For the roughly 30 million Americans who use a CPAP machine, camping used to mean choosing between sleep quality and the outdoors. A portable power station solves this completely.
How Much Power Does a CPAP Use?
CPAP power draw varies significantly based on the model and settings:
- Standard CPAP (no humidifier): 25-40W
- CPAP with humidifier on low: 40-50W
- CPAP with heated humidifier: 50-60W
- BiPAP/Auto-adjusting: 30-65W
Most users average around 40W when using a heated humidifier at a moderate setting.
Calculating Runtime
The math is straightforward: divide usable capacity by your CPAP's wattage.
A 1,000Wh station with 85% usable efficiency gives you 850Wh of real energy. At 40W draw:
850Wh / 40W = 21.25 hours, or about 2.5 full nights
Without the humidifier (30W draw): 850 / 30 = 28.3 hours, or 3.5 nights
Running your CPAP without the heated humidifier can nearly double your runtime. Use a battery-powered standalone humidifier or HME (Heat and Moisture Exchanger) filter instead.
What to Look For
When choosing a power station for CPAP camping, prioritize:
- Pure sine wave output: All modern power stations provide this, but verify. CPAP machines require clean power to operate safely.
- Low-wattage mode / ECO mode: Some stations auto-shut off when they detect low draw. Make sure yours has a mode that keeps the AC outlet active even at 30-40W.
- Quiet operation: You are sleeping next to this thing. Fan noise matters. Look for stations under 30dB.
- DC output option: Many CPAPs can run directly from 12V DC, bypassing the inverter and saving 10-15% energy.
Some power stations automatically turn off AC outlets after detecting low power draw for a set period. This will shut off your CPAP mid-sleep. Always test at home before your trip and disable ECO mode if needed.
Multi-Day Strategy
For trips longer than 2-3 nights, pair your power station with a solar panel:
- Run your CPAP overnight (uses ~320Wh with humidifier)
- Set up a 200W solar panel in the morning
- On a clear day, 5-6 hours of sun recovers 400-600Wh
- You start each night with a full or nearly-full station
This setup lets you camp indefinitely without grid power, as long as you get reasonable sunlight during the day.
Recommended Setup
For most CPAP campers, a 1,000Wh power station paired with a 200W solar panel covers multi-day trips comfortably. The EcoFlow Delta 2 is our top pick for its fast solar recharge and reliable low-draw operation. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is a strong alternative with proven CPAP compatibility.