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IQ Nasal Mask

Average Category Ratings

Seal
3
Average
Comfort
2.8
Average
Quietness
3
Average
Ease of Use
2.7
Average
Ease of Cleaning
3.6
Above Average
Durability
3.5
Average
Headgear
2.4
Below Avg.


IQ Nasal Mask

Number of participants who choose to switch to this product:
10 (20%)

ComfortGel Nasal

Average Category Ratings

Seal
3.6
Above Average
Comfort
3.7
Above Average
Quietness
3.5
Above Average
Ease of Use
3.8
Above Average
Ease of Cleaning
3.5
Average
Durability
3
Average
Headgear
3.8
Above Average


ComfortGel Nasal

Number of participants who choose to stay with this product:
40 (80%)

User Reviews     

IQ Nasal Mask Reviews   ComfortGel Nasal Reviews
  By Challenge participant

The first thing that I noticed about the IQ mask is that the nasal mask is easy to attach and remove and clean. The 3-point headgear was comfortable but the front portion slid to the side too easily. I had a pressure point on the bridge of my nose that I could not eliminate no matter how I adjusted the headgear leading to a small pressure ulcer after several nights causing me to have to discontinue use of the mask. Otherwise, I think it is a very good mask and I would have continued using it if it were not for the pressure ulceration. It is very quiet and had a good seal. I have problems with dry eye and was able to wear my contact lenses more comfortably during the day.

   By Challenge participant

After using CPAP for 10 years, I have tried many different types of masks including full face, nasal masks, and nasal pillows; yet I always seem to return to the ComfortGel. It is simply the most comfortable mask and does not cause pressure points on the nasal bridge area. Other manufacturers have tried to imitate the ComfortGel but none that I have tried have been quite as comfortable. I keep trying so many other masks as the one weak point of the ComfortGel is the leaking that occurs causing dry eyes. Also, the thin plastic ring that holds the inside silicone sheath over the gel portion breaks easily during removal for cleaning necessitating replacement on too often a basis. The new headgear is very good for comfort and quite durable.

  By Challenge participant

I like the fit and feel of the mask. But the way the headgear fit on my head allowed the mask to easily move and leak. Especially if sleeping on side or stomach. Laying on back was ok. No matter how much I tightened the straps, it would move and leak. Had deep red marks on my face from straps being too tight. Overall comfort while wearing the mask was good. It was comfortable, just did not seal well. The mask was not any louder than the ComfortGel Nasal Mask. But, the exhale vents shoot air straight out hitting my wife if I was facing towards her causing her to complain and tell me to roll over. Attachment points from the headgear are not user friendly for easy removal without having to undo the Velcro. You have to slide the strap out through a narrow channel and the material is flimsy making pushing it back in hard. So I ended up either stretching the straps out to slip it off and on without undoing the straps. After removing the straps for cleaning I had to tweak the Velcro position to get the mask comfortable again. I prefer a clip that can be undone to allow easy entry and exit and to allow removal for cleaning. Cleaning this mask is much easier than the ComfortGel. No need to break it into multiple pieces. Just remove the strap and start the cleaning process. It is the definite winner in this category. The hose attachments are very thin and flimsy. They look as if they would be easy to break. The mask itself seems to be made very sturdy. Nice thick plastic for the strap mounting points. Body of mask seemed well made and durable. Respironics could take some design ideas from this mask on that point. Did not like the 3 point straps that went up and over the top of my head. This seemed to be the source of the straps feeling loose and making the mask leak. Any movement at all and the top strap would flex and allow the mask to come loose from my face. The ComfortGel and other masks have a much more stable 4 point strap system. Overall I think this mask had some very nice features. I liked the adjustable shape of the mask. It made it comfortable to have on my face. And it allowed me to shape it so that it did not put any pressure on the sides of my nostrils. But the leaking kept waking me up and the head gear attachment left something to be desired. Would I buy this mask in the future? Not as it is now. If they make some changes to the straps, I would be willing to buy one and give it a try. Also, change the direction that the exhaust air flows.

   By Challenge participant

The Seal of this mask is better. The headgear keeps the mask steady so that it does not easily move and cause leaks. The outer layer of the seal seems to fill in the small lines of my faces and keep it sealed better. Comfort is good. Does not pinch or bind and straps do not leave bad marks on my face. The straps stay in place and do not make me feel like I need to keep tightening the mask. This mask is quieter than other masks that I have worn. But, compared to the IQ Nasal Mask, they were about equal in quietness. Ease of use. I like the way the straps attach to the mask. Real simple to reach up and attach or disconnect the mask at any time, light or dark. This mask is more complicated to clean than the IQ. Have to remove the gel and outer membrane. Then clean and dry them separately. One piece of the IQ was easier. Durability. I like the hose and swivel joints better on this mask and have never had one break. But, the clip anchor points on this mask are way to flimsy. Since I have been using this mask for many months now, I have actually had 2 of them break on me and I had to replace them. The material where the strap clip attaches is to thin causing it to flex with use and eventually it breaks. Another category where the IQ seems to be a clear winner. I like this headgear much better. It keeps the mask secure and the clips allow easy entry and exit from the mask. And the swiveling mount for the upper headgear is easy to remove for cleaning. Also, the forehead pad is comfortable. The IQ did not have a forehead pad on it, but others masks I have used did. And this one is better. In this competition I liked the ComfortGel Nasal Mask better. It has a few weak points, but overall it is a better fit and feel to me. I would definitely buy this mask again.

