The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right CPAP Mask

Selecting a comfortable CPAP mask can be a challenging experience for new users. Up to 50% of individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea who discontinue CPAP therapy cite discomfort as the primary reason. Given the wide variety of styles and models available, choosing an appropriate mask can be overwhelming. Since sleeping with a mask is a new and often uncomfortable experience for most people, finding the most comfortable one is crucial for long-term CPAP compliance.

Typically, a sleep technician selects your initial mask during your sleep study, often making several adjustments throughout the night. The technician's goal is to choose the mask they believe will be the most successful from the outset, minimizing the need for sleep disturbances due to mask changes. However, it is not uncommon for sleep labs to be brand-specific, which may limit the range of mask options available, potentially affecting your comfort and compliance with CPAP therapy.

CPAP Mask Styles

• Nasal: Most commonly prescribed and uses a triangle shaped silicone cushion that seals around the outside of the nose only.
• Nasal Pillow: The least invasive mask that uses silicone pillows that seal in or around the outside of the nostril only.
• Full Face: Uses a silicone cushion that provides a seal around the nose and mouth to allow the user to breathe through both.

• Recommended CPAP Masks for Different Situations
  
  Our staff sleep technologists and physicians have gathered 15 years of feedback to help you select the best CPAP mask. Here are our top recommendations based on common user situations. If you’re unsure about cushion sizes, we offer mask fitting guides and fit-pack models with all cushion sizes included.
  
   If You Are Claustrophobic:
  - Recommendation: Use a nasal pillow or nasal cradle mask. These styles have minimal contact and typically use a single strap headgear.
  
   If You Wear Glasses:
  - Recommendation: Consider a nasal pillow or nasal cradle style. If you also breathe through your mouth, consider a hybrid style to prevent mask leaks typically caused by indentations at the bridge of your nose.
  
  If You Have Sensitive Skin:
  - Recommendation: Choose a cloth-style mask that avoids silicone materials, or a minimally invasive nasal pillow or cradle mask combined with strap pads to buffer your skin.
  
   If You Breathe Through Your Mouth:
  - Recommendation: Use a full face mask, as mouth-breathing can indicate that your machine pressure is too low and not delivering enough air.
  
   If You Use Bi-Level (BiPAP):
  - Recommendation: Opt for a full face mask. Bi-level therapy uses separate pressures for inhaling and exhaling, making nasal styles less effective and potentially uncomfortable for exhaling.
  
   If Your CPAP Keeps Blowing Your Mouth Open:
  - Recommendation: Use any mask style along with a chin strap to keep your mouth closed, or opt for a full face mask.
  
   If You Have a Small Head or Face:
  - Recommendation: Try CPAP masks designed for women, available in nasal, full face, and nasal pillow styles. These have smaller headgear, frames, and cushions for better fit.
  
   If You Have a Narrow Nose Bridge:
  - Recommendation: Use a nasal cradle mask to avoid leaks and prevent air from blowing into your eyes, which can happen with standard nasal or full face masks.
  
   If You Have a Deviated Septum:
  - Recommendation: Use a full face, oral, or hybrid mask, as nasal styles will not be effective.
  
   If You Have a Beard or Mustache:
  - Recommendation: Use a nasal pillow mask that seals around the nostrils or a hybrid mask for full face coverage to avoid excessive leaks from a poor seal.
  
   If You Frequently Get Colds:
  - Recommendation: Keep two masks: a nasal mask for regular use and a full face mask for times when you have colds or allergies.
  
   If You Sleep on Your Stomach:
  - Recommendation: Use a nasal cradle or nasal pillow mask with a tube frame design. This allows air delivery even if one side of the mask is restricted by your sleeping position.