DreamWear mask blog
By Clay RollysonAsk ten CPAP users what almost made them quit, and most will say the same thing: the mask.
Not the machine. Not the pressure. The mask. It leaks, or it leaves a crease across your nose, or the hose yanks your head every time you roll over. So you buy a different one. That one has its own problems. You buy a third. Somewhere in there you've spent a few hundred dollars finding out what fits, and you've got a drawer full of masks that don't.
The Philips Respironics DreamWear line was built to break that cycle — one frame, three cushion styles, swap in seconds. And the new DreamWear DreamPack Mask Kit takes it all the way: every cushion, both headgear styles, one box.
Three cushion styles, one universal frame — the nasal cradle, silicone pillows, and full face configurations of the DreamWear DreamPack.
In this article
What Makes DreamWear Different
Most masks run the hose to the front of your face. Every time you turn over, that hose tugs your headgear, breaks the seal, and wakes you up. DreamWear moves the connection entirely.
The hose connects at the top of your head. A 360-degree swivel sits at the crown, and air travels down through the hollow silicone frame instead of through a tube hanging off your face. Back, side, stomach — the tubing follows your head rather than fighting it.
Nothing blocks your view. No forehead pad, no nose-bridge contact. Read, watch TV, keep your glasses on until the second you fall asleep.
The frame flexes with you. It's soft silicone, not rigid plastic. Roll onto your side and the lower tube compresses while air reroutes through the upper tube, so your pressure stays consistent and the frame doesn't dig into your cheek.
And the frame doesn't care which cushion is attached. That's the part that makes everything else possible.
The Three Cushion Styles
| Cushion | Best For | Breathing Style | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-the-Nose Nasal | Side and stomach sleepers, lower to moderate pressures | Nose breathers | Nothing enters the nostrils — it rests under the base of the nose |
| Silicone Nasal Pillows | Restless sleepers, higher pressure settings | Nose breathers | Soft prongs seal just inside the nostrils for extra stability |
| Full Face | Mouth breathers, congestion-prone users | Mouth or combination | Covers the mouth without a bulky bridge or forehead pad |
1. Under-the-Nose Nasal Cushion
The minimalist starting point.
If you breathe through your nose and dislike the sensation of anything inside your nostrils, this is usually where to begin. The cushion cradles the base of the nose — it doesn't cover the bridge and it doesn't press into the nostril openings.
Why people stay with it: it has the smallest contact area of the three. No bridge contact means no bridge soreness, and most users wake up without visible impressions on their face.
The under-the-nose cushion keeps your face clear — no forehead pad, no bridge contact, nothing between you and your partner.
2. Silicone Nasal Pillows Cushion
The stability pick for people who move.
If you toss and turn, or you're on a higher pressure setting where small leaks become a real problem, the pillows give you a more targeted seal. Contoured silicone prongs sit just inside the nostril openings and hold through position changes.
Why people stay with it: the seal is the most secure of the three. The silicone version is noticeably softer and more flexible than older gel pillows, which makes the trade-off easier to live with.
Because the hose exits at the crown of the head, stomach and side sleeping stay on the table with the pillows cushion.
3. Full Face Cushion
Mouth-breathing coverage without the helmet feeling.
Full face masks have historically meant bulk — a hard shell over the nose and mouth, a forehead brace, and a real case of claustrophobia. The DreamWear full face cushion sits under the nose while sealing around the mouth, delivering air to both without ever touching the nasal bridge.
Why people stay with it: you get mouth-breather coverage and still keep a clear line of sight, which is genuinely rare in a full face mask. It's also the obvious move during a head cold, when nose breathing stops being an option.
When your nose closes up, the full face cushion keeps therapy comfortable — without a bridge piece or forehead brace.
The Catch Nobody Mentions About Modular Masks
Here's the honest version of how DreamWear modularity works in practice.
The frame is universal — all three cushions snap into it. Swapping between the nasal cradle and the nasal pillows is a one-part purchase, because those two share the same single-strap headgear.
Moving to or from the full face cushion is a two-part purchase. The full face setup needs its own four-point headgear with lower clips. Plenty of people order just the cushion, discover it won't secure properly, and end up placing a second order.
So the real cost of owning all three configurations, bought piece by piece, is three cushions plus two headgear sets. Individual DreamWear masks run roughly $90 to $110 each on our site, and you're paying for a duplicate frame every time. The math adds up fast on a system that was supposed to save you money.
Enter the DreamWear DreamPack
The DreamWear DreamPack Mask Kit solves that arithmetic by putting the entire ecosystem in one box for $199.
What's inside:
- The universal silicone frame with the top-of-head connection
- The 360-degree swivel elbow that connects to your hose
- All three cushions — Under-the-Nose Nasal, Silicone Nasal Pillows, and Full Face
- Both headgear styles — the single-strap version for nasal and pillows, plus the four-point version for full face
- A pair of soft fabric frame wraps that slide over the cheek tubes as a barrier against your skin
Everything in the box — including both headgear styles, which is the piece most people miss when buying cushions separately.
