Before you pack
Traveling with a CPAP is straightforward once you know the rules. The battery is the part that requires planning — different airlines, countries, and camping scenarios all have different constraints.
This checklist covers everything you need to know.
Air travel checklist
FAA battery size rules
| Battery capacity | Carry-on | Checked bag | Approval needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100 Wh | ✅ Allowed | ❌ Never | None |
| 100–160 Wh | ✅ Allowed | ❌ Never | Airline approval |
| Over 160 Wh | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | N/A |
How to find your battery's watt-hours
Look for "Wh" on the battery label. If only voltage (V) and amp-hours (Ah) are listed:
Wh = V × Ah
Example: 14.4V × 6.75Ah = 97.2 Wh (under 100 Wh — good to fly)
Pre-flight checklist
- Confirm battery is under 100 Wh (or get airline approval for 100–160 Wh)
- Pack battery in carry-on — never checked luggage
- Tape over exposed battery terminals (TSA recommendation)
- Carry a copy of your CPAP prescription or doctor's letter
- Label the CPAP bag as medical equipment
- Download your CPAP machine's compliance data (some airlines request this)
- Charge battery to 100% before departure
- Bring your wall charger for recharging at your destination
- Check your airline's specific lithium battery policy online before flying
At the airport
- TSA screening: The CPAP machine goes through the X-ray like a laptop. You may be asked to remove it from the bag. The battery is fine in your carry-on.
- At the gate: Inform the gate agent you have medical equipment. It won't count toward your bag limit.
- On the plane: Your CPAP bag goes in the overhead bin or under the seat. Some planes have seatback power outlets — bring your AC adapter.
Camping and off-grid checklist
- Calculate your nightly Wh needs (see our sizing guide)
- Charge battery fully before departure
- Bring a solar panel if camping 2+ nights without power
- Pack a DC-direct cable for maximum efficiency (skip the inverter)
- Bring an HME filter as a humidifier alternative (saves power)
- Test your full setup at home before your trip
- Pack a backup USB power bank for charging your phone separately
Solar charging tips
A 100 W portable solar panel produces roughly 300–400 Wh on a sunny day (4–5 peak sun hours). That's enough to recharge most mid-range batteries in one day.
Tips:
- Position the panel facing the sun by 10 AM
- Clear any shade — even partial shade cuts output dramatically
- Expect 50–70% of rated panel wattage in real conditions
- Foldable panels pack easier; rigid panels perform better
Road trip checklist
- Bring a 12V car charger cable for your battery
- Install a cigarette lighter adapter or use a 12V DC-DC converter for direct CPAP power
- Consider a battery isolator if running CPAP from your vehicle battery overnight
- Keep a backup portable battery fully charged in case you can't run the vehicle
- Test the car charging setup before your trip to confirm adequate power delivery
International travel tips
- Many countries use 220–240V power — confirm your CPAP power supply is dual-voltage (most are 100–240V)
- Bring a plug adapter for your destination country
- Some countries have strict lithium battery import rules — check before flying
- Carry your CPAP prescription in English and the local language if possible
Packing strategy
- CPAP machine — in its own soft case or a dedicated travel bag
- Battery — in carry-on, ideally in the same bag as the CPAP
- Cables — DC power cable, AC adapter, car charger
- Accessories — mask, hose, HME filter, distilled water packets
- Documents — prescription, compliance report, battery Wh rating
Pro tip: Keep everything CPAP-related in one bag. If you need to pull it out at security or the gate, you want it accessible without digging through your luggage.
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