Travel CPAPs: Are They Worth It? (and How to Pick the Best)

If you’ve ever skipped your sleep therapy while traveling you know the importance of bringing your CPAP device. Sleep apnea sucks all of the fun out of vacations and leaves you sluggish during meetings.  

But if you’ve ever tried to cram a bulky, heavy CPAP machine into your luggage, you’ve probably thought about just leaving it at home. 

You’ve heard about travel CPAP machines, but are they worth it? Today, we’ll take a look at the benefits of a portable CPAP, recommendations for the best travel CPAP machines, and whether your insurance will cover them!

• Small size and lightweight - Most travel CPAPs are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and weigh less than 2 pounds. Some are as light as 10 ounces! Packing them is as easy as tossing it in your travel bag or carry-on luggage. 
• Automatic Altitude Adjustment - Are you traveling to a higher elevation? Do you plan on using your CPAP while flying? The difference in altitude can actually affect the pressure from your CPAP.
  
  Many travel CPAPs will automatically compensate, so you don’t have to worry about changing your pressure settings.
  

• Auto-adjusting pressure settings - Many travel CPAPs can function as an auto CPAP machine, or APAP. This means they can sense your breathing pattern and adjust your pressure accordingly. (You’ll still need to have your pressure range set by a doctor or sleep specialist.)
  

• Flexible power options - Some travel PAPs can accept DC power without an adapter. Some even come with built-in USB ports. Others can automatically switch between 100V and 240V.
  
  These features can free you from being tethered to an outlet by opening up a range of alternate power sources– like battery packs, solar panels, cigarette lighter outlets, car chargers, phone chargers, or even deep cycle batteries!
  
  That’s a huge bonus for CPAP users who find themselves camping or off-grid.
• Portable humidifier/Waterless humidification - Advances in humidifier technology allow many travel CPAPs to use less water, or no water at all!
  
  This is huge for international travelers, since it means you’ll no longer have to worry about packing bottled water, or having to find clean water at your destination.

Based on the above benefits, let’s take a look at some of the best travel CPAPs available. It should be no surprise that these are some of the most highly-rated and best-selling machines on the market.

The ResMed AirMini is possibly the world’s smallest CPAP machine! Yet it still comes loaded with all of the features of its larger siblings. 

It includes 3 therapy modes; CPAP, AutoSet (APAP), and AutoSet For Her. The second two modes allow the AirMini to automatically adjust your airflow based on your breathing pattern. These settings, and all of the advanced features, are controlled from your smartphone– which also receives daily reports on your sleep health!

AirMini uses waterless humidification, which draws moisture from the ambient air, so you don’t have to worry about carrying clean water with you.

The AirMini does require a compatible CPAP mask, but with seven models to choose from– in full face mask, nasal mask, and nasal pillow– you’re sure to find a comfortable fit.

The DreamStation Go combines simplicity and portability with advanced technology. 

Its color touchscreen allows you to quickly and easily control the same therapy algorithms as the full-sized DreamStation Auto CPAP. Yet it’s less than 6 inches across!

The Go’s powered USB port lets you connect to (and charge!) devices like your smartphone. And its bluetooth capability and wireless connectivity allow you to receive daily reports on your sleep health through the DreamMapper app. 

Use the mask you’re already used to, because the DreamStation Go is compatible with any CPAP mask! The 12mm micro-flex tubing is almost 60% smaller than standard tubing, but the Go will also work with 15mm and 22mm tubing as well. 

And unlike some travel CPAPs, the DreamStation Go can be used as your daily CPAP machine, because it was designed with a lifespan of 5 years of nightly use!

At only 10.5 ounces, the Z2 is easily the lightest CPAP available. And thanks to its advanced features, mask options, waterless humidifier, and optional battery it’s also one of the most flexible. 

The Z2 uses its own advanced algorithm to sample your breathing several times per second, and then adjust your airflow as necessary. This algorithm features the Z-Breathe setting which reduces swings in pressure between exhaling and inhaling, for a more natural breathing pattern. 

HDM’s heat/moisture exchange (HME) humidifier is waterless, so you don’t have to worry about access to clean water. The HME draws moisture from your own breath!

The Z2 doesn’t require a special mask, so you can use the one you already have! It’s compatible with any mask that doesn’t have its own proprietary connector. 

And its Bluetooth connectivity syncs your smart devices with the Nitelog app, allowing you or your doctor to quickly access your sleep data.

The Transcend is the original miniCPAP, and it’s only gotten better! The Transcend 3 is roughly the size of a can of cola and weighs less than a pound. 

The rugged construction, grippy silicone base, and 3-year warranty make it one of the most durable travel CPAPs available. 

It has an integrated DC power jack which allows you to connect it to car chargers and solar panels as easily as a standard outlet. And the optional CPAP battery is only as big as a deck of playing cards. This makes it a popular choice for CPAP users who like to camp off-road or off-grid. 

Campers will also love the drying mode, which prevents mold and mildew, and the CFV humidifier which uses half the water as a regular heated humidifier. The Capillary Force Vaporizer (CFV) uses the same technology as a nebulizer to deliver humidification without a heater.

The Transcend 3 is also compatible with any CPAP mask that uses a standard 22mm connection, so you can use the mask you’re already comfortable with.

This depends on the details of your insurance policy, and which machine you’re considering! Insurance companies almost never cover a second CPAP, but your policy may cover a travel CPAP if it qualifies as your primary machine. 

Most providers follow Medicare guidelines, which means they’ll usually cover a new CPAP machine every 5 years! 

Your personal Aeroflow Sleep Specialist can work with your insurance directly to tell you what your plan will cover!