- SleepResource.net

Sign up on Sleep Resource

Join the community to vote on your favorite products and get updates on topics and products relevant to you!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

CPAP Mask Guide

Choosing the one that's right for you can make all the difference!

By Sleep Resource

September 8th, 2024

Below is an overview of some different CPAP mask styles, their pros and cons, and advice on what types of users might be the best fit. Examples of mask models made by ResMed, Philips Respironics, and Fisher & Paykel (F&P) are also provided.
‍
Each style offers different benefits, and finding the right one can take time, but the right mask can significantly improve comfort and success using CPAP.

If you're interested in tips for bearded CPAP users, check out our CPAP Mask Tips for Facial Hair post.

There are several different mask types - each picture links to a full section below:

Considerations When Choosing a Mask:
Oral Venting/Breathing through the mouth/Dry Mouth:
- Full-face or hybrid masks are best to prevent oral venting and manage dry mouth. Nasal masks may require a chin strap or mouth tape.
‍Nasal Congestion:
- Full-face masks allow for mouth breathing when nasal passages are obstructed. Nasal steroid spray, nasal saline rinses and sprays may also be used to help mitigate nasal congestion.
‍Side Sleepers:
- Nasal pillow or under-the-nose masks are best as they offer minimal contact with the pillow and reduce mask shifting.
- Memory foam pillows may also be useful in mitigating positional leak caused by the mask abutting the pillow and breaking the seal. Specialty CPAP pillows (with cut-outs for the mask) may also be useful for this.
‍Claustrophobic Users:
- Nasal pillows or under-the-nose masks are more open and may be less intrusive.
‍

Nasal Mask

Fully covers the nose, delivering air through the nasal passages

Pros:

Good for those who move a lot in their sleep
Generally considered more comfortable and less intrusive than full-face masks
Users report airflow through the nose to feel more natural than airflow through the mouth

Cons:

Not ideal for mouth breathers unless combined with a chin strap or mouth tape
Can cause nasal dryness if you have nasal congestion or allergies

Best for:

People who breathe primarily through their nose and don’t have significant nasal congestion or dry mouth issues

Examples

ResMed

AirFit N20 (pictured)

Phillips Respironics

Wisp

Phillips Website

Fisher & Paykal (F&P)

Eson 2

Nasal Mask

Covers the nose, delivering air through the nasal passages

Pictured: ResMed AirFit N20

Pros:

Good for those who move a lot in their sleep
Generally more comfortable and less intrusive than full-face masks
Can provide a more natural airflow

Cons:

Not ideal for mouth breathers unless combined with a chin strap
Can cause nasal dryness if you have nasal congestion or allergies

Best for:

People who breathe primarily through their nose and don’t have significant nasal congestion or dry mouth issues.

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N20 (in picture)
Respironics Wisp mask
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) Eson 2

‍

Examples

ResMed

AirFit N20

Respironics

Wisp

F&P

Eson 2

Under-the-Nose

A variation of nasal masks where the cushion sits just beneath the nostrils and directs airflow into the nose

Pros:

Minimal contact with the face, similar to nasal pillows
Reduces pressure on the bridge of the nose

Cons:

Less suitable for mouth breathers unless using a chin strap or mouth tape

Best for:

People who want minimal facial contact but find nasal pillows uncomfortable or irritating

Examples:

AirFit N30
F&P Solo (in picture)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Under-the-Nose (tube-on-top)
AirFit N30i (tube-on-top)

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N20 (in picture)
Respironics Wisp mask
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) Eson 2

‍

Examples

ResMed

AirFit N30

ResMed

AirFit N30i (tube-on-top)

Respironics

Under-Nose
(tube-on-top)

F&P

Solo

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

Nasal Pillow

Small, minimalistic mask that sits at the nostrils and delivers air directly into the nose

Pros:

Minimal contact with the face
Great for side sleepers since the mask doesn’t cover a large area of the face
Lightweight and less claustrophobic

Cons:

May cause nasal discomfort or irritation, especially at higher pressures
Less suitable for mouth breathers unless using a chin strap or mouth tape

Best for:

People who are comfortable breathing through their nose, want minimal contact with their face, and are side sleepers.

