Why Natural Latex is the Best Mattress Type for Sleep Apnea
- Brendan Phuah
- Jul 30
- 12 min read
Updated: Aug 15
Finding the best mattress type for sleep apnea means choosing one that helps keep your airways open while you sleep.
You spend a third of your life in bed. So if you have sleep apnea, your mattress plays a bigger role than you might think. It’s not just about comfort. It affects your breathing, sleep quality, and energy the next day.
The ideal mattress should:
Keep your head and neck properly aligned
Encourage side sleeping
Maintain proper spinal alignment throughout the night
Natural latex mattresses are strong options because they contour to your body and reduce pressure points. But not all latex mattresses perform the same. Some offer better support and structure, especially around the shoulders and hips, which directly affects breathing posture.
In this Guide:
For expert insight, we spoke with Jo Ng, a sleep technologist who also lives with sleep apnea and owns a CPAP machines business in Singapore.
Why CPAP Machines Alone Isn’t Always Enough
How Common is Sleep Apnea in Singapore?
"One in three Singaporeans suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnea, and one in 10 suffers from severe sleep apnea," according to a 2016 study by Jurong Health Services published in Respirology and reported by The Straits Times.
Does Your Mattress Affect How Well CPAP Works?
CPAP therapy only works well if your sleep posture keeps your airway open. If your mattress doesn’t support your head, neck, or spine, your airway can narrow or collapse, making CPAP less effective.
To get the full benefit of CPAP, you need a mattress that supports good posture throughout the night, especially if you change positions while sleeping.
“CPAP therapy is most effective when your sleeping posture supports an open airway,” says Jo Ng, RPSGT. “Your mattress plays a critical role in keeping that alignment throughout the night.”
Why Your Mattress Matters If You Have Sleep Apnea
1. Poor Sleep Posture Can Block Your Airway
When your mattress doesn't support you properly, your head and neck can tilt out of alignment. This makes it easier for your airway to narrow or collapse, especially when you're on your back.
A sagging or overly soft mattress lets your chin drop toward your chest, narrowing your airway and making it harder to breathe.
For people with sleep apnea, this kind of posture can increase the number and severity of breathing interruptions during the night.
2. Spinal Alignment Helps Keep Airflow Stable
A supportive mattress keeps your spine straight. When your spine is aligned, the muscles around your throat and chest stay relaxed.
Relaxed throat muscles are less likely to collapse and block your breathing during sleep.
But if your mattress is too soft or uneven, your spine curves and your muscles tense up to compensate. This extra tension makes your airway more likely to close off during the night.
3. Proper Support Reduces Tossing and Apnea Events
When your mattress doesn’t support your body properly, you’re more likely to toss and turn. Every movement increases the chance of your airway collapsing, especially if you roll onto your back.
A good mattress helps your body stay stable, reducing movement and keeping you in a position that supports steady breathing.
What Mattress Features Help People with Sleep Apnea Breathe Better?
Cooling and Breathability
If you have sleep apnea, sleeping hot makes things worse. A mattress that holds heat can wake you up during the night, especially during deep sleep when your body needs steady breathing.
A 2012 study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that heat exposure increases wakefulness and reduces time spent in deep and REM sleep. For people with sleep apnea, that means:
More wake-ups that break your sleep cycle and trigger apnea events
Less time in deep and REM sleep, when apnea tends to happen more
Heat that affects your breathing and makes your airway more likely to collapse
“I often see clients who use CPAP but still struggle because they sleep hot,” says Jo Ng, RPSGT. “Heat can disrupt deep sleep, which is when apnea tends to peak. A breathable cooling mattress makes a real difference in keeping the airway more stable.”
A natural latex mattress is one of the best options for staying cool. Its open-cell structure lets air move through the mattress, so heat doesn't build up around your body.
Unlike synthetic foams found in memory foam, polyfoam, and many hybrid mattresses, natural latex doesn’t trap heat. It stays cool on its own without needing added gels or extra layers. It’s naturally cooling and breathable by design.
That’s why natural latex is a strong choice if you have sleep apnea. It helps keep you cool, cuts down on wake-ups, and lowers the chances of apnea getting worse from overheating.
