Our Favorite Nasal Pillow Masks of 2023

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

I'm a Fisher Paykel Brevida user and love it, but wanted another type of mask just to switch it up. I got the ResMed AirFit N30i, and I HATE it! I've worn it 4 nights straight, and it keeps shifting off my nose, breaking the seal. Needless to say, this has made me cranky, so I'm going to try the ResMed N20. I'm an active side sleeper, and it's like I'm not wearing a mask at all.

[@Sleeplayground]

Absolutely! I get it and my favorite mask I have been referring to patient's for years is the N20 as well. Good choice glad you found a mask that works!

[@blakerackley8874]

Could you make a video showing how to properly place the device on your nose? I think it would save people time who are fiddling with it in bed.

[@Sleeplayground]

Which mask are you asking about?

[@Sleeplayground]

There should be a small lip around the nostril instead of it going all in the nose. A lot of patients experience irration due to using too small of a pillow.

[@eszhun2296]

I have a lot of leak with Brevida, no matter how tight I make it. And I've tried both Small and Large pillows.
Definitely soft and comfortable pillow though

[@Sleeplayground]

Yes, the leakage with the pillow mask and nasal most of the time come from mouth breath breathing. If your being bothered by the leakage that's one thing if not as long as the Events are under 5 and your comfortable it is not a concern. As far as tightening the mask that will not resolve the leakage especially with a pillow mask it will just make you uncomfortable.

[@andrew197]

Try the Piliaro headgear - the clips are the same but it has a better system. You can buy the headgear as a separate item.

[@eszhun2296]

​@andrew197 thanks, I'll check with my RT

[@andrewpersaud4144]

N30 (not to be confused with the garbage N30i) is King of light weight nasal masks. And Philips Dreamwear cradle Nasal mask is King overall. P10 is cool but on average the pillows will irritate the nostrils after the 3-4 hour mark.

[@Sleeplayground]

LOL, Yeah everybody has there own preference. But finding the right mask that works for you is definitely the biggest hump. Thanks for sharing!

[@Tadzk13]

I'm into my 9th month of using a CPAP machine and I've found that the ResMed AirFit P10 and the F&P Brevida are two of my favorite masks to wear. My only wish would be for a larger band/headgear for the P10. I can't wear the mask longer for 3 days because of the pressure on my nostrils. The first time I wore it for a week my nose was so tender it felt like I got punched in the face. I purchased the newer adjustable headgear but the band is still the same size. So I will only wear the P10 when I travel for a few days. My everyday mask is the Brevida with its adjustable bands. I have not tried the P30i, but have used the similar Philip DreamWear Pillow mask. It's an ok mask but I've found that as a person who shaves his head the silicone on top of my head can be annoying. In the summer it sticks to my head and in the winter it's cold.

[@Sleeplayground]

I would say you may possibly have the wrong size pillows if it is causing that type of issue with pillows. Yeah the Brevida is a great mask and those pillows are softer to help with the tenderness. I can understand with the head being shave how it cause that issue. I appreciate the feedback thanks for tuning in. You are appreciated!

[@JulieAntt]

I have used the P10 for several years. Tried others, but end up coming back to it. I must say that I do not like the headgear of the P10- I wish it had four way straps like the full face masks. For tenderness to the nostrils try a product called Ayr saline nasal gel. I found it helpful when I first started with the P10.

[@kaoskult666]

try the airfit N30, the nasal things on the p10 hurt my nostrils as well, plus if you used a smalled size theyd make whistlung sound - like your blowing air across a small bottle, each time you exhale. But N30 has the pillow thing like p30i, but the band like the p10. the only prob I had is the nostril holes would go out of alignment with my nostrils, so sometimes you'd feel starved for air if you slept on your face and pushed it to one side. Love the F&P mask though, definitely the best out of the lot, even though its a little bulkier than the p10, n30.

[@AmandaMolly]

That is where I am at too. I have the medium size on the P10 by resmed and last night my nose got stuffed up and hurts my nose so I have to take it off. I am thinking of buying another mask to change it up. I am in the trial phase of the machine because I have been recently diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. So I was on a waitlist to rent a machine for two weeks to see if it will help.. Oh boy it does, luckily though I am on my last week of my rental period. The P10 I've been wearing for a week straight and it's hard to find the right comfort level. I can sleep for a good 2 hours before the mask bothers me.

