Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

By Clay Rollyson
Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

Most modern CPAP machines come standard with an integrated heated humidifier. If you're looking to simplify your routine, you may be asking: "Do I need to add water to my CPAP?" or "Can I leave the CPAP water chamber empty?"

The short answer is yes, you can use your CPAP without water, but there are important trade-offs to consider regarding your comfort and machine maintenance

Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

Pros of an Empty CPAP Humidifier:

  • Less Maintenance: No need to fill and empty the tank daily.
  • Less Cleaning: Reduces the risk of mold, mildew, or bacterial growth.
  • Easier Travel: Simplifies packing and eliminates the need to carry distilled water.

Cons of an Empty CPAP Humidifier

  • Dryness: Increased risk of waking up with a dry mouth, throat, or nasal passages.
  • Discomfort: Can lead to a scratchy throat, nasal irritation, or congestion.
  • Compliance Risk: Dryness can make therapy uncomfortable, potentially leading to inconsistent use.

So how do you use CPAP Without Water?

There are a few really easy ways to use your CPAP without water. Including adapters that can make your CPAP even smaller while getting rid of the water.

Below, we’ll dive into how you can safely use your CPAP without water, giving you a hassle-free alternative that simplifies your daily CPAP routine.

Before we discuss how to operate your CPAP without water, it is important to evaluate if this is the best choice for you.

Signs that you might can do without the water:

Deciding to use the CPAP with an empty water tank is most likely something you are considering making your life simpler. That is completely understandable. Here are some signs that it may be a good option for you.

  • You have never experienced dryness while using your CPAP.
  • The water tank always seems to be full in the morning and you aren’t dry.
  • You live in a humid environment.
  • You travel frequently and cannot lug distilled water with you.

Signs that you should stick with your humidifier:

While dealing with a CPAP humidifier can be something you would like to cross off the “to do” list permanently, it is not the right option for everyone. Here are some reasons that you should stick with the humidifier system.

  • You are dried out frequently when you wake up.
  • You take medication that gives you dry mouth as a side-effect.
  • You live in a dry region.
  • Your CPAP frequently uses a good bit of the water in the tank overnight.
Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

How to Properly use CPAP Without Water:

To use your CPAP machine without water, the most critical step is managing your comfort settings to protect your equipment. If you simply leave the water chamber empty without changing your settings, the heater plate will continue to engage, attempting to warm water that isn’t there. This can lead to a distinct "burning" smell and may eventually damage the plastic of an empty chamber. To avoid this, navigate to your machine's "My Options" menu and manually turn the Humidity Level to "Off." This ensures the heater plate remains cool, allowing you to breathe the ambient room air through your mask comfortably.

Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

AirSense 10 Side Cover

$19.95
$0.00 $19.95
  • AirSense 10 Humidifier Bypass
Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

AirSense 11 Side Cover

$18.40
$0.00 $18.40
  • AirSense 11 Humidifier Bypass

For those looking to commit to a waterless setup, using a dedicated Humidifier Bypass Adapter (often called a Side Cover) is a game-changer. For popular models like the ResMed AirSense 10 or AirSense 11, these adapters completely replace the bulky water tub. Instead of a hollow plastic box sitting in the side of your machine, the adapter clicks into place to create a sealed, direct airflow path.

Beyond just simplifying your morning routine, these adapters significantly reduce the physical footprint of your CPAP. By removing the water tank and snapping on a sleek side cover, the machine becomes much narrower and lighter, making it easier to fit on a crowded nightstand or pack into a carry-on bag. It’s the ultimate "travel mode" configuration, turning your standard home unit into a streamlined, low-maintenance device.

Benefits of Using the CPAP without water:

You may have started by wondering if you even could go without water, but there are serious benefits to going dry:

  1. Less Maintenance- No more filling at night and emptying in the morning.
  2. Less chance of nastiness- The humidifier water chamber is the number one place that gets gross on a CPAP. That warm humid environment is a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and mildew.
  3. Easier to travel- You would not have to lug the distilled water everywhere with you on the road.
  4. Test drive for travel CPAP- Travel CPAPs typically do not have a heated humidifier. So, trying the home CPAP without water or with an HME is a great test drive for Travel CPAP.

Important things to remember if you leave the water tank empty:

If you are going to operate the CPAP without water in the water chamber, there are some things to keep in mind that will help you. Let’s detail that below.

  • Make sure that you disable the humidifier. In most CPAPs that means turning your humidity setting in the patient menu down to zero.
  • Keep the tank in the machine unless you have purchased a bypass adapter and installed it.
  • Keep some distilled water close in case this doesn’t work out well.
Can I Use My CPAP Without Water - Pros and Cons

Helpful Links for CPAP without Water:

  • Tags:
  • Category_Uncategorized
  • Water Related Issues
Next Blog
Search
Popular Products
CPAPmyway

AirSense 10 Side Cover

$19.95
$0.00 $19.95
CPAPmyway

Airsense 10 Water Chamber

$29.00
$0.00 $29.00
CPAPmyway

AirSense 11 Air Outlet Port

$19.95
$0.00 $19.95
CPAPmyway

AirSense 11 Side Cover

$18.40
$0.00 $18.40
CPAPmyway

AirSense 11 Water Chamber

$23.00
$0.00 $23.00

Related Articles

1 3