There are a variety of CPAP cleaners and sanitizers on the market, but not all of the cleaning machines available are created equal.
To help you find the best CPAP cleaning machine for your CPAP equipment, we evaluated numerous products based on ease of use, effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and our own experiences.
We found the LiViliti Paptizer to be the best CPAP cleaning machine overall due to its easy-to-use design, multiple function modes, and unique drying and storage capabilities.
That said, a UV sanitizer is an excellent tool for keeping up with your CPAP cleaning routine, and the Lumin Household Sanitizer is another great option that is tried, tested, and loved by our customers.
Keep reading if you want a full review and our personal opinions and experiences from our experts at CPAP.com to help you choose what is right for you:
Quick Look at the Best CPAP Cleaners
- Best Overall: Paptizer UV CPAP Sanitizer
- Best UV Sanitizer for Home Use: Lumin UVC Household Sanitizer
- Best Portable CPAP Sanitizer: Liviliti Pro UVC Sanitizer Bag
- Best CPAP Hose Dryer: Hurricane CPAP Equipment Dryer
- Best CPAP Hose Cleaner: CPAP Tube Brush Gen 2
- Best CPAP Disinfectant: Travel-Sized Control III Disinfectant CPAP Cleaning Solution
Not only can dirty CPAP equipment reduce the efficacy of your sleep apnea treatment, but using an unclean CPAP mask or hose could even cause you to become ill. Potential risks of using unclean equipment include direct exposure to bacteria, molds, and viruses that cause colds, sinus infections, and even pneumonia. Regularly cleaning your sleep apnea equipment is just as important as brushing your teeth and changing the oil in your car.
We know life gets busy, which is why we selected the LiViliti Paptizer as our top pick for the overall best CPAP cleaning machine. The Paptizer kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria, viruses, and pathogens—without any chemicals—in just three minutes. Additionally, it can be used as 24-hour sanitized storage and is even capable of drying small amounts of water left over from your regular cleaning routine. While you’ll still need to wipe your mask down to clear it of oils and skin cells, the Paptizer finishes the drying process and can have your sanitized equipment waiting for you when it’s time to wind down for bed.
How We Chose the Best CPAP Cleaning Machines
There are quite a few CPAP cleaning machines on the market, and some of the products available across the United States, namely ozone cleaners, are not helpful and can even be harmful to your health. In 2020, the FDA issued a communication about the safety and effectiveness of both ozone and UV cleaners, making it clear that neither had been tested nor approved for cleaning CPAP equipment.
The use of ozone cleaners can void equipment warranties and has been shown to exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses when not fully cleared from the system. Since the only real danger associated with UV is prolonged exposure, we feel comfortable using and recommending the UV CPAP sanitizers in this article because they completely enclose the equipment and shield the user from exposure.
For your consideration, we’ve rounded up our top six best CPAP cleaning machines and products for safely disinfecting and maintaining your CPAP equipment. As you’ll see, we’ve detailed the features and benefits of each product so that you’ll have a full picture of the top CPAP cleaning supplies available to you.
Skip ahead: Curious about Ozone vs. UV CPAP cleaners?
Whether you’re ready to establish a new cleaning routine or you want to strengthen your current sanitation schedule, the product recommendations below are designed to promote healthy habits and help improve your CPAP experience night after night.
Are CPAP Cleaning Machines Necessary?
CPAP cleaning machines are designed specifically for use with your CPAP equipment and will ensure that it remains in working order while also protecting you from bacteria, mold, and illness-causing viruses that could live on your CPAP mask or in your tubing.
People have been successfully treating OSA with CPAP machines for decades and have gotten along just fine without CPAP cleaning machines. That said, these devices are meant to reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning your equipment. Each has its pros and cons and specific use cases, so it’ll be up to you to determine the best products to have on hand for your cleaning needs.
Keep in mind, though, that the best CPAP cleaning routine is a multi-step process regardless of the devices or products you choose to incorporate into your daily schedule; there simply is no one-stop cleaning solution for CPAP supplies, and not even our top pick, the LiViliti Paptizer, is capable of handling 100% of your cleaning routine. We hope that you’ll have a good experience working one or some of these products into your routine and that they can help make therapy a bit more manageable for you as a whole.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our top picks.
