Quick answer
If you breathe through your mouth during sleep, a full-face mask that covers both nose and mouth is usually the first choice. Our top picks are the F&P Evora Full for a compact under-the-nose design and the F&P Vitera for a traditional over-the-nose seal; both are magnet-free. If you sleep on your side and want a top-of-head hose, the Philips DreamWear Full Face is an option, but it contains magnets. Some people do well with a nasal mask plus a chinstrap instead, but a respiratory therapist should check your leak data after any switch.
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
A full-face mask is the usual first choice for mouth breathing.
Under-the-nose designs avoid pressure on the nose bridge.
Several popular full-face masks contain magnets; F&P’s do not.
A nasal mask with a chinstrap can work for some people.
How we chose
We chose these masks against the same criteria each time:
- how well the mask controls mouth leak;
- 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 mouth breathers
F&P Evora Full ($179)
- Style: Compact full face, under the nose
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: Nothing sits on the bridge of the nose, which suits glasses wearers and people with nose-bridge sores, and it is magnet-free.
- Consider another style if: you need a traditional over-the-nose seal, or a very high pressure.
F&P Vitera ($179)
- Style: Traditional full face (over the nose)
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: Magnet-free, with a stable seal for people who move during the night.
- Consider another style if: you want minimal contact on the nose bridge.
F&P Simplus ($179)
- Style: Traditional full face (over the nose)
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: A simple, magnet-free full-face mask with few parts, easy to fit and clean.
- Consider another style if: you want a smaller under-the-nose design.
Philips DreamWear Full Face ($179)
- Style: Full face, under the nose
- Hose connects: Top of head
- Magnets: Yes (see magnet safety)
- Why we picked it: Top-of-head hose and under-nose cushion, a good option for mouth breathers who also sleep on their side.
- Consider another style if: you have an implant affected by magnets.
Yuwell BreathWear Compact Full Face ($179)
- Style: Full face, no forehead support
- Hose connects: Front of face
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: A magnet-free full-face mask without a forehead support, so less sits in your line of sight.
- Consider another style if: you prefer an under-the-nose design.
Yuwell BreathWear II YF-06 ($179)
- Style: Full face, under the nose
- Hose connects: Ask us
- Magnets: No
- Why we picked it: A magnet-free under-the-nose full-face option from Yuwell.
Full-face mask comparison
| Mask | Design | Hose connects | Magnets | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F&P Evora Full | Under the nose, compact | Front | No | From $179; FitPack $199 |
| F&P Vitera | Over the nose | Front | No | $179 |
| F&P Simplus | Over the nose | Front | No | $179 |
| Philips DreamWear Full Face | Under the nose | Top of head | Yes | $179 |
| Yuwell BreathWear Compact Full Face | Over the nose, no forehead support | Front | No | $179 |
| Yuwell BreathWear II YF-06 | Under the nose | Ask us | No | $179 |
Nasal mask with a chinstrap vs full face
| Nasal mask + chinstrap | Full-face mask | |
|---|---|---|
| Seal | Good if the chinstrap keeps the mouth closed | Covers nose and mouth, so mouth leak is less likely |
| Footprint | Smaller | Larger |
| Dry-mouth control | Variable; depends on the chinstrap | Usually better |
| Suits | Occasional mouth breathers, claustrophobia, side sleepers | Habitual mouth breathers, blocked nose, higher pressures |
A blocked nose, allergies or a deviated septum usually favour a full-face mask. If your mouth is dry each morning, see dry mouth with CPAP.
If you have an implant: magnet-free full-face options
The F&P Simplus, Vitera and Evora Full and the Yuwell BreathWear full-face masks do not use magnetic clips. Fisher & Paykel states that its masks do not contain magnets (F&P). The Philips DreamWear Full Face contains magnets, as do several ResMed full-face masks (AirFit F20, F30, F30i and F40) that you may already own. If you or someone in close physical contact with you has an implant or medical device, check the exact mask manufacturer’s contraindications and warnings with your clinician. A separation-distance warning does not override a contraindication. A mask without magnets is not automatically suitable for every person; follow its instructions for use. See which CPAP masks contain magnets.
Getting a good seal
- Fit the mask lying down, with the machine running at your pressure.
- Tighten only until it seals; over-tightening causes leaks.
- Recheck fit after weight change or dental work.
- Replace cushions on schedule; see the CPAP replacement schedule.
Sources
- 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
- Health Canada. Magnets in certain Philips Respironics sleep therapy masks may cause serious injury (2022). https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/magnets-certain-philips-respironics-sleep-therapy-masks-may-cause-serious-injury-some
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Our masks do not contain magnets. https://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/fp-healthcare-masks-no-magnets/
- Philips. DreamWear product information. https://www.documents.philips.com/assets/20210326/ea683304f2d148cdafefacf70138aa64.pdf
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.