Best CPAP Masks for Side Sleepers

By SleepApneaSelect · Prices and seller terms checked October 7, 2026

Start with the mask design that fits what bothers you on your side. If you want nasal pillows with the hose on top of your head, compare the ResMed AirFit P30i first. If you don't want air tubing on your cheeks, look at the Fisher & Paykel Nova Micro.

Need a mask that covers your nose and mouth? Start with the Fisher & Paykel Evora Full, which has no magnets. Then compare the ResMed AirFit F40 and ResMed AirFit F30i.

No mask fits every face. So below we compare six masks by what matters on your side: where the mask seals, where the hose goes, what touches your cheek, and whether it has magnets. We also show the price and what the seller does if you sleep in it and it doesn't fit.

We compared the makers' published specs and the sellers' published terms. We have not worn or tested these masks, and no clinician has reviewed this page. Seller links on this page are unpaid. Advertising disclosure.

Already own a mask that leaks when you turn over? Check why it leaks first. You may not need a new one.

The 6 best CPAP masks for side sleepers, compared

Three terms you will see:

• Nasal pillows: two soft tips that seal at your nostrils. The tips sit just inside.
• Nasal cradle: a soft cushion that rests under your nose. Nothing goes inside.
• Compact full-face mask: seals under your nose and around your mouth. It does not cover the bridge of your nose.

Magnet answers come from the makers: ResMed's mask list (opens in a new tab), the F40 user guide (opens in a new tab), and Fisher & Paykel (opens in a new tab). The F30i row is the standard magnetic version linked below.

Do you or your bed partner have a pacemaker, defibrillator, shunt, insulin pump, or another implant? Skip the two masks marked Yes until you read the magnet check.

These picks match a design to a need. They are our reading of how each mask is built. They don't prove which mask will seal best on your face.

What each mask costs, and what the price buys

These are one-time cash prices for a complete mask. They are not insurance prices. Shipping and tax can add to the total. The machine and the long hose are sold separately, and each listing says you need a prescription.

Before you click, know this: CPAP.com offers an initial 60-night opened-mask exchange from the ship date, with return-shipping charges potentially applying. The CPAP Shop, Sleeplay, and Lofta have different windows, fees, and exchange or refund options. Compare the sellers' terms before choosing an offer.

So the six CPAP.com offers run from $99 to $159. That is the range for those offers, not for every seller or mask on the market. These are displayed one-time prices checked October 7, 2026; a promotion or different configuration can change the checkout total.

Why are some prices so alike? ResMed publishes a minimum advertised price for sellers. For the AirTouch N30i it is $130 for the starter pack and $119 for a single-size complete system (ResMed (opens in a new tab)). That does not set your final checkout price. Compare the exact pack, any eligible discount, and what happens after you open the box.

The CPAP.com buttons below go to the complete-mask listings. A worn mask is eligible for an exchange, not a cash refund (CPAP.com returns (opens in a new tab)).

Not sure which one? Answer 3 questions

This short tool sorts the six masks by your answers. If you're not sure which mask type you need, it shows separate nasal and full-face examples for discussion with your clinician or supplier. It runs in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent.

How it works, with an example. Say you need a full-face mask, your partner has a pacemaker, and you hate it when the hose pulls.

1. The tool first removes the F40 and F30i, because both have magnets.
2. That leaves the Evora Full as your match.
3. Since you wanted the hose on top, it adds a tip: ResMed makes a non-magnetic F30i as a separate version, so ask the seller if they stock it.

The tool sorts masks by design. It does not examine you or choose your treatment.

Why masks leak when you sleep on your side

Three common problems show up on your side. Each one points to something to check.

No design guarantees a fix for all three. A top hose can reduce pull from a hose in front of your face, but it puts an air-carrying frame on your cheeks. A front-hose mask can avoid those air tubes, but it still has straps or a frame and you have to manage the hose. That is the main choice on this page. The American Thoracic Society's troubleshooting guide (opens in a new tab) also points to hose tension, mask adjustment, and pillow contact.

The six masks, one by one

ResMed AirFit P30i: nasal pillows with the hose on top

Compare it first if you want nasal pillows and your main complaint is the hose in front of your face.

