AirTouch F30i Clear Review: Pros, Cons, and Our Honest Take
By Clay RollysonFinding the right CPAP mask is always a balancing act. You need a seal that actually works, but you also want to avoid feeling like you’ve got a piece of heavy machinery strapped to your face.
If you're looking for that sweet spot, we need to talk about the ResMed AirTouch F30i Clear.
ResMed recently dropped their new AirTouch line, and the "Clear" version is essentially a hybrid. It takes the familiar, low-profile silicone frame you might already be used to and pairs it with a brand-new, ultra-soft fabric cushion.
Let's jump right in, go over the pros, the cons, and figure out if this mask is the right upgrade for your therapy.
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The "Clear" Advantage: Less Bulk, Better Vision
There is a reason this specific setup is called the "Clear." It uses a standard, clear silicone frame that runs up the side of your head.
By sticking to this streamlined silicone design, the mask keeps bulk to an absolute minimum. If you want a clear, open line of sight to watch TV, read a book, or comfortably wear your glasses before bed, the slimmer frame on the F30i Clear is going to give you that freedom.
Plus, silicone is incredibly durable and a whole lot easier to wipe down and keep clean.
Wait, What About the F30i Comfort?
If you've been researching the new AirTouch line, you've probably noticed that ResMed also released the AirTouch F30i Comfort.
What is the difference? While the Clear uses the standard silicone frame, the Comfort features a fully fabric-wrapped frame, meaning absolutely zero silicone touches your face. It's incredibly soft, but that fabric does add a little extra bulk to the sides of your head.
If you are on the fence and want to see how these two styles stack up against each other, head over to our AirTouch F30i Clear vs. Comfort Comparison Guide to see a side-by-side breakdown!
AirTouch F30i Comfort
(Fabrid-Wrapped Frame)
The ComfiSoft™ Cushion: The Good and The "Grody"
The frame on the Clear is standard, but the cushion is where the magic happens. The F30i Clear uses an UltraCompact ComfiSoft™ fabric cushion with AdaptiSeal™ technology. It fits cleanly under your nose and over your mouth, taking away any interaction with the bridge of your nose.
If you are someone who gets painful red marks or skin irritation from standard silicone seals, this fabric is a game-changer. But I’m going to be honest with you: because it’s fabric, it has its unique pros and cons.
The Pros:
No "Farting" Noise: We all know that sound. When a traditional silicone mask loses its seal against your cheek, it makes a rattling noise that wakes you right up. With this fabric cushion, if you get a leak, it is a much quieter leak.
Whisper Quiet: The mask uses QuietAir™ venting on the front, which is unbelievably quiet. I ran it at a moderate pressure setting of 10 and couldn't feel an exhalation draft at all. If you have a sensitive bed partner who hates getting hit with air when you roll over, they are going to love this mask.
Top-of-Head Freedom: The tube connects at the very top of your head with a 360-degree rotating elbow. You can sleep on your side, stomach, or back without getting tangled in a hose.
The Cons:
The "Grody" Factor: It’s stitched fabric, which means it’s going to absorb moisture, oils, and sweat from your face. It isn't going to last as long as durable silicone, and you can't just throw it in the dishwasher. You need to wipe it down daily with mask wipes to keep it fresh, or it is going to get funky and grody pretty fast.
The Beard & Pressure Struggle: Silicone is tacky, so if you have a leak, you can usually just crank the straps down a bit to seal it. You can't really do that with fabric. In our testing, guys with thicker beards struggled to get a perfect seal. Also, if your pressures are up around 13, 14, or 15 cm, it’s tough to keep this fabric sealed perfectly without that silicone tackiness.
A Quick Warning on the Exhalation Port
Right on the front of the cushion, there is a little foam exhalation disc that actually pops right out. It's a nifty feature for cleaning, but ResMed does not currently sell this little piece separately.
If you wash this cushion, I highly recommend popping that little disc out first. There is no real way to dry it out thoroughly inside the cushion, and in my opinion, stagnant water is bad water. If moisture collects in there and doesn't dry, there's a good chance something is going to grow. Keep an eye on it—if you ever see that clear foam piece getting discolored, toss it and buy a whole new cushion.
Sizing, Setup, and "The Hack"
If you're ready to try the AirTouch F30i Clear, here are a few technical details you need to know before you order:
Machine Settings: If you are using a ResMed machine, remember to switch your mask setting to "Full Face."
Sizing: The cushions come in Small, Small-Wide, Medium, and Large. From what we've seen so far, Medium is by far the most common fit. We have a handy, printable sizing gauge right on our website so you can measure your nose before buying.
The Magnets: The standard headgear uses magnetic clips. If you have a pacemaker or an implant that interacts with magnets, do not use them. We sell a non-magnetic frame version with standard clip-ins that works perfectly with these cushions.
The "Hack" (Versatility): Here is the best part. These parts are interchangeable. If you already own an N30i or a standard F30i, this new fabric cushion will snap right onto your existing frame. You can test out the fabric feel without having to buy a whole new mask setup.
The Bottom Line
The AirTouch F30i Clear combines a slim, durable silicone frame with a breathable ComfiSoft fabric cushion that eliminates red marks and skin irritation. It sealed impressively well in our testing, runs whisper-quiet with zero exhalation draft, and the interchangeable parts make it easy to try without buying a whole new setup.
You will need to replace the fabric cushion more often than a traditional silicone mask, and users with thick beards or pressures above 13 cm may have some trouble getting a perfect seal. But if comfort is your priority, this is one of the best full face options available right now.
