When you are looking to buy yourself a scuba mask there are so many options available on the market that it can be quite difficult to narrow down your options and find something that is going to work for your situation.
Depending on the depth that you dive you are going to need a higher quality mask and therefore you will be looking at a much higher price tag as a result.
A poor-quality mask should not be used when you are diving down really deep as if it cracks you could not only lose your vision but you could be in serious trouble.
With so many options on the market, it is important to know what kinds of features make a mask a good mask.
Below we have broken down the features you should look for in a mask and we made a list of the top ten masks on the market and broke each of them down to help point you in the right direction.
Buying Guide
Price
This is a really good starting point but it requires you to know what you are going to be using the mask for so that you can set yourself some kind of a budget.
The deeper the mask can safely travel, the more expensive the mask is likely to be.
You will notice a variety of different kinds of anti-fog glass available and depending on how much money you spend it can make a really big difference on how well you can see out of the mask.
If you are unsure as to how deep you will be diving it may be a good idea to get something that is capable of going pretty deep so that you don’t limit yourself and be forced to upgrade later on when you realize you want to go deeper.
Generally speaking you will notice that a full face mask is more expensive than a partial face mask. The price of a product can also go up depending on the brand name associated with it as well as where you are buying the product from.
Make sure you keep all of these things in mind before going through with your purchase.
Warranty
Product warranty is always something that you should keep a close eye on when you are going to be purchasing a mask.
If a mask has some sort of defect in the design not only can it mean a life and death situation but it also means that you can return the mask and get your money back.
It is a good idea to make sure that the company you are buying from has trust in their own product especially if you are going to be diving down to deep depths and into dangerous areas.
There are other things that you should worry about when you are deep underwater and your mask failing on you should not be one of those things.
Anti-Fog
No matter the type of mask you want to buy you should probably see if you can find something that offers an anti-fog design that makes it easy to defog.
A cheap mask may have no protection from fog and you will likely have to take the mask off of your face every couple of minutes in order to keep it from becoming so foggy that you can’t see out of it.
Some masks will incorporate different breathing methods depending on the type of the mask; these methods often make it so that any of the air that you breathe doesn’t come into contact with the front glass so that it stays clear as long as possible.
Package Deals
You are going to see a lot of different package deals available when you are looking for a scuba mask and it is important to remember to look at each individual piece of the package and make sure that it is up to your standards especially if you are doing anything really deep.
Many manufacturers will use package deals to try and make more money from the potential buyer and sometimes they will cheap out on the “extra” parts that make up the package which is something that you should be aware of.
Especially when you are new to diving and won’t be going down to really deep depths it is not a bad idea to look at some of these package deals as you can try out a lot of different things for a very small amount of money at times.
Occasionally you may come across deals that look a little too good to be true and just keep in the back of your mind that this might actually be the case.
It is important to trust who you are buying from so that you don’t get ripped off or receive a damaged product when you purchase.
Brand
With scuba gear, you are going to see a pretty diverse range of brands and each of them will have their own design elements incorporated into them.
It is important to be aware that a high-end diving brand is going to cost you more money than something you haven’t heard about before.
When buying from a company that you haven’t heard much about you should always make sure that you do your research and make sure that they are a company that you can trust.
Especially when you are going down deep underwater there are so many things that can go wrong and something as simple as your mask failing on you could make all the difference in the world.
Types
Depending on what kind of diving you are going to be doing there are a variety of scuba masks available and they vary quite a bit in design based on what they are supposed to be used for.
If you are looking for something that you can use for shallow water diving you may not need something that has a full face mask and you likely only want something on the cheaper side of things.
You will be able to find a variety of masks available that have a combination of a cover over the nose as well as glass or plastic in front of your eyes.
These masks are the most common type of mask used in snorkeling so that you don’t end up getting water up your nose. Another more expensive type of mask that you can purchase is a full face mask.
If you want a full face mask that is capable of being used at deep depths you are going to pay more for it. You will find several full face masks available that aren’t meant for deep depths and are purely meant for snorkeling.
These are generally more expensive than the average “pool” mask largely because they allow for a wide field of vision, are of a much larger design and they often have more adjustable options built into the design.
The most expensive type of mask that you will find is meant for much deeper depths and allows for hookup to a tank.
These masks will normally come with a regulator and a low-pressure hose to help you hook up and to keep you safe throughout your diving experiences.
Best Scuba Mask Reviews
1. Cressi Scuba Snorkeling Diving Mask
If you are looking for a mask that you can use to dive down short distances and want something on the cheap side of things this is one of the best options available.
This mask comes with a very nice protective case so that you don’t scratch your mask and have something to transport your mask around in.
The mask comes in a one size fits all design and is adjustable so that you can make it nicely secure on your face. The design is built to reduce leaks as it has a ribbed design to block any water that manages to get past the outside layer.
