Best Mask and Life span on CPAP mask

Can you guys tell me which manufacturer has the best mask in the market right now, and how often do you guys usually get a new one. I am new to CPAP world and i am doing my research before I purchase them

Thank for the help

The best mask is like shoes. The one that fits your face and needs is the best.

And that was not just a standard 'easy' answer - it's very true, and that's probably why there are so many different masks out there. You have to do your own homework. However, one basic decision needs to be made based on whether or not you sleep with your mouth open (and that can happen after starting Cpap, whether or not it was a factor previously). If you end up losing all the Cpap air through your mouth then you're not getting treated, and need to try, after experimenting with tape, full face (vs nasal) masks - and they're good to have for when you catch a cold and can't breathe through your nose at all.

The best mask is very individual, but I will say in terms of durability the simplicity can't be beat. I have had a simplicity for almost 2 years, which I use a lot (I switch between it and the quattro) , and which is still going strong with the same cushion. With the quattro the cushion has to be replaced seems like every 4 - 6 weeks and if you don't have insurance to cover it, it can get very expensive. I think the simplicity is the best value for the money. Unfortunately it only has two cushion sizes, one very small and one very large with nothing inbetween.

Trial and error--and face shape.
I'm still looking, but Swift FX is comfortable,(and keeps my AHI down below 2) even though I have to go to extremes to keep my yap shut.
Face shape is so important. If you buy from cpap.com, the return insurance sounds like a good investment for the first try with a mask.

I have been using CPAPs for several years; I think therre is no noone who can tell you that a specofic mask is the right one. I now have used 6 different masks.

I am currently trying the Optilife Cradle mask. It has both nasal pillows and nasal cushions. I chose it because my last mask left my nose sore( it was the nasa pillow). Every week or sao I had to switch from the nasal pillow to another old mask that covered my whole nose; but this one made my nose sore in a different place. thus I kept switching back and forth every couple seeks.

I have only hasd the OptiLife for two weeks and i find that it also is not the ideal one even though it has both nasal pillows and nasal cushions.

Happy hunting.

I was not happy with my Mirage Liberty mask and eye-balled the (Fitlife) mask. When researching the mask, I could not find one good response to the mask. I was at cpap.com (in Houston) buying a pillow, and they had the Fitlife on display, for folks to try it on. I tried it on, and it was a match made in heaven. It worked for me, but many folks wouldn't even consider the mask. I am now free of nose blisters inside and outside of my nose and have no leakage. There is really no answer to your question. What does help is that on cpap.com... they show how many (and percentage) of people have bought a particular mask (under "popular masks"). That will tell you how popular a mask is.

Sheriff

icio29 wrote:and how often do you guys usually get a new one.

I use a F&P HC405 mask, which is the one that works for me.

I have to pay for all my masks needs out of pocket, as Heath Insurance in my part of the world doesn't cover it. I replace the cushion every ~6 months, the seal every ~12 months, the headgear (straps) every ~12 months, and the slider when it breaks (one broke recently after several years of use). The frame is now over 5 years old and is still going strong!

Cheers,

Bill