The Philips Respironics DreamWear CPAP mask family includes the DreamWear Nasal Mask, DreamWear Silicone Nasal Pillow, and DreamWear Full Face Mask. Each mask features a modular design so you can easily convert from one CPAP mask type to another without having to buy a whole new mask.
Read on to see how exactly this modular design works and which DreamWear mask is your best choice.
Or jump to:
- What is the Philips Respironics DreamWear Modular Design?
- What Are the Interchangeable DreamWear Mask Parts?
- DreamWear CPAP Mask Series Key Features
- Who Should Try the DreamWear CPAP Masks?
- How to Fit the DreamWear Nasal and Nasal Pillow Masks
- How to Fit the DreamWear Full Face Mask
- How to Find Your DreamWear Frame Size
- How to Clean the DreamWear Mask
What is the Philips Respironics DreamWear Modular Design?
The Philips Respironics DreamWear masks feature a unique modular design that’s not only easy to use but also cost-effective. All DreamWear masks use the same silicone DreamWear frame so switching from one mask type to another is as simple as changing the cushion. There’s no need to buy a separate mask!
For instance, if you have the DreamWear Nasal Mask but want to try a nasal pillow CPAP mask, all you need to do is swap out the DreamWear Nasal Cushion for the DreamWear Nasal Pillows.
On a similar note, if you want to switch to a full face mask, you only need to replace the nasal cushion with the DreamWear Full Face Cushion.
It’s incredibly easy – just pull the cushion you want to replace off the frame and attach the new cushion.
We do need to point out that if you’re switching from the nasal or nasal pillow mask to the full face mask, you’ll need to swap out the headgear for the Philips Respironics DreamWear CPAP Full Face Mask Headgear.
The same applies if you’re seeking to transform your full face mask to a nasal or nasal pillow one.
What Are the Interchangeable DreamWear Mask Parts?
Mask Interface:
Switch between the DreamWear Nasal Cushion (available in S/M/MW/L), DreamWear Nasal Pillows (available in S/M/MW/L), or DreamWear Full Face Cushion (available in S/M/MW/L).
Headgear:
Switch between the DreamWear Nasal/Nasal Pillow Headgear with Arms and the DreamWear Full Face Mask Headgear, which includes a pair of magnetic quick-release clips.
DreamWear CPAP Mask Series Key Features
The DreamWear family of sleep apnea masks have more to offer than their modular design. Read on to learn about their key features and see if they’re a good fit for you.
Greater Sleeping Freedom
All three masks provide the freedom to sleep in any position due to their top-of-head hose connection and 360-degree elbow swivel. This rotating elbow, situated at the center of the frame, connects to your CPAP tubing, allowing you to toss and turn in any direction without compromising the mask seal.
The elbow connector also features a quick-release design, making it easy to disconnect the mask from your CPAP during the night. When you return to bed, simply reattach the elbow to the center of the frame to connect to your machine.
Lightweight, Open-Face Design
If you tend to feel claustrophobic during CPAP therapy, the DreamWear selection might be the solution for you. All DreamWear masks feature an open-face design that provides an unobstructed field of view, perfect for reading or watching TV before bed.
Additionally, these masks are incredibly lightweight. The heaviest one in the series, the DreamWear Full Face CPAP Mask, weighs only 4.2 oz, which is equivalent to the weight of five AA batteries.
Stable Fit
With the DreamWear masks, you don’t have to worry about your CPAP headgear slipping forward on your head or the cushion inching sideways away from your nose or mouth. The slip-resistant headgear ensures everything remains firmly in place, allowing you to sleep comfortably without interruptions to your therapy.
Thoughtfully designed plastic arms rest against the sides of your head, connecting the headgear to the frame and securing it in position at the nape of your neck.
Who Should Try the DreamWear CPAP Masks?
First-time CPAP users
The soft silicone frame doesn’t leave marks on the face, and it’s so light it’ll almost feels like you’re not wearing a mask at all. Plus, the flexibility of three different interfaces means you don’t have to worry about picking the “wrong” mask type.
Stomach sleepers
The DreamWear frame rests just below the cheekbones and runs up around the top of the head, leaving the rest of the face, that’s not covered by the cushion, open. If you use a full-face mask and find it suffocating, the DreamWear Full Face Mask may be worth a try.
Alternatively, check out our selection of lightweight and minimalistic full-face CPAP masks. They offer the same secure fit without the bulk.
