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An under-mattress wedge raises the head end of your mattress, so your head and shoulders rest higher than your stomach. People use them for nighttime acid reflux (GERD), snoring and other reasons. Their sloping shape lets you sleep with your head and upper body raised. For some people, this makes nighttime reflux symptoms less bothersome, but a wedge is not a treatment for GERD.Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not medical advice. A bed wedge is not a treatment for acid reflux or GERD. If you have heartburn often, or symptoms that don’t go away with over-the-counter medicines, see a doctor.[1]
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Type | Placement | Lift | Material | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foam wedge | Under or on mattress | 7" (5" option) | CertiPUR foam | Washable |
| 2 | Foam wedge, 24 x 24" | Under mattress | 6" | CertiPUR-US foam, USA-made | None (spot clean) |
| 3 | 2 interlocking wedges | Under mattress | 2.5" or 5" | Plastic | None (no cleaning needed) |
| 4 | Bed risers (set of 6) | Under bed legs | 5" | Plastic | None (no cleaning needed) |
| 5 | Folding wedge pillow | On mattress | 10" (22° slope) | High-density PU foam | Removable, washable |
✓ yes · ✗ no · – not confirmed · Specs as stated on the Amazon listing or by the maker · Not a treatment for any condition
Before you buy
- See a doctor about frequent reflux. GERD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medicines and sometimes surgery. A doctor can tell you what fits your case.[1]
- Elevation may help nighttime symptoms. The American College of Gastroenterology suggests raising the head of the bed for nighttime GERD symptoms. It is a conditional recommendation based on low-quality evidence.[2]
- How high: the NIDDK describes raising your head 6 to 8 inches off the bed with a foam wedge or extra pillows under your head and upper back.[1] Mayo Clinic suggests raising the head end of the bed 6 to 9 inches with blocks under the bed legs, or a wedge between the mattress and box spring, and says extra pillows aren’t effective.[3]
- Do not stop prescribed treatment. A wedge can be used alongside the treatment your doctor advises, not instead of it.
- Bed risers: make sure the frame is stable and the risers sit flat, and only lift the head end. Stop using them if the bed wobbles or a riser cracks.
- Lift height: the 5-inch products below (the Wellness Wedge interlocked and the Glomora risers) sit below the 6 to 8 inches the NIDDK describes.[1]
Do Bed Wedges Work For Acid Reflux?
Raising your head, shoulders and upper body during sleep lets gravity help keep stomach acid in the stomach instead of flowing back into the esophagus, which is where heartburn comes from. The American College of Gastroenterology suggests raising the head of the bed for nighttime GERD symptoms, although the evidence is low quality.[2]- Shape – A wedge’s sloped shape lifts the upper body. The NIDDK describes raising your head 6 to 8 inches with a foam wedge or extra pillows under your head and upper back.[1]
- Sleep apnea and snoring – Some people with mild or position-related sleep apnea find a raised head helps a little, but it’s not a treatment; see a doctor if you snore loudly or stop breathing in your sleep. See also our guide to the mattress elevator.
- Acid Reflux/GERD – Studies, including randomized trials, found that raising the head of the bed or sleeping on a wedge improved nighttime reflux symptoms and acid exposure.[2] Keep taking any treatment your doctor advises. Meanwhile, a lavender-infused mattress topper is another option some people like for comfort.
What the Research Says
- The 2022 ACG guideline says several studies, including randomized trials, found that raising the head of the bed or sleeping on a wedge improved nighttime reflux symptoms and nighttime acid exposure.[2]
- The same guideline notes that lying on the right side increases nighttime reflux compared with the left side, so people with reflux might avoid sleeping right-side down.[2]
- It also lists other steps doctors commonly suggest: losing weight if overweight, stopping smoking, and avoiding late-night meals and bedtime snacks. The evidence for many of these is limited.[2]
Is Sleeping On A Wedge Bad For You?
For most people, sleeping on a wedge is fine; it may take a few nights to get used to. Some people also like the raised position when they have a stuffy nose.- Gentle slope for back sleeping – An under-mattress wedge gives a gradual incline, so you may feel it less than a stack of pillows, which bend the neck instead of raising the whole upper body.
- Side sleeping – The incline works for side sleepers too. The ACG guideline notes that lying on the right side increases nighttime reflux compared with the left, so people with reflux might sleep left-side down.[2]
- Sliding down – Wedge pillows on top of the mattress can let you slide down at night; an under-mattress wedge or bed risers avoid this. Mayo Clinic recommends raising the bed itself, or a wedge under the mattress that lifts you from the waist up, and says extra pillows aren’t effective.[3]
Types of Bed Elevation
- Under-mattress wedges – go between the mattress and the box spring or base and raise the head end of the mattress. Your pillow and sheets stay the same.
