Best CPAP Machine 2020 Reviews - Our Top 4 Picks
In this article, we've narrowed down and present you with the top CPAP devices currently available in the market. Our aim is to provide you with the essential information needed to enable you to decide which is the the best CPAP machine for your own sleep apnea treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is partially or completely blocked, causing interrupted sleep and associated health problems.
One of the effective and proven approaches to treating sleep apnea is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which applies suitable air pressure into your airway enabling you to breathe easily while sleeping.
Which is the Best CPAP machine for me?
There is an abundance of information that is available on choosing a CPAP machine which may lead to further confusion on which one is best for your individual needs.
Here we have narrowed down the possible selections to include our top CPAP devices on the market, each selection with their own merits for you to consider in deciding which is the best CPAP machine for your sleep apnea treatment.
An innovative machine, the DreamStation Auto CPAP can operate from the basic to more advanced settings. This machine caters to all CPAP patients and is very well equipped with plenty of accessories available as add-ons and its features are user-friendly.
An advanced machine, the Airsense 10 Autoset is a device with smart breathing technologies that monitor the patient’s breathing patterns and then adapts by delivering the ideal therapy pressure needed at any time it detects instances of flow limitation, snoring, and apnea.
The iCH Auto has all the breathing technology essentials for patients who have basic therapy needs and want a simple and economical device.
Due to its small size, the XT Fit Machine may be a great travel companion for you. Its capabilities would suit patients in need of basic treatment and can be a great choice as an economical CPAP machine.
Reviews Of The Best CPAP Machines
Ranking | Product | Rating |
|---|---|---|
#1 | DreamStation Auto CPAP | |
#2 | AirSense 10 Autoset | |
#3 | iCH Auto | |
#4 | XT Fit CPAP Machine |
CPAP Device Comparison Table
Best Overall | ||||
 DreamStation Auto CPAP |  AirSense 10 Autoset |  iCH Auto CPAP Machine |  XT Fit CPAP Machine | |
Display | Backlight Sensor | Backlight Sensor | Standard | Standard |
Pressure Acclimization | Yes | - | - | - |
Pressure auto-adjustment | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
Standard ramp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Gentle ramp start | Yes | Yes | - | - |
Exhale pressure relief | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Filter | Standard Hypoallergenic | Standard Hypoallergenic | Standard | Standard |
Humidifier | Detachable | Onboard | Onboard | Optional |
Preheat humidifier | Yes | - | - | - |
Mask fit check | Yes | Yes | - | - |
Heated air tubing capable | Yes | Yes | - | - |
Performance self-check | Yes | Yes | - | - |
Therapy software | DreamMapper | AirView | - | - |
Data storage | SD | SD | SD | SD |
Bluetooth | Built-in | - | - | - |
Cellular | Optional | Built-in | - | - |
Wifi connectivity | Optional | - | - | - |
Oximetry | Optional | - | - | - |
(Width x Depth x Height) | 7.6" x 6.2" x 3.3" (19.3 x 15.7 x 8.4 cm) | 10.0" x 5.91" x 4.57" (25.5 x 15.0 x 11.6 cm) | 6.5" x 7.8" x 6.9" 16.5 x 19.7 x 17.4 cm) | 5.8" x 5" x 3.9" (14.8 x 12.8 x 10 cm) |
Weight | 2.75 lbs (1.24kg), 44oz | 2.94 lbs (1.33kg), 47oz | 2.51 lbs (1.14kg), 40.2oz | 1.76 lbs (0.8kg), 28oz |
Price $ |
The DreamStation Auto CPAP stands out as a highly innovative device and is stated to be built with ‘patient-driven design’. The innovation comes from Philip Respironics using the feedback of ‘hundreds of patients’ to design a machine which aims to provide the best CPAP experience. Their idea is that a better CPAP experience will therefore encourage patients to consistently adhere to the prescribed long-term therapy and obtain its benefits.
