- Health
- Conditions
Advertiser Disclosure
Wancy Cho Health Writer
Wancy Y. Cho is a writer living in Chicago. When he’s not writing, you can be sure he and his dog Tiki are off on an adventure.
See Full Bio
Wancy Cho Health Writer
Wancy Y. Cho is a writer living in Chicago. When he’s not writing, you can be sure he and his dog Tiki are off on an adventure.
See Full Bio
Written By
Wancy Cho
Wancy Cho Health Writer
Wancy Y. Cho is a writer living in Chicago. When he’s not writing, you can be sure he and his dog Tiki are off on an adventure.
See Full Bio
Wancy Cho Health Writer
Wancy Y. Cho is a writer living in Chicago. When he’s not writing, you can be sure he and his dog Tiki are off on an adventure.
See Full Bio
Health Writer
Meaghan Harmon Deputy Editor, Forbes Health
Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for For...
See Full Bio
Meaghan Harmon Deputy Editor, Forbes Health
Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for For...
See Full Bio
Meaghan Harmon
Meaghan Harmon Deputy Editor, Forbes Health
Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for For...
See Full Bio
Meaghan Harmon Deputy Editor, Forbes Health
Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for For...
See Full Bio
Fact Checked
& 1 other
Updated: Aug 30, 2024, 3:32pm
Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board.
Continuous positive airway (CPAP) treatment is prescribed to people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other breathing disorders. When used consistently, CPAP machine therapy may improve sleep and help reduce snoring and daytime sleepiness, as well as decrease cardiovascular disease and stroke risk while increasing cognitive functioning.
One common obstacle people face when adjusting to CPAP treatment is finding a mask that fits comfortably and functions well. Working with a health care provider to find the best CPAP mask for one’s unique needs and preferences is essential. To assist in your search, the Forbes Health editorial team collected data on over 50 CPAP masks available across the market, ranking them based on price, comfort features like noise reduction technology, type of cushion and more. Read on to see which masks made the list.
Editor’s Note: Phillips Respironics will no longer sell sleep apnea devices, home and portable oxygen concentrators, certain home ventilation products and hospital ventilation products in the U.S., due to a tentative agreement with regulators after a recall of over 5 million pressurized breathing machines. Customer support for products previously sold is available via Phillips Respironics, according to the company.
Why You Can Trust Forbes Health
Show More
CPAP And Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
- Best CPAP Machines
- Best BiPAP Machines
- Best Travel CPAP Machines
- CPAP Alternatives For Sleep Apnea
- Inspire Sleep Apnea Review
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
ResMed AirFit CPAP Mask
- Unobtrusive design with low profile and no forehead coverage.
- Silicone cushions under the nose for comfort and clear vision.
- Adjustable straps for customizable fit.
- Ideal for side sleepers and glasses wearers.
On Sleep Doctor's Website
{{ showSummarySection ? 'Hide Summary' : 'Show Summary' }}
- The Best CPAP Masks of 2024
- React Health Siesta Full Face Mask
- ResMed AirFit F30
- ResMed AirTouch N20
- Circadiance SleepWeaver Advanced
- Fisher and Paykel Evora Full
- InnoMed/RESPCARE Sylent Nasal Mask
- Fisher and Paykel Oracle
- Innomed RespCare Bravo Nasal Pillow
- Methodology: How We Picked the Best CPAP Masks of 2024
- What Are CPAP Masks?
- How Do CPAP Masks Work?
- How to Choose the Best CPAP Mask for You
- Summary: Compare the Best CPAP Masks for 2024
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Best CPAP Masks of 2024
Best Ergonomic Design
React Health Siesta Full Face Mask
5.0
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $80
- Type of mask: Full face mask
- Mask compatible with any CPAP machine? Yes
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Minimalist Full Face Mask
ResMed AirFit F30
5.0
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $124
- Type of mask: Full-face mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? Yes
On Sleep Doctor's Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Memory Foam Nasal Mask
ResMed AirTouch N20
5.0
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $77
- Type of mask: Nasal mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? Yes
On Sleep Doctor's Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Cloth Mask
Circadiance SleepWeaver Advanced
4.3
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $99
- Type of mask: Nasal mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? Yes
On Sleep Doctor's Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Minimal Contact Mask
Fisher and Paykel Evora Full
4.3
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $114
- Type of mask: Full-face mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? Yes
On Sleep Doctor's Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Value
InnoMed/RESPCARE Sylent Nasal Mask
4.3
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $49
- Type of mask: Nasal mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? No
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Oral Mask
Fisher and Paykel Oracle
4.2
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $67.50
- Type of mask: Oral mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? Yes
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Interface Options
Innomed RespCare Bravo Nasal Pillow
4.2
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
- Cost: $69
- Type of mask: Nasal mask
- Compatible with any CPAP machine? No
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Methodology: How We Picked the Best CPAP Masks of 2024
To determine the best CPAP masks available, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed 48 CPAP masks across 12 CPAP mask brands, evaluating them based on
- Price (20%)
- If the mask headset is adjustable (10%)
- Availability of multiple mask sizes (10%)
- Presence of a seal to prevent air leakage (10%)
- Whether a subscribe and save option is available (7.5%)
- Whether the company offers free shipping (7.5%)
- How much the mask weighs (5%)
- Features noise-reduction technology (5%)
- Whether the mask is suitable for active or side sleepers (5%)
- Universal compatibility with CPAP machines (5%)
- Length of time before mask should be replaced (5%)
- If it includes a foam cushion (2.5%)
- If the mask features a forehead band (2.5%)
- Necessary cleaning frequency (2.5%)
- Necessary headgear cleaning frequently (2.5%)
Star ratings were then determined solely by the editorial team.
