With the advancement of technology in sleep medicine, patients with Sleep Apnea can now pick up and travel with ease. In the upcoming weeks, travel-specific CPAP machines will take center stage on our blog. We will go through our best selling travel units to help you decide which machine best suits your needs. From a short weekend camping trip to a long overseas flight, we've got you covered! Our first featured machine requires little introduction - the AirMini™ Auto Travel CPAP. 

AirMini™ 

ResMed released the incredible AirMini™ unit in Canada in the spring of 2017. It is the most compact CPAP device ever manufactured and is designed to perform like a traditional bedside device – at a fraction of the size and weight.  This AirMini™ focuses on exclusivity, only compatible with 3 ResMed style masks and 1 dedicated travel tubing. Follow us today as we customize the AirMini™ with some of the many available accessories making this travel companion more luggage-ready!

AirMini™ App

While having the app is not a requirement to operate the AirMini™, the handy AirMini™ app allows for convenient control of your device.  Download the app on iTunes or Google Play to your smart device for instant access. The app allows you to adjust a range of comfort settings and view nightly sleep data informing you how well you slept.

HumidX™ and HumidX™ Plus Moisture Tablets

Besides it's itty-bitty-ness, the AirMini™ (and all other travel CPAPs) differs from it's bigger bedside sister in one other way -  no built-in humidification.  But this machine has a solution: waterless humidification technology which ResMed calls the HumidX™ System. Exclusive to the AirMini™ device, HumidX™ and HumidX™ Plus are heat and moisture exchangers (HME for short) designed to provide comfortable and effective humidification while using therapy. Connect a HumidX™ tablet between your CPAP mask and hose for up to 30 days of moisture. More on how HMEs work in an upcoming blog.

Premium Travel Bag or Hard Case

What good is a travel-sized CPAP without its own luggage? 

The sleek and stylish premium travel bag will keep all your CPAP equipment together in one spot. It features various compartments for the AirMini™, tubing, your CPAP mask and power supply. This bag also has strategically-placed pockets for personal items and a comfortable shoulder strap. The biggest bonus of this travel bag: not only do most airlines allow it as a carry-on, it's also considered fare-exempted luggage!

Want added insurance while on the road? ResMed also offers a durable and water resistant hard case to protect the AirMini™ from spills, bumps, bruises and scratches. 

Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite™ Cordless Backup Battery  

Another popular accessory is the overnight battery; the Medistrom Pilot -24 Lite™ made by Choice One Medical.  This revolutionary pocket-sized backup power supply and portable travel battery for the AirMini™ holds up to 9 hours of juice in just a 2-3 hour charge.   Backup batteries, like this one (which is our favourite for reliability and battery life), add some piece of mind if you're trekking to remote locations (camping, RVing, boating, air travel) or where main power is not available.  Also handy during a blackout.  Recharges with the ResMed AirMini™ AC adapter. 

We can all agree technology has made its way into the world of better sleep. With such amazing new products and accessories, traveling with CPAP therapy is easier than ever.  

Another travel CPAP review next time!  Stay tuned.

CPAPmachines.ca friends, family & clients,

This compelling sleep article covers the basics of sleep and what happens when we fall asleep. If you have a few minutes, take the time to read this incredible piece that appears in the August 2018 issue of National Geographic magazine called

While We Sleep, Our Mind Goes on an Amazing Journey

Written by: MICHAEL FINKEL

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/08/science-of-sleep/

At CPAPmachines.ca, the number one asked question we’re is: would we recommend the AirSense 10 Auto or DreamStation Auto? Which one is better? Which CPAP machine is right for me?

Both machines sit at the top of our best seller’s list month after month. Today we will discuss some of the similarities and differences of both machines to hopefully help you decide which CPAP machine is right for you.

About The Manufacturers

AirSense 10 Auto is made by ResMed, a well-established brand primarily manufacturing equipment for respiratory conditions like sleep apnea. ResMed has manufacturing facilities in Singapore, Australia, France, and the United States.  

Philips Respironics makes the DreamStation Auto. They are an American company, and also a leading manufacturer of an array of respiratory equipment including ventilators and now, household appliances.

Product Warranty

Our machines offer a 3-year manufacturer warranty for both brands.  It is important to note, the 3-year warranty is exclusive to CPAPmachines.ca and is not the default manufacturer warranty. ResMed gets a notable mention as they offer an extended 2-warranty for a total of 5 years for a nominal fee.  

Product Features and Design

The AirSense 10 Auto and DreamStation Auto are both quiet and loaded with comparable features and technology. Both models have their power buttons on top, round dials on the front and LCD colour screens to display compliance info (AHI, leak rate, average usage, hours, usage data etc). They also both come with installed SD cards, accommodate heated and standard hoses, are easy to clean, and offer apps for online support and tracking of sleep data. Both machines are compatible to most styles of CPAP masks.  

The obvious difference between the two models are the design and profile of each machine. The AirSense 10 Auto comes in black or an off-white with floral design “For Her” version. It encompasses a sleek, tall and slender profile, whereas the DreamStation Auto only comes in glossy white and has a shorter, wider profile.  

The humidification of the DreamStation Auto can be detached simply by disconnecting it from the main unit. This option is an important feature for those who travel frequently. This process is less convenient for the AirSense 10 Auto as the humidification is built-in. If you wish to disconnect the humidification from the main unit, you’ll need to purchase a side cover for it. 

Another difference is that the DreamStation Auto offers a ‘ramp’ button on top of the unit next to the start button and AirSense 10 Auto does not. This ‘ramp’ button on top can easily be turned on/off accidentally, where you need to enable/disable the function through the menu on the AirSense 10 Auto. 

In terms of included carrying solutions, The AirSense 10 Auto comes with a durable, well-constructed travel bag while the DreamStation Auto has a flimsier, lighter travel bag.

Our Verdict

Both brands offer very reliable CPAP therapy and both brands have their own loyal customers and following. It truly comes down to personal preference - what you like to see on your night stand, the style and small feature differences of each unit. 

Hopefully after reading this, you can decide for yourself which CPAP machine will be right for you. Both machines will manage your Sleep Apnea and significantly improve your sleep health if used correctly.

Shop for both the AirSense 10 Auto and DreamStation Auto on CPAPMachines.ca today. We offer the lowest prices on CPAP Machines in Canada and free shipping across the country.

From the CPAPmachines.ca clinical team.