What Are The Best CPAP Cleaners for ResMed Products?
ResMed recommends cleaning their CPAP equipment with a mild liquid detergent or soap and warm, distilled water. They advise against using strong cleaning products, as these can damage the mask and leave behind harmful residue. ResMed states to rinse all components thoroughly after washing and allow them to air dry fully before reassembling. They recommend soaking the humidifier chamber weekly in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to descale it.
Best CPAP Cleaners for ResMed Airmini, AirSense 10 and AirSense 11 Series
The good news is that the best CPAP cleaning machines mentioned in this article will work with ResMed products. These use ozone-free sanitizing methods to kill 99% of bacteria, viruses, and mold without damaging ResMed equipment. The UV light is ideal for quick, daily cleaning.
If you’re looking for the best CPAP cleaners for ResMed products, we recommend scrubbing with a good tube brush and a gentle soap like Purdoux Mask & Hose Soap, followed by a sanitizing round in any of the UV sanitizers in the list below. Cleaning with soap and water removes dirt and grime, and sanitizing afterward ensures your equipment is squeaky clean and germ-free, giving you total peace of mind when it’s time to wind down for sleep.
Best Overall CPAP Cleaner
LiViliti Paptizer UV CPAP Sanitizer
New to the CPAP.com catalog, the LiViliti Paptizer has impressed us in multiple areas compared to the previous king of UV sanitization, the Lumin CPAP Cleaner. While not quite as simple as the Lumin’s single button and cleaning cycle, the Paptizer’s design is still very straightforward and easy to use, and even includes a built-in carrying handle!
There are two major areas where the Paptizer excels over the Lumin: the versatility of its three function modes and LiViliti’s sheer commitment to thorough UV sterilization. Where the Lumin features one mercury-arc UVC quartz bulb, the Paptizer is equipped with 40 UVC LEDs strategically spaced around the interior of the unit. These LEDs are rated for 10,000 hours of usage and will automatically turn off if the lid is opened during a sanitizing cycle.
The three modes of operation offered by the Paptizer are Fast Sanitize, Fast Sanitize and Sanitized Storage, and Auto Mode. The Fast Sanitize function will run a 3-minute sanitizing cycle, after which your equipment will be immediately ready for use. With the Fast Sanitize and Sanitized Storage option, your equipment will undergo the same initial 3-minute sanitizing cycle before switching to a low-light storage option that will keep your equipment sanitized for up to 24 hours or until the lid is opened again.
Finally, there’s the Auto Mode, which enters a 60-minute smart drying cycle after the initial 3-minute sanitizing cycle. Using an onboard fan and sensor, the Paptizer will remove small amounts of water leftover from your routine cleaning. If your equipment is not dry after the 60-minute cycle, the device will determine if another 30, 60, or 90-minute drying cycle is required.
The Paptizer is the most versatile CPAP cleaner out there because of its unique drying and storage modes. It can even be used to sanitize cell phones, dentures, hearing aids, computer mice, and just about anything else you can fit inside of it! The only real drawback is that you’ll still need to use a tube brush to effectively clean the inside of your CPAP hose.
For more information about the Liviliti Paptizer UV Sanitizer, including its purpose and benefits, check out our full Paptizer review.
Best UV Sanitizer for Home Use
Lumin UVC Household Sanitizer
If you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable UV sanitizer but aren’t concerned about drying or storing equipment, you can’t go wrong with the Lumin Household Sanitizer. Like the Paptizer, the Lumin uses UVC light to eliminate bacteria and pathogens from your CPAP equipment, cell phone, or anything else that fits inside the drawer. While the Lumin UVC Sanitizer is a powerful device, it should be used to sanitize your CPAP equipment in addition to your regular cleaning routine. Using wipes (including a citrus-scented option) to clear your mask of saliva, skin cells, and facial oils is a great way to prep it before using the Lumin to sanitize. To make cleaning easier to fit into your daily life, we carry a wide range of cleaning wipes that encourage ongoing tidiness.
