The 13 Best Snorkel Masks for 2021

One of the most exhilarating vacations for couples, families, and marine life enthusiasts is snorkeling. It has been popular for years and is the motivation of tourism across the tropical world. Whether you are a local to the beach, or you are looking to hop on a plane and explore the world beyond, there are many variables that can determine the success and fun of your trip. The beauty of snorkeling is to be found in the views underneath the water. This is why it is very important to maximize the quality, and comfort of your views. Alas, you have the importance of the snorkeling mask guide! There are so many factors that make up snorkeling masks, and it is very important to understand what will best fit your needs.

Top Snorkel Mask Comparison Chart

Buying Guide

The first important consideration is going to be fit, a ubiquitous concern amongst many pieces of worn equipment. The sizing of a snorkeling mask is going to be determined by measuring your face form the bridge of your nose down to the chin. Once you get this measurement, you also need to keep in mind that everyone has a uniquely shaped face. The centerpiece of snorkel mask sizing is the difference in the “skirt”. For some snorkeling terminology 101, the skirt is the rubber portion of the mask that makes contact with your face. In general practice, the wider the skirt is, the more contact the mask will have with your face. The more contact with your skin, the more likely it will be to make a good seal. Of course, there are other factors that will adjust how tightly sealed the mask is to your face. At the top of the additional variable list is the materials the mask is made of. A mask made of plastic is likely to be inexpensive, however, they come with many undesireable consequences. A plastic skirt is less flexible and may form a poor seal on your face, also durability of the mask is definitely something to be worried about with a plastic mask. On the upper scale of the table, a mask made from silicone will be much more durable, fit better, and offer more stretch in the mask.

Once you have perfected your fit, there is also quite a collection of colors and styles to consider. The masks are generally separated into two categories, clear and colored, usually dark-colored. A dark-colored mask may look nice in design, but it might make you feel tunnel-visioned. A clear mask on the other hand, will allow for a wider view. In addition to the traditional styles, a whole new snorkel mask model is soaring in popularity and gaining momentum. The full face masks! These masks will definitely make you look like you just landed from planet Zebulon, but they do offer a unique fitting style that can be very interesting and advantageous. One of the most irritating issues with snorkeling masks is leaking and fogging with the masks. The most important measure you can take to assure you won’t have to deal with these annoyances is buying the right skirt and having a well-fitted snorkeling mask. Other masks have special features such as vision-enhancing coatings, tinting to deal with certain places that might deal with things like heavy sunlight.

Best Snorkel Mask Reviews

Seaview 180 degree GoPro Compatible Snorkel Mask

Panoramic Full Face Design and preventing Gag Reflex with Tubeless Design

One of the most interesting snorkeling masks to enter the market. First glance at this mask will leave you bewildered, is this even a snorkeling mask? Full-face masks are a growing trend. The full 180-degree design makes it much easier to not only breathe underwater but breathe comfortably. There is definitely an argument for the new face mask technology. Blowing in out of the same air vent can be very uncomfortable. This mask is priced a little higher than stereotypical snorkeling masks, however, it also offers great compatibility for GoPro camera integration. If you are looking to document your trip with little difficulty, this is a great choice for you. It has a nice modern look and comes in 5 different colorways, panoramic white paired with either teal, navy blue/grey, blue, plum/grey, and pink. This mask also has a very useful anti-fog design. The breathing chamber is engineered to be apart from the main viewing window. This will help diversify the channels and eliminate the crossover of airflow that creates dreaded fogging in snorkeling masks! It is recommended to have a clean-shaven face for this mask to increase contact between mask and skin. This may not be a good choice for you if you are rocking a big grizzly adams beard! Another major benefit to this mask and an attribute to all full-face masks is that you will not have to worry about holding your head at an awkward angle while taking in the underwater sights!

