People who have been living with sleep apnea for some time know what a life-changer their CPAP machine has been. After years of fitful, interrupted sleep, a sleep apnea diagnosis and CPAP treatment can provide a new lease on life.
A few years into your CPAP treatment, however, you may find yourself wondering how much longer your trusted machine will last. According to ResMed, makers of one of the top-rated CPAP supply lines, the recommended replacement frequency is once every five years. Fortunately, Medicare and most other insurers provide coverage for five-year replacements.
If you’re coming up on your five-year replacement anniversary (awwww) and do not yet own a travel CPAP, you may want to consider purchasing one while replacing your regular CPAP that is covered by insurance.
Why a portable CPAP, you ask? Well, allow us: in addition to being lightweight and just as durable as full-sized CPAP machines, travel CPAPs give everyone with sleep apnea the added security of a backup machine. And even though they are typically not covered by insurance, a wide range of travel/mini CPAP machines are available to fit most budgets.
Here’s a run-down several products you may want to consider for your next trip (even if it’s camping in the backyard):
DreamStation Go CPAP w/Humidifier
Weighing a super light 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) including machine and humidifier and approximately the size of a travel toiletry kit, the DreamStation Go is the lightest and most compact Phillips Respironics CPAP machine to date.
The DreamStation Go will make packing easier for anyone wanting to bring their CPAP with them whether they’re headed to Aruba, Jamaica, oh we wanna take ya, Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama. Wait— where were we?
The gist is it can go anywhere you wanna. It even includes a USB port that you can use to recharge your mobile devices from your fully-charged battery while in the air!
DreamStation Go CPAP with Bluetooth
The name says it all: you get all the convenience of a DreamStation Go machine plus the ability to pair your portable CPAP machine to your phone’s Bluetooth and control your settings using the DreamMapper app available from Google Play and the App Store. It’s like if Rosey the Robot from the Jetson’s were a CPAP machine.
DreamStation Go Portable Auto CPAP Therapy System Medium Travel Kit
When buying either of the above, be sure to also purchase the travel kit designed just for your machine. The medium travel kit includes a protective case as well as a separate, washable bag for your mask and tube, allowing you to travel in comfort with all your supplies clean and ready to use at any time. Who doesn’t love accessories?
ResMed AirMini™ AutoSet Machine
From another maker of top-of-the-line CPAP machines, this machine is not only one of the smallest and lightest mini CPAP machines on the market but also one of the quietest.
The AirMini AutoSet is compatible with the full line of ResMed CPAP masks as well as the HumidX™ and HumidX Plus waterless humidification systems. Similar to the DreamStation Go CPAP machines, users have the option to pair their machine to the AirMini app available in Google Play and the App Store.
AirMini™ AutoSet with F20 Set-up Pack
Quite possibly one of the best deals you’ll ever find on a travel CPAP machine, the AirMini AutoSet with F20 Set-up Pack includes the machine plus tubing set-up, an F20 complete mask and Bluetooth control using the AirMini app.
The AirMini’s Ramp feature allows you to slowly ramp up to the desired therapy setting while you comfortably fall asleep and then step it down as you wake up, making it especially useful for air travel. Talk about a bang for your buck!
AirMini™ AutoSet With N20 Set-up Pack
Similar to the F20 system but for the N20 mask series, the AirMini AutoSet with N20 Set-Up Pack also includes APAP AutoSet for Her, allowing female users to receive treatment at lower, more comfortable pressures. Technology features, including the Ramp feature and Bluetooth control, are comparable to the F20 Set-up Pack.
But dudes, rest assured that you can use this machine, too. The N20 doesn’t discriminate.
AirMini™ AutoSet With P10 Set-up Pack and P10 Mask
Currently the smallest portable CPAP machine on the market, the AirMini AutoSet with P10 Set-up Pack and Mask provides everything you need for immediate use.
Its super-quiet design makes it ideal for use while flying, and it is also compatible with a wide range of ResMed CPAP masks. Technology features, including the Ramp feature, APAP AutoSet for Her and Bluetooth control, are comparable to the F20 and N20 Set-up Packs.
If you suspect that you have sleep apnea but have not completed a sleep study or been diagnosed, know that sleep apnea is very common and that a wide range of products are available to help alleviate your symptoms so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Learn more about how to get our exclusive, disposable at-home sleep study and receive a CPAP prescription. For more about our full product line, including discounts on top-rated travel CPAP machines, contact us.