Although an ill-fitting mask isn’t really dangerous, it has the potential to slowly ruin your dive. Whether it’s constantly fogging, leaking water, or has an uncomfortable nose pocket, you quickly realize your mask is getting more attention than the reef.  

I have narrow temples and a smaller face, and that combination has always made mask shopping feel like a minefield. For years I had one perfect mask, but after a decade it was simply worn out, and I’m still searching for the perfect fit.

That’s why I paid close attention when Cressi sent the Z2 and the smaller Z2S for testing. The Z2S isn’t a different design; it’s the same frameless, single-lens mask as the Z2, just scaled down for narrower faces and smaller features.

My team and I tried both the Z2 and Z2S on numerous dives throughout the year and, spoiler alert, I may have found my new favorite mask.

Why the Z2S felt promising right out of the box

The first thing I noticed was the silicone: smooth and supple, without the sticky feeling that lower-grade masks can have. Because it’s softer, the silicon can fit the shape and curve of your face more easily without breaking the seal. 

With its frameless build, the mask can flex slightly and fold away flat. This makes it an easy choice if you want to use it as a primary mask or tuck it away in a pocket as a backup. 

See far and wide

The best mask is the one you don’t even realize you’re wearing. Underwater, the Z2’s low profile sits close to the face, so the view is wide and undistorted. When I was checking gauges, photographing the reef, or communicating with my buddy, I always had an uninterrupted view. 

The Cressi Z2 and Z2S also have a flexible skirt, so when I turned my head or smiled, the silicone was soft enough to flex with those micro movements and the seal stayed tight.

As someone who regularly dives with a camera, I loved that the mask was not only great for seeing out of, but also the open field of view makes it great for selfies too. Apart from aesthetics, being able to see into a mask is important for clearly reading your buddy’s expressions and keeping eye contact. 

The Z2 is 5 x 4.25 inches (124 x 106 mm) and the Z2S is 4.5 x 4 inches (119 x 102mm), which is about 15% smaller. The outer single-lens frames are wider and have a teardrop shape, which helps push the frame edges into your peripheral vision instead of your main view. 

The skirt was narrow enough that it didn’t creep toward my upper lip, nor did it tug at my hairline when I looked down, which is a common failure point for me with standard-size masks.

Nearly perfect

I did find the nose pocket in the Z2 and Z2S a little too big, but it wasn’t a real issue in the water because Cressi added small indents around the nose area. The nose pocket is the same width for both sizes, and I do think a smaller nose pocket would be nice with the Z2S. Even so, the indents made it easy to pinch and equalize quickly, even with thicker gloves on colder dives.

The strap is a standard silicone strap, which is the only “fault” of the Z2S. On hooded dives, it mostly stayed in place, but my longer hair did get a bit tangled on dives with no hood. I’ll usually add my own neoprene mask strap, so if the frame fits, I am not too bothered by the strap. 

Different lens options for the Z2

In terms of colorways, there are several options for the Z2/S, both for the skirt and the lens. The Z2 comes black, white, clear, dark gray and navy blue. The Z2S has a few more bright options, like a canary yellow, peachy pink, and dark turquoise/teal. 

Both have a black frame with an orange lens and the Z2 also has a yellow lens option. If you’re someone who likes everything to match, Cressi uses the same colors with other gear, so your blue mask can match your blue fins. 

Torben wore the standard Z2 with a yellow-tinted lens while mine was the clear-lens Z2S. The yellow tint helped with bright and hazy conditions, such as a sunny day in green waters. The yellow lens increases the contrast underwater, so it’s easier to see the shadows or highlights. It’s a subtle difference, but in flat-looking water it can make the view feel a bit “sharper.”

Who should buy the Cressi Z2/Z2S mask?

The Z2/Z2S sits around $60, which lands comfortably in the normal “good mask” range, and the comfort level makes it feel like money well spent. I’ve tried more expensive masks, and I would still pick the Cressi Z2S.

If you have a smaller face, narrow temples, or you’re simply tired of masks that “almost” fit, the Z2S is the one I’d point you toward. The regular Z2 remains a solid all-rounder and great choice for all divers, whether you’re looking for your first mask or a reliable back-up.