ResMed AirMini Review: A FullTime Traveler’s Year-Long Test [2024]

This in-depth ResMed AirMini review is based on my experience using it nightly while traveling fulltime across multiple countries. Unlike most reviews from occasional travelers, this represents real-world testing in various environments and conditions.

Why I Needed a Travel CPAP

A tremendous amount of research went into all aspects of our plan to travel fulltime and since my heart condition was one of the drivers of our early retirement, health was a critical concern.  Maintaining one’s health while fully nomadic presents some possible challenges, prescription refills being the most obvious and commonly discussed issue. I had another problem to solve; how to travel with a cpap machine.

Aside from the thing where my heart would randomly decide to put me down, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago. After 30 years of her complaining about my snoring, I finally did the sleep study and they were like “Yeah, dude, you stop breathing A LOT when you sleep. That’s really bad for you.”

So, I got the standard size big black box (ResMed Airsense 10) next to my bed and with that, the improved quality of life that comes along with your wife sleeping better. But it’s a fairly big machine and it has a humidifier chamber that prefers distilled water and the power block is massive. It is ‘portable’ only by the most generous definition.

We had traveled with the standard size ResMed Airsense 10 before we set out on our fulltime travels and found that it takes up a lot of space. The carrying case was as big as the personal item I carried my laptop and necessities in. Since there was no practical way to get around my need for C-PAP therapy and carrying that thing around the world sounded ridiculous, I looked into more portable travel cpap machines. 

The first thing I learned is that they are not inexpensive. The second thing I learned is that travel size C-PAP machines aren’t going to be covered by insurance so the expense is 100% out of pocket. 

The few discussions I have seen in travel groups regarding C-PAP machines have mostly been about the availability of distilled water in some particular place. Very little conversation appears to be happening regarding which machines are being used and of those, which ones are most reliable and durable.

In all of my research, the ResMed AirMini travel C-PAP machine kept bubbling to the top of my thinking.

While reading reviews, I saw a lot of complaints about how loud the AirMini is. I never thought the AirSense 10 was particularly quiet so that was a concern. Sandra didn’t seem to notice excessive noise either except when my mask slipped and she could hear the rushing air.

Choosing the ResMed AirMini

After extensive research into travel CPAP options, I consistently found the ResMed AirMini rising to the top. However, two major concerns emerged:

1. Cost Considerations:
   • Travel CPAPs aren’t typically covered by insurance
   • Requires significant out-of-pocket investment (~$1,000)
   • No demo programs available to test before buying
2. Is ResMed AirMini suitable for everyday use?
   • Limited long-term use data available
   • Most reviews from occasional travelers
   • Mixed feedback on reliability

Can I use a travel C-PAP all the time?

Also, there didn’t seem to be any data on how durable the travel machines are. They’re designed to be used for short periods; vacation travel, basically.  Reviews that mentioned durability or longevity were not only few and far between, but seemed to be holiday travelers and campers. Sure, it’s lasted for 3 years. On the other hand, it only gets used 20 or 30 nights per year. So, maybe it’s okay? The flip side, of course, were the “I took mine on one trip and it fell apart” reviews every travel-related product seems to get.

Sadly, there isn’t really any kind of demo program; you spend your $1,000 and hope for the best.

Long-Term Usage Experience

Noise Levels

Despite numerous online complaints about noise, my experience has been surprisingly positive. Comparing the AirMini to my previous AirSense 10:

• Minimal difference in overall noise
• Slightly louder airflow through hose/N20mask
• HumidX cartridge seems to help muffle some noise

Mask Compatibility

I transitioned from a nasal pillow to an over-the-nose mask:

• N20 (over-nose) – more open space, slightly more noise but it came with the machine
• HumidX cartridge helps break up airflow noise

Power Solutions

To address potential power issues while traveling, I invested in the Pilot -24 Battery Pack, which offers several advantages:

• Eliminates need for extension cords
• Protects from power surges
• Provides backup during power outages
• Works during flights if needed
• Includes USB-A output for other devices (handy)

