Skip to Content

Best CPAP Alternatives to Try

Best CPAP Alternatives to Try
Latest posts by Sleep Solutions HQ Team (see all)

My husband snores.

(Spoiler alert: so do I.)

Like, chainsaw-in-the-bedroom snores. Our-kids-refuse-to-share-a-tent-when-we-camp snores. And much scarier: sometimes-he-stops-breathing snores. Those who have partners with sleep apnea know what I mean: that sudden stop of breath and the hitch that follows, sometimes on its own, sometimes after you’ve hit gently nudged them.

He also has a CPAP machine. A 10-year-old, sitting-in-storage CPAP machine that he wore for about a month before realizing that he couldn’t sleep at all with it on due to the joy of sleeping while wearing a vacuum with extra tubes on your face. And let’s face it: the kind of sleep you get with sleep apnea isn’t great, but it beats not sleeping at all.

The algorithm gods must have heard his snores, because my 3 am doom scrolling started showing me ads for CPAP machine alternatives. Nose magnets. Mouthguards. Contoured pillows. And that led me down a rabbit hole of what is actually out there that has real reviews from real people, that might offer real alternatives to CPAP machines.

Mouthguards (aka MADs)

We cover these more in detail here, but the short version? Mandibular advancement devices – aka MADs – are custom-to-your-jaw mouthguards you get from a sleep-trained dentist that nudges your jaw forward just enough to stop your airway from collapsing.

MADs are not the mouthguards you’ll see on Amazon like SnoreRx – these are fitted to your mouth to give a true custom fit, promising real results.

Mouthguards

Trusted Brands

Note: each one of these brands is FDA cleared (which is the same clearance you’ll see on most dental appliances, CPAP masks, and nasal EPAP devices (which we’ll cover later)).

  • SomnoDent – the gold standard in custom guards. Softer edges and flexible material so you don’t feel like you’re trying to sleep with a Lego in your mouth.
  • ProSomnus EVO – sleek and tiny compared to older mouthguards. Think less hockey gear, more minimalist Apple design…but for your jaw.
  • Herbst Appliance – the OG adjustable guard. Your dentist can tweak it like a mechanic tuning up an engine, moving your jaw millimeter by millimeter to find the perfect position for you.
  • Respire Blue+ – built like a tank (but still fits in your mouth). If you grind your teeth like you’re studying for midterms, this would be the MAD for you.

A note on the cheap stuff.

Before you Google “mouthguard for snoring” and see a $40 boil-and-bite option: nope. Not the same thing.

Those guards are for light snoring. They are not FDA-cleared for sleep apnea, and the custom fitting is you in your kitchen with a pot of boiling water. Some have adjustable options and work better for others, but when dealing with apnea make sure you’re getting the right tool. You can’t put a fire out with a cup of tea.

How to find a sleep dentist

This isn’t your regular “six-month cleaning” dentist job. You’ll want a dentist with training in dental sleep medicine. How do you find one?

eXciteOSA (the Sci-Fi daytime fix)

eXciteOSA

For every other category I’ll have multiple brands, but when it comes to a daytime option that’s FDA-cleared there’s only one option on the market: the eXciteOSA.

Imagine telling your partner that you’re doing CrossFit. For your tongue. That’s basically what the eXciteOSA is (but with less tires) – you wear it for 20 minutes a day while tiny pulses strengthen your airway muscles.

Yes, I’m telling you to put electricity in your mouth. But it’s safe – and FDA-cleared for mild sleep apnea and snoring. In fact, one of their safety measures is that you have to replace the mouthpiece every 90 days, and they don’t allow you to use the device more than once in a day. As in the device itself won’t work – there’s no hacking it. And while some folks online don’t love that you have to buy the replacement mouthpiece and the time restrictions, it actually helped put my mind (and mouth) at ease.

The biggest draw is that this is the only FDA-cleared daytime wearable device. You don’t wear it when you sleep. It stays out of the bedroom. I repeat: it stays out of the bedroom. And it’s 20 minutes per day vs. 6 – 8 hours.

Another noticeable benefit: military members and veterans can get it through the VA for free. It’s approved by the VA for sleep apnea – both the device AND the replacement mouthpieces. You can learn more about this program here. To be clear – this is a program where you get the device from the VA, not from the company directly. And as more devices like these start to get FDA approval, this list may grow. All I’m saying is that this seems like a better option than the CPAP machine they send to everyone that looks like it was built in the 80s.

eXciteOSA pros:

  • Daytime fix. You wear it while awake – no mask, no mouthguard, no midnight robot gear.
  • FDA-approved for mild apnea and snoring. Science-backed, not snake oil.
  • Partner friendly. Nothing strapped to your face at night? Hello, date night.
  • Veteran bonus. If you’re military or VA, it’s covered. Zero dollars wins every time.

eXciteOSA cons:

  • Can feel like a subscription. Having to replace the mouthpiece every 90 days for safety is great for your piece of mind, but might make your wallet groan.
  • Routine required. Daily for six weeks, then twice a week forever – think of it like a tongue gym membership.
  • Drool city. Everyone talks about it. Everyone. You’ll need a towel – and a sense of humor.

Overall, this looks cool. A little scary, but if it does what the studies show then the investment may be made up in how much you save from mainlining caffeine each morning after a night of snoring.