Innovation is noticeable throughout the DreamStation. The EZ-Start technology caters to patients who are just beginning and helps them gradually adapt to their prescribed level of therapy by making automatic and personalized adjustments to the CPAP pressure over the first 30 days. This enables new patients to quickly become comfortable with the therapy and how the machine works.
The standard ramp feature begins by delivering a lower starting pressure to help patients ease into sleep. Once the patient is detected to have fallen asleep, only then does the DreamStation start to ramp up the airflow to the prescribed pressure.
Another innovative technology is its SmartRamp feature that can be activated to deliver pressure increases more gently, which is suitable for patients whose airways are more sensitive and have a high intolerance to pressure changes.
Other technologies include the Flex Comfort feature which gently lowers the pressure and helps the patient to easily exhale against the air pressure during therapy.
With the patient’s optimal usage and device care in mind, the DreamStation provides maintenance alerts and reminders every 30 days, and its performance checking confirms every morning that it has been working properly through the night.
Despite its advanced technology, the DreamStation has been designed to be user-friendly so that patients can remain engaged with their therapy for the long-term. The visually appealing DreamMapper App is available for download so that patients can track therapy progress by syncing with their smartphone, tablet, or computer. For data transfer, Bluetooth comes as standard and wireless connectivity via cellular and wifi are available as modular options.
Things We Liked
- Large LCD screen with easy to see and user-friendly icon-based navigational menus
- Bluetooth connectivity is available as standard, and optional expansion modules are available for cellular and wifi connectivity
- Sleek and portable design to allow easy packing without the bulk
- The heated humidifier module can be detached allowing for the DreamStation to operate as a compact stand-alone CPAP unit
- User-friendly nightly reporting from the DreamMapper app and is compatible with the latest smartphones, tablets, and computers
Things We Didn't Like
- Multiple expansion modules cannot be used at the same time
Click the below to watch the product video of the DreamStation:
Credits: Philips Respironics
DreamStation is a positive airway pressure therapy deivce designed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. DreamStation devices come with a carry case, power cord, power supply, flexible tube, disposable ultra-fine filter, and user manual. A reusable blue pollen filter and SD card come installed in the device. A humidifier is an optional accessory. To receive therapy, you also need a mask and headgear. To allow for individual preferences, a variety of styles are available. It won't take long to get your device set up. Lift up the filter access door and swing it open. Check to make sure a blue pollen filter is in place to screen out normal household dust and pollens. Remove the filter assembly. In addition to the re-usable filter which comes installed in your DreamStation, there is a disposable ultra-fine filter which provides additional filtration of very fine particles. If you are using both filters, place the optional filter under the re-usable one and snap them together. Put the filter assembly back into the device and swing the door closed. You should fill your humidifier water tank with distilled water each night before you go to bed. Slide the humidifier release latch toward the therapy device while simultaneously lifting the lid up and swinging it completely open. Remove the water tank. Clean the water tank before first use by rinsing it with tap water. Each subsequent night of use, empty the remaining water and rinse the tank as needed before filling. To reduce damage to your device, always remove the tank before filling. Set the tank on a firm flat surface. Fill the tank with distilled water higher than the maximum fill line. Carefully place the water tank into the humidifier. Close the humidifier lid until it snaps shut. To assemble the breathing circuit, connect one end of the flexible tube to the air outlet port. If you are using a heated tube, line its connector up with the air outlet port. Press the heated tube over the air outlet port until the tabs click into the slots. Connect the other end of the flexible heated tube to your mask. Attach a headgear to the mask. Be sure to see your mask and headgear instructions for proper fitting and care. For power, insert the socket end of the AC power cord into the power supply. Plug the AC power cord into an electrical outlet. Do not use an extension cord or an outlet controlled by a switch. Connect the power supply cord into the green power inlet on the device. Insure that the plug is fully inserted. When the device is powered up, you'll see the Philips Respironics logo followed by the home screen.