To use the Lumin UVC Sanitizer, which features a mercury-arc germicidal lamp that emits UV light, simply plug the device into a wall outlet, then open the drawer and place your CPAP mask and CPAP accessories inside. Once you have completed the initial set-up, there isn’t any ongoing maintenance for this product aside from occasionally wiping down the inside as needed. Another perk of this product is that your CPAP equipment can be used immediately after the cleaning cycle. This is especially helpful if you are unable to clean the components of your CPAP setup until bedtime.
While it isn’t necessarily a one-stop washing machine for your CPAP equipment, the Lumin deserves recognition for its sanitizing power and versatility. While the Paptizer certainly has the edge thanks to its multiple cycles and drying functionality, the Lumin should not be overlooked and is a great UV CPAP sanitizer if you don’t need a drying mode. It’s also become quite the household name in the last few years, and our customers love it for its straightforward design and user-friendliness.
The only drawback of the Lumin Household Sanitizer is that UV technology can’t clean surfaces it doesn’t come into contact with, so it can’t effectively clean the inside of your tubing, meaning you’ll still need to scrub it out with a good tube brush. The Lumin Bullet was previously available for hose cleaning but was, unfortunately, discontinued in March 2021.
For more information about the Lumin CPAP Cleaner, including its purpose and benefits, check out our full Lumin CPAP cleaner review.
Best Portable CPAP Sanitizer
Liviliti Pro UVC Sanitizer Bag
If you love the convenience of UV sanitization and are looking for a more portable option, you can’t go wrong with the UVC Pro Sanitizer Bag. Like the Paptizer, the Pro Sanitizer Bag uses UVC light to eliminate bacteria and pathogens from your CPAP equipment, cell phone, or anything else that fits inside of it! While UV sanitizers like the Paptizer and UVC Sanitizer Bag are incredibly convenient and effective, we want to note that they should only be used to sanitize your CPAP equipment in addition to your regular cleaning routine. Using wipes (including a citrus-scented option) to clear your mask of saliva, skin cells, and facial oils is a great way to prep it before using the Pro Sanitizer Bag to eliminate bacteria from your equipment and ensure total sanitization. To make cleaning easier to fit into your daily life, we carry a wide range of cleaning wipes that encourage ongoing tidiness.
To use the Liviliti Pro Sanitizer Bag, which features 24 strategically-placed UVC LEDs in concert with a reflective interior, simply plug the device into a wall outlet (or portable battery!), then unzip and open the bag, and place whatever you want to sanitize inside. Keep in mind that UV light only disinfects what it touches, so unfortunately, it won’t do anything for the inside of your tubing. Once you have completed the initial set-up, there isn’t any ongoing maintenance for this product aside from occasionally wiping down the inside as needed. Unlike products that use activated oxygen, or ozone, anything sanitized in the UVC Pro Sanitizer bag is ready for use the second the sanitizer cycle is complete!
While it isn’t necessarily a one-stop washing machine for your CPAP equipment, the Pro Sanitizer Bag deserves recognition for its sanitizing power and versatility. While the Paptizer certainly has the edge thanks to its multiple cycles and drying functionality, the Pro Sanitizer Bag allows you to take medical-grade sanitizing power wherever you go! It’s great for sanitizing cell phones, car keys, pacifiers, baby bottles, and much more in addition to your CPAP mask.
The main drawback with the Pro Sanitizer Bag is certainly the size of the internal chamber. You may need to use separate cycles for your mask, cushion, hose elbow, and humidifier chamber, but with short, 3-minute sanitizing cycles, you’ll have fresh equipment in under 15 minutes! Something that may seem like a drawback at first glance is that the Pro Sanitizer Bag needs to be plugged in at all times instead of featuring an onboard rechargeable battery like some other options on the market.
The reason this is actually a plus, however, is because wireless UV sanitizers need a lot of power for effective sanitization, and by opting for a wired design, the Pro Sanitizer Bag ensures consistent, reliable sanitization that gets the job done every time. With a rechargeable battery, you can’t guarantee effective sterilization when the battery is low, which is why we actually prefer something that can rely on a wall outlet, which is why the Liviliti Pro UVC Sanitizer Bag is our top pick for the best portable CPAP sanitizer.
