Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices treat sleep apnea (OSA) by delivering constant pressurized air through the user’s airways.

This gentle air pressure helps to keep the airway open during sleep and minimize or reduce the amount of events experienced throughout the night.

While they are not a cure for sleep apnea, CPAP machines are the most proven and beneficial option for treating sleep apnea when used nightly, for a minimum of 4 hours each night.

Your new CPAP machine will come with a fine-particle air filter that has been specifically designed to reduce the amount of dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other airborne particles that can negatively affect a CPAP user’s airway and/or breathing abilities when delivered through the CPAP machine’s mask to the user.

Also known as a water chamber, the humidification chamber is a removable reservoir that holds the distilled water used to create moisture that’s added to a machine’s pressurized air as it passes through from the machine to the tubing.

The water chamber typically sits on top of a CPAP machine’s metal heating plate, which gently warms the chamber once the device has been turned on.

Every standard CPAP, APAP, and BiPAP machine includes a CPAP tube. This flexible tube is often referred to as a “hose” and is almost always 6-foot in length.

CPAP machine tubing connects the CPAP machine to the user’s CPAP mask. The initial machine purchase will include either heated or standard (non-heated) tubing depending on the brand, type, and model device you select but if you prefer one over the other, replacement tubing can be purchased. 

CPAP machines, like most electronic devices, will automatically include a power supply. The power supply is made up of the power cord that plugs into an electrical wall outlet and the power adapter, which connects the power cord to the CPAP machine.

Most machine power supplies range from 60 to 90 watts, with an average output voltage of 12V to 24V.

Fortunately, the wide variety of CPAP machines available today means that sleep apnea patients can choose from a broad range of options to find a machine that fits their budget. In addition to finding a machine that meets your budget criteria, it’s also important to consider the cost of each machine’s replacement parts, as each manufacturer produces parts and supplies in different price ranges.

One of the most beneficial aspects of medical technology advancements in recent years is also one reason CPAP users are sticking with treatment longer than ever before; comfortability.

CPAP machines now include a number of features that contribute to a higher comfort level and some models are designed with more of these features than others. Be sure to select a device with features that you need to sleep comfortably such as temperature control, ramp adjustment, and the ability to alter humidification levels.

The average age range of CPAP users is much broader than it was just 20 years ago. The CPAP industry has adjusted to that change by making sleep apnea treatment options available for every sleep apnea patient regardless of budget, age, and circumstance. When searching for a CPAP machine, be sure your selection meets your lifestyle requirements.

For instance, if you fly a lot, you’ll need a TSA-approved machine and if you camp off-the-grid, a travel CPAP machine that provides an alternate humidification source might be a better fit than a standard machine.

• Machine type: APAP and/or CPAP
• Pressure: Fixed and auto-adjusting pressure capabilities
• TSA-approved: Yes
• Humidification: Heated water chamber
• Weight: 2.56 lbs
• Sound level: 27 dBA

The AirSense 11 CPAP Machine is one of ResMed’s best-selling “AutoSet” devices, which means that it can be set to a fixed (single) pressure setting but it can also be set to a range of two pressures that the machine will automatically adjust between according to the user’s needs and breathing patterns throughout the night.

The AirSense 11 follows the previous AirSense 10 model from ResMed and includes all of the features users have come to love but with a few impressive improvements.

• Machine type: BiPAP
• Pressure: Bi-level pressures only
• TSA-approved: Yes
• Humidification: Heated water chamber
• Weight: 3.74 lbs
• Sound level: <26 dBA 

The Luna G3 BiPAP machine is a great option for sleep apnea patients who have been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or central sleep apnea (CSA) because instead of providing only inspiratory pressure, a BiPAP device will also provide expiratory pressure for even further assistance with breathing during sleep.

The Luna G3, like nearly all BiPAP machines, includes all of the standard CPAP/APAP machine features but also provides exhalation pressure relief (EPR) for even more comfortable therapy.

• Machine type: Travel CPAP/APAP
• Pressure: Fixed and auto-adjusting pressure capabilities
• TSA-approved: Yes
• Humidification: Waterless humidification (AirMist HME)
• Weight: 0.49 lbs
• Sound level: 29 dBA (26dBA if used with Transcend Micro Muffler) 

Roughly the size of a MLB baseball, this easy-to-use device weighs less than a pound which makes it easy to carry along on all of your travels.

Just like a standard CPAP machine, the Transcend Micro 510 can be programmed to both fixed and auto-adjusting pressures. And like most travel CPAP machines manufactured in the last 10 years, the Transcend Micro can be used as a full-time machine, if needed, though it’s typically recommended the travel devices be used in addition to a standard, traditional CPAP machine.

• Machine type: Travel CPAP/APAP
• Pressure: Fixed and auto- adjusting
•  TSA-approved: Yes
• Humidification: Waterless humidification (HumidX)
•  Weight: 0.66 lbs
• Sound level: 30 dBA

Small but mighty, the AirMini offers top-of-the-line CPAP therapy for sleep apnea!

Featuring waterless humidification and ease of use, this travel machine is ideal for all your sleep therapy needs while you are on-the-go. Toss this compact portable CPAP machine into your carry-on and take your OSA treatment essentials everywhere your travels take you. 

If you plan to use your health insurance or Medicare to cover the cost of your CPAP machine and supplies, it’s best to lean on your insurance provider for assistance finding a supplier. They’ll be able to search your in-network providers to find a company for you to work with.

If you plan to purchase your device and supplies out-of-pocket, you’ll be looking for a retail CPAP supplier. CPAPsupplies.com is one of the industry’s leading providers of CPAP equipment and is always happy to assist you but there are numerous CPAP vendors/dealers online who provide some of the same products.

When choosing an online CPAP retailer to purchase your supplies through, it’s imperative that you do your homework to ensure that the website you’re shopping from is legitimate and is an authorized dealer of CPAP supplies. 

You’ll know when you’ve found the CPAP machine that’s the best option for you when you find one that meets your therapy needs, lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.  

Yes. The answer to this question is always “Yes." The FDA classifies all types of CPAP machines as Class II medical devices and a prescription is required in order to purchase one. Information from your prescription is used by a clinician to calibrate a machine before it’s shipped.

CPAP machines range in cost from $300-$2,000. The price will depend on what type of machine you’re buying. Some brands cost more than others and the cost of a BiPAP machine will always be higher than a CPAP or APAP device, while travel CPAP machines are typically somewhere in the middle.

It’s not uncommon for CPAP machines to last as long as a decade. However, it’s recommended by most manufacturers that CPAP machines be replaced every 5 years, there’s a universal understanding that CPAP motors typically only run at full capacity for 5 years.

Not necessarily. However, more than 95% of CPAP users only use their CPAP devices with a humidifier and for good reason! Humidity makes CPAP treatment more comfortable and prevents many of the side effects that often accompany CPAP therapy.

The great thing about CPAP machines is that a long time ago, someone had the foresight to design CPAP tubes and masks with universal connections. This means that all CPAP, APAP, and BiPAP machines are compatible with all masks. The only exceptions are travel machines that often have compatibility limits and/or adapters.