The camping CPAP problem (and the solution)
Your CPAP machine needs power every night. Campgrounds without shore hookups don't have power. This used to mean either skipping the campsite or skipping therapy — neither of which is a good option.
The good news: portable battery technology caught up. A $200 portable power station now gives you enough capacity to run a CPAP for 4-5 nights on one charge. A $300 solar panel lets you recharge during the day for indefinite trips. The AirMini and a small battery weigh under 2 lbs total.
Camping with a CPAP is genuinely practical now. You just need the right gear.
Step 1: Know your machine's actual power draw
The key number isn't the wattage rating on your power supply — that's the maximum. What matters is how many watts your machine draws during normal use.
Typical real-world averages:
| Machine | CPAP only | With humidifier |
|---|---|---|
| ResMed AirMini | 6-7W | N/A (passive humidifier) |
| ResMed AirSense 11 | 8-15W | 35-55W |
| Philips DreamStation 2 | 5-10W | 25-50W |
| Older full-size CPAPs | 15-25W | 40-70W |
To find yours, look at the label on your power supply (the box on your cord). Divide the wattage by 2-3 for a rough estimate of real-world draw without the humidifier. For an 8-hour night at that draw, that's your minimum battery size in watt-hours.
Step 2: Choose the right battery type for your trip
Not all trips need the same battery. Here's how to match the battery to the trip:
Car camping or RV without hookups
You're not carrying the battery on your back, so weight isn't a constraint. That means you can go bigger and cheaper.
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the best value option here. At 256 Wh and around $200, it covers 4-5 nights for an AirMini or 1-2 nights for a full-size CPAP without humidification. The LiFePO4 battery handles the repeated charge-discharge cycles you'll put it through without degrading fast. Charges from wall (1 hour) or solar (2-3 hours with a 100W panel).
The Jackery Explorer 300 is another solid choice at 293 Wh and ~$250. Slightly more capacity than the RIVER 2 and Jackery's build quality is proven. It's a bit heavier at 7.1 lbs but at a car campsite that doesn't matter.
Backpacking or any trip where weight matters
You need the lightest battery that covers your trip length. Weight is the primary constraint.
The Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite at 1.4 lbs and 97.68 Wh is the gold standard for backpacking CPAP users. It connects via DC directly to the AirMini, which means no energy wasted on conversion. Two full nights per charge. FAA-approved for carry-on if you're flying to your trailhead.
For budget-conscious backpackers, a 100 Wh USB-C PD power bank with a USB-C to AirMini barrel cable gets you two nights for $60-100 total. It works for the AirMini only, and your power bank does double duty charging your phone and GPS.
Base camp trips (hike in once, stay multiple nights)
Go bigger. The Jackery Explorer 500 at 518 Wh covers an AirMini for 9-10 nights or a full-size CPAP for 2-4 nights on one charge. Pair it with a 100W solar panel and you never run out, even on a two-week trip.
Step 3: Should you turn off the humidifier?
This is the question most CPAP campers wrestle with. Here's the honest answer: turn it off or significantly reduce it if you want more than one night per charge.
A heated humidifier can triple your machine's power draw. An AirSense 11 that draws 12W at CPAP-only becomes 45-55W with the humidifier and heated tube running. On a 256 Wh battery, that's the difference between 10 hours and 4 hours.
Your options:
- Turn off humidification completely. Your nose and mouth will be drier. You can compensate with saline spray or a chin strap if you mouth breathe.
- Lower the humidity setting. Dropping from setting 4 to setting 2 cuts power draw meaningfully while still providing some moisture.
- Turn off only the heated tube. The tube heater is its own power draw. Disabling it while keeping the humidifier chamber active saves 10-20W.
- Use a heat moisture exchanger (HME). Devices like the ResMed ClimateLineAir filter recycle moisture from your exhale at zero power cost. They don't work as well as a powered humidifier in dry climates, but they're far better than nothing.
The AirMini sidesteps this entirely. It uses the passive HumidX insert with no power draw at all. If humidification while camping is important to you, the AirMini + HumidX Plus combo is worth considering.
Step 4: Plan for solar if you're going more than 2-3 nights
Any trip longer than 2-3 nights should include a solar panel unless you have access to a car you can charge from.
How solar charging works:
- Most portable power stations accept solar via DC barrel or XT60 connector
- The EcoFlow RIVER 2 accepts up to 110W solar input and can charge in 3-4 hours of direct sun
- A 100W foldable solar panel folds down to about the size of a laptop bag and weighs 4-5 lbs
- Park the panel in direct sun during the day, connect to your power station, arrive at camp with a full battery
Recommended solar panel: The Jackery SolarSaga 100W is widely compatible and works well with both Jackery and EcoFlow power stations (with an adapter cable). Around $150.
A 100W panel in direct sunlight outputs about 80-90W after losses. It fully recharges a 256 Wh battery in about 3 hours. On partly cloudy days, budget 5-6 hours. In heavy cloud cover, you might get 30-40W and need most of the day.
Gear list for different trip types
Weekend car camping (2 nights)
- EcoFlow RIVER 2 — 256 Wh, covers 4-5 AirMini nights or 1-2 nights for full-size CPAP (~$200)
- Or Jackery Explorer 240 v2 (~$200)
- No solar needed for a weekend
Week-long car camping (5-7 nights)
- EcoFlow RIVER 2 + Jackery SolarSaga 100W (~$350 combined)
- Recharge daily from solar, never think about battery level
Backpacking (2-3 nights, weight matters)
- ResMed AirMini + Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite — total CPAP setup
2 lbs ($290 for battery) - Budget option: AirMini + 100 Wh USB-C PD bank + AirMini cable (~$60-100)
Extended base camp (7+ nights)
- Jackery Explorer 500 + 100W solar panel (~$450 combined)
- Enough for any CPAP machine, multiple devices, and indefinite trips with daily solar charging
Practical tips for camping with a CPAP
Keep the battery inside your tent at night. Lithium batteries lose capacity in cold temperatures. At 40 degrees F, a battery rated 256 Wh might only deliver 210 Wh. Keeping it inside your sleeping area maintains better performance.
Manage condensation in the hose. Cold nights cause moisture from the humidifier (or just your breath) to condense inside the hose. Route the hose under your sleeping bag to keep it warm, or use a fleece hose cover (~2 oz, available on Amazon).
Position the CPAP above heart level. This prevents any condensation from running into the machine rather than draining away from you.
Bring a short 6-10 foot extension cord. Power stations are bulky. A short extension cord lets you put the battery at the base of your sleeping pad and position the CPAP where you need it.
Label your cables. In the dark, a DC cable for your CPAP and your phone charging cable look identical. A piece of tape with "CPAP" written on it saves fumbling at 2 AM.
What to read next
- Best CPAP backup batteries — all batteries compared in one place
- CPAP backpacking guide — ultralight setups for the trail
- CPAP battery sizing guide — calculate your exact needs
- Best battery for ResMed AirMini — dedicated AirMini battery guide
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