Searching for the best snorkel mask is no easy task as you never really know a snorkel mask is going to behave once you put it on and put your face in the water.
Will it leak? Is it comfortable? Does your nose fit? How’s the vision? These are questions that are very hard to answer without some serious testing. You also have the question of what type of snorkel mask are you after.
You can go for a traditional snorkel mask, of which there are tons of variations and are great for scuba diving and snorkeling. Or you can choose the new age full face snorkel masks which are a little different and for snorkeling only. In any case, finding the best snorkel mask for you isn’t going to happen overnight.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Snorkel Masks
Luckily, we are here to help and have rounded up the best snorkel masks on the market including both full-face snorkel masks and traditional snorkel masks so you can find the right mask for you a lot faster.
Best Of The Best Snorkeling Mask
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Best Budget Snorkel Mask
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Best Full Face Snorkel Mask
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The Atomic Venom Frameless Mask is the best overall snorkel mask in the review in my opinion but this kind of quality doesn’t come cheap.
This snorkel mask is perfect for scuba divers, free divers, and advanced snorkelers who will appreciate the quality that it brings to the table. This snorkel mask features a frameless design which means it packs down small for portability and it comes with a single super wide lens.
Single lenses mean that there is just one piece of tempered glass without any frames blocking your vision and in this case, the large lens gives you a huge panoramic field of view. To add to this, the tempered glass lens is distortion-free and incredibly clear. The underwater world will never have looked so vibrant.
The snorkel mask features two silicone skirts one of which is ultra soft and comfy on your face which ensures a good seal for zero leaks. The other is more rigid and it is there to hold the mask in place in rough conditions, making it a great diving mask.
The mask straps are very comfortable, easily adjustable at the buckle, and it is low volume making it easy to clear when diving. The mask doesn’t suffer from fogging easily either!
The only thing wrong with this snorkel mask is that it can be a little too wide for some people’s faces, otherwise it is expensive but worth every penny if you take diving or snorkeling seriously!
The US Divers Icon Mask is probably the best beginner snorkel mask and it is certainly the best snorkel mask if you are shopping on a budget too.
This snorkel mask is incredibly affordable while delivering across the board. Yes, it is not as good as more expensive ones but you get what you pay for.
These are two window masks meaning they are double lens masks with a lens for each eye separated by a frame in the middle. This reduces your field of view a little bit but makes little difference to a beginner.
Made from tough tempered glass that is clear and with a great silicone skirt, this mask fits nicely and doesn’t leak when snorkeling. It also does a good job of not fogging either and has a comfortable fit for most people.
It also comes with a good snorkel that features an ergonomic mouthpiece and a one-way valve for clearing the water with ease. Overall, it is incredible value for money but not quite good enough for scuba diving.
If you are looking for the best full-face snorkel mask then look no further as the WildHorn Outfitters Seaview 180° V2 Full Face Snorkel Mask is the one for you.
Full face masks are great as they let you breathe normally while giving you a 180-degree view underwater which is great for snorkeling. This full-face mask is a little different as it has a 4 chamber breathing mechanism that makes life even easier underwater when it comes to breathing normally.
These full-face masks also feature a mask and snorkel all in one, and the snorkel is designed to never let water in so you are never going to get that drowning sensation.
The glass on the snorkel mask is super clear and provides excellent clarity, it doesn’t leak or fog, and it even has a camera mount so you can document what you see.
You can buy these snorkeling masks in a large range of sizes too so a comfortable fit is guaranteed so long as you get the sizing right.
The Cressi F1 Frameless Scuba Diving Snorkeling Mask is a great mask to look at and it comes in lots of different colors, but how does it perform in the water?
This mask has a large single lens to provide you with a good view that is built from tempered glass for durability. It is very clear and does a good job of not fogging either.
The skirt is soft and it creates a good seal to stop leaks while snorkeling but can’t handle the pressure when diving and inevitably lets water in. From a fit perspective, it is great for most face types and easily adjustable for a custom fit. If you have a large nose though it can be painful.
Being frameless it is also great to carry around as it folds flat with ease, plus it is very affordable for the quality, but it is for snorkeling only.
The Cressi Panoramic Wide View Snorkeling Mask comes as a mask and snorkel. It features a wide single lens with two side view lenses giving you an awesome field of view. You will be able to see everything that swims past you.
The soft silicone skirt is comfortable and ensures water doesn’t get in and the glass doesn’t fog when you use spit or anti-fog. The straps are easy to adjust too so you get a good fit with ease.
It also comes with a great snorkel that doesn’t let water in when you dive, has a good purge valve, and a nice silicone mouthpiece too. The only issue with this setup is that the mask can be uncomfortable on some people’s noses.