CPAP users with facial hair
The Philips Respironics DreamWear Nasal Pillow Mask is a great choice if you have facial hair, whether it’s a mustache or a full beard.
Since the nasal pillows rest on the base of the nose rather than above the upper lip, you don’t need to worry about your facial hair compromising the seal.
If you struggle with mouth breathing but don’t want to give up using a nasal pillow mask, consider adding a chin strap to help hold your mouth closed.
The other, obvious solution is to switch to a full face CPAP mask. However, achieving a good seal with a full-face mask can be challenging without shaving or, at the very least, trimming some of your beard.
Anyone who likes reading/watching TV in bed
If reading before bed or watching some late-night TV is part of your daily routine, you’ll want to give the DreamWear masks a try.
All three types of CPAP masks feature an open-face frame design without any forehead support that obstructs your line of sight. If you doze off while enjoying some passive entertainment, you won’t miss a night of sleep apnea therapy.
How to Fit the DreamWear Nasal and Nasal Pillow Masks
1. Slip the CPAP mask over your head. The frame should sit on the top of your head, and the headgear should sit behind your head
2. Place the nasal cushion under your nose. If using the nasal pillow mask, hold the nasal pillows to your nose so the tips of the nasal pillow are sitting inside the nostrils. The base of the nasal pillows should rest outside the nostrils.
3. Adjust the fit of the headgear by tightening or loosening the Velcro straps on the back of your head. The nasal pillows should sit comfortably in your nose. If they are pushing up into your nose, loosen the headgear.
4. The nasal cushion should rest under the base of your nose without pushing up against it. Adjust your headgear until the nasal cushion feels comfortable under your nose.
How to Fit the DreamWear Full Face Mask
1. Hold the cushion to your face with one hand and place the frame on top of your head with the other. The cushion should cover your mouth and sit below your nose, with the opening directly under your nostrils.
2. Pull the headgear over the top of your head.
3. Attach the magnetic clips to the front of the cushion.
4. Adjust you mask by tightening or loosening the headgear straps. Avoid overtightening the headgear as doing so can push your lower jaw back, potentially causing you to have more breathing events during the night.
How to Find Your DreamWear Frame Size
Most sleep apnea masks offer only a single frame size – standard. However, Philips Respironics designed their DreamWear masks with the goal of offering CPAP users a more personalized fit, resulting in three different frame sizes: S, M and L.
Unfortunately for Philips, some CPAP users find having to pick both a frame size and a cushion size confusing and frustrating. Luckily, we’ve got some useful tips to help you find your best DreamWear frame size.
- When in doubt, go with the medium frame: the medium frame is considered the “standard size” and fits most people comfortably.
- If the frame is falling back over your head and/or is sitting very close to your ears, it is too big.
- If the frame is sitting close to your eyes and/or too far forward on your head, it is too small.
How to Clean the DreamWear Mask
Daily Cleaning: nasal pillows / nasal cushion / full face cushion.
Weekly Cleaning: headgear, frame, elbow.
Daily Cleaning
1. Gently pull the nasal pillow/nasal cushion/full face cushion off the frame. Wash in a basin of warm water and mild detergent.
2. Rinse parts thoroughly under running water.
3. Lay all parts out to dry away from direct sunlight.
Weekly Cleaning
1. Disassemble the CPAP mask by gently pulling the elbow out of the frame and the nasal pillow/nasal cushion/full face cushion off the frame.
2. Remove the headgear from the DreamWear Nasal/Nasal Pillow Mask: Detach the plastic arms from the frame loops and undo the headgear tabs holding the headgear to each plastic arm.
3. Remove the headgear from the DreamWear Full Face Mask: Undo the headgear tabs holding the headgear to the frame and unclasp the magnetic clips from the frame.
4. Unwrap fabric sleeves from the frame, if using.
5. Wash all parts with mild detergent in a basin of warm water.
6. Rinse parts thoroughly under running water. Make sure to run water through the hollow mask frame.
7. Lay all parts out to dry away from direct sunlight.
Watch how to clean your CPAP mask, hose and humidifier chamber:
More Information
We hope you found this review helpful in your quest for the ideal CPAP mask. For more tips on finding the right CPAP mask, check out this comprehensive guide by Ashley, one of RespShop’s sleep technologists.
If you’re looking for a roundup of top-rated CPAP masks, our 2023 CPAP Mask Buyer’s Guide lists our favorite top 10 CPAP masks of all time. Or, get in touch with us and let our expert staff help you choose the best sleep apnea mask for your lifestyle and budget.