For some people having issues with irritation on the skin with their masks, try the Dreamwear Nasal Mask.
The tubing is located under the nostrils so it does not give the irritation or red marks on the nose bridge. The manufacturer designed it as an open-face style, and so makes it easy to move freely when sleeping.
Make sure to check which size is the right fit, and use the sizing guide from the manufacturer before purchasing.
The adjustable headgear is attached to make sure the mask is stable and does not move while sleeping.
The AirSense 10 by ResMed stands out as a machine that is focused on smart breathing technologies. It is able to monitor a patient’s breathing patterns and adjusts accordingly through its Auto-Set feature. It monitors on a breath-by-breath basis and applies just the right amount of pressure when air flow is detected to be hindered, usually through the instances of snoring and apnea.
Like the Dreamstation, the AirSense has its Auto-Ramp feature for gradual pressure increases as you fall asleep, as well as its Auto-Response feature for much gentler ramp increases to cater for those who need much lower starting pressures.
Similar to the Dreamstation, the AirSense can lower the flow of air pressure when the patient exhales with its Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR) technology.
The AirSense also allows patients to monitor the progress of their therapy through its AirView software which reports on nightly therapy data.
Aside from pressing the Start button, the SmartStart system feature can start therapy once you breathe into the mask for more convenience.
Things We Liked
- With its ambient light sensor, the light level of the screen adjusts to the brightness of the room
- Enables access to nightly therapy data through the AirView software
- Offers convenience for starting therapy by breathing into the mask
- On-board heated humidifier
Things We Didn't Like
- The humidifier needs to be attached even if you don’t need to use it
- Other patients may experience difficulty pulling out the water reservoir from the side
- The AirView software is only officially supported on older versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems
- The triangular shape of the device may make it bulky to pack and carry around
- The AirSense 10 has cellular ‘wireless’ connectivity but no Bluetooth or wifi capabilities. With no wifi capability, this means the AirSense 10 cannot connect to the Internet via your home wifi modem. This may be confusing for some people as they may assume that the term ‘wireless’ means it is wifi connectivity
Click the below to watch the product video of the AirSense:
Credits: ResMed
Before you start your therapy, you’ll need to understand how to set up and use your equipment. But don’t worry Resmed Solutions makes things easy, so it won’t take long to explain. First, take the device out of its bag, connect the power supply and plug it in. The humid air, heated humidifier is built into all AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 therapy devices. So you can now enjoy the benefits of humidification in one, easy to use system. Simply take the water tub, open it, and fill it to the maximum water level mark with distilled water. Then, close the tub. Insert it into the side of the device, and connect the air tubing. If your machine came with a slim line tube, simply connect it to the back of the device. If it came with a climate line air heated tube, hold it by the orange cuff, line it up with the connector port, and push it until it connects into place. Next, attach your mask. Your device is now ready to use. All that’s left to do is press start and enjoy a great night’s sleep. With you device set up, it’s now time to find out how it works. You’ll see it has a display screen, navigation dial, a start button, and a home button. My Options lets you view and personalize your comfort settings. While Sleep Report, automatically generates a summary of your last therapy session when you press stop. Your device is designed to deliver automatic comfort throughout the night, so just plug it in and you’re ready to go. Each device also has a built in ambience light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the screen based on the light in the room. While the screen’s backlight turns off automatically allowing you and your partner to rest easy throughout the night. Resmed’s new Auto Ramp feature with sleep onset detection helps make therapy comfortable from the moment you press start. It works by delivering a low pressure to help you fall asleep with ease, then comfortably increases the pressure to your prescribed level the moment you fall asleep. If you’re using the climate air heated tube, your device will already be set up in climate control auto-mode so you can experience therapy in the most comfortable temperature and humidity levels without having to do a thing.
