Buying Guide For A CPAP Machine
Selecting the right CPAP machine that fits your CPAP prescription needs ensures CPAP compliance and a comfortable therapy experience. Many users may try out different machines until they find one that works best for them. Here is a simple guide to help you find and choose the best CPAP machine for a good night’s sleep.
What Are CPAP Machines Used For?
CPAP machines are used to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is simply the absence of breath while you sleep. This disorder can lead to serious fatigue and other health problems. Fortunately, the most common form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is easily treatable with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
How to Choose A CPAP Machine
Expert Advice
Speak to your doctor about your CPAP therapy needs. Your prescription will require specific settings and your doctor can help you find a machine that provides the best range of settings. Also know that adjustments are always made in CPAP therapy, so your doctor may recommend a machine with a flexible range. Recommendations from your doctor can also help you select the best CPAP mask for your needs and whether or not you will need humidification.
Find the Best Fit
There is a range of CPAP machines on the market. If you mainly use CPAP at home, you may want to select a home unit. For frequent travelers, a portable CPAP machine lets you stay CPAP compliant while on the go. Other options include bi-level CPAP and auto CPAP machines which can be helpful if you struggle with traditional CPAP therapy. Finding the best fit may take some trial and error if you are new to CPAP therapy.
Prioritize Your Comfort
A comfortable CPAP experience is the best strategy for staying CPAP compliant. Most users give up on their CPAP machines because of the lack of comfort. Auto CPAP machines can help you adjust to the pressurized air of CPAP, especially if you are just beginning therapy. Selecting the right CPAP mask also helps ensure the most comfort. There are several different types of masks to choose from and you need to know your comfort level with each to best understand the right mask for you.
Accessory Exploration
Along with your CPAP machine and CPAP mask, there are additional accessories to make therapy more comfortable and convenient. Longer tubing may be an option for more freedom while sleeping. External humidifiers moisten the pressurized air and can help reduce red marks or nose sores. If you selected a portable CPAP machine, you may want to invest in external batteries to extend the power duration of your machine while away from home.
Find Warranty, Guarantee, and Repair Options
Protection for your CPAP equipment ensures lasting performance. Most CPAP machines are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. Check to see the length of that warranty protection before you buy. You should also look for a money-back guarantee if the machine does not fit your needs. The CPAP Shop provides a 30 day money back guarantee on most CPAP machines. You may also want to look at repair agreements for your machine.
Check For Insurance Coverage
Some health insurance policies may help you pay for your CPAP machine purchase. Check with your insurance provider and review your specific policy for coverage. If the CPAP machine is critical for managing your health concern, you may receive partial or full coverage for the equipment. While obstructive sleep apnea may not be a major illness, arguably it can affect health and may be prioritized as vital for your personal well-being by your doctor to get coverage.
Attention To Detail
Every CPAP machine offers different benefits that can be helpful for a user. Other users may find the bells and whistles unnecessary and choose a simpler CPAP machine for less money. Conveniences may include built in humidifiers, so you don’t need an external one. Many CPAP machines also come with sleep coaching services and Bluetooth connectivity for those CPAP users who want to monitor their sleep health progress. Look for these and other details when selecting your CPAP machine.
Home medical devices, such as CPAP machines, are an important part of everyday life for a number of people. The ability to purchase that equipment quickly and conveniently is important. That is why a number of retailers offer the ability to buy a CPAP machine online.
A variety of CPAP machines, including home and travel machines, auto machines, and BiPAP machines can be found from trusted online retailers. Detailed video tutorials and extensive customer reviews make purchasing a CPAP machine online easier than ever.
Benefits of Buying a CPAP Machine Online
Purchasing a CPAP machine online has a lot of similar benefits to other online shopping. Individuals are able to compare all of the various CPAP machine types from the comfort of their own home. Products can be compared based on important features, prices, and reviews without ever having to go from store to store. Many online retailers even have mobile apps or websites optimized for smartphones.
Can I Return my CPAP Machine?
Return policies on CPAP machines vary among online retailers. The CPAP Shop offers a 30-day risk-free guarantee on most CPAP masks and a limited risk-free trial on some CPAP machines. The CPAP Shop also honors all manufacturer warranties. Give our customer support team a call for more information about a specific product.
Is it Illegal to Buy a CPAP Machine Online?
It is not illegal to purchase a CPAP machine online. However, it is legally required to have a prescription from a licensed physician prior to buying a CPAP machine. This requirement is part of the FDA classification of CPAP/BiPAP machines as Class II Medical Devices.
Things to Consider Before Buying Online
Do your homework before making a CPAP machine purchase. Speak to your doctor about your prescription and what CPAP machine they recommend. Read reviews to see what other users have experienced.
Additional questions you may want to ask yourself about your CPAP use:
- Will I be traveling with my machine, or will it just be for home use?
- Will I need accessories, such as batteries or a heated humidifier?
- Do I want wireless connectivity so I can share data with my doctor?
- What are ramp and flex features? Will I need them?
- Does my doctor recommend a BiPAP machine instead?
Which CPAP Machine is Best for Me?
Review different CPAP machine manufacturers to find a good machine for your needs. Look at the different properties of each CPAP machine and compare. You may find that some machines with fewer features that are less important to you will cost you less. CPAP machines with advanced features can also help make CPAP therapy easier and more effective.
CPAP Manufacturers
Properties To Look for in A CPAP Machine
- Quality
- Maintenance history
- Price/Value
- Portability
- Comfort
- Technology
Are There Cons to Buying a CPAP Online?
The biggest difficulty with buying anything online is to make sure you are purchasing from a reputable vendor. When it comes to CPAP machines or supplies, double-check that the site has an actual address and you can call and reach live customer support. You want to make sure that the products you purchased are new and not refurbished. This is imperative for your own health.
Do Online Sellers Have the Same Expertise as a Brick and Mortar?
With a well-educated customer support team, The CPAP Shop offers the same expertise as any brick and mortar CPAP machine supplier, but with the convenience of shopping at home. We can help match up your prescription to the correct machine and suggest products to use based on your needs. We are prepared to answer all your questions before, during, and after the purchase process to help lead you to successful CPAP compliance.
The Benefits of Buying from The CPAP Shop
The CPAP Shop is an authorized seller of CPAP equipment and works closely with manufacturers like Philips Respironics, ResMed, and Fisher & Paykel to provide the newest, most innovative sleep solutions. We currently have 900+ products in stock and offer patients a variety of CPAP masks, machines, and accessories to accommodate their specific lifestyle needs. Because we stand behind our products, we also offer risk-free trials on several of our items, including all our CPAP masks. We’re committed to helping you find the right mask to fit your needs.
As an online retailer, The CPAP Shop offers promotional pricing during sales. For the best deal, sign up for our newsletters.
We also offer free US shipping on orders over $99, an opportunity to earn rewards on each purchase, and monthly financing options through Bread.
Lastly, we offer a comprehensive blog and video library with tips and tools from our on-staff respiratory therapist and other sleep experts. These resources are designed to give our customers the proper foundation for better adherence to sleep therapy.
If you have questions about selecting the right CPAP machine for you, our expert customer care team is available to help! Give us a call at 866-414-9700 or email us at questions@thecpapshop.com.
