AirSense 11 vs DreamStation 2: Which One is Better for CPAP Therapy?

ResMed's AirSense 10 was always the obvious competitor to Philips Respironics DreamStation on the market. The updated AirSense 11 and DreamStation 2 are the newcomers, so let's see how they stack up. 

For a time, their customers were put off by the DreamStation recall. However, now that it's time to buy a new CPAP machine, you can't help but wonder if you should go with the DreamStation 2 or the AirSense 11.

Let’s find out which machine would better fulfill your CPAP therapy needs.

The Ramp Plus feature is a massive point for DreamStation 2. This is different from regular ramp time. 

Ramp time allows you to start from a low-pressure point and ends at your prescribed pressure. For Ramp Plus, you can place the air pressure at the exact point you are comfortable with. 

Once set, the pressure will increase automatically with time until it reaches the prescribed point. Ramp Plus is also automatically activated every time you start therapy.  

The AirSense 11 is available in three different models. These are the CPAP, Elite, and AutoSet. 

CPAP and Elite offer fixed air pressure, so you get a continuous delivery of fixed air pressure. 

 The Autoset model is programmed with a pressure range and it will fluctuate the pressure during the night if an apnea or hypopnea event occurs.

The Dreamstation 2 offers 2 modes, a CPAP mode and an Autoset mode.  

What AirSense 11 lacks with ramp pressure is made up for with the compatible MyAir app. 

The app offers an interactive learning system where you can adjust your mask and does test drives to get you used to the air pressure.   MyAir also has a care check-in and personal therapy assistant as part of the improved program. 

The scoring system acts as an incentive to continue your therapy.  

The humidifier capacity of AirSense 11 in 380 ml of water. The water chamber of DreamStation 2 is lower at 325 ml. So, if you use a higher humidification setting throughout the night, AirSense 11 might be better suited. 

Both the machines allow for heated tubing. The Dreamstation 2 has a specific heated tubing as well as the Airsense 11. 

The heated tubing for the Airsense 11 is called the Climateline Air heated tubing for Airsense 11.

The tubing section is still at the back of the AirSense machine. However, for the DreamStation 2 , the tubing port has been changed to the front rather than on the back.  

The Airsense 11 is a quiet machine come in at less than 26 decibels.The Dreamstation 2 is a louder machine coming in at 30 decibels. 

For people who have trouble sleeping as it is, the extra noise could be distracting.  

The AirSense 11 has a responsive, colorful touchscreen. At the end of your session, you get a more detailed report than the DreamStation 2.

The responsiveness rate of the DreamStation 2  touchscreen isn’t as responsive as AirSense 11, but it does work well as long as you are pressing with slight force.  

The ResMed AirSense 11 is 10.21  x 3.72  x 5.45 inches. The DreamStation 2 is 10.11 x 2.30 x 3.3 inches.

The DreamStation 2 is both smaller and lighter than AirSense 11.However, the difference does not amount to much. 

Both of them come with a small travel bag. These are handy bags you can take as carry-on. Both are compact with pockets for humidifier tubes.  

AirSense 11 and DreamStation 2 both do a good job of providing continuous positive airway pressure.

So, whichever option you choose, your therapy will be effective. Customers, on the other hand, appear to prefer the AirSense 11 due to its lower noise level and sturdier design.