Mini CPAP machine for travel

[Thimbelina]

I am new to the apnea and CPAP world. I am considering getting a mini CPAP machine for travel. If you have one, which do you have? What are pros and cons? Is it quiet? I’ve read some reviews that were not favorable.

I live in the United States, and the travel unit would not be covered by my insurance. The cost is significant, and I want to make sure it is worth the money.

Thanks for your input!

[chunkyfrog]

My Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset (for her) is so small, I take it everywhere, even on long trips.
I would rather have the best sleep possible, than deal with the tradeoffs that come with a petite unit.

[D.H.]

They are not quite as quiet, and don't have the same bells and whistles. Most of them do not have humidifiers. I don't know if the one that does is much smaller than a standard CPAP.

Furthermore, if you're still in the compliance period, you could jeopardize your compliance.

BTW, I take my regular Dreamstation Auto everywhere, including overseas and including the humidifier.

[harrywr2]

I have the AirMini and an Airsense.
The Airmini isn't as quiet, the Darth Vader 'breathing' noises are louder.
The standard Humidx tablets provide about the same level of Humidity for me as the Airsense set on 4 or 5.
The premium travel bag for the AirMini is quite a bit smaller than the travel bag for the Airsense.
We travel by motorcycle and space is at a premium for us.
The airmini premium travel bag uses up about the same space as a folded long sleeve sweatshirt(which gets to stay home now).

[realshelby]

I own and use an HDM Z1 for travel. Space especially is important for me. The whole setup packs about 1/3 or less the size of a full size ResMed unit like I use at home.

Here is my review: viewtopic/t173795/HDM-Z1-Auto-Travel-cp ... eview.html

They have some compromises. I worked out the worst of the noise. Second Wind has refurbished auto units under $400. I sleep quite well with it. Yes, the home unit is better. But not have to pack that one up, and set it back up when I return home is worth a lot. The size of the travel unit when packing is the main reason I have it.

[Dolphinjon]

I was going to buy an Air Mini but talked to the folks at CPAP.com and Second Wind. The staff at Second Wind were extra helpful. I ended up with the Dreamstation Go. It's not the smallest option out there, but without the humidifier it's pretty tiny. With the humidifier it's still smaller than my Dreamstation Auto, though the difference in size isn't as dramatic. I posted yesterday at all the pros and cons for me.

It is slightly noisier but not greatly so. it can use a very small hose or a standard sized one so it's got options there. I like that I can travel very light with it or I can travel with basically all the comforts of a home machine, but still in a smaller package.

A lot of people on different forums will say just travel with your home machine. I did that for three months and about 40-50 nights that way. Then I got a travel machine. Traveling with a CPAP is now a little easier.

[booksfan]

I use an Airsense 10 Autoset for Her (with humidifier) at home. I used to travel with it, until I ran into a problem in an airport in Europe (problem carrying it on). When I got home, I bought an AirMini.

I chose the AirMini because it had the same algorithm (for her) that I was using. I figured it would better/easier for me to sleep that way. It WAS considerably louder, and I HATED the P10 mask. I ended up hacking the hose to be able to use my Bleep mask. That means I can't use the Humidex, but it actually made the AirMini significantly quieter! Almost as quiet as my home machine! And I can use any mask I want (not that I want to use anything but the Bleep). And I carry it all in a lunch box, including a travel adaptor. I find that to be an acceptable trade off for giving up humidification.

[Julie]

Take a look at mine on Cpap.com - it's marketed as a travel machine, but I use it as my reg. one (x 6 yrs so far) and I love it, quiet and good screen data.

[jsmit86]

There are several threads on this with good advice, but keep in mind that needs vary with each user.

I purchased a HDM Z2 Auto, and I'm pretty happy with it for travel. If you need portability, it's a very good choice.
If you decide on a Z1 or Z2, I strongly suggest the Z2 Auto. It has lower noise levels than the Z1 series, and it also added auto start/stop which I really like.
I had to use it for a couple of month when my Resmed unit was in the process of being replaced, and the therapy was very good, if not quite to the level of my Resmed unit.
It's very small and easy to pack in my carry on bag. If you are dragging things through the airport, you may appreciate that. It's the main reason I sprung for the unit.

The downside is that there is a bit more noise than the full size units. For me, it's not that big a deal, especially since most of my use was during times when the room A/C was on, which masks the noise. I have read that the noise at the mask can be greatly reduced by using a special travel hose. I'll probably get one before my next trip.
Also I don't don't seem to miss the humidification much, and only tried the HME unit one time, and decided against bothering with that since I was fine without it even during trips to Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Cpap.com allows you to try the machine for 30 days at no risk should you decide to get a unit.