Travel season looks a little different this season. But, socially distanced camping, vacation rentals, and travels all need one essential thing—a good night’s sleep.
Let’s start from square one.
Are you planning a vacation, a weekend getaway, or a trip to see your loved ones? Do you find yourself asking how you can get the best sleep possible when you’re away from home? Regardless of where you’re heading, now is the time to shop for a travel CPAP machine to take on your next adventure. From mini to portable, let’s dive into the key features to discover your ideal travel machine.
We’re going to highlight four of our favorite travel CPAP machines:
Grab a pen and paper and detail out which factors matter the most to you!
The Best Travel CPAP Machines:
| ResMed AirMini | HDM Z2 Auto Travel CPAP | Somnetics Transcend 3 Auto miniCPAP | |
| Noise Level | 30 Decibels | 26 Decibels | 26 Decibels |
| Machine Weight | 0.66 lb | 0.65 lb | 1.09 lb |
| Max Operating Altitude | 8,500 Feet | 8,000 Feet | 8,000 Feet |
| Compatible Humidifier? | Yes | Built-In | None |
| FAA Approved? | √ | √ | √ |
| Average Customer Rating | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
Key Features of a Travel CPAP Machine
As opposed to standard machines, travel-friendly CPAP machines are small, lightweight, and portable. An added bonus? If you’re a jet-setter, travel machines are TSA friendly and most are FAA approved for in-flight use. If your flight is short, a small CPAP machine makes disassembly, packing, and reassembly a breeze!
It’s important to understand how a mini CPAP machine is different from other devices. A portable CPAP machine has some added benefits that will ease some of the stress while traveling.
- Can Plug Into a Car’s Cigarette Lighter and Run-Off of the Car’s Battery
- Can Be Used With a DC Cable Converter to Allow You to Sleep On-the-Go
- Extended Battery Life—Perfect for Long Flights or Camping Trips
- Small, Lightweight, and FAA Compliant—Safe for Use on a Plane
Now that you know some of the common features of a travel CPAP machine, it’s time to find the right one for you!
ResMed AirMini
If you’re looking for a light and compact travel CPAP machine, then the AirMini by ResMed is currently one of the smallest on the market and, rest assured, sweet dreams will come from this 0.66 pound CPAP machine. Weighing just under one pound, this Auto CPAP makes traveling with a humidifier easy. ResMed has designed the HumidX™ Waterless Component to allow you to receive all of the benefits of a humidifier while leaving the distilled water at home. Three cheers for the AirMini, which is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a mess-free portable CPAP machine.
Machine Features
Noise Level: 30 Decibels—Same Noise Level As the Philips Respironics DreamStation Go
Compatible Humidifier: HumidX Waterless Humidification (For P10 and N20 Models)
FAA Approved: Yes
Best Battery: Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite
Other Battery Options: Portable Outlet CPAP Machine, BPS Freedom Travel Battery with the 150W Sine Wave Inverter, EXP96 Pro Lithium Ion Battery Bank, EXP48 Pro Lithium Ion Battery Bank, and the BPS Freedom V2 Travel CPAP Battery + Machine Cable Kits
Benefits
- Air Traveler and Camper Friendly
- Bluetooth Connectivity Transfers Sleep Data to Your Phone
- Currently One of the Smallest Machines on the Market at Just Under 1 lb
- Humidification Using Waterless HumidX Technology
- Works in Altitudes Up to 8,500 Feet
Drawbacks
- Not Whisper-Quiet
Our Review
Let’s start with the amazing news—when you buy the AirMini from us, you will receive a free mask! Talk about a win. This small CPAP machine fits in the palm of your hand, making packing your machine hassle-free. Since humidifiers can often be tricky to pack, the AirMini adds moisture while you sleep so that you can cross a humidifier off of your packing list. Want to continue tracking your sleep on-the-go? The AirMini connects to your phone via Bluetooth so you can track your leak rate, usage hours, and events per hour while traveling.
