ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask vs Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask
Nasal mask users are sure to be excited by a few new players in the market. Traditional, full-coverage nasal masks are now getting a minimalist makeover! These new masks are lightweight, sit below the nose to keep the face open, and allow for freedom of movement through the night. The most popular is the Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask, part of the DreamWear family of masks that recently hit the 10 millionth mask sale milestone. The most recent, the ResMed AirFit N30i, hopes it can attain the same status. Let’s see how they stack up against each other.
Here, Jose Acosta, CRT, on-staff respiratory therapist at The CPAP Shop does a side-by-side comparison between these two popular masks.
Headgear
The ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask features a top-of-the-head tube design with a connection that rotates 360°. This allows the user to sleep in any position and move freely through the night. The headgear comes in two sizes: standard medium or small. The SpringFit frame provides a stable, personalized fit. Air flows directly through the frame for a soft and secure seal. If you sleep on one side, air will flow on the opposite side to maintain a consistent flow throughout the night.
The N30i mask is designed to slide on and off easily. The quick release elbow makes it easy to disconnect the mask from the tubing if you need to get up in the middle of the night.
Similarly, the Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask is designed with the elbow at the top of the head. This prevents the hose from being tangled and keeps it out of the way for unrestricted sleep. Users can sleep in any position—stomach, side, or back—and move freely throughout the night. The headgear comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. In this revolutionary design, air flows directly through a soft, flexible silicone frame. Fabric wraps also provide a soft touch on the user’s cheek.
The DreamWear mask is easy to put on and take off.
Cushions
The ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask features an innovatively designed curved cushion that cradle the nose. The cushion sits directly underneath the nose, not in it. This design eliminates pressure to the bridge of the nose, a common complaint with nasal mask wearers. Cushions are color-coded and available in four sizes: small, small-wide, medium and wide.
The Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask is uniquely designed to offer the benefits of a pillow mask without inserting anything into the nose. This eliminates pressure points, discomfort, and irritation in the nostrils or on the bridge of the nose. Cushions come in four sizes: small, medium, medium-wide, and large. What makes the DreamWear family of masks unique is their universal design that allows the user to quickly and easily switch cushion types without changing masks. Thus, you can change from the cushion to gel pillows which will give a slightly different feel but the same comfortable results.
Coverage
The ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask is open around the eyes. This allows for an open line of sight. Users can easily wear glasses to read or watch TV while falling asleep. It is ideal for users who may have claustrophobia.
The Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask minimizes facial coverage. The mask offers a clear line of sight to read or watch TV. Again, it is ideal for users who may have claustrophobia.
Starter Pack
There are two ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask starter pack options. First, pick either a standard medium or small frame. Each starter pack comes small, small-wide, and medium cushions and a fitting guide. To switch between cushion sizes, simply pull and align the arrows for the next cushion you want to try on.
The Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask start pack comes with a medium mask frame, fabric wraps, headgear, and all four cushion sizes (small, medium, medium-wide, and large). This allows a new user to test and decide which size is most suitable for therapy.
Compatibility
Both the ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask and the Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask are compatible with any CPAP and BiPAP machine. No special adapters are required.
ResMed AirFit N30i vs Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal: Which mask should you choose?
We asked Jose Acosta, CRT, an on-site respiratory therapist at The CPAP Shop for his thoughts on the ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask versus the Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Mask.
Both masks have a similar design; they connect on top of the frame and distribute pressure down the sides. The DreamWear has three frame sizes (S, M, L) while N30i only has two (S, M). However, the N30i’s SpringFit frame allows for extra flexibility making it more universal. Both masks offer soft sleeves for comfort and to help reduce lines on the face.
ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal CPAP Mask
• Features a top-of-head swivel tube for freedom of movement, and contoured nasal cushions for enhanced comfort
Buy NowWhen it comes to headgear, both masks are similar and are adjustable with Velcro. They each offer four different cushion sizes: N30i (S, SW, W, and M) and DreamWear (S, M, MW, L). The DreamWear fit pack includes all the sizes so you can pick the right cushion immediately. Again, both masks are very quiet and both feature vents on the top of the frame and on the cushion.
Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask
• Minimal facial contact offers the freedom to sleep in any position without sores, red marks, or skin irritation
Buy NowThe only major difference between the two masks is that with the DreamWear, you can start as a nasal mask, switch to the nasal pillows and even switch to a full face if necessary which only requires a few add-ons.
The CPAP Shop offers a 30-day money back guarantee on both the AirFit N30i and DreamWear Nasal masks. Order yours today and test it out risk-free! As always, if you have any questions, our knowledgeable staff is only a phone call away.
Author
Chris Vasta
Over a 10+ year career at PHH Mortgage managing a $100 million portfolio, Chris Vasta learned the ins and outs of the business world. He learned how to establish business relationships, lead a multi-prong team, and implement strategies for long-term growth. In 2007, Vasta used that experience to transition his role into president of The CPAP Shop. Over his tenure, Vasta has been involved in everything from website design to warehouse layout. His hands-on approach with customers has evolved into an in-depth understanding of the challenges of beginning and adhering to sleep therapy. He often provides his insights on product…
If I currently use a medium-size Phillips Respironics Dreamwear headgear, what size headgear should I try for the AirFit?
Hello, Kim. If the Philips Dreamwear headgear fits fine, the Standard frame with small, medium, and small wide cushion is mostly likely the way to go. The headgear is just the small blue piece that goes around the back of your head, and that item only comes in a medium.
I’ve been a user of an Airfit P10. Recently was provided a dreamwear nasal. It seemed that it blew a lot of air out of the slot below the pillows. Is the airfit p30i better?
Hello, Mark. The Philips Resperonic’s Dreamwear mask and the Resmed P30i, both have exhalation vents in front of the cushion. The main difference is that the exhalation vent on the P30i has little holes on each side of the cushion, which is intended to help disperse the air and make it less noisy. Since the exhaled air is not as directed, the P30i may be a better fit for you.
I’ve tried both of these with both small and medium cushions. With all of these I experience a fluttering from inside the cushion after a few minutes of use – as if someone has stuck a feather inside the cushion. Very annoying and I cannot get to sleep with this vibration inside the cushion. I cannot find any reference to such an experience. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.
Hello, Lynn. You could try using the Amara View liner with that mask to prevent the fluttering noise you are experiencing. Here is the link to that liner: https://www.thecpapshop.com/respironics-amara-view-mask-liner
How does the Airfit N30i compare with Airfit N20 in creating nasal dryness. Obviously there are things you can do to combat nasal dryness, but my question is one type of mask more “drying” than the other. Intuitively it seems like there would be a difference in the stream of air that goes directly into your nose and the stream of air that first enters a “well.” I can’t get anything out of ResMed – just weaving and bobbing.
Hi Pat! Due to it’s design, the N30i is certainly more direct in delivering air pressure than the N20. The N30i is closer to the nostrils and may dry you out quicker than the N20.
I know the vent on the nasal cushion dispels CO2 but what is the purpose of the vent at the top of the head? Doesn’t the air escaping there reduce the pressure actually being delivered? Also, I find that the top vent often ends up blowing against the pillow or headboard creating annoying noise. It also sometimes gets blocked by the pillow – is that a problem?
Hi Susan! Respironics has stated that if any part of the mask becomes condensed or flattened due to sleeping position or other factors, this will not effect the pressure and will not disrupt your therapy. Since the mask is mostly made from a soft pliable material, they placed 2 exhalation ports on the mask, in case of one being obstructed due to flattening.
I am currently using a Phillips Dreamwear mask, I would like to try the new ResMed P30i . Do I have to change my hose? Is the Resmed hose compatible with the Phillips?
Hi Beverly, you do not have to change your hose. You will be able to use the P30i with your current supplies.
are either masks Medicare approved
Hi Arlene, our company does not work directly with any insurance. It would be an out of pocket purchase from us. We do provide you with a hard copy of the invoice that you may submit to your provider for possible reimbursement. We also recommend calling Medicare directly to see if they would reimburse a purchase from us. Thank you
What settings do I use with the DreamWear mask Full face or nasal? I was told full like I was getting real dry mouth face but felt face
Hi Dominick, which cushion are you currently using for the mask? If you are using the full face cushion, you would select the full face setting. If you’re using the nasal cushion, you would select the nasal setting.