Updated on February 7, 2020

Imagine drifting through the wonderful subsea world, and perhaps thinking of Mr. Limpet as you take in the splendor of the sea life and beauty around you. Suddenly, your forehead hurts from your dive mask pressing too hard, and you start to notice water pooling just under your eyes from a poor seal. Now maybe you have a larger face than the average person, but that’s no reason to sacrifice your diving enjoyment!

It’s for exactly that reason that we’ve compiled this list of the best dive masks for large faces. Whether you’re just dipping a toe into the world of diving, or are a grizzled veteran, everyone needs a properly sized mask! We’ve covered absolutely everything you need to know from features to sizing guidelines to make sure you don’t miss a single second beneath the waves.

For more of our top scuba gear recommendations, check out the Best Dive Masks

 

Quick Answer - The Best Dive Masks for Large Faces

  1. Tusa M1001 Freedom HD
  2. ProMate Ocean Owl
  3. ScubaPro Synergy 2
  4. Oceanic Shadow
  5. ScubaMax Oversize Abaco

 

Comparison Table - Best Dive Mask for A Large Face

For the best experience turn your device horizontally
NameLens TypePriceRatingReview
Tusa M1001 Freedom HDSingle$$4.5Read Review
ProMate Ocean OwlSingle$4.1Read Review
ScubaPro Synergy 2Double$$$4.8Read Review
Oceanic ShadowSingle$$4.6Read Review
ScubaMax Oversize AbacoSingle$4.5Read Review
NameLens TypePriceRatingReview
Want to learn more about a technical term? Check out our Features Explained section below.

Need buying advice? Take a look at these Things to Consider.

Reviews - The Best Scuba Diving Masks for Large Faces

Tusa M1001 Freedom HD

Specs
  • Closure: Swiveling Strap Buckle
  • Lens Type: Single
  • Sealing Skirt Material: Silicone
Features
  • Many Different Color Options
  • Large Nose Pocket
  • Easily Adjustable Head Strap
  • Comfortable Sealing Skirt
  • Swiveling Strap Buckle for Better Adjustability
  • Single Lens Type for Wide Field of View

BEST FOR: COMFORT

Tusa has packed their M1001 Freedom HD Mask with thoughtful and effective features to make sure you have the most comfortable fit possible. The silicone sealing skirt – the part that fits nice and snug around your eyes – is exceptionally soft and has rounded edges to prevent pinching and keep water from seeping in. 

Continuing this trend of comfort, the head strap that goes around the back of your head is split in the middle and very wide. This reduces the pressure on the back of your head, and also helps prevent pinching. The buckles where this head strap attaches to the mask also swivel 180 degrees, allowing you to find the perfect fitting position.

All this combined with a nice wide design and very spacious nose pocket makes this item a pleasure to wear even if your head is on the bigger side. We therefore wholeheartedly recommend this as one of the best dive masks for large faces.

ProMate Ocean Owl

Specs
  • Closure: Swiveling Strap Buckle
  • Lens Type: Single
  • Sealing Skirt Material: Silicone
Features
  • Extra Wide Design
  • Low Volume To Minimize Bulk
  • Oversized Sealing Skirt For Better Comfort
  • Single Lens for Wide Field of View
  • Swiveling Strap Buckle for Better Adjustability
  • Comfortable Sealing Skirt

BEST FOR: BUDGET CONSCIENCE DIVERS

Larger faced divers out there, Promate designed the Ocean Owl mask especially for you! The extra wide design perfectly accommodates your facial features while the soft silicone sealing skirt – which sits around your eyes – is exceptionally comfortable.

This sealing skirt also includes a double-edged design, which promotes better sealing even if your face has larger or more defined features. We’re also very pleased with the rotating buckles for the head strap that let you adjust it into just the right position – minimizing pinching and pressure points. 

These comfort themed features are complemented by an excellent field of view – so you don’t miss any of the subsea action, and a sleek low-volume design to limit excess bulk. The result? An incredibly well-rounded mask that perfectly fits equally rounded or large faces to make your underwater escapades a pinch-free experience, and all without breaking the bank.

ScubaPro Synergy 2

Specs
  • Closure: Swiveling Strap Buckle
  • Lens Type: Double
  • Sealing Skirt Material: Silicone
Features
  • Ribbing Dual Layer Sealing Skirt - Comfortable And Supportive
  • Head Strap Buckles Attach To Sealing Skirt - Improved Fit And Comfort
  • Low Volume Reduces Bulk
  • Comfortable Sealing Skirt
  • Swiveling Strap Buckle for Better Adjustability
  • Double Lens Type for Lower Profile

BEST FOR: TOP-TIER QUALITY

Nearly every diver the world over has used at least one piece of ScubaPro gear in their diving lives. Reliable, excellent quality, and comfort all come to mind with this established brand, and their Synergy Mask is no exception. Especially for those of you looking for larger masks. 

The dual sealing skirt – crafted from very soft silicone – marries two crucial elements that are mutually exclusive of one another under normal circumstances: comfort and rigidity. ScubaPro’s Trufit technology makes the inner seal – which touches your face – very comfortable and elastic to form to every detail of your face, large or small, and provide a perfect seal. The second layer features a unique rib design which drastically improves support, keeping the mask from flexing at inopportune times – which can break the seal against your face.  

