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The best snorkel masks are ergonomic, user-friendly, and rugged enough to take on years’ worth of adventures. They allow you to see all the wonders of the underwater kingdom, without any fogging or leaking.
In this guide, you’ll find our in-depth reviews of all the best snorkel masks on the market today. We’ve chosen something for everyone, so read on to find your new favorite beach buddy!
| Picture | Product Name | Color Options | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Tribord EasyBreath | n/a | $$ |
 | Cressi Perla | Black, Clear/Black, Clear/Aquamarine, Clear/Blue, Clear/Blue, Green | $ |
 | Cressi Matrix | Black, Blue, Clear, Green, Yellow | $$ |
 | Cressi Panoramic 4 | Black Orange, Black Silicone/Metallic Blue, Black Silicone/Metallic Red, Black/Lime, Black/Yellow, Clear/Cobalt, Clear/Orange, Clear/Yellow | $$ |
Note: snorkel masks come in two different types. There are the traditional goggle models, which you can use for scuba diving as well as snorkeling, and then there are full-face snorkel masks which are popular for kids and newcomers. We’ve included both types in this guide.
Best Full-Face Snorkel Mask (2019)
1. Tribord EasyBreath
There’s only one place to look if you’re after a full-face snorkel mask! Tribord is by far the best manufacturer in this category (and the only real manufacturer in the game–the rest are cheap, imported knock-offs of this mask). The EasyBreath continues to be the best full-face snorkel mask on the market. It’s ergonomic, user-friendly, and relatively affordable. There’s a reason this design has been copied so frequently and shamelessly!
*The Tribord is now manufactured by SUBEA, but as far as we know, there’s no discernable difference in quality.
Pros:
The best thing about a full-face mask like this is that it incorporates a snorkel, and works without a mouthpiece. Unlike with a traditional snorkel, you don’t have to keep your mouth clamped around a mouthpiece or train yourself to breathe without your nose. That’s why the Tribord is so good for kids and for folks who are new to snorkeling. It cuts out the learning curve and lets you get right to the fun part.
Visibility is excellent in this mask. It offers a 180-degree field of vision, and the “bezels” created by the frame are hardly visible around the edges. While you can certainly get some more peripheral vision with a high-end Cressi mask like those below, the Tribord is as good as full-face models get in this department.
The unique breathing mechanism prevents fogging, which is a common problem with cheaper full-face models. There’s no special trick to keeping this one working properly, either. Even total beginners will find it very accessible.
It’s got a bright orange, very visible snorkel top. That’s an added safety feature parents will definitely love!
It’s ergonomic and comfortable. There are several sizes offered, so you can easily find one that suits your face. It seals well, too, without feeling too tight. That’s thanks to the high-quality silicone used.
It’s well-made. Both the silicone and safety glass components are top-notch, and well-worth the price. There aren’t any fumes or sketchy chemical additives, unlike the cheaper options available. These masks last for years, too!
Cons:
Make sure you know what you’re buying! This is a full-face mask, and it’s aimed at a specific set of users. It’s not something you can use for an aerobic swimming workout, and it’s not designed for going below the surface. This is purely for casual snorkeling.
We’ve seen a lot of other reviewers trashing the Tribord for those limitations, but they’re simply a tradeoff for the comfort and simplicity of the design. If you want to swim hard or go below the surface, you’ll want a goggle-type mask and a separate dry snorkel.
In addition to the countless knock-off versions that copy this design, there are quite a few counterfeit Tribords being sold these days. Be sure that you’re buying directly from Amazon or from an authorized reseller, so you don’t end up with a chintzy, dangerous fake.
It’s pricier than the many full-face models that copy the Tribord design. However, you’re paying for the safety and ergonomics that come with a properly-made snorkel mask. You should also consider the fact that you’re getting a snorkel and mask all in one package. While this might be pricier than some goggle-type masks, you’ll need to buy a snorkel on the side to use those.
Best Snorkel Mask Reviews For Snorkeling & Diving (2019)
2. Cressi Perla
This Cressi model is our least expensive recommendation for a traditional, goggle-style snorkel mask. It’s affordable, ergonomic, and offers great visibility. We think it’s the least you can pay for something great in this format. It’s particularly good for newcomers on a budget and for young snorkelers!
Pros:
While it’s made by one of the leading snorkel/dive manufacturers, it’s as inexpensive as the crappy knock-off options. You can easily find one of these for half the price of a premium mask.
It’s made well. As with other Cressi masks, the Perla is made entirely in Italy from premium materials–safety glass and 100% silicone skirting.
It’s comfortable, as long as you know it’s meant for relatively small faces. The skirting seals snugly without pinching or digging in. You can make plenty of adjustments with the straps, too.
It’s easy to keep fog-free. The lenses are coated from the factory, so you don’t need to do anything special to maintain the visibility.
It provides plenty of visibility for an inexpensive mask.
Like other Cressi masks, the Perla ought to last for years of use.
Cons:
It doesn’t have as wide a field of vision as the pricier Cressi models we’ve recommended below.
It’s not as comfortable, either.
It’s quite a small fit, better for young snorkelers and adults with smaller faces. If you don’t have a smaller, narrower face, you’ll want to go for the Matrix below! It’s low in volume like the Perla, but a bit more generously-proportioned.
