What to know before you buy
CPAP machines vary a lot in how much power they draw. Before picking a battery, you need to know your machine's actual consumption — not the number on the power supply label.
The power supply rating is the maximum the machine can ever draw. Real-world usage is much lower. Here are typical averages:
| Machine | Without humidifier | With humidifier + heat |
|---|---|---|
| ResMed AirMini | 6-7W | N/A (passive HumidX only) |
| ResMed AirSense 11 | 8-15W | 30-55W |
| Philips DreamStation 2 | 5-10W | 25-50W |
| Philips CPAP (legacy) | 15-25W | 40-70W |
For an 8-hour night, multiply your average watts by 8 to get the watt-hours you need. Add 20-30% buffer for cold temperatures, high pressure, or battery aging.
Rule of thumb:
- CPAP only (no humidity): 150-250 Wh for one night
- CPAP with humidifier: 300-500 Wh for one night
- ResMed AirMini: 50-60 Wh for one night
Best backup batteries for CPAP in 2026
Best travel battery: Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite
The Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite is the go-to for anyone who flies with their CPAP. At 97.68 Wh, it stays under the FAA's 100 Wh carry-on limit without needing airline approval. It connects directly to compatible ResMed and other machines via DC, cutting out the conversion losses you get with a power station.
The result is better runtime per dollar than most alternatives. For an AirMini, you get about 14-16 hours (two nights). For an AirSense 11 without humidification, expect 6-10 hours depending on your pressure settings.
It's not cheap at around $290, but it's the product most CPAP travelers settle on after one bad trip with the wrong battery.
Best for: Air travel, light packing, one or two night trips Capacity: 97.68 Wh Weight: 1.4 lbs FAA approved: Yes
Best under $200: EcoFlow RIVER 2
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 packs 256 Wh and charges from zero to full in about 60 minutes. For a CPAP user, that's 8-10 hours of therapy without humidification, or about 4-5 hours if you run the heated humidifier.
The LiFePO4 battery chemistry gives it 3,000+ charge cycles before hitting 80% capacity. Buy it today and it'll likely outlast your CPAP machine. The pure sine wave AC output handles any CPAP cleanly with no compatibility issues.
Solar-compatible too, which matters if you camp without hookups. Pair it with a 110W foldable panel and you can recharge mid-trip.
Best for: Camping, road trips, home outage backup Capacity: 256 Wh Weight: 7.7 lbs FAA approved: No
Best for power outages: Bluetti AC2A
The Bluetti AC2A has one feature that sets it apart for home backup: UPS mode. Keep it plugged into the wall and it charges automatically. When your electricity fails, it switches to battery in under 20 milliseconds. Your CPAP doesn't skip a beat.
LiFePO4 chemistry means it handles daily charge-discharge cycles without degrading fast. At around $150, it's also the most affordable LiFePO4 option on this list. The 204 Wh capacity covers most CPAPs for a full night without humidification.
Best for: Home power outage protection, always-on backup Capacity: 204 Wh Weight: 7.5 lbs FAA approved: No
Best budget option: Jackery Explorer 240 v2
The Jackery Explorer 240 v2 is the reliable workhorse in this category. 241 Wh, clean sine wave output, 5.2 lbs, and around $200. It's not the fastest charger and it uses Li-ion instead of LiFePO4, but it's proven reliable across thousands of CPAP users.
For one night of CPAP-only therapy it's plenty. For multi-night camping you'd want more capacity. It's a solid starter battery if you want a trusted brand without a lot of research.
Best for: Budget buyers, one-night backup, first CPAP battery Capacity: 241 Wh Weight: 5.2 lbs FAA approved: No
Best for multi-night camping: Jackery Explorer 300
The Jackery Explorer 300 steps up to 293 Wh in a 7.1-lb frame. For a CPAP drawing 25W without humidification, that's 9-12 hours of runtime, or roughly 1-2 solid nights. Run the humidifier and you get 5-6 hours, just enough for one night.
The bigger win is using it alongside a solar panel for camping without shore power. Pair it with a 100W foldable panel and you can fully recharge it in a few hours of sun, making multi-week off-grid trips possible.
Best for: Extended camping, solar setups, multi-night trips Capacity: 293 Wh Weight: 7.1 lbs FAA approved: No
Side-by-side comparison
| Battery | Capacity | Weight | Runtime (no humidity) | Runtime (with humidity) | Price | FAA OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite | 97.68 Wh | 1.4 lb | 6-13 hrs | 2-3 hrs | ~$290 | Yes |
| Bluetti AC2A | 204 Wh | 7.5 lb | 7-9 hrs | 3-5 hrs | ~$150 | No |
| Jackery Explorer 240 v2 | 241 Wh | 5.2 lb | 8-10 hrs | 4-5 hrs | ~$200 | No |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 | 256 Wh | 7.7 lb | 8-10 hrs | 4-5 hrs | ~$200 | No |
| Jackery Explorer 300 | 293 Wh | 7.1 lb | 9-12 hrs | 5-6 hrs | ~$250 | No |
Runtime estimates assume 25W draw without humidifier, 50W with heated humidifier. Dedicated CPAP batteries with DC-direct connections run 10-20% more efficient than AC power stations.
How to pick the right one
Flying with your CPAP? The Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite is the only viable carry-on battery here. Everything else is over 100 Wh and can't fly without special approval or at all.
Protecting against power outages at home? Get the Bluetti AC2A. The UPS mode handles failover automatically, and the LiFePO4 chemistry means it'll hold up for years of standby use.
Going camping without hookups? The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the best value — 256 Wh, fast charging, solar-compatible, and durable chemistry. It can be fully recharged from a 110W panel in 2-3 hours of direct sun.
On a tight budget? The Jackery Explorer 240 v2 at ~$200 is the most sensible entry point. It's been around long enough to have a strong reputation and is unlikely to surprise you.
Tips for getting more runtime from any battery
- Turn off the heated humidifier. It's the single biggest power draw on most machines. Even dropping humidity from 4 to 2 cuts your consumption significantly.
- Use DC connection when possible. If your battery has a DC output and your CPAP takes a matching cable, use it. Skipping the AC conversion saves 10-20%.
- Fix mask leaks. A leaky mask makes your machine work harder and draws more power. Tighten up your seal.
- Keep the battery warm. Cold kills battery capacity. In below-40-degree weather, store the battery inside until bedtime.
- Start fully charged. Simple but easy to forget. Always charge your battery before a trip or a storm season.
What to read next
- CPAP battery sizing guide — calculate exactly how many Wh you need
- CPAP camping setup guide — off-grid gear list and solar tips
- Best battery for ResMed AirMini — dedicated guide for the AirMini
- Best battery for ResMed AirSense 11 — dedicated guide for the AirSense 11
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