Without insurance, you pay for every step of CPAP yourself: the diagnosis, the prescription, the machine, the mask, and supplies for as long as you use it. Here’s what each costs at named US retailers on 13 October 2026.
The first-year bill
| Step | Low | Typical | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home sleep test | $99 | $99 | cpap.com |
| Auto CPAP machine | $873 (React Health G3 X) | $1,004 (ResMed AirSense 11) | cpap.com, cpap.com |
| First mask | $105 (AirFit P10) | $167 (AirFit F30i) | ResMed shop |
| Start-up total | $1,077 | $1,270 |
Prices are listed cash prices before tax and shipping. A prescription visit or telehealth consult to interpret the test and write the order may cost extra. Those prices vary too much to quote, so they aren’t included.
Step 1: diagnosis
You can’t buy a CPAP in the US without a prescription. cpap.com and ResMed’s shop both state that their machines and masks require one before shipment. That means a sleep test. cpap.com listed its home sleep test at $99, and labels it HSA/FSA eligible. Whether a home test is right for you is a clinical question. If you later want Medicare coverage, its sleep-test and evaluation rules are strict (Medicare CPAP guide).
Step 2: the machine
| Machine | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| React Health G3 X APAP | $873 | 4–20 cmH₂O, integrated humidifier, 5-year warranty (React Health) |
| ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet | $1,004 | 4–20 cmH₂O, built-in heated humidifier |
| Transcend Micro 510 (travel) | $829 | No water humidifier; best as a second machine |
| ResMed AirMini (travel) | $919 | No water humidifier; AirMini-specific masks |
For a first and only machine, buy a full-size auto CPAP with a heated humidifier. A travel unit is cheaper but isn’t a like-for-like substitute. See the auto CPAP guide and DreamStation alternatives.
Step 3: the mask
ResMed’s US shop listed complete masks from $105 (AirFit P10, AirFit N20) to $167 (AirFit F30i). Budget for a second try if the first mask doesn’t suit you, and check the seller’s exchange terms first. cpap.com, for example, advertises a 60-night mask guarantee. See best CPAP masks.
Step 4: supplies, every year
Using ResMed shop prices for an AirSense 11 with an AirFit F20 mask, a full year of replacements at Medicare’s usual maximum rates comes to $1,368. Replacing the mask and heated tubing every 6 months instead comes to $1,068. The full breakdown is in CPAP supplies replacement schedule. Nasal pillow users pay less: P10 replacement pillows are $22, against $54 for an F20 cushion.
Ways to cut the cost
- Use pre-tax money. IRS Pub 502 defines medical expenses to include equipment, supplies and diagnostic devices for treating disease, so HSA or FSA funds usually apply (HSA/FSA guide).
- Pick the lower-cost machine. The React Health G3 X was $131 cheaper than the AirSense 11 at the same retailer on the same day.
- Replace on wear, not on the calendar. Medicare’s schedule is the most it will pay for, not a manufacturer requirement. Replace cushions and filters first.
- Use subscriptions and sales. cpap.com advertises saving 10% on scheduled supply deliveries and was running a sitewide sale on 13 October 2026. Recheck prices before you buy.
- Check whether you’re eligible for coverage. If you have Medicare, renting through a supplier costs you 20% of the approved amount, and you own the machine after 13 months (medicare.gov).
Verdict
Expect to spend about $1,100–$1,300 to start CPAP without insurance, then a few hundred to about $1,400 a year on supplies, depending on how often you replace parts. The cheapest sensible route is a home sleep test if appropriate, the React Health G3 X, a nasal or pillow mask if you breathe through your nose, HSA or FSA money, and replacing parts when they wear out.
Other ways to pay
See VA CPAP benefits, Medicaid DME coverage and buying a CPAP online or used.