The hose connects at the top of your head. Air travels down a soft frame on both sides to the pillows. That keeps the main hose connection away from the front of your face.

The tradeoff: that frame rests on both cheeks. And the pillows sit just inside your nostrils, which some people don't like.

Maker facts: no magnets. It weighs 117 grams (about 4 ounces) with the frame, cushion, headgear, and elbow (ResMed shop specs (opens in a new tab)). Pillows come in small, medium, and large. The frame comes in small and standard.

A way to save money: ResMed says the P30i, AirFit N30i, and AirTouch N30i cushions are interchangeable (user guide (opens in a new tab)). If pillows bother you, you can buy just a compatible cradle cushion and keep the frame. The CPAP Shop lists AirFit N30i cradle cushions at $34; that is a different cushion from AirTouch N30i (listing (opens in a new tab)). Check the size and opened-part return terms first.

Price: $115 at CPAP.com for a complete mask. CPAP.com also lists a "mask only, no headgear" version at $84.

If the cheek frame is the problem, compare the Nova Micro. If the pillows are the problem, compare the AirTouch N30i.

Fisher & Paykel Nova Micro: tiny pillows, nothing on your cheeks but straps

Compare it first if you want as little on your face as possible and you don't want air tubing down your cheeks.

Fisher & Paykel calls it the smallest and lightest CPAP mask it makes and lists its weight as less than 1.4 ounces, or under 40 grams (F&P (opens in a new tab)). Its smallest-volume comparison excludes tubing. The headgear adjusts on both sides, so you can set each side on its own.

The tradeoff: the hose leaves from the front. Give it enough slack to turn, including if you run it up over your headboard. And like the P30i, the pillows sit just inside your nostrils.

Maker facts: no magnets. Three pillow sizes: small, medium, and large. One headgear size fits all three.

Price: $99 at CPAP.com for one pillow size. Not sure of your size? Ask about the fit pack with all three sizes. The CPAP Shop lists its NVP1SMLA fit pack at $99; Lofta's displayed Small complete mask is $89. Their return terms differ.

ResMed AirTouch N30i: a soft cradle under your nose, hose on top

Compare it first if you want the hose on top but you don't want pillows inside your nostrils.

The cushion rests under your nose. ResMed makes it from silicone and fabric, and the whole frame is wrapped in fabric (ResMed shop (opens in a new tab)). So fabric, not bare silicone, touches most of your face.

The tradeoff: an air-carrying frame still runs down both cheeks. And the cushion does contain silicone, so it is not a fix for a silicone allergy.

Maker facts: no magnets. Cushions come in small-wide, medium, and large. The cushion swaps with the AirFit N30i cradle and the P30i pillows on the same frame.

Price: $130 at CPAP.com for the starter pack with two cushions (small-wide and medium). If you already know your size, a one-size version is listed at $119 at Sleeplay.

Fisher & Paykel Evora Full: nose and mouth coverage with no magnets

Compare it first if you need a full-face mask and you want to avoid magnets.

The Evora Full seals under your nose and around your mouth. It leaves the bridge of your nose bare. Fisher & Paykel says none of its masks contain magnets (F&P statement (opens in a new tab)).

In a two-week Fisher & Paykel-sponsored study of 44 experienced full-face PAP users in New Zealand, 42 rated moving around in bed with Evora Full as easy or very easy (original study (opens in a new tab)). That is the company's number from a small group, with no comparison mask. It does not prove which mask is best for side sleepers.

The tradeoff: it covers your mouth as well as your nose, so there is more cushion and headgear to keep clear of your pillow than with the minimal nasal options here. The hose leaves from the front.

Maker facts: no magnets. Cushions come in extra small, small–medium, and large; headgear comes in Standard and XL (F&P (opens in a new tab)).

Price: $149 at CPAP.com. The title and product code identify fit pack EVF1XMLA, with XS, S–M, and L cushions, but a lower contents block lists XS only. Confirm the code and all three sizes before you pay.

ResMed AirFit F40: a small full-face mask with no air tubing down your cheeks

Compare it first if you need nose and mouth coverage, want no air tubing down your cheeks, and the magnetic-mask restrictions do not apply to you or a close contact.