Positional Therapy (Don’t be a back sleeper)

Sometimes you just need to change your sleeping position. No, I’m not saying that to sound like your mom when she yells downstairs to just open your eyeballs to find the keys that are right in front of you – for some people, apnea only gets back when they sleep on their backs. Enter: weird-looking pillows, belts that buzz when you roll over, and shirts with tennis balls sewn into the back (yes, that’s a thing).

The science-y term for this is positional sleep apnea. Basically, when you’re flat on your back gravity pulls your tongue and soft tissue backwards, and boom – blocked airway. But roll over to your side? Suddenly things open up and you can breathe again. If your partners solution to your snoring is to always roll you to your side, this might be for you.

What’s out there

  • SlumberBUMP: a belt that gently keeps you on your side, without the DIY tennis-ball hack.
  • Zzoma Positional Device: looks like a fanny pack, but it’s FDA-cleared and actually prescribed by doctors.
  • Specialty pillows: like the Contour CPAP pillow, designed to keep you on your side and your airway happy.
slumberbump

The pros? These are simple and cheap(er) solutions when compared to CPAP machines, MADs, and the eXciteOSA. The cons? If you’ve been a back sleeper for most of your life, you’re going to go through an awkward phase where you have to learn how to sleep in a new position. And going to sleep with a bumper belt may be more comfortable than going to sleep with a CPAP mask, but it’s still putting things on your body that may not be the most comfortable.

Heads up: not all positional therapy gadgets are equal. Just like with MADs, stick with the ones that doctors recommend (I listed a few above, but there are more out there – just ask your doc!). Skip the random knockoffs in TikTok shop unless you’re in the market for an overpriced dog harness.

Nasal EPAP Devices (Tiny but mighty)

This was a new one for me – I’ve seen the magnets that people use to keep their noses open (which terrify me more than electricity on my tongue) – but EPAP devices are very, very different.

A nasal EPAP device is a device that consists of small valves that you stick in your nose. Think of it like a nose plug with superpowers – when these valves are in your nostrils and you breathe out, they create back pressure. That gentle pressure props your airway open so when you breathe back in, it doesn’t collapse. Kind of like holding a door open with your foot – only, in this case, the “door” is your throat.

There are a few brands that are FDA-cleared:

  • Bongo Rx: reusable and prescription-only. They come in different sizes because, shockingly, your nostrils do not follow a one-size-fits-all policy.
  • OptiPillows EPAP: over-the-counter and lower cost, this is more of a starter option if you’re curious about EPAP but don’t want to yet chase down that prescription.

The cool thing about EPAP devices is that they are tiny. Like, throw in your pocket tiny. For the travelers out there, this is a huge plus. It’s also quiet – no machine hum, and no hoses slapping you in the face at 2 am.

As with all the options discussed, there are some negatives – the biggest complaint is that it will dry your nose. As someone who is allergic to the months April – September, I worry about how the congestion and nightly sneeze attacks would feel. And there is an adjustment curve – some people say it’s like trying to blow up a balloon….but with your own nose.

Surgery and Implants (the BIG guns)

Sometimes the tech just isn’t going to cut it, and instead you need someone to actually cut you. Surgical routes are an option for those who have tried everything else and still have apnea wrecking their lives.

There are a few surgical options:

  • UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty): trims soft tissue in your throat, really fun to try to say three times fast.
  • Genioglossus advancement: repositions tongue muscles.
  • Inspire therapy: an implant placed in your chest and neck that stimulates your tongue nerve so it doesn’t block your airway, basically a pacemaker but for your airway.

I don’t think I have to give the warning here to not get the knock off since you’d have to go to a surgeon. How can you find one? Ask your sleep doctor (or whoever reads your sleep study) for a referral to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist who does sleep surgery. And if you want to look into Inspire, you can head over to their website and use their “Find a Doctor” tool which will list certified implant surgeons near you.

So which one wins?

Well, the fun part is: it depends. There’s no Survivor where one treatment emerges victorious while the others get voted off the island. What’s best is the thing you’ll actually use. After all, a CPAP collecting dust in the closet isn’t saving anyone’s oxygen levels.

But here’s how I see it shaking it out:

  • CPAP: still the champ if your apnea is moderate to severe. It’s the most effective at reducing apnea, improving oxygen, and lowering your risk of heart issues and strokes. The trade-off is dealing with the hose, mask, cleaning, and general “I’m part robot now” vibe.
  • Mouthguards (MADs): these shine for mild to moderate apnea or for people who flat-out refuse to wear CPAP. They’re quiet, travel-friendly, and partner-approved. The catch? They don’t always pack enough punch for severe apnea, and you need a dentist who knows what they’re doing.
  • eXciteOSA: the shiny new kid. If you’ve got mild apnea or just snoring, this can be a game-changer – nothing on your face at night, just a daytime routine that tones up your tongue like its training for the Olympics. The trade-off is cost, drool, and discipline.
  • Positional Therapy: if your sleep study says your apnea is positional, this is a low-tech, affordable fix. It won’t help if your airway collapses no matter how you sleep, but for the right person it’s like flipping a switch.
  • Nasal EPAP: small but mighty, works best for mild to moderate cases and for frequent travelers. If you’re severe? Probably not enough on its own, but sometimes it’s used alongside other treatments.
  • Surgery / Implants: the last-resort category. If you’ve tried everything and nothing sticks, surgery can be life-changing. But it’s a bigger decision – with the risks and recovery to match.

The real winner? The treatment you’ll actually stick with. Because even the best device in the world doesn’t work if it lives in your nightstand drawer.