If you are considering purchasing either the Resmed AirSense 10 or AirSense 11, you are choosing between a tried and true machine that’s an industry favorite and its newer, smarter, and sleeker-looking successor.
So, let’s dive right in and do a feature-by-feature comparison of these CPAPs. To give you an easy, visual comparison, here is a chart we’ve put together.
ResMed AirSense 10 vs AirSense 11 Comparison Chart
| Resmed AirSense 10 | Resmed AirSense 11 | |
| Dimensions (Size) | 10 x 5.91 x 4.6 inches | 10.2 x 5.45 x 3.7 inches |
| Footprint | 59.1 sq inches | 55.6 sq inches |
| Weight | 2.75 lbs (with humidifier) | 2.5 lbs (with humidifier) |
| Power | 90W power supply, 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz | 65W power supply, 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Humidifier Capacity | 380 ml | 380 ml |
| Quietness (Noise) | 26.6 dBA | 27 dBA (-+ 2 dBA) |
| Navigation | Screen + Knob | Full touch screen |
| AutoSet For Her | Available in a separate machine | Integrated |
| Built-in Humidifier | Yes | Yes |
| Heated Humidifier | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Ramp Feature | Yes | Yes |
| EPR Adjustments | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Event Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Personal Therapy Assistant | No | Yes |
| Over-the-air Software Updates | No | Yes |
AirSense 10 VS AirSense 11 – Physical Attributes
High Capacity Integrated Humidifier
At the time of the release of the AirSense 10 in 2014, a high-capacity humidifier integrated with a unit was innovative. The machine had a higher capacity (380 ml) than the Dreamstation with its 325 ml water chamber.
Users of AirSense 10 often say that they can get two nights of use with a single fill of the integrated humidifier. Both AirSense 10 & 11 have the same humidifier capacity on paper. However, the way the water chamber on the AirSense 11 is shaped prevents the user from filling it up to the same capacity as the AirSense 10 without spilling.
This is a minor detail and has to do with the way the water chamber on the AirSense 11 is shaped. It has a curve at the brim of the basin that makes the water spill more easily. It is almost impossible to fill the chamber to the maximum capacity and carry it anywhere without spilling some of it near the back hinge.
This means that you’ll probably be filling up the AirSense 11 water chamber to a lesser capacity and refilling it every night instead of every other night. And this is not necessarily a bad thing because it will help keep the water and the water chamber cleaner.
Design & Visual Appeal
In terms of design and visual appeal, the AirSense 11 wins hands down. The elongated body and textured finishes make it a much better-looking machine. Besides, the overall footprint of the AirSense 11 is 24% smaller and 10% lighter than its predecessor (check out the chart above for an exact comparison). So, if you travel with your CPAP, the AirSense 11 is lighter and more compact.
The rubberized bottom of the AirSense 10 helps ensure that the unit won’t slide across even a very slippery surface, such as marble. And the AirSense 11 has the same rubberized bottom.
Navigation Knob vs Touch Screen
The biggest physical difference between the two machines is the introduction of the touch screen on the AirSense 11. Resmed has done away with the navigation knob found on the AirSense 10 and instead incorporated full touchscreen control.
As you use the AirSense 11, you will notice that it needs improvement to be on par with other modern touchscreen devices, such as your smartphone or tablet. However, the touch screen on this machine is really a step in the right direction.
If you happen to be somewhat technophobic and often struggle with using the touchscreen interface, then you may consider this feature on the AirSense 11 a negative. However, most users will appreciate the modernized user interface because it increases the ease of use and enjoyment of a CPAP device.
AirSense 10 VS AirSense 11 – Overall Usability
Let’s talk about the actual usability of the machines – the nuts and bolts of which machine will be the easiest for you to use on a nightly basis – if you don’t care about extra reporting functionality, style, or connectivity.
Perhaps you prefer your machine not to be sending you prompts and asking you about your therapy. You may very well want everything dialed in just the way you like it and to be able to start and stop every day and be done with it.
