Respironics Wisp Review

[symmit]

Philips Respironics Wisp review.

The wisp is described as being a mix of pillows and nasal mask. First impressions are excellent, arriving in good packaging with three sizes of mask included, and very smooth cloth covered headgear, and a quick release short springy hose.

Fitting is easy, find which nosepiece fits best, fit into the headgear, pull over your head and adjust, those with larger heads may find the headgear a little small though, for me it was near the end of its adjustment. The mask sits on the end of the nose, so the usual points of irritation of the bridge of the nose are avoided. For me as well this mask leaves no facial marks.

Turn on the airflow and the seal is very good with only light contact required, stability is excellent, the mask stays in place all night and does not slide or ride up. Venting is quiet and at a good angle from the elbow making it partner friendly.

There is no forehead piece on this system, so you can put your glasses back on and read or watch TV. It is very lightweight, and has a small profile, making this as unobtrusive as many pillows masks but feel as secure as a nasal mask. If you need to get out of bed the hose clips off and on with a little squeeze of two tabs, and reattaches with a light push.

Cleaning is quite easy, the mask disassembles quickly and the cushion is a one piece item.

Compared to the F&P Eson this is a smaller and lighter mask which will suit those that like to wear glasses in bed very well. Compared to a pillows interface like the Resmed Swift FX it is easier to fit and puts less pressure on the nose and leaves less facial marking.

So to conclude this is a great product with a wide fitting range and comfortable and lightweight, definitely worth a try if you want a light and unobtrusive nasal mask, or one to alternate with others to have different contact points on the face.

[Barely Awake]

I think Symmit (as usual) has this about right. After one night, my impression is of a very good mask.
The other thing I would add, is that this particular company make in my opinion the best quality headgear of any of the many masks I have tried. Why then were they so economical with the size of this (material) headgear? At the end of its range I can only hope for it to wear out because I found it very tight. Perhaps the silicon headgear version is more generous?
The build quality of the mask itself is also excellent, and where on the four masks from this company that I have tried previously they were all complex and a bit over engineered - this mask is much simpler in terms of components.
Early days, but it is a light very comfortable mask, a bit vortex like at high pressure perhaps but none of the sores on the bridge of the nose or around the nostrils that I have had from some masks.

[Simone @ Intus]

Thank you for your review once again, it's great to hear that you have got on so well with the Wisp hopefully others will have a positive experience with it also!

[Sparticus]

I have never used a nasal mask and am looking forward to trying one. Sounds like its a good starter mask. Still not sure what to expect as I have heard a lot about nasals over the years and wondered if I would be able to use such a mask. I will write about my adventure with this once I have tried it.

[rshd301]

I have just completed my first week with the Wisp and would agree wholeheartedly with the comments made above.

The mask sits very comfortably around my nose, not causing any undue pressure sores. The seal is just right and I'm not suffering much in the way of leakage.

My only gripe is the headgear and its lack of adjustment. The velcro tabs are only just through the tabs and are fastened down and the mask is just right. According to the size of my bike crash helmet, I have a fairly average sized head for a bloke. For anyone with a larger head, the headgear may not fit at all. I'm not sure who the designers used as a head model but they must have been very small.

Cleaning is a doddle with all bits coming apart very easily and with the main hard plastic part being dishwasher safe.

All in all, a very comfortable and effective mask.

[Sparticus]

Great review Symmit

The quality and attention to detail shines through with this mask. I tried it on many occasions but have realised now that I am a not a nose breather although I do start my sleep cycle this way. It was fun trying this mask out and it also gave me an insight to the problems of nasal mask uses. I think the clinics should go abit further in finding out how you breath when sleeping as the nasal mask uses have less of a intrusion than full mask uses. Im not saying that you have it easier by any means as we all suffer until we get use to cpap. It's just that all I got asked is do I breath through my nose or mouth when sleeping and they took whatever I answered.