Your Quick Guide to Plastic vs. Glass Freediving Masks

Plastic or glass—which freediving mask should you buy?

By Kristina Zvaritch
Contributors: Asya Kleshchevnikova, Deena Lynch

Photo © @andac.kazar.

The debate is real: should you get a plastic mask or a glass mask for freediving? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t that simple. Everyone has a preference, and each mask has its own list of pros and cons. The key is understanding what each material offers so you can make the best choice for your diving style and needs. Keep reading to discover the differences between the two and how to care for each type!

Plastic (Polycarbonate) Freediving Masks

The CORE Freediving Mask offers a wide field of view, allowing freedivers to easily see their surroundings. Photo © andac.kazar

Pros

Wide Field of View

While there are scuba diving masks with four lenses (two on each side), giving you peripheral vision, they’re naturally higher-volume—meaning you'll have to equalize the mask more often on your descent—and aren't optimal for freediving. But plastic lenses can be curved, offering a wider field of vision—excellent for both safety and recreational divers.

Minimal Volume

Speaking of plastic masks with curved lenses: since these lenses sit closer to your face, the mask requires less silicone, resulting in an even lower overall volume than that of low-volume glass masks. This also makes plastic masks with curved lenses more compact and streamlined!

Lightweight

Plastic lenses weigh less, resulting in an overall lightweight mask that feels comfortable to wear during extended water sessions.

Impact-Resistant

Plastic absorbs impact well and is very resistant to shattering. In other words, if you drop your mask, it won’t crack or break into shards.

Budget-Friendly

Generally, plastic masks are more affordable because polycarbonate lenses are less expensive. This makes them a more budget-friendly option than many glass masks on the market.

Cons

Easily Scratched

While plastic lenses are impact-resistant, they’re not scratch-resistant. This means that you need to take extra care when handling a plastic mask—wear it around your neck or head when heading to a dive site instead of throwing it on the boat floor or mixing it in with the contents of your buoy. When packing a plastic mask in a bag, keep it in the case it came in. 

Slight Distortion

The first time you wear a plastic mask, you might notice that while your field of view is wider, the image may appear slightly distorted due to a different depth of field (think of taking a wide-angle photo on your phone, where the images at the edges of the screen are affected). However, while people usually get used to this quickly after wearing it, plastic masks may not be ideal for underwater photographers and spearfishers who need absolute clarity underwater. This is due to objects being closer than they appear when wearing plastic lenses.

Glass Freediving Masks

Glass masks don’t distort vision underwater and are very scratch-resistant.

Pros

Scratch-Resistant

In contrast to plastic masks, glass masks are less prone to scratching. If you lose a glass mask on the ocean floor but manage to recover it, the good news is that the lenses won’t get damaged from rubbing on the sand.

Clarity and Optical Quality

Glass lenses provide a more accurate view than plastic lenses, with no distortion. This makes them excellent for spearfishers and underwater photographers who need to see their camera clearly underwater.

Cons

Heavier

Glass lenses will be heavier than their plastic counterparts, which may be something to consider if you travel frequently and are picky about luggage weight, or if you spend extended time in the water.

Narrower Field of View

Since glass lenses cannot be curved, you’ll only see what’s right in front of you while seeing the frame at the outer corners of your field of view. 

Shattering Is a Possibility

While quality glass masks use tempered glass, making the material stronger than regular glass, there’s still a possibility of the lenses breaking with high impact. That’s why it’s important to avoid dropping them on hard surfaces, accidentally stepping on them, or packing them carelessly in your luggage.

Taking Care of Your Mask

Here are tips that apply to all freediving masks:

• Rinse in fresh water and dry completely in the shade, out of direct sunlight
• Keep the mask inside the case it came in for long-term storage or while you travel
• Don’t leave the mask in hot places for long periods of time (i.e., the trunk of a car)

Glass Masks

New masks need to be pre-treated to remove the protective film on the inner lens:

• Rub regular white toothpaste for 2–3 minutes; repeat 2–3 times
• Carefully pass a lighter flame across the inside of the lenses (moving constantly to avoid overheating a single spot while avoiding the silicone edges), then wipe the black residue off with a tissue after the lenses cool down; repeat 3–5 times
• Soak it in warm water and dish soap overnight, scrub, and rinse; may need multiple treatments
  

Plastic Masks

Important note: Plastic masks should NOT be pre-treated like glass masks. They don’t contain the protective film on the inner lens—pre-treating the mask will damage it.

Here are tips for specific care:

• Handle more carefully to avoid scratches
• Avoid wiping dry lenses—if necessary, use a microfiber cloth
• Do not store it in the buoy or pile in with other equipment in transit
• To defog, use spit or commercial anti-fog spray on the inside lenses and rinse before diving

The Verdict

The CORE Freediving Mask's elegant design is perfect for underwater photos. Photo © @wowwlog.

The truth is that choosing the right freediving mask is largely a matter of personal preference. Only you know what you need for your dives and how carefully you handle and maintain your equipment. For a quick overview of both plastic and glass mask features, refer to the table below!

If you're leaning toward a plastic mask, the CORE Freediving Mask is a popular choice among freedivers for its wide field of view, comfortable fit, and sleek design with 10 color combinations to choose from. But whichever direction you're leaning, we recommend trying out both types first. Check freediving schools near you to see if they offer different masks for rent, allowing you to compare them side by side and, most importantly, check the fit and seal for your particular face shape.

See our article on how to find your perfect first freediving mask and snorkel for detailed tips on overall freediving mask features, finding the perfect fit, and other key things to look out for!