Portable CPAP Recommendation?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
decker12
Posts: 65
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:59 am

Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by decker12 » Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:42 pm

I've been using the Resmed 11 for about 6 months and it's going okay. Not awesome, but I'm getting into the groove of it - I have a whole thread already about my trials and tribulations with it if you're interested.

Anyway, the one thing I do not like about this device is that it's not as portable as I'd like it to be. I'm doing some travelling in the next 6 months, a week here, a week there, various destinations, lots of connecting flights, etc. What I've been doing is putting the whole thing in a carrying case, and constantly worried that it's going to get kicked around on the plane, or soaked in the elements as I'm carrying it from rental car to rental car. I'm thinking about ponying up for a more portable CPAP machine, one that fits in a backpack with my laptop, instead of the whole carrying case for my Resmed 11.

Any advice or tips on what I should be looking at purchasing? Resmed's Airmini looks alright, but for $1200 seems a bit ridiculous. Plus when I see something "portable" for that price I naturally assume it's probably going to be worse than my full blown Resmed 11 even if it does fit in a backpack better. The goal is to bring this new device with me along with a single hose so it'll all fit in a space smaller than a shoebox. I haven't really done any research so my actual options could be limited.

Thanks for any tips or advice!

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Dog Slobber
Posts: 4286
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:05 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by Dog Slobber » Tue Dec 27, 2022 8:43 am

Portable machines are a compromise.

They are often are:
  • expensive
  • noisy
  • poor humidification options
  • no data
  • few mask option (Air mini)
  • No heated hose
Battery Backup: EcoFlow Delta 2

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booksfan
Posts: 460
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:20 pm
Location: Triangle area, NC

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by booksfan » Tue Dec 27, 2022 8:21 pm

I have used an AirMini for travel for about 3-1/2 years and am very pleased with it. Mostly international travel of 2-1/2-4 weeks at a time, with some weekend trips and a few week-long trips. It works very well for me.

Your price of $1200 seemed high to me so I did just a quick search. I don't know where you are, but (here in the US), I found multiple sites selling about $300 less than that. Like I said, it was just a quick search so I don't know if it was the whole package.

Dog Slobber brings up a couple of good points but, honestly, the only one I REALLY had a problem with was the expense. And I got over that real quick when I ran into an issue in a European airport carrying on my AirSense (they counted it as a 3rd item and didn't allow it, long story!). I came home and ordered the AirMini as soon as I got home.

As far as his other points:

Noise: yes, it is noisier than the Airsense but I hacked the hose to use my Bleep mask with the AirMini. An unexpected benefit of my hack was that it significantly reduced the noise level! It's still louder, but not as bad.

Poor humidification options: true, but I am willing to give up humidification while traveling in exchange for the smaller size. ALL my CPAP supplies, including power adapter (to plug into foreign wall outlets), mask, etc. fits into a small quilted lunchbox, which in turn fits in either my backpack or travel purse. I do use humidification at home.

No data: Yep, just the terrible My Air, which does at least give my AHI.

Few mask options: As I stated, I hacked my hose so while I use my Bleep (I have used both the DreamPorts and the Eclipse Halos with my AirMini), I could actually use any mask I want. And while I have not tried them, there are adapters available that would allow you to do the same withOUT a hose hack.

No heated hose: Again, a trade-off I a willing to make while traveling in exchange for size.

Bottom line, you need to decide what is important to YOU. Different people make different choices, different comfort levels. Case in point, my husband travels with his AirSense 10! Doesn't bother him.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: AirMini for travel, with Eclipse/Halos. OSCAR software.
Mask: Bleep Eclipse/Halos
Machine: ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet

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chunkyfrog
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Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nowhere special--this year in particular.

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Dec 27, 2022 10:29 pm

Size is not a problem.
My big, beautiful bullfrog carries whatever I can't. :mrgreen:

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

lynninnj
Posts: 1324
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2022 8:56 am

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by lynninnj » Wed Dec 28, 2022 6:34 am

chunkyfrog wrote:
Tue Dec 27, 2022 10:29 pm
Size is not a problem.
My big, beautiful bullfrog carries whatever I can't. :mrgreen:
I dunno….I just find this so very sweet.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit N30 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Newbie who loves her machine!
Beware the schoolyard bullies, mean girls, and fragile male egos. Move along if you can’t be kind.

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Dog Slobber
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by Dog Slobber » Wed Dec 28, 2022 10:36 am

lynninnj wrote:
Wed Dec 28, 2022 6:34 am
chunkyfrog wrote:
Tue Dec 27, 2022 10:29 pm
Size is not a problem.
My big, beautiful bullfrog carries whatever I can't. :mrgreen:
I dunno….I just find this so very sweet.


Image
Battery Backup: EcoFlow Delta 2

lynninnj
Posts: 1324
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2022 8:56 am

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by lynninnj » Wed Dec 28, 2022 10:54 am

roflmao sorry ot but lol

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: ResMed AirFit N30 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Newbie who loves her machine!
Beware the schoolyard bullies, mean girls, and fragile male egos. Move along if you can’t be kind.

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ChicagoGranny
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Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:43 pm
Location: USA

Re: Portable CPAP Recommendation?

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:50 pm

Dog Slobber wrote:
Wed Dec 28, 2022 10:36 am




Image

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: