Best Anti-Snoring Device 2017: A Practical Comparison

Finding the Best Anti Snoring Device in 2017

Snoring happens when relaxed throat tissues vibrate as air passes through a narrowed airway. In 2017, the best anti snoring device for you depended on what was causing the vibration: tongue collapse, jaw position, nasal congestion, or a mix of factors. Mandibular advancement devices, tongue stabilizers, nasal strips, and newer wearable sensors each target a different root cause. No single device works for every snorer, so matching the mechanism to the problem matters more than brand hype. This guide breaks down the main categories, what the evidence supported by 2017, and the trade-offs you should weigh before buying.

How Anti-Snoring Devices Work

Most devices either hold the lower jaw slightly forward, keep the tongue from falling back, open the nasal passages, or alert you to shift position when snoring is detected. Mandibular advancement devices, or MADs, are the most studied category. They gently reposition the jaw to increase space at the back of the throat. Tongue-stabilizing devices use suction to hold the tongue tip forward, preventing it from blocking the airway. Nasal dilators and strips focus on congestion in the nose, which can force mouth breathing and worsen snoring. Wearable devices introduced or refined around 2017 use sensors to detect snoring sounds and deliver a mild vibration that prompts you to change position without waking you fully.

Mandibular Advancement Devices

MADs are widely regarded as the strongest option for simple snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. They work by holding the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep, which tightens the soft palate and prevents tissue collapse. By 2017, several MADs had clear clinical backing, including adjustable boil-and-bite models and custom-fitted dental versions. The trade-off is comfort and fit: boil-and-bite devices are affordable but can cause jaw soreness or excess saliva. Custom devices from a dentist are more comfortable and more effective, but they cost significantly more and require a dental impression. MADs are not ideal for people with dental issues, loose teeth, or temporomandibular joint problems.

Tongue-Stabilizing Devices

Tongue stabilizers use gentle suction to hold the tip of the tongue forward, keeping the airway open at the base of the tongue. They are a good alternative for people who cannot tolerate a MAD or who have dental work that makes jaw repositioning uncomfortable. By 2017, several well-reviewed tongue stabilizers were on the market, with clinical studies supporting their ability to reduce snoring frequency and intensity. The main downside is a strong suction sensation that some users find intolerable, especially during the first few nights. These devices also tend to work best for mouth breathers whose snoring originates at the tongue base rather than the nasal passage.

Nasal Devices and Strips

Nasal dilators and adhesive strips target congestion, which can amplify snoring by forcing you to breathe through the mouth. A nasal dilator is a small plastic or spring-like insert that opens the nostrils from inside, while a strip pulls the sides of the nose outward. These options are low cost, non-invasive, and easy to try, but they address only nasal-based snoring. If your snoring is driven by throat tissue vibration or tongue collapse, a nasal device will have limited effect. They are best for people whose congestion worsens snoring, or as a first step before trying a more expensive mouthpiece.

Wearable Snoring Sensors and Positioning Devices

A new category of wearable devices gained attention by 2017, using sensors to detect snoring and deliver a gentle vibration that encourages you to roll off your back without waking you. These devices do not physically alter your airway, but they reduce snoring by discouraging the sleep position that makes it worse. The trade-off is that they only help positional snoring, which accounts for a subset of cases. They also rely on accurate sound detection, which can be inconsistent for partners who share a bed with significant background noise. They are worth considering for mild, position-dependent snoring when you want a non-invasive option.

Comparison: Key Devices and Trade-Offs

What the Evidence Supported in 2017

By 2017, several MADs and tongue stabilizers had published clinical trials showing measurable reductions in snoring intensity and frequency. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine endorsed MADs for simple snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. Nasal strips had mixed evidence, with some studies showing modest improvement and others showing little effect beyond placebo. Wearable sensors were newer, and published data were limited, though user reviews often reported reduced partner-reported snoring when the devices were used consistently. The strongest takeaway was that no single device dominated all cases; effectiveness depended heavily on the underlying cause of the snoring.

How to Choose the Right Device

Start by identifying what type of snorer you are. Do you breathe through your mouth, or is the problem nasal? Do you snore more when sleeping on your back? Does your partner notice gasping or pauses, which could indicate sleep apnea? A simple trial with a nasal strip or dilator can rule out congestion. If that does not help, a boil-and-bite MAD or tongue stabilizer is the next logical step. Pay attention to fit and comfort, because a device you cannot tolerate will not work regardless of its clinical credentials. If snoring is loud, persistent, or accompanied by daytime sleepiness, consult a doctor before relying on any device alone.

Final Thoughts

The best anti snoring device in 2017 was not a single product but a category matched to the user. MADs offered the deepest evidence base for most snorers, tongue stabilizers filled an important niche for MAD-intolerant users, nasal options helped congestion-related cases, and wearable sensors addressed positional snoring without invasive hardware. The trade-offs in comfort, cost, and fit were real, but so were the benefits for the right match. The most effective approach was often a combination, starting with the simplest option and escalating only if results were insufficient.