Not all mask lenses are the same, and the material makes a real difference to safety, clarity and how long the mask lasts. Here's what to look for before you buy.
Tempered glass: the industry standard
Almost every quality dive, snorkelling and freediving mask uses tempered glass lenses. Tempered glass is heat-treated so that if it ever breaks, it crumbles into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards — a genuine safety feature underwater. It's also more scratch-resistant than plastic and stays optically clear for the life of the mask, which matters when your vision is the only thing between you and the reef.
Plastic and polycarbonate lenses
Cheaper masks — usually toy-grade snorkel sets rather than dedicated dive gear — use plastic or polycarbonate lenses instead. They're lighter and cheaper to produce, but they scratch far more easily, can distort your vision over time, and don't carry the same impact safety rating as tempered glass. They're fine for occasional shallow snorkelling but not something we'd recommend for regular diving or spearfishing.
How to check what you're buying
Reputable brands mark tempered glass lenses directly on the lens or in the product specs — look for "tempered glass" or the safety glass symbol etched into the corner. Every mask we stock from Cressi, Mares, Tusa and our other core brands uses tempered glass as standard, including the Mares X-Vision Ultra LS Mask, which uses tempered twin glass lenses.
Have a look through our full Scuba Diving Masks & Snorkels and Spearfishing & Freediving Masks & Snorkels ranges to find the right fit and lens for you.