Two brands, one problem
You need backup power for your CPAP machine. You start shopping and immediately land on the same two brands everyone else is comparing: Jackery and EcoFlow. Both make solid portable power stations. Both have models that work with CPAP machines. But which one actually makes more sense for sleep apnea therapy?
This guide breaks it down with real numbers. No fluff, no brand loyalty. Just watt-hours, runtime estimates, and practical advice for people who need their CPAP to keep running when the grid does not.
How much power does a CPAP actually draw?
Before comparing power stations, you need to know what you are feeding. CPAP power draw varies by model, pressure setting, and whether you run a heated humidifier.
Without a humidifier: Most full-size CPAP machines draw roughly 15 to 30 watts. Full-size home units like the ResMed AirSense 11 and Philips DreamStation 2 sit in that range depending on your prescribed pressure (we measured about 18.6 watts on an AirSense 11). Lightweight travel models like the ResMed AirMini draw far less, around 6 watts on average.
With a heated humidifier: Power draw roughly doubles or triples. Expect about 30 to 50 watts with the heated humidifier on, and 50 to 70 watts with a heated tube and the humidity cranked toward max.
This matters because a 288 Wh battery powering a 30-watt CPAP lasts about 7 hours after inverter losses. That same battery powering a 70-watt CPAP with humidifier and heated tube lasts about 3 hours. The power station you choose depends entirely on how you use your machine.
For a deeper look at how to calculate your exact needs, see our CPAP battery sizing guide.
The contenders
We are comparing three popular power stations that CPAP users ask about most:
- Jackery Explorer 300 - compact, affordable, 293 Wh
- EcoFlow RIVER 2 - compact, affordable, 256 Wh
- EcoFlow DELTA 3 - large capacity, 1024 Wh
The first two compete directly against each other at the same price point. The DELTA 3 is in a different class entirely, but it answers a different question: what if you need multiple nights of backup power?
Head-to-head comparison table
| Feature | Jackery Explorer 300 | EcoFlow RIVER 2 | EcoFlow DELTA 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 293 Wh | 256 Wh | 1024 Wh |
| CPAP runtime (no humidifier) | 7 to 15 hours | 6 to 14 hours | 24 to 55 hours |
| CPAP runtime (with humidifier) | 3 to 8 hours | 2.5 to 7 hours | 10 to 27 hours |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs | 7.7 lbs | 27.6 lbs |
| Price | ~$259 | ~$239 | ~$599 |
| Buy on Amazon | Jackery Explorer 300 | EcoFlow RIVER 2 | EcoFlow DELTA 3 |
Runtime ranges assume 15 to 30 watts without humidification and 30 to 70 watts with, at 70 to 80% usable energy through the AC inverter and power brick (DC-direct adds roughly 10 to 20%). Your actual numbers depend on your CPAP model, pressure settings, mask leak rate, and room temperature.
Jackery Explorer 300: the details
The Jackery Explorer 300 packs 293 Wh into a box that weighs 7.5 pounds. It is one of the lightest power stations with enough capacity to get most CPAP users through a full night without humidification.
Power output: 300 watts continuous from the AC outlet, with a pure sine wave inverter. That is more than enough for any CPAP machine on the market. It also has USB-A, USB-C, and a 12V car port if your CPAP supports DC input.
Charging speed: Wall charging is noticeably slower than the RIVER 2, so plan on a few hours from empty. Solar charging is supported through a compatible Jackery panel (sold separately), which is useful for multi-day camping trips. See our solar charging guide for panel recommendations.
Noise: Jackery units are generally quiet. The fan kicks on under load but stays below conversational volume. Most CPAP users report they can sleep with it running on the nightstand.
Build quality: Solid construction with a sturdy carry handle. The display shows input/output wattage and remaining battery percentage. No app required, though one is available if you want remote monitoring.
Best for: Weekend camping, short power outages, and travel where you do not need humidification. If you run your CPAP without a heated humidifier, the Explorer 300 can reliably cover a full 7 to 8 hour sleep session on a single charge.
EcoFlow RIVER 2: the details
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 comes in at 256 Wh and 7.7 pounds. It is 37 Wh smaller than the Jackery Explorer 300, which translates to roughly 30 to 60 fewer minutes of CPAP runtime depending on your power draw.
Power output: 300 watts continuous, pure sine wave. Same as the Jackery. Ports include AC, USB-A, USB-C, and a car outlet.
Charging speed: This is where EcoFlow pulls ahead. The RIVER 2 charges from 0 to 100% in about one hour using the wall charger. That is well ahead of the Jackery. If you are in a situation where you need to recharge during the day and use it again at night, faster charging is a real advantage.
Noise: Comparable to the Jackery. The fan is noticeable but not loud enough to disrupt sleep for most people. During charging, it gets louder due to faster charge rates.
Build quality: Compact and well-built. The EcoFlow app offers more features than Jackery's, including remote on/off, charge scheduling, and firmware updates. Whether you care about app features for a CPAP backup battery is another question.
X-Boost mode: EcoFlow's X-Boost technology can handle devices up to 600 watts by reducing voltage. You will not need this for a CPAP (they draw well under 300 watts), but it could be useful if you want to power other appliances during an outage.
Best for: Users who need fast recharging between uses, or anyone already in the EcoFlow ecosystem with compatible solar panels.
