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If you want an educational experience out of the ordinary, observing life below the ocean surface can provide just that. But to ensure a proper and comfortable experience, you need a good diving mask.
In this guide, you get a thorough introduction to everything worth knowing about diving masks. At the same time, we share our recommendations for which models you should consider – depending on your needs and preferences.
Single diving mask:
Diving mask and snorkel combo:
Full-face snorkel masks:
👆 Click on each model to jump down to the section where we review each one in detail.
Best diving mask for kids (4-12 years) – 
Best diving mask for juniors (12-18 years) 
BEST VALUE DIVING MASK FOR ADULTS 
Best diving mask for adults regardless of price 
Best diving mask for kids (4-12 years) 
It is no coincidence that the Cliff mask for kids has become our absolute bestseller when it comes to diving/snorkelling masks. It features several unique qualities that are not found in other masks, making it a dream to snorkel for hours on end.
The Cliff for kids is equipped with a single strap that splits at the back to ensure the mask fits snugly and properly—even during longer snorkelling trips. Small ridges have been added to the straps so they stay firmly in place right where you adjusted them.
The colours available for the Watery Cliff diving mask couldn’t be more Nordic and stylish. Shown here in the stunning dark red colour, it is also available in grey, light blue, red, green, dark blue, purple and pink.
The Cliff diving mask includes a completely free EVA case specially designed for the mask [value: €13 / £11].
“The kids have used them all summer and are super happy with them” (Emil S.)
“Top product, looks great, my grandchild is really happy with it, thank you” (Hasan S.)
“Really good and comfortable diving goggles for our daughter, who wanted to submerge her head underwater for the first time.” (Ulrikke L.)
If you are looking to buy a new diving mask for your child aged between 4 and 12 years old, the Beco Ari is the best in its class. Beco Ari is superb at keeping water out of the mask while offering a wide and clear field of view.
The nose is enclosed, so your child avoids getting water up their nose during use. This provides a safer and more comfortable experience – especially for kids who aren’t fully confident in the water yet.
The material is extremely comfortable against the skin, and the strap is quick and easy to adjust. Furthermore, the material is very durable, so even if your child happens to toss the mask around, it won’t break.
“Great starter set” (Maja B.)
“Covering ages 4–12 is too wide a range; it’s probably better suited towards the younger end of that scale.” (Morten U.)
“It fits my 4-year-old daughter well, but not my 7-year-old son.” (Karen M.)
“Our daughter needs goggles for swimming lessons at school. She is thrilled and looking forward to the summer in the pool – she likes this mask better than small goggles” (Babymarkt.de)
If you are an adult, perhaps very budget-conscious, and want the best diving mask for the price, you should get the Watery diving mask for adults – Cliff. It is the adult version of the previously mentioned kids’ model.
You therefore get the exact same qualities that give you a truly great experience in the water. You get great comfort, a wide and clear field of vision, and a mask that can withstand being used time and time again.
The strap is highly adjustable, fitting all adult head sizes. Plus, the nose pocket is enclosed, keeping water out of your nose.
For the price, this is quite simply the best diving mask I recommend.
“Fantastic diving mask, no water gets in during use and it is very comfortable” (Lianne G.)
“Comfortable, fits nicely without leaving marks” (Sofie U.)
If you want the same benefits and features as the previously mentioned Beco Ari, just for your child aged 12 to 18, you should buy a Beco Bahia diving mask. It is simply the same model as the Ari, just for a larger head. And that makes it the absolute best mask in this category.
The materials are incredibly durable and robust, and the strap is easy to adjust. It also has a closed nose pocket, while the lens provides a wide and clear view.
Therefore, if your child is between 12 and 18 years old and needs the best diving mask, Beco Bahia is the one to get.
“Good quality. My son – 11 years old – only swims with a diving mask because he has quite sensitive eyes. The mask is recommended for 12-year-olds – at the moment water still gets in around the nose area from below, so that only gets 4 stars, maybe this will change over time. Can only recommend the mask.” (Betina L.)