Spinal Alignment & Pressure Relief
The way your body is positioned when sleeping affects how well you breathe, especially if you have sleep apnea. Poor spinal support can cause your hips or torso to sink too deeply. This shifts your posture and puts your neck at an angle that narrows your airway. It can also loosen or dislodge your CPAP mask. A mattress that keeps your spine aligned and helps the CPAP seal stay intact is essential.
Some people have positional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where symptoms get worse when sleeping on their back. A study in the Singapore Medical Journal found that positional OSA is common, and side-sleeping therapy can reduce breathing interruptions by more than 50%.
What this means for people with sleep apnea:
Poor support shifts posture and narrows your airway
Side sleeping can help, but only if your mattress supports it
Tossing and turning can break the CPAP seal or affect airflow
A mattress that supports side sleeping without sinking or pressure buildup helps keep your body in the right position, keeping your airway more open and making it easier to breathe.
“Mattresses that support spinal alignment and relieve pressure points make a real difference for people with sleep apnea,” says Jo Ng, RPSGT. “If your body sinks too much or your CPAP mask is continuously shifting, it can affect how well your CPAP treatment works.”
A natural latex mattress is a strong choice for people with sleep apnea. The 7-zone design supports your spine with firmer zones under the hips and lower back. Softer zones at the shoulders and knees relieve pressure. This helps you stay in a stable side-sleeping position and keeps your airway open.
Hypoallergenic and Non-Toxic Materials
In a humid place like Singapore, allergens can build up quickly inside your mattress. This creates an ideal environment for dust mites, mould, and bacteria.
For people with sleep apnea, this can lead to nasal congestion and airway inflammation. These symptoms make breathing harder during sleep, even with a CPAP machine.
A study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology reported that 41% of Asian sleep apnea patients also suffer from allergic rhinitis.
A review in the Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore found that 6% of children habitually snore, with allergic rhinitis as a strong risk factor. Childhood snoring is linked to a higher risk of developing sleep apnea later in life.
For people with sleep apnea, this often means:
Blocked nasal passages that narrow the airway
More snoring and disrupted breathing
Wake-ups caused by irritation or congestion
“I often remind my clients that a clean sleep environment is just as important as CPAP pressure settings,” says Jo Ng, RPSGT. “If your mattress holds allergens or moisture, it can make breathing harder and trigger more symptoms at night.”
Natural latex is a strong choice for people with sleep apnea. It resists dust mites and mould without added chemicals, making it well-suited for Singapore’s humid climate and helping to keep the sleep environment cleaner and easier to breathe in.
The Best Mattress Type for Sleep Apnea
Mattress Type | Cooling & Breathability | Spinal Alignment | Hypoallergenic Materials |
Natural Latex | ✅ Natural latex provides excellent airflow and doesn't trap heat. | ✅ A 7-zone natural latex design supports side sleepers and maintains airway alignment. | ✅ Natural latex resists mold, dust mites, and doesn’t off-gas synthetic chemicals. |
Memory Foam | Memory foam traps heat unless infused with cooling gels. | Deep sinking in memory foam can misalign the neck and reduce CPAP effectiveness. | Memory foam may off-gas VOCs and include synthetic materials that irritate airways. |
Innerspring | Innersprings allow airflow between coils, but cooling depends on top layer. | Innersprings often lack body contouring and may disrupt CPAP mask seal. | Padding above coils can trap dust and allergens over time. |
Hybrid Mattresses | Hybrid cooling depends on the top layer—latex hybrids perform better than foam. | Zoned hybrid latex models help, but soft foam toppers in many hybrids can cause sinking. | Hypoallergenic performance varies—look for natural latex or certified foams. |
Why a Natural Latex Mattress is Best for Sleep Apnea
A natural latex mattress is the best choice for people with sleep apnea. It’s breathable, supportive, and doesn’t contain chemicals that can irritate the airway. It helps keep your spine aligned and supports better breathing, especially if you use a CPAP machine.
Cooling and Breathability
Natural latex has an open-cell structure and built-in pinholes that allow air to move freely through the mattress. This ventilation helps regulate your body temperature throughout the night. Unlike foam that traps heat, latex stays cool without needing chemical cooling agents. For people with sleep apnea, staying cool supports steady breathing and reduces the risk of airway disruption caused by overheating.
Spinal Alignment and Support
Many natural latex mattresses are made with a 7-zone design. Firmer under the hips and lower back, softer under the shoulders and knees. This keeps your spine aligned in a side-sleeping position, helping you maintain an open airway and preventing your CPAP mask from shifting during the night.