  By Challenge participant

Unfortunately, I could not get the IQ to seal properly around the bridge of my nose, so the experience was not a good one. I think the idea of the wire is good, but I was not able to make it work. I would say the bridge of my nose is average height and width. The head gear was not as easy to use as the ComfortGel. I have no idea on durability, although I would venture to say that it would be better than the ComfortGel.

   By Challenge participant

Although the ComfortGel is not perfect, it is a better fit for me than the IQ and countless other masks that I have tried. I have yet to find a mask that works on all levels. The most disappointing part of the ComfortGel is the durability. The plastic receptacles to which the headgear attaches have broken on three of my masks and at least one of my brother's masks. I am not rough on the mask. I didn't have a back up mask the first time the ComfortGel broke and that made it additionally miserable. I wish I could find a mask that fits and is dependably durable. I would hope the makers of the ComfortGel would find a way to increase the strength of the connections and warranty the product for this obvious issue.

  By Challenge participant

First impressions of the IQ were that it was much smaller compared to my ComfortGel. The mask, hose and headgear seemed puny and much less sophisticated by comparison. I was a little concerned that the smaller diameter hose may limit its airflow, but my fears were unfounded. One of my mantras in my waking life is 'Less is More' and the IQ's small unobtrusive size and lack of complexity did (pardon the pun) grow on me; especially when it came time to clean it. It did seem a bit noisier than the competition, but I have so much going on in the bedroom, white noise generator, room air conditioner and cpap racket, that most of the mask's noise is drowned out. A bigger problem for me was that the top of the headgear is not stable and the weight of the hose would pull the center strap down and across my face. This could probably be corrected if the angle of the 'A' shaped material on the back of the headgear were made a bit wider. Because of this, after the first day or two, I stopped using the hook & loop hose connector altogether. While I value secure feeling headgear this problem never seemed to interfere with the mask's seal. I also tend to sleep on my side and this smaller mask did not seem to get in the way and lever itself off of my face the way my larger ComfortGel mask sometimes would. There seemed to be an attempt, on the part of the IQ's engineers, at a quick connect (or quick-release?) in the left-hand strap opening. But due to its awkward location and the gap in the strap slot being too narrow for the strap material to pass-through, it rendered this feature ineffective. Even if this were corrected, I doubt I would find myself using it. Because of my moustache, I tend to wear my headgear a bit tighter than normal. Even so, this mask has a good seal and it never left a mark on my face. In the end, the true measure of any cpap related device is how I feel when I get up in the morning and I always felt refreshed and rested when using the IQ.

   By Challenge participant

I have used ComfortGel masks exclusively during my sleep studies and at home. To its credit; it is quiet, comfortable, well thought out and adjustable. On the down side, the inner and outer seals on this mask require disassembly and make it a bit of a chore to do its weekly 'thorough' cleaning. Also, due to my moustache and the fact that I tend to sleep on my side; I will sometimes find myself tightening the mask to the point of it leaving a mark. It is technically the better mask, but I have to ask myself is it $50 better.

  By Challenge participant

I love the headgear. Once I figured it out it was lighter and easier to use. The mask didn't have enough output space and was very noisy for me. Thank you for opportunity to try this and I will keep working with it.

   By Challenge participant

THe headgear is not as nice and there are too many parts to clean and replace, but it isn't as noisy and since I don't want my partner to be bothered I will probably be using the comfort gel most.

  By Challenge participant

The seal on the IQ Nasal Mask is softer and therefore seals better. The headgear gets tangled when taken off and therefore it is more difficult to intially put on. The over-head-hose tends to slide when turning in bed. Finally, and I view this as the most difficult problem, the mask is a one-size-fits-most and the bottom of the mask touches my nostils causing my breathing to be more labored.

   By Challenge participant

I did rate both masks equal, but I prefer this mask to the IQ Nasal Mask. However, the increase in cost may cause me not to use this mask in the future.

  By Challenge participant

Any mask where you have to re-set your headgear when you clean it is inconvenient. The headgear has to be completely removed to clean the plastic parts. Not good. The mask is a one piece affair that doesn't seem to come apart so it is harder to clean. Also the sizing was much smaller than the Comfort Gel (I use M size there). I used it once or twice and couldn't get a decent night's sleep because of its poor size and lack of seal for me. I went back to me Comfort gel and my Nasal pillows masks. Would you like this one back?

   By Challenge participant

The plastic that composes the masksilicone flap is too thin and brittle and mine split early on in two places. This generally happens under pressure when the mask is being pulled apart for cleaning. I sleep on my side and the mask tends to get moved and break the seal. Otherwise it is a good mask. It was my first so I have little until this test to compare it with.

