Nasal strips are usually the first thing people try. They’re cheap, they’re at every drugstore, and for some people they genuinely help a little. But for a lot of snorers, the problem isn’t nasal airflow at all — it’s the lower jaw and tongue relaxing back into the throat during sleep, which a strip on your nose can’t touch. If you’ve tried strips, humidifiers, or “just sleeping on your side” and you’re still hearing about it from your partner in the morning, the next real step is usually a mandibular advancement device — a mouthpiece that holds the jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open.
Two of the most established options in this category are ZQuiet and SnoreMeds. Neither requires a prescription or a dental visit, and both are designed around the same basic mechanism, but they differ in fit approach, materials, and price.
Reviewed by a licensed dental professional.
The options
ZQuiet
ZQuiet is a dentist-designed mouthpiece and an FDA-cleared Class II medical device. It was developed with input from Dr. Avery Lieberman, DDS, a professor of Restorative Dentistry — a named, checkable credential, not a vague “dentist-approved” claim.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pre-formed, adjustable-hinge design — no boiling or molding required | Pre-formed fit is inherently less precise than a custom-molded option |
| “Living Hinge” design allows natural jaw movement during sleep, unlike a fixed molded piece | Not adjustable in small increments the way a boil-and-bite device can be |
| FDA-cleared Class II medical device, named dentist behind the design | |
| Two sizes included in every order | May not suit unusual jaw or bite shapes as well as a moldable device |
| 60-day money-back guarantee | Some users report needing a night or two to adjust |
| Founded in 2008 |
SnoreMeds
SnoreMeds is a boil-and-bite mouthpiece — you soften it in hot water and bite down to create a semi-custom mold of your own teeth.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Boil-and-bite process gives a closer, more personalized fit | Some users find the boiling/molding step fiddly to get right |
| Made from BPA- and latex-free material (per SnoreMeds) | Not adjustable afterward — a bad fit means starting over with a fresh piece |
| May feel bulkier than a slimmer pre-formed design | |
| Ships worldwide | |
| 45-day money-back guarantee |
Who should use which
| ZQuiet | SnoreMeds | |
|---|---|---|
| Good fit for | People who want to start immediately with no prep step; anyone prioritizing a longer trial window | People who want the most personalized fit for the price |
| Consider avoiding if | You have an unusual jaw shape the pre-formed sizes won’t accommodate | |
| Either way, avoid if | You have or suspect sleep apnea — loud snoring with gasping or choking, pauses in breathing someone has noticed, or heavy daytime sleepiness. Get evaluated before using any over-the-counter device. Also avoid if you wear dentures or are under 18. | (same) |
Our pick
ZQuiet. Both brands show up in independent roundups (example), so this isn’t about reputation. It comes down to design: ZQuiet is an FDA-cleared device developed with input from a named dentist, and its hinged design lets your jaw move naturally through the night, and it has the longer money-back window.
The mechanism matters too: ZQuiet’s hinged design lets your jaw move naturally through the night — talk, drink water, shift position — while a boil-and-bite piece like SnoreMeds locks into one fixed shape once molded. A device that moves with you is more likely to actually get worn consistently, which matters more than any spec on paper. SnoreMeds’ customized fit and lower price are real advantages, and it’s not a bad product — but if you’re choosing one to start with, ZQuiet is the better-evidenced pick.
One thing to expect with either option
Mild jaw or gum discomfort in the first few nights is normal with any mandibular advancement device — both of these included. Your jaw is holding a slightly different position than it’s used to, and that adjustment period typically settles within a week or two. Persistent pain beyond that, or discomfort that gets worse rather than better, is a sign to stop using the device and check in with a dentist rather than pushing through it.
The bottom line
Neither of these fixes snoring caused by other issues — untreated or suspected sleep apnea, significant nasal obstruction, or other structural causes should still be evaluated by a doctor, not solved with an OTC device. But if you’ve ruled that out and you’re dealing with ordinary jaw-and-tongue-relaxation snoring, both of these are reasonable, established starting points.
- Check ZQuiet’s current price on their website.
- Check SnoreMeds’ current price →
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