Best travel CPAP?

No specific brands, but a couple obvious things to look for. Make sure it is dual Voltage/Frequency, will take an input of 110V-240V; 50-60 Hz. If you feel you will depend on the battery as more than a backup or short term use (Airplane, smaller hotels with no close outlet) then consider getting a second battery pack. I know several friends have very small units compared to what they once were, just never paid attention to brands.

Hi Kristen,

The HDM Z1 auto portable fits all your requirements. My only caveat is that it "wheezes" when in use, so bring earplugs.

-- Mike Beebe

I can't recommend a device for you. But, please carry-on your CPAP device when flying. I know of one case when a traveler and his CPAP were separated for about 1 week due to luggage transfer issues.
Medical devices are often allowed as an extra carry-on at no extra charge.
I have read that the RS EuroFlight tote and the RedOxx gator bag work well as travel bags for CPAP.

kirsten,

Would something like this product work for you - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1u5b4gKw6A . These seem to be available from many online stores, including Amazon.

I’ve done international travel to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and domestic trips throughout the US with my cpap which I pack into its case and that goes into my carryon backpack from LL Bean. As someone mentioned earlier, never put the cpap in checked luggage. Along with the cpap I pack an extension cord and a voltage adapter for overseas trips. I’ve had to use the extension cord many times so it’s essential.

susantaylor,

Your suggestion about the extension cord is a good one to remember, as outlets in hotel rooms can sometimes be some distance from the bed.

When travelling to Europe or other distant locations, how do you deal with the distilled water requirement for your machine?

where would you get a extension cord that
handles european currency?

@Ken I just started using a CPAP, and I also asked the distilled water question. Supplier said bottled water was OK. A travel friend said she had used tap water and just scrubbed the humidifier with a soft toothbrush when she returned.
Planning to buy distilled water from the laundry section of Monoprix/ Spar markets for our longer stays and dumping the excess before taking a train/plane.
Too cheap to buy a travel-size CPAP (which insurance does not cover) -- but I may change my tune after hauling the full-size machine around for six weeks.
@mckellar425 we will carry our standard U.S. extension cord with adapter -- has worked fine for phones and chargers -- and maybe buy a European-voltage extension cord at Monoprix on our first stop on Paris.

mckellar415,

"where would you get a extension cord that handles european currency?"

I assume you mean European current. North American extension cords will easily handle the current in Europe, as it will be much lower. The most important criteria in this case is the voltage, as that's roughly twice the value of North American voltages. Extension cords purchased here should theoretically be fine when operating on 220 VAC.

LauraB,

Thanks for the additional information about the distilled water. I wasn't sure if the level of filtering of bottled water would be satisfactory, but I suppose it should be OK for limited use.

Continuing on with this topic.... at home I always use distilled water. When I travel I use tap water. Never had any problems with cpap working. As I mentioned earlier, I always pack an extension cord ... it lives in cpap case. For a Tauck tour to Australia and NZ staying in fancy hotels to recent a RS tour and a Best Western in Key West last month ... always needed the extension cord. I’ve now gotten used to traveling with my cpap. Good luck!!

For anyone travelling with a CPAP machine, you may find this article on the topic of "water" to be helpful - https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-you-need-distilled-water-for-the-cpap-humidifier-3015017 .

And another article - https://www.cheapcpapsupplies.com/blog/tap-purified-water-humidifer/ .

I just got a 'HDM Z2 Auto Travel CPAP Machine' a few months ago and have used it on a two week trip and then again on a couple of weekend trips. It is working out well. I love how light and small it is, I use a padded lunch box to carry it and all my supplies (tubes, mask and plugs). The best thing about it is the humidifier, so that I don't need to worry about filling it with distilled water. I did order online from Cheap CPAP supplies, but I did need a prescription from my doctor. I also found a discount code on a You Tube video that worked for 15% off (Lefty15), not sure if it still works or not. It was expensive (less than others however), but after toting the other one around for years I'm so happy I took the plunge and got it.
Good luck!

Re using bottled water. The reason for distilled water is minerals in tap water become concentrated and deposited on the water reservoir and tubing. Some bottled waters have added minerals. If you use bottled water in place of distilled or demineralized water be aware of using bottled water.

I don't know if the following is fake news or is still current, but all news isn't without a factual basis:
https://time.com/3029191/bottled-water-ingredients-nutrition-health/

Popular bottled water brand Dasani, for example, lists magnesium
sulfate, potassium chloride, and salt alongside purified water on its
Nutrition Facts label. SmartWater contains calcium chloride, magnesium
chloride, and potassium bicarbonate. Nestle Pure Life’s list includes
calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium sulfate. And these
are just a few brands. Bottled water companies are purifying water,
but then they’re adding extra ingredients back.

Edgar, yes this is true and has always been true of bottled water. Distilled water (where the minerals have been removed) doesn't taste very good. Those minerals they add are the same that people expect in Perrier, Evian and other "natural" waters. Call them electrolytes and you can charge extra for them.

The HDM Z1 and Z2 products mentioned by two posters have battery packs you can buy. You’ll need the prescription from your doctor.