All You Need to Know About the ResMed AirFit P10 and AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow CPAP Masks

By Lily, Registered Respiratory Therapist

The ResMed P-series of CPAP masks consists of two extremely popular nasal pillow masks: the AirFit P10 and the AirFit P30i. Both are lightweight and have comfort features that make them top contenders in this mask category. 

The ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask is a favorite for many first-time CPAP users and veterans alike. It is easy to assemble with only three parts (nasal pillows, frame, and headgear), weighs only 45 grams, and is super-quiet. Let’s talk about this popular mask in more detail. 

Key features of the ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask

The AirFit P10 features a slip-on, adjustable headgear. You can easily put on your mask and tighten or loosen the fit with the QuickFit™ headgear clip. Just pull the headgear band through the clip and release. Your headgear is now adjusted. 

The mask is available as a FitPack with three different sizes (S/M/L) of silicone nasal pillows which are very flexible and comfortable. The FitPack allows you to get an ideal fit right out of the gate. 

ResMed also designed a version of the AirFit P10 specifically for women. Called the AirFit P10 For Her Nasal Pillow Mask, the mask features a shorter headgear and XS/S/M nasal pillows. It also sports a pink and gray color scheme instead of the AirFit P10’s blue and gray.

Aside from being incredibly lightweight, the ResMed AirFit P10 is also ultra-quiet. Its QuietAir™ woven mesh vent reduces exhaled noise to only 21 decibels (for comparison, the noise level of modern fridges is 32 to 47 decibels). The vent also directs exhaled air away from you and your bed partner so you can both sleep better.  

The AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask is one of the few masks compatible with the ResMed AirMini Auto Travel CPAP. Please note that you must use the P10 AirMini Mask Connector to use an existing AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask with the AirMini. If you don’t have an AirFit P10 mask and only want one to use with the AirMini, the ResMed P10 AirMini CPAP Setup Pack is a better option. It contains an AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask (designed to only connect to the AirMini), AirMini tubing, and two HumidX capsules (1 Standard, 1 Plus).

The AirFit P10 by ResMed is recommended for:

• First-time CPAP users. Lightweight and quiet, the AirFit P10 is less obtrusive than other CPAP masks on the market and easier to incorporate into your nightly routine.
• Noise-sensitive individuals. It takes some time to get used to hearing yourself exhale throughout the night, but the AirFit P10 makes this easier. If you can sleep in a library (the noise level in a library is around 40 decibels), the noise from the AirFit P10 shouldn’t be too bothersome.
• Claustrophobic individuals. The AirFit P10 frame rests under the nose and slightly below the cheekbones, leaving the rest of the face open. This design lets you wear glasses, read and watch TV.
• Men with facial hair. The AirFit P10 mask doesn’t sit above the upper lip, so facial hair won’t affect the seal.

How to fit the ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask

1. Hold the mask with the nasal pillows facing you. You should see the left (L) and right (R) indicators on the nasal pillows. 
2. Insert the nasal pillows into the proper nostrils.
3. Holding the mask in place with one hand, pull the bottom band of the headgear over your head until it sits on the back of your head. The top band should sit on the top of your head.
4. Pull the mask slightly away from your face and release it, letting the nasal pillows inflate to create a nice seal in your nostrils. 
5. Connect the mask to your machine by pushing the short tubing into your CPAP hose. Turn the machine on, and you should feel gentle airflow through the mesh vent in front of your nose. 
6. If you feel air leaking from your nose, adjust your headgear. Pull the headgear through the clip to tighten the mask but make sure not to over-tighten. The headgear stretches out over time, so further tightening will be needed. 

Cleaning 

Daily cleaning: nasal pillows, frame (mesh vent, short tubing)

Weekly cleaning: headgear

Cleaning your nasal pillows and frame  

1. Squeeze and pull the nasal pillows to release them from the mask frame.
2. Soak the nasal pillows and mask frame in warm soapy water. Please use mild soap.
3. Use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the mesh vent.
4. Rinse all parts under running water.
5. Air dry all parts away from direct sunlight.

Cleaning your headgear

1. Remove the headgear from the mask frame by pulling on the endcap to reveal a buttonhole.
2. Slide the headgear off the frame.
3. Soak the headgear in warm water with mild soap or laundry detergent of your choice. Soaking time will vary depending on the condition of the headgear.
4. Rinse headgear under running water and lay flat to air dry out of direct sunlight.

Sleep comfortably in any position with the ResMed AirFit P30i’s top-of-head hose connection and soft silicone frame. With just three parts (frame, nasal pillows, and headgear), and weighing only 89 grams, the ResMed AirFit P30i rivals the AirFit P10 in its simplicity and performance. 

