Best Nasal Cushion Masks for May 2024

Can't find the right nasal cushion mask? We've compared and reviewed the top nasal cushion mask brands to help make your decision easier.

Nightstand with Lamp and CPAP Machine
1
Best Overall

AirFit™ N20

AirFit N20

AirFit™ N20

  • Cushion designed to maintain a full seal at all times
  • Low-profile frame is soft, flexible, and lightweight
  • Available in “standard” and “for her” designs, and three cushion sizes
  • Cushion designed to maintain a full seal at all times
  • Low-profile frame is soft, flexible, and lightweight
  • Available in “standard” and “for her” designs, and three cushion sizes

Best Overall

Ideal For:

  • People who wear glasses
  • Combination side and back sleepers
  • Shoppers seeking a lightweight frame

Who Should Keep Looking:

  • Those who need high pressure levels during CPAP therapy
  • Mouth breathers
  • People who frequently experience nasal blockage
  • Regular Price

    $99

  • Warranty

    90 days

  • Mask Type

    Nasal

  • Cushion Material

    Silicone

  • Size

    Small, medium, and large (standard and "for her")

2
Best for Combo Sleepers
Phillips Logo

Dreamwear Nasal Cushion

Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Pillows CPAP Mask with Headgear
Phillips Logo

Dreamwear Nasal Cushion

  • Cushions available in four sizes
  • Hose port connects at the top of your head and won’t hinder movement
  • Frame is interchangeable with DreamWear full face and nasal pillow mask designs
  • Cushions available in four sizes
  • Hose port connects at the top of your head and won’t hinder movement
  • Frame is interchangeable with DreamWear full face and nasal pillow mask designs

Best for Combination Sleepers

Ideal For:

  • People who toss and turn
  • CPAP users who need moderate to low pressure levels
  • Those who wear glasses

Who Should Keep Looking:

  • Anyone prone to congestion or allergy symptoms
  • Sleepers who primarily breathe through their mouths
  • People who need high pressure settings during CPAP
  • Regular Price

    $93

  • Warranty

    90 days

  • Mask Type

    Nasal

  • Cushion Material

    Silicone

  • Size

    Small, medium, medium-wide, and large

3
Best Seal
Phillips Logo

Philips Respironics DreamWisp

DreamWisp
Phillips Logo

Philips Respironics DreamWisp

  • Flexible frame with top-of-the-head hose port allows for freedom of movement
  • Cushions available in five sizes
  • Magnetic clips allow for easy assembly and release
  • Flexible frame with top-of-the-head hose port allows for freedom of movement
  • Cushions available in five sizes
  • Magnetic clips allow for easy assembly and release

Best Seal

Ideal For:

  • People who need low to moderate pressure levels during CPAP therapy
  • Those who frequently change sleep positions
  • Shoppers seeking a mask with minimal facial coverage

Who Should Keep Looking:

  • CPAP users who have been prescribed high pressure settings
  • Mouth breathers
  • People who frequently experience congestion or allergy symptoms
  • Regular Price

    $110

  • Warranty

    90 days

  • Mask Type

    Nasal

  • Cushion Material

    Silicone

  • Size

    Small, medium, and large (standard and "for her")

4
Most Comfortable
Fisher _ Paykel logo

F&P Eson™ 2

F_P Eson 2
Fisher _ Paykel logo

F&P Eson™ 2

  • Mask and headgear are available in multiple sizes
  • Built-in noise diffuser reduces noise from your CPAP machine
  • Color-coded components aid with assembly and disassembly
  • Mask and headgear are available in multiple sizes
  • Built-in noise diffuser reduces noise from your CPAP machine
  • Color-coded components aid with assembly and disassembly

Most Comfortable

Ideal For:

  • People who primarily breathe through their noses
  • Side and back sleepers
  • Those seeking a CPAP mask that does not contain magnets

Who Should Keep Looking:

  • Anyone who likes to read or watch TV before bed
  • People who frequently get up during the night
  • CPAP users requiring high pressure levels
  • Regular Price

    $62

  • Warranty

    90 days

  • Mask Type

    Nasal

  • Cushion Material

    Silicone

  • Size

    Small, medium, large

5
Best Lightweight

AirFit™ N30

ResMed AirFit N30

AirFit™ N30

  • Exceptionally lightweight frame with soft, flexible straps
  • QuietAir technology minimizes noise from your CPAP machine
  • Nasal cradle cushion available in three sizes
  • Exceptionally lightweight frame with soft, flexible straps
  • QuietAir technology minimizes noise from your CPAP machine
  • Nasal cradle cushion available in three sizes

Best Lightweight

Ideal For:

  • Shoppers seeking a mask that won’t impede their vision
  • Sleepers who frequently toss and turn
  • CPAP users who have been prescribed low to moderate pressure levels

Who Should Keep Looking:

  • People who need high pressure settings for their CPAP therapy
  • Mouth breathers
  • Those who are prone to allergies, congestion, and nasal irritation
  • Regular Price

    $99

  • Warranty

    90 days

  • Mask Type

    Nasal

  • Cushion Material

    Silicone

  • Size

    Small, small-wide, and medium

How to Choose the Best CPAP Mask for You

As with CPAP machines, a CPAP mask requires a prescription. Your doctor can help you choose the best mask based on your symptoms and prescribed pressure level. Other factors to consider include compatibility with your CPAP machine, sizing options, your preferred sleep position, and cost. Finding the best mask may involve some trial and error. Once you determine the mask style you want, the size of the mask’s cushion plays a major role in how comfortable you feel. Many manufacturers offer “fit packs” that include a mask and cushions in multiple sizes. Most of these packs don’t cost much more than stand-alone masks and can be a solid investment if you’re unsure which cushion size is right for you.