ResMed calls the F40 its smallest full-face mask with a front hose (ResMed (opens in a new tab)). It has a flexible frame and a short tube. No air tubing runs down your cheeks.

The tradeoff: it has magnetic clips. Read the magnet check before you buy. The hose leaves from the front.

Maker facts: contains magnets (U.S. user guide (opens in a new tab)). Three cushion sizes (small-wide, medium, large) and three headgear sizes (small, standard, large).

One setup detail people miss: ResMed's F40 instructions specify "Pillows" as the mask setting on ResMed AirSense, AirCurve, and S9 devices, even though the F40 is a full-face mask (U.S. user guide (opens in a new tab)). Check the user guide in your box and ask your supplier to confirm. This is a mask setting. It is not your prescribed pressure.

Price: $155 at CPAP.com for one cushion size and one headgear size.

ResMed AirFit F30i: nose and mouth coverage with the hose on top

Compare it first if you need a full-face mask, you roll a lot, and you want the hose out of the way.

It seals under your nose and around your mouth, like the other two full-face masks here. The difference is the hose. It connects on top of your head, and air travels down a frame on both sides.

The tradeoff: the standard F30i has magnetic clips. It is on both ResMed's list and the FDA's notice (FDA (opens in a new tab)). The frame also rests on both cheeks.

Need this design without magnets? At least one U.S. seller lists a non-magnetic F30i as a separate version (RespShop (opens in a new tab)). The button below goes to the standard version with magnets. Ask before you order.

Price: $159 at CPAP.com for one cushion size and one frame size.

Other masks you may be looking for

We kept the main list to six so the choice stays clear. These are still good masks to know.

If every under-the-nose mask fails on you, a mask that covers the bridge of the nose may fit better. Ask your supplier for a fitting. Don't keep buying the same shape.

Do mouth breathers need a full-face mask?

Not always. And yes, you can sleep on your side in a full-face mask.

Many stores say mouth breathers must use a full-face mask. Sleep doctors are more careful. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine's 2019 guideline generally favors nasal or intranasal interfaces when people start CPAP, while making comfort, effectiveness, and continued use part of the individual choice (full guideline (opens in a new tab)).

An article on the academy's site explains why. Full-face masks can contain air that would otherwise leak out of the mouth. But they can also have more total leak, less comfort, and less nightly use. Severe nasal blockage is one reason a clinician may choose one (AASM (opens in a new tab)). The American Thoracic Society also cautions that self-reported mouth breathing is not a reliable mask-selection rule; actual nasal blockage and oral leak need checking (ATS workshop (opens in a new tab)).

So what should you do?

• Waking up with a dry mouth on a nasal mask? Tell your clinician or supplier. They may look at a stuffy nose, a chin strap, or a different mask.
• Already told you need mouth coverage? Compare these under-nose full-face designs with your fitter. The Evora Full, F40, and F30i all cover the mouth.
• Switching to a full-face mask? Have your care team review how therapy is working after the switch (ATS workshop (opens in a new tab)).

We can't tell you which type your body needs. That call belongs to you and your clinician.

Magnets: check this before you buy

Some masks use small magnets to clip the headgear on. They are handy. They can also interfere with some implants.

Who should avoid them. ResMed says its magnet masks must not be used if you, or anyone in close physical contact while you wear the mask, has an active implant that interacts with magnets, or a metallic implant or object containing ferromagnetic material. That means material a magnet can attract. Examples include the following (ResMed (opens in a new tab)):

• A pacemaker or implanted defibrillator
• A nerve stimulator
• A shunt that drains fluid from the brain
• An insulin or infusion pump
• Aneurysm clips, embolic coils, or certain stents and valves
• A hearing or balance implant that contains a magnet
• An eye implant, or a metal splinter in the eye

A bed partner counts. If your partner has a pacemaker, your mask matters too. Not every model of the listed implants is affected. If you're unsure, ask the clinician who manages the implant and its manufacturer before choosing a magnetic mask.