Examples:

ResMed AirFit P10
F&P Brevida
ResMed Swift FX

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N20 (in picture)
Respironics Wisp mask
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) Eson 2

‍

Examples

ResMed

AirFit P10

ResMed

Swift FX

F&P

Brevida

Back to Top of Page

Full-Face Mask

Covers both the nose and mouth, delivering air through both

Pros:

Ideal for mouth breathers or those with nasal congestion
Provides more effective therapy for those who experience oral venting or dry mouth
Good for higher pressure settings

Cons:

Bulkier and may be less comfortable or claustrophobic
More prone to leaks, especially for side sleepers

Best for:

People who breathe through their mouth or have significant nasal congestion or sinus issues.

Examples:

ResMed AirFit F20
ResMed AirTouch F20 (memory foam lining)
ResMed Quattro
F&P Simplus
F&P Vitera
React Health Siesta

Back to Top of Page

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N20 (in picture)
Respironics Wisp mask
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) Eson 2

‍

Examples

ResMed

AirFit F20 Full Face

ResMed

AirTouch F20 (foam lining)

F&P

Simplus

F&P

Vitera

React Health

Siesta

Hybrid Masks

Combines the attributes of a full-face mask with nasal coverage (under-the-nose)

Pros:

Suitable for mouth breathers but with less bulk on the face
Can be more comfortable than traditional full-face masks
Avoids pressure on the nasal bridge

Cons:

Can still be prone to leaks if not fitted correctly
Not as minimalistic as nasal or nasal pillow masks

Best for:

People who breathe primarily through their nose and don’t have significant nasal congestion or dry mouth issues.

Examples:

ResMed AirFIt F30
ResMed AIrFit F30i (tube-on-top)
ResMed AirFit F40
F&P Evora mask
Philips Respironics DreamWear full-face
Philips Respironics Amara View (in picture)

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N20 (in picture)
Respironics Wisp mask
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) Eson 2

‍

Examples

ResMed

AirFit F30/F30i

ResMed

AirFit F40

ResMed

Quattro

F&P

Evora

Respironics

Dreamwear full-face

Respironics

Amara View
(pictured)

Back to Top of Page

Tube-on-top Masks

Nasal or full-face masks where the air tubing is positioned at the top of the head, rather than in front

Pros:

Helps reduce the feeling of tubing getting in the way, allowing for more freedom of movement during sleep
Good for “active” sleepers

Cons:

Can still be bulky depending on the mask design
Nasal dryness may still be an issue for mouth breathers

Best for:

People who move a lot in their sleep or sleep on their stomach, and want less interference from tubing

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N30i (Nasal; under the nose)
ResMed AirFit P30i (Nasal Pillow)
ResMed AirFit F30i (Full-Face)
Respironcis DreamWisp (Nasal; over the nose)
AirFit F40 (Full-Face)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Full-Face
Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal (under the nose or nasal pillows)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal (Nasal Pillows)

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N20 (in picture)
Respironics Wisp mask
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) Eson 2

‍

Examples

ResMed

AirFit N30i

ResMed

AirFit P30i

ResMed

AirFit F30i

ResMed

F40 (Full-face)

Respironics

Dreamwear Full-face

Respironics

Dreamwear Nasal

Back to Top of Page

Unique Masks

Swift FX w/ Bella Nasal Pillow Mask

Uses loops that fit around the ears instead of straps around the back of the head, offering a minimalist and unobtrusive fit

Pros:

With no headgear straps, this design is ideal for people who feel confined by more traditional CPAP masks or experience discomfort from straps pulling on their head or hair or prone to headaches from the CPAP straps.
Since there are no straps at the back of the head, side sleepers can find it more comfortable, as it doesn’t interfere with the pillow.
The mask’s minimalist design makes it lightweight, reducing the sensation of wearing a mask and increasing comfort, especially for those sensitive to pressure on the face.