“My 9-year-old daughter has been extremely satisfied with this diving mask.” (Anne-Christine M.)
If you are looking for an absolute top-tier diving mask – where price is not the deciding factor – the Aqua Lung Hawkeye is one of the best choices. It is a mask that combines high comfort with outstanding functionality.
First and foremost, it is extremely comfortable. The silicone skirt feels very pleasant against your skin, even for hours on end. The strap is also split, preventing high pressure on a single spot on the back of your head. Instead, the pressure is distributed across two different areas, allowing the mask to sit better without needing to be strapped overly tight to stay in place.
Adjusting the strap is quick and easy. It also features a locking mechanism that prevents the strap from loosening on its own.
The lens is wide and clear, giving you the best possible field of vision. It is a twin-lens design and comes with a separate enclosed nose pocket.
All of this makes it both super comfortable and the ultimate companion to have along when you need clear vision underwater.
“Superb gear and user-friendly. And super fast delivery. Ordered Monday evening, delivered Wednesday.” (Pia L.)
“We bought 2 sets and don’t know much about snorkelling, but we showed them to friends and they were very surprised by the great quality, so now we can’t wait to try them out.” (Ruth R.)
If you plan to use your diving mask for snorkelling, you won’t be able to get around investing in a snorkel as well. They can be bought separately, but you will get a cheaper total price by purchasing a dedicated snorkel set that includes both a mask and a snorkel.
Below you will find our recommendations for the best snorkel sets, based on hands-on experience and user reviews.
The Watery Diving Mask for Adults – Cliff is the best value option you can get. And paired with the Watery Cliff snorkel, you also get the best value snorkelling set!
The features generally rival those found on top-of-the-range models. These include a wide field of vision and comfortable materials on the mask that feel pleasant against the skin for hours at a time.
The snorkel is just as comfortable. The silicone mouthpiece sits pleasantly in the mouth, and the snorkel tube lets you breathe easily and effortlessly.
Despite its low price, you get features that are largely on par with more expensive top-tier models. This makes this set the best diving mask and snorkel combo for the price.
“Affordable, easy to adjust the size. Plus, you look stylish 😉” (Kristina N.)
“Great snorkelling set!” (Ida A.)
If price is not an issue and your child simply deserves the very best diving mask with a snorkel, you should go for an Aqua Sphere Junior snorkel set. Every single detail has been thought through here, ensuring your child gets the best and safest experience in the water.
The diving mask itself is shatterproof, so even if it gets dropped or tossed around, the lens will not break. At the same time, the shatterproof lens provides both a clear and wide field of vision.
It is super easy to adjust to all head sizes for ages 4 to 12. Plus, the silicone skirt is both very flexible and extremely comfortable to wear.
The included snorkel features a wide bore profile, allowing plenty of airflow. This makes breathing in and out much easier. Additionally, the mouthpiece itself is made from a comfortable silicone blend, making it pleasant to keep in the mouth.
Aqua Sphere is renowned for making top-tier products across virtually all types of water sports. And this snorkel set is certainly no exception!
I previously mentioned the Beco Ari earlier in this guide as the best value diving mask for the 4 to 12 age group. And if you also want a snorkel included, the Beco Ari remains the best value purchase.
The materials on both the diving mask and snorkel are durable and comfortable to use. Furthermore, the large lenses ensure your child gets a wide and clear field of vision.
Combined with an easily adjustable strap and a very flexible mask skirt, this set suits a very broad age group. The snorkel itself is also of great quality, offering effortless breathing in most conditions.
Additionally, the diving mask features a covered nose pocket that prevents water from getting up your child’s nose.
Aqua Lung Hawkeye is the best diving mask on the market. And with an Aqua Lung Combo Hawkeye diving set, you get the ultimate combination of diving mask and snorkel for adults and teenagers over 12 years old.