The 6-inch rule is not a workaround. ResMed also warns users to keep the magnets at least 6 inches (150 mm) from implants and devices that magnets can affect. If the contraindication applies to you or a close contact, choose a mask without magnets. Don't try to manage the distance in bed.

Which of our six have magnets?

Not sure about your implant? Ask the doctor who manages it. If the contraindication applies, stop using that magnetic mask and contact your mask supplier for a nonmagnetic replacement. If one is not available, ask your clinician what to use while you wait (FDA instructions (opens in a new tab)).

What happens if you sleep in it and it doesn't fit?

A mask is a guess until you sleep in it. So read the return terms as closely as the price. "Returns" can mean a refund, a store credit, or only a swap.

Sources: CPAP.com policy (opens in a new tab) and exchange instructions (opens in a new tab); The CPAP Shop returns (opens in a new tab); Sleeplay returns (opens in a new tab); Lofta returns (opens in a new tab). Checked October 7, 2026. Get return authorization and confirm the order's deadline and shipping charges before sending anything back.

One conflict to know about. The CPAP Shop's return policy describes a swap for worn masks counted from purchase. Its mask category page (opens in a new tab) talks about money back and counts from delivery. Ask which terms apply to your order, and get the answer in writing.

The plain takeaway: an exchange keeps you shopping, store credit keeps your money with that seller, and a cash refund can still have a fee. The longest window is not automatically the best offer.

A dollar example: if an eligible $89 Lofta purchase is returned for a refund under its 15% fee option, the fee is $13.35 and the remaining product refund is $75.65 before shipping deductions. That is arithmetic using the checked price and published fee, not an approved return quote.

Parts are stricter. At CPAP.com, The CPAP Shop, and Sleeplay, cushions, pillows, headgear, and frames bought on their own can't be returned once opened. Lofta also excludes separately bought mask parts from its complete-mask exchange program.

Three ways to lower your risk:

1. Buy a pack with more than one cushion size. The P30i and AirTouch N30i starter packs include more than one.
2. Swap the cushion, not the mask. On the P30i and N30i frame, you can try pillows or a cradle by buying one cushion.
3. Ask before you pay. Use the questions for your seller below.

Before you buy another mask, check why yours leaks

A leak that shows up when you turn is often a fit, pillow, or hose problem. Check those before buying; a different size or design may still be needed. Set aside about ten minutes to try this first.

1. Look the mask over. Check the cushion for cracks or damage. Check that the parts are assembled as the maker's guide shows and that the vents are clear.
2. Put the mask on and turn the machine on. Use your normal settings. Don't change your prescribed pressure to make a mask seal.
3. Lie down on your own pillow, on your usual side. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute advises adjusting the fit while lying down with the machine on (NHLBI (opens in a new tab)).
4. Notice three things. Is the pillow touching the cushion? Is the frame pressing into your cheek? Is the hose pulling?
5. Reseat the cushion as the maker directs. Follow that model's fitting order and adjust for a comfortable seal. Stop tightening if it hurts. For example, Evora Full has a specific upper-then-lower strap sequence (F&P guide (opens in a new tab)).
6. Roll to your other side and check again.
7. Still leaking? Write down what you saw and call your supplier. Ask for a size check or a refit.

Air coming out of the small vent holes is normal. That is how the mask clears the air you breathe out. Never tape or cover the vents.

These checks follow the ATS troubleshooting guide (opens in a new tab) and model-specific fitting instructions. They don't measure treatment effectiveness.

When it's not a shopping problem. Skin sores, eye irritation that won't stop, or a mask you can't keep on all need real help. Call your supplier or clinician. When to go back to a clinician.

Prescription, insurance, and machine setup

Do I need a prescription to buy a CPAP mask?

For a complete mask, yes. CPAP.com says it won't ship a complete mask without one. It does sell mask parts without a prescription, including "mask kits without headgear" (CPAP.com (opens in a new tab)). That is why the P30i shows two prices there: $115 complete and $84 without headgear. Replacement parts still need to match your prescribed setup.

Need a copy of your prescription, or a renewal?

Will insurance pay for a different mask?