Pros:
- Very good price for a scuba mask with a case
- Anti-fog tempered glass design will keep you underwater longer
- Lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer to give you peace of mind
- Adjustable straps and one size fits all design
Cons:
- One size fits all design may make this mask quite big for some people
- Straps prone to wear over time if they are adjusted continuously
2. Deep Blue Gear
This is a fairly expensive diving mask that features something that you aren’t going to see very often on the market.
The lenses of this mask actually correct your bad vision and allow you to see without glasses or contacts when you are underwater making for a very comfortable experience.
This mask is available in eight different designs in order to appeal to a wide audience. Amazingly the prescriptions that this mask offers goes from zero to negative ten and you can even get a different prescription for each eye.
The glass on the lenses not only offers prescription lenses but it is scratch resistant as well to make sure that you will be able to see for potentially years of swimming and diving when the mask is in regular use.
Pros:
- Tons of design options to choose from to suit a variety of personalities.
- Prescription lenses available from zero to negative ten
- Adjustable fit for adults and older adolescence
- Stainless steel strap adjustment pin for durability rather than plastic or rubber
- Great for shallow dives and snorkeling
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Probably will not fit on younger children
3. OCTOMASK – Frameless Dive Mask w/Mount for All GoPro Hero Cameras
With 4 different colors/styles, this mask is probably the most versatile, fun and affordable option on our list. It’s not the cheapest, but it offers an excellent value given its capabilities of carry your GoPro camera.
It works with ALL GoPro models. The super soft silicone skirt will virtually guarantee the best-fitting mask you’ve ever worn! The aluminum thumbscrew and travel bag make this system easy and convenient to attach your camera.
It’s also not exclusively a scuba mask (though it is a very good one for scuba). It’s also a great snorkeling mask for shallow water! Probably the most awesome part or feature of this mask is that it fits virtually EVERYONE on planet earth! Seriously!
The soft silicone seal and forgiving fit features allow a versatile fit that customizes to every face shape this side of Neptune
Pros:
- Very good value
- Tempered glass design so that you don’t have to worry about cutting yourself or scratching the glass
- Comfortable and adjustable to fit a broad range of people – like most everyone on planet earth
- Comes with storage/carry case
Cons:
- May have to defog the mask every once and a while
4. Cressi Panoramic Wide View Mask
If you are willing to pay a bit of extra money in order to give yourself a full viewing experience then this may be the mask for you.
This mask has glass on the sides of the mask in order to give you a full viewing experience and allow you to use your peripheral vision much more efficiently when you are under the water.
Not only do you get the nice panoramic view with these goggles but you also get a snorkel with your purchase as well.
Amazingly this package is available in 13 different designs and therefore the package really appeals to a broad range of divers.
Pros:
- Side lenses offer you an extremely wide field of vision
- Double-edged skirt on the mask for extra seal and water resistance
- Fast adjustable straps are great for sharing or taking off
- Tempered glass lenses help to prevent scratches as well as scratches
Cons:
- If you don’t need a snorkel this may not be the best set for you
- Larger lenses mean more glass to defog
- More expensive price tag than average diving goggles
5. Vaincre 180° View Snorkel Mask
This is a very cheap full-face snorkeling mask. If you have never snorkeled before or you have snorkeled using a regular mask that just covers your nose and eyes, this is a very different product and can take some getting used to.
This product is available in two different colors and comes in a small/ medium size as well as a large/ extra-large size in order to appeal to a wide audience.
Basically, a full face mask and snorkel combination means that the snorkel comes up from the top of the mask and you have an extremely wide field of vision.
Pros:
- The 180-degree mask gives you vision in all directions
- The anti-fog glass will keep you underwater for a longer period of time
- Adjustable options in order to conform the mask to better fit your face
- Ability to breathe through your mouth or your nose which offers a very comfortable to use design
Cons:
- May not seal the best to your face if you have a beard
- The unique breathing design can take some getting used to
6. Seaview 180° Mask
This full-face diving mask is fairly expensive but does have some nice features built into the design to make up for the higher price tag.
This mask comes in a total of five different designs in order to suit personal tastes and it comes in sizes small/medium as well as large/ extra-large
to suit a wide range of people. The mask offers an anti-fog design that will help you to stay under the water for a prolonged period of time as well as a GoPro mount so that you can attach your favorite GoPro and shoot video while you dive.
If you are willing to spend a bit of extra money on a mask but aren’t quite ready to get into the big leagues then this mask may be a good option for you.