EcoFlow DELTA 3: the heavy hitter
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 is a different animal. At 1024 Wh and about 27.6 pounds, it is not something you casually toss in a backpack. But if you need multiple nights of CPAP runtime or you want to run a heated humidifier all night, this is the category you are shopping in.
Power output: 1800 watts continuous, which is massive overkill for CPAP use. But it means you can power your CPAP, charge your phone, run a fan, and keep a small lamp going all from one unit during a power outage.
CPAP runtime: At 15 to 30 watts without humidification, the DELTA 3 delivers 24 to 55 hours of runtime. That is three to nearly seven full nights. With a heated humidifier drawing 30 to 70 watts, you still get 10 to 27 hours, enough for at least one full night and possibly three if you keep humidity settings moderate.
Charging: EcoFlow quotes a full charge in 56 minutes with AC and solar input combined. Solar charging is supported up to 500 watts, and you can expand capacity with add-on batteries up to 5 kWh total.
Weight and portability: At about 27.6 pounds, this is a stay-at-home or car-camping unit. You are not carrying it through an airport or onto a hiking trail. It has sturdy handles and a solid footprint, so it sits securely on a nightstand or floor.
Best for: Extended power outages (hurricane season, winter storms), car camping with full comfort, or anyone who wants to run their CPAP with heated humidification on battery power for a full night. Our CPAP power outage prep guide covers when this level of capacity makes sense.
Jackery vs EcoFlow: which should you buy?
If you want the most runtime per dollar in a compact package: Get the Jackery Explorer 300. It has 37 Wh more capacity than the RIVER 2 for about $20 more, at a similar weight. That extra capacity translates to roughly one more hour of CPAP runtime, which could be the difference between making it through the night and waking up at 5 AM with a dead battery.
If fast recharging matters to you: Get the EcoFlow RIVER 2. Charging in about one hour instead of several is a meaningful difference if you are recharging between uses during a multi-day outage or using it on alternating nights while car camping.
If you need to run a humidifier or want multi-night backup: Get the EcoFlow DELTA 3. Neither of the compact units can reliably power a CPAP with heated humidification for a full night. The DELTA 3 can. It costs more and weighs more, but it solves a problem the smaller units cannot.
Jackery's newer Explorer 300 Plus is no longer available on Amazon, so the original Explorer 300 is the Jackery pick in this comparison: 293 Wh, two pure sine AC outlets (300 W), a 60 W USB-C PD port, and a 12V car port at 7.5 pounds and about $259. Jackery's current listing describes the cells as LiFePO4, but independent spec sheets for this 2021 unit list NMC cells, so if you want guaranteed LiFePO4 buy the Explorer 300 v2 (288 Wh) instead. Jackery's Amazon listing for it does not claim a UPS mode, so do not count on automatic switchover during an outage. Our Jackery for CPAP guide sizes every current Explorer by CPAP model.
Tips for maximizing CPAP runtime on any power station
Regardless of which brand you choose, these tips help you get more hours out of every charge:
Turn off the heated humidifier. This is the single biggest change you can make. Dropping the humidifier cuts your power draw roughly in half. Use a heat moisture exchanger (HME) filter instead if dry air bothers you.
Use a DC connection if your CPAP supports it. Running through the AC outlet wastes 10 to 20% of battery capacity in the inverter conversion. A direct DC cable (12V or 24V depending on your machine) eliminates that loss. Check our CPAP battery compatibility guide for compatible cables.
Lower your pressure if your doctor allows it. Higher pressure settings draw more power. If you use auto-titrating CPAP (APAP), the machine adjusts throughout the night, so power draw varies. Talk to your sleep doctor before changing pressure settings.
Keep the battery and CPAP in a cool environment. Heat reduces battery efficiency and can trigger thermal throttling. In summer, keep the power station off the floor and away from direct sunlight.
Charge fully before bed. This sounds obvious, but partial charges account for most "my battery did not last all night" complaints. Set a reminder to plug in your power station when you get home from work.
Bottom line
For most CPAP users buying their first power station backup, the choice comes down to the Jackery Explorer 300 and EcoFlow RIVER 2. Both cost about $240 to $260, both weigh under 8 pounds, and both will get you through a single night without humidification. The Jackery has a slight capacity edge. The EcoFlow charges faster.
If you need more than one night of backup or you refuse to give up your heated humidifier, step up to the EcoFlow DELTA 3 or something in its class.
Whatever you choose, test it before you need it. Charge it up, plug in your CPAP, and sleep a full night on battery power. You will know exactly what to expect when the lights actually go out.
For more battery options and detailed comparisons, check our best CPAP backup batteries roundup and CPAP camping setup guide.
Related reading
- Bluetti for CPAP — third major brand compared
- EcoFlow for CPAP — deep dive on the EcoFlow lineup
- Goal Zero for CPAP — premium alternative reviewed
- Best CPAP Backup Batteries — our full shortlist
- CPAP Battery Sizing Guide — match capacity to your machine
What to do next
Pick the capacity tier that matches your actual use (one night, with humidifier, multi-day) and then let price and charging speed break the tie between brands. Don't over-buy — a 1000 Wh unit is dead weight if you only need 300.
- Use our sizing guide to lock in the Wh target first
- Check live Amazon prices on the Jackery Explorer 300 and EcoFlow RIVER 2 — sales move the winner
- If humidification is non-negotiable, skip straight to the EcoFlow DELTA 3 class
