ResMed AirSense 11 Autoset Review 2023: New Features, Details, Cleaning. Is the AirSense 11 Worth It?

For many years, ResMed has been the go-to brand of sleep apnea machines. Its products are proven reliable and always come with the latest features for the best sleep therapy experience. In 2021, the company released the long-awaited ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet. But does it live up to its name? And with the great performance […]

At a Glance: ResMed AirSense 11 Review
Familiar AirSense 11 Key Features
ResMed AirSense 11 New Features
Maintenance Requirements
Is the AirSense 11 AutoSet the Right Auto CPAP for You?
Takeaways: ResMed AirSense 11 Review

For many years, ResMed has been the go-to brand of sleep apnea machines. Its products are proven reliable and always come with the latest features for the best sleep therapy experience.

In 2021, the company released the long-awaited ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet. But does it live up to its name? And with the great performance of its predecessor, the AirSense 10, is it truly worth the upgrade?

ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet CPAP

Keep reading and discover the answers to these common questions in this ResMed AirSense 11 review.

At a Glance: ResMed AirSense 11 Review

Size (without HumidAir tub)WeightHumidifier TypePressure RangeRespShop’s Price (as of writing)Noise Level
3.72” H x 9.32” W x 5.45” D2.5 lbs Built-in heated humidifier4 to 20 cm H2O$989 (with SlimLine Tubing)
$1,029 (with ClimateLineAir Heated Tubing)
27 dBA (-+ 2 dBA)

In a nutshell, the AirSense 11 CPAP machine improved upon most of the beloved features of the AirSense 10 and introduced new technologies that appeal to modern sleep apnea patients.

It goes beyond what you’d expect from a newly released CPAP device, and in this AirSense 11 review, you’ll find out why that is and whether it’s the best auto CPAP for your needs.

In This ResMed AirSense 11 Review:

Familiar AirSense 11 Key Features

Portability

Weighing roughly the same as a pair of women’s shoes, the ResMed AirSense 11 is more lightweight than most auto CPAP machines on the market. While it’s primarily made for at-home use, it’s approved by the FAA for air travel and only runs on 65 watts, so you can use it with a portable power source without worries. To further reduce its size, you can replace the humidifier chamber with a compatible AirSense 11 side cover (sold separately).

Quiet Operation

Rated at around 27 dBA, the AirSense 11 is quieter than your average sleep apnea machine. Made possible by the Easy-Breathe motor, its whisper-quiet operation lets you enjoy your much-needed rest every night. 

Comfort Features

If you’re new to the world of CPAP, the AirSense 11 AutoSet is the perfect device for beginners. It has all you need for easy CPAP compliance, including:

  • AutoRamp – With this feature, you won’t have a hard time dozing off. It produces a low pressure at the start of your sleep therapy. Once it detects you’re asleep, it slowly increases the air pressure to your prescribed level.

Learn the difference between ramp and auto ramp:

  • AutoSet Response – Even if you’d rather set the ramp time manually, you won’t have a problem adjusting to pressure changes with the AirSense 11. You can set the AutoSet Response from “Standard” to “Soft” to enjoy subtler pressure increases throughout your sleep therapy. 

  • SmartStart – Often get up in the middle of the night? The device offers a convenient solution with the SmartStart/SmartStop. It detects whether you’re wearing your CPAP mask, so it can pause your therapy when you remove your mask and start your therapy once you put it back on. 

  • EPR – Like other ResMed auto CPAP machines, the AirSense 11 comes standard with the expiratory pressure relief (EPR) function. It reduces the air pressure whenever you exhale, making it easier to breathe out. 

Climate Control

With the AirSense 11 AutoSet, you’ll never have to worry about experiencing rainouts in your sleep apnea mask or dealing with dry mouth caused by CPAP devices. The AirSense 11’s Climate Control feature works with the ResMed 11 heated tubing and HumidAir (the device’s integrated humidifier) to prevent these uncomfortable CPAP side effects. 

When set to auto, Climate Control adjusts the HumidAir’s output based on your room’s conditions, maintaining a comfortable level of warmth (80ºF) and moisture throughout the AirSense 11 heated tubing.

Remote Monitoring

Built with a 4G/LTE cellular modem, the AirSense 11 CPAP machine automatically sends your nightly therapy data to your provider and reports any symptoms of Cheyne-Stokes and other respiration events. For easier CPAP compliance, its cellular connectivity allows your provider to troubleshoot your device and change your settings remotely. 

ResMed AirSense 11 New Features

Sure, you can find any of the AirSense 11 AutoSet ResMed details mentioned above in other auto CPAP machines. But there are plenty of other features that make the AirSense 11 better than older AirSense models and the rest of the competition:

Advanced myAir App Features

ResMed’s very own patient support program, the myAir app syncs with AirSense models with cellular modems to present your sleep therapy data in easy-to-read charts. It also sends you maintenance reminders and tailored messages to motivate you–whether you meet certain sleep metrics (e.g. the right number of usage hours) or not.

But for AirSense 11 users, the features go beyond data reporting.

Besides allowing you to link the app to the device via Bluetooth, the AirSense 11 AutoSet offers exclusive access to convenient myAir app features:

  • Personal Therapy Assistant – It provides interactive video instructions to help you set up your device and get acclimated to it. 
  • Care Check-In – This coaching program lets you answer short surveys about your first month of sleep therapy (e.g. how well it’s going and how sleepy you are in the daytime). It then provides personalized support for solving common sleep therapy issues. You can also allow your provider to view your Care Check-In data via AirView (ResMed’s program for healthcare providers), so you can discuss your concerns in detail during appointments.

