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What is sleep apnea and what are sleep apnea CPAP machines?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, which can lead to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include daytime fatigue, morning headaches, mood changes and loud snoring. Without treatment, sleep apnea can have serious consequences for a person's health and quality of life.

Chronic fatigue can affect work and personal relationships, while untreated sleep apnea has been linked to a higher risk of accidents, depression, and other health problems. Sleep apnea is a serious issue because it can increase the chances of cardiovascular related health issues such as hypertension, stroke, atrial fibrillation etc. It can also affect blood sugar management and make it difficult to lose weight. To treat sleep apnea, medical professionals often recommend the use of a sleep apnea machine, also known as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.

CPAP device can significantly improve the quality of life and health outcomes for people with sleep apnea. These machines work by delivering a stream of pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and/or mouth, which helps to keep the airway open and prevent interruptions in breathing. By keeping the airways open, CPAP machines prevent snoring and dips in oxygen level during the night and help users wake up feeling rested and ready for the day.

How do I choose a sleep apnea machine?

When you buy a CPAP device online, the most important thing to consider is whether or not the machine is compatible with your prescription. Once that is out of the way, it is a good idea to focus on other key factors such as size, noise level, features, compatibility with other CPAP accessories, brand, cost and whether or not the machine will be used outside the home.

Our CPAP Machine Buyer’s Guide for 2023 covers these factors in detail and provides our expert recommendations for the top 5 CPAP for sale in 2023. It is a good resource for anybody who wants to buy a CPAP machine online. We explain why these key factors should influence your buying decisions and provide detailed reviews of the most popular home and travel size CPAP machines on the market today.

Types of sleep apnea CPAP machines

Machines for sleep apnea are divided into two main categories: CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure). Both CPAPs and BiPAPs deliver PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) therapy where pressurized air is used to prevent airway obstructions, stop snoring and improve oxygen levels. One of the main differences between the two types of PAP devices is that CPAP machines deliver one level of pressure on inhalation and exhalation while BiPAP machines deliver a higher pressure on inhalation and a lower pressure on exhalation.

Another major difference is what they are used to treat. CPAP machines treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an uncomplicated form of sleep apnea that occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during sleep, despite the effort to breathe. BiPAP devices contain more sophisticated technology and are used to treat central sleep apnea (CSA), a type of sleep apnea where the brain fails to send signals to the muscles controlling breathing. They also treat complex sleep apnea, a combination of OSA and CSA, as well as help improve oxygenation for individuals with conditions that restrict their lung capacity. BiPAPs are also prescribed for individuals with OSA who have trouble adjusting to high CPAP pressures.

CPAP machines are further divided into automatic vs manual and BiPAP machines consist of many subtypes. We explain each type of CPAP/BiPAP machine in detail below.

Manual CPAP

Manual CPAP machines are fixed-pressure CPAP machines that deliver a constant pressure throughout the night to keep the airways open during sleep. This single, pre-set pressure is determined during an in-lab sleep study and does not change in response to the user’s breathing pattern. This constant pressure may work well for some, but it may be less comfortable for others, particularly during the initial adjustment period. Manual CPAP machines are intended for prescriptions where a fixed pressure is prescribed.

Auto CPAP/AutoPAP/APAP

Auto CPAP or AutoPAP/APAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machines are auto-titrating CPAP machines that automatically regulate pressure in response to the user’s breathing patterns. These machines deliver a lower pressure during periods of normal breathing and increase the pressure during periods of apnea or snoring. They contain more sophisticated algorithms than manual or fixed-pressure CPAP machines and are more comfortable for those new to CPAP therapy. Although auto CPAPs deliver variable pressure, they are not the same as BiPAP machines because they do not lower exhalation pressure to the extent that BiPAPs do.

Auto CPAP machines are intended for prescriptions that indicate APAP/auto CPAP or contain a minimum and a maximum pressure setting. Auto CPAPs are available in different sizes (home or travel size) and there are many manufacturers to choose from. Our Automatic CPAP Machines page contains more information that can help you pick out your auto CPAP. If you are curious about travel size units, visit our CPAP Machines for Travel page to learn more.

BiPAP/VPAP

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machines are a type of breathing machine that deliver two levels of pressure: a higher pressure during inhalation and a lower pressure during exhalation. The term VPAP (Variable Positive Airway Pressure) is a brand name that is also used to refer to BiPAP machines. BiPAP usually refers to two specific types of BiPAP machines: Auto BiPAP or BiPAP S (Spontaneous) machines.