  By Challenge participant

Comfortable, but I didn't like the awkward headgear with the hose over the head (it would slide left and right over the head during sleep, allowing for the mask to move). The mask is one piece, so it was hard to clean all the crevices and easy to see how bacteria could grow in it.

   By Challenge participant

Very comfortable, but you have to tighten it to the point of leaving marks on your face. Cleaning is a breeze, but the gel insert breaks open and the silicone cover edge is easily broken, which then affects the fit. Headgear is more comfortable and stays in place better than the IQ Nasal Mask. Overall, the Comfort Gel Nasal Mask wins this contest, but not by much. The durability is a real problem.

  By Challenge participant

I didn't much care for this mask. I had a difficult time keeping a seal, even with the adjustable nose piece. It seemed to small for my nose. The head gear design didn't help much either. I was not able to hold the mask in place. It may be that I'm so use to my Comfort Gel mask that it seemed so awkward.

   By Challenge participant

I love this mask. It stays in place even when I lay on my side. The only thing that could be better is its durability. For the cost, it seems to break to easy in key parts of the mask. The ball clips in particular need to be reinforced. Once they break, the mask is useless.

  By Challenge participant

My only complaint with this mask is that it could be a little larger. It is well constructed and does not suffer from the design flaws and breakage that the ComfortGel mask is plagued by. It is easy to use and much more comfortable to wear.

   By Challenge participant

I am unhappy with every aspect of this mask. The constant breakage of the head band anchors where the clips attach make for continuous sleep interuptions and consumer frustration.

  By Challenge participant

I could not keep the mask on all night due to the headgear wasn't secured on my head. I readjusted it several times. Unable to get comfortable and it also kept flipping off.

   By Challenge participant

I like the confort gel nasal alot. I would like to try a nasal prongs though.

  By Challenge participant

Fit around the nose was excellent. Spouse said that mask was much quieter than any other mask I have used. I liked the thinner straps on the headgear as they did not leave large marks on the side of my face. Middle support strap would sometimes fall to one side or the other, maybe an additional strap to keep it in place would help.

   By Challenge participant

I feel that the IQ Nasal Mask beat the confortgel in all aspects of use and comfort. The only feature that I really did not like about the comfortgel was the wide headgear that left large marks on the sides of my face.

  By Challenge participant

The headgear was hard to get tight enough to get a good seal without becoming uncomfortable.One size fits most does not include me. Is this mask really made in the USA? It should be proudly stamped as such on the mask somewhere. The manual looks like it was poorly written in China.

   By Challenge participant

The four point headgear seems like it works better and is more secure than the three point headgear of the IQ mask. Where is this mask made? My guess is in China...which makes this mask seem too high priced. Weren't these masks selling for about half this price a year ago? The clip mounting area on the mask is a weak spot that tends to break easily and should be beefed up or redesigned. This mask seems easier to clean than the IQ.

  By Challenge participant

The IQ Nasal mask was very noisy and the grid on the front of the mask allows too much air to flow out of the mask, making it very noisy and the constant flow of air from the mask was very disturbing to my wife. I think the excessive flow out of the front of the mask contributed to my own discomfort and it did increase my apneas and snore index with its use. The average pressure increased by .75 psi over the ConfortGel.

   By Challenge participant

The ConfortGel has a a very nice fit and is very quiet. It is easy to put on at night and take off in the morning. I have had problems when traveling as to the breakage of the plastic part that sits on the forehead. I have broken that piece 2 times, and without it you cannot use the mask, so I need to carry a spare.

  By Challenge participant

When I first saw the IQ mask I was impressed by its design and was very curious to see how it would work. In practice however, at least for me, I found it very hard to breathe since it would easily slide up and cover my nostrils obstructing air flow. Don't know if a slightly bigger size would have been better because the sample that I got did not work well for me.

   By Challenge participant

Based on masks that I have used in the past, gel masks are by far the most comfortable for me. Only complaint that I have with gel masks are that once the gel seal is broken then the gel oozes out and sticks to your face. So far this mask seems to have a better seal and has outlasted other gel masks that I have used in the past as far as seal breakage. So far so good.

  By Challenge participant

I could not get the mask to fit properly without leaking. Construction seemed poor.

   By Challenge participant

Very comfortable. Seals well. Good construction.

  By Challenge participant

The seal is excellent. My only complaint is the headgear. The center strap that goes over the top can shift during the night. The IQ nasal mask has greater durability. It was very comfortable. Easy to clean and maintain.

   By Challenge participant

The seal is average and I get occasional leaks during the night. The headgear is very comfortable. My compliant is the durability of the mask. The clasps where the lower straps hook in break regularly.

  By Challenge participant

Not bulky on face, could sleep on stomach without feeling there was a huge mask on. Too big for small faces and noses. Broke seal all the time. Need more sizes for petite women. No quick connects, too hard to put on and off in the dark Top strap not stable, moved all the time so seal broke. Need to use strap covers to keep lines down on face, had to tighten tight to keep seal.

