AirFit N30 with Headgear

The AirFit N30 is a nasal cradle CPAP mask designed for nasal breathers who want minimal facial contact, a clear field of view, and a quiet, low-profile interface. This listing contains one mask in the selected cushion size — Small, Medium, or Small Wide — and does not include additional sizes. Patients who are unsure of their cushion size should start with the AirFit N30 Starter Pack, which includes multiple sizes to trial before committing to one.

HOW THE NASAL CRADLE SEAL WORKS

The cushion curves under the base of the nose. It does not enter the nostrils and makes no contact with the nasal bridge, cheeks, or sides of the nose. The seal is formed by the cushion pressing upward against the tissue at the base of the nostrils and the underside of the nasal septum. No part of the mask enters the nasal cavity. Air pressure is delivered upward into both nostrils simultaneously — the cushion acts as a cradle beneath the nose rather than a perimeter seal around it.

WHAT THE SEPTUM BRIDGE MEMBRANE DOES

The nasal cradle cushion uses a dual-wall architecture. The outer curved wall cradles under and around the nose — it handles positioning and absorbs movement as the patient shifts during sleep. The inner layer is the septum bridge membrane: a thin, flexible silicone layer that makes the actual contact with the skin at the base of the septum and delivers the seal. Because these two walls are structurally distinct, the outer wall can flex and deflect as the patient moves without the inner membrane losing contact with the septum. This is the mechanism that allows the mask to maintain a seal through positional changes and side sleeping — the outer cushion accommodates movement while the sealing surface remains in place. The membrane is integral to the cushion. It is not a separate component and cannot be replaced independently. When the cushion is replaced, the membrane is replaced with it.

HOW THIS DIFFERS FROM NASAL PILLOWS

Nasal pillow cushions insert silicone prongs directly into the nostrils. The seal is made from inside the nose, with pressure applied inward against the nostril walls. The N30 cradle works in the opposite direction — it seals from below, pressing upward against the tissue beneath the nostrils, and never enters the nasal cavity. Patients who have experienced soreness, redness, or irritation at the nostril rim from nasal pillow use benefit from the cradle geometry because the contact point is entirely different — the nostrils themselves are not involved in the seal at all. Patients on higher therapy pressures may also find the cradle more reliable. Nasal pillow seals become harder to maintain as pressure increases because the small intra-nostril contact area struggles to contain the airflow. The N30 cushion presents a larger sealing surface at the septum base that is less vulnerable to pressure-driven dislodgement. Both mask types leave the nasal bridge, forehead, and cheeks clear, providing an unobstructed field of view for reading or watching a screen before sleep.

WHERE THE N30 SITS IN THE RESMED LINEUP

The N30 and N30i share the same nasal cradle cushion type. The critical structural difference is hose position. The N30 has a front-of-mask hose connection — the short flex tube exits directly from the mask frame in front of the face. The N30i routes the hose from a connector at the top of the headgear crown, which eliminates hose drag across the face when the patient rolls over. The N30i is the better choice for patients who rotate frequently and find that hose movement disturbs their sleep. The N30 is appropriate for patients who are comfortable with front-connecting masks and prefer a simpler, lower-profile frame. The N20 is a different mask type altogether — it is a traditional full-perimeter nasal mask that seals around the entire nose including the nasal bridge and cheeks. Patients who find the N20 claustrophobic, or who develop nasal bridge sores or pressure marks from it, are typical candidates for the N30, which contacts only the base of the nose.

QUIETAIR VENTING AND THE FLEX TUBE

The QuietAir venting system uses a woven mesh vent to diffuse exhaled air rather than releasing it through directional holes. This disperses airflow gently and broadly, reducing both noise and the sensation of air blowing toward a bed partner. The system measures approximately 18 dBA — quieter than most masks on the market. The short flexible tube is integrated into the mask frame rather than being a separate add-on component. It connects the mask to the standard CPAP hose and allows a degree of movement without transmitting hose tension directly to the cushion seal, which reduces the likelihood that hose drag will disturb the mask position.

CHOOSING YOUR CUSHION SIZE — AND WHY IT MATTERS

Cushion size is based on the physical width and depth of the nose at the base of the nostrils — not overall face size or head size. ResMed provides a printable sizing guide to help determine the correct size before ordering. The three sizes available on this page are Small, Medium, and Small Wide. The colour coding on the cushion ring is for identification only: Small has a red ring, Medium has a blue ring, Small Wide has a purple ring. Small Wide is not a size between Small and Medium. It is a width variant — a cushion with a wider horizontal span designed for patients whose nose is wider at the base than the standard Small accommodates, but not tall enough to require the Medium. Patients who try Small and find that the seal leaks at the sides rather than lifting at the septum are the typical Small Wide candidates. A cushion that is too small will gap at the top where the membrane should contact the septum. A cushion that is too large will ride up against the underside of the nostrils and break the seal at the sides. Because our return policy does not allow returns on opened mask products, confirming your size before ordering is the only way to avoid a sizing problem after the fact. If you have not been fitted for this mask before, the Starter Pack is the appropriate starting point.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR CUSHION WEARS OUT

The nasal cradle cushion should be replaced every three to six months. Silicone degrades gradually with exposure to cleaning chemicals, body oils, and the physical compression of nightly use. As the silicone softens, the dual-wall architecture loses its ability to maintain membrane tension against the septum — the inner wall stops pressing firmly against the tissue and the seal becomes leaky before any visible cracking or damage is apparent. If your mask begins leaking at the nose but the headgear tension has not changed, cushion degradation is usually the cause. The headgear elastic also degrades over time — typically around the six-month mark — and a stretched headgear can no longer maintain consistent mask position without being overtightened, which creates facial pressure. Both the cushion and headgear are available as separate replacement parts and do not require purchasing a complete new mask.

AIRMINI COMPATIBILITY

The standard AirFit N30 in this listing is not designed for use with the ResMed AirMini portable CPAP machine. The AirMini uses a different tube interface and requires waterless humidification via HumidX filters, which are not compatible with the standard mask setup. Patients using the AirMini should purchase the dedicated AirFit N30 for AirMini Mask Pack, which is a separate listing and includes the adapted tube, headgear, and HumidX filters the AirMini requires.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX

One AirFit N30 mask frame with integrated flex tube, one QuickFit headgear with split-strap design and side adjustment clip, and one nasal cradle cushion in the selected size. No second cushion size is included — this is a single-size listing. The headgear is one size and fits most patients through the split-strap adjustment mechanism, which spreads or contracts without velcro to set the appropriate tension.