breeze vs swift vs aura

Need some help getting a new mask. I want to get one of the nasal pillows and am not sure which one to get. Currently I am using a comfort gel nasal mask in size petite. I am wondering if any of these will be small enough for me. I have a very small head and I am concerned with the size of the head gear. Even the headgear I currently use is to big for my head. Does anyone know if any of the current nasal pillows is better for someone with a small head.

If you have a small head I would suggest the Swift. The aura would probably be too big and IMO the Breeze does not accommodate enough sleep positions.

I agree with Wading, the stiff plastic headgear on the Breeze can be a problem for some. I can't use it, but others swear by it.

The Aura is great, I loved the fit, but the nasal interfaces they shipped with it are all too small for me, so I can't use it until the extra large interface comes out. Since you need a small interface this might be the ideal mask for you to try. Although they are still developing their extra small one. The Aura Large nasal pillow is about the same size as the Swift medium, and is too small for me. They ship the Aura with small, medium, and large interfaces. One other issue with the Aura is the rubber headgear left a track on my bald forehead like I slept with my head pressed against a wire grid of some sort. That is from the rubber nubs on the skin side of the headgear. Pretty freaky look in the morning

Fortunately the swift has worked perfectly for me. I seem to tune it in better each night. My leaks are down to nothing, my AHI is finally down under 5 consistently, I find it easy to put on, adjust, clean, and overall it's a nice mask. You might find the barrel sitting on your upper lip a bit uncomfortable, but otherwise it is pretty minimal.

While I love the Aura, I love it only after having chopped all the headgear off and making my own straps for it. The Aura's headgear really is way too big for smaller heads - which is the case for many women. Has nothing to do with the size of the nasal pillows assembly. Has to do with the size of the headgear itself, unfortunately.

The Breeze with nasal pillows is my very close "second favorite"....great for side sleepers, of which I'm one. Not good at all, imho, for people who sleep primarily on their backs.

The Swift didn't suit me, but it's a very good interface. Deservedly a popular mask of many people.

Hi lmn,

I second RG's statement about the Aura headgear being too big for women's heads. I could not raise the adjustment to get the pillows anywhere near my nose (they were half way down to my mouth -- LOL!). I have deconstructed my Aura and am still working on getting it to fit. I suspect that once I get the headgear worked out, that I will need the extra large pillows, though.

Good luck -- the mask issue is so personal, that even if you go with the good advice from the board, it may not work for YOU!

Once you find something that works & is comfortable -- you have made a major step towards licking the OSA.

Hi Imn,

I'm a woman with a small head and am having good success with the Aura. I haven't deconstructed like others have. I only have two masks; the other one is a nasal mask, and it leaks and makes the bridge of my nose sore; so I don't dare tear my Aura apart!

What I do with the Aura, is to pull my hair up in a loose pony tail, so I can place the lower strap as low on the back of my head as I can get it. The top straps are fairly loose. Then I take a 2 in. wide hairband, and place it just below the exhaust vents. The back of the hairband is placed low on my head, over the lower strap. Then I release the pony tail - this keeps the strap and hairband from riding up. The headband keeps the headgear from wobbling around on my head as I "flop" from side to side. Earlier I had tried a 1/4 in. wide hairband, and while I had some success with it, it would leave "grooves" on the side of my face, and it didn't hold the headgear as secure.

Hope this helps!

Am I going to have a problem with the Swift if I have a big head?

thanks for you help everyone...I'll try the swift

No the Swift is very adjustable. It is my favorite pillow interface. The Breeze is OK but IMHO it is not near as good as then Swift and takes forever to find the right adjustment.