Why are there so many bad reviews of the Philips Respironics DreamStation?

[bonum.noctem]

Having done some research on which Auto-CPAP machine would be the most recommended one (so far I can tell it comes down to the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet vs. Philips Respironics DreamStation Auto-CPAP), I am astonished that there are so many bad reviews for the Dreamstation, especially on the website ProductReview.com.au.

The main criticism is about:

• Whining noise which comes up after a more or less long usage period. A batch or design error, which likely has to do with the used motor?
• The humidifier having a too small water tank which can prevent usage for a whole night (8 hours of sleep) even on the lowest setting. Additionally it seems there is no sensor to switch off the heating element when empty, resulting in inhalation of hot dry air for the rest of the night (if you don't wake up because of that).

I have inquired about that at Philips Respironics, but their feedback was totally pointless.

For that the Dreamstation (in its various versions) seems to be an extremely popular machine, I'm wondering if especially the whining noise was the result of a bad batch of motors, and if people who's machine has been built in 2018 are still experiencing that problem. I am very sensitive to noise, and I can not sleep with ear plugs, so I want to make sure to make the right choice for the most silent machine when the time has come.

[raisedfist]

People are only likely to post a review when they have a bad experience, so all those people out there with a working machine are not going to bother. I have had a ResMed AirCurve that made a whining sound upon exhalation, I had to trade it in for a new one.

I am biased toward ResMed - quality control in Australia and Japan is great. ResMed machines are more aesthetic, have more features, more bells and whistles, a faster responding algorithm, and the list goes on. Respironics machines look like cheap plastic, the screen is smaller, less features/customization available, less of their machines work with SleepyHead, their algorithms are slower responding.

Once you get to bi-level machines, the difference is even worse. Respironics - no trigger or cycling adjustment, no minimum or maximum inspiratory time for spontaneous breaths.

As a consumer you're not going to get a worthwhile response from either company most likely.

[palerider]

Having done some research on which Auto-CPAP machine would be the most recommended one (so far I can tell it comes down to the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet vs. Philips Respironics DreamStation Auto-CPAP), I am astonished that there are so many bad reviews for the Dreamstation, especially on the website ProductReview.com.au.

The main criticism is about:

• Whining noise which comes up after a more or less long usage period. A batch or design error, which likely has to do with the used motor?
• The humidifier having a too small water tank which can prevent usage for a whole night (8 hours of sleep) even on the lowest setting. Additionally it seems there is no sensor to switch off the heating element when empty, resulting in inhalation of hot dry air for the rest of the night (if you don't wake up because of that).

I have inquired about that at Philips Respironics, but their feedback was totally pointless.

For that the Dreamstation (in its various versions) seems to be an extremely popular machine, I'm wondering if especially the whining noise was the result of a bad batch of motors, and if people who's machine has been built in 2018 are still experiencing that problem. I am very sensitive to noise, and I can not sleep with ear plugs, so I want to make sure to make the right choice for the most silent machine when the time has come.

> Why are there so many bad reviews of the Philips Respironics DreamStation?
Because it's not a well engineered piece of equipment.

I started out with a Respironics M pro machine, then I had a Resmed S9 elite, then I got a Respironics "System One 60 Series Auto" (if that isn't a mouthful)... I got rid of it because the whine was annoying,

I took apart the M, and the system one machines, they have the same blower inside. it's fairly large. I imagine the dreamstation has the same blower inside.

The size of the blower affects the speed it has to run at to generate a given flow of air. The Resmed blower is *much* smaller, so logically it runs higher, which would produce a higher pitched sound, which may very well be too high to hear.

I've had Resmed machines and Respironics machines apart, and the Resmeds are designed and built better.

Respironics machines are "extremely popular" (as you put it) because they're cheaper, not because they're better.

[LSAT]

People are only likely to post a review when they have a bad experience, so all those people out there with a working machine are not going to bother. I have had a ResMed AirCurve that made a whining sound upon exhalation, I had to trade it in for a new one.

