CPAP therapy began in 1980 when Dr. Colin Sullivan reverse-engineered a household vacuum and mask into a device that allowed him to treat his dog’s breathing problems. Being a doctor, Sullivan quickly realized that human beings with throat obstructions could live better lives using his new air-powered therapy.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines (also known as CPAP) use positive air pressure to hold open a person's airways while they lie in bed. This pressure can vary between light to heavy.
The CPAP machines of 2021 are widely appreciated as the kinder solution to a serious medical condition that affects an astounding 939 million people worldwide.
CPAP devices help sleep apnea patients breathe in peace by filtering and ventilating clean air through a hose attached to a CPAP mask on one end and the CPAP machine on the other.
The top-rated CPAP machines are those you don't even notice.
1. ResMed Airsense 10
When CPAP machines first came out in the 80s, they were unrecognizable from the slim, quiet RedMed AirSense line.
The original contraptions were loud, bulky, and intrusive. Today, a person with sleep apnea has access to ingenious pieces of cloud-connected technology that make it seem crazy we ever had to resort to such dramatic measures as tracheostomies to deal with sleeping problems.
The AirSense 10 is the successor to the highly popular ResMed AirSense 9 series. These machines are known for sporting a variety of features. They include cloud connectivity that allows the device to use data from wearable technology such as a Fitbit. Other great amenities are AutoRamp, an integrated humidifier, climate control, and built-in cellular technology.
If you value cutting-edge technology or market-proven products, this is the best CPAP device for you.
This technology starts your night with minimal pressure as you relax and nod off. It has the benefit of "ramping up" to your prescribed pressure only when it senses you are asleep.
Perk: AutoRamp™
2. ResMed AirMini
All things being equal, Resmed is largely considered to be one of the best CPAP manufacturers worldwide. In 2014, it was behind the Airsense 10 that revolutionized the lives of countless CPAP users by minimizing the amount of draft, noise, and pressure imposed on a sleeping couple. Then it did it again in 2017 when it launched the smallest CPAP machine ever built.
The ResMed AirMini is considered the world's smallest CPAP machine, weighing a microscopic 10.6oz. It measures 5.4 x 3.3 x 2.0 inches and fits cleanly into a CPAP travel case. What makes this among the top-rated CPAP machines is that AirMini incorporates all the settings and therapy modules just as the standard AirSense 10 Auto by ResMed!
Perk: Travel Size
3.Dreamstation 2
The Dreamstation 2 is the newest CPAP machine from Philips Respironics. It is 29% smaller and 32.5% lighter than the original Dreamstation. It features an integrated humidifer that is removeable. Track your sleep data with Philips Care Orchestrator and easily make any changes to your CPAP settings. The LCD touchscreen lets you see your sleep data and settings. Philips offers a 2 year warranty for the Dreamstation 2.
The Dreamstation 2 allows you to customize your settings with guided, streamlined, low-touch setup on the device. Ramp Plus, which is another feature of the Dreamstation 2, allows you to set a comfortable starting pressure for your CPAP therapy and will be automatically set for future use.
Take advantage of Philips newest CPAP machine today!
Perk: Ramp Plus
Honorable Mention:
Apex iCH Auto
The APEX iCH is one of the smartest APAP machines out there. As you might know, the difference between a traditional CPAP and what are known as APAP and BiPAP devices is that these APAP models use technology to adapt air pressure levels to what suits you. Many people prefer this to starting and ending the night with the same doctor-recommended pressure.
APAPs use technology to make your night as comfortable as possible. This means varying pressure throughout the night according to information relayed through wearable technology and sensors. The APEX maximizes comfort based on what stage of sleep you are in.
Modern technology allows us to breathe intelligence into previously basic objects. In the world of health, one of the most exciting applications of this idea is wearable technology like the FitBit. Wearable tech can pair with a smart device like the iCH and feed it real-time information about your vitals and breathing. This makes it possible for your APAP experience to be smoother than ever.
Perk: Cloud Connectivity
Conclusion
| CPAP Machines | Manufacturer | Size | Weight | Perks | Warranty | |
| AirSense 10 | ResMed | 4.6" x 10.0" x 5.91" | 2.75 lbs | Auto Ramp | 2 Years | |
| AirMini | ResMed | 5.4" x 3.3" x 2.1" | 0.66 lbs | Travel Size | 2 Years | |
| Dreamstation | Philips Respironics |
| 1.56 lbs | Quiet | 2 Years | |
| Dreamstation Go | Philips Respironics | 5.9" x 5.9" x 2.3" | 1.86 lbs | Integrated Battery | 2 Years | |
| Dreamstation 2 | Philips Respironics | 10.78 x 6.24 x 3.34 | 2.29 lbs | Ramp Plus | 2 Years |
The CPAP machine has been around since 1980 but as you can see it has been greatly improved througout the years. We hope we were able to help narrow down your search for a CPAP machine. If you have any questions about a specific CPAP machine, you can schedule a consultation with our respiratory therapist.