Best CPAP Hose Dryer
Hurricane CPAP Equipment Dryer
The most time-consuming part of regular CPAP cleaning and maintenance is simply allowing your hose time to dry in the morning if you use a humidifier. This critical step should not be overlooked because warm, wet environments are breeding grounds for bacteria.
It’s not uncommon to find that your equipment still has a bit of moisture on or in it despite being cleaned and hung to dry several hours ago. The Hurricane CPAP Equipment Dryer allows you to simply place your mask, cushion, humidifier chamber, and hose into the basket and set a 15, 30, or 60-minute drying cycle, then go about your day. When you’re ready to wind down for bed that evening, all of your equipment will be clean, dry, and sterilely stored, awaiting your return.
While the Hurricane is perfectly capable of drying all of your CPAP equipment (including soaking wet headgear), where it really shines is in hose drying. There’s a unique connection point for your tubing (assuming you have at least one standard 22mm tubing end) to ensure maximum airflow throughout the entire tube. Warm air will also circulate through the entirety of the device, drying all of your supplies simultaneously; the 60-minute cycle should easily handle every part of your setup that needs drying.
It’s also somewhat versatile when not being used to dry your CPAP supplies. It’s a great way to sterilely dry and store baby bottles, pacifiers, and other high-use items that may require cleaning cycles with a quick turnaround. The Hurricane uses a reusable foam filter that can be washed and replaced and is compatible with most tubing, including heated tubing.
Best CPAP Hose Cleaner
The CPAP Tube Brush Second Gen
There’s really no dispute when it comes to cleaning the inside of your CPAP hose: a tube brush is your best bet. When it comes to tube brushes, however, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
Available in a 19mm size for standard tubing and a 15mm size for micro tubing, The CPAP Tube Brush Second Gen is a long piece of braided, stainless steel wire with bristles at the end to clean the inside of your CPAP hose. The stiffness of the wire enables you to scrub where you need, while the bristles are gentle enough not to damage the inside of your tubing.
This brush measures five feet long, so instead of awkwardly fumbling to pass it through your tubing from one end to the other, you simply brush one end at a time. Take the hose in your hand, push the brush as far as it will go, then scrub your way back as you pull the brush back out towards you. Do this for both ends, and you’ve got yourself a squeaky clean CPAP tube!
Best CPAP Disinfectant
Travel-Sized Control III Disinfectant CPAP Cleaning Solution
While the LiViliti Paptizer is our top pick for everyday sanitization at home, it may not be the best option for your next excursion—especially if you’re trying to save room in your suitcase for souvenirs from your travels.
The Travel-Sized Control III Hospital-Grade Sanitizing Cleaner is a powerful and effective disinfectant approved by the EPA for sanitizing a variety of CPAP equipment, including masks, tubing, and humidifier chambers. We consider this product the best CPAP disinfectant, and it’s a particularly good option for frequent travelers. Its highly concentrated formula produces a gallon of usable solution for every ounce of concentrate, meaning this tiny 2 oz bottle produces a whopping 2 gallons of disinfectant!
When properly diluted, the Control III Disinfectant CPAP Cleaning Solution can safely sanitize your CPAP equipment. (Note: Never use the concentrated disinfectant straight out of the bottle.) In just 10 minutes, this product kills 99.9% of all bacteria, germs, and viruses, including:
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2
- Influenza Virus Type A
- HIV 1 (AIDS)
- E. Coli
- MRSA
- Staphylococcus Aureus
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- Salmonella Choleraesuis
- Adenovirus Type 5
A full-sized bottle is also available if you prefer to keep a larger supply of disinfectant on hand, and if you really want to be thorough, we even offer testing strips to ensure your solution is potent enough to disinfect.
This product won’t cause your CPAP equipment to dry out or crack, and it can be especially useful if you’re currently fighting a cold. For a cost-effective solution for on-the-go transportation, the Travel-Sized Control III Disinfectant CPAP Cleaning Solution is a good choice.
Ozone vs. UV CPAP Cleaners: Why We Don’t Recommend SoClean
We intentionally do not carry ozone cleaning products—also known as activated oxygen cleaning products—including items like the SoClean 2 and SoClean 3. Ozone exposure can be dangerous for those who have certain respiratory conditions like sleep apnea and asthma. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says various levels of ozone exposure can “cause coughing, pain when taking a deep breath, inflame[d] airways, [and an] increase [in] the frequency of asthma attacks.”