I am biased toward ResMed - quality control in Australia and Japan is great. ResMed machines are more aesthetic, have more features, more bells and whistles, a faster responding algorithm, and the list goes on. Respironics machines look like cheap plastic, the screen is smaller, less features/customization available, less of their machines work with SleepyHead, their algorithms are slower responding.

Once you get to bi-level machines, the difference is even worse. Respironics - no trigger or cycling adjustment, no minimum or maximum inspiratory time for spontaneous breaths.

As a consumer you're not going to get a worthwhile response from either company most likely.

I agree.....When a person is happy with a product...it was as expected, and there is no reason for a review. When a purchaser is disappointed for any reason, they are more apt to write a review.

[SirGaspAlot]

The verdict is out for me. Mine is very quiet but I've only been using it a month, albeit a bad month, but a month.

[Sova]

I've only had my dreamstation for a month, but it is silent and the humidifier tray definitely holds enough! I fill it below maximum fill and have humidity setting on 3 (out of what I'm not sure, higher number is more humidity) and there's a ton of water left in there in the morning. In fact, I could probably run it for two, possibly 3 nights in a row without refilling. Maybe that's just because I live in a more humid area? Not sure.

I have been having problems with my therapy (as outlined in a thread I made) but I suspect those are from mask fit and pressure prescription, not from how the machine is working (but who knows I am new to all this!)

[chunkyfrog]

Consider the source of the reviews.
The site is AUSTRALIAN.
Resmed is an Aussie product, while Respironics is made in the US.
Local products might have an edge there.

[Goofproof]

I doubt if very many Resmeds are out of the landfill and still doing their job after 17,000 hours, basic it's Ford vs Chevy, with one overpriced and taking advantage of it's customers with a 24 volt standard and other tricks to keep costs and profits high. Jim

[palerider]

I've only had my dreamstation for a month, but it is silent and the humidifier tray definitely holds enough! I fill it below maximum fill and have humidity setting on 3 (out of what I'm not sure, higher number is more humidity) and there's a ton of water left in there in the morning. In fact, I could probably run it for two, possibly 3 nights in a row without refilling. Maybe that's just because I live in a more humid area? Not sure.

It's a fact that Respironics machines are noisier than Resmeds, but the noise may be a type you're not sensitive to.

It's also a fact that Repsironics water tanks hold less than Resmeds.

And, yes, the amount of water used is influenced greatly by how humid your bedroom is. The machines measure the room humidity and add to that smartly, not just dumbly adding x amount of water whether it's needed or not.

[snoozysue]

I am very happy with my Dreamstation Auto now.

I have lost track but I think this is machine number 5 (or maybe 4).
Prior to this machine, all the others developed a clicking noise on each inhalation (after a very short time) so I kept sending them back.
I rang Respironics (as I was frustrated and I do live in Australia) and they said it was a known fault and they were happy to just keep replacing the machines!

No wonder they cost almost $2000 in Australia!

[bonum.noctem]

I took apart the M, and the system one machines, they have the same blower inside. it's fairly large. I imagine the dreamstation has the same blower inside. The size of the blower affects the speed it has to run at to generate a given flow of air. The Resmed blower is *much* smaller, so logically it runs higher, which would produce a higher pitched sound, which may very well be too high to hear. I've had Resmed machines and Respironics machines apart, and the Resmeds are designed and built better.

That is some interesting info, but worrisome, because I have a pretty good sense of hearing and am particularly sensitive to high frequency sounds.

From what I have read so far, the ResMed machines indeed seem to be of better build quality, and are known to have better response times.

Looks like that will be a tough decision. As it seems I will have a choice between two DME suppliers in contract with my health insurance, one carrying Philips, the other the ResMed equipment. So far I favor the ResMed tech, but I don't know yet which equipment they will be using in the sleep clinic (I had a mobile screening done recently and now I have to wait till October for the full diagnoses in a sleep laboratory due to the long waiting list) and if I will be able to test both.

It's a fact that Respironics machines are noisier than Resmeds, but the noise may be a type you're not sensitive to.

