The best CPAP mask is the one you will actually wear all night. It has to seal at your prescribed pressure and stay comfortable in the positions you sleep in. For Medicare patients the stakes are higher: the 90-day adherence rule decides whether coverage continues, and an uncomfortable mask makes hitting 4 hours a night harder.
Pick the style first
| If you… | Start with | HHZ starting pick |
|---|---|---|
| Breathe through your nose and want minimal contact | Nasal pillows | ResMed AirFit P10 |
| Breathe through your nose and want a stable cushion | Nasal mask | ResMed AirFit N20 |
| Breathe through your nose, sleep on your side, want the tube out of the way | Nasal cradle | ResMed AirFit N30i |
| Breathe through your mouth, or wake with a dry mouth | Full face | ResMed AirFit F20 |
| Breathe through your mouth but find full-face masks claustrophobic | Minimal-contact full face | ResMed AirFit F30i |
These are starting points, not guarantees. Face shape, nasal bridge height, beard, pressure and how you move at night all change the seal.
The shortlist, with US prices
| Mask | Style | Price (ResMed shop) | Medicare code |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirFit P10 (starter pack, S/M/L pillows) | Nasal pillows | $105 | A7034 |
| AirFit N20 (complete system) | Nasal | $105 | A7034 |
| AirFit N30i (starter pack) | Nasal cradle | $121 | A7034 |
| AirFit F20 (complete system) | Full face | $155 | A7030 |
| AirFit F30i (complete system) | Minimal-contact full face | $167 | A7030 |
Prices are list prices on ResMed’s US shop on 13 October 2026, before tax. Retailers can be cheaper on some masks. cpap.com listed the AirFit P10 at $105, for example (cpap.com). The Medicare HCPCS descriptions come from ResMed’s reimbursement guide.
ResMed AirFit P10: best minimal-contact mask
ResMed describes the P10 as “incredibly small, lightweight and easy to use”. The starter pack includes the frame, headgear and small, medium and large pillows (ResMed). Air goes straight into the nostrils, which some people find drying or irritating, especially at higher pressures. Replacement pillows cost $22.
ResMed AirFit N20: best conventional nasal mask
ResMed calls the N20 its “most popular nasal mask” (ResMed). The cushion seals around the nose rather than in the nostrils, which many first-time users find easier. Replacement cushions cost $34. A for-Her version is listed at the same price.
ResMed AirFit N30i: best for side sleepers
The N30i is a nasal cradle mask “designed to keep air tubing out of sight and out of your way, giving you the freedom to comfortably switch positions” (ResMed). Choose it if a hose in front of your face wakes you when you roll over.
ResMed AirFit F20: best full face starting point
The F20 is “designed to provide a secure fit and comfortable seal” (ResMed). It’s the default for mouth breathers. The larger footprint can feel enclosing, and a poorly sized cushion leaks at the bridge or chin. Replacement cushions cost $54.
ResMed AirFit F30i: best minimal-contact full face
ResMed describes the F30i as a “minimal-contact full face mask designed to keep air tubing out of sight and out of your way” (ResMed). It suits mouth breathers who dislike the F20’s coverage, but fit depends heavily on face shape, so check the return or exchange policy before buying.
Masks for travel machines
The ResMed AirMini uses its own mask connections. ResMed sells AirMini-specific mask kits and setup packs for the P10, N20, N30 and F20 (ResMed shop). cpap.com notes that the AirMini version of the P10 is “not compatible with other machines or masks” (cpap.com). See best travel CPAP machines.
Fit checklist
- Fit at your pressure. Ask the supplier to fit the mask with the machine running at your prescribed pressure, not switched off.
- Test lying down, in the position you sleep in.
- Check your machine’s leak data after the first few nights. A seal that’s fine at the start of the night can leak at higher pressures later.
- Ask about exchanges before you open it. cpap.com, for example, advertises a 60-night mask guarantee. Policies vary between retailers, and masks are hygiene items.
Replacement and coverage
Medicare covers masks as PAP accessories when you meet the coverage criteria for the device. Under LCD L33718, the usual maximums are 1 full face mask or 1 nasal interface every 3 months, 1 full-face cushion a month, and 2 nasal cushions or 2 pairs of pillows a month. The full schedule is in our CPAP supplies replacement guide.
Verdict
Choose by how you breathe first, then by how you sleep. Nose breathers should start with the AirFit P10 or N20, or the N30i if they sleep on their side. Mouth breathers should start with the AirFit F20, and try the F30i if the F20 feels too enclosing. Buy from a seller with a written exchange window, and check your leak data in the first week.
Related troubleshooting
Mask leaks, dry mouth, chin strap vs mouth taping and how to clean your mask.
Head-to-head: AirFit P10 vs N30i, AirFit F20 vs F30i.
More comparisons: AirFit N20 vs N30, AirTouch N20 vs AirFit N20, AirFit F40 review, F30i vs AirTouch F30i vs X30i.
See also: Fisher & Paykel reviews of the Evora Full, Vitera, Nova Micro and Evora Nasal.
See also: F&P Solo and F&P Simplus reviews.