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Home > compare-cpap-autocpap-machines
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Compare & Review: A Buyers Guide
To The Best CPAP & Auto CPAP Machines
1800CPAP.com takes an inside look at "Best in Class" CPAP and Auto CPAP machines
2012.
Purchasing a new CPAP machine can be confusing. Regardless
if you have been a long time user or just recently diagnosed, it seems there
are many different machines to choose from and technology has changed so much
that even the long time user needs help picking out the right one. If you need
help understanding any of the information listed in our CPAP machine review,
please feel free to contact us at 1-800-274-1366.
Let our independent and unbiased reviews of the latest in
CPAP and sleep apnea technology from leading manufacturers help you decide
which CPAP machine is right for you. While we understand the needs of different
CPAP functions will vary from patient to patient, our clinical technologists
have taken the information they have collected from person to person CPAP set
up feedback and that of our online customers and delivered a formula to help
you understand which CPAP machine may benefit you the best.
In our review, we take a look at 3 of the major
manufacturers of these devices and offer you an understanding of which of these
machines may be right for you. Please note this is not an industry sponsored
review and the opinions and views are solely those of our staff.
Also known or referred to as Fixed
Pressure CPAP or Standard CPAP
CPAP (Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure) machines are the most commonly recommended devices
for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Standard CPAP
machines generate one fixed pressure during therapy, meaning if you are prescribed
CPAP of 12 cm/H2O, your machine will continue to produce that much pressure
throughout the night (excluding ramp mode).
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CPAP
|
Starting
Cost
|
Warranty
|
Data
Reporting
|
Integrated
Humidifier
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Special
Features
|
Ramp
|
Size
& Weight
|
1800CPAP
Rating
|
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ResMed S9 Escape™
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$758
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2 Year
|
Usage
|
Yes, Added Cost
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EPR™
ClimateLine™
LCD Display
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Yes
0 – 45 minutes
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12" x 5.7" x 3.4"
3.3 lbs
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★★★★
|
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ResMed S9 Elite™
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$805
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2 Year
|
Usage
AHI
Leak
|
Yes Added Cost
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EPR™
ClimateLine™
LCD Display
|
Yes
0 – 45 minutes
|
12" x 5.7" x 3.4"
3.3 lbs
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★★★★★
|
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PR System One REMstar Plus DS250
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$609
|
2 Year
|
Usage
|
Yes Added Cost
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CFLEX
LCD Display
|
Yes
0 – 45 minutes
|
14" x 5.5" x 4”
5.3 lbs
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★★★
|
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PR System One REMstar AutoIQ DS450
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$669
|
2 Year
|
Usage
AHI
Leak
|
Yes Added Cost
|
CFLEX
AutoIQ™
LCD Display
|
Yes
0 – 45 minutes
|
14" x 5.5" x 4”
5.3 lbs
|
★★★★★
|
|
Fisher & Paykel ICON Novo
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$875
|
2.5 Year
|
Usage
|
Yes, Built In
FREE
|
ThermoSmart
Alarm Clock
MP3
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Yes
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6.3" x 6.7" x 8.7"
4.8 lbs
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★★★
|
|
Fisher & Paykel ICON Premo
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$925
|
2.5 Year
|
Usage
AHI
Leak
|
Yes, Built In
FREE
|
ThermoSmart
Alarm Clock
MP3
|
Yes
|
6.3" x 6.7" x 8.7"
4.8 lbs
|
★★★★
|
|
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Things We Like Most About It…
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Things We Like Least About It…
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ResMed
S9 Escape™
|
Very sleek design and travel case make this CPAP machine seem even
smaller than the so called “travel CPAP machines”. Same platform as the S9
Elite™ and S9 AutoSet™
|
This is ResMed’s entry level CPAP machine so it lacks certain bells
and whistles that we like on the S9 platform like the AHI and leak reporting.
SlimLine™ tubing seems a bit fragile and doesn’t have that durable feeling.
ClimateLine™ is an optional add-on but can be costly.
|
|
ResMed S9 Elite™
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The info button shows you the very next day how well you did the
night before. Want to know if your mask was leaking? You get a smiley face or
sad face. Want to know if your apnea/hypopnea index was high? It will tell
you how many times per hour you quit breathing last night
|
It is one of the higher priced CPAP machines on the market. Outside
of the cost, there is very little that we can say about this CPAP machine
that would keep us from purchasing it. It does have a “bulky” external power
supply but most units do these days to keep size down (kind of like laptops).
|
|
PR System One REMstar Plus
DS250
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Simple design makes this unit VERY easy to understand and operate.
This is an upgrade from the DS150HS model and offers CFLEX technology.
|
Bulky external power supply. Limited compliance reporting data. Lack
of heated CPAP tubing feature.
|
|
PR System One REMstar AutoIQ
DS450
|
Brilliant Technology. This CPAP machine offers a 30 day auto CPAP
mode that helps establish an optimal pressure. For its price, this unit
cannot be beat. Full AHI, Leak and Compliance reporting gives this device
superior marks.
|
The only thing we dislike about this unit is it can only stay in auto
mode for 30 days. We would like to see it able to stay in auto mode for
longer periods. It still uses the same bulky external power supply as the
other Philips Respironics System One platforms.
|
|
Fisher & Paykel ICON Novo
|
Integrated humidifier makes this unit seem much smaller and the
design looks like it would be an alarm clock on your night stand. In fact,
this CPAP machine DOES have an alarm clock feature. There is not a bulky
external power supply; it’s built in to the machine.