Pros

  • Full Face Mask
  • GoPro Adapted
  • Design
  • Breathing Chamber

Cons

  • Pricy
  • Full Face Mask might look a little ridiculous in a casual setting

Dive IT Dry Snorkel Mask

The Dive IT brand has gathered its engineers to fight against one of the biggest problems snorkeling masks frequently face, fogging. They have successfully trailed their mask to run for 90 hours straight without fogging! This is quite the feat and although we are all a little confused about how you would even go about testing a mask for 90 straight hours, the claim is certainly a testament to their confidence. This mask features a nice clear mask design, although it does have a black outline layer that may make you feel like you have restricted tunnel vision. It has a very sturdy and thick breathing tube. It is also a great mask for fitting purposes. It comes equipped with dual positioned buckles to adjust the helmet to your unique head shape. The Dive IT brand also offers a nice 2 years warranty over this mask. This is definitely a great model if you are looking for a traditional mask that fights annoying fogging during use.

Pros

  • Combat Fogging
  • Price
  • Warranty

Cons

  • Tunnel vision
  • Breathing tube functionality

 

YONGQI LJR Full Face Snorkel Mask 

Another model featuring the revolutionary full-face design, the YONGQI LJR Full Face Snorkel Mask.  Honestly, I don’t even know how to pronounce that, but I can tell you it’s a replacement for the no longer available October Moon 2nd Generation mask.  October Moon Second Generation (AKA Yongqi LJR) separates themselves from the pack with a nice design, very thick breathing mask, adjustable tools, and a unique breathing system.  This mask a great for beginners who are just learning and figuring out how to snorkel. One of the most amazing features of this mask is the breathing system. It will actually block air and water from coming in the top of the tube if you choose to dive underwater. This feature is game-changing and it’s best for those looking to integrate more swimming fun into the experience. It can also be useful for divers with this additional functionality. The design itself does look a little bulky and this mask may be a little heavy on the face in comparison to some other models. Like the Seaview model, this mask also comes packaged with a GoPro mount that can allow you to easily create great videos and memories that last a lifetime. Some have complained that the plastic materials in this mask give off a troubling smell. This mask also comes with a carrying bag and extra washer as a treat from the October Moon company to you. In Conclusion, this mask is a great price for a full face mask and has a very awesome breathing tube.

Pros

  • Breathing Tube
  • GoPro Mount
  • Full Face Mask

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Pricy
  • Not great for free diving below 2-3 meters

Scubapro Frameless Mini Mask

This mask is specially designed for self-assembly. If you have vision difficulty and require prescription lenses, this is a great strategy for snorkel mask purchase. This mask is designed for small to medium face size and is prided on their exceptional field of vision. The skirt of this mask is made of high-quality silicone materials that will ensure durability and avoid the risk of odor from plastic materials. One drawback to this mask is the black surrounding color that may make you feel tunnel visioned or claustrophobic in the water. However, this mask is a great route for those looking to further customize their lens and add in a special lens. This does not come with a breathing tube.

Pros

  • Customizable for prescription lenses

Cons

  • Really not a lot of snorkeling purposed functionality

Phantom Aquatics Velocity Scuba Snorkeling Mask Snorkel Set

If you are looking for a traditional mask, this is probably going to be the pair for you. The Phantom Aquatics Velocity has a rare combination of low price and high durability potential. The mask is made of crystal silicon, the highest grade silicone available. This will not only create a comfortable and robust seal between your face and the mask, but premium materials like this are less likely to break or be deformed in any way. Another great feature of this mask is that the color system is extremely diverse and customizable. There are over 11 colorways to choose from. This mask is known for having a great fit. It has an ergonomic design that is specially made to accommodate flexibility matching unique head shapes.

Pros

  • Durability, material quality
  • Avoid leaking
  • Price

Cons

  • Antiquated breathing tube design

Cressi Scuba Diving Snorkeling Freediving Mask Snorkel Set

Competing with the Phantom Aquatics model, the Cressi traditional snorkel set has many exciting qualities as well. This mask is a little more expensive than the Phantom Aquatics model, but it comes with a really sleek design with shiny silicone coating the frame of the mask. The breathing tube also comes with technology to eliminate water entry when submerged. This can be a game-changing feature for many snorkelers. This mask is especially known for being lightweight and opting to avoid having a bulky snorkel mask that will weigh you down and harm your experience. This mask also comes highly customizable in 9 colors.

