Quick answer
Side sleepers usually do best with a small mask that leaves little to press into the pillow: nasal pillows or an under-the-nose cradle, ideally with the hose connecting at the top of the head so it moves with you when you turn. Our top picks are the Philips DreamWear Silicone Pillows and DreamWear Nasal, both with a top-of-head hose and no magnets. If you breathe through your mouth, a compact under-the-nose full-face mask such as the magnet-free F&P Evora Full is the usual choice.
30-day mask exchange: if a mask you buy from us does not fit, you can exchange it once for a different size or style within 30 days of delivery. See the conditions.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Smaller masks shift less when your face is on the pillow.
A top-of-head hose reduces tugging when you roll over.
Mouth breathers need a full-face or a nasal mask with a chinstrap.
Check magnet status if you or your partner has an implant.
How we chose
We chose these masks against the same criteria each time:
- how much of the mask presses into the pillow;
- where the hose connects (top-of-head hoses move with you when you turn);
- whether the seal holds when the cushion is pushed sideways;
- headgear contact points on the side of the head;
- size range, and whether the mask contains magnets.
Disclosure: Virtual Sleep Care sells every mask on this page. Picks are based on manufacturer specifications and our respiratory therapists’ fitting experience, not laboratory testing. Prices are in Canadian dollars and may change. The best mask is the one that fits your face, your prescription and how you breathe.
Our picks for side sleepers
Philips DreamWear Silicone Pillows ($130)
- Style: Nasal pillows
- Hose connects: Top of head
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: Very small footprint, and the air travels through the soft frame to a connection on top of the head, so there is little to push against the pillow.
- Consider another style if: you breathe through your mouth, or pillows in the nostrils feel uncomfortable at higher pressures.
Philips DreamWear Nasal ($179)
- Style: Nasal cradle under the nose
- Hose connects: Top of head
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: Sits under the nose rather than in the nostrils, with the same top-of-head connection. A good middle ground for people who find pillows too intrusive.
- Consider another style if: the frame arms feel bulky against your pillow, or you breathe through your mouth.
F&P Brevida ($125)
- Style: Nasal pillows
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: A lightweight, lower-cost pillows mask with simple headgear. A good value choice if you rarely hit the hose when turning.
- Consider another style if: you move a lot at night and prefer a top-of-head hose.
F&P Evora Nasal ($179)
- Style: Compact nasal
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: A small nasal cushion that sits low on the nose, for side sleepers who want a nasal seal without pillows in the nostrils. The fit pack includes several cushion sizes.
- Consider another style if: you breathe through your mouth, or the front hose catches on your pillow.
F&P Evora Full (from $179)
- Style: Compact full face, under the nose
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: For side sleepers who breathe through their mouth: covers the mouth without a bridge over the nose, and it is magnet-free.
- Consider another style if: you prefer a top-of-head hose (consider the DreamWear Full Face, which contains magnets), or a full-face cushion shifts too much when you lie on your side.
Side-sleeper mask comparison
| Mask | Style | Hose connects | Magnets | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips DreamWear Silicone Pillows | Nasal pillows | Top of head | No | $130 |
| Philips DreamWear Nasal | Nasal cradle | Top of head | No | $179 |
| F&P Brevida | Nasal pillows | Front of face | No | $125 |
| F&P Nova Micro | Nasal pillows | Front of face | No | $130 |
| F&P Solo Pillows | Nasal pillows | Front of face | No | $149 |
| F&P Evora Nasal | Compact nasal | Front of face | No | $179 |
| F&P Evora Full | Compact full face | Front of face | No | From $179 |
| Philips DreamWear Full Face | Compact full face | Top of head | Yes | $249 |
Fitting tips for side sleepers
- Fit the mask lying down, on your side. A seal that works sitting up can leak once your cheek is on the pillow.
- Do not over-tighten. Tight straps fold the cushion and cause leaks and marks. Loosen until it just seals.
- Try a CPAP pillow with cut-outs, or move to the edge of a normal pillow so it does not push the mask.
- Manage the hose: run it over the headboard or use a hose hanger so it does not drag the mask.
- Check leak data in your machine’s app for a week after changing masks.
More help: CPAP mask leaks: causes and fixes and mask fitting guide.
Magnet safety
Some masks use magnetic clips. Health Canada and the US FDA have warned that these magnets can interfere with certain implants, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, brain shunts, aneurysm clips and some metallic implants. Manufacturers advise keeping magnets at least 6 inches (150 mm) from implanted devices. If you or your bed partner has an implant, choose a magnet-free mask and ask your doctor. See which CPAP masks contain magnets.
Sources
- Philips. DreamWear product information. https://www.documents.philips.com/assets/20210326/ea683304f2d148cdafefacf70138aa64.pdf
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Our masks do not contain magnets. https://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/fp-healthcare-masks-no-magnets/
- Health Canada. AirTouch and AirFit ResMed masks recall (2023). https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/airtouch-and-airfit-resmed-masks
- US FDA. Certain ResMed masks recalled due to magnets (2024). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/certain-resmed-ltd-masks-bipap-cpap-machines-recalled-due-safety-issue-magnets-may-affect-certain
Disclaimer
This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it does not replace an assessment by a qualified health professional. Virtual Sleep Care does not currently serve Quebec, Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.