Snoring remediesWhich? snoring remedy user trial

SnoreMender (£49.99)

Design: Removable dental device that holds the lower jaw forward, drawing the tongue forward to open the airway.

Claim: ‘Stops snoring for the majority of testers’; ‘changed the life for the majority of the patients’.

Verdict: Our experts say dental devices are the most reliable solution for tongue and possibly nasal-based snoring. But Dr Williams and Dr Johal consider claims are based on flawed research – for instance, the device wasn’t tolerated for daily use by 42% of testers.

Our test couple say snoring was reduced, but the snorer didn’t like having something in his mouth and wouldn’t use it again.

Snore Calm Chin-up strips (£13.99 for 30)

Design: A plaster around the chin to keep the mouth shut.

Claim: They ‘stop snoring for patients whose snoring results from mouth breathing’.

Verdict: Dr Williams and Dr Johal accept the principle of holding the mouth closed to prevent snoring, but say the manufacturer of these strips hadn’t provided research showing they work on their own. Dr Johal notes there is only good research showing that Snore Calm strips and Breathe Right strips used together are effective.

Our tester says he snored less but suspected this was only because he was awake longer due to discomfort.

Breathe Right Nasal Strips (£13.95 for 30)

Design: A tape worn above the tip of the nose to pull nasal passages open.

Claim: They ‘reduce or eliminate snoring’.

Verdict: Evidence shows that these strips improve air flow through the nose, but our panel criticised the maker’s claim that this necessarily reduces snoring. Prof Wilson says they will only help the 15-20% who snore because
of a nasal problem, but Dr Williams thinks they may help other snorers, too.

The wife in our test couple says that the volume and intensity of her husband's snoring decreased, but it still kept her awake.

Singing for Snorers CD (£42)

Design: A three-month singing exercise programme.

Claim: ‘Specifically designed to tone the muscles at the sites most relevant to snorers’.

Verdict: It’s being tested with people who have sleep apnoea, and a trial including general snorers is planned. Dr Williams feels the company is ethical in ‘offering aims not claims’ until research is complete. There’s no way of assessing whether snoring is caused by untoned muscles. 

Combining the programme with diet and exercise, the snorer in our test couple found real improvements in the volume and frequency of his snoring after six weeks. His partner is sleeping better, too.

Lloydspharmacy Stop Snoring Device (£9.99)

Design: An electronic device worn on the wrist. When it has detected sound in the room three times, it sends a weak electrical impulse so the snorer changes position without waking.

Claim: ‘Clinically proven to reduce snoring.’

Verdict: Catherine Thompson and Dr Williams accept the theory of prompting a snorer lying on their back to change position, but they say that the information given about this product’s study was insufficient for them to be confident in its positive findings. 

The snorer in our test couple says she was woken up (one night about 20 times), causing sleepiness the next day, and was left with marks on her arm as the pads on the electrodes didn’t stay in place.

Snore no More (£13.49)

Design: A light, looped metal wire device that fits inside the nostrils and opens them up – known as a nasal valve dilator.

Claim: It ‘does not correct the cause of snoring, even though it may help reduce the noise’.

Verdict: Dr Williams thinks it may help noses with nostrils that tend to collapse on sniffing, but there was no research to support its claims, although the maker says a trial is planned. Prof Wilson says such devices can dislodge during sleep. 

At first, the snorer in our test couple didn’t like inserting the device so far into his nose. It initially reduced his snoring, but the effect diminished each night. If your nose is stuffy or congested, our panel recommend trying a steroid-based spray.

Helps Stop Snoring Throat Spray (£11.99 for 19ml)

Design: A spray that stops the tissues of the soft palate and back of the throat vibrating by lubricating and toning them.

Claim: ‘Clinically proven to help reduce or eliminate snoring for four out of five testers’.

Verdict: Our experts have concerns about the research. Dr Williams’ view is that it’s ‘flawed at best’. Prof Wilson looked in detail at the results and believes the spray could work on 20-30% of users. Prof Houghton says bigger studies are needed. It’s unclear how the product works – eg, essential oils aren’t generally viewed as lubricants, as they evaporate.

The wife in our test couple says her husband’s snoring was a little quieter at times; but he found the taste awful, so wouldn’t use it again.