Over-the-Air Software Updates

One of the most convenient ResMed AirSense 11 new features is its over-the-air software update capability. As long as the device’s modem has a good cell signal, it automatically receives updates to its software, including bug fixes and new features. That means you won’t have to do anything to upgrade or maintain the device’s software.

Integrated AutoSet For Her Mode

No need to look for a separate ResMed device just to use the For Her algorithm. The AirSense 11 is designed with both the AutoSet and AutoSet For Her modes.

Male and female patients manifest symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) differently. For instance, women have increased upper airway resistance and flow limitations that don’t necessarily qualify as an apnea. 

So on top of the regular AutoSet technology, the For Her algorithm addresses the differences in gender-related OSA characteristics by:

  • Having a higher sensitivity to flow restrictions
  • Allowing for slower and gentler pressure changes
  • Reporting respiratory events that do not strictly meet the criteria for apneas and hypopneas
  • Adjusts the minimum pressure based on the frequency of your apneas

In other words, this device, along with its unique algorithm, can help women sleep more soundly throughout their therapy. Pair it with a women’s CPAP mask, and you can make the most of this gender-specific technology. 

Touchscreen Interface

If you’ve ever owned the AirSense 10, it’s immediately apparent that the AirSense 11 has gotten rid of the control dial. It has combined all settings and controls in one intuitive interface.

One of the ResMed AirSense 11 new features, the touchscreen features a vibrant display and a light sensor, which automatically turns the screen off when not in use. The sensor also adjusts the screen’s brightness according to your room’s light level. On the home screen, you can find the following options:

  • My Options – Lets you adjust your sleep therapy settings, including ramp time, EPR, SmartStart/SmartStop, and Climate Control. 
  • My Sleep View – Displays the summary data of your last sleep therapy session. 
  • More – Contains other features and options, such as Warmup (which lets you preheat the humidifier chamber before you start your therapy), a Mask Fit test, airplane mode, and myAir app connectivity.

Maintenance Requirements

CleaningReplacement
Device ExteriorEvery weekNA
Humidifier Chamber*Empty and wipe dry every day. Wash every week.Every 6 months
TubingEvery weekEvery 3 months
Outlet Connector**Every weekNA
Disposable Air FilterNAEvery 6 months

*According to the ResMed AirSense 11 cleaning instructions, the standard humidifier chamber can only be washed by hand and filled with distilled water. The cleanable humidifier chamber is top-rack dishwasher-safe and can be filled with potable water. But it’s generally recommended to fill your CPAP humidifier with distilled water for easier maintenance. Learn why and what to use if you don’t have distilled water.

**Connects the ResMed 11 heated tubing or non-heated tubing to the device. The ResMed 11 cleaning guide states that users can wash it in the dishwasher.

For more information about ResMed AirSense 11 cleaning, check out our guide on how to clean CPAP supplies.

Is the AirSense 11 AutoSet the Right Auto CPAP for You?

So far, we’ve shared RespShop’s own ResMed AirSense 11 review. In this section, we’ll discuss the general experience of actual users of this CPAP device.

Pros

  • Whisper-quiet operation
  • Travel-friendly
  • Less clinical, more streamlined design
  • Enhanced myAir app features make CPAP compliance easy, especially for first-time users
  • Built-in AutoSet For Her mode makes it an ideal choice for all genders
  • Over-the-air updates allow for effortless maintenance of device software
  • Touchscreen interface is responsive and easy to use
  • Auto settings for comfort features (particularly the Climate Control Auto for the integrated humidifier) resolve common therapy issues (e.g. dry mouth using CPAP and rainouts in sleep apnea mask)
  • Easy to set up and use right out of the box

Cons

  • Expensive
  • ResMed 11 heated tubing protrudes straight out (rather than at an angle) of the back of the device, making it impossible to place the device against the wall. But if you’re using the non-heated SlimLine tube, you can use a compatible elbow designed at a 90-degree angle. 
  • AirSense 11 heated tubing does not pivot easily
  • Humidifier chamber is difficult to remove
  • Humidifier chamber is impossible to fill to the max line (380 ml) without spilling. Fortunately, there’s a workaround for this issue that won’t cost you a dime.
  • Data on myAir app is not detailed enough
  • Automatic software updates might change your device settings and functions without your permission

Takeaways: ResMed AirSense 11 Review

As the newest product in ResMed’s line of auto CPAP machines, the AirSense 11 AutoSet surely lives up to the hype. Its touchscreen, sleek design, and other new features make it the true embodiment of modern sleep apnea machines–all while maintaining the qualities that make the ResMed brand a favorite choice in the CPAP industry.

As we’ve discussed in this ResMed AirSense 11 review, there are a few inconvenient design changes (like the humidifier chamber). But the overall performance of this device is something you’d expect from a ResMed product.

And while long-time CPAP users might find no noticeable difference between this device and its predecessor (save for the touchscreen), its exclusive myAir app features and integrated AutoSet For Her make it perfect for any beginner and gender.

Buy the ResMed AirSense 11 on RespShop today and enjoy free shipping to the contiguous US! If you have any questions about our AirSense 11 review, you can call, email, or chat with us–our team of sleep specialists and respiratory therapists will help you with any CPAP or therapy-related concern.