[@cindyrehe]

I’m new to this only one week and I have the pillow type and boy my nose itches so bad all night

[@dulcilass]

Of the three masks shown, I can immediately say that I would never consider 2 of them because the air hose is on the front of the mask (elephant trunk style). I hate having the weight of the hose pulling down on the mask and with having to figure out some way to get all the extra length of the hose that comes with my machine away from my body as I'm a back sleeper. For me the air hose is much too long. It reaches from the air pump across the width of my bed and halfway back again (78 Inches) while the top of my head is only 26 inches away from the machine. The Phillip's Dreamwear system that I'm currently using has the hose on the top of the mask there is no extra hose length added and I can toss the extra machine hose in back if my wedge pillow. That way I have no hose touching any part of my body. When I started with the CPAP I had an elephant trunk hose mask which ended up getting completely twisted around my neck. My machine is close to my bed as I have no sound/noise problem. My machine makes no noise at all.

[@Sleeplayground]

Awesome to hear! Glad you found the mask and style that works for you. Thank you also for the insight on your experiences with the mask. That is very helpful!! Keep up the good work.

[@dulcilass]

@@Sleeplayground I'm also down to less than 1 event per hour from 40 events.

[@kaoskult666]

Being a side sleeper ,I cant handle the 2 hoses running up the side of my face. I can hear my breath in stereo surround and its impossible to get to sleep.

[@dulcilass]

@@kaoskult666 I'm lucky that a low pressure setting (6) works for me so I don't hear the air moving through the hose at all. And if I hear anything from my mask I know it indicates that my seal isn't quite right and it needs a small adjustment.

[@amiemartin109]

You can get a hose lift to help keep the weight of it off. I use one and it helps a lot. I even use it with the one where the hose is connected to the top.

[@mysticbeatz0524]

hello, everyone, I've been using bipap for 3-4 years now . its hit or miss for me im 100% compliant with it. I still feel like ass during the day. I'm going to change mask and see if that helps !!!! my pressure is high its 22/16 and i don't ramp it. I've used full faced masks before when I tell you my eyes get so dry when i have leaks, im always adjusting it . I've even tried the hybrid masks too. the make my nose so sore when i wake up in the morning im guessing because the pressure is so high . Trust me i went and had a sleep study done i would never have it that high if i didn't need it . I really hope these nasal pillows work im at wits end when it comes to this

[@Sleeplayground]

Hi,
Thanks for commenting and reaching out! Yes, the pillow will be less leakage. But for pressures that are higher it will be more difficult to get used to. Just a heads up! Just make sure as well that the pillow size you choose is not the exact size of the nostril because then it will cause irritation and soreness. You want a little lip on the outside of the nostril so it is comfortable for you. If the machine has been working at the pressures you were scripted and your events below 5 and you still feel bad. You may need another form of therapy or oxygen possibly. I would talk to your sleep doctor and find out.

[@kaoskult666]

I think the main problems people have of being uncomfortable and leaking, are derived from having their mask strap(s) too tight. I find if you loosen them off til the mask is just sitting on your face, then tighten just a tiny bit, the air puffing up the seals will make it sit nicely, and not squash it or cause nose discomfort.

[@Sleeplayground]

Hey Daz,
Absolutely! I advised patient's of that all the time. Yes, too tight can cause too much leakage and you being very uncomfortable. Leaving it firm but loose cause the pressures of the machine to create the seal. Thank for sharing!

[@regina0273]

Thanks

[@Sleeplayground]

No problem, Let me now if anything else is needed. I would be happy to help!

[@mariereese7999]

I wish you had shown the piece that fits to the nose! I don’t want those things that go into the nose but I really couldn’t tell what this headgear had.

[@Sleeplayground]

Which mask were you speaking of. I apologize I would be happy to advise if needed of anything more to help. There is another video for the Nasal mask not the pillows that go in the nose, if that is what you are speaking of.