3. Cressi Matrix
The Cressi Matrix is our recommendation to the average snorkeler. It’s a nice midpoint between the low-volume, inexpensive Perla and the superb-but-pricey Panoramic 4 model below. This is the best visibility you can find in a low-volume snorkel mask, and it should be a good fit for just about any face.
Pros:
The Matrix is more comfortable than the Perla for those with average-to-large faces. Since it’s not much more expensive, it’s still a very reasonable purchase for relative newcomers and casual users who don’t want to shell out for a pricey mask.
As with the other Cressi models we’ve recommended, it’s made in Italy from premium materials. The silicone and safety glass construction is durable, comfortable, and very ergonomic.
The inverted teardrop lenses provide superb visibility for a low-volume mask. The Matrix is as good as they get in this format. It’s only beat by slightly more voluminous masks like the Panoramic 4, which have side panes.
It’s not much more expensive than the Perla. You can find one of these for well under $50.
Cons:
While it’s still quite affordable, it is more expensive than the Perla.
It’s as good as low-volume masks get for visibility, but the Panoramic model below offers a wider field of vision.
4. Cressi Panoramic 4
Our ultimate recommendation for a snorkel mask is the Cressi Panoramic 4. It’s about twice as expensive as our budget pick, the Cressi Perla, but it offers superb visibility and build quality that simply can’t be beat. Buy this if you’re passionate about your aquatic adventures and can afford a premium mask.
Pros:
It has stellar visibility, even better than the Matrix! That’s thanks to additional side lenses, which give you all the peripheral views you could wish for. If you want to see absolutely everything going on underwater, we don’t think you can do better than the Panoramic 4.
Despite the fact that the side panels do add more volume compared to the Matrix, the Panoramic 4 is hardly bulky. It’s still perfectly suitable for scuba dives as well as snorkel trips.
It has the same Italian build quality and fogproofing as our other Cressi recommendations. It’s just as comfortable as the Matrix, and fits snugly on just about any face. In short, we can’t find a darn thing to complain about with this one! It’s absolutely fantastic.
Cons:
It’s a lot better in the visibility department than our other recommendations, but you do sacrifice some slimness for those side panels. Most folks won’t mind, but if you dive a lot as well as snorkeling, you may want to stick with the slimmer Matrix.
We think the Panoramic 4 is still a very reasonable mask, but it does cost nearly $50. This isn’t something you’d want to casually buy, or get for kids. It’s for dedicated snorkelers and scuba divers who will get their money’s worth from it!
Conclusion
Which of these snorkel masks should you buy for your future adventures?
The Tribord is the obvious choice for kids, folks who are new to snorkeling, and anyone who simply prefers the ease and convenience of a full-face design. However, it’s not something you can use for diving or for strenuous swimming.
The Cressi Perla is the obvious choice if you’re on a budget. It’s the least we think you can pay for a high-quality snorkel mask that fits comfortably, seals securely, and lasts a long time. However, it doesn’t provide as stellar a field of vision as our pricier picks. It’s also not quite as comfortable.
The Cressi Matrix is our top quality recommendation for folks who like a low-volume design. It doesn’t have the side window panels like the more expensive Panoramic, but it still offers more visibility and a snugger fit than the Perla. The deeply inclined lenses offer stellar views! If you like to keep things minimal, this is as nice as they get. The Matrix is the best option for folks who dive as well as snorkeling for that reason. However, for the ultimate in visibility, go for the Panoramic.
The Cressi Panoramic 4 is our ultimate recommendation for a snorkel mask. While it has a bit more volume than our other picks, it offers a vast improvement in visibility. This one costs more than our cheaper recommendations, but is the last mask you’ll need to buy for snorkeling or scuba diving.
It isn’t easy to select just one product as the best snorkel mask, however we think we’d give this honor to the Cressi Panoramic 4. Although it’s a little more expensive, it offers an amazing field of vision.
Buying Guide
Know Your Needs
As with any piece of scuba or snorkel gear you buy, it’s important to take a moment to think about what you need from your snorkel mask, and exactly you want your snorkel mask for! Are you looking only to snorkel, or are you planning on scuba diving with the same mask? Are you after visibility, or a slim design? These aren’t mutually exclusive by any stretch, but it’s good to sort out your priorities from the get-go. What kinds of masks are comfortable for you? Are you experienced, or a total beginner? Answering all these questions up front will help you narrow down your options and choose between our recommendations.
Set Your Budget
Snorkel masks can cost anywhere from $15 to $100, depending on the type and the quality. Goggle-type masks (which are by far the most common) are more affordable. Even the nicest can usually be found for $50 or so. Full-face snorkel masks are much more expensive, and usually cost around $75 (though cheaper, dangerous knock-offs are sold for less). Figure out how much you want to spend, and how much you can afford to shell out for your new snorkel mask. Remember that while good full-face models are expensive, they also don’t need to be paired with a snorkel. You’ll pay a bit more for the mask, but avoid having to buy a snorkel too.
Stick With Reputable Manufacturers
We stress this in all our buying guides, but we think it’s worth mentioning again here. Don’t skimp and go for a cheap, knock-off snorkel mask! Stick with reputable brands that have proven track records for making quality gear. It’s not worth buying something cheap that’ll break quickly and put you at risk.
What’s Next
Now that you’ve finished reading our buying guide, we hope you’ve learned everything you need to know to confidently buy your new snorkel mask. If you think you know which of our recommendations is the best choice for you, great! Click on the links in our reviews to learn more about any of the models you see here. See all the best snorkel gear on the market here!
