Looking for the best full-face CPAP mask to help you get better sleep? You’re not alone.
CPAP therapy is a great way to treat the acute symptoms of this challenging condition, but how do you know which one to buy? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we have five of the best full-face CPAP machines reviewed, plus plenty of extra invaluable buying information so you can pick the very best product for your needs.
Read on to find out about the best full-face CPAP masks and how to choose between them:
Other features: Spring Air cushion; no forehead support; lightweight; soft-edge headgear; quick-release elbow; circular ventilation ports; clear field of vision
This incredibly lightweight 3-40cm H20 CPAP comes in three different sizes, ensuring customers with all head shapes and sizes can benefit from the machine. It is also easily adjusted, has soft straps, is non condensing, and uses a reliable seal so that you can enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep with the aid of the machine.
Customers who find the forehead support that often comes with CPAP masks claustrophobic and restrictive will love that there is no forehead strap with the Airfit F10. This means that you can enjoy the ergonomically designed mask with a full field of vision, making the mask less claustrophobic and more functional and practical than other models.
The ResMed Airfit F10 is a great model for CPAP users who require the machine to watch television and relax at home and need it as a sleep aid. The lack of any forehead strap combined with soft straps and a true light design means it’s extra-comfy, making the functionality of the product much less disruptive.
Other features: plush cushion; ergonomic headgear; x-crossing straps; simple straps; adjustable clips; clear line of sight; no nasal pressure
The Philips FitLife is a robust CPAP mask that comes in sizes small, large and extra large and offers a pressure range of 4CM H20-40CM H20, so it works for a large range of sleep apnea sufferers. For your comfort, the plush cushion, minimal nasal pressure, adjustable clips, and clear line of sight, plus simple straps, make the product a pleasure to wear.
Customers who struggle with CPAP masks staying put will love that the product is really secure with the X strap but is also easy to re-adjust if you do move around a lot in your sleep or get in and out of bed a lot. The Philips FitLife is an excellent mask for side sleepers who find many CPAP machines can be catered mainly towards back sleepers. By sleeping at the edge of the pillow, you can comfortably sleep wearing your mask without feeling uncomfortable.
Other features: RollFit seal; 3 adjustment points; breathable ErgoForm headgear; advanced air diffusing ability; FitPack option
The Fisher and Paykel Simplus full-face CPAP mask offers therapy between 4-25CM H20 and comes in small, medium, and large sizes. It is ready to use from the moment you unpack it, with easy-fix clip hooks, adjustable straps, secured and stretch panels, and easy-use velcro tabs.
Customers will love how the product features a ball and socket elbow and a roll fit seal, enabling the mask to move with you in the night, keeping it secure but preventing it from causing soreness or friction. This mask is excellent for customers recently diagnosed with sleep apnea who have been told they need a CPAP mask and don’t know where to start. It caters for all head sizes, is secure, works for both nose and mouth breathers, requires no assembly, and has no fiddly bits to clean – perfect for those new to this kind of equipment.
Other features: Spring Air cushion; dual-layered; crown cap headgear with no forehead attachment; swing seal technique; minimal contact
This stylish, quiet, and dependable full-face mask is exceptionally lightweight and allows for a wide field of vision during use – perfect for late-night reading or watching some TV before bed. The mask is easy to clean and has a spring air cushion, a minimalist design to reduce claustrophobia, and it is easy to fit, so it’s an all-around winner for women hoping to get the perfect CPAP full-face mask.
The ResMed QuattroAir is a great choice for women who want an extremely light and non-obstructive device to help with sleep apnea. As it is so light, has no forehead strap, and is up to 50% lighter than comparable products, it is a good option if you have found yourself feeling a little trapped and restricted by other CPAP full-face masks.
Other features: adjustable headgear; headgear clips with a Quick-release; universal mask frame; open vision design; under the nose cushion
The Philips Amara View CPAP full-face mask is a full silicone mask designed to minimize contact with the nose due to its innovative design. It’s more compact than other masks, completely removing any of the products from the eye line so you can comfortably read or watch TV in bed without any problems.
Customers will also love that the mask is easy to maintain, put together and put on and take off, making sleep apnea maintenance as easy as possible. The product is ideal if you have struggled with soreness issues on the nose from other masks. This design is genuinely innovative, preventing contact with the bride of the nose and securely connecting only to the nostrils. The functionality of the mask remains effective, but the common issue of nose soreness and nose leakage is removed.
Adults need 7 hours of sleep or more every 24 hours for optimum health and wellbeing. Sleep apnea sufferers can take lots of measures to get this much-needed rest, but one of the most recommended treatments is using a CPAP (once sleep apnea is diagnosed by a doctor).
In this guide, we want to help you understand all you need to know about CPAP masks, what to look for as a buyer in terms of quality, and product details. Plus, we’ll let you know how to choose the right type of mask for your needs.
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and it is the treatment prescribed by most doctors in the case of anything other than mild sleep apnea. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association Trusted Source Sleep Apnea Information for Clinicians | ASAA Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, have become a significant health issue in the United States. It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80 percent of the cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea undiagnosed. www.sleepapnea.org , around 22 million Americans are known to suffer from sleep apnea, and 80% of cases remain undiagnosed. CPAP is used to refer to a machine that pushes air through a CPAP mask and into your upper airway. This then stops your upper airway from collapsing and obstructing your breathing, thus relieving the physical symptoms of sleep apnea.
The CPAP machine is just one machine you purchase following a prescription from a doctor who can diagnose you with sleep apnea. This diagnosis and prescription process is designed to give you a better insight into your condition, the CPAP machine you need, and the type of mask you should use. Many people tweak what they use further into treatment as they understand their condition and the equipment better. This is usually following a chat with the doctor just to avoid any incorrect adjustments being made.