Data found online:

• Philips Respironics DreamStation Auto: 25.8 dB(A) / 27.9 dB(A) with humidifier
• ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet: 25 dB(A) +/- 2 dB(A) inaccuracy (but often indicated as 26.6 dB(A))

Some reviews or comparisons come to the conclusion, that the DreamStation is the most silent one, others tell the other way around, which lets assume that the verdict is highly individual.

It's also a fact that Repsironics water tanks hold less than Resmeds. And, yes, the amount of water used is influenced greatly by how humid your bedroom is. The machines measure the room humidity and add to that smartly, not just dumbly adding x amount of water whether it's needed or not.

Looks like I have to find a hygrometer as I have absolutely no idea about the humidity in our bedroom.

I specifically asked Respironics Customer Support about this, and their response was:

Our water tank has a capacity of 325 ml when you fill it up to the level mark. This allows a night of 7-8 hours to sleep without any problems even at high heat settings and using a hose heating. Except for exceptional cases (0% moisture in desert), the humidity in the room is usually around 20-40%, so the tank is enough for one night.

[dreamingofdreaming]

I don't hear my Dreamstation at all. I am pretty sensitive to sounds and can't hear this. I've only had mine for 6 months.
I have my humidity pretty high and still have water in the tank in the morning.

[CapnLoki]

So I'll add my two cents, which is probably not worth even that because I have neither machine! (I have two older Respironics 560's, both 5 years old.) First, I would say that the measured noise is a bit meaningless because the annoyance factor will depend on the frequency and variation of the sound. One can get used to a fairly loud steady noise while a tiny ticking can drive one batty! I think one of my machines has a slight noise, and my wife also thinks one has a noise, but they're different machines. In general I think of them both as being silent.

On the humidity, my tank (325 ml) never runs dry on the medium settings. It does use a fair amount of water if the A/C is running. During the winter I often use a large console humidifier for the comfort of others and this reduces my water use.

There is one big difference: the AirSense pump uses almost twice the power of the Dreamstation. Although this is only about a penny a night (at my rates), if you ever need to run on battery power this can make a big difference. For example, an expensive battery that can be taken on a airplane might go two night with a Respironics, but only one with a ResMed. This would also be a huge factor if you're planning hiking or biking trips, where weight is an issue.

[Pugsy]

I have used several Respironics over the years...none have ever been particularly noisy and my husband reports that he has never heard a single one...so I can't use the excuse that the machine is "noisy" when I tell him I want a new/different machine.

Even my first machine which was the old M series machine which some people said sounded like a jet engine...I never really heard anything but the normal breathing noises which weren't machine motor noise. There is a difference between machine motor noise and breathing noises.

It does seem like Respironics motor noise complaints or whining/wheezing of the motor are more numerous with Respironics over ResMed machines...but there are lemon ResMed machines that also cause people to complain of excess motor noise.

The breathing noises...not the same as motor noise and will vary a lot with people's own sensitivity, mask used, pressure used, exhale relief used, etc.

The machine motor noise...should be essentially silent. If the spouse is hearing the machine motor noise...something is wrong with the machine. Now the person wearing the mask...he/she is more apt to hear any motor noise and how annoying depends on that person's own hearing sensitivity.

[edatlanta]

I have been using the Dreamstation Auto since February, my first one. I don't have anything else to compare it to, but I can't hear it running at all and the water tank lasts several nights even at level 5 (no heated hose). It does use more water when I am running my a/c a lot like it is right now, but I just turn the humidity sitting down from the usual 4 to 3 and I don't even notice the difference and the water usage is back to normal.

I am a full time RV'er and I do need to run my unit on 12v for boondocking trips as well as this past week when a major thunderstorm in this area knocked out power out from late afternoon until early the next morning. I just plugged my Dreamstation in to a 12v outlet and went to sleep. 24v requirement would cause a lot more problems. How many of us remember the early British autos that came into the U.S. and their positive ground vs negative ground for all U.S. cars? The more uniform things are the simpler and lower cost for options.

On a positive side, I have adapted to the APAP very nicely with virtually zero issues. My AHI's for the past week have been less than 1.0 except for one night when it was 1.2. The plan is working and my better half doesn't poke me in the ribs several times a night now.