What Are CPAP Masks?
“When a patient is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition which results in multiple pauses in breathing during sleep, they are prescribed CPAP [therapy],” says Sudha Tallavajhula, M.D., an associate professor at UTHealth Houston and medical director of the Neurological Sleep Medicine Center at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston. “These machines generate pressurized air, which is delivered with a hose and mask to open the airway during sleep and help the patient breathe.”
CPAP masks are used as interfaces between a CPAP machine and an individual’s face while they are sleeping, and are generally made with a silicone, gel or foam seal to prevent air from leaking out while in use.
Types of CPAP Masks
There are three main types of CPAP masks, each of which offer a variety of options when it comes to finding the correct style and fit to support comfort and compliance.
“Nasal pillow masks use prongs that fit into the nostrils and cover the entire nose,” says Veronica K. Sesi, D.O., who is board-certified in neurology and sleep medicine. “Full-face masks cover the nose and the mouth.”
The type of mask a CPAP user chooses is based on several factors, including recommendations from a health care provider, the severity of one’s sleep apnea or other breathing disorder (and consequently how much pressure a mask can deliver) and how comfortable the mask is for an individual.
Sleep Freely, Breathe Easy
With the ResMed AirFit CPAP Mask, it offers unobtrusive sleep therapy and optimal vision for side sleepers and glasses wearers alike.
On Sleep Doctor's Website
How Do CPAP Masks Work?
Both nasal and full-face CPAP masks feature a tube that connects to a CPAP machine. The machine delivers pressurized air to keep the user’s airways open and unobstructed while they sleep. CPAP masks should be worn whenever the CPAP machine is in use.
CPAP masks also create a seal, allowing positive pressure to be administered during CPAP therapy sessions, says Dr. Sesi. Depending on the style of mask, different straps connect around the head to keep the mask in place. For example, some masks have forehead straps as part of the headgear, while others connect on top of the head or behind the ears. Meanwhile, different types of headgear are designed to accommodate a range of sleeping preferences, such as side sleepers, back sleepers or individuals who move a lot during the night.
How to Choose the Best CPAP Mask for You
“Choosing the right mask is key to tolerating the treatment,” says Maria Elena Vega-Sanchez, M.D., a sleep specialist at Temple University Hospital and associate professor of thoracic medicine and surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. Finding a mask that fits one’s face, has a tight seal and is comfortable during use is essential to choosing the correct mask, she adds, as using a mask with an improper fit or that’s uncomfortable may affect a user’s compliance with CPAP treatment.
It’s also important to consider factors like the mask’s ability to accommodate different sleeping positions and a user’s tendency toward mouth breathing. Some research indicates that people with more severe obstructive sleep apnea benefit from higher pressure CPAP masks, which full-face masks provide efficiently.
Summary: Compare the Best CPAP Masks for 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What maintenance is involved with CPAP masks?
Most CPAP masks and tubes require daily cleaning for effective treatment. Additionally, replacing the mask and tubing at a frequency recommended by a health care provider is essential.
To adhere to treatment and achieve health improvements with CPAP therapy, Dr. Vega recommends being open to trying different masks until one finds the right fit.
Which CPAP mask is best tolerated, full-face or nasal?
“As there are many variables to consider, it’s important that the patient chooses the mask that’s most comfortable so they tolerate treatment,” says Dr. Vega. If a mask is uncomfortable at first, Dr. Vega encourages users to continue testing different masks until they find one that’s comfortable and suits their preferences and needs.
Ultimately, a CPAP user should work with their provider to find a mask that’s comfortable and effective, and the best-tolerated mask will vary from person to person.
Sources
References
- CPAP. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Accessed 7/7/2023.
- Blanco M, Jaritos V, Ernst G, et al. Patients' preferences and the efficacy of a hybrid model of a minimal contact nasal mask in patients with sleep apnea treated with CPAP. Sleep Sci. 2018;11(4):254-259.
- Dibra MN, Berry RB, Wagner MH. Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Choosing the Best Interface. Sleep Med Clin. 2017;12(4):543-549.
- Genta PR, Kaminska M, Edwards BA, et al. The Importance of Mask Selection on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Outcomes for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2020;17(10):1177-1185.
- Landry SA, Mann DL, Beare R, et al. Oronasal vs Nasal Masks: The Impact of Mask Type on CPAP Requirement, Pharyngeal Critical Closing Pressure (Pcrit), and Upper Airway Cross-sectional Areas in Patients With OSA. Chest. 2023;S0012-3692(23)00453-1.
- Nadal N, de Batlle J, Barbé F, et al. Predictors of CPAP compliance in different clinical settings: primary care versus sleep unit. Sleep Breath. 2018;22(1):157-163.
- Rowland S, Aiyappan V, Hennessy C., et al. Comparing the Efficacy, Mask Leak, Patient Adherence, and Patient Preference of Three Different CPAP Interfaces to Treat Moderate-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(1):101-108.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Wancy ChoHealth Writer
Wancy Y. Cho is a writer living in Chicago. When he’s not writing, you can be sure he and his dog Tiki are off on an adventure.
Meaghan HarmonDeputy Editor, Forbes Health
Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.
CPAP And Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
- Best CPAP Machines
- Best BiPAP Machines
- Best Travel CPAP Machines
- CPAP Alternatives For Sleep Apnea
- Inspire Sleep Apnea Review