[@mariereese7999]

Sorry… I thought I said… the second mask… the one in the middle… You showed and demonstrated every piece of it except what fits under or in the nose. I was looking for a cradle type that fits under the nose along with a minimal headgear and I wondered if the second one was it…. That third headgear would not stay on my head. It would slide off on my silky hair. I loved the cradle type nose piece but hated the rest of it.

[@rogeroberg2211]

I have both central and obstructive sleep canot wear machine because of chronic sinusitis and nasal congestion

[@Sleeplayground]

Hi,
Have you tried the Full Face mask and also the humidity helps with the congestion. Let me know!

[@wolfhawkfield2k]

Just an FYI, I especially like my CPAP, in the rare instance that I'm congested, bc it opens me right up... Goodbye Congestion! I love my CPAP so much, and was worried (that I wasn't going to be able to sleep) the first time I had a cold and was congested, but totally opened me right up. You may have to breathe a lil bit w/ your mouth open, until it fully clears up, but I'm usually clear in less than 10 min.
Not sure if you actually tried it and it didn't work, or were just worried about it like I was

[@YukisNation]

I need something that won't slide off my head when I'm wearing a bonnet. 😩 have yet to find one

[@Sleeplayground]

Yeah they do tend to to that at times. I know the P10 now has the sizing tool on the the headgear now that helps. I would say the P30i might work better in that regards. Let us know what you decide on.

[@YukisNation]

@@Sleeplayground I'm currently using the dreamwear that's very similar to p30i and it's awful for slipping

[@greg4367]

had used these masks for years. They used to have problem with the elastic stretching to the point where they needed to be replaced. ResMed "improved" the design with an adjustable strap. Good idea, lousy implementation. I have now had three units fail (just out of their 30-day warranty) where the elastic joins the plastic adjuster. One unit fail after only 4 night's use. This used to be a great product, now it is a total waste of money.

[@Sleeplayground]

Thanks for sharing!

[@flydragon5997]

I agree! the velcro fastening on the head is terrible!! I used to have an N30i.. The head became completely unusable in a few months- It doesn't stay on! Today I got the P30i nostril mask and I also got a new headband. Expensive, but the quality is really poor. I dare to say that you could even get better quality from Aliexpress. If this doesn't stick, I'll sew a velcro on it myself. The price should be cheaper because the quality is not good.

[@flydragon5997]

also problems with the nasal mask, lots of air leaks, loses elasticity in a few months. now I tried the P30i - I hope it would be of better quality. In Finland, once a year we give out hoses, masks and other detachable parts of the cpap device for free. It didn't even take me 3 months to replace the nose pads and headband because the Velcro doesn't stay on. Cheaply made and expensively sold. Why not make quality that will last.. and not something made with cheap labor - immediately going to the junkyard..

[@mrcoollu9662]

Question this my first time using this I purchased the N10
However does the N30i prevent leaks

[@Sleeplayground]

Hi,
So most of the time the leakage with the nasal mask are coming from the mouth. But if you are speaking about the leakage coming form the seal. I would say the N30i would possibly leak more since it is under the nose and moving left and right may cause leakage from the sides more. I would ay if you are using a nasal and can breathe through the nose. I would recommend the P10 or P30i pillows that go in the nose. The pillow mask, they rarely leak at all from the actual cushion, the only leakage would come from the mouth. Let me know what you decide and how it works out.

[@donmotes5853]

Mine leaked like crazy.

[@crazyclir]

Can I use this type of mask with high-pressure settings? Like 12-15?

[@Sleeplayground]

Hey,
Thanks for reaching out! Of course, you can basically use any mask with any pressure. It is just a matter of getting used to it. I have had patient's on high pressure BIPAP machines that use the pillow mask.

[@crazyclir]

@@Sleeplayground good to know! Thank you for your quick answer.

[@problems56]

I have the P30i. The problem is that it’s so cheaply made, the Velcro keeps coming off. I’m tempted to crazy glue it in place.

[@Sleeplayground]

Yes, how long have you had the mask. That is strange I have not really heard that from patent's. Also a lot of patient when taking mask on and off use the Velcro's. That is why it loses it's elasticity and becomes unable to attach.