   By Challenge participant

Quick clips for ease of putting on and off. Comes in Petite size. Mask stays stable with head gear. Bulky, fight hose all the time. Have to use strap covers. Harder to clean. Outside cover sometimes binds on my face and leaves a crease on face. This is about the only mask that comes in Petite so have to put up with the creases and lines.

  By Challenge participant

small compact fit. Easy sleeping on sides. stayed put without large mask configuration. Headgear tough keeping on top of head. Otherwise good fit on face. Easier to adjust. Mask was a little noisy.

   By Challenge participant

Comfortable when able to keep on face. Hard to fit between small and medium. Quick release clips good but the mask clip holders too frail, brittle, and will break. Basically, too many parts. Headgear I used was too big. Hard to adjust around top of head and face.

  By Challenge participant

Very light weight. During the night, the upper strap would shift and cause the Nasal Mask to lose its seal and this would wake me up several times during the night. I don't have much hair in the middle of the top of my head, so, this may have played a role in the strap moving and losing the tension required to maintain the seal around the nose. I was unable to find the perfect position for the straps.

   By Challenge participant

Maintains a comfortable fit throughout the night. The quality of the ComfortGel Nasal gave me the confidence I needed to have a good night's rest. It is very comfortable and quiet and I could rest assured that the ComfortGel Nasal would provide the needed environment for my APAP machine.

  By Challenge participant

I did not care for this mask at all. It was not quite at all and I found it irritating when trying to adjust it for a seal which I could not obtain. I awoke on a regular basis trying to reseal it. My wife mentioned it always sounded like the seal was gone when she was awake. Would not recommend this one at all. Good idea but poor product

   By Challenge participant

I still perfer this mask for ease of use and the seal stays put even during the night as I roll over. Good product.

  By Challenge participant

It was very durable when packed for traveling with no moving parts.

   By Challenge participant

This mask is just more comfortable. It was much easier to remove and put on.

  By Challenge participant

I liked that you were able to conform it to your face. I was not impressed by the size though. I kept feeling like there was not enough air in the mask. While being able to mold is nice, I find it a little annoying because when I would move and change the molding it would stay that way, and leave an air gap. The strap to hold the tube up is a nice touch.

   By Challenge participant

This mask tends to fit better and have overall a better headstrap system. It is very quiet doesn't make a lot of whistliing type noises. It is very comfortable, my two complaints are the gel insert doesn't hold its shape for very long(2 to 3 months at the most). The ball and socket configuration while easy to use is very very fragile, and I have rated it poor in durability because of that. The socket where the ball goes into is weak to lateral pressure and snaps easily. Either the walls need to be reinforced or the design needs to be While the mask is working it works great it feels comfortable, and held it well in place.

  By Challenge participant

I enjoyed the seal, comfort, quietness, and the easy to clean. What I did not enjoy is the head gear. the over the head strap never holds in place when you roll over. Also the way that the straps connect could have been designed with quick release tabs.I will continue to use this product as in the comparisom is more effective than the comfortgel mask. Please try to have your supplier make an improvement on the headgear.

   By Challenge participant

The better feature is the head gear and quick release buttons.As with the IQ mask both were easy to use.The comfort mask does fracture more easier than the IQ after rolling over more and more which of course causes leakage.I have used the comfortGel for three years and have found it to be a great product and good pricing. It has been easy to purchase parts and build multiple head pieces to contain cost.However cost have doubled lately.

  By Challenge participant

A seal around the bridge of the nose is nearly impossible since there is no top horizontal strap. The embedded wire is a good idea to customize the size and shape of the mask, but it should not be relied upon for achieving a good seal.

   By Challenge participant

The headgear sockets on the mask are very fragile and must be reinforced. I love that this mask has quite a few replaceable parts, especially the gel and silicone flap, which wear the fastest.

  By Challenge participant

Headgear and mask would not say in place and I could not use it with the hose connected over my head as it was designed to wear. Mask kept riding-up under my nose and slightly restricted my breathing. It also would not keep the seal and air would leak out so I found myself constantly readjusting it all night. I did like the fact that is was very small and seemed very durable, but it was more difficult to clean than the ComfortGel Nasal.

   By Challenge participant

This mask stays in place and seals extreemlt well. It is easy to clean by removing the various parts. For its size it is very comfortable.

  By Challenge participant

Hard to put on, especially in middle of night. One head strap on top of head moves alot. Mouthpiece worst part. Hard to adjust to good comfort level, too small not to irritate upper lip or keep air in on sides. Small hose attaches to main hose, seems frail and can tear easily. Can't use top loop on top of head to hold hose, too heavy to stay in place. NO QUICK RELEASE. But very comfortable when positioned right, just won't stay there. Very quiet when positioned right, just won't stay there.

   By Challenge participant

When adjusted right, stays in place. Quick release convienent when taking on and off. Feels secure when on head. Much more durable feel. Problem with air leakage when turning over or if not tight enough.