BiPAP machines are intended for prescriptions with IPAP (inspiratory positive airway pressure) and EPAP (expiratory positive airway pressure) pressure settings. For more information to help you make sense of the auto BiPAP or BiPAP S machine buying process, visit our BiPAP/VPAP Machines page.

BiPAP/VPAP ST, ST-A and ASV

BiPAP/VPAP ST, ST-A and ASV machines are types of BiPAP machines with highly sophisticated algorithms. The term VPAP (Variable Positive Airway Pressure) is a brand name that is used interchangeably with BiPAP. These machines are used not only for central and complex sleep apnea, but also to improve oxygenation and reduce the work of breathing for individuals with conditions that restrict/reduce lung capacity. BiPAP ST, ST-A and ASV machines are the most complex types of sleep apnea machines.

Depending on the type of BIPAP machine prescribed, your prescription may contain settings such as backup rate, PS (pressure support) etc. in addition to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). For more information to help you make sense of the BiPAP ST, ST-A and ASV machine buying process, visit our BiPAP/VPAP ST, ST-A and ASV Machines page.

For more information on the different types of sleep apnea machines, read our comprehensive guide written by Anne - Registered Polysomnographic Technologist for Respshop.

No prescription? See how Respshop can help you

Common CPAP machine features to look for

Sleep apnea machines can have a variety of features depending on the specific model and brand and whether it is designed as a home or travel unit. Below are features you will find in most CPAP machines on the market today.

Heated Humidifier: Many home CPAP machines come with a humidifier that adds moisture to the air that you breathe in, preventing dry mouth and nasal irritation. To reduce size, travel machines generally do not have heated humidifiers and instead opt for waterless humidification systems that differ by brand.
Heated Tube: Heated CPAP tubing prevents condensation by keeping the temperature consistent along the length of the tube. This is a feature common to home sleep apnea machines with heated humidifiers.
Ramp: Ramp is a comfort feature that makes it easier to fall asleep. This feature allows the pressure of the CPAP machine to start off low and gradually increase over a set period of time, giving you time to adjust to the pressure and fall asleep more comfortably.
Exhalation Relief: Another comfort feature which reduces pressure during exhalation, making it easier to breathe out against the pressure of the machine.
Data Recording: Most modern CPAP machines record your usage data to provide information on the number of breathing events/hr, usage hours and information on your mask seal. Some machines can be paired with smartphone apps for convenient data access on the go.
Auto Start/Stop: This is a feature for starting/stopping therapy hands-free. The CPAP machine detects when you start breathing into the mask and begins delivering the prescribed pressure automatically. When you remove the mask, the machine stops automatically.

Why should I buy my sleep apnea machine from Respshop?

We enjoy buying things online because it's quick, convenient and easy. Therefore, it is only natural you would look at buying your sleep apnea machine online to save yourself some time and money. Being the educated consumer that you are, you start doing research into the pros and cons of buying a machine online. You quickly stumble upon a list of very reasonable concerns regarding online CPAP shopping.

No expert help, no follow-up, can’t use insurance…it sounds like if you buy your sleep apnea machine online, you are on your own. Well, fear not! If you purchase or rent a machine from Respshop, you won’t be left navigating the waters of sleep apnea therapy alone and we’ve got reasons why.

Expert Help: A common concern of online CPAP shopping is that no one is there to guide you through the process. At Respshop, we have a team of dedicated medical professionals and customer service agents who can guide you through the CPAP buying process, step by step. They’ll know which machines work with your prescription and work with you to find the machine that fits your specific needs. All you need to do is get in touch.
Follow-up Services: Brick-and-mortar CPAP stores will tell you that online CPAP retailers will send you the machine, and vanish from your life. If you purchase your machine from Respshop, you can choose if you want to have us be a part of your therapy. We offer many follow-up services such as CPAP Compliance Reporting and CPAP Consultations, all conducted by our medical staff.
Easier than Insurance: Not all insurance plans cover CPAP machines, and when they do there are many requirements. Going through insurance can be time consuming and time is money. We encourage potential CPAP buyers to look into their insurance coverage and learn about the insurance process. To help make this easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on insurance and CPAP machines.