Pros:
- This mask is available in five different designs in order to suit your personal tastes
- Mask covers your whole face to give you a full field of vision under the water
- Anti-fog design means that you can spend more time diving and less time messing with your mask
- Snorkel has unique feature that prevents salt from getting into your mouth if diving in salt water
Cons:
- Some divers find the design a tad bit bulky for their liking
7. Cozia Design Snorkel Set with Mask & Fins
If you are looking for a value package to get you started snorkeling, look no further!
This mask comes with fins and is available in three different styles in order to suit your personal tastes and has some of the features that you will find on some of the more expensive masks.
This mask has adjustable straps, anti-fog glass to allow you to be submerged for longer periods and it also has some advanced snorkeling features. This mask can actually be seen as far as four times farther than a traditional snorkel.
That’s potentially important for safety reasons. If a motorboat can’t see a tiny, thin air tube sticking out of the water, you could be in danger!
The snorkel incorporates a seal on the top in order to stop water from entering through the top of the snorkel as well which is an awesome feature you won’t find on a lot of the options on the market.
The fins are actually quite comfortable though not of ultra-professional quality. This is one system we’ve tested personally and we give it a whole-hearted thumbs up. Even higher-priced products are not all better than this one!
Pros:
- Anti-fog technology is used in the design in order to allow you to dive longer
- The snorkel can be seen up to four times further than a normal snorkel
- Snorkel uses a seal to prevent water from entering the top
- Adjustable straps allow you to custom fit the mask to your face
- Wide field of vision thanks to open mask
Cons:
- Some people may not like the look of the mask
- Some users may think the mask is a tad bit bulky
8. Ocean Reef Neptune
Getting into the high end of scuba mask’s here is one of the best options on the market. This mask will allow you to use your tank and dive down deep.
The mask covers your whole face and uses an air circulation system in order to prevent fog from occurring inside of the mask.
This mask offers very fast adjustment thanks to a buckle and the mask contains an integrated and balanced 2nd stage regulator as well as a low-pressure hose in the design.
Water that may seep into the mask is easily eliminated by exhaling or pushing the “purge” button on the second stage.
Also, mask squeeze, a common problem for conventional masks, will not occur with the Neptune Space because the pressure inside the mask is equal to the pressure outside the mask.
Incorporating these features into the design really ups the price tag and a casual diver likely will not want to pay this much for a diving mask.
Pros:
- Available in small/medium and large/ extra-large size
- Fast adjusting buckle
- 2nd stage regulator and low-pressure hose
- Air circulation system to de-fog the mask
Cons:
- The very high price tag
9. OTS Guardian
Here’s another model that allows you to get rid of a traditional mouthpiece regulator! This mask is still quite an expensive model, but there are more expensive models on the market (from OTS and others).
The mask has a five-point adjustable head strap which offers a comfortable fit for users regardless of the size of their head.
This mask incorporates some very nice features that you will find on some of the higher-end scuba masks on the market.
This mask has a breathing valve that allows you to breathe air at the surface, an ABV-1 valve as well as a 2nd stage regulator, and even a low-pressure hose to get you all set to go on a diving trip straight out of the box.
Pros:
- Breathing valve allows you to breathe on the surface
- Low-pressure hose, 2nd stage regulator, adjustable head strap
- Average to low price tag for a high-end model
Cons:
- Definitely could be out of budget for some people
10. Ocean Reef G Divers IDM Mask
This is another high-end mask that offers an average-to-low price tag for the features that it has incorporated into its design. It’s cold water certified with an on-demand integrated regulator.
Its Polycarbonate visor is siloxane double coated for resistance to abrasions. It features an exhaust/drain valve and a six-point harness for a comfortable fit that is ultra-secure.
This mask comes with a low-pressure hose as well as a 2nd stage regulator. The lenses on this mask offer an extremely wide field of vision and a clear view when you are underwater.
This mask comes in a total of four different design options which is more than a lot of the higher-end masks on the market.
The mask is available in two different sizes including a small/ medium size as well as a large/ extra-large size in order to suit a wide range of people.
It’s available in 4 colors and it also offers a 2-year warranty. To read a very detailed description of this Ocean Reef G mask, click this link to Amazon.
Pros:
- Includes a 2nd stage regulator and low-pressure hose
- Wide field of vision
- Adjustable breathing valve
- Owner’s manual
- 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- Might be too expensive for some diver’s
- Not as adjustable as some of the other high-end masks on the market
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Buying yourself a scuba mask is by no means an easy task. It can be quite difficult to find something that not only feels comfortable to wear, but that also protects you and allows you to see clearly at whatever depths you like to dive at.
Mask’s vary a lot in design and price and if you are new to diving it can be difficult to decide how much to spend and what kind of a brand you should get.
It is always a good idea to look at warranty, return periods and other customer’s feedback on the product so that you know you are getting what you actually want.
Best of luck with your diving and hope that this article taught you some things about scuba masks and maybe even pointed out a mask that you may want to purchase.