  By Challenge participant

IQ mask is too small for my nose. Tried adjusting but couldnt make it fit without it pressing my nostrils closed. Also headgear kept slipping to one side of head or other because single strap on top was not stable enough to keep mask centered. Air valve on front of tube swivel blew directly out to front, disturbing my wife when we were sleeping close together. Not a well designed mask.

   By Challenge participant

Comfortgel mask fits my nose better than IQ. A bit more cumbershome than IQ but headgear with dual upper straps keeps the mask centered better than IQ. Also air reliefs on swivel direct the air downwards, not straight out like IQ. Works better for sleeping closely with mate. Better designed mask and headgear.

  By Challenge participant

The mask was very small which is nice, but without a forehead stabilizer, it would not stay sealed if I sleep on my side. When it unseals it is very noisy and kept my spouse awake. When I slept on my back it was fine, but I sleep on my side most of the time. The only way to keep a good seal was to make it so tight that it made my teeth hurt. It was nice that you can shape the mask to conform to the contours of your face. It is just too spongy to keep a good seal.

   By Challenge participant

This mask is comfortable when sleeping on my back, but when I sleep on my side it leaks unless tightened real tight. This left marks on my face and nose and made my teeth hurt. The smell is difficult to get used to. Even with constant cleaning, it always smells bad. The adjustment angle from the forehead rest is a nice feature, but I had to make alot of adjustments to maintain the comfort level.

  By Challenge participant

This product, I am sad to say, did not do well for me at all. I started out at night thinking that it was fine, but when I fell asleep there were many leaks that were loud. The noise woke me up about every 30 minutes to an hour. I always need to tighten my masks tighter than is recommended due to the amount of pressure I use on my Bipap. I tried to keep it loose, but that didn't work, so I kept tightening it until it was really tight. I also used a chinstrap (in reality it's an ace bandage), so that may be why I couldn't get a good seal. I only used it a couple of nights, because I noticed how much more tired I was and I really needed the sleep, so I went back to the ComforGel. I really wanted this to work because I am irritated with the ComfortGel raising its prices drastically.

   By Challenge participant

This is my usual mask that I wear. It does pretty well for me as far as the seal and comfort is concerned. I usually get a pretty good night's sleep with it. I have had a problem in the past with the mask breaking at the point where the black plastic ball bearings from the straps fit. One thing I really don't like is that the price of it has doubled recently. That really bothers me and I think I will have to find something else due to that.

  By Challenge participant

SMALLER DEATH SPACE. EASIER TO USE,BETTER HEADGEAR. QUIET. I HAD THE MASK ONLY FOR TWO WEEKS ,SO I FEEL I CAN NOT EVALUATE : DURABILITY I FEEL LIKE THIS MASK IS AN IMPROVEMENT.

   By Challenge participant

I FEEL IS NOT FAIR TO COMPARE ,BECAUSE I USED THE MEDIUM SEIZE MASK ,MAYBE THE SMALL SIZE, WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SIMILAR ? WITH LESS DEATH SPACE AND LESS NOICE. I STARTED WITH THIS MASK AND CAUSE SOME IRRITACION IN THE BRIDGE OF MY NOSE AND I NEED TO USE SOME PADDING, [LIKE BANDAIDS]TILL I GOT USE TO IT. OR LEARN TO ADJUSTED IT.

  By Challenge participant

The mask was a one size fits most it was dificult to fit was uncomfortable and I could never get a good seal. This is not a mask I would even consider. I have used my CPap since 2001 and out of all masks I have tried this would be with out a question at the bottom of my list of masks. It seemed that the mask was made very cheap. Thank-you for the opportunity to try the product.

   By Challenge participant

I continue to be happy with this mask although I am always looking for improvments. I will say that I have used my CPAP since 2001 and out of that time I have only went one night with out it and got very little sleep so comfort and fit is extremely important, I will continue with this mask until I find a better design.Thank-you for allowing me to comment on the product.

  By Challenge participant

Quick disconnects for the mask headgear straps would have made this a superior rating. Really nice for side sleepers to not have the forehead piece

   By Challenge participant

No Comment

  By Challenge participant

The unit is very quiet when the seal is in place. The 3 point head gear just does not work. During normal movement the mask slides up till it press on the tip of the nose and brakes the seal. No amount of adjustment fixed the problem.

   By Challenge participant

The quietness and comfort are above average. The 4 point headgear holds the mask in place without being to fussy.

  By Challenge participant

The head gear was very comfortable, but the mask seemed to be to small and would not seal properly, wanted to pull up and hit the bottom of my nose. I only wear a small/medium in other masks so not sure why that was an issue. I had really hoped this was going to be a great new product but I hated it and never made it through a whole night with it on.

   By Challenge participant

Although I have had issues in the past with this mask front breaking the little tabs off in the front that hold the clips, it is VERY comfortable to wear and seals well, with minimal adjustment. If they would re-enforce the problem area on the front face plate it would be the best mask on the market. The cost is horrible but most of them are.