|
Dial turning can be tricky unless the user is “tech savy”. It is easy
to get lost in the settings while searching for something and can be
difficult to understand what each of the icons mean when you are on a
setting. The power supply is underneath where the humidifier sets so when
left plugged in, it gives the impression that the humidifier is still on
because it’s warm.
|
|
Fisher & Paykel ICON Premo
|
2.5 year warranty (that’s .5 years more than the other top
manufacturers). Same Design features as the NOVO with alarm clock features,
MP3 player and full compliance reporting. There is an optional hard case that
makes traveling with this unit seem to be safer from the dangers of travel.
|
Dial turning can be tricky unless the user is “tech savy”. It is easy
to get lost in the settings while searching for something and can be difficult
to understand what each of the icons mean when you are on a setting. The
power supply is underneath where the humidifier sets so when left plugged in,
it gives the impression that the humidifier is still on because it’s warm.
|
Also known or referred to as Auto
Adjusting CPAP or APAP
Auto CPAP (Auto
Adjusting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines are variable pressure
devices used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep
hypopnea syndrome. These variable pressures automatically adjust to your needs
throughout sleep; increase and decreasing the pressure as your airway requires.
During different stages of sleep and in certain sleep positions (i.e. on your
back) you may require more pressure to keep your airway open and alleviate
sleep disordered breathing.
|
Auto CPAP
|
Start
Cost
|
Warranty
|
Data
Reporting
|
Integrated
Humidifier
|
Special
Features
|
Ramp
|
Size
& Weight
|
1800CPAP
Rating
|
|
ResMed S9 AutoSet™
|
$853
|
2 Year
|
AHI
LEAK
Usage
|
Yes, Added Cost
|
ClimatLine™
LCD Display
EPR™
|
Yes
|
12" x 5.7" x 3.4"
3.3 lbs
|
★★★★★
|
|
ResMed
S9 Escape™ Auto
|
Not
Sold
Online
|
2 Year
|
AHI
Usage
|
Yes Added Cost
|
ClimatLine™
LCD Display
EPR™
|
YES
|
12" x 5.7" x 3.4"
3.3 lbs
|
★★★★
|
|
PR System One REMstar Auto DS550
|
$729
|
2 Year
|
AHI
LEAK
Usage
|
Yes Added Cost
|
CFLEX
LCD Display
|
Yes
|
14" x 5.5" x 4”
5.3 lbs
|
★★★★
|
|
PR System One REMstar Auto IQ DS450S
|
$669
|
2 Year
|
AHI
Leak
Usage
|
Yes Added Cost
|
Auto Mode for
Only 30 Day
Trials
|
Yes
|
14" x 5.5" x 4”
5.3 lbs
|
★★★★★
|
|
Fisher & Paykel ICON Auto
|
$1025
|
2.5 Year
|
AHI
LEAK
Usage
|
Yes, Built In
|
ThermoSmart
SensAwake™
Push Dial
|
Yes
|
6.3" x 6.7" x 8.7"
4.8 lbs
|
★★★★
|
|
|
Things We Like Most About It…
|
Things We Like Least About It…
|
|
ResMed
S9 AutoSet™
|
EPR™ Technology combined with auto adjusting CPAP pressures makes
this the “Dream Machine”. Often referred to as the “Cadillac” of Auto CPAP
machines, our staff love to use it. The info button shows you the very next
day how well you did the night before. Want to know if your mask was leaking?
You get a smiley face or sad face. Want to know if your apnea/hypopnea index
was high? It will tell you how many times per hour you quit breathing last
night.
|
It is one of the higher priced CPAP machines on the market. Outside
of the cost, there is very little that we can say about this CPAP machine
that would keep us from purchasing it. It does have a “bulky” external power
supply but most units do these days to keep size down (kind of like laptops).
|
|
ResMed
S9 Escape™ Auto
|
Same Platform as the AutoSet™ but without the full feature reporting
bells and whistles. Great for Travel.
|
Not very many things we dislike about this unit besides the fact it
is not available for online sale (sorry, not our policy, we would love to
sell it).
|
|
PR System One REMstar Auto
DS550
|
One of the most recommended auto CPAP devices on the market by
physicians; Philips Respironics delivers great quality in their System One
series of PAP devices. Same brilliant technology as the DS450 Auto IQ but
capable of staying in fixed pressure CPAP mode always or Auto CPAP mode
always.
|
Operationally, this device is very sound and above sufficient for
Auto CPAP use. It would be nice to see this technology in a small platform
design. Philips Respironics does need a heated CPAP tubing element to be
able to offer the same type of superior humidity technology as ResMed and
Fisher and Paykel.
|
|
PR System One
REMstar AutoIQ
DS450
|
Brilliant Technology. This CPAP machine offers a 30 day auto CPAP
mode that helps establish an optimal pressure. For its price, this unit
cannot be beat. Full AHI, Leak and Compliance reporting gives this device
superior marks.
|
The only thing we dislike about this unit is it can only stay in auto
mode for 30 days. We would like to see it able to stay in auto mode for
longer periods. It still uses the same bulky external power supply as the
other Philips Respironics System One platforms.
|
|
Fisher & Paykel ICON Auto
|
Integrated humidifier makes this unit seem much smaller and the
design looks like it would be an alarm clock on your night stand. In fact,
this CPAP machine DOES have an alarm clock feature. There is not a bulky
external power supply; it’s built in to the machine.
|
Dial turning can be tricky unless the user is “tech savy”. It is easy
to get lost in the settings while searching for something and can be
difficult to understand what each of the icons mean when you are on a
setting. The power supply is underneath where the humidifier sets so when
left plugged in, it gives the impression that the humidifier is still on
because it’s warm.
|
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