Pros

  • Brand Name
  • Design
  • Durability
  • Breathing tube, (rare amongst traditional masks)

Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggle, Made in Italy

Sometimes, the best snorkeling masks are those that are lightweight and reduce clunkiness. The Aqua Sphere Kayenne goggles are a great option for those who do not want to have to drag around a big mask on their face while swimming. These goggles are specially designed for snorkeling because they offer a wider viewing mask. They are also very customizable, offering 18 colorways. They offer a 180-degree viewing area and also have a great system on the sides of the mask for adjusting the fit. These are a great pair of goggles, however, they do not have any type of underwater breathing support. However, these can be a great option for those who aren’t comfortable with the traditional snorkeling experiences and would rather have a simple pair of goggles with a wider view. This wouldn’t make sense if the decision is purely motivated by pricing as this pair of goggles is only slightly less expensive on average than typical snorkel mask sets.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Great viewing space

Cons

  • Does not come with breathing tube
  • Pricy

PROMATE Snorkeling Scuba Dive DRY Snorkel PURGE Mask Gear Set

FIrst glance at this mask may instantly turn you away from this mask. However, despite a somewhat clunky looking design, this mask offers great features to enhance your snorkeling experience. The mask is centered around it’s silicone purge valve for easy draining. This feature has received nothing but praise for its unmatched ability to keep water out of the breathing valve as you diving really deep into the water, (even depths as massive as 20-30 feet). If you have been snorkeling before you are familiar with one of the most annoying things to happen to snorkelers, getting a disgusting mouth full of water when you were opting for air. This can be especially annoying if you are snorkeling in salt water. This mask comes at a great price and is made of high quality materials to ensure its durability. The PROMATE mask is also highly customizable with an amazing 13 colorways released.

Pros

  • Avoid Fogging
  • Breathing Tube Functionality
  • Customizable

Cons

  • Clunky design

North Scout Mask

If your name is James Bond and you are diving underneath enemy lines, this is definitely the hi-tech mask you are going to need to accomplish your mission. This mask is the ultimate creation of snorkel mask technology. The full-face design comes with an advanced silicone facial lining to secure the connection between face and mask and ensure that no leaking happens while using this mask. This mask also comes with the latest and greatest technology in the breathing tube, allowing for diving into the water without water getting into the tub or mask. This mask abandons the traditional concept of the mouthpiece altogether, trying to emulate almost an astronaut type of breathing apparatus. This mask is one of the top premium models in the snorkeling mask market. This mask is great for professional use or snorkeling/diving with a group of experienced veterans, but it might look a little over the top if you bring this bad boy out on a family snorkeling or swimming trip.

Pros

  • Full Face Mask
  • Breathing system

Cons

  • Price
  • Will definitely look over the top in a casual setting

Ocean Reef Aria Full Face Snorkel Mask

One of the priciest options for snorkeling mask, the ocean reef mask features a full face mask with a very sleek design and clear mask for optimal viewing area. The model is especially focused on easy and natural breathing within the space of the face mask. There are a lot of sizing options with this mask and it comes customizable in 10 colorways. It is very lightweight for a full face mask, only weighing about 2 pounds. This mask is also optimized to keep water from getting into the mask when you dive underneath the water. There is a plastic ball bearing that closes as you dive. When you reach the surface it will strategically clear and allow you to breathe again in the mask so you don’t have to necessarily come all the way out of the water to get another breath of air. This mask is known for being very comfortable as well. The design puts pressure on the right parts of your face to maximize the seal and keep water from leaking into the mask.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Full Face Mask
  • Comfortable
  • Viewing Area

Cons

  • Price

Atomic ARC Subframe

The ARC subframe mask not only looks incredible but features amazing lens technology that will dramatically enhance your snorkeling experience. The lens coating is designed to increase light transmission and reduce glare to make it easier to take in the amazing views underwater. It has a very wide frame to make sure that you do not feel tunnel visioned, even in the black frame model. It comes in two colorways and both feature a really bad-ass look integrating the signature lens. This mask is also very well known for its resistance to leaking. This mask is a little pricey, but it is one of the absolute best in terms of fitting, quality materials fortified for durability, and awesome lens technology.

