The biggest and the most important difference between ResMed’s AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 is that the former is an AutoPAP while the latter is a BiLevel AutoPAP. Both machines offer great AutoPAP features. But some very important features are only available on one machine but not the other.
In this article, we’ll compare the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet with the ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto. Since one is quite a bit more expensive than the other, we’ll explain why that is and which device is a better choice for you.
Let’s start out with a bird’s eye overview of the two machines in terms of all the main features. Check out the comparison table below.
AirSense 10 AutoSet VS AirCurve 10 VAuto Comparison Chart
| AirSense 10 AutoSet | AirCurve 10 VAuto | |
| Release Date | August 2014 | December 2014 |
| Dimensions | 10 x 4.6 x 5.91 inches | 10 x 4.6 x 5.91 inches |
| Weight | 2.45 lbs | 2.45 lbs |
| Humidifier Capacity | 380 mL | 380mL |
| Quietness | 26.6 dBA | 26.6 dBA |
| Operating Pressure Range (cm H2O) | 4-20 | 3-25 |
| Cellular Connectivity | No (as of 2022) | No (as of 2022) |
| Card-to-Cloud (C2C) | Yes (as of 2022) | Yes (as of 2022) |
| SD Card | Yes (Included) | Yes (Included) |
| Built-in Humidifier | Yes | Yes |
| Heated Humidifier | Yes | Yes |
| BiLevel Therapy | No | Yes |
| Ramp Feature | Yes | Yes |
| EPR Adjustments | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Event Detection | Yes | Yes |
| AutoSet | Yes | Yes |
| Easy-Breathe Waveform | Yes | Yes |
| RERA Detection | Yes | No |
| CSR Detection | Yes | No |
| CSA Detection | Yes | Yes |
| AutoRamp w/sleep onset detection | Yes | No |
| AutoSet Response comfort setting | Yes | No |
| Vsync auto leak management | No | Yes |
| TiControl (Ti Max/Ti Min) | No | Yes |
| Leak Alert | No | Yes |
Similarities between AirSense 10 AutoSet and AirCurve 10 VAuto
As you can see in the chart above, the machines have a lot in common. The physical features are virtually identical – the size, weight, humidifier capacity, etc. Essentially, it is the same design with a different color scheme.
Cellular Connectivity and SD Card
Note that these machines made in 2022 no longer offer cellular connectivity. This means that the machines can no longer transfer therapy data to providers or to the MyAir app.
However, both have SD card functionality and come with SD cards. You can learn everything about how to transfer data to your provider or read it for yourself by reading this article we’ve prepared in response to the update.
Expected Comfort Features
Both machines offer those comfort features that have made ResMed the leader in the field:
- The Ramp feature
- EPR adjustments
- Event detection
The AutoSet Algorithm
You may notice that we’ve indicated in the chart that both machines have AutoSet while the ResMed manual indicates AutoSet for AirSense 10 and VAuto for AirCurve 10. AutoSet is also not indicated by ResMed for AirSense 10.
However, AutoSet is an algorithm that both machines use. It is hard to gather the difference between AutoSet and VAuto from the ResMed documentation (more on this in a bit). AutoSet is just an amazing algorithm that closely monitors your sleep and adjusts the machine pressure accordingly.
Easy-Breathe Waveform
Easy-Breathe Waveform is also a feature common to both machines. It takes AutoSet a step further by learning your sleep event patterns and integrating them into machine performance. It enables a deeper level of adaptation to your personal sleep apnea needs.
Differences between AirSense 10 AutoSet and AirCurve 10 VAuto
AutoSet vs VAuto
First, let’s briefly come back to the AutoSet feature and attempt to explain the difference between it and VAuto which is native to the AirCurve 10. This difference has to do with the main difference between these two machines.
And the main difference between these highly capable and popular units is also the reason for the dramatic difference in pricing. Here it is:
AirSense 10 AutoSet is an AutoPAP. AirCurve 10 is a BiLevel AutoPAP.
BiLevel means that the machine has two levels of pressure – one for inhalation and one for exhalation. And your doctor would have indicated on your CPAP prescription whether you need a BiLevel machine.
So, the difference between AutoSet and VAuto is that the same amazing AutoSet algorithm is applied to the inhalation and exhalation events separately, making for a highly adaptive PAP mode of functioning.
BiLevel (or BiPAP) machines are usually prescribed for patients whose needs cannot be met by CPAP, those with higher pressure needs, and patients with sleep apnea comorbidities (additional disorders to account for).
Event Detection
To continue with the differences, you will notice that, interestingly, the AirCurve 10 does not detect RERA (Respiratory Effort Related Arousals) or CSR (Cheyne Stokes respiration) events while the AirSense 10 does.
AutoRamp
In addition, while the Ramp feature is present in both machines, AutoRamp is only available in one. Ramping allows you to set a lower pressure for a period of time while you are falling asleep. This helps you ease into your CPAP therapy for the night.
And the AirSense 10 offers AutoRamp with sleep onset detection while the AirCurve 10 does not. The AutoRamp feature allows the machine to sense when you have fallen asleep, and then it begins to gradually increase air pressure until the prescribed pressure is met.
AutoSet Response comfort setting
Next, the AutoSet Response comfort setting is a feature that is present on the AirSense 10 but not the AirCurve 10. ResMed designed this feature to help patients who are sensitive to high pressure have a smoother time using the machine.
Vsync and TiControl
Two features available on the AirCurve 10 but not on the AirSense 10 that work in sync are Vsync auto leak management and TiControl.
Vsync detects and compensates for unintentional mask leaks during sleep. And TiControl allows the user to set the minimum and maximum time spent in IPAP, meaning in the inspiratory phase.
Together, these two features enable reliable breath detection and smooth breathing even if your mask produces significant leaks.
Leak Alert
In addition, the Leak Alert feature will sound a rather soft beep and display a message when your leak is too high. This feature is not present on the AirSense 10.
The Verdict: Which Machine Do You Need?
The AirSense 10 AutoSet is a powerful AutoPAP machine that has everything you need for a good night’s sleep UNLESS you have been prescribed a BiPAP.
In other words, if you absolutely need a BiPAP unit for your therapy, then your sleep doctor would indicate that on the prescription, and the AirCurve 10 VAuto is a phenomenal machine for you.
However, if you do not need a BiLevel CPAP machine, then the AirSense 10 AutoSet is a great choice that you can’t go wrong with.
And whichever machine you choose, sleep tight!
Sources
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