Best BiPAP Machine

If you haven’t responded well to CPAP therapy, your doctor may proceed to put you onto BIPAP therapy. Like other positive airway pressure (PAP) machines, BiPAP machines release air through your mouth or nose to keep your airways open while sleeping.

What makes BiPAP machines unique is that they help with both inhaling and exhaling. So while most PAP therapy machines only help with sleep apnea, BiPAP machines work for other conditions that affect breathing.

BiPAP machines are expensive and finding the right one for you can get confusing. With the high prices, prescriptions, and insurance, it’s easy to stall getting a BiPAP machine, even when you shouldn’t. We’ve created a list of the best BiPAP machines, both feature and price-wise, to help you prioritize your sleep health.

Best BiPAP Machine

The Philips Respironics DreamStation BiPAP Pro is a low-profile BiPAP machine with easy-to-use features and vibrant displays. It’s smaller and lighter than most BiPAP machines, too, so it won’t take up much space on your nightstand and is travel-friendly!

What makes the Philips Respironics DreamStation BiPAP Pro so great is its simple and straightforward design. It features a blue pollen filter and a heated humidifier to prevent allergies and other side effects.

The DreamStation BiPAP Pro also has more monitoring choices than any other leading BiPAP machine thanks to its integrated Bluetooth design.

The DreamStation’s DreamMapper app works for countless devices and shows information including a three-night summary and mask fit checker. It shows trends in your nightly use to help you and your doctor track your progress and other trends regarding your sleep health.

The EZ-Start system automatically adjusts the BiPAP’s pressure to suit your personal needs and help to acclimate to your prescribed level of BiPAP therapy.

With the DreamMapper app, you can also complete performance checks to ensure the BiPAP machine is working properly. This way, you won’t have to take it in for servicing as often or unnecessarily.

The Philips Respironics DreamStation BiPAP Pro includes free shipping and a 2-year warranty.

Some BiPAP machines can be big, bulky, and heavy. But the ResMed AirCurve™ 10 VAuto’s sleek, portable design is why it’s the best BiPAP machine for traveling. It’s less than 3 pounds, too, so you won’t have to worry about lugging it around when on vacation or a work trip.

This BiPAP machine has auto-adjusting pressure. As you sleep, it’ll intuitively adjust its pressure as you inhale and exhale to keep you comfortable and undisturbed. If you prefer to manually adjust your BiPAP machine’s pressure, you can turn off this setting and configure the AirCurve™ 10 VAuto’s pressure on your own.

BiPAP machines often release dry air that can cause congestion and a sore throat. ResMed prevents this by adding a built-in humidifier to the AirCurve™ 10 VAuto. The air is moisture-filled to soothe annoying side effects and keep you comfortable. You can adjust the humidity level as you please or remove it entirely if you’d prefer.

The ResMed AirCurve™ 10 VAuto connects to your phone via Bluetooth for a more user-friendly experience. This way, you won’t be up for hours trying to figure out how to make your BiPAP work and finally get to sleep.

Simply download the myAir app to access your sleep data and use the device. There, you can see the number of apnea events you’ve experienced, how long you’ve slept, and more.

The ResMed AirCurve™ 10 VAuto comes with free shipping and a 2-year limited warranty.

What is a BiPAP Machine?

BiPAP machine stands for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure machine. It is an oxygen treatment used to improve your breathing when dealing with certain medical conditions.

Compared to CPAP machines—which are more common—BiPAP machines may work better for people who struggle to exhale due to the continuous air pressure because of their changing air pressure.

BiPAP machines can be used in homes or in medical settings to treat conditions that affect your breathing. Some hospitals may use BIPAP machines during brief medical emergencies as they’re less invasive than traditional intubation.

Reasons you may need a BiPAP machine include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary edema

How to Get a BiPAP Machine

Buying a BiPAP machine can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. The most straightforward way to get a BiPAP machine is by talking to your doctor and checking your insurance coverage. Once you’ve found the right BiPAP machine, collect all the matching accessories for proper use.

Get a Prescription From Your Doctor

You can’t buy BiPAP machines over the counter. Even if you choose to buy a BiPAP machine online, you must receive a prescription from your doctor prior.

Some doctors may choose the exact machine right for you, while others will give more broad terms on what to get. Your doctor will also prescribe the correct pressure settings and set a time limit (if needed) for your BiPAP machine. Regardless, getting a formal prescription is the first step to getting a BiPAP machine.