It may. Medicare's current PAP policy lists a usual maximum of one nasal mask interface or full-face mask every 3 months; separately billed headgear is one every 6 months (CMS LCD L33718 (opens in a new tab)). Coverage and refill requirements still apply. This does not promise a new complete kit every three months or tell you to discard working parts. Private plans set their own rules.

Ask your supplier two things: "Can I change to a different mask at my next covered replacement?" and "What fit-exchange period and terms apply if the new mask doesn't fit?"

The cash prices on this page tell you nothing about your own benefits. Only your plan can do that. Understand CPAP costs.

Will it work with my machine?

These masks use standard home-PAP connections, but that alone does not establish compatibility with every machine or prescribed operating range. Check the exact mask, hose, connector, and device instructions. Two details are easy to miss:

• The mask setting. Some machines ask you to pick a mask type. The name doesn't always match the mask. The F40 is the example: its instructions specify "Pillows" on AirSense, AirCurve, and S9 devices. Check the guide for your exact setup; don't change prescribed pressure to compensate for a poor fit.
• Travel machines. None of these six main picks appears on ResMed's supported AirMini mask list (opens in a new tab). It names P10 for AirMini, N30 for AirMini, F30, F20/AirTouch F20, and N20/AirTouch N20. A normal P10 listing is not the dedicated P10-for-AirMini setup. Check the required connector/setup pack, and don't mistake a third-party adapter listing for manufacturer approval.

Questions to ask the seller before you buy

Copy or print these. They make a phone call or chat more useful and can save you the cost of a mask.

More questions from side sleepers

Is a hose on top of the head better for side sleeping?

It can reduce pull from a hose in front of your face when you roll. It adds one thing: an air-carrying frame on both cheeks. A top connection can still pull if the hose is taut, and it does not fix a cushion that is the wrong size. If front-hose pull is your main problem, it's worth comparing.

Do I need a special CPAP pillow?

No. A pillow with side cutouts can give the mask room. First try the free version: position your regular pillow so it doesn't push the mask sideways, while keeping your head and neck supported and the vents clear. The ATS troubleshooting guide (opens in a new tab) includes pillow changes as one option.

Should I pick a smaller size because I sleep on my side?

No. Use the maker's sizing guide for that exact mask. The wrong size leaks and can cause sore spots. Sizes don't necessarily carry over between masks. A medium in one mask may fit differently in another.

I have a beard or long hair. Does that change the pick?

A little. Pillows and cradles seal at the nose, so they touch less beard than a full-face cushion. A mustache can still cross a seal. Check how the straps and frame sit around your hair using the maker's fitting guide; a top connection does not guarantee hair stays clear. No mask is sure to solve either one.

I also sleep on my stomach. What changes?

The same contact and hose questions matter. Look for a low-profile design in the correct size, with the seal and exhaust vents clear of bedding. Check your usual position with PAP running and ask your supplier for help if the pillow pushes the mask aside. This is our reading of the designs. It is not a test result. Keep using PAP during sleep as prescribed; changing position does not replace it (NHLBI (opens in a new tab)).

My app says the seal is good, but I keep waking up to fix the mask. Why?

A score can't feel what you feel. A mask can seal well and still wake you when it shifts or presses. That counts. Write down what happens when you turn, and take it to your supplier or clinician.

How we chose these masks and checked the facts

How we chose. We wanted one clear option for each real choice a side sleeper faces: pillows, cradle, or full face; hose on top or in front; magnets or none. Six masks cover those choices.

Where the facts come from. Design, sizes, and magnets come from the makers: ResMed and Fisher & Paykel. Safety rules come from ResMed and the FDA. Prices and return terms come from each seller's own pages.

What we did not do. We did not wear, buy, or test these masks. We did not contact the sellers. No clinician has reviewed this page. We did not rank by star ratings or by payment. No seller pays us.

When we checked. October 7, 2026. Prices and terms change. Confirm them with the seller before you buy.

More on how we compare and our editorial standards. See a price or policy that has changed? Send us the source. For help with an order or a fitting, contact your seller.

Pick the design that fits your main complaint. Confirm the size and what's in the box. Know the seller's terms before you open it.

Need a machine too, or help with costs or a prescription?