What is the best CPAP Mask Out There today?

[itsmevic]

Hello, I'd like to know what is the best over-all CPAP mask that is sold on the market today?

[Joe McManus]

Hello, I'd like to know what is the best over-all CPAP mask that is sold on the market today?

Hi, welcome tor the forums!

I doubt there's one that can be singled out as THE very best. CPAP masks are just a too personal and subjective experience to label one as the best for all.

For starters, a full face mask is often necessary for mouth breathers but unnecessary for nose breathers.

Some don't mind the gel cushions around the nose, others can't stand them.

I'm currently debating getting the new ComfortLite 2 mask by Respironics. It has several benefits which would make it a good candidate for what you are looking for. It comes with both a standard cushion, like conventional masks, as well as nasal pillows. The latter means no contact is made with the face, only the nostril get touched by the mask interface. I also like how the hose goes over the head, out of the way as oppose to down towards where it may come entangled in your arms etc.

I've heard some good reviews of the latest ResMed and Fisher Paykell masks too so it's a tough job pointing out just one.

[Joe McManus]

And hours after I wrote that, Dave J from the Sleep Blog wrote this great post.

He also reckons:

Despite what some home health care companies, some sleep techs or sleep specialists, there isn’t a single best best mask on the market for use with CPAP, BiPAP, or auto-titrating machines. I will argue that point, and prove it, if necessary, to anyone who wants to say otherwise.

[...]

Why? Simply because there are far too many facial sizes, and that’s not taking into consideration the too-numerous-to-count facial structures.

[mart9012]

Interestingly, on my new Resmed Quattro literature... it claims that their product should be suitable for about 90% of users..! I suppose the claim is supported by the high adjustability of the mask. They are quite oddly shaped in places and not completely symmetrical.. very strange.

I can only suggest you don't buy the Resmed Mirage range as I find them heavy and easy to break. The trouble is that these masks seem amazingly expensive and I assume there is no trial system in place...

[Scoop0901]

Interestingly, on my new Resmed Quattro literature... it claims that their product should be suitable for about 90% of users..! I suppose the claim is supported by the high adjustability of the mask. They are quite oddly shaped in places and not completely symmetrical.. very strange.

Marketing is a great thing, isn't it?

"Should be" is the key phrase. Just because something is "suitable" to fit your face doesn't equate to it being comfortable for you. That's the key issue.

[Scoop0901]

And hours after I wrote that, Dave J from the Sleep Blog wrote this great post.

Actually, that post was written long before that. It had been sitting in the queue for over a week to be posted, but was actually written about three years ago.

I have a great deal of material I use for a variety of purposes, so as I write stuff on my sleep blog (as opposed to my personal blog), I incorporate a lot of the stuff I've previously written.

[IanBeddow]

I've struggled for over a year to find one that works properly. Woken up too many times with bruised bridge of nose or cold shoulders!!

Surely there's one that can be moulded to your face isn't there/

If not, someone invent it!!!

[Scoop0901]

I've struggled for over a year to find one that works properly. Woken up too many times with bruised bridge of nose or cold shoulders!!

Surely there's one that can be moulded to your face isn't there/

If not, someone invent it!!!

Ian:
Yes, there are masks that can be moulded to your face. The most popular is the ComfortGel (look for the one that is yellow or gold in color). There are others, but they are from smaller manufacturers that I've heard about in passing and have never seen the masks.

The problem with these masks, like anything else, is they mould themselves after 30 minutes or so next to your skin. When you move, though, that's where issues come in.

Too often people try to strap masks onto their face as if they were securing a fighter jet to the flight deck of a Navy carrier. Your face is not some sort of steel or other metal or non-rigid surface. Because your face is, well, flexible, pliable, and soft, the modern masks must be strapped only enough to sit against the face. Anything past that is where problems begin to present themselves.

[mart9012]

It is so easy to tighten the mask too tightly... I was waking up with lobotomy marks on my forehead and pain on my lower teeth... my new mask has a much fuller cushion so such high pressure just isn't needed.

I like this mask far better than my previous ones. For all its adjustment I have not used any and it feels comfortable.. The hose is still a p. i . t. a and I often find it cutting across my head or neck.. that bit is a pain indeed. I wonder if I made a bracket and had the machine fixed above my head so the hose just came down....

M.

[Scoop0901]

I wonder if I made a bracket and had the machine fixed above my head so the hose just came down....

Don't try re-inventing the wheel.

On the headboard, or the wall behind the top of the bed, depending on your circumstances, simply hang a hanger (or, as one woman noted to me, she used her brassiere on a hook), loop the tubing through the hanger (or brassiere), and keep it from "draping" (or drape a little or as much as your like) near your face.

Keep in mind: two lengths of tubing may be used at once without any decrease in delivery pressure.

[JackTheSnorer]

Keep in mind: two lengths of tubing may be used at once without any decrease in delivery pressure.

Now there's a good idea! Never ever crossed my mind. I don't get a lot of issues with this but it doesn't hurt getting an extra tube just in case trouble pops up!

[sleepymam]

comfortlite 2 mask by resperonics

I'm currently debating getting the new ComfortLite 2 mask by Respironics. It has several benefits which would make it a good candidate for what you are looking for. It comes with both a standard cushion, like conventional masks, as well as nasal pillows.

Did u get this mask in the end? I'm new to this forum and I'm also thinking about getting this mask. I know ur post is a number of yrs old and maybe u didn't get it after all, if not, have u or other members heard anything negative/positive about this mask? Any info appreciated

[dravidio]

Conventional wisdom says keep the mask loose. I have found that keeping it tight eliminates leaks and is the lesser of the two evils..

[dravidio]

I'm currently debating getting the new ComfortLite 2 mask by Respironics. It has several benefits which would make it a good candidate for what you are looking for. It comes with both a standard cushion, like conventional masks, as well as nasal pillows.

Did u get this mask in the end? I'm new to this forum and I'm also thinking about getting this mask. I know ur post is a number of yrs old and maybe u didn't get it after all, if not, have u or other members heard anything negative/positive about this mask? Any info appreciated

It's a nasal mask. No good if you are a mouth breather. Personally I couldn't stand things stuck up my nose blowing air. If you are a nose breather I would think the Sleepweaver is more comfortable.

[mart9012]

Back in the thread... 2011

Hi...

You would have to try every mask to find the "best"... My personal experience has lead me to rate the Resmed Quattro very highly. The older mirage was fragile and I wasn't a fan. The Quattro is much tougher and fits better too.

I recently took delivery of the new Liberty mask which has a smaller mouthpiece and two separate nasal tubes that rest against and slightly inside the nostril.. I'm finding it fiddly to put on and awkward to get the angled tubes to fit snugly although once sorted it is quiet and doesn't leak (except when the nasal tubes dislodge). It's only been 3 weeks however and i haven't had any help to use it so maybe it's a learning thing. The liberty does seem to have the same robust quality of the Quattro so i don't expect any breakage issues.

Hope that helps, would love to hear from other Liberty users...