Cons:

Not ideal for mouth breathers unless combined with a chin strap
Can cause nasal dryness if you have nasal congestion or allergies

Best for:

People who breathe primarily through their nose and don’t have significant nasal congestion or dry mouth issues.

Bleep Dreamport System

Utilizes adhesive nasal ports to create a seal and deliver air directly into the nostrils.The mask features adhesive patches called DreamPorts that stick to the nostrils, eliminating the need for headgear or straps.

Pros:

No Headgear: With no straps or headgear, it eliminates pressure points and is ideal for users who dislike traditional masks.
Minimal Facial Contact: Since only the adhesive strips touch the nose, it’s less intrusive and can be more comfortable for some.

Cons:

Daily Adhesive: The adhesive must be replaced every night, which can be cumbersome and costly over time.
Adhesive Sensitivity: Some users may experience skin irritation from the adhesive.
Not Ideal for Mouth Breathers: Like other nasal systems, mouth breathers would need a chin strap or mouth tape to prevent air from escaping

Best for:

The Bleep DreamPort mask is a good choice for users seeking a strap-free, lightweight, and secure nasal mask, but it may not be suitable for those who mouth breathe or have skin sensitivities to adhesive.

Back to Top of Page

Under-the-Nose Mask

A variation of nasal masks where the cushion sits beneath the nostrils and directs airflow into the nose

Pros:

Minimal contact with the face, similar to nasal pillows - good for side sleepers
Reduces pressure on the bridge of the nose

‍

Cons:

Not ideal for mouth breathers unless using a chin strap or mouth tape
Smaller contact area (vs. full nasal mask) means more potential for seal disruption, especially for side sleepers

Best for:

People who want minimal facial contact but find nasal pillows uncomfortable or irritating

Examples:

AirFit N30
F&P Solo (in picture)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Under-the-Nose (tube-on-top)
AirFit N30i (tube-on-top)

Examples

ResMed

AirFit N30 (pictured)

ResMed

AirFit N30i (tube-on-top)

Phillips Respironics

DreamWear Under-The-Nose
(tube-on-top)

Phillips Website

Fisher & Paykal (F&P)

Solo

Nasal Pillow Mask

Small mask with minimal contact that sits at the nostrils and delivers air directly into the nasal passages

Pros:

Minimal contact with the face
Great for side sleepers since the mask doesn’t cover a large area of the face
Lightweight and less claustrophobic
Available with gel or silicone pillows

Cons:

May cause nasal discomfort or irritation, especially at higher pressures
Not ideal for mouth breathers unless using a chin strap or mouth tape

Best for:

People who are comfortable breathing through their nose, want minimal contact with their face, and are side sleepers

Examples:

ResMed AirFit P10 (in picture)
F&P Brevida
ResMed Swift FX

Examples

ResMed

AirFit P10 (pictured)

ResMed

Swift FX

Fisher & Paykal

Brevida

Full-Face Mask

Covers both the nose and mouth, delivering air through both

Pros:

Ideal for mouth breathers or those with nasal congestion
Provides more effective therapy for those who experience oral venting or dry mouth
Good for higher pressure settings

Cons:

Bulkier and may be less comfortable / more claustrophobic
More prone to leaks, especially for side sleepers

Best for:

People who breathe through their mouth or have significant nasal congestion / sinus issues, and are not side sleepers

Examples:

ResMed AirFit F20 (in picture)
ResMed AirTouch F20 (memory foam lining)
ResMed Quattro
F&P Simplus
F&P Vitera
React Health Siesta

Examples

ResMed

AirFit F20 (pictured)

ResMed

AirTouch F20 (foam lining)

ResMed

Quattro

React Health

Siesta

React Health Website

Fisher & Paykal

Simplus

Fisher & Paykal

Vitera

Hybrid Masks

Combines the attributes of a full-face mask with nasal coverage (under-the-nose)

Pros:

Suitable for mouth breathers but with less bulk on the face
Can be more comfortable than traditional full-face masks
Avoids pressure on the nasal bridge

Cons:

Can still be prone to leaks if not fitted correctly
Not as minimalistic as nasal or nasal pillow masks

Best for:

Mouth breathers who find traditional full-face masks uncomfortable or too bulky but need the benefits of a full-face mask

Examples:

ResMed AirFIt F30
ResMed AirFit F30i (tube-on-top)
ResMed AirFit F40
F&P Evora mask
Philips Respironics DreamWear full-face
Philips Respironics Amara View (in picture)

Examples

ResMed

AirFit F30 (pictured)

ResMed

AirFit F30i

ResMed

Quattro

Fisher & Paykal

Evora

Fisher & Paykal

Phillips Respironics

DreamWear Full-face

Phillips Website

Phillips Respironics

Amara View

Phillips Website

Tube-On-Top

Nasal or full-face masks where the air tubing is positioned at the top of the head, rather than in front

Pros:

Helps reduce the feeling of tubing getting in the way, allowing for more freedom of movement during sleep
Good for "active" sleepers
Can be less claustrophobic

Cons:

Can still be bulky depending on the mask design
Can cause nasal dryness, especially at higher pressures and especially for mouth breathers

Best for:

People who move a lot in their sleep or sleep on their stomach and want less interference from tubing

Examples:

ResMed AirFit N30i (Nasal; under the nose)
ResMed AirFit P30i (Nasal Pillow)
ResMed AirFit F30i (Full-Face)
Respironcis DreamWisp (Nasal; over the nose)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Full-Face
Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal (under the nose)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal (Nasal Pillows)

Examples

ResMed

AirFit N30i (Nasal; under-nose)

ResMed

AirFit P30i (Nasal pillow)

ResMed

AirFit F30i (Full-face)

Phillips Respironics

DreamWisp

Phillips Website

Phillips Respironics

DreamWear Full-Face

Phillips Website

Phillips Respironics

DreamWear (Under-nose)

Phillips Website

Phillips Respironics

DreamWear (Nasal pillows)

Phillips Website

Unique Masks

Masks with non-traditional or otherwise innovative components

Resmed Swift FX with Bella Headgear

Variation of the nasal pillow mask designed by ResMed, known for its unique attachment style. Instead of traditional headgear, it uses loops that fit around the ears instead of straps around the back of the head, offering a low touch fit.

Pros:

With no headgear straps, this design is ideal for people who feel confined by more traditional CPAP masks or experience discomfort from straps pulling on their head or hair or prone to headaches from the CPAP straps
Side sleepers can find it more comfortable, as it does not have straps around the head to make contact with the pillow
The mask's lightweight design reduces the sensation of wearing a mask, increasing comfort, especially for those sensitive to pressure on the face

Cons:

While the ear loops are made of a soft material, users with sensitive ears may find them uncomfortable after long periods of use
Not ideal for mouth breathers unless using a chin strap or mouth tape

‍

‍

Bleep Dreamport

Unique nasal mask that doesn’t use traditional headgear. Instead, adhesive nasal patches (called "Dreamports") create a seal and deliver air directly into the nostrils. A newer version also uses magnets to strengthen the seal.

The Bleep DreamPort mask is a good choice for users seeking a strap-free, lightweight, and secure nasal mask, but it may not be suitable for those who mouth breathe or have sensitive skin.

Pros:

No Headgear: With no straps or headgear, it eliminates pressure points and is ideal for users who dislike traditional masks.
Minimal Facial Contact: Since only the adhesive strips touch the nose, it’s less intrusive and can be more comfortable for some.

Cons:

Daily Adhesive: The adhesive must be replaced every night, which can be cumbersome and costly over time.
Adhesive Sensitivity: Some users may experience skin irritation from the adhesive.
Not Ideal for Mouth Breathers: Like other nasal systems, mouth breathers would need a chin strap or mouth tape to prevent air from escaping.

SleepResource.net - 2024