The mask itself is anti-fog treated and offers a superb, wide, and clear field of vision. The strap is also quick and easy to adjust, which, combined with the flexible silicone skirt, ensures it fits all head sizes from age 12 and up.
Included in this set, you also get a snorkel with both a splash guard and a one-way purge valve. The splash guard offers the clear advantage of keeping water from running down the snorkel. And should water get in on rare occasions, it is easy to clear through the one-way valve.
Every single detail has been thought of here. And you can truly feel the difference out in the water!
“Excellent delivery, great fit, superb snorkel with valve.” (Arie B.)
“Bought as a gift, I have the same one myself and it works great.” (Ulrika L.)
If you want the absolute best snorkelling experience, you need a full-face diving set with an integrated snorkel and mask. This is the type used by professional snorkellers. And not without good reason.
The big difference between a standard snorkel set and a full-face diving set is that full-face models feature a snorkel integrated directly into the mask itself. In short, the snorkel is moulded as part of the mask.
Additionally, a full-face diving set covers your eyes, nose, and mouth, keeping you fully protected underwater.
The most important feature of a full-face diving set is that the carbon dioxide you exhale is separated from the fresh oxygen you breathe in. This makes breathing significantly easier and more natural.
When buying a full-face diving set, getting the right size is essential. As a rule of thumb, you should measure the distance between your chin and the top of your eyes. You then use this measurement, in centimetres, to select the correct size.
If your child is to have the best snorkelling experience, they need a Watery Oxygen Full-Face Mask. It is by far the best model for kids, from as young as 3 right up to 15 years of age.
That is quite a broad age range, I know. But the mask is so adjustable that it genuinely fits across such a wide span.
And despite fitting such a wide age range, the mask still fits snugly and securely on the head. It keeps water out, whether worn on a smaller or larger head. The materials are also super comfortable, allowing your child to wear it for hours without irritation.
It comes in two vibrant colours—neon green and pink—so if the mask is misplaced on the beach, it is easy to find again.
As a final note, please keep in mind that the mask is designed for children measuring between 8 and 12 centimetres from the top of the mouth to the top of the eyebrows.
If you want the absolute best full-face snorkel set for yourself, you need the adult version of the one I recommend for kids. Namely the Watery full-face diving mask for adults.
It is the exact same model as the children’s version, just in a larger size designed to fit adult faces.
Since it is the same model, you get the exact same benefits and features. That means advantages like a wide, clear view and extensive adjustability.
The full-face mask is designed with a smart swivel dial buckle, so you just turn the buckle on the side to adjust the fit around your head. It is very handy and allows you to quickly tighten the mask while out in the water if it feels out of place.
With the Watery full-face diving mask, you get one of the most comfortable and enjoyable snorkelling experiences available. The mask comes with a practical mesh bag, making it easy to protect and store when not in use.
The mask is among the most popular and highly praised models, particularly for its great fit, clear visibility, and effortless breathing – according to both users and experts alike.
If you wear glasses, snorkelling can be tricky. Diving masks are simply too compact to wear a pair of glasses underneath. But help is at hand, because nowadays you can easily get prescription diving masks.
So there is no longer any need to force yourself to wear contact lenses just to see underwater. And that applies whether you are long-sighted or short-sighted, as they are available in both versions with various prescriptions.
If you wear glasses and want a clear view underwater, you can find your new prescription diving mask here.
Once you have invested in a diving mask, you’ll naturally want to get as much use out of it as possible. To do that, a little bit of maintenance is essential.
Diving masks do not require much upkeep, though, so there is no need to worry on that front.
First and foremost, make sure you rinse the mask in fresh water after every use. Both salt water and chlorinated water take a toll on the materials, so it is vital that you rinse it thoroughly in completely clean water. Every time.
Next, make sure that the mask is not damp when you put it into your bag or case. If the mask is damp, mould and mildew can develop. And that is neither pleasant nor good for its longevity.