Hypoallergenic Properties
Natural latex resists dust mites, mould, and bacteria. It doesn’t require flame retardants or chemical additives, and there’s no off-gassing. That makes it a safer option for people with sleep apnea who also have allergies or asthma. Fewer irritants in your sleep environment means clearer airways and fewer breathing disruptions.
“Whenever someone asks if their bed matters, I tell them it absolutely does. A natural latex mattress is always the first type I recommend to clients with sleep apnea. It’s breathable, supportive, and doesn’t irritate the airway. It’s a big part of getting better sleep with a CPAP machine.” - Jo Ng, RPSGT, YesCPAP
Is Memory Foam Mattress Good for Sleep Apnea?
Memory foam mattresses are not ideal for people with sleep apnea. They tend to trap heat, sag over time, and often contain synthetic materials that may irritate the airway. This combination can affect breathing quality and make CPAP therapy less effective.
Memory Foam: Cooling and Breathability
Memory foam traps heat because of its dense structure. Some models use cooling gels or copper infusions to reduce surface heat, but they don’t fix the lack of airflow inside the mattress. For people with sleep apnea, overheating can make it harder to breathe steadily while sleeping.
And since those cooling features rely on added chemicals or synthetic materials, they may also irritate sensitive sleepers.
Memory Foam: Spinal Alignment and Support
Memory foam forms to your body, which can feel comfortable at first. But it tends to sag over time. When your hips or shoulders sink too much, your spine is less supported and misaligned. This will narrow your airway, and make your CPAP machine less effective.
Memory Foam: Hypoallergenic Properties
Some memory foam mattresses claim to be hypoallergenic, but many still off-gas and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemical smells and synthetic materials can irritate your airways, especially if you already have sleep apnea, allergies, or asthma.
Jo Ng, a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist who also lives with sleep apnea, explains that memory foam might feel soft at first, but it doesn’t hold up well for people with sleep apnea. It traps heat, sags over time, and often includes synthetic materials that can irritate the airway. Most of his clients sleep better on a mattress that’s more breathable and supportive.
Are Innerspring Mattresses Good for Sleep Apnea?
Innerspring mattresses are not ideal for people with sleep apnea. While they tend to sleep cooler than foam beds, they usually lack consistent support. This can lead to poor posture and disrupted breathing at night. Most people do better with a mattress that offers targeted support, like natural latex.
Innerspring: Cooling and Breathability
Innerspring mattresses are generally cooler than foam. The open coil structure allows air to move freely, helping prevent heat buildup during the night. This makes them a better option for people with sleep apnea who are sensitive to overheating.
Innerspring: Spinal Alignment and Support
Traditional innersprings don’t contour well to your body. The lack of targeted support can create pressure points at the hips and shoulders, especially for side sleepers. This often leads to poor posture during sleep, shifting your neck or back into positions that narrow your airway or cause CPAP leaks.
Innerspring: Hypoallergenic Properties
Innerspring beds usually have fiber or foam padding that can trap dust and allergens. The coil system creates empty space inside the mattress. This space can trap moisture and lead to mould growth, especially in humid climates like Singapore.
“Cooling is important for managing sleep apnea, but proper support matters even more,” says Jo Ng, a sleep technology expert. “I usually don’t recommend innerspring or memory foam mattresses to my clients because they don’t provide consistent support. Most people I work with sleep better after switching to natural latex.”
Are Hybrid Mattresses a Good Choice for Sleep Apnea?
Hybrid mattresses may offer better cooling than foam beds, but they often fall short on support. For people with sleep apnea, poor posture or pressure points can make it harder to breathe and reduce the effectiveness of CPAP therapy. A natural latex mattress is usually a better choice.
Hybrid: Cooling and Breathability
Hybrid mattresses tend to sleep cooler than full foam beds thanks to their coil base, which allows air to circulate. But cooling depends on the top layer. If it’s made with memory foam or dense synthetic foam, it can still trap heat. That means airflow is blocked at the surface, causing your body to heat up during the night. For people with sleep apnea, that can make it harder to breathe comfortably.
Hybrid: Spinal Alignment and Support
Hybrid mattresses use a foam top layer over a coil base. If the top layer is too soft, your hips and shoulders can sink too far into the mattress. This throws off your spine alignment, shifts your neck, and narrows your airway. That can make it harder to breathe and reduce how well your CPAP machine works. Some hybrids add zoned support or firmer foam to help, but not all include these features. Without that structure, posture and airway stability can suffer.