Travel Considerations

Airline Policies and Packing

Medical devices are excluded from luggage allowances on domestic carriers. My setup includes:

1. Dedicated Curmio C-PAP Bag (11.2″x 5.1″x 6.1″)
2. C-PAP Medical Alert Equipment Luggage Tag with FAA rules
3. Carabiner attachment system for backpack
4. Only C-PAP-related items in medical bag

Maintenance Schedule

• Bi-weekly air filter changes
• Monthly HumidX cartridge replacement
• Regular battery pack cycling for longevity

Final Verdict

Having used my ResMed AirMini every night for a year now, I can confidently say it was a great choice. One of the biggest concerns I had before purchasing was the noise level, since online reviews frequently mentioned this as an issue. I decided to do a thorough comparison before committing to traveling with it.

In the weeks before we left, I alternated between my trusty AirSense 10 and the new AirMini. While I noticed the air flowing through the hose and N20 nasal CPAP mask seemed slightly louder with the AirMini, I had to wonder if I was just hearing what I expected to hear after reading all those reviews. The real test came from Sandra, who reported she couldn’t tell which machine I was using on any given night.

The noise comparison isn’t quite that simple though. When I switched to the AirMini, I also had to change my mask style. My previous setup with the AirSense 10 used the Swift FX nasal pillow style, which by design tends to be quieter since it delivers air directly to your nostrils. The new ResMed AirFit N20 nasal mask I’m using with the AirMini works differently – it creates a seal around your nose and pushes air into this open space before you breathe it in, naturally creating a different sound pattern.

Why did I change masks? The decision was partly necessity and partly curiosity. My original headgear wasn’t compatible with the AirMini, and since I needed new equipment anyway, I decided to try a different mask style. Some C-PAP users switch between mask types depending on their needs, but honestly, the noise difference hasn’t been significant enough to justify purchasing additional equipment. Both setups allow for a peaceful night’s sleep, and that’s what really matters.

I do think that using the HumidX cartridge muffles some of the noise. It breaks up the airflow in the hose. 

Since we have had experience with inconvenient power outlet locations (and power outages) while traveling, I got a Pilot -24 Battery Pack so I wouldn’t ever have to use an extension cord. 

Having some background in electronics and computers, it also occurred to me that using the battery pack is a good way to protect a potentially delicate device from power surges and the like. The device says it can operate on 120–240VAC and 50/60Hz but why take a chance that ‘dirty’ power might damage it? Also, we would be traveling to some countries where brief power outages are fairly common and when a C-PAP machine shuts off, it’s worse than not having one at all as far as ‘ability to continue breathing’ is concerned.

The Pilot-24 battery pack can also power the AirMini in flight if needed. I am fortunate that my sleep apnea isn’t an issue unless I’m pretty close to horizontal so I haven’t needed to use it for that.

I change the air filter bi-weekly and the HumidX cartridge monthly and randomly use the battery pack for other things like charging my phone or GoPro batteries (aside from the power port for the C-PAP, it has a USB-A output port), so it doesn’t constantly stay in the same charge/discharge range. Probably doesn’t even matter but I’m old and I remember when rechargeable batteries were prone to take a ‘set’ and only work within a certain range after a while.

Since medical devices are excluded from your luggage allowances (at least on Domestic carriers) I keep all of my C-PAP gear in one bag designed specifically for this use. Conversely, to avoid potential debate with airline personnel, there is nothing in the bag (aside from a few business cards) that doesn’t 100% relate to the C-PAP. So far – knock wood – there has not been any question about my carrying this along with a carry-on backpack and a personal item. For travel, this bag clips onto my backpack with a carabineer at each end so it is against one side of the pack

Overall, I have been very happy with the ResMed AirMini travel C-PAP. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, nor is it very heavy even with all the bits and bobs. I haven’t put it on the scale but I’d bet that the backup battery weighs more than the device, mask and tubing combined.