CPAP Alternatives: Sleep Apnea Treatment Without CPAP

Our Reviews Team recommends products that we feel will truly improve the sleep quality of our readers. We’ve spent more than 250 hours conducting in-depth research on CPAP machines, CPAP accessories, and CPAP alternatives to give you the most accurate review of every product.

During our research process, we:

Read more about our CPAP Review Methodology.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are commonly prescribed for people with breathing conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While CPAP machines can be effective for OSA, they may not be the right choice for everyone. Some people may find sleeping with a CPAP mask uncomfortable, and certain CPAP machines can be noisy.

Luckily, there are CPAP alternatives for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs). Here, our Reviews Team walks you through some of these CPAP alternatives for OSA. Plus, get expert insight on improving your sleep quality.

Learn more about at-home sleep apnea tests.

You can reach Daybreak customer service through the following options:

Daybreak accepts a number of major insurance companies, including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oscar, and Emblem Health. Daybreak also offers financing through CareCredit.

The Daybreak Device is an oral mouthpiece worn during sleep to help control apnea or snoring. It works by gently pressing your jaw forward to open your airway further. According to Daybreak, the devices work best for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, not severe or chronic sleep apnea.

When you order a Daybreak device, you’ll first receive a sleep test kit. It includes a NightOwl sensor and instructions on downloading the companion app and using the test. According to our tester, “I found it easy to use. You just put the tape around your finger and it held it in place and it was pretty straightforward.” Your results are analyzed by a team of doctors at Daybreak who will determine if you have sleep apnea and if the Daybreak device is appropriate for you. If it is recommended, you will then receive an impression kit that you can use to make a custom mold of your teeth. After sending your mold back to the company, you’ll receive your custom oral device in the mail around five to seven days later. Creation of the Daybreak device is overseen by a dentist, and every device is individually tested before shipping.

The Daybreak device is considered a medical device for treating sleep apnea, making it eligible for insurance coverage if you have a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea and a prescription from your doctor (check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage). If you don’t already have a sleep apnea diagnosis, you can use a Daybreak Sleep Test kit to measure your sleep quality. Sleep test kits cost $160 and include an interpretation of your results by a doctor and a diagnosis and prescription if necessary. You can pay for it out of pocket or use CareCredit financing to pay in installments.

Who may love Daybreak for sleep apnea

Who may want to avoid Daybreak device for sleep apnea

We spent over 250 hours researching CPAP machines, positive airway pressure (PAP) machines, and other sleep apnea alternatives. We interviewed medical experts, such as respiratory therapists, and consulted recent academic research on CPAP alternatives, like oral devices, to bring the most up-to-date information to our articles.

To learn more about our testing, review our CPAP review methodology.

To qualify for insurance coverage for your OSA treatment, CPAP machine, or other devices (like a portable oxygen concentrator for supplemental oxygen therapy during the day), you’ll need an official sleep apnea diagnosis and a prescription from your doctor. If treatment or therapy is deemed medically necessary, your health insurance should provide some amount of coverage. Private insurance varies by plan, and Medicaid coverage varies by state. Talk to a representative with your health insurance company to confirm coverage and to find out whether there are any limitations for coverage.

Medicare coverage depends on the treatment type. Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment ⓘ Medical equipment expected to last at least three years, prescribed for in-home use for a medical reason (DME) if it’s prescribed by a health care provider. To learn more, read our guide to Medicare coverage for CPAP machines and supplies.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Billing and coding: Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Aug. 27, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=56905

Multiple alternative ways exist to treat sleep apnea without a CPAP machine—such as using an oral device to help keep airways open, trying different sleeping positions like side or stomach sleeping, and using an adjustable bed to lift the head and relieve pressure on the breathing passages.

Some of the most popular treatment methods for sleep apnea include the following.

Beyond modifying your diet and exercise routine for better sleep hygiene, the following lifestyle changes may help with sleep apnea:

Oral sleep apnea appliances can come in a few different designs, including the following:

CPAP machines aren’t the only pressurized air devices that can help ease sleep apnea symptoms. The following positive airway pressure (PAP) machines could also prove useful for some people.

“In very severe cases, surgery may be considered to [help with] symptoms,” said Kevin Huffman, DO, bariatric doctor and CEO of On the Rocks Climbing Gym in Elyria, Ohio. Some of the surgeries used to treat sleep apnea can include the following:

A CPAP machine may provide more restful sleep for many people, but for others, the cons may outweigh the pros. Some of the more common drawbacks to CPAP machines include the following.

CPAP machines can lead to unpleasant side effects. According to our 2023 survey of 600 CPAP users, the following side effects were most commonly reported by respondents:

CPAP machines can also be noisy, making it hard to sleep if you’re sensitive to sound. And some people may prefer a device worn in the mouth versus one that connects to tubing and hoses, which can make it difficult to get comfortable.

The best CPAP alternative for your needs can depend on several factors, such as the severity of your sleep apnea, your overall budget, and your personal preferences.

For example, while noninvasive options like oral devices are approved for mild to moderate sleep apnea, severe and chronic sleep apnea may require more intensive interventions, such as surgery.

Your personal comfort also plays a role in your decisions. You may dislike the noise from an alternative pressurized air machine and prefer a noiseless alternative, like an oral device. Consider how much money you’re prepared to spend, too. For instance, the Daybreak oral device can be an expensive out-of-pocket purchase, although Daybreak accepts insurance when a doctor medically prescribes the device.

Sleep specialists can include medical professionals such as neurologists, pulmonologists, or psychiatrists who undergo sleep medicine training. They may ask about your sleep habits and symptoms or suggest an overnight sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea or other potential sleep disorders.

“It’s important to talk to a sleep specialist before starting any alternative treatment,” said Huffman.

While CPAP is an effective way to treat obstructive sleep apnea, some may find a CPAP machine too noisy, uncomfortable, or cumbersome for long-term treatment. Luckily, research indicates that certain CPAP alternatives, like oral devices, alternate pressurized airway machines, and lifestyle changes could improve sleep apnea symptoms.

Our top CPAP alternative is the Daybreak oral device since the company provides an at-home kit for creating a custom-molded device. The company also accepts insurance when the purchase is accompanied by a doctor’s prescription, making it potentially more affordable.

“Some of these alternative treatments can be helpful, at least to some extent,” said Huffman. “But remember, if you have severe sleep apnea and you stop using CPAP, your symptoms will almost certainly worsen.” Huffman suggests consulting a sleep specialist before you stop using CPAP therapy so they can help you find the alternative treatment that will work best for your needs.

If you don’t want to use a CPAP machine, you can try an oral device to support a clear airway. ”These custom-fitted devices can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce sleep apnea symptoms,” Takyrbashev explained.

Some people with sleep apnea may benefit from practicing good sleep hygiene habits. “Having consistent sleep and wake times, a restful sleep environment, and avoidance of stimulants before bed can help,” said Huffman. Maintaining a healthy weight can also lead to fewer symptoms since obesity is a risk factor for sleep apnea.

By treating sleep apnea naturally, you can potentially save money on expensive treatment options like CPAP machines, and avoid the potential discomfort of wearing a CPAP mask.

Adopting healthier lifestyle choices, like an improved diet and exercising, may also improve your overall health in other ways, allowing you to support your body while improving your sleep.

Have questions about this review? Email us at [email protected].