Check Your Health Insurance Coverage

Now, you don’t necessarily need health insurance to get a BiPAP machine, but you’ll save lots of money by doing so. Before insurance, a BiPAP machine can cost anywhere from $1000 to $6000. This is no small fee, but considering how severe sleep apnea symptoms can get, people can’t avoid getting a BiPAP machine if they need it.

Most insurance plans partially cover the cost of a BiPAP machine, if not all of it, saving you thousands. So, always check in with your insurance company to see how much you can get covered and which specific products they cover. This way, you don’t have to worry about spending so much just to breathe properly.

Buy the Right Accessories

When you buy a BiPAP machine, all you receive is the physical machine. Some BiPAP machines integrate their accessories into the machine so you won’t have to buy them separately, but this is uncommon. Generally, none of the necessary accessories to use a BiPAP machine are included.

With your BiPAP machine, you’ll need to buy a nasal mask, a pillow mask or nasal pillow, and headgear. With some machines, you’ll need to buy an SD card and a connective hose, as well.

These items don’t last forever, either. You should replace your mask every three months, the mask cushion once or twice a month, and the headgear every six months. Be sure to consider the costs of these items when budgeting for your BiPAP machine.

Other accessories you can get to improve your sleep apnea are:

• A mattress for sleep apnea for more comfortable side sleeping
• An adjustable bed to raise the upper body for a clearer airway
• One of the best pillows if yours is old or unsupportive

Pros and Cons of BiPAP Machines

While BiPAP machines aren’t effective for everyone, they’re extremely helpful for compatible users. When deciding whether you want a BiPAP machine or CPAP machine, consider these pros and cons:

Pros

• Relieves severe sleep apnea symptoms and improves sleep
• Ideal option for individuals who didn’t see improvement after CPAP therapy
• More tolerable than CPAP machines
• Helps with both inhalation and exhalation
• Customizable pressure range to suit a person’s specific needs
• Often feature a fan to clear out dust and other contaminants

Cons

• More expensive than CPAP machines
• Requires a doctor’s prescription
• Patients cannot use a BiPAP machine until they’ve failed with a CPAP machine
• Takes longer to adjust to compared to a CPAP machine
• Can cause congestion, nasal dryness, sore nostrils, and rhinitis

FAQs

Where can you buy a BiPAP machine?

You can buy BiPAP machines online, in stores, or directly from your doctor. However, you can’t buy BiPAP machines over the counter. Regardless of where you end up buying your machine from, you’ll need a prescription to legally make a purchase.

Who needs a BiPAP machine?

BiPAP machines are most commonly prescribed for people with sleep apnea after a CPAP machine failed to help them. They can also help people who have pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or are obese.

Doctors may use BiPAP machines for people having an asthma flare-up or who are experiencing poor breathing after a medical operation. Some patients with neurological diseases that disturb breathing may need BiPAP therapy as well.

Can you use a BiPAP machine at home?

Yes! Although BiPAP machines were originally only for in-patient treatment and featured a full-face mask, many of them are now built for at-home use. They’re small enough to fit on a nightstand and only require you to wear a mask over your mouth or nose. With this in mind, you still need a formal prescription to get an auto BiPAP machine.

What’s the difference between a BiPAP and CPAP machine?

CPAP machines are Continuous Positive Air Pressure machines and are the most common treatment for sleep apnea. They release air into your nose or mouth to keep your airways open while you sleep.

BiPAP machines are Bilevel (two-level or bi-level) Positive Air Pressure machines. Unlike CPAP machines, which only release one set pressure during inhalation, BiPAP machines release pressure during inhalation and exhalation. BiPAP machines are typically for patients who did not respond well to CPAP therapy but still need assistance for their sleep apnea.

Other types of PAP therapy include IPAP (Inspiratory Positive Air Pressure) and EPAP (Expiratory Positive Air Pressure).

How long does it take for BiPAP therapy to work?

BiPAP therapy for sleep apnea will vary for everyone. Some people feel better after one night using their BiPAP machine, while it may take a week for others. The important thing is to stay consistent with using your BiPAP machine. That way, you can sleep undisturbed and start feeling restored every morning.

Conclusion

A BiPAP machine can relieve your sleep apnea symptoms and finally bring you relief when sleeping. While our recommendations can help you find the right BiPAP machine, always speak to your doctor beforehand. Your doctor can tell you what machine is best for you, along with other useful components to use to improve your sleep health.