Key features of the AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow Mask

Like the AirFit P10, the AirFit P30i is easy to fit thanks to its slip-on, adjustable headgear. Velcro tabs at the ends of the headgear strap allow you to easily adjust the fit.

The AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow Mask features a ribbed silicone frame for stability and comfort. The soft silicone material lets you sleep comfortably in any position without any hard plastic pressing into your face. The accordion ribbing prevents the frame from slipping. The frame is available in two sizes: Standard and Small.  

The AirFit P30i is available in two sizes: Standard and Small. These refer to the frame size. The Standard frame is a good fit for most users and is a good size to start with. Each frame comes with multiple sizes of nasal pillows. The Standard frame comes with S/M/L nasal pillows while the Small frame comes with S/M nasal pillows. 

Please note the AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow Cushions are interchangeable with the AirFit N30i Nasal Cradle Cushions. This gives you access to another type of CPAP mask just by swapping cushions, which in our opinion, is a great deal.

What distinguishes the AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow Mask the most from the AirFit P10 is its top-of-head hose connection. This design keeps your CPAP tubing out of the way and lets you sleep on your stomach. That’s something you can’t do with the AirFit P10! The AirFit P30i also has a quick-release feature that’s not offered by the AirFit P10. A quick-release elbow on the crown of the head lets you easily disconnect the mask from your CPAP machine when you get up at night.

In terms of noise, the AirFit P30i is comparable to the AirFit P10. ResMed uses its QuietAir™ vent system for both nasal pillow masks so they both have an operating noise of only 21 decibels. 

The AirFit P30i is recommended for:

• First-time CPAP users. The AirFit P30i lets you sleep in any position and is extremely quiet.
• Stomach sleepers. Top-of-head hose connection and exhalation ports on the quick-connect elbow mean you can sleep with your face on the pillow.
• Noise-sensitive individuals. Like the AirFit P10, the AirFit P30i is only 21 decibels. 
• Claustrophobic individuals. The silicone frame sits slightly below the cheekbones and runs up around the top of the head, leaving the rest of the face open. Great for reading before bed, as well as watching TV.
• Individuals who are not sure if they can tolerate nasal pillows. If nasal pillows irritate your nose, you can swap them out for the AirFit N30i nasal cradle cushions which do not sit in the nose.
• Men with facial hair. The AirFit P30i doesn’t rest above the upper lip, so facial hair won’t compromise the seal.

How to fit the AirFit P30i Nasal Pillow Mask

1. Pull the mask over your head, ensuring that the headgear sits on the back of your head.
2. Insert the nasal pillows into your nose.
3. Adjust the fit of the headgear by tightening or loosening the Velcro straps on the sides of the head. The nasal pillows should sit comfortably on the nose. If they are pushing up into the nose, loosen the headgear. 
4. Squeeze the sides of the quick connect elbow and pull upwards to remove the elbow from the mask. Push the elbow into your CPAP tubing to connect.
5. Reinsert the elbow back into the mask by pushing down until you hear a click. 

Finding the proper frame size 

If your AirFit P30i mask frame is falling back over your head or sitting very close to your ears, it is too big. Conversely, if it is sitting very close to your eyes or too forward on your head, it is too small. 

How to swap out the AirFit P30i Nasal Pillows for the AirFit N30i Nasal Cradle

1. Pull the nasal pillows off the frame.
2. Insert the AirFit N30i nasal cradle cushion into the frame by matching the arrow on the AirFit N30i cushion to the arrow on the frame. 

Cleaning 

Daily cleaning: nasal pillows

Weekly cleaning: headgear, frame, elbow

Cleaning the nasal pillows

1. Pull the nasal pillows off the frame.
2. Soak nasal pillows in a basin of warm water with mild soap.
3. Using a soft bristle brush, gently scrub the nasal pillows and the mesh vent.
4. Remove the QuietAir™ vent by pulling the nasal pillow away from the oval-shaped vent piece. 
5. Rinse the nasal pillows and vent under running water. Shake the vent to remove any excess water.
6. Let the nasal pillows and vent air dry away from direct sunlight.

Cleaning the headgear, frame, and elbow

1. Take the mask apart and put the headgear, frame, and elbow in a basin of warm soapy water.
2. Use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub all parts. Pay special attention to the exhalation ports/air holes in the elbow.
3. Rinse the parts under running water and pat dry with a towel. Squeeze the headgear to remove excess water. 
4. Lay all parts flat to air dry away from direct sunlight. 

I hope you’ve found this overview of the ResMed P Series mask lineup useful. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us – we are here to help. 

And wherever you are, sleep tight! You can call us at 1-866-936-3754 or email us at sales@respshop.com if you have any questions. We’re here to help you sleep better.