Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite vs Freedom 160Wh: which CPAP battery should you buy?

Specs side by side

Specs as each maker states them.

The key differences at a glance

Medistrom lists the Pilot-24 Lite at 95 Wh, with LG cells, over 500 full charge cycles and a weight of 560 g (1.3 lb). cpaphero's manual gives the Freedom 160 as 160 Wh, with LG or Samsung cells, 500 cycles or about 2 to 3 years, and 2.13 lb. The Pilot-24 Lite is built for 24V machines. The Freedom 160 sets its output voltage from the cable you plug in, 12V to 24V, so one battery can serve both ResMed and Philips machines. Medistrom gives a 12-month warranty and cpaphero one year. Our CPAP battery comparison sets both beside other options.

Which machines and cables

Medistrom's manual says the Pilot-24 Lite can be used with only the devices it lists. The list includes the ResMed AirSense 10 and 11 series, the ResMed AirMini and the Philips Respironics DreamStation Go series, among others. The box has output cables for the AirSense 10 and the AirMini. Cables for the AirSense 11 and the DreamStation Go are sold separately. The manual also says the Pilot-24 Lite is not compatible with the Philips Respironics DreamStation. Medistrom's page says it is not compatible with ventilator PAP devices, and to contact its technical support to confirm BiPAP compatibility before purchasing. Its manual points to medistrom.com or Medistrom technical support for complete compatibility information, including Bi-Level devices.

cpaphero's kit (model CHS160) holds a 24V cable for the ResMed AirSense 10, AirSense 11, AirMini and Luna G3, a 12V cable for the Philips DreamStation 1, DreamStation 2 and System One 60, and an AC power supply. The Transcend Micro needs a 14V cable sold separately. cpaphero also sells the battery alone, with cables and charger separate, so check which version a listing is. The manual says the output tops out at 8 A, and that if the battery starts powering a device and then shuts down, the device may need more than 8 A or a constant voltage. The cables and power supply of the original Freedom battery are not compatible with the 160.

Run times and what they assume

Medistrom says the Pilot-24 Lite gives 1 to 2 nights of continuous run time at an average pressure setting with the humidifier and heated tubing disabled. Its manual says run times vary with prescribed pressure, breathing pattern, mask seal and extras such as pressure relief, a heated humidifier and heated tubing. The Pilot-24 Lite page and manual give no hours by machine.

cpaphero's manual lists hours at a pressure of 10 cmH2O with heated humidification and heated tubing off: 30 hours on a ResMed AirSense 11 and 24 on an AirSense 10. Its setup page adds a table by machine and pressure, tested with a consistent 3.5 mm tube opening to simulate normal mask leak. For the AirSense 11, with heated hose and humidifier off, it runs from 35 hours at pressure 5 down to 18 hours at pressure 20. The manual says heated humidification or tubing can cut run time by up to two thirds, and cpaphero's store page puts the Freedom 160 at 3 to 5 nights without heated humidification and 1 to 2 nights with it. For run times on your own machine, cpaphero's manual says to contact its customer service.

Charging, backup, travel and warranty

Both can work as a backup supply for your machine. Medistrom says that if power is interrupted at night, your machine draws from the Pilot-24 Lite without interruption. cpaphero says the Freedom 160 notices a loss of AC power and starts powering the machine automatically. It adds that you must disconnect all devices from the battery when the machine is not in use, so it shuts down fully. No power adapter comes with the Pilot-24 Lite. Medistrom's manual says it is designed to be charged with the original ResMed AirSense 10 AC adapter, and gives about 2 to 3 hours to recharge, or 7 to 9 through an AirMini adapter, which cannot be used for backup. The Freedom kit includes an AC power supply. cpaphero's manual gives 4 to 5 hours from empty in its charging section; its spec list says 3 to 4 hours, with a note that charge times are per battery when two batteries are bridged together. Medistrom says to charge the Pilot fully before storing it and at least every 6 months, or the warranty is void.

For flying, Medistrom's manual says many airlines allow batteries under 100 Wh in the cabin, and to check your airline and flight. The Pilot-24 Lite is 95 Wh. cpaphero says the Freedom 160 meets FAA rules for batteries of 101 to 160 Wh in carry-on baggage, is UN 38.3 certified, and must travel in carry-on only. It adds that some airlines may have stricter policies. Medistrom's warranty is 12 months from purchase for the original purchaser, and its warranty notice says it is only valid when bought from an authorized vendor. cpaphero's is one year, with 6 more months free if you register the battery.

Check compatibility before you buy

A CPAP battery is an accessory for a medical device, so match it to your machine before you buy. The FDA's booklet for home medical device users has a section for gathering power outage information from the device manufacturer or medical provider. It asks whether your device can use batteries in a power outage and how long it will last on battery power. Ask your machine's maker or your medical provider those questions about your exact model, cable and settings. Our medical device power outage guide covers questions to ask and backup power.

Which to choose

Choose the Pilot-24 Lite if you use an AirSense 10 or AirMini and want the smaller, lighter unit with both cables included. Choose the Freedom 160 if you want the larger battery, run times by machine, or a 12V cable for a DreamStation 1 or 2. Whichever you pick, confirm it with your machine's maker or your medical provider first. A battery like these only powers the machine. If you need to cover more in an outage, see our power station comparison.

Common questions

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