Last but not least, store your diving mask in a case or a storage pouch. That way, you will avoid scratching the lenses or having the strap come into contact with anything that could damage it.
If you want the absolute best and most enjoyable experience with your diving mask, you can advantageously combine it with the following gear:
Flippers are great to have when you are out in the water. With a pair of flippers on your feet, you can swim much faster than you could without them.
This gives you the advantage of moving more swiftly through the water’s surface, as well as getting down and back up much faster when diving.
Flippers are available in a wide variety of lengths and stiffness levels. But for snorkelling, I recommend going for either short or medium-length fins.
Imagine you’re lying in the water, wanting to keep your eyes fixed constantly on something beneath the surface. You can’t do that if you also need to remember to breathe. But with a snorkel, you can keep your head underwater the whole time while breathing continuously.
It’s simply far more fun watching underwater life when you use a snorkel.
If you’d like to have some fun on the water’s surface too, you can buy a snorkel here.
It might not happen when it’s brand new. But sooner or later, your diving mask will start to fog up.
Often, this can be avoided by spitting into the mask and rubbing it around the lenses before putting it on. But it doesn’t always work. And besides, not everyone finds that particularly appealing.
Instead, you can use an anti-fog spray. With it, you just give your lenses two quick sprays, let it sit for a moment, and then rinse off the excess spray with fresh water.
A treatment like this lasts a good while. And if you’d like to go with this solution, you can buy an anti-fog spray here.
Let me start this guide by explaining the difference between swimming goggles, diving goggles, and a diving mask. Because although they all serve the same purpose—namely to let you see underwater and protect your eyes—there is a world of difference in how they do it and why they are designed the way they are.
Swimming goggles fit just around the eyes. This means your peripheral vision is practically non-existent.
At the same time, swimming goggles do not cover the nose.
Diving goggles take up more room on the face than swimming goggles. They extend further around the eyes, giving you a wide field of vision.
On the other hand, just like swimming goggles, diving goggles do not cover the nose.
A diving mask, just like diving goggles, covers a large part of your face. They provide a very wide field of vision, allowing you to spot everything happening around you.
At the same time, diving masks also feature an enclosed nose pocket that prevents water from getting up your nose.
There is no doubt that a dedicated diving mask is the nicest and most comfortable choice when it comes to protecting your eyes underwater. But how do you find the right mask for your specific needs?
Here are a few guidelines to help you choose below.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the mask’s field of vision. When you are in the water, you want as wide a view as possible.
Therefore, I recommend looking for diving masks that provide at least a 180-degree field of vision. That way, your peripheral vision works properly too, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.
To prevent the mask from letting in water, getting the right fit is crucial. A mask that is too large will be impossible to seal properly. The same goes for a mask that is too small.
Fortunately, there is a great, simple method to test if a mask fits your face:
For your own comfort and safety, make sure to choose a diving mask with a skirt made of pure silicone. That is the part of the mask that sits directly against your skin. Many cheap models are made from PVC, which unfortunately fits poorly, can quickly irritate your skin, and easily lets water leak in.
It is also crucial that the mask is made without parabens and phthalates, as these substances are harmful to your health. Masks containing either parabens or phthalates (or both) pose a significant risk of severe skin irritation across your entire face.
All the diving masks I recommend in this guide feature skirts made of pure silicone. They are also completely free from parabens and phthalates.
If you want your diving mask to last as long as possible, a tempered glass lens is essential. Glass provides the absolute best and clearest field of vision, while being far more resistant to minor impacts than traditional glass.
I would go so far as to say that tempered glass is a must for the best underwater experience.
There are many places to buy diving masks. However, we recommend choosing a retailer with specialist expertise and a dedicated focus on swimming and watersports gear.
At Watery, that is exactly what you get – and with a top rating on Trustpilot, fast delivery, and competitive prices, it is a safe choice for both beginners and experienced snorkelers.
That is why we recommend buying your diving mask with us at Watery.