  By Challenge participant

This mask is dangerous!!!!!!! It tends to ride up and seal the nostrils. In the two nights that I tried to use it, I woke up several times gasping for air. My companion refused to allow me to use it anymore and I agree with her.

   By Challenge participant

The gel tab or sponge for the forehead works but is uncomfortable. I wish there was some other material that didn't wear out so quickly.

  By Challenge participant

The thing I like most about the IQ mask is the fact that it doesn't have a forehead piece. It makes it more comfortable, less claustrophobic, and easier to clean. The gel cushion of the mask is very soft and easy to clean, as well. On the downside, I hate the headgear!! I don't like that the tubing for the mask straps to the headgear, it feels heavy and uncomfortable sitting on top of my head. So, I don't put the tubing through the loop on the headgear. But, the tubing is extra long for that purpose, so it flops around and adds extra weight to the mask. I wish the headgear didn't have the loop on top, so they could have made the tubing on the mask a little shorter. The other thing I don't like about the headgear is the fact that it is a 3 point headgear. The bottom part of the mask straps on like any other CPAP mask, but there is only one strap on the top. It goes up the forehead and over the top of your head in an inverted T shape. This is not a good design, as the strap tends to want to slide back and forth over your head. A more typical 4 strap headgear would have been a better idea. Unfortunately, since there is only space for one strap on top, you can't use a 4 strap headgear with the mask. I believe I would like this mask much better if the headgear were designed better, and was a 4 strap style. As a matter of fact, I feel like a lot of masks do not have well designed, securely fitting headgear. I would love to work with a mask designer to try to improve the design of the headgear! Overall, I this the mask itself is good, but the headgear is poor. So, I do like it well enough to continue using it, but I doubt I will buy another one in the future. I would buy another one if they redesigned the headgear, though.

   By Challenge participant

Honestly, about the only thing I like about this mask is the fact that the cushion part is soft and pliable. Aside from that, I don't have much else to say that is positive. As for the problems with the mask: the worst problem is the way the headgear attaches to the bottom of the mask. The strap clips use a ball and socket design to secure to the mask. I had the mask only a matter of weeks when a VERY small piece of plastic broke off the mask where the ball part of the clip fits into the mask. And with that, a very tiny piece of plastic breaking off renders the mask useless!!!! I have never owned a mask that uses a ball and socket design to secure the straps, and I never want to again! It is a BAD idea. I have tried taping the clip in, but it only works a night or 2, at best. In addition to the headgear problem, I also don't like the way the mask fits. It just doesn't adjust well to fit the angles of my face and nose. The problem is, if the forehead piece is flat against my face, the nose piece is pulling away from my face, and vice versa. Therefore, it is hard to maintain a good seal. Overall, I give this mask low marks, and I won't buy another one like it again.

  By Challenge participant

I’d wanted to try this mask for some time, because it is designed to route the hose above the users head, the same way I use the ComfortGel. To make the ComfortGel work, though, I rig up a set of ponytail holders attached to the headgear. I’ve been doing this for years, and it’s worked pretty well. It’s not optimal, but much better than fighting with the hose. When I ordered the IQ Nasal Mask, it asked for a size. I’ve got a fairly small schnoz, and wear a small ComfortGel, so I selected the “One-Size-Fits-Most” size. The IQ folks must be making their masks for a bunch of dwarf ducks, as it was very short and very wide. After reading the directions and shaping the way they said to, I tried it. Although it did fit, the slightest motion of my head was enough to make it touch the side of my nose (annoying!), and I could feel my breath when I exhaled as it bounced off the wall of the mask (doubly annoying!). I also wondered what the whistling was. It’s the exhaust p ort. Rather than something clever designed to lower the volume and dissipate the airstream, the IQ folks have chosen to drill a simple hole in the back of the elbow. It’s loud, and it blows a pretty good bit breeze in whatever direction the user is facing, much to my wife’s annoyance(2 feet away). The seal seems to be made of a gel similar to the ComfortGel, though not quite as soft and flexible. It also doesn’t have the extra little apron that the Confortgel has, so obtaining a good seal is difficult. Because this is a 3 point mask, instead of 4, it is not as stable on the users face, and has a tendency to shift if you move. Every motion I made broke the seal, so it took me a long time to fall asleep with it. A couple of hours into my sleep. I rolled over and the mask shifted up, covering my nostrils and causing me to wake in a bit of a panic. That was it for that night. Back to the ComfortGel. I gave it try for a few more nights, but I never could get it to be comfortable, and quiet. I did manage to get it stable with a good seal by cranking down the headgear, but that was NOT comfortable. I finally gave up and put it back in the box. I still think the IQ people have the right idea, routing the hose up instead of having to dance with it, but the execution is clumsy.

