How to Choose the Right CPAP Mask: A Complete Buying Guide + PDF Download

The right CPAP mask is the one that matches three things about you: how you breathe (nose or mouth), how you sleep (side, back, or stomach), and what feels comfortable enough to wear every night. Get those right and therapy becomes easy to stick with. Get them wrong and you fight leaks and red marks instead of sleeping.

Here is the short version before we go deep. If you breathe through your nose, a nasal or nasal pillow mask is usually the most comfortable and the least likely to leak. If you breathe through your mouth or run high pressures, a full face mask that seals over the nose and mouth is the safer choice. Everything below helps you narrow it down, and you can watch our 5-minute walkthrough first.

Get the full guide as a PDF

Want a printable version to keep by your bed? Download our free CPAP Mask Buying Guide (PDF).

CPAP mask types at a glance

There are three mask styles most people choose between: nasal pillow, nasal, and full face. Manufacturers sometimes count a fourth. As Fisher & Paykel Healthcare puts it, "There are four mask categories for you to consider - full face, nasal, nasal pillows and oral." Here is how they compare so you can spot your best starting point at a glance.

Want the deep dive on how each style works, including hybrid and total-face options? Read our companion guide, Types of CPAP masks explained. Below we focus on choosing the one that fits your body and your night.

How to choose the right mask for you

Getting this decision right early pays off for the long haul. Mayo Clinic notes that "Getting the right fit, mask and machine early on increases your chance of long-term success with CPAP therapy." Work through the four questions below in order.

1. Do you breathe through your nose or your mouth?

This is the single most important question. If you breathe through your nose, start with a nasal or nasal pillow mask. There is good evidence they are the more comfortable, better-sealing default: a 2022 network meta-analysis of 6,378 participants in the Journal of Sleep Research found that "compared with oronasal masks, nasal masks and nasal pillows are better interfaces," and a randomized crossover trial in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reported that "Fewer leak and mask fit problems were reported with NM," meaning the nasal mask.

If you breathe through your mouth, a full face mask is the answer. Mayo Clinic recommends a full face mask when "You breathe through your mouth at night despite a month of trying a nasal mask or nasal pillow." A chin strap can also help a nose-breather who occasionally drops their jaw open.

2. What position do you sleep in?

• Side and stomach sleepers: Choose a low-profile mask that will not get dislodged against the pillow. Nasal pillow masks like the ResMed AirFit P10, or top-of-head tube designs like the ResMed AirFit N30i and AirFit P30i, move with you and keep the hose out of the way.
• Back sleepers: You have the widest choice. Nasal, nasal pillow, and full face masks all seal well on your back.

3. What pressure do you run?

Higher pressures push harder against the seal. Full face masks like the ResMed AirFit F30i or AirFit F40 tend to hold a stable seal at higher settings, while nasal pillow masks like the AirFit P10 shine at lower pressures. If you are not sure of your pressure, check your prescription or ask your provider.

4. What matters most for your comfort?

Sensitive skin, a wide field of vision for reading, or a beard all point toward minimal-contact designs. Nasal pillow masks touch the least skin, and memory-foam cushions like the one on the ResMed AirTouch N20 mold to the face for people prone to irritation.

Best CPAP mask by situation

Here are the picks we reach for most often when a customer describes their specific challenge.

Best for side sleepers

You want a mask that will not break its seal when your cheek hits the pillow. The ResMed AirFit N30i and AirFit P30i route the tube over the top of your head, so you can roll freely, and the F&P Solo sits light and low for nose breathers.

Best for mouth breathers

A full face mask covers both the nose and mouth so therapy keeps working even when your jaw falls open. The ResMed AirFit F40, F&P Evora Full Face, and ResMed AirFit F20 are all strong, well-sealing options.

Best for facial hair and beards

Cushions that seal on flat skin struggle over a beard. Nasal pillow masks like the ResMed AirFit P10 seal inside the nostrils instead, so a beard interferes far less. If you prefer more coverage, trim the mustache area where the cushion contacts skin.

Best for claustrophobia

If larger masks make you feel closed in, the smallest footprint wins. The ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillow mask keeps your field of vision open and touches very little of your face, which is why we suggest it first for people easing into therapy.

Best if you wear glasses or read in bed

Masks with a top-of-head tube connection and no bridge-of-nose contact, like the AirFit P30i and AirFit N30i, leave room for glasses and a clear line of sight to your book or TV.

How to choose the correct mask size

Getting the size right matters as much as the style. An ill-fitting mask leads to air leaks, discomfort, and weaker therapy. Mayo Clinic is blunt about the cause of leaks: "Air leaks happen when the masks don't fit correctly." Two tools make sizing easy.