Pros

  • Lens Coating, sun resistant
  • Wide frame

Cons

  • No breathing tube
  • Expensive

Cressi Panoramic Wide View Mask Dry Snorkel Set

Another Model from the Italian company, the panoramic wide view mask and dry snorkel set is the complete package for those looking for a traditional mask. Like many other traditional models, it comes highly customizable with 12 different color options. It also features a very wide masks to enhance visibility and reduce feeling tunnel visioned in the mask. This design makes it easier to choose a black frame that might help reduce glare from a particularly bright sun. The lenses are designed to be extremely durable with a polycarbonate frame. This mask has a unique feature that separates it from other traditional masks with quick adjust mask strap buckles. The mask has a very high quality squirt that should optimize fit between skirt and mask, eliminating dreaded leaking. The straps should also really help with this. The adjustable mask also alleviates difficulty fitting the breathing tube. This mask is a little pricier than some of its competitors, but it comes with great fitting and design.

Pros

  • Fitting
  • Full Face Mask
  • Color Options

Cons

  • Price
  • Polycarbonate vs. Silicone material

LUOOV Full Face Snorkeling Mask 

This full face mask model is one of the most affordable masks on the market. This mask is very unique because of its pricing and features. It does not sacrifice the dominant features of full face masks that would usually account for its lower price. It features a full face fitting, and breathing apparatus allows for actually diving under water. The breathing tube will prevent water from getting into your mouth and face when you dive underwater. This mask also comes in four colorways with a signature all black style, and then blue, green, and pink each with a white frame. It is a surface mask and is not suitable for freediving. In conclusion, this mask is a great price and offers all the bonafide features of full face snorkel masks.

Pros

  • Full face mask
  • Fitting
  • Lightweight

 

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

In Conclusion, few markets are changing as rapidly as snorkeling masks. The full face mask design has swapped search results for snorkeling masks. The full face mask is a great design that eliminates a lot of the problems faced by traditional snorkeling masks. The main benefit is to avoid the breathing apparatus that sometimes leaves you taking a big gulp of ocean water. The mask also future a full 180-degree view that will make you feel like an astronaut underwater. Finally, this mask is optimized to reduce leaking. The full face seal is very secure and will ensure that water does not leak into your mask, few things burn like saltwater in your eyes. However, this mask does have some potential risks associated with it. For one, you will probably look like you are taking your snorkeling trip a little too seriously if you are wearing it for more casual use such as at the beach, pool, or family snorkeling trip. Additionally, if there is a defect in the face seal or breathing apparatus, you could risk having the entire mask being filled up with water. Many of these masks are also designed with the intention of using the camera phenomenon GoPro during trips. Document your trip and create amazing videos!

With the pros and cons of the full face mask reviewed, the traditional style mask certainly hasn’t been booted out of relevancy yet. The traditional mask features a more casual design that gets the job done advertised by snorkeling masks. These masks also allow for easy customization of the lens to be more accommodating to those who would prefer a prescription lens instead of trying to wear glasses or contact lenses underneath their masks. When looking for traditional masks, you will find immense variation. It is especially important to prioritize the quality of the materials. If you can find a silicone mask or even polypropylene, it will probably be much more durable than a plastic model. Additionally, you should look into the functionality of the breathing tube. Some models are adapted to allow you to dive underwater, and this is really so important it could easily be your top priority to look for. The coloring of the mask is also going to be very important. A clear mask will help you feel more at one with the underwater world, whereas a black framed mask may make you feel tunnel visioned. However, a black mask may be a more appealing visual design. In conclusion, which model you chose will really depend on your priorities. Are you a casual snorkeler? Are you aspiring for professional activity in the underwater world? No matter who you are, make sure you avoid water leaking into the mask/breathing tube, poor quality materials, as well as the unique features to each mask that makes them stand out. Good luck with your decision, I hope this guide helped you!


 

Pete

My name's Pete Stec and I'm one of the owners here at SportConsumer.com and Sport Consumer Family (YouTube). My family and I invite you to travel our journey of wellness for your kids and family through nutrition and exercise while we continue to provide the very best reviews on the sports gear you need for serious competition or for your leisure activity!

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