Flexifit 406 & 407
Sizing
The Phillips Respironics Flexifit 405 has proven to be a comfortable CPAP mask for me for several years. To accommodate a wider range of users, they included two sizes of silicone seals with every mask: a small one and a large one. Most users could only use one of these seals. The new generation of the old Flexi Fit 405 have broken out the mask into two different products: the FlexiFit 406 and the FlexiFit 407. The FlexiFit 406 is the “petite” model which is equivalent to the small silicone seal in the Flexifit405 and the Flexifit407 is similar to the larger size of the large seal included with the Flexifit 405 nasal CPAP mask.
The Good
One of the best features of the FlexiFit 405 is the glider bar that allows a greater range of movement for the CPAP user. The Flexifit 406 and 407 both include this feature. They advertise a new diffuser mechanism that doesn’t require the old white diffuser 
and is supposed to allow the user to get closer to their partner since it is supposed to be quieter and direct the air away from the other person in bed. This is great in theory, but read on to the bad. The narrower seal makes a smaller contact patch with the face which seems to reduce the contact patch with the face while still increasing the chance that the mask stays sealed on your face. I once woke up with only three of the four straps attached and the seal was still not broken!
The Bad
I really wished that this mask diffused the air away from my partner as advertised. Unfortunately, it really doesn’t. I still can’t face her, and I’m stuck sleeping to the left as usual. The air blows out pretty hard for about a foot in front of it, and you have to be about two feet away from it to feel nothing! That’s terrible, in fact it’s pretty much in the same league as the old FlexiFit 405. Maybe they should try a design out that blows the air in a different direction for a change.
I don’t like how the top strap attachments on the mask changed from a U shape to a C shape. The top straps now come off much more often with the C shape attachment, which is definitely not a good thing, but somewhat acceptable given the better seal overall. The mask would probably be better with the old U shape clips that are still found on the bottom.
The new Flexifit 406 mask (the petite/small size) seems about the same loudness as the old Flexifit 405. I expected some noise reduction but there isn’t any perceptible difference.
Thumbs Up
Overall the new FlexiFit 406 and 407 do provide better seals than their predecessor the FlexiFit 405. The diffuser part has also been eliminated which is a tiny win for the environment since it seemed like it wasn’t entirely necessary. Unfortunately the new masks don’t deliver in providing less noise and less discomfort to the other person in bed since the exhaust airflow will still remain a problem for both parties in bed.