The iCH Auto by APEX Medical is a basic CPAP machine that has pressure auto-adjustment features that monitor the patient’s breathing and automatically adjusts pressure as needed. This machine would appeal to patients who want an economical CPAP solution which has all the basic breathing technologies on-board.
The iCH Auto meets the basic essentials for comfort. The device has ramp to gradually increase pressure as you falls asleep, and its PVA Relief Function lowers the air pressure when exhaling. For more comfort, a heated humidifier is built into the unit.
For data storage, the iCH Auto has an SD card slot and is USB capable for easy data transfer.
Things We Liked
- Sleek design and its compact and portable size makes it ideal for traveling
- Auto Adjusting Technology to automatically adjust pressure
- Ramp and pressure relief functions available
Things We Didn't Like
- No progress tracking software/app available. Patients may want to monitor their therapy through an app and have user-friendly reporting on their treatment
- The dome-shaped design may make the device bulky to pack when traveling
Click the below to watch the product video of the iCH Auto:
Credits: APEX
iCH Series CPAP System Installation Guide. Disassembling the water chamber. Open the clasp on the rear base of the device. Holding firmly, pull the base of the chamber out form the bottom to free it from the unit. Open the water chamber by lifting the “PULL” clip located on the rear side of the water chamber base to remove the chamber lid from the base. Filling the water chamber. Fill the chamber with distilled water, but do not fill it over the max line. Check to ensure the silicon seal fits properly around the edge of the water chamber. Buckle the lid and base with the clasps above the “MAX” mark. Firmly push the lid down to fit the “PULL” clip onto the base until a “click” noise is heard. With the top of the water chamber angled towards the machine, line up the outlet on the machine with the intake on the chamber. Now push the bottom of the chamber towards the machine until you hear it engage. Finally, close the clasp on the bottom to secure the water chamber to the machine. Caution. Turn both the unit and heated humidifier off before removing the water chamber. Connecting the AC power. Plug the socket end of the AC power cord into the adapter. Then plug the power cord to the power inlet on the right side of the device. Plug the pronged end of the AC power cord into an electrical outlet. The CPAP system is now ready to operate and “STANDBY” will appear on the LCD display. Connecting the tubing and mask. Connect one end of the air tubing firmly to the air outlet on the water chamber. Put on your mask according to the mask instruction manual and connect to the other end of the air tubing to the mask. Check both ends of tubing to ensure they are tightly to both the device and mask. Using the heated humidifier. To turn on the heater, locate the heat control dial on the back of the device above the water chamber. Adjust the control knob to increase the humidity in the range of 1 to 6. The optimum setting depends on the ambient temperature and humidity of the room. 1 is minimum humidity and 6 is maximum. Zero will turn off the heated humidifier. Press the START/STANDBY button. The LCD will display the therapy pressure in cmH20 units. The unit will be ready for use. The ICH is now set up.
The XT Fit by APEX Medical is a basic CPAP machine and is suitable for patients who are looking for a no-frills and economical CPAP solution.
As there are no pressure auto-adjustment technologies that continually monitor breathing, this machine would appeal to patients who are already experienced in CPAP therapy and know the right pressure settings to suits their needs.
Even without the pressure auto-adjustment, the XT Fit meets the basic essentials for comfort. This machine is equipped with ramp that gradually increases pressure as the patient begins their sleep as well as the PVA Relief Function which lowers the air pressure when the patient exhales.
Furthermore, the XT Fit has an onboard SD card slot to allow for data storage, and a detachable heated humidifier is available as an option for those needing extra comfort.
Some patients may decide to keep an XT Fit device as a backup CPAP unit just in case.
Things We Liked
- An ideal travel companion because of its compact and portable size
- The optional heated humidifier module can be detached
- Ramp and pressure relief features available
Things We Didn't Like
- Has no auto-adjusting pressure technologies which may not be ideal for beginners and those that rely on the device to set the ideal pressures when needed
- No progress tracking software/app available
Click the below to watch the product video of the XT Fit:
Credits: APEX
XT Series CPAP System Installation Guide. Setting Up Your Device. Place the device on a flat surface. Connect the power cord to the power inlet on the back of the device and plug into the power outlet. The CPAP system is ready to operate. “STANDBY” appears in LCD display. Connect one end of the air tubing firmly on to the air outlet of the device. Put on the mask. Check both ends of the tubing to ensure they are both tightly connected to both the device and mask. Press the Start/Standby button. The LCD will display the therapy pressure in cmH20 units. Humidifier set up. Place the CPAP device on the heater platform. The rubber tab at the back of the platform slips into the slot in the rear of the CPAP unit. Connect the power jumper cord to the AC inlet on the back of the CPAP device. Connect the AC power cord to the power inlet on the back of the heater, and plug into an electrical outlet. Daily use. Turn on the heater by pressing the On/Off switch on the back of the heater platform. Fill the chamber with distilled water by outlet port on the top of water chamber but do not fill it over the max line. Press down and slide the chamber into the heater plate. Make sure the silicon connector on the inlet connector fits securely over the CPAP device air outlet. The heater ON indicator on the right side of heated humidifier will be lit to indicate the heater plate has started to warm. Caution. The heater will be automatically turned off when the water chamber is removed from the heater platform. Connect the other end of the air tubing to your mask. Connect the air tubing to the outlet connector on the water chamber. Adjust the heater temperature to the desired setting by using the control knob. 1 is minimum humidity, and 6 is the maximum. Check both ends of the tubing to ensure they are both tightly connected to the device and mask. Press the start/standby button. The XT is now set up.
What To Look For When Choosing The Best CPAP Machine
We consider the following points to be the minimum that the device should have when choosing the best CPAP machine for your treatment.
Reputation of manufacturer:
Be sure to check that the manufacturer is trustworthy and has a reputation for quality. The recognised market leaders of quality CPAP machines include ResMed and Philips Respironics as well as APEX Medical. These companies are specialists and have been producing CPAP machines for decades, so you can be assured that their products are of top quality, effective, and are the best in the market.
Breathing technologies:
- Ramp function to gradually increase pressure as you fall asleep
- Pressure auto-adjustment to automatically set the right pressure during sleep
Comfort features:
- Onboard or optional humidifier to prevent the dryness of throat and airways, and improve comfort
User-friendliness and usability:
- Portability for frequent travellers
- Easy to use menus and navigation
- Easy maintenance
Data management:
- Data storage capabilities
- Software/App to track therapy progress
Additional features:
- Connectivity options such as Bluetooth, cellular, and wifi
- Expansion slots for future upgrades
Our Choice For The Best CPAP Machine
The DreamStation Auto CPAP is our choice for the best CPAP machine.
The DreamStation has the same smart technologies as the AirSense while offering more features and capabilities.
It balances smart technologies with the user-friendliness that a beginner can intuitively operate. For connectivity and data management, the DreamStation wins in having the most available options and up-to-date software in the form of the DreamMapper app.
Its modular design enables the DreamStation to expand its capabilities as new modules are developed, providing a future insurance that your investment in the device will benefit you for many years.
When choosing the best CPAP machine, we also consider the manufacturer’s reputation and their ability to innovate. Philips Respironics has taken into account hundreds of patient’s feedback and experiences to come up with their best CPAP machine in the form of the DreamStation.
The DreamStation has been acknowledged to be a top performer in its field. The Dreamstation has been awarded the prestigious iF Design Award for 2016 in the product design discipline. Furthermore, tests by Orfield Laboratories, Inc have found that the DreamStation is 63% quieter than the AirSense 10.
Overall, because it is designed to be a well-balanced machine with the focus on innovative technology, usability, and encouraging the patient’s involvement, the DreamStation is our choice to be the best CPAP machine and investment for your therapy.