If that is the case, you will likely find the AirSense 10 appealing. If you look at the at-a-glance chart above, you’ll quickly see that the difference in the way the AirSense 10 and AirSense 11 function lies primarily in the connectivity and smart functions of the devices.
Some may find the more sophisticated functions as a negative. The AirSense 11 has Over The Air (OTA) software updates, which means that ResMed can remotely send updates to your device without you confirming the update.
This may be convenient for some, but for others, this may be concerning. There is a chance that tomorrow they go to use their machine and find that Resmed has updated the menu. Now, their favorite settings have moved or been removed altogether. That’s all plausible if you have the AirSense 11.
You may think of the AirSense 11 as a Tesla with a lot of technology inside, whereas the AirSense 10 is the tried and true Toyota Camry – just as familiar and dependable. This is not to favor or diminish one over the other. But as we mention, you will probably know which of these machines is the right one for you.
AirSense 10 VS AirSense 11 – Internal Features
Bluetooth and Data Transfer
When it comes to the internal features, this is where ResMed has focused on its release of the AirSense 11. It feels much more like a smart IoT device that works seamlessly well with the MyAir app.
And now it connects Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone. The pairing is easy. And data transfer has become more convenient. The screen menu on the unit is clean, with easy navigation.
AutoSet For Her: Separate vs Integrated
Another internal software improvement has been the addition of the AutoSet for Her mode of operation. It is now an internal setting in the AirSense 11 that saves you the purchase of a For Her model of the AirSense 10. So, if the For Her mode is important to you, then go with the AirSense 11 because it enables all the appropriate pressure settings.
Integrated User Guidance
Other important internal upgrades include the introduction of the Care Check-in feature and the Personal Therapy Assistant, which is a feature in the MyAir app that guides the user through the device and equipment setup with a video library, FAQs, and more.
And that is helpful if you’ve never owned a CPAP device before. Once you are set up and are using the device, the Care Check-in features will ask you questions throughout the first month of therapy to provide tips, coaching, and support to help troubleshoot any therapy issues, increasing the chances of successful early sleep therapy which is always a concern.
All of these are nice-to-have features. But the actual algorithms that the machines use to calculate their settings and modes to make your sleep therapy as comfortable as possible are going to be the same. So, no added benefit there for going with the AirSense 11 over the AirSense 10.
Other Features
Both machines have the Auto Ramp feature, the EPR Adjustments, the built-in event detections, and everything else that has led to ResMed becoming a CPAP brand favorite.
With the advent of AirSense 11, there is a lot to be said about longevity. Certainly, the AirSense 10 users can commend the unit for its reliability over the long term. We expect the AirSense 11 to continue the durability legacy, but it is still too early in its lifecycle to draw any firm conclusions.
In Summary
What features were retained in AirSense 11 from AirSense 10?
In the AirSense 11, ResMed has kept all the features that made the AirSense 10 so popular and successful, such as:
- High-capacity, heated, integrated humidifier
- Expiratory Pressure Relief
- Auto Ramp feature
- Built-in event detection
What has been improved in the AirSense 11?
- The AirSense 11 is smaller, sleeker, and lighter
- Full touch screen navigation
- Built-in AutoSet for Her
- Better connectivity with Bluetooth and Over-the-Air software updates
What got worse?
- The hose attaches to the outlet connector straight on, not at a right angle. This can be inconvenient for a user who likes to keep their unit against the wall.
- All the connectivity and the smart functions may present a learning curve for some of the technophobes among us.
- The automatic software updates may move or replace your settings without a warning.
We at Respshop hope that this guide has been helpful in choosing the right machine for you. Now, if you want a more detailed review of AirSense 11, then read this article next.
And if you’re still on the wall and need further help, don’t hesitate to contact us. We have sleep professionals on staff ready to guide you in your quest for the perfect CPAP for you.
