AirMini resmed or Z2 Auto Travel cpap

I can not decide between the two. I want to order a travel cpap but I don't know which is less noisy and which is more reliable...
I take into account,
-the noise
-ease of settings
-reliability
Any suggestion would be welcome.
For home, I use an AirSense 10 ResMed (with P10 nasal pillow) and I'm very satisfied.

I've owned and used a Z1 Auto for travel and and Arisense 10 Auto at home for the last 6 years. I use my P10's for both. Z1 is very, very similar to the Z2, which is why I haven't decided to upgrade yet.

I've never used the Airmini, but I've decided against it for a couple reasons.

Why I prefer the Z1/Z2 over the Airmini:

1) The Z1 can use any "normal" tubing, including the regular P10. I like that I can use the same mask on both my Z1 and Airsense 10.

Airmini uses proprietary masks (they have a special connection type so that you *have* to use one of 6 specific (overpriced) Resmed Airmini specific masks, i.e. the "P10 for Airmini": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToyGU5ioDkE).

2) Value and longevity

The thing that really won me over was when the Z2 came out, they made all the accessories backwards compatible. - you can use the same powershell with both the Z1 & the Z2. The Z1/Z2 and their accessories also all also cost less than an Airmini. Z1 uses generic HME filters that last "7 days after opening", and cost $5; Airmini uses proprietary ones that last "30 days after opening" and cost $10. I've never taken a 30 day vacation; if I had an Airmini I would end up spending twice as much for HME filters for no reason. Everything about the Airmini (proprietary masks, overpriced HME filters) screams "money grab" to me. I

3) The Powershell and batteries. The Airmini doesn't have any. No brainer for me here

Z1 is 12V, the Airmini is 24V. This allows the Z1 to get "more bang for the buck" from batteries. I've taken my Z1 on extended camping trips - I have the Powershell and two batteries that can last me a total of 4 nights without needing charging. I haven't seen any similar option with the Airmini - Airmini requires you to use a wired battery pack, and extra dangling pieces can get very finicky in outdoor situations.

Other reasons I love my Z1 (but don't know how they compare to the Airmini):

4) Durability - my Z1 has taken a lot of abuse over the years - 20 different countries, a dozen or more extended camping trips, drops, TSA/airport abuse, etc. and still works perfectly.

5) Personally I prefer the screen and buttons - as a frequent traveller, I avoid devices that need my phone to access settings, and that aspect of the Airmini put me off

6) light weight, small size, etc. Probably not all that different from the Airmini though

Here's what I don't love about my Z1:

Don't love:
7) It "breathes" different from my Airsense 10. I had to "learn" to use it the same way I had to "learn" with the Airsense 10. I guess they have different algorithms. I imagine the Airmini might breathe more similarly to an Airsense 10, but obviously I have no idea.

P10 nasal pillows don't work great with HME filters (I still use them together and get some humidity value, but it can be a lot better. The hose on the P10 is about 18 inches long, and HME filters are most effective about 6 inches from you). I've recently started testing the N30 - the hose on it is a bit shorter.


Hope this helps!

I have not tried the Z2 so I cannot compare the two, but I can speak to the AirMini.

I purchased my AirMini after having a problem carrying on my Airsense 10 Autoset for Her in an international airport. I decided I did not want to run into problems in future, as we (pre-Covid) travelled internationally several times per year. The AirMini did alleviate my travel concerns.

I had concerns about the proprietary mask and hose, and sure enough, they were an issue. However, I was able to hack the hose and I am now able to use my preferred Bleep mask! An unexpected side benefit of my hack is significantly reduced noise. The AirMini IS noisier than my home Airsense machine, which is silent, so the noise reduction is important.

I was able to set up the AirMini EXACTLY the same as my home machine. Same settings, same mode, which is really nice. I don't have humidfication when I travel, which is kind of a bummer, but the reduced size and weight are more important to me. When we traveled, our trips ranged from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 weeks so it did make a difference.

My Air is pretty useless IMO (but I get AHI), and no OSCAR, but I don't know if the Z2 has OSCAR support.