Which portable power station for a CPAP gives the best value?
The Elite 400 ranks #1 of 7 on value in this roundup, at 2.74 Wh/$ for $1,399.00 at BLUETTI. The AC180 Solar comes next at #2 of 7, priced at $449.00.
Value is only one part of the choice.
| Product | Best current price | Watt-hours per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 BLUETTI Elite 400 | $1,399.00 at BLUETTI | 2.74 Wh/$ | #1 of 7 |
 BLUETTI AC180 Solar | $449.00 at BLUETTI | 2.57 Wh/$ | #2 of 7 |
 BLUETTI Elite 300 | $1,199.00 at BLUETTI | 2.51 Wh/$ | #3 of 7 |
 BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 | $899.00 at BLUETTI | 2.31 Wh/$ | #4 of 7 |
 EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Series | $1,349.00 at EcoFlow | 2.28 Wh/$ | #5 of 7 |
 BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | $489.00 at BLUETTI | 2.09 Wh/$ | #6 of 7 |
 EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | $499.00 at EcoFlow | 2.05 Wh/$ | #7 of 7 |
How much power does the ResMed AirSense 11 draw?
ResMed lists the AirSense 11 at 56.1 W for typical power consumption and 73.2 W at peak. Its power supply is a 65 W AC adaptor with 100-240 V AC input and 24 V output.
For running it from DC power, ResMed notes that a DC/DC converter is offered as an accessory. Every runtime figure below is a ceiling: battery size divided by the draw, before any losses.
What is the runtime ceiling for the Elite 400?
On paper, the Elite 400's 3840 Wh battery sets a ceiling of 68.4 hours at the AirSense 11's typical 56.1 W. At the 73.2 W peak, that ceiling drops to 52.5 hours. The trade-off is weight: it comes in at 85.98 lb, which is heavy (over 50 lb), and it moves on a pull-out handle and wheels.
It has 4 AC outlets, 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB-A ports, plus a screen that is readable in direct sunlight. Its listed UPS switchover time is 15 ms at most. One limit to know: it cannot add batteries.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
- Moving it: pull-out handle and wheels
- Screen: readable in direct sunlight
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
- Charging in freezing weather: does not charge below 0 °C
- Battery expansion: cannot add batteries
- Built-in light: none
What does the AC180 Solar offer for its price?
At $449.00, the AC180 Solar costs less than the Elite 100 V2 at $489.00 and the DELTA 3 Classic at $499.00. It holds 1152 Wh, which sets a ceiling of 20.5 hours at 56.1 W, or 15.7 hours at the 73.2 W peak. It weighs 36.16 lb, and its inverter is rated for 1800 W continuous output with a 2700 W surge.
Its listed UPS switchover is 20 ms or less. For solar, it takes up to 500 W through a dc7909 connector.
Strengths
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
How fast does the Elite 300 switch over in an outage?
The Elite 300 lists a UPS switchover time of 10 ms at most. Its 3014 Wh battery puts the ceiling at 53.7 hours at 56.1 W, or 41.2 hours at 73.2 W. BLUETTI sells it for $1,199.00, and it ranks #3 of 7 at 2.51 Wh/$.
In size it is 14.41 in by 12.01 in by 11.71 in, and it weighs 57.98 lb. Solar input reaches 1200 W, and its fastest full solar refill at that rate is 2.5 hours. It can discharge down to -20 °C, but it does not charge below 0 °C.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
- Charging in freezing weather: does not charge below 0 °C
- Battery expansion: cannot add batteries
- Built-in light: none
What losses does BLUETTI list for the Elite 200 V2?
BLUETTI's runtime notes for the Elite 200 V2 use 90 % depth of discharge. They also assume at least 85 % inverter efficiency and 10 W of self consumption. Depth of discharge, inverter loss and idle draw all cut into the energy a battery can deliver.
Before those losses, its 2073.6 Wh battery sets a ceiling of 37.0 hours at 56.1 W and 28.3 hours at 73.2 W. It costs $899.00 at BLUETTI and ranks #4 of 7 at 2.31 Wh/$. BLUETTI lists wall charging at 1.6 hours in standard mode and 3 hours in silent mode, and at 53.35 lb the unit is heavy (over 50 lb).
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
- Charging in freezing weather: does not charge below 0 °C
- Battery expansion: cannot add batteries
- Built-in light: none
What warranty comes with the DELTA 3 Ultra Series?
EcoFlow covers the DELTA 3 Ultra Series for 5 years; that is 3 years as standard, plus 2 more when you register it in the EcoFlow app. With 3072 Wh on board, the ceiling is 54.8 hours at the typical 56.1 W draw and 42.0 hours at 73.2 W. The price is $1,349.00 at EcoFlow, for a rank of #5 of 7 and 2.28 Wh/$.
Standing 24.6 in tall and weighing 72.1 lb, it is heavy (over 50 lb). Solar comes in through 2 ports with xt60i connectors, up to 800 W, and its switchover is listed at 10 ms at most.
Strengths
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Weight class: heavy (over 50 lb)
- Charging in freezing weather: does not charge below 0 °C
Is the Elite 100 V2 easy to carry?
Yes: at 25.3 lb, the Elite 100 V2 is easy to carry (under 30 lb). It measures 12.6 in long, 8.5 in wide and 9.8 in tall. The 1024 Wh battery gives a ceiling of 18.3 hours at 56.1 W, or 14.0 hours at the 73.2 W peak, before losses.
BLUETTI charges $489.00, which works out to 2.09 Wh/$ and a rank of #6 of 7. You get 4 AC outlets and a switchover time of 10 ms at most.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
- UPS switchover speed: 20 ms or less
Gaps
- Charging in freezing weather: does not charge below 0 °C
- Battery expansion: cannot add batteries
How does the DELTA 3 Classic compare with the Elite 100 V2?
The DELTA 3 Classic and the Elite 100 V2 each hold 1024 Wh. Each gets a ceiling of 18.3 hours at the AirSense 11's typical 56.1 W. The EcoFlow unit costs $499.00 and ranks #7 of 7 at 2.05 Wh/$.
Weight is 26.6 lb, which still puts it in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. Its listed surge rating is 3600 W, and solar input tops out at 500 W through an xt60i connector. It can discharge down to -10 °C and charge up to 45 °C.
How should you choose a power station for a CPAP?
The figures above use the AirSense 11's listed draw. For another machine, use the draw its guide lists. Then think about where the unit will live, since a heavy unit with wheels can stay by the bed, while a light one is easier to bring along on a trip.
For solar recharging, check the input limit and the connector type. Also note the AirSense 11's listed operating range: 5 °C to 35 °C. Last, compare value in watt-hours per dollar.