The machine itself has a fixed pressure setting based on what the doctor has prescribed. This pressure cannot be adjusted without a physician giving it the go-ahead, which is for the safety of the person using the machine.
The mask, which is our focus today, seals the nostrils and mouth (or one or the other) to push the air into the airways. Full face masks tend to be the most effective at delivering the air to the airways. You can also get nasopharyngeal masks that fit the nose or nasal masks with little nostril prongs that deliver air. These devices can work for some people, but full-face masks tend to be a popular choice for people who want the best chance of full air delivery to their airways. The best full-face CPAP masks for high pressure are also recommended if you have very severe sleep apnea.
In addition to the mask, there is also a hose connected to the bottom of your face mask to the CPAP machine. The air pushed out by the motors of that machine goes into your airways via the tube and then the mask.
Every full-face CPAP mask is different, but they all tend to have the following components:
The cushion is a gel or similarly constructed feature that molds to protect certain facial features. It can relate to protecting the bridge of the nose, a standard’ sore spot’. The cushion may also be particularly well designed to mold around features. For example, you can get the best full-face CPAP masks for beards based on the cushion feature.
It’s essential to note that the cushion needs to be replaced every 3-6 months.
The cushion can also be part of the frame, helping to prevent air leakage. Most commonly, the cushion is the part of the mask that fits your face like a chamber to seal in the air.
The headgear is the part of the mask that connects it to your head. They are all made differently, but types without a forehead strap, like the ResMed Airfit F10 or the ResMed Quattro FX for Her, tend to be very popular because they don’t obstruct your field of view.
The frame is the part of the face mask that fits the cushion and helps it connect to the headgear, elbow, and other supports. It basically connects all the different parts of the mask together.
The elbow of a full CPAP mask is the part that connects the frame and the tube from the CPAP machine by swivel.
Luckily, lots of CPAP mask parts are available to replace the parts in most mask models, so you can keep using the same mask for a long time if it suits you without having to get rid of it if a part is worn. If the mask itself has become stretched and misshapen, you will need to buy a completely new one, usually every year.
Knowing which full-face CPAP mask to choose can be challenging, especially if you are new to your sleep apnea diagnosis. The following features, such as the size and comfort, are features we think you need to be aware of when shopping for this vital piece of health equipment:
Be mindful of the materials the mask is made from, as certain materials, like silicone, can cause a reaction in people who suffer an allergy to it.
Not every mask is compatible with every CPAP machine. It is essential to understand this so that you only shop for masks suitable for your machine.
If you breathe through your nose, you don’t necessarily need a full-face mask. You can use a nasal cushion or nasal pillow. However, they can be uncomfortable, especially with higher CPAP machine pressure, so a full mask can still be suitable/ better for a nasal breather. Even if you use a nose-focused CPAP, experts recommend you have a full mask as a backup in case you catch a cold or get a sinus infection, which means you can’t breathe through your nose, but you still need your CPAP machine night.
If you are a mouth breather, you should look for the best full-face CPAP mask for mouth breathers as they push the air in through both airways. Some masks, like the Simplus Max and the FitLife CPAP, are particularly well-designed for mouth breathers.
If you are the kind of person who goes to bed and goes straight to sleep, the FitLife CPAP and the Simplus CPAP will be fine for you to use. However, if you prefer to read or watch TV, your field of vision needs to be clear. For that reason, you may be better suited to the ResMed Quattro FX, AirFit F10, or Amara View.
Most CPAP full-face masks offer a small, medium, or large measurement. Like the ResMed Quattro FX, some are designed just for women who naturally have a smaller head, so they only offer small or medium sizes. It is a good idea to choose the right fit because, like a wetsuit, if the product is not cleanly fitted to you, air leakage will occur. Adjustability can help with this, but only so much if you have the wrong size.
Every mask is designed for those who sleep on the back or sleep on their side. Checking that recommendation is important as you need to be able to sleep comfortably whilst you wear the mask. All manufacturers will say ‘best full-face CPAP mask for side sleepers or something similar so you can tell which is the right choice for you.
Masks can also be designed in a way that accommodates those who are more active at night. The Simplus CPAP, for example, allows for movement around the bed while the mask stays in place. If you go to the toilet a lot at night, you may also appreciate features like the quick-release elbow on the ResMed Airfit F10.
The noise of the CPAP is affected by the mask you choose, which could be a factor for your partner. If the vents blow air out, for example, it could directly impact your partner’s sleep.
Anybody with sleep apnea and a prescription can benefit from a full-face CPAP machine. However, those with moderate to extreme sleep apnea or who are prone to mouth breathing will particularly benefit from this kind of mask. Those who sleep on their back, which Healthline Trusted Source Best Sleeping Position for Better Sleep and Health | Healthline Knowing your best sleeping position can be harder than you think. That’s why it may be worth it for you to try a new position tonight. www.healthline.com tells us is the healthiest way to sleep, are also more likely to benefit from sleep apnea therapy delivered by a full-face CPAP mask.
Of all the best CPAP full-face mask reviews we did, the ResMed AirFit F10 came out top as a fantastic all-rounder. It is soft, comfortable, easy to assemble, effective, and enables a clean field of vision – what’s not to live. In addition, the Amara View CPAP came tops for its innovative design and the ResMed Quattro FX for its outstanding comfort.
CPAP masks like those we have listed can be truly transformational for sleep apnea sufferers. They not only alleviate the physical symptoms of sleep apnea but all the side effects that occur because of the condition, such as daytime drowsiness and headaches.
With our information, reviews, and tips above, you can choose the very best product for your needs. With the best full-face CPAP mask, you can finally get the healthy and restful night’s sleep you deserve.