for easy cleaning. One satisfied Amazon customer writes, “Using this pillow has greatly reduced the GERD related coughing I was experiencing when I lie down. It doesn’t solve all the problems I was having, but it is a big help.”

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 removal insert. This option from InteVision 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, you can get the sleep you need, sans sweat. Amazon customers especially love the extra width that this pillow provides, one writing, “I especially like the larger size so that my shoulders are comfortable because my arms and hands don’t hang off!”

Now this pick from MedCline is a splurge to be sure, but you do get what you pay for. According to MedCline, this pillow has been validated in seven independent clinical trials and is proven to be the most 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 smaller insert pillow; all with removable covers. It also features an arm pocket to alleviate pressure on your side.

This 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 or 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 which allows any head to get the right amount of pressure. The pillow comes with a machine-washable cover, as well as a travel handle for easy-transport. One satisfied Amazon customer writes, “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.”

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, this one does come 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 happy Amazon customer writes “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. Highly recommend!!!”

If you and your partner both struggle with acid reflux and both would benefit from some relief, a mattress elevator may be a great fit for you. Unlike a traditional wedge pillow, this “pillow” goes underneath your mattress, raising your entire mattress up for 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 “I have a weak stomach valve that causes my acid reflux at night. The doctor recommended a wedge pillow but it was very uncomfortable and hurt my back. 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!”

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, says Dr. Velpari. “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, says Dr. Harris. “Most acid reflux pillows are between six–eight inches in height at the top, but can vary in length. If you are taller, or have a longer torso, you might prefer a longer acid reflux pillow.”

Cooling properties: Some acid reflux pillows come with a cooling gel infused into the memory foam of the pillow—”this can be a great option and something to look for if you are a hot sleeper,” says Dr. Harris.

Adjustable: Some acid reflux pillows can also be adjusted to different heights. “So, if you plan on using your pillow in different locations or for purposes other than sleeping, look for one that is adjustable,” says Dr. Harris.

We consulted experts Shelby Harris, M.D., director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis, and Sugirdhana Velpari, M.D., director of the Reflux and Motility Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, conducted our own research, and sifted through ​​hundreds of online reviews to find the best rancid reflux pillows available.

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.

Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she helps strategize for success across Prevention’s social media platforms.

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