Types of CPAP Masks

Each CPAP mask is unique, but most fall into one of three categories:
  • Full-face masks: This style of CPAP mask covers the entire mouth and most or all of the nose. Most have extensive headgear to hold the mask in place. These masks are often recommended for people who need high pressure levels, as well as those who primarily breathe through their mouth. Back sleepers can typically use full-face masks without difficulty, but side and stomach sleepers may need a less bulky mask. People with a lot of facial hair may have difficulty getting a good seal with this style.
  • Nasal masks: This CPAP mask type seals over the nose, leaving the mouth uncovered. While many CPAP users prefer nasal masks over full-face designs due to their smaller profiles, they may be suboptimal if you primarily breathe through your mouth or are prone to nasal congestion.
  • Nasal pillow masks: Featuring two small silicone cushions that are inserted just inside the nostrils, this CPAP mask type has the smallest footprint. Side and stomach sleepers may prefer their sleeker design, though they may be unsuitable for people who breathe through their mouth during sleep or those with nasal blockages. Additionally, people who require high pressure settings may find the more direct airflow of nasal pillow masks uncomfortable.
Though the names are sometimes conflated, nasal cushion masks are similar to nasal pillows but have cushions that rest just under the nose and seal around the nostril openings. Like full-face models, hybrid masks deliver air to the nose and mouth, but they feature a cushion that rests under the nostrils instead of extending up to the bridge of the nose. Other less common mask types include total face masks, which cover the entire face, and oral masks, which deliver pressurized air to just the mouth.

Summary

Finding the right CPAP mask may involve some experimentation. You may test out a full-face mask and decide that a nasal mask or nasal pillow model is more suitable, or vice versa. Your doctor can help you determine the best options based on your symptoms, prescribed pressure level, and budget.

Recommended CPAP Machines

Best Overall: AirSense™ 11 AutoSet

The ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet is one of the sleekest CPAP machines available today. Rather than adhering to a single pressure level during the night like other traditional CPAP machines, the AirSense 11 automatically adjusts pressure based on your breathing. For most people, this means steady airflow when you breathe in and lower pressure when you exhale.

The device features an integrated, heated humidifier. You can manually adjust tube temperature and humidity levels using the machine’s touchscreen, or activate climate control for automatic adjustments throughout the night. For the latter, you’ll need ClimateLineAir heated tubing, which is sold separately. 

An auto-ramp feature helps you ease into your therapy with a gradual pressure increase. This can be programmed in 5-minute increments up to 45 minutes. Standard AutoSet and “AutoSet for Her” algorithms are available, the latter of which has gentler pressure transitions that some users find more comfortable. All AirSense 11 owners receive full access to ResMed myAir, an online support network that provides check-ins, sleep coaching, and installation assistance.

As the most expensive version of the AirSense 11, the AutoSet CPAP Machine may be out of reach for shoppers with tight budgets — especially if their insurance coverage is limited. Keep in mind that some insurers require policyholders to try standard CPAP therapy before providing coverage for more advanced devices. If you don’t mind fixed-pressure CPAP therapy, this device may not be worth the investment.

Who It’s Best For:

  • People who find fixed-pressure CPAP therapy uncomfortable
  • Those prone to congestion
  • Shoppers seeking a device with integrated sleep coaching

Highlights:

  • Machine automatically adjusts pressure levels based on breathing patterns
  • Climate control feature lets you easily change temperature and humidity levels
  • Auto-ramp and exhalation relief help you breathe more easily
  • Regular Price

    $1,299

  • Weight

    2.5 lbs.

  • Warranty

    2 years

  • Dimensions

    3.72" x 10.71" x 5.45"

  • Noise Rating

    27 dBA

Best Card-to-Cloud: AirSense™ 10 C2C

The ResMed AirSense 10 Card-to-Cloud (C2C) stands out from other CPAP machines for its ease of compliance. Using a built-in SD card, the device downloads your compliance data and uploads it into cloud-based reporting programs. This streamlined process allows you to meet compliance requirements and receive prescription updates without directly contacting your doctor too frequently.

Like other devices in this ResMed series, the AirSense 10 C2C is equipped with features to help you breathe more easily during CPAP therapy. The machine automatically adjusts pressure levels throughout the night, maintaining steady pressure when you inhale and reducing pressure during exhalation. Many people find this varied pressure delivery more comfortable than one fixed setting. The auto-ramp function also helps you ease into therapy by gradually building pressure up to 45 minutes after you begin.

The AirSense 10 C2C has an integrated heated humidifier with adjustable climate control. You can manually change temperature and humidity on the touchscreen, or set the device to automatically adjust these settings during the night based on your bedroom environment. ClimateLineAir heated tubing is required for the automatic option. All owners receive access to myAir, an online support system that guides new CPAP users through installation and provides sleep-coaching tips.

Since the AirSense 10 C2C is somewhat expensive, this device may not be necessary for people who are generally satisfied with standard CPAP therapy. Those with limited insurance coverage may also want a more affordable machine. That said, the convenience of card-to-cloud reporting might be worth the investment.

Who It’s Best For:

  • Those looking for a device that streamlines the data reporting process
  • CPAP users who feel more comfortable with flexible pressure settings
  • People who are new to CPAP therapy

Highlights:

  • Card-to-cloud software sends compliance data directly to your physician
  • Automatic climate control adjusts temperature and humidity levels during the night
  • Ramp and EPR features improve ease of breathing
  • Regular Price

    $913

  • Weight

    2.75 lbs.

  • Warranty

    2 years

  • Dimensions

    4.57" x 10.04" x 5.91"

  • Noise Rating

    27 dBA