The ResMed AirMini is designed to provide the comfort and performance of a full-sized CPAP machine in compact form. Its smaller size and slim profile make it easy to carry in a handbag, backpack, or suitcase.
The Luna TravelPAP from React Health is loaded with helpful features to enhance your CPAP therapy while you’re on the road.
Measuring less than 4 inches wide and weighing less than half a pound, the Transcend Micro Travel Auto-CPAP takes up very little space.
Over the years, we’ve found that the ideal way to decide on the best CPAP machines and accessories is to combine our years of expertise with real-world performance data. Our team of sleep health professionals and researchers look at machine specifications and materials to determine compatibility, quality, and efficacy.
For this review, we also considered important factors to keep in mind while traveling, including machine size, FAA requirements, and battery options. Our top picks include models with solid brand reputations and excellent performances for real-world users. We studied verified reviews from people who use each of these models and made sure to incorporate opinions from people of all genders, sizes, and sleep preferences.
Travel CPAP machines are small and lightweight, making them easy to pack. This portability allows sleepers to continue therapy while on the go, affording them all the advantages of CPAP use without needing to lug around a full-sized machine.
While they deliver similar results, travel CPAP and standard CPAP machines differ in several ways.
The price of standard CPAP machines varies widely. Some budget options can cost around $500, while higher-end brands can be closer to $1,000. Travel CPAP machines tend to cost more on average. It’s also worth noting that travel CPAP machines are less likely to be covered by insurance.
In general, standard CPAP machines are about the size of a small shoebox, with a length of less than a foot and a weight of around 3 or 4 pounds. Travel CPAP machines are noticeably smaller and lighter, with measurements that are often half of what you’d see for full-sized machines.
Their smaller footprint makes travel CPAP machines more attractive for when you’re on the go and space is at a premium. This is particularly true for use on planes, where a compact machine can fit more easily on the tray or under the seat.
CPAP machines can vary in their compatibility with masks, tubes, and other accessories. The accessories that work on a sleeper’s standard machine may use a proprietary connection that won’t fit a travel CPAP. Conversely, the travel CPAP may not have universal connectivity. In either case, sleepers will need to purchase an adapter or separate mask and hose kit made specifically for their travel CPAP.
Selecting a travel CPAP machine that fits your preferred mask and tubing can save money and help you feel more comfortable. Most brand websites list compatibility specifications for their products.
Some CPAP machines have integrated or external humidifiers that add moisture to the pressurized air. Humidifiers can help keep the throat, mouth, and nasal passages from drying out and causing discomfort. However, humidifiers usually use water reservoirs, which can be bulky or cumbersome. Some travel CPAP machines get around this difficulty by using waterless humidification.
If you’re used to using a humidifier with your CPAP machine, you don’t have to go without while you travel. Some travel CPAPs have built-in humidifiers that take up very little space.
Standard CPAP machines typically plug into the wall. Travel CPAPs also come with an AC power adapter, but many have built-in or external batteries that allow the machine to function when an outlet is not available. This can be especially helpful if you’re using a travel CPAP while camping or anywhere else where power outlets aren’t readily available. However, the addition of a battery does impact the weight and size of a travel CPAP.
There are several considerations to take into account when selecting a travel CPAP machine. You’ll want to think about your desired pressure and noise levels and determine whether you want a machine with data tracking, ramp settings, or other smart features.
If you plan to use your regular tubing and mask set up, make sure they’re compatible with the travel CPAP you have in mind. Many accessories are universally compatible, but not all.
Purchasing a travel CPAP machine is fairly straightforward, provided you have a prescription and an understanding of what your insurance will and won’t cover in terms of cost.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers travel CPAPs to be class II medical devices, meaning people need a prescription in order to purchase one. If you take a home sleep test through Sleep Doctor, your results are evaluated by a board-certified physician who can provide a CPAP prescription when medically appropriate.
Insurance coverage for travel CPAP machines is often limited. Many health plans, including Medicare, typically cover a standard CPAP device that is considered medically necessary, but they may not pay for a second machine used specifically for travel or convenience.
Coverage policies vary by provider and plan, so it’s important to contact your insurance company to confirm whether any portion of the cost may be reimbursed or applied toward your durable medical equipment (DME) benefits.
Travel CPAP machines can be purchased online or in stores, and the buying process can look different depending on which option you choose.
Sleep Doctor combines equipment access with educational resources and expert support to help you find the travel CPAP machine and accessories that are right for you. Be sure to have your prescription and insurance information on hand so you can enter it at checkout.
Buying from a brick-and-mortar store can give you access to a knowledgeable salesperson who can help guide you through the buying process. However, some deals, sleep trials, and models may be unavailable when shopping in person.
Many travel CPAP machines include APAP modes. Separate APAP and BiPAP travel machines are harder to come by, in part because they generally aren’t small enough to be conveniently portable.
Portable CPAP machines can work as your primary CPAP device, especially if they're made by a trusted brand using high-quality components. However, it’s important to note that travel CPAP machines aren’t generally designed for long-term use, so you might be better off saving them for use when you’re away from home.
It’s best not to pack your CPAP machine in checked baggage to protect it from getting lost, stolen, or broken. However, your CPAP machine must be FAA-approved in order for you to bring it on board. Flyers can also carry their CPAP in a separate bag or case, which, according to FAA regulations, won’t count toward a carry-on limit.
If you use a humidifier, make sure it’s empty, and plan to refill it with distilled water at your destination.
International travelers who want to use a CPAP while abroad should keep varying outlet sizes and power inputs in mind. Check to see if a converter is needed to plug your CPAP into the wall. You’ll also want to double-check your machine’s voltage requirements.
