For years, full-face scuba masks were used solely by commercial and deep divers, but as prices have come down and scuba has grown in popularity, these high-end masks have become more common for recreational divers. Compared to even the extremely high-end standard goggles, full-face masks can be very expensive. To choose the right mask, you must understand the differences between the two and make your decision based on personal comfort.
Benefits
Both masks can serve divers well, from rookies on their first dive to veterans who dive every other weekend. Full-face masks provide complete comfort through minimal face contact, and also eliminate the risk of being stung by a jellyfish. Standard masks provide a much smaller footprint, and considerably less hassle with mounting. To place a standard set of goggles on your face, all that is necessary is to tighten the straps and breathe in through your nose.
Features
Full-face masks are hard to beat in the comfort department. They eliminate the need for a mouthpiece, allowing you to open and close your mouth at any point without taking in water. They keep your nose free from being crushed in the small nose compartments that goggles sport. While standard masks may leave some skin exposed, high-end options come with highly malleable silicone skirts that almost completely eliminate any chance of water leaks.
Function
Full-face masks generally come in one of two sizes, if at all. The main function of a full-face mask for scuba is to provide complete freedom of movement for the face. One false move with the nose or mouth on a standard set of goggles, and you could be blowing out or coughing up saltwater for hours. Standard goggles serve to provide an easy to mount, relatively inexpensive and safe option for divers to view sea and plant-life underwater.
Considerations
Full-face masks hold one permanent and distinct advantage over standard goggles--voice communication. Full masks can be purchased with communication sets allowing you to hear and talk with other people involved in your dive. This feature can be extremely handy in situations where one diver notices something dangerous or wants to call other divers over to see something specific without having to swim over to them. Voice communicators can be expensive, and the combination of a high-end full-face mask and a communication system can set you back money-wise.
Warning
Full-face masks and standard goggles provide their own set of potential risks underwater. Full-face masks with too much "dead space" can accumulate excess carbon dioxide, which over time during a dive can lead to CO2 poisoning. Because they have so much direct face contact, if standard goggles aren't cleaned regularly, they can corrode over time to the point where a leak can't be stopped. If the leak becomes serious underwater and you are unable to clear your mask, you run the risk of needing to return to the water's surface blindly.
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