Hybrid: Hypoallergenic Properties
Some hybrid mattresses use latex or certified low-emission foams, which are safer for sensitive sleepers. But many include polyester fills, adhesives, or low-cost foam layers that trap dust and moisture. Over time, this can affect air quality and aggravate symptoms if you have allergies or sleep apnea.
“There are some hybrid mattresses that offer decent support, but most of my clients still struggle with posture or pressure points,” says Jo Ng from YesCPAP. “If someone has sleep apnea, I usually recommend switching to a latex mattress that helps keep their spine aligned and airway open.”
How Sleeping Position Affects Sleep Apnea and Mattress Support
Your sleeping position has a direct impact on how well your airway stays open during the night. Some positions can improve airflow, while others can make it harder to breathe. The mattress you sleep on can either support or worsen these effects. Natural latex mattresses with 7 zoned support are especially helpful because they adjust to your body’s needs in each position.
Sleep Position | Impact on Sleep Apnea | How Natural Latex Mattress Helps |
Side Sleeping | Best position for keeping your airway open. Reduces symptoms of positional OSA | Natural latex mattresses with zoned support cushion your shoulders and hips while keeping your spine aligned for stable breathing. |
Back Sleeping | Can worsen sleep apnea because your airway narrows. | Natural latex mattresses with firmer zones under the hips and back help reduce sagging and keep your airway open. |
Stomach Sleeping | May reduce snoring but strains your neck. Not sustainable for sleep apnea relief. | Natural latex gives some pushback to reduce sinking, but it is not recommended for stomach sleepers with sleep apnea. |
Is Side Sleeping Best for Sleep Apnea?
Yes. Side sleeping is the most recommended position for people with sleep apnea. It helps keep the airway open and reduces symptoms of positional obstructive sleep apnea.
Natural latex mattresses with zoned support cushion your shoulders and hips while keeping your spine aligned. This helps reduce pressure points and supports steady breathing.
“Side sleeping is almost always best for people with sleep apnea,” says Jo Ng from Yes CPAP. “But your mattress needs to do its part. It should support your hips and shoulders without letting them sink too much. Zoned latex handles this well.”
Can You Sleep on Your Back with Sleep Apnea?
Back sleeping can make sleep apnea worse. Gravity pulls the tongue and soft tissues back toward the throat, narrowing the airway and making it harder to breathe.
A mattress with firmer zones under the hips and lower back can help reduce sagging and keep the spine neutral. This supports better posture and helps your airway stay open, especially if you’re using a CPAP machine.
Should You Sleep on Your Stomach with Sleep Apnea?
Stomach sleeping is not recommended. It strains your neck and spine and can make breathing more difficult. While it may reduce snoring in some cases, it doesn’t help with airway stability and isn’t sustainable for long-term apnea relief.
Natural latex offers a bit of pushback to reduce sinking, but it’s not built for stomach sleepers. Most people with sleep apnea are better off training themselves to sleep on their side.
Ready to Sleep Healthier, Every Night?
Natural latex is the best mattress type for people with sleep apnea. It stays breathable, keeps your spine supported, and avoids materials that can irritate your airway.
At BayShop, you can choose from three SYMFONI natural latex mattresses:
See our mattress size guide for help choosing the right fit.
Final Word from Jo Ng
How to get good quality sleep with sleep apnea?
Improve sleep quality with sleep apnea by using a CPAP machine, sleeping on your side, and choosing a breathable mattress that supports spinal alignment. A natural latex mattress helps by keeping your airway open, reducing heat buildup, and minimizing pressure points that disrupt breathing.
Is a firm or soft bed better for sleep apnea?
A medium-firm mattress is best for sleep apnea. It supports spinal alignment without letting your hips or shoulders sink too deeply. Natural latex mattresses with zoned support provide the right balance by keeping the spine neutral and the airway open to improve breathing during sleep.
What kind of pillow is best for sleep apnea?
The best pillow for sleep apnea is a contour pillow that supports the neck and keeps the airway aligned. Latex pillows work well because they offer consistent support, resist sagging, and stay breathable. A supportive pillow helps reduce snoring, improve airflow, and make CPAP therapy more effective.
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