Human Design Medical Z2 Auto Travel CPAP
Say goodbye to your fears of lugging heavy bags through the airport because the Human Design Medical Z2 Auto Travel CPAP Machine is also one of the lightest CPAP models available, weighing just 0.65 lb! It’s small and compact, making it the perfect travel companion. You will have the option of utilizing a PowerShell with Extended Life Battery for nine+ hours of continuous use. It has a max altitude capability of 8,000 feet. Do you use a humidifier? With the Z2 Auto, leave your humidifier at home because this machine uses the humidity from your breath to moisten your sinuses, mouth, and throat. What’s not to love?!
Machine Features
Noise Level: 26 Decibels
Compatible Humidifier: Built-In
FAA Approved? Yes
Best Battery: Z1 and Z2 Powershell Extended Life Battery
Other Battery Options: Medistrom Pilot-12 Lite with Z1 & Z2 Mixed Cable Kit, BPS Freedom Travel Battery with the 150W Sine Wave Inverter, EXP96 Pro Lithium Ion Battery Bank, EXP48 Pro Lithium Ion Battery Bank, and Portable Outlet
Benefits
- Auto Altitude Adjusting With a Max Altitude of 8,000 Feet
- Built–In Bluetooth by Connecting to an App on Your Phone
- Easy to Carry-On—Extremely Lightweight
- Great for Camping and Backpacking
- Great Price for Value-Conscious Consumers
- Quiet Operation at 26 Decibels
- Ultra-Portable—Tiny Machine Fits Almost Anywhere
- Z-Breathe Pressure Relief
Drawbacks
- Limited Features
Our Review
Planning a camping trip or crossing a hike off of your bucket list? Well, if you’re looking for a machine that will fit the needs of most travelers, then the Z2 Auto CPAP machine may be the one for you! On top of its compact size, you can leave your humidifier at home because this crafty machine uses the humidity from your breath to add moisture to your sinuses, mouth, and throat, which makes sticking to your treatment off-the-grid simple!
Somnetics Transcend 3 Auto miniCPAP
Don’t put off your next camping trip or international travel plans due to your fear of traveling with your machine. With travel machines, you will be able to go off-the-grid or across the world and stick to your therapy! The Transcend 3 Auto CPAP, like the Z2 Auto CPAP, has a max altitude of up to 8,000 feet above sea level. In addition, it has very flexible power options, including international plug adapters and the optional Transcend Multi-Night Battery. If you purchase from us, you will receive a free carrying case, charger with international plug adapters, and a CPAP hose!
Machine Features
Noise Level: 26 Decibels—Same Noise Level As the Human Design Medical Z2 Auto Travel CPAP Machine
Compatible Humidifier: None
FAA Approved? Yes
Best Battery: Transcend Multi-Night Battery
Other Battery Options: Somnetics Solar Charger for Transcend Batteries
Benefits
- Auto-Adjusting for Fewer Doctor’s Appointments
- Designed to Go Off-Grid With Optional Accessories
- Flexible Battery Options for Every Travel Need
- Great for Value-Conscious Consumers
- Lightweight and Tiny Design to Easily Fit in Bags
- Quiet Operation
- Ramp-Up Feature With EZEX Pressure Relief
Drawbacks
- Limited Options for Viewing Data
Our Review
Campers and hikers unite for the Transcend 3 Auto CPAP! The lightweight and tiny design with solar battery options make this machine ideal for throwing it in your rucksack and going on your way! There is a convenient drying mode available on the Transcend 3, so you can prevent the spread of germs or mold. The busy traveler in you will love this machine!
Wherever you’ll be traveling, there is a CPAP travel machine suitable for your trip! Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice a good night’s sleep without proper sleep apnea therapy.
Happy and safe travels!
Daniela has researched and published over 60 articles covering topics that aim to inform and empower people living with Sleep Apnea. As an avid reader and researcher, Daniela continues to grow her knowledge about Sleep Apnea and CPAP therapy everyday with the help of coworkers, CPAP.com customers, and members of other CPAP communities online.
