There is a lot of debate surrounding whether air purifiers help with sleep apnea.
Some people say that they do, while others claim that there is no evidence to support this.
In this blog post, we will take a look at this topic and answer the question.

Key Takeaways:
- Air purifiers do not help with sleep apnea, but can improve overall air quality in a room.
- Poor air quality can worsen sleep apnea symptoms, and air purifiers can remove pollutants that cause allergies or asthma.
- Losing weight, taking oral appliances, avoiding sleeping on your back, and using anti-snoring devices are ways to reduce sleep apnea symptoms without a CPAP machine.
- Air purifiers can help reduce snoring caused by airborne allergens, but may not help with snoring caused by other factors such as obesity.
- Sleeping with an air purifier can improve indoor air quality and prevent skin, eye, and lung irritation caused by poor air quality.
Does Air Purifier Help With Sleep Apnea?
No, air purifiers do not help with sleep apnea. There is no evidence to suggest that they do. An air purifier cleans the air in your room of pollutants. This may make it easier for you to breathe, but it will not help with sleep apnea.
However, an air purifier can help improve sleep quality since it will make the air in your room cleaner.
If you are someone who suffers from allergies or asthma, then an air purifier can be a great tool to have in your bedroom. It can help improve your quality of life significantly.
Pollutants in the air can affect how well you sleep by, for instance, causing you to wake up frequently during the night.
This is especially the case if you are allergic to them. An air purifier can help remove these pollutants from the air and, thus, improve your sleep quality.
However, an air purifier will not cure sleep apnea by itself. It is just a tool that you can use to improve your overall health and quality of life in general.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor about the best way to treat it.
Does Air Quality Affect Sleep Apnea?
According to a study done by researchers from the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 particles can cause or worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
PM2.5 particles are as small as 2.5 micrometers or smaller in size. These particles are small enough to get through the air sacs. They can also lead to upper airway congestion, negatively affecting your sleep apnea.
Research also shows that pollutants such as mold spores, dust, smoke, pollen, and dust mites could potentially worsen sleep apnea symptoms. So, yes, air quality affects sleep apnea.

What Helps Sleep Apnea Without A CPAP Machine?
There are various ways to reduce sleep apnea symptoms without a CPAP machine. These include:
- Losing weight if you are overweight/obese or have a high body fat percentage.
- Taking oral appliances (also known as mandibular advancement devices) helps keep the airway open while sleeping.
- Avoid sleeping on your back.
- Using decongestants before sleeping to help clear the airways.
- Use an anti-snoring mouthpiece or a chin strap (these devices keep your jaw in place so it can’t fall back and block your throat).
- Sleeping on your side instead of lying down flat. This helps prevent snoring because gravity pulls the tongue forward in this position and keeps it from blocking your airway during sleep.
If there is an underlying cause of sleep apnea, surgery may also be an option.
Should I Sleep Without The Mask If I Get An Air Purifier?
No. As pointed out earlier, an air purifier will not cure sleep apnea by itself.
While it will help clean the air in your room, it is not going to replace the need for a CPAP machine or any other treatment for sleep apnea.
It is important to note that sleep apnea is caused by a variety of factors such as being overweight or having a high body fat percentage. Other underlying causes such as an enlarged tongue or tonsils can also be the culprit.
It, therefore, follows that using an air purifier is not going to entirely reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. You should, therefore, not go to bed without your mask because you installed an air purifier in your bedroom.
Is It Good To Sleep With An Air Purifier?
Yes, it is good to sleep with an air purifier. If you are someone who suffers from allergies or asthma, then an air purifier can be a great tool to have in your bedroom.
By cleaning the air in your bedroom, an air purifier prevents you from inhaling pollutants that trigger allergies or asthma attacks.
It also lets you sleep better, knowing that the air quality is clean and safe for breathing.
Poor indoor air quality can cause skin, eye, ad lung irritation. So sleeping with an air purifier is an excellent way to avoid these problems.
Also Read: 7 Benefits Of Sleeping With An Air Purifier that improve your sleep
Do Air Purifiers Help With Snoring?
Snoring can result from various factors, including anatomical problems, allergies, being overweight, or even having a stuffy nose.
If allergic reactions t airborne pollutants cause snoring, then using an air purifier can help reduce the symptoms. An air purifier will help clean the air in your bedroom and eliminate any allergens that may be causing you to snore.
However, if snoring is caused by another factor, such as being overweight, then losing weight is going to be the best way to address the problem.
Does Air Quality Affect Snoring?
Yes, the quality of your indoor air can affect your snoring. Pollutants such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, and smoke can cause congestion and worsen the symptoms of snoring.
They also cause allergic reactions, triggering asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. So, by improving the air quality in your bedroom with an air purifier, you can reduce or even eliminate your snoring problem.
Final Thoughts
While an air purifier will not eliminate all the symptoms of sleep apnea, it can help improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to allergens and other pollutants.
This may help you breathe easier and snore less at night.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below; we will gladly help.
Looking For Air Purifier Guides?
If you’re looking for more air purifier resources, consider checking out our other posts on air purifiers.
- Will An Air Purifier Remove Skunk Smell? (Yes Or No?)
- Air Purifier Or Air Conditioner Which one is better?
- Best Air Purifiers For High Ceilings
- GermGuardian Ac4825 Or. Ac4300 Which is a better air purifier?
References:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Lung Cancer
- The Association of Ambient Air Pollution with Sleep Apnea
- Air Pollution May Increase Risk of Sleep Apnea

(Author)
Irene Batres is eager to help others create an indoor allergen-free home. She has years of experience testing out air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and other products designed to help with indoor air quality. Learn more about me.