   By Challenge participant

I’ve used the ComfortGel for years-they last me for almost exactly one year. As best as I can recall, I got my first one in about 2002. It’s changed some since then, but only for the better. The latest incarnation has the best headgear I’ve ever used. It fits onto my face without any hassle; I’ve never even tried the custom shaping instructions. It doesn’t leak, and the exhaust port is quiet and the air from it is almost undetectable a couple of inches away. I do route the hose up over my head, and hold it steady with a couple of ponytail holders attached to the headgear. It would be nice if the designers would have a headgear option for this. My only real complaint is that there are two parts that break consistently for me. The forehead adjuster typically breaks after about 9 months (warning-time to order a mask!), but I can fix it with a drop of glue. About 3 months later, one of the lower headgear clip holders will snap off. There’s no way to fix this, and no warning. It just snaps in the middle of the night, and the mask drops off. It’s possible these are due to the way I use the mask, but both of these points look weak to me. I would think it would be a simple thing to reinforce them a bit, and make this mask virtually indestructible. Overall, though, I give this mask a near perfect rating.

  By Challenge participant

I liked the size but had a lot of trouble with the headgear. I thought this would be better for side sleeping but I was wrong. The biggest problem in my opinion is the blowby that blows straight out from the mask into my wife while she's trying to sleep.

   By Challenge participant

I must admit this mask was more comfortable, fit better, and was quieter to use. It made me appreciate my mask even more.

  By Challenge participant

I thought the seal was good. At first the mask felt small but felt fine after getting used to it. The head gear was OK but could be confusing to get on in the middle of the night.

   By Challenge participant

I like the ease of getting the mask on and off.

  By Challenge participant

It has a quieter exhaust and is more comfortable once you get the mask bent into position, but found I had to reshape it a couple of times to keep a good seal. The headgear is the weak spot of the mask and is probably responsible for losing the seal and having to reshape the mask. It is to stretchy and does not maintain a good seal. The strap over the head does not stay in place if you move at all in your sleep. The weight of the hose pulls the top strap out of place if you use the velcro hose holder feature. A better headgear would make this mask move way up in the ratings.

   By Challenge participant

The ease of use with the ball and socket headgear and the snap off cushion for easy cleaning are nice features. The headgear keeps the mask firmly in place. On the downside, the exhaust is noisier, and the overall strength of the mask is noticeably weaker with the flimsy construction of the moveable forehead pad.

  By Challenge participant

The mask was very noisy and I had a very hard time getting a good seal with the mask. The headgear was not very sturdy or secure. I was very disappointed with the product.

   By Challenge participant

This mask is more sturdy and I could achieve a seal. It was also much quiter. What I don't like about this mask is that the plastic tabs used to hook the mask up tend to break rather easily.

  By Challenge participant

The "low profile" (i.e., it is smaller all around) is great! When I roll over or turn my head from side to side the IQ mask is less disturbing as it does not have any forhead apparatus and is sleeker overall. The durability determination is yet to be seen- I have only used the IQ mask for 3 weeks, but travelled with it to the UK and Holland without a problem. I also like the choice between secruing the small stretch of hosing to the head strap or letting it hang down "freestyle." I had to get use to the constatnt flow of air out of the tubing at the hose-mask connection as I sleep prone (on stomach) and I could feel the constant air flow, but all things considered, the IQ Nasal mask is now my preferred mask!

   By Challenge participant

The comfort gel Nasal mask is a great mask- I have bought 2 over the last year, but now that I have found a smaller profile mask, I find the comfort gel a bit clunky with the forehead apparatus. I will still use it un til it needs replacement, but overall found the IQ nasal mask easier to use.

  By Challenge participant

I thoughtt the 3 point head gear would be helpful. However, that turned out not to be the case. Every little movement of the head pulled the mask in another direction. I could not get the mask to seal at all. I attempted to us the mask every night. Beside the problem of poor seal the hard plastic design hurt the bridge of my nose. I could not adjust the mask to be comfortable at all. However, after wrestling with the mask for a couple of hours each night I finally took it off and returned to my other mask.

   By Challenge participant

I usually purchase the comfort gel masks. Some are better than others. I have not determined why one mask is better than the next. However, after this test I will stick with the comfort gel. The 4 point head gear is easier to adjust to keep a good seal during the night.

  By Challenge participant

Light weight. Good idea but poor execution. Noisy, leaky, difficult to adjust. Could not get a good seal. Woke up in the night with air blowing into my eyes several times. Over the head hose clumsy and uncomfortable. Not difficult to clean. Durability is questionable.

   By Challenge participant

Quiet, good seal, comfortable. Easy to adjust headgear. Easy to use with a chinstrap. I get a full night's sleep.

  By Challenge participant

Likes: smaller size more comfortable for active sleepers. Can be easily adjusted to provide a good seal. Quiet. Very easy to clean. Fewer parts to break. Dislikes: exhaled air blows straight away from nose towards my wife(this was a deal breaker). Headgear a real pain to adjust/put on/take off.

   By Challenge participant

Likes: Exhaled air deflected upwards toward forehead. Quiet. Easy to put on/take off. Can be adjusted to better fit contours of face. Headgear easy to adjust/put on/take off. Dislikes: large size gets in way when moving in bed. More parts to clean/break/adjust to get proper fit.

