VitalSleep vs ZQuiet – Which is Better?
If you’re in the market for an anti-snoring mouthpiece, you might be wondering which ones are truly worth your money.
This can be especially difficult when you’re looking at devices that seem identical. If they’re made of the same materials and utilizing the same technologies, how are you supposed to know which is the better option?
By the time that I’ve finished with this VitalSleep and ZQuiet comparison, you should have a better idea of which mouthpiece is right for you.
Let’s dive in and take a look at two of the most popular anti-snoring devices on the market: the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet.
Comparison – ZQuiet v/s VitalSleep Mouthguards
I’ll be throwing a lot of details at you. Do you need help keeping them straight? Here’s an easy comparison chart for the VitalSleep versus the ZQuiet snoring mouthpieces.
| Features |
VitalSleep 
|
ZQuiet 
|
|---|---|---|
|
Adjustable Fit |
Yes |
No |
|
Multiple Sizes |
Yes |
No |
|
Air Holes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Hinge Technology |
No |
Yes |
|
Cleaned with toothpaste |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Trial Period |
60 Days |
30 Days |
|
Editor’s Rating | ||
|
Price |
Design
Both the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet are considered mandibular advancement devices (MADs) because of the way that they push your jaw forward as you sleep.
If you don’t already know, most snoring is caused by an obstructed airway. This can have many origins, including overly-relaxed throat muscles or a tongue that rolls backwards during sleep, but the end result is the same: snoring noises made by oxygen that struggles to get through a narrow airway.
MADs work by gently pressing your jaw in an “advanced” position while you sleep. This keeps your airway open and unobstructed during the night.
As MADs, the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet have the same general design and function. Where they start to differ is the details.
Fitting the Mouthpiece
The biggest difference between the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet is the way that they fit into the mouth.
VitalSleep
If you’re looking for customized fitting options, it doesn’t get much better than the VitalSleep. It’s one of the top products in the industry when it comes to adjustment capabilities. Some mouthpieces can’t be modified at all, and some mouthpieces can only be modified in one or two ways, but the VitalSleep offers a whopping three ways to ensure its fit:
- You can adjust the exact degree of its jaw advancement between 1 – 7 millimeters.
- It utilizes the “boil and bite” method as a heat-molding fitting technique. Just soften the mouthpiece in hot water before biting down and creating an impression of your upper and lower teeth.
- The mouthpiece can be ordered in two sizes. The bigger one is recommended for men, and the smaller one is recommended for women.
When used together, these three features pretty much guarantee a good fit for the VitalSleep. It’s an excellent choice if you’re picky about anti-snoring devices and how they rest in your mouth.
ZQuiet
The ZQuiet doesn’t offer much in the way of customization options. It can’t be boiled. It can’t be adjusted with hinges or screws. It doesn’t even come in multiple sizes.
Before you write it off, however, you should know that the ZQuiet’s simplicity is also one of its strengths:
- You don’t have to worry about degrading the material with multiple fitting attempts. The “boil and bite” method is notorious for weakening the structural integrity of its mouthpieces after they’ve been heated, softened, bitten, cooled and re-hardened time and time again. This is a non-issue with the ZQuiet.
- The ZQuiet is one of the only MADs on the market that can be plucked out of the box and used as-is. You don’t have to fiddle around with any parts or supplies. By contrast, if you want to adjust the VitalSleep’s adjustment angle, you have to use a special hex tool to adjust its screws.
- The ZQuiet’s universal fit is suitable for most people. There’s a reason why it’s called “universal.”
All things considered, there are good things about the ZQuiet’s lack of fitting options. If you’re looking for a no-fuss, no-mess mouthpiece, it might be the better choice for you.
Flexibility
One of the biggest concerns that people have about anti-snoring mouthpieces is their comfort and convenience during the night. No one wants to hold a bulky piece of plastic between their teeth for 6-8 hours!
The good news is that both the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet are designed to be flexible.
The VitalSleep is made with a malleable kind of thermoplastic. It’s so forgiving that you can actually move your mouth from side to side as you wear it, and this is quite unusual for a MAD. You’ll be able to breathe, talk, yawn, swallow and even drink water while wearing the VitalSleep.
The ZQuiet is also quite flexible. It uses something called “living hinges” to give it a full range of motion, and since these hinges are just as soft and supple as the mouthpiece itself, you shouldn’t have any problems fitting it comfortably inside your mouth. You can actually bend it with your hands to test its elasticity before sticking it between your teeth. It won’t break under the pressure!
Maintenance
This is one area where the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet are pretty much identical. While some mouthpieces have different instructions for long-term maintenance, both of these devices are kept clean and hygienic in the same way: good old-fashioned toothpaste.
Their list of “don’ts” are the same, too. Don’t clean them with bleach or ammonia. Don’t soak them in hot water.
If you want, you can use special cleaning solutions for the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet. The manufacturers of the ZQuiet recommend their own solution that can be purchased at checkout along with your mouthpiece, but anything made with non-toxic ingredients will do. The same thing applies to the VitalSleep.
Warranty
The VitalSleep and the ZQuiet both offer really nice warranties. As with everything else, however, they differ in the details.
VitalSleep
The VitalSleep comes with a 60-day money back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the product after two months of use, you can ship it right back to the manufacturers for a full refund.
The manufacturers also offer a year-long warranty with free replacements. This is very generous; while a lot of companies like to encourage re-orders, they’ll only offer price discounts or special shipping deals for repeat customers. The VitalSleep is a rare brand that will actually supply you with freebies to keep you satisfied.
ZQuiet
Not to be outdone, the ZQuiet also comes with generous terms.
Its trial period lasts 30 days. However, the manufacturers don’t ask you to pay full price for the mouthpiece until the month is finished. You’ll only have to pay a small shipping and handling fee to get your product delivered.
If you don’t like the ZQuiet after your 30 days are up, ship it back to the manufacturers without paying anything else.
If you do like it and want to keep it, pay full price at the end of the month.
The benefits of this arrangement are obvious. Instead of outright buying a mouthpiece that you may or may not like, you can temporarily rent it while testing its capabilities and figuring out if it’s right for you.
Flaws
No product is perfect, and this applies to the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet in equal measure.
The biggest problem with both mouthpieces is that they can cause an increase in saliva production. Until your body learns to adjust, you’ll probably wake up with a bit of drool on your chin after your jaw has been held at an unnatural angle overnight.
The next flaw belongs to the VitalSleep alone. Since it can be adjusted in so many different ways, it can require a learning curve to master.
For example, you’ll have to teach yourself the boil-and-bite method to get its customized fit. You’ll also have to use its hex tool to adjust its screws to the precise millimeter of jaw advancement that you want.
Another potential issue comes from the ZQuiet. If it isn’t cleaned regularly, it might develop a white film over its plastic. If you let this film build up too much, it can affect the longevity of your device.
What’s the Bottom Line?
So, which product is better?
If you want something with lots of customization options, go for the VitalSleep. Its adjustable dental trays can be modified in everything from shape to jaw advancement angle, so it’s perfect for people who want a precise fit.
If you’d prefer something simpler, try the ZQuiet. It doesn’t come with screws to adjust or boiling instructions to follow, so it’s a very user-friendly product that’s ideal for beginners and busy folk.
At the end of the day, both the VitalSleep and the ZQuiet will help you stop your snores. That’s the most important thing. As long as your top priority is getting a good night’s sleep, either product will do!
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