While all scuba masks may look quite similar, they’re not all created equal. And, one person’s perfectly fitting mask may be another person’s mask disaster. Before you make a purchase, consider the following:
Durable materials
As a general rule, scuba masks are crafted from similar materials. These include windows made from tempered glass and a skirt made from soft silicone. Masks that are designed primarily for snorkeling or swimming may have windows made of plastic. Note that these are not suitable for scuba diving and should be avoided. All of the masks on our list feature tempered glass windows.
Scuba diving masks also feature a double silicone seal around the top of the mask where it sits on your face. Down at the bottom, the mask will have only one seal. This is to allow divers to easily clear water from the mask when they must.
Adjustment straps
Scuba masks usually feature two adjustment points on either side of the mask so that divers can quickly and easily tighten or loosen the mask. Look for simple, user-friendly adjustment points. Too many moving parts make the adjustment feature more prone to failure.
The main mask strap should be sturdy and reliable. Most scuba masks have two straps, which run parallel to each other on the back of the diver’s head. Some people like to cover the mask strap with a soft neoprene cover to make it more comfortable and less likely to pull hair.
Pro Tip: Your mask doesn’t need to be too tight. Many new divers mistakenly believe that an over-tightened mask won’t leak. This is not true, and can actually lead to the opposite effect. Plus, if your mask is too tight, you’ll come up from each dive with a raccoon-like, mask-shaped indentation on your face.
The mask creates an artificial air space. As you descend, this space is subject to pressure. This pressure does a very good job of keeping the mask in place, even after you equalize the mask’s air space.
Remember to keep the mask strap at the mid-point on the back of your head. Your strap should not be touching your ears. Everyone has a “scuba bump” where the mask strap should sit. Ask an instructor or guide for help with mask positioning if you’re not sure.
Volume
Hate clearing your mask? You’re not the first diver who feels that way and you certainly won’t be the last. While you’re mastering this essential skill, a low-volume mask may help. Because there’s less available air space inside these masks, there’s less available room for water—this should mean the mask is easier to clear.
One downside to low-volume masks is that they sit very close to the diver’s face. For some, this is a great thing, but for other divers, it can be uncomfortable. The primary benefit is that low-volume masks offer a wider field of vision because the windows are closer to the diver’s eyes.
One window or two?
Scuba masks come with one window or two. We’ve come a long way since the oval fishbowl masks of the 70s—although we’re pleased that fish bowls are making a fun retro comeback! Today’s masks offer a superior field of vision because of the shape and placement of the windows.
The number of windows or lenses you choose is really up to personal preference and there’s no set rule for which is best. But if you’re looking for a “frameless mask” you’ll find that these are one-window designs.
Black or clear silicone mask skirt?
Most masks have either a black or clear silicone skirt. The exception to this is the spate of brightly colored silicone that has hit the scuba mask market in recent years.
There’s really not a huge difference between black and clear silicone in terms of vision, so, for most recreational divers, the choice is an aesthetic one.
Note that clear silicone is prone to discoloration after a few years though. It will also stain when it comes into contact with neoprene—bad news for lazy divers who throw their mask into the dive box right on top of a wetsuit.
Black silicone is the preferred choice for many divers—whether this is because they’re living out a masked superhero fantasy or it really does contribute to less reflective disturbances isn’t quite clear.
Types of masks
Framed vs. frameless scuba masks
“Frameless” is somewhat of a misnomer because even a frameless mask has a frame of sorts—it’s just not as visible or prominent. In a frameless design, the skirt is part of the front of the mask and the window is molded into the silicone.
Manufacturers of frameless masks say that this design offers a better field of view and that these masks are more lightweight.
Framed masks, on the other hand, have an obvious, hard-plastic frame to which the lenses and skirt are sealed.
Masks for narrow faces
A lot of people with narrow faces find that regular scuba masks don’t fit them very well. The good news is that loads of options exist for smaller and/or slimmer faces. Some manufacturers even make mini versions, such as Oceanic’s popular Shadow masks, which come in a regular and a mini sizes.
Best scuba diving masks for kids
For small faces, a purpose-built kid’s scuba mask is a must. Unless your children are teenagers, a regular mask will not fit very well. Masks for kids should feature a soft, comfy silicone skirt and be low-volume so they are easy to clear.
Do fog-free masks really exist?
Sorry—the bad news is that no matter how much manufacturers might tell us a given mask is “fog-free” or “fog-resistant,” it rarely is.
New masks must be scrubbed out or treated properly before use. You must remove the film that covers the inside of the glass. Some divers swear by toothpaste; others pass their brand-new mask to a dive instructor who will, more often than not, burn the film away using a lighter.
As a proponent of the second method, I would say this is an excellent place to start. However, don’t try this on masks with plastic lenses and don’t let the glass get too hot.
We think the potato trick (rubbing a cut potato on the lens) might be an urban scuba myth!
Prescription Scuba Diving Masks
Hate contact lenses but love diving? Then a prescription mask is just what you need. These masks allow divers who need optical corrective lenses to enjoy the underwater world no matter how myopic they might be. We go into the topic of corrective scuba masks in more detail, and give you the lowdown on the best of the best right here.
What About Full-Face Masks?
Full-face masks are exploding into the recreational and technical diving scene. Once the reserve of commercial divers, Navy Seals, police dive units, and the like, more and more people are starting to go choose full-face masks.
The primary benefit of a full-face mask is communication. Divers can talk not only with each other, but also with a surface support person while they are underwater.
Take a moment to look at this.