The Synergy also provides excellent adjustability with swiveling head strap buckles, combined with a crystal clear view through the treated glass lenses. All combined, this is the highest quality mask on our list and you can expect a comfortable fit to match, easily making it one of the best dive masks for large faces.

Oceanic Shadow

Specs
  • Closure: Swiveling Strap Buckle
  • Lens Type: Single
  • Sealing Skirt Material: Silicone
Features
  • Frameless Design (easily bends to fit your face or for packing)
  • Neoprene Head Strap (for improved comfort)
  • Comfortable Sealing Skirt
  • Swiveling Strap Buckle for Better Adjustability
  • Single Lens Type for Wide Field of View

BEST FOR: PACKABILITY

If you’ve tried mask after mask, and it always seems like the rigid frame is digging straight into your forehead or cheekbone, then the Shadow is exactly what you need. This unique mask is entirely frameless, meaning it lacks the tough plastic or metal backbone that lets most masks keep their shape. What this means for you is that the mask will bend, flex, and arc to the unique curves of your face, which is absolutely perfect if you have larger features than most! 

Oceanic also gives another nod to comfort with the neoprene head strap provided with the Shadow. Plush, cushy, and very comfortable, this is definitely the perfect choice if those head straps are forever pinching or irritating the back of your head. 

The lack of a frame also means that this mask can pack down almost flat for traveling to your favorite diving destinations, or to cram in your diving vest pocket as a spare.

ScubaMax Oversize Abaco

Specs
  • Closure: Swiveling Strap Buckle
  • Lens Type: Single
  • Sealing Skirt Material: Silicone
Features
  • Wide Design
  • Double Seal For Watertight Fit
  • Silicone Sealing Skirt for Comfort
  • Swiveling Strap Buckle for Better Adjustability
  • Single Lens Type for Wide Field of View

BEST FOR: UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS

Our final member to add to our list of the best dive masks for large faces is the Oversize Abaco from ScubaMax. As you can guess from the name, this mask is designed to give you a little breathing room, or is that bubble room underwater? Regardless, the extra wide design of this mask combined with an incredible field of view makes the Abaco one of the best dive masks for large faces. 

The wide design that also extends further down your cheeks endeavors to fit snugly but comfortably across your face. It also serves to blanket larger face structures within the mask and drastically improves your views at the same time. The comfort aspect of this mask is thanks to the double seal silicone seal that softly holds the mask in place during your diving and keeps the water at bay without gouging a trench into your forehead.

 

 

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A DIVING MASK

OPTIMAL COMFORT AND SIZING

Those of you with larger faces who have already tried diving with a smaller mask know just how paramount comfort can be! Pinching, squeezing, pulling, and grinding are all surefire recipes to ruin your dive adventure. It is therefore absolutely critical that you take the time to find a mask that fits the unique shape of your face.

So take the time, try on a mask or two at your local dive shop, and get a feel for what you need. We highly recommend you check out LeisurePro’s guide to mask fitting to make absolutely positive your mask is fitting properly and won’t leak at the least opportune moment.

 

VISION QUALITY

The prime directive of any mask is, of course, so you can see the wonders of the ocean! That said, if you notice any imperfections while trying on a mask, don’t buy it! These imperfections will be magnified under water and wreak havoc on your vision.

You should also learn one or two methods of maintaining your mask and keeping it as fog free as possible, because every diver knows the pain of having their mask constantly cloud over! Review this article from PADI for anti-fog methods along with some other very helpful mask maintenance tips.

 

ADJUSTABILITY

Bigger faces generally mean more adjusting and tweaking to get the mask in just the right spot. The best dive masks for larger faces therefore include plenty of methods to achieve the perfect fit.

This most often takes the form of rotating/swiveling buckles where the head strap attaches to the mask. This means that your head strap isn’t locked in a single position and can be fine-tuned to match your head shape. The sealing skirt is also another huge point of comfort and adjustability that we’ll talk about next.

 

SEALING SKIRT

This is the soft lining that follows the mask’s perimeter and rests directly on your face. Its primary purpose is to completely seal off the interior – where your eyes are – from the exterior (the water). This is definitely the most finicky aspect to finding the perfect dive mask, especially if you have a larger face. Sometimes the seal allows a little water seepage, or grinds into your forehead, or pinches your skin. So to find the best dive mask for larger faces, you need a top-quality sealing skirt that is both comfortable and effective.

To accomplish this, the best dive masks utilize a soft silicone material that perfectly molds to the shape of your face to completely eliminate any water intrusion. This silicone is also soft enough that it won’t hurt or damage your face in any way. We recommend you steer clear of any rubber or plastic skirt materials as those tend to degrade and are not as comfortable.

 

FEATURES EXPLAINED

LOW VOLUME

This simply refers to the overall airspace inside your mask. The lower this number, the lower your total mask volume is. What this means for you is that the lower volume of your mask, the easier it is for you to clear it in the case of water seepage or fog buildup, which is very beneficial!

SWIVELING BUCKLES

Buckles refer to the places where the head strap attaches to the mask. Rotating or swiveling buckles make it so that your head strap isn’t locked into one position and can be adjusted to match your specific head shape.

SEALING SKIRT

This is the soft lining that follows the mask’s perimeter and rests directly on your face. Its primary purpose is to completely seal off the interior – where your eyes are – from the exterior (the water).

READ MORE

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