Additionally, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ozone is a “toxic gas with no known useful medical application.” The FDA continues, “In order for ozone to be effective as a germicide, it must be present in a concentration far greater than that which can be safely tolerated by man and animals.”
It’s also worth noting that in February 2020, ResMed announced that “any damage caused by exposure to ozone [or] activated oxygen” would not be covered in its included limited warranty, as the company discovered that ozone cleaners may cause internal degradation of CPAP equipment. Instead, the best CPAP cleaner for ResMed AirSense 10 and other ResMed products would be the Paptizer or good, old-fashioned soap and water.
Because of the information provided here, we do not carry SoClean or other ozone cleaning products and we do not consider SoClean to be a safe or effective method of cleaning and maintaining your CPAP machine or equipment.
CPAP Cleaner Buying Guide
One of the first signs of dirty CPAP equipment is an unpleasant odor akin to mold or mildew. If you frequently get sinus or respiratory infections, it could be another indicator of an unclean CPAP setup.
Regarding a general cleaning schedule, your CPAP mask and cushion should be wiped clean each day. These, along with your CPAP hose, should be washed thoroughly once weekly with soap and water. On top of that, your CPAP mask and tubing should also be replaced twice annually. If you use a CPAP humidifier, the humidifier chamber should be rinsed and refilled daily with distilled water.
When shopping for the best CPAP cleaner, there are a few things to consider:
- Your Schedule: If you’re able to, the best option will always be a full soap-and-water cleaning routine followed by an air-dry of your equipment. If you are often short on time or prefer a more leisurely bedtime routine, a CPAP cleaning machine like the Paptizer, Lumin, or Pro Sanitizer Bag pairs well with mask wipes for a quick clean and sterilization, though your hose will still require more dedicated care. If drying time is what affects you the most, consider the Hurricane CPAP Equipment Dryer.
- Your Budget: CPAP cleaning products can range from $4.95 to around $300, so you’ll need to decide if a larger investment is warranted or if standard cleaning is best for you. Most of the economical cleaner options do need to be replenished every few weeks or months, so it’s worth considering how investing in a UV CPAP sanitizer could save you money in the long run.
- Your Needs: Some people, such as those who are immunocompromised, may have higher standards for cleaning than others. You should always consider your health and cleanliness needs when shopping for CPAP cleaning supplies, as a CPAP sanitizer like the Paptizer or Control III Disinfectant might be that extra step that helps you to feel totally secure in your cleaning routine.
If you have questions about which product is best for you and your CPAP setup, please leave a comment below! We would love to help you find the product that works best for your needs.
Final Thoughts
For those who ask us what the best CPAP cleaner is, our answer is two-fold: the LiViliti Paptizer is our top pick, though we believe the best CPAP cleaner is the one that fits your CPAP set-up, budget, schedule, and personal needs best.
It’s crucial to keep your equipment cleaned and sanitized against germs and viruses all year long; especially so in the winter. UV CPAP sanitizers like the Lumin, Paptizer, and Pro Sanitizer Bag are ideal for those who want to ensure their equipment is clean and thoroughly sanitized. These CPAP cleaning machines add a layer of protection against germs and viruses on top of your regular cleaning routine, though they are not here to replace that routine in its entirety.
If you’re looking for a safe and effective solution for quickly and conveniently cleaning your CPAP equipment, you can order online or by phone at 1-800-356-5221; orders placed before 4 p.m. CST will ship same-day. If you prefer tube cleaning wands or grapefruit/lemon-scented wipes over UV-powered disinfectants, you can order those on CPAP.com, too, where we pass the savings on to you.
For over twenty years, we have researched and stocked the best CPAP equipment from leading manufacturers to help you achieve the comfort and success you deserve throughout your sleep apnea journey. We’re committed to helping you find the right CPAP mask and CPAP machine for your needs. Cleaning your CPAP equipment is almost as important as using your CPAP machine each night. We carry a wide selection of cleaning and comfort accessories and are more than happy to show you how to use CPAP cleaning products if you need assistance.
