WORKS WITH

Full face CPAP masks

A full face CPAP mask covers both nose and mouth, so pressure is delivered whichever way you breathe. It is the mask most people picture when they think of CPAP, and the one most likely to be prescribed for mouth breathers, higher pressures or chronic congestion. Apnealytics tracks every full face mask in its catalog and shows seal, AHI and usage per mask.

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AirFit F30i full face mask on a teal blob

Who a full face mask suits

Mouth breathers. If your mouth opens during sleep, a nasal mask leaks and loses pressure; a full face mask keeps it.
Higher pressures. Many people find a full face cushion seals more reliably once pressure reaches the upper teens of cmH₂O.
Bilevel users. Higher pressure support tends to pull the mouth open, which is why full face masks are common on the AirCurve 10 VAuto and AirCurve 11 VAuto.
Allergies and colds. When your nose blocks, a full face mask keeps therapy going.
People who failed a chin strap. If a strap did not keep your mouth closed, this is the usual next step.

Under-nose full face designs (AirFit F30i, DreamWear Full Face) cover the mouth but seal under the nose rather than over the bridge, which some people find far more comfortable.

Typical leak signature

Full face masks have a higher leak baseline than nasal masks because the cushion perimeter is longer and vents are larger. That is expected, and ResMed machines account for it when the mask type is set to Full Face. In Apnealytics the pattern to watch for is spikes rather than a step: short bursts of leak aligned with position changes, when the cushion lifts off the chin or the side of the face. A high leak P95 with a normal average often means a few bad stretches on your back or side. A rising baseline over weeks is a cushion losing shape.

Night leak trace with short spikes, P95 line and 24 L/min threshold

Fit tips

Fit lying down, under pressure
The cushion inflates slightly with pressure and settles differently against a pillow.
Chin position
The lower edge of the cushion should sit in the groove above the chin, not on the point of it. Too low and it lifts when your jaw drops.
Do not overtighten
A full face mask seals with pressure from inside; cranking the straps folds the cushion and leaks more.
Size by the manufacturer's template
Full face sizes vary more between brands than nasal sizes do.
Consider under-nose designs
if the bridge of your nose gets sore or leaks into your eyes.
Set the mask type on the machine to Full Face
It changes the leak calculation.
Replace cushions on schedule
and set a reminder in Gear.

Popular full face masks in the catalog

ResMed AirFit F20 (over-nose, front tube)
ResMed AirFit F30i (under-nose, top-of-head tube)
ResMed AirFit F30 (under-nose, front tube)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Full Face (under-nose, top-of-head tube)
Fisher & Paykel Vitera (over-nose with RollFit cushion)
Fisher & Paykel Evora Full (compact under-nose)

All are in the Apnealytics catalog with photos, sizes and part lists, and fit any machine with a standard 22 mm tube connection. Mask listings describe the mask only and say nothing about whether a machine's data is supported.

What Mask Analytics shows

Attach your full face mask in Gear with a start date and Apnealytics compares it against every mask you have used:

Seal from leak P95, judged against what is normal for a full face mask
AHI average across its nights
Usage average hours, the plainest comfort measure
Nights and span so you can weigh the evidence

If you switch from a nasal mask to a full face mask to stop mouth leak, Trends should show leak P95 falling and, often, AHI falling with it. The "What changed?" panel marks the switch. See mask fit and leak for the product tour.

Mask Analytics comparing full face masks and the nasal mask they replaced

Trends view with leak P95 dropping at the marker Mask: AirFit N20 to AirFit F20

FAQ

Questions people ask

Help center →

Is a full face mask better for sleep apnea?

It is better for people whose mouths open during sleep, who need higher pressures or who are often congested. It is not better in general; many people do well on nasal masks or pillows. Mask Analytics shows your seal, AHI and usage per mask so the choice is based on your nights, not a rule of thumb.

Why is my full face mask leak higher than my old nasal mask?

Partly by design. Full face masks have a longer cushion edge and larger vents, so the baseline leak is higher, and the machine expects that when the mask type is set to Full Face. Compare leak P95 within mask type and look at AHI and usage too; if both improved, the switch worked.

Over-nose or under-nose full face mask?

Over-nose masks (AirFit F20, Vitera) have a longer record and suit many faces. Under-nose masks (AirFit F30i, DreamWear Full Face) avoid the bridge of the nose and let you wear glasses before sleep. Seal is personal; many people try both, and Mask Analytics compares them directly.

How tight should a full face mask be?

Looser than most people think. The cushion seals with air pressure from inside; overtightening collapses it and causes leak and skin marks. Fit it lying down with the machine running and tighten only until the seal holds. Red marks in the morning mean it is too tight.

Do full face masks work with every CPAP machine?

Yes, any machine with a standard 22 mm tube connection: all ResMed AirSense and AirCurve machines, Philips DreamStation, Löwenstein prisma, Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle and others. The ResMed AirMini needs AirMini-specific versions of the AirFit F20 and F30 with its slim tube connector.