The Cressi Onda Wide View Snorkel Mask is another very affordable option that provides great vis and clarity through a single lens that is nice and wide. Everything you see will be crystal clear and you won’t miss out on things to the side either.
The skirt is solid and provides a good leakproof barrier but can leak under the nose occasionally, especially if you have a mustache but it is not major.
The fit is good and the straps are simple to adjust which makes finding comfort pretty easy, plus it fits nicely around most noses too. The snorkel is great too as it is easy to purge and it blocks water from entering at the top.
Overall, this is a great snorkeling setup for a super affordable price.
The Phantom Aquatics Snorkeling Mask Set is another great mask and snorkel that comes in at a very low price. It is great for diving and snorkeling too!
The glass is a single lens for great vision and the skirt is top quality to ensure no water leaks in, ever – although it can happen on people with larger faces. Usually, the fit is great though and it is very simple to adjust the straps and find the right fit for you.
The included snorkel is pretty awesome as it comes with a purge valve to clear any water with ease plus it has a dry top valve on the surface that only lets air in so no water comes down even if you dive under.
This is an excellent setup for the money and a great choice for experienced snorkelers or divers who buy gear on a budget.
The Subea Easybreath Full Face Snorkel Mask is a solid full mask option that gives you a great field of vision like they all do. It comes in a range of sizes too so you can find the perfect fit and once on you will experience life underwater like never before.
It is comfortable to wear and does a good job of never leaking plus you can breathe normally inside it so there is no weird breathless sensation that can happen with snorkels. The snorkel on this is a dry top one too so no water is going to get in.
This mask also features a two-way air system to stop fogging which kind of works but some fog build-up can happen. The only downside is the large volume of the mask can slow you down when you need to swim fast.
The Scubapro Solo Snorkeling Dive Mask is one of the more expensive masks featured and for good reason as it is of excellent quality.
The single lens gives an awesome field of view, the glass is top of the line with great clarity, and the skirt is soft while creating a solid seal to stop water from coming in. It is the perfect mask for anyone who enjoys some serious diving and snorkeling.
The fit is good for most people and the adjustable straps make it easy to customize.
It doesn’t do very well on people with wider faces and big noses though, as it can leak a bit and cause some pain on the nose bridge, so be aware of that.
The HEAD Sea VU Dry Full Face Snorkeling Mask is a great choice for snorkeling as it gives you a natural experience of breathing with the widest views possible of what lurks beneath.
The silicone skirt is lovely and does a good job of stopping water from entering and the straps are nice on your head and air.
Overall, it is very comfortable to snorkel in. You can find this in a range of sizes too for a custom fit.
The only issue with this mask is that it vents the air by your ears and you can hear it which may put a dampener on your snorkeling experience.
Your first choice is whether you want a normal mask or a full-face mask. Normal masks are more versatile as you can use them for diving and snorkeling, plus they are way more portable since they are much smaller and lighter to pack.
Full face masks give you the luxury of breathing naturally without a snorkel and offer a great vision but they are a pain to travel with and you can not go diving with them.
The more expensive a mask is, the better it will be, period. All the components from the glass clarity to the skirt seal are better quality as prices go up and things like leaks, comfort, and fog usually disappear with higher prices too.
But you can still get a good mask for an affordable price so I would suggest only getting an expensive one if you do a lot of snorkeling and diving.
There is nothing worse than a mask that hurts your nose or face and this comes down to fit. Do not settle for a mask that doesn’t fit well, send it back and get a different one as you will suffer from other things like leaks as well as pain.
The best snorkel mask featured in the article is the Atomic Venom Frameless Mask. The reason it is the best mask is because it is super comfortable and offers an unparalleled field of view and clarity, plus it is built to handle anything diving or snorkeling can throw at it.
This snorkel mask doesn’t leak, doesn’t fog, it stays put in harsh conditions, and it will give you the clearest widest view for your underwater adventures. It truly is hard to beat!
The best snorkel mask, if you are shopping on a budget, is the US Divers Icon Snorkel Mask. This mask is comfortable, fits well, is easily adjustable, gives you a clear view underwater, and it does well against fogging and leaks too.
You can’t ask for much more at this price but it also includes a pretty good snorkel too so have everything you need to explore underwater for a very small price!
The best snorkel mask with a dull face design is the WildHorn Outfitters Seaview 180° V2 Full Face Snorkel Mask. This comes with a large panoramic view, no leaks, no fogging, is super comfortable so long as you buy the right size and you can breathe as normally as possible in it.
These snorkeling masks have a special 4 air chamber design that ensures air circulates in and out freely to make it the same on the inside as above the water. Breathing underwater couldn’t be easier!
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