Fitting guides

We offer printable fitting templates for popular masks. Measure your face against the guide to find the right cushion size before you buy:

• F&P Solo (Nasal and Pillows) Sizing Guide
• ResMed AirFit / AirTouch N20 Size Guide
• ResMed AirFit F30i Full Face Size Guide
• F&P Evora Full Face Size Guide
• ResMed AirFit F40 Full Face Size Guide

Fit-pack masks

Still unsure of your size? A fit pack includes several cushion sizes in one box so you can try them and keep the one that seals best. Popular fit-pack masks include the ResMed AirFit P10, the F&P Solo Nasal, and the ResMed Swift FX.

Replacement parts

Once you find your fit, you can maintain the mask over time instead of buying a whole new one. We stock cushions, headgear, and frames for most popular masks.

Common mask problems and quick fixes

A few bumps are normal when you start. Most are fixable with a small adjustment or the right accessory.

• Dry nose: Add a heated humidifier to put moisture back into the air.
• Congestion: Try a saline spray at bedtime, or move to a full face mask like the ResMed AirFit F40.
• Claustrophobia: Switch to a nasal pillow mask like the ResMed AirFit P10.
• Red marks or sore spots: Loosen the headgear (over-tightening causes leaks and marks), refit with a sizing guide, or add soft strap covers.
• Trouble exhaling against pressure: Ask your provider about pressure relief settings.

For the full playbook, see Common CPAP problems and how to fix them.

Choosing with confidence: returns, FSA/HSA, and prescriptions

Picking a mask you have never worn feels risky, so we make it low-stakes. If your first choice does not work out, our mask exchange program lets you swap it for a different size or style. See the details of our mask exchange policy.

CPAP masks are FSA and HSA eligible, so you can usually pay with pre-tax dollars. A mask is also a prescription item under FDA rules, the same as your machine. If you already have a CPAP prescription, it covers your mask too.

Download the CPAP mask buying guide (PDF)

We turned everything above into a printable summary of mask types, fitting tips, and troubleshooting, so you have a quick reference while you decide. Download the free CPAP Mask Buying Guide (PDF).

Browse masks by type

Ready to shop? Explore our curated collections:

• Nasal pillow CPAP masks
• Nasal CPAP masks
• Full face CPAP masks
• All CPAP masks

Not sure yet? Our sleep experts help you match a mask to your breathing, sleep position, and pressure, and a mask is only part of the picture. If CPAP itself still feels hard, the fix is usually the mask, the humidity, or the pressure, not giving up on therapy.

FAQ

How do I know which CPAP mask is right for me?

Match the mask to how you breathe, how you sleep, and your pressure. Nose breathers do best with a nasal or nasal pillow mask; mouth breathers need a full face mask. Side sleepers benefit from low-profile or top-of-head-tube designs.

What is the most commonly used CPAP mask?

Nasal and nasal pillow masks are the most popular because they are compact, comfortable, and seal well for the many people who breathe through their nose. Full face masks are the go-to for mouth breathers.

Which CPAP mask is least likely to leak?

A correctly sized mask that matches your breathing leaks least. Research finds nasal masks tend to have fewer leak and fit problems than full face masks. Most leaks come from the wrong size or over-tightened headgear.

What is the easiest CPAP mask to get used to?

Many first-time users find nasal pillow masks like the ResMed AirFit P10 easiest, because they are small, keep your field of vision open, and rarely trigger claustrophobia.

Which CPAP mask is best for mouth breathers?

A full face mask that covers both the nose and mouth, such as the ResMed AirFit F40, F&P Evora, or ResMed AirFit F20, so therapy keeps working if your jaw drops open at night.

How often should I replace my CPAP mask?

Replace the cushion or pillows every few weeks to a month and the full mask roughly every six months to a year, sooner if the cushion loses its seal or the silicone feels sticky or worn.

Can I use any CPAP mask with my CPAP machine?

Almost always yes. Nearly all CPAP masks are compatible with nearly all CPAP machines. The mask sets comfort and seal; the machine sets pressure. Check with your provider if you have an unusual setup.

References

• Chen LY, et al. Effects of interface type on CPAP outcomes: a network meta-analysis. Journal of Sleep Research, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35821391
• Rowland S, et al. Comparing the efficacy, mask leak, patient adherence, and patient preference of nasal versus oronasal masks. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29198305
• Mayo Clinic. Which CPAP masks are best for you? 2024. mayoclinic.org
• Mayo Clinic. CPAP machines: Tips for avoiding 10 common problems. 2024. mayoclinic.org
• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Which CPAP mask type suits you? fphcare.com
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine (SleepEducation.org). Oral appliance therapy. sleepeducation.org