That headgear detail is the whole point. Because both styles are included, switching from nasal to full face is genuinely a one-minute job at your nightstand: pop the cushion out, snap the new one in, swap the straps. No second order, no waiting on shipping while you sleep badly.
Why Three Cushions Beats One — Even If You Already Know Your Style
The obvious pitch is for new users who don't yet know what fits. That's real, but it undersells the kit. Experienced users get just as much out of it.
Colds and allergy season. You're a committed nose breather, and then your sinuses close up for a week. Normally that means a rough stretch of nights or skipping therapy. With the full face cushion in your drawer, it means thirty seconds of swapping.
Giving your skin a rest. Wearing the same cushion every night can wear a tender spot, especially inside the nostrils with pillows. Rotating to the under-the-nose cradle for a few nights lets that spot recover without missing therapy.
Seasonal shifts. Bedroom humidity changes how a mask feels. A lot of users want the lightest possible setup in summer heat and prefer full face coverage through dry winter months when mouth breathing creeps in.
A backup that's already in the house. Cushions wear out. Silicone loses its shape and its grip, and a cushion that's gone stiff will leak no matter how you adjust the straps — if you're tightening headgear to chase a seal, that's usually the cushion telling you it's done. Having spares on hand means a worn cushion never costs you a night.
How Sizing Works
Two things get sized, and they work independently:
- Cushion size follows the width of your nose and cheek area. You pick this at checkout — Small, Medium, or Large — and all three cushions ship in that size.
- Frame size follows the distance from the top of your head to under your nose. The DreamPack ships with the standard frame, which fits the large majority of adult facial profiles.
If you're unsure, Medium is the most common starting point. And if a fit feels off once it arrives, try adjusting cushion position before you tighten straps — overtightening is the single most common cause of leaks with this mask.
Machine compatibility: the DreamPack connects to any standard 22mm CPAP or BiPAP tubing, regardless of brand. If you run a ResMed AirMini, you'll need the AirMini adapter to use a standard mask with it.
Is the DreamPack Right for You?
It's a strong fit if you're new to CPAP and still figuring out your style, currently fighting a mask that doesn't work, prone to seasonal congestion, or someone who wants options on hand before you need them.
You might skip it if you've used DreamWear for years, know exactly which cushion you want, and never expect to switch. In that case, buy the single mask in your style and stock replacement cushions — there's no reason to pay for configurations you'll never open.
For everyone else, the DreamPack is the cheapest way to stop guessing. You get every DreamWear configuration, both headgear sets, and the freedom to change your mind at 2 a.m. instead of at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really use all three cushions on the same frame?
Yes. The DreamWear frame is universal across the line — the under-the-nose nasal, silicone nasal pillows, and full face cushions all snap into the identical frame. This isn't a workaround or an off-brand adapter; it's how Philips Respironics designed the platform.
Do I need different headgear for the full face cushion?
You do, and this is the detail that trips up most people buying pieces separately. The nasal and pillows cushions share the same single-strap headgear, but the full face cushion needs a four-point headgear with lower clips to seal properly. The DreamPack includes both styles, so you're never stuck waiting on a second order.
How long does it actually take to switch cushions?
Under a minute. The cushion pops out of the frame by hand and the new one snaps in. Switching between nasal and pillows is just the cushion. Moving to or from full face means also swapping the headgear, which adds maybe thirty seconds.
What size should I order?
The size you choose at checkout — Small, Medium, or Large — applies to all three cushions, and it's based on the width of your nose and cheek area. The frame ships in the standard size, which fits the large majority of adult faces. Medium is the most common starting point if you're unsure.
Will the DreamPack work with my CPAP machine?
It connects to any standard 22mm CPAP or BiPAP tubing, so brand doesn't matter — ResMed, Philips, Luna, and others all work. The one exception is travel machines like the ResMed AirMini, which need their own adapter to run a standard mask.
Can I sleep on my side or stomach with it?
That's the design's main strength. The hose connects at the crown of your head rather than in front of your face, so the tubing stays clear no matter which way you turn. If you compress one side of the soft frame while on your side, air reroutes through the open side and your pressure holds steady.
What if I only end up liking one of the three cushions?
Then you've found your fit for a fraction of what three separate masks would have cost, and you still have the other two on hand for a head cold or a night when your skin needs a break. From there you just buy replacement cushions in your preferred style.
Is this a good choice for someone brand new to CPAP?
It's arguably the best case for it. New users rarely know whether they're a nose breather, a mouth breather, or somewhere in between until they've slept in the gear for a week or two. The DreamPack lets you find that out at home instead of through a string of returns.
Shop the DreamWear DreamPack Mask Kit at CPAPmyway — in stock, ships free on orders over $49.