- Bed risers – blocks placed under the head legs of the bed frame, which tilt the whole bed.
- Wedge pillows – sit on top of the mattress and raise the head and upper body. They are easy to move but can let you slide down during the night.
Reviews: Under Mattress Wedges for Acid Reflux
1
- Best for: raising the whole head end of a queen mattress.
- It is a foam wedge that goes under the mattress for a 7-inch lift (a 5-inch version is also sold). It can also be used on top of the mattress.
- The maker says the foam is CertiPUR certified[4] and the cover is washable, with a non-slip bottom.
- It ships rolled, so let it expand for 24 to 72 hours before use.
2
- Best for: raising one side of the bed only.
- It slides under the mattress and gives a 6-inch lift. The listing gives 24 x 24 inches, so it lifts one sleeper’s side rather than the whole bed.
- The maker says the foam is CertiPUR-US certified[4] and made in the USA. There is no removable cover; the maker says to spot clean it.
- The maker says it is for adults only.
3
- Best for: a firm plastic lift between the mattress and the box spring.
- The two-pack gives about 2.5 inches of lift side by side, or 5 inches when interlocked, depending on the mattress. Both heights are below the 6 to 8 inches the NIDDK describes.[1] The maker gives an 8-degree slope.
- Because it is plastic, there is no cover to wash and no foam smell.
4
- Best for: tilting the whole bed without changing the mattress.
- Put the risers under the head-end legs only to tilt the bed. They add 5 inches of lift, which is below the 6 to 8 inches the NIDDK describes, and Mayo Clinic suggests 6 to 9 inches.[1][3] The listing describes them as high-strength plastic but gives no weight limit.[5]
- Check that your bed legs fit the riser cups and the frame is stable before you sleep on it. You can also check the CPSC recall list for the product.[6]
5
- Best for: people who want a wedge pillow they can fold away in the day.
- It sits on top of the mattress. The maker lists 7.5-, 10- and 12-inch heights; the 10-inch version has a 22-degree slope.
- It folds into a pillow table, and the zippered cover is removable and washable.
- A wedge pillow raises your head and upper body, not the whole bed, and you may slide down it during the night. Mayo Clinic prefers raising the head of the bed or a wedge under the mattress.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do bed wedges help with acid reflux? Raising the head of the bed may help nighttime reflux symptoms. The American College of Gastroenterology suggests it for nighttime GERD symptoms, based on low-quality evidence. It is not a treatment for GERD, so see a doctor if you have reflux often.
- How high should the head of the bed be? The NIDDK describes raising your head 6 to 8 inches off the bed with a foam wedge or extra pillows under your head and upper back. Mayo Clinic suggests raising the head end of the bed 6 to 9 inches. Ask your doctor what suits you.
- Under-mattress wedge or wedge pillow? An under-mattress wedge or bed risers raise the whole head end of the bed, so you keep your usual pillow. A wedge pillow sits on the mattress and is easier to move, but you may slide down it during the night.
Index Table: Under Mattress Wedges for Acid Reflux
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lazyzizi Mattress Elevator - Seven-Inch Foam Wedge Under Mattress |  |
| Lazyzizi |
| 2 | Stratiform Mattress Wedge - Six-Inch Foam Wedge Under Mattress |  |
| Stratiform |
| 3 | Wellness Wedge Under-Mattress Wedge - Two Interlocking Plastic Wedges Under Mattress |  |
| Wellness Wedge |
| 4 | Glomora 5-Inch Bed Risers - Set of Six Plastic Bed Risers |  |
| Glomora |
| 5 | Nova Medical Folding Bed Wedge - Ten-Inch Folding Wedge Pillow On Mattress |  |
| Nova Medical |
Sources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Treatment for GER & GERD. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Katz PO, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Diagnosis and treatment. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- CertiPUR-US. About Certified Foam. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Amazon. Glomora 5-Inch Furniture Risers, Set of 6 (listing). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Recalls. Accessed October 14, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Corrected the NIDDK wording (foam wedge or extra pillows); added Mayo Clinic guidance (raise the bed 6–9 inches or use an under-mattress wedge; extra pillows not effective) and applied it to the wedge pillow; stated plainly that the 5-inch products are below the 6–8 inch range; added bed riser stability cautions; filled the Glomora cover cell; renumbered citations in order of use; added Sources (Mayo Clinic, Amazon)
- Oct 2026: Product picks reviewed and updated; added a Key Specs table; added Sources (PubMed Central, NIDDK, CPSC, CertiPUR-US)
- Apr 2022: Added Stratiform Under-Mattress Foam Wedge
- Aug 2020: Added Wellness Wedge Under-Mattress Wedge
- Apr 2020: Added Nova Medical Folding Bed Wedge Pillow
- May 2019: First published
