CPAP Chin Straps

A CPAP chin strap is a soft, adjustable band that holds your jaw and mouth gently closed while you sleep, so the air from your CPAP stays on course instead of leaking out through your mouth. That cuts down on mouth leaks and the dry mouth or dry throat they cause. Although a chin strap alone is not a solution for sleep apnea, it can make CPAP therapy more comfortable for people who tend to breathe through their mouth at night. Talk to your doctor about your apnea, and use a chin strap to manage mouth leaks.

What a CPAP chin strap does, and who it helps

When your mouth falls open during sleep, pressurized air escapes and your CPAP works less effectively, which often leaves you with a dry mouth in the morning. A chin strap keeps the mouth closed so the air goes where it should. It tends to help if you breathe through your mouth on CPAP, wake up with a dry mouth or throat, move around a lot in your sleep, or have a mask that shifts and leaks overnight. For more on that morning dryness, see our guide to CPAP dry mouth.

Is a chin strap right for you?

Chin straps pair best with nasal and nasal pillow masks, which leave the mouth uncovered. They are not the right fit for everyone: if a stuffy nose, a cold, or a deviated septum makes it hard to breathe through your nose, a chin strap can feel restrictive, and a full face mask may suit you better. If your main concern is snoring rather than CPAP mouth leaks, see our anti-snoring devices instead. A chin strap is a comfort accessory, not a treatment, so if you have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea or started CPAP, start there with your doctor first.

Shop CPAP chin straps by style

We carry a few different styles, and the right one depends on your mask and your fit:

• Over-the-head adjustable straps: the classic style that cradles the chin and buckles over the head, easy to size and use. Options include the ResMed Premium Sullivan, the Best In Rest Adjustable, the CPAPology Morpheis Classic, and the AG Industries White Premium.
• Anti-leak straps for full face masks: if you use a full face mask and get leaks at the cheeks or corners, a Pad A Cheek anti-leak strap adds a gentle seal without a separate chin cup.

Some straps use a single band, while others add a second band for extra hold, so pick the level of support that keeps your mouth comfortably closed. Not sure which to choose? See our top CPAP chin strap picks.

How to choose and fit a chin strap

Look for a size that fits your face and a soft, breathable material you will not mind wearing all night. If you have a beard, choose a larger size with wider straps for a better hold. Adjust it firm enough to keep your mouth closed but not so tight that it presses on your jaw, since over-tightening can cause soreness or skin marks. Wash it regularly and replace it about every six months, or sooner when the elastic loses its stretch.

Using a chin strap with your mask

A chin strap works alongside your existing mask. It is designed for nasal masks and nasal pillow masks, which cover the nose and leave the mouth free to drift open. If you already use a full face mask, the mask covers your mouth, so an anti-leak strap is usually the better fix for corner leaks.

No prescription needed, FSA and HSA eligible

Unlike CPAP machines and masks, a chin strap does not require a prescription, so you can add one to your setup anytime. Chin straps are also typically FSA and HSA eligible, so you can use pre-tax funds.