  By Challenge participant

I REALLY wanted the IQ Nasal Mask to work. It was SO COMFORTABLE when I put it on and I just knew I would never use my ComfortGel again... but I found the headgear to be really inferior. To maintain a proper seal/fit and to keep the top strap from sliding off to one side of my head, I had to tighten that top strap too much. It was not uncomfortable to do so, but I woke up with a really nasty sore at the top of my nose. After letting it heal for nearly a week, I tried again and it created something very close to a gash in the same spot. I'm so disappointed and may continue to tinker with this - see if I can rig up some different headgear... I think this would have worked out perfectly for me if it were using a 4-point headgear similar to the Comfortgel. I hope the manufacturer will consider a rework of the headgear. I sure wanted this to work...

   By Challenge participant

This is some of the best headgear I've seen! The quick release straps work well and the four point adjustment makes it very stable. I wish this were smaller and did not obstruct view so much, but the overall comfort makes it worth the size. In spite of being a side/stomach sleeper, this has worked well for me. It is difficult to clean because it's hard to get it to dry out. I do get red marks on the two "corners" of the mask and on bottom of my nose, but they usually fade within a couple hours. I wish someone could combine this headgear and a slightly modified version of the IQ Nasal Mask.

  By Challenge participant

The sealing is what I really liked best. Secondly, I liked and the hose being positioned on top my head rather than to the side. The headgear I found to be a nuisance. The straps on top/back of head kept slipping off to the side causing me to wake up. The strap on top of the head should be shorter and the 'Y' needs to be wider to prevent slipping - similar to the Respironics. Fix the headgear problem and you'll take a good product to a great product! PS - any recommendations?

   By Challenge participant

I have used the ComfortGel for 7+ years. The leakage and the positionining of the hose to the side is what bothers me the most. I tend to over tighten the straps to reduce the leakage and find myself repositioning the hose during the night.

  By Challenge participant

I liked the way you could flex the seal area to fit your face. I did not like the headgear. It was difficult to put on and would not stay in place. The noise with this product was louder than the comfortGel Mask

   By Challenge participant

I like the quitness of the mask. This product did no seal as well as the IQ Nasal Mask. Easier to put on and stays in place thru out the night.

  By Challenge participant

There were lots of things I liked about this mask but it was not easy to pu on every night, especially when tired. The seal was great and I like the overhead feed. If they can improve the headgear, I'll switch.

   By Challenge participant

Old reliable.


Our Comments

In this trial, CPAP users had to choose between the ComfortGel Nasal Mask and IQ Nasal Mask. The challenger, SleepNet, competed to provide a viable alternative to the Respironics gel mask. CPAPtalk members were asked to trial the IQ Nasal Mask for two weeks. The results of the evaluation from each participant has been tabulated and compiled. CPAPtalk members have chosen the ComfortGel as the overall winner by a vote of 40 to 10.

Respironics has come back with this Challenge to take the win. There are several categories SleepNet falls short in, but most voters attribute a solid 4-point headgear to the success of the ComfortGel over the IQ Nasal Mask. Product Challenge 5 demonstrates how significantly headgear can affect the scoring of the other categories like Mask Seal, Ease of Use, and Comfort. These areas suffer when the headgear does not effectively secure the mask frame to the user's face. Scores are also lower when a mask lacks a release clip for quick removal, which prevents Velcro straps from wearing down. As a result, the IQ's 3-point headgear shifted from side to side during the night because the mask was constantly stretched over the head. SleepNet's lack of incorporating a forehead support sometimes causes the headgear to exceed its ability to secure the frame. Even so, the 3-point headgear allows the IQ to attach the inlet tube on top of the head; a feature missing from the ComfortGel.

Although the IQ headgear lacked stability, most participants believed the IQ's adjustable wire frame was a helpful feature when fitting or fixing a cushion seal. CPAPtalk discovered that SleepNet's One Size Fits Most works best for users who normally wear a size Small ComfortGel. The IQ is not an ideal fit for CPAP users who wear a large or deep frame mask; therefore, the ComfortGel fits a wider range of face sizes and shapes. Unfortunately, the ComfortGel has several individual pieces to clean and Respironics has been plagued by broken frame sockets where the ball-and-socket quick release clips connect. In the end, SleepNet did receive higher ratings when trying to clean the IQ Nasal Mask and participants felt the IQ was more durable.

We at CPAPtalk hope to see the challenger, SleepNet, go the distance and become a competitive alternative to the ComfortGel. Respironics has taken a conservative stance on pricing and has been slow to react to customer complaints. This leaves several CPAP users looking at new mask brands. The IQ Nasal Mask was successful in converting 1 out of 5 ComfortGel users. A new headgear design and adding a quick release clip are simple solutions that can help the IQ become more competitive. The remaining 80% of loyal Respironics ComfortGel users should try SleepNet's 2-point headgear design, which is sold separately and could be a solution for users who disliked the IQ's 3-point headgear system. For those new to the CPAP community, we thank you and hope this Product Challenge and every review contained within helps in deciding which mask is the best for them.

Until the next Product Challenge,
John Goodman, President, CPAPtalk.com


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