ResMed AirFit F20
A traditional full face mask that covers your nose and mouth, with a silicone InfinitySeal cushion, magnetic lower headgear clips and a quick-release elbow. AirFit F20 for Her is the same mask with lavender accents in sizes Small and Medium. It is one of the most widely prescribed full face masks in the US and a common first mask for mouth breathers.
The AirFit F20 (and AirFit F20 for Her) has magnetic headgear clips. Under ResMed's updated labeling (announced December 20, 2023) and the FDA's January 18, 2024 safety communication, which the FDA classed as a Class I recall (a correction, not a removal from the market), the mask is contraindicated if you, or anyone in close physical contact with you while the mask is in use, has an active medical implant that interacts with magnets (such as a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, neurostimulator, cerebrospinal fluid shunt, or insulin or infusion pump) or a metallic implant or object containing ferromagnetic material (such as aneurysm clips, embolic coils, stents, valves, electrodes, certain hearing or balance implants, ocular implants, or metallic splinters in the eye). Keep the mask magnets at least 6 inches (150 mm) away from any implant or medical device that may be affected by magnetic interference. If this applies to you or a bed partner, stop using the mask and ask your clinician or mask provider for a mask without magnets. ResMed's AirFit F20 page also lists videos for an AirFit F20 non-magnetic version, so ask your supplier whether one is available to you.
Usually suits
- Mouth breathers
- People with frequent nasal congestion or allergies
- Higher prescribed pressures
- Back sleepers
Design
- Silicone InfinitySeal cushion designed to keep a seal across the full pressure range
- Magnetic clips on the lower headgear straps for two-snap on and off
- Quick-release elbow so you can disconnect the tube without taking the mask off
- QuietAir vent, which ResMed rates at 21 dBA sound power
- Therapy pressure range of 3 to 40 cm H2O per the user guide
- Same frame and headgear as the AirTouch F20, which swaps in a memory foam cushion
Strengths and trade-offs
- Covers nose and mouth, so it works when you breathe through your mouth or have a blocked nose
- Three sizes plus a For Her version give a wide fit range
- Magnetic clips make it fast to take on and off in the dark
- Rated for pressures up to 40 cm H2O, so it suits high CPAP and bilevel settings
- Parts are widely stocked because it has been on the US market since 2016
- Contains magnets, so it is contraindicated for people with certain implants or a bed partner with one
- Cushion sits over the bridge of the nose, which can mark or irritate skin there
- Larger face footprint than under-the-nose designs, which can feel bulky and limits glasses in bed
- Tube connects at the front of the mask, so the hose can drag when you roll over
Finding your size
Sizing is by cushion size (Small, Medium, Large). The cushion should sit just above the bridge of your nose and just below your lower lip with your mouth closed, without reaching your eyes. If it pushes into your eyes or sits high on the bridge, it is usually too large; if it squeezes your nostrils or the bottom edge sits on your lip, it is usually too small. Your equipment supplier can size you with ResMed's fitting template, and the For Her version comes only in Small and Medium.
How to fit it
Release the magnetic clips
Twist and pull both magnetic clips away from the frame so the lower straps hang free.
Put the mask on
With the ResMed logo on the headgear facing out and upright, hold the cushion against your face and pull the headgear over your head.
Attach the lower straps
Bring the lower straps below your ears and snap the magnetic clips back onto the frame.
Adjust upper then lower straps
Undo the tabs on the upper straps and pull them evenly until the mask is stable, then reattach. Do the same with the lower straps until the cushion sits comfortably on your chin.
Connect and check with air on
Connect the tube to the elbow and turn on your machine. With air flowing, pull the mask straight out a little and let it settle back so the cushion inflates and seats itself. Tighten only enough to seal, because overtightening causes leaks and sore spots.
Common problems and fixes
Air leaking into your eyes
Tighten the upper straps slightly and evenly, and check the size. A cushion that rides high on the bridge of the nose is often a size too big.
Leak at the chin or sides of the mouth
Adjust the lower straps evenly. If your jaw drops open as you sleep and the mask lifts, try re-seating the mask with the air on before tightening further.
Red mark or sore on the bridge of the nose
Loosen the straps, check that the cushion is not creased, and ask your supplier about a size check. Mask liners or the memory foam AirTouch F20 cushion are options. See a clinician if the skin breaks down.
Mask clips come undone at night
Make sure the clips are fully seated on the frame and the lower straps are not so loose that the clips pull off when you turn over.
Cleaning and care
Every day, take the mask apart into headgear, cushion and frame. Rinse the frame, elbow and cushion under running water and clean them in warm (about 86°F/30°C) drinking-quality water with a mild liquid detergent, using a soft brush to clear the vent. Rinse well and air dry on a towel out of direct sunlight. Wash the headgear by hand once a week; the magnets can stay attached to the straps while you do. ResMed says ozone or UV cleaners can discolor the mask and that damage is not covered by its warranty.
How often to replace parts
- Mask
- Up to 1 complete mask every 3 months (Medicare A7030)
- Cushion
- Up to 1 per month (Medicare A7031, full face cushion)
- Headgear
- Up to 1 every 6 months (Medicare A7035)
Supplies that can help
Soft fabric liners that sit between your skin and the mask cushion to reduce skin irritation, red marks and the noisy leaks some people get from …
Pre-moistened wipes for a quick daily wipe of the mask cushion, mostly to remove skin oils between proper washes.
Plain, mild dish soap is the cleaning agent most CPAP makers and the FDA point to for masks, tubing and humidifier chambers.
Soft fabric sleeves that wrap mask headgear straps to stop red lines, rubbing and hair tangles.
A pillow with cutouts or a contoured edge so a mask and hose are not pushed out of place when you sleep on your side.
A simple hook or hanger for drying CPAP tubing vertically after washing, and for keeping it off the floor.
Retailer links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the AirFit F20 and AirFit F20 for Her?
They are the same mask. The For Her version has lavender accents instead of blue and comes in Small and Medium only, while the standard F20 comes in Small, Medium and Large.
Is the AirFit F20 safe if I have a pacemaker?
No. The AirFit F20 has magnets and is contraindicated if you, or anyone in close physical contact with you while it is in use, has a pacemaker, defibrillator or the other implants on ResMed's list. Ask your clinician or supplier for a non-magnetic mask.
Can I use the AirTouch F20 cushion on my AirFit F20?
ResMed describes the AirTouch F20 as the same mask as the AirFit F20 with an UltraSoft memory foam cushion instead of silicone. Ask your supplier for the matching size if you want to try the foam cushion.
How often should I replace the AirFit F20 cushion?
ResMed's own tip sheet suggests the cushion every month, the frame system every 3 months and the headgear every 6 months. That matches the typical Medicare allowance, but check your own insurance plan.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error