Your mask type
Nasal pillows mask
A nasal pillows mask uses two small soft inserts that rest at the entrance of your nostrils. It is the smallest, lightest kind of CPAP mask and touches very little of your face.
How it works
Air flows from the tube into a small frame, then out through two pillows that seal at the opening of each nostril. Nothing sits over the bridge of your nose or your cheeks, and the headgear is usually a simple strap around the back of the head.
You breathe through your nose, as with a nasal mask, so the mouth needs to stay closed for the seal to work. Pillows come in sizes matched to nostril size, and getting the right size matters more than headgear tension.
Usually suits
- People who feel claustrophobic in a mask
- People with a full beard or mustache
- People who wear glasses, read or watch TV in bed
- Active sleepers and stomach sleepers
- People with skin marks or sores on the bridge of the nose
Often a poor fit for
- Mouth breathers who cannot control it with a chinstrap
- People whose nostrils get sore or dry from direct airflow
- People with chronic nasal blockage
Pressure and this mask type
Pillows deliver air straight into the nostrils, which some people find uncomfortable at higher pressures. A 2022 network meta-analysis found nasal pillows were linked to lower prescribed pressures and lower residual AHI than oronasal masks. Whether pillows suit your pressure is a question for your prescribing clinician or equipment provider, and you should not lower your pressure on your own to make them more comfortable.
Nasal pillows mask models
Common problems and fixes
Sore or dry nostrils
Check the pillow size first: too large presses on the nostril rim, too small pushes inside it. Raise humidity, and a water based nasal moisturizer can help. Persistent bleeding or sores need a clinician.
Whistling or hissing leak
The pillows are usually angled wrong or too loose. Reseat them so they point straight up into the nostrils, then adjust the back strap evenly. Replace pillows that have lost their shape.
Waking with a dry mouth
Air is escaping through your mouth. Try a chinstrap and heated humidification. If it does not resolve, ask about a full face or under the nose full face mask.
Mask shifts when you turn over
Use tube management so the hose does not pull, and try a CPAP pillow that leaves room for the tube.
Frequently asked questions
Are nasal pillows good for side sleepers?
They often are, because the frame is small and little of the mask presses into the pillow. Keeping the tube routed over the headboard or above your head reduces pull when you roll.
Can you use nasal pillows with a beard?
Yes. Pillows seal inside the nostril opening, so facial hair does not affect the seal. That is one of the main reasons people with beards choose them.
Why do my nostrils hurt with nasal pillows?
Most often the pillow size is wrong or humidity is too low. Try the next size, raise humidity in your machine's comfort menu, and see your clinician if you have bleeding or open sores.
How often should nasal pillows be replaced?
Medicare allows up to 2 sets of pillows per month and a complete mask every 3 months. Replace sooner if they tear, discolor or stop sealing.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error