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The Short Answer

The ResMed AirSense 11 and AirSense 10 use the same core therapy algorithm. Your treatment will be essentially identical on either machine. The AirSense 11 is a better experience thanks to its touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and quieter motor. But if your AirSense 10 is working well and your therapy numbers look good, there is no clinical reason to upgrade.

That said, the details matter. Let's break down every difference that actually affects your nightly therapy.

Design and Build

The AirSense 10 has been the workhorse of home CPAP therapy since 2014. It's a proven, reliable machine with a simple LCD screen and physical dial for navigation. It gets the job done, but it looks and feels like medical equipment from 2014.

The AirSense 11 (opens in new tab) was FDA cleared in 2021 and widely available by 2022, featuring a complete redesign. It's smaller, lighter, and looks more like a consumer electronics product than a medical device. The rounded edges and matte finish help it blend into a nightstand. It also runs cooler and quieter.

Winner: AirSense 11. The design refresh is genuinely nice. It takes up less space and draws less attention.

Noise

ResMed rates the AirSense 11 at 26.6 dBA and the AirSense 10 at 26.6 dBA. On paper, they're identical. In practice, many users (and their bed partners) report the AirSense 11 sounds slightly quieter and smoother, likely due to its redesigned motor and internal airpath.

Neither machine is loud. Both are quieter than a whisper. But if noise sensitivity is a concern for you or your partner, the AirSense 11 has a slight edge.

Winner: AirSense 11, barely.

The Touchscreen

This is the most visible upgrade. The AirSense 10 has a small monochrome LCD with a physical dial. It shows basic info (pressure, AHI, hours used) and lets you navigate menus.

The AirSense 11 has a 4-inch color touchscreen. It's brighter, more intuitive, and shows more information at a glance. You can see your nightly score, adjust comfort settings, and navigate menus by tapping instead of scrolling with a dial.

Is the touchscreen life-changing? No. You interact with your CPAP for maybe 30 seconds a day. But it's noticeably more pleasant to use, and the screen brightness dims automatically at night.

Winner: AirSense 11. A clear upgrade, though one that matters for about 30 seconds each day.

Connectivity: Bluetooth and myAir

The AirSense 10 (opens in new tab) connects to ResMed's myAir app via cellular data only. This means your basic therapy summary (AHI, usage hours, mask score) syncs automatically without any effort on your part.

The AirSense 11 adds Bluetooth, which provides faster, more reliable syncing with the myAir app on your phone. Setup is easier, and data transfers happen quicker.

Here's the honest truth about myAir, though: it only shows you a small fraction of what your machine actually records. The myAir "score" is a simplified number out of 100 that hides important details about your therapy. Whether you're on the AirSense 10 or 11, you're getting the same limited view through myAir.

For the full picture, you need to look at your SD card data. Both machines have SD card slots, and both record the same detailed therapy data. More on that below.

Winner: AirSense 11 for the Bluetooth convenience. But myAir itself is the bottleneck, not the connection method.

Therapy Performance

This is the part that actually matters for your health, and it's where the two machines are essentially tied.

Both the AirSense 10 and AirSense 11 use ResMed's AutoSet algorithm to detect and respond to obstructive apneas, hypopneas, flow limitation, and snoring. The algorithm adjusts pressure in real time to keep your airway open. ResMed has confirmed that the core therapy engine is the same across both platforms.

Both machines offer:

AutoSet mode (automatic pressure adjustment within a range you set)
Fixed pressure mode (constant pressure all night)
EPR (Expiratory Pressure Relief) at levels 1, 2, or 3 for comfort
Ramp to gradually increase pressure as you fall asleep

If you're getting good results on your AirSense 10 (low AHI, comfortable pressure, minimal leak), switching to the AirSense 11 will not improve your treatment outcomes. The therapy is the same.

Winner: Tie. Same algorithm, same therapy, same results.

Data and SD Card Access

Both machines record detailed therapy data to an SD card. This includes breath-by-breath flow data, mask pressure, therapy pressure, leak rate, respiratory rate, tidal volume, snore events, flow limitation, and every respiratory event with exact timestamps.

The data formats differ slightly between the two machines. Signal labels on the AirSense 11 use a .2s suffix (for example, MaskPress.2s instead of Mask Pres), and oximetry data is stored in SA2.edf files rather than the AirSense 10's SAD.edf format. But the actual data resolution and clinical content are comparable. For a deeper look at what the AirSense 11 records and how to interpret it, see our guide to AirSense 11 data.

CPAP Clarity supports both the AirSense 10 and AirSense 11. Just drag and drop your SD card folder and get instant results regardless of which machine you use. Try it free →

Winner: Tie. Both machines record the same detailed data. Both work with CPAP Clarity.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	AirSense 10	AirSense 11
Therapy algorithm	AutoSet	AutoSet (same engine)
Pressure range	4 – 20 cmH2O	4 – 20 cmH2O
EPR levels	1, 2, 3	1, 2, 3
Display	Monochrome LCD + dial	4" color touchscreen
Connectivity	Cellular	Bluetooth + cellular
myAir support	Yes	Yes
SD card	Yes	Yes
Noise level	26.6 dBA	26.6 dBA
Weight	~1.25 kg	~1.03 kg
Humidifier	HumidAir (integrated)	HumidAir (integrated)
Heated tubing	ClimateLineAir	ClimateLineAir 11
Data detail	Full EDF recording	Full EDF recording
CPAP Clarity support	Yes	Yes
Typical price (new)	$500 – $700	$750 – $1,000

Prices as of March 2026.

Price

This is where the decision gets practical. As of March 2026, the AirSense 11 typically costs $200 – $400 more than the AirSense 10. That's a significant premium for convenience features on top of identical therapy.

The AirSense 10 is no longer manufactured, but refurbished units and existing stock are still widely available at lower prices. If you're buying your first CPAP or replacing a machine on a budget, the AirSense 10 remains an excellent choice.

With insurance, the price difference may be smaller or nonexistent depending on your coverage. Check with your DME (durable medical equipment) provider.

Winner: AirSense 10 on value. Same therapy for less money.

Who Should Upgrade?

Upgrade to the AirSense 11 if:

Your AirSense 10 is old, failing, or out of warranty
You want Bluetooth syncing with myAir on your phone
The touchscreen and modern design appeal to you
Insurance covers most or all of the cost
You're buying your first machine and want the latest hardware

Stick with the AirSense 10 if:

Your current machine is working well and your therapy numbers are good
You're on a budget and want proven, reliable therapy
You don't care about Bluetooth (you can always pull the SD card)
You're comfortable with the existing interface

The Verdict

The AirSense 11 is a better machine. The touchscreen is nicer, Bluetooth is convenient, and the design is more modern. But "better" doesn't mean "necessary." The therapy, the part that actually treats your sleep apnea, is identical between the two machines.

If you're spending your own money and your AirSense 10 works fine, keep using it. If you're due for a replacement, insurance is covering it, or the convenience features genuinely matter to you, the AirSense 11 is a solid upgrade.

Either way, the real key to better therapy isn't which machine you own. It's understanding your data. Both machines record incredibly detailed information every night. Analyzing that data helps you optimize your mask fit, identify pressure issues, and track your treatment over time. If you're still deciding what to buy, our best CPAP machines in 2026 guide covers the full landscape.

Upload your AirSense 10 or 11 data to CPAP Clarity and see the full picture →

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ResMed AirSense 11 vs AirSense 10: Is It Worth the Upgrade?