What is a Travel CPAP Device?
CPAP therapy is saving countless people from the negative effects of sleep apnea all over the world. A travel CPAP device is a smaller, lighter, easier-to-carry, and more discrete CPAP machine. Other travel benefits include the fact that they are:- Are TSA friendly
- Can be FAA approved for in-flight use
- Are easy to disassemble and reassemble
- Portable! They fit into a carry-on bag
One of the reasons they are more travel friendly is that they tend to:
- Use smaller tubing
- Have fewer components
- Are battery powered, and don’t require power cables
Travel CPAP machines are made specifically for traveling, and though they are a bit more expensive than regular CPAP machines they are not made to “replace” your regular CPAP.
When Would You Use a Portable CPAP?
Common use cases for using a CPAP are:
- While camping
- On a long plane flight
- On vacation
- On work travel
Basically, you can use a portable CPAP machine any time you are sleeping away from home.
Is a Portable CPAP Device Right For You?
Whether or not investing in a portable CPAP device is right for you mainly depends on:
- How often do you travel?
- Where you will be using it?
- Is a portable CPAP machine in your budget?
Regarding cost of a portable CPAP device. Portable CPAP devices tend to cost around $900 and up. Obviously, the more features that you add on, the more expensive. Some of the additional options that may be convenient are:
- FAA certified for in-flight use
- Touch screen
- Even smaller unit than standard portable units
- Altitude capability
- Bluetooth capability to see sleep data on your phone
Some of these features may be worth it depending on how often you travel and where you will use it. For example, if you fly a lot, getting an FAA certified and extra small portable CPAP is probably useful. If you want to track your sleep, getting Bluetooth enabled CPAP may be worth it. If you camp often, getting a unit with extended battery life and USB charging capability is worth it.
There are many options for portable CPAP machines, and if you travel or camp with regularity, you can and should find a machine that best fits your needs. If you have any question about getting a CPAP machine, please click the orange button below to find the best accessory and get in contact with one of our sleep health experts.