[@underthetornado]

I've bought straps on EBay and modified them. Most all masks today are Chinese made cheap plastic crap.

[@323alexb]

Hi, Thank You so much for the video, it's very helpful. Quick question, I am more of a mouth breather however struggle with having a regular mask on since I am not comfortable and end up taking it off. Can I use the nasal masks instead? Thanks again.

[@Sleeplayground]

Absolutely! Especially if your on an Auto CPAP that will adjust to make up for slight leakage. If you are comfortable with the nasal and your AHI or your Events per hour are remaining under 5 you are good.

[@tempeman101]

I had a similar problem. Ido the mouth taping now and can now use nasal masks.

[@chemicaljonez]

​@@tempeman101 I used to be a mouth breather at night, would wake up dry as the desert. I find that the pressure of the air going through my nose somehow closes the back of my throat so I don't mouth breath at all. I thought it was like that for everyone. Maybe I'm just weirdly constructed lol.

[@eszhun2296]

​@Sleeplayground ooooh, okay. That answers my comment about too many leaks. My AHI is around 2. So no change needed. Thanks because besides the leak of 20 to 30, I really like Brevida

[@keicancook2025]

Man I wish you was my sleep study doctor! Hey Cpap gang gang!

[@Sleeplayground]

LOL! Appreciate it, how you doing today!

[@keicancook2025]

I just got this message! I am good 😌 now because you made my morning! How are you?

[@adamfilip]

F&P Nasal Solo with pillows

[@Sleeplayground]

Yeah absolutely! I do not think that was out on this 2023 video of mask. But will definitely add to that future video. Great mask no straps, I love it.

[@markbentley6994]

It’s a diffuser not a filter. Some expert!

[@Sleeplayground]

Diffuser I apologize I used the wrong terminology, you are correct. Thank you for pointing that out. Let us know if anything is needed, we would be happy to help!

[@Sleeplayground]

I apologize I used the wrong terminology, thank you for pointing that out! I will try harder next time. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you, we would be happy to.

[@sandracovell9013]

I tried the pillow, the air comes out so forceful I can't breath.

[@Sleeplayground]

Yes,
Though the pillow mask is the smallest they are the hardest to get used to. The reason being is that unlike the nasal and the full face which have a cushions around the mouth and nose or just the nose. Those give space to breathe out against the pressure coming in making it easier. The Pillow mask is directly in the nose and the pressures is more direct that you have to breathe against making it harder. On top of that with the nasal type of mask you want to try to breathe through the nose. With the pillows it makes the feeling a little more harsh when you do open mouth. It just takes time to get used to. I usually recommend any patient wanting to go with a Pillow mask to start on the nasal mask to see if you can get used to if you can you know you can use the pillow mask. If you can not tolerate the nasal then you will not tolerate the pillows. So maybe a full face would be the only option but there are many variations of the full face. But if you have to use I would definitely recommend instead of not using at all.

[@Juneisthebestmonth]

@@Sleeplayground Make sure you set your machine for the kind of mask you are using!

[@kimberlylakawitch3445]

BEVIDA is upside down on mannequin!

[@Sleeplayground]

Thanks!

[@CARACACHICAMOS66]

Jesus I’m looking for info about the machine itself not the mask I’m typing machine but I only get mask info

[@Sleeplayground]

No worries! This was just one of the mask series I have done. What type of machine are you inquiring about can I ask?

[@CARACACHICAMOS66]

It’s air fit p10 thanks so much for your response I really appreciate it !! They prescribed it to my brother but it seems like is not going to work

[@skipcurcio4281]

I’ve tried a lot I hate them all

[@Sleeplayground]

Understood,
Not all mask are good for everybody. Although these are the lightest mask, they are hardest to get used to. If you like less on the face like anybody I guess and do not have a hard time breathing through the nose. Instead of the pillows, I would suggest a nasal mask of some kind that covers the nose rather then going into the nose. My personal go to mask is the Airfit N20. If breathing through the mouth is the issues then a full face would really be best. Let me know what you end up deciding.