AirSense 11 vs AirCurve 11: Key Differences
One delivers a single pressure, the other is bilevel. AirSense 11 AutoSet vs AirCurve 11 VAuto and the whole lineup: modes, pressure, data, and cost.
Same Shell, Different Therapy
The ResMed AirSense 11 and AirCurve 11 look nearly identical on a nightstand. Same housing, same touchscreen, same humidifier, same app integration. But they deliver fundamentally different therapy, and the difference matters more than the physical design.
The AirSense 11 is a single-pressure device. It delivers one pressure level (or auto-adjusts within a single-pressure range) to keep your airway open. The AirCurve 11 is a bilevel device. It delivers a higher pressure when you breathe in (IPAP) and a lower pressure when you breathe out (EPAP). That pressure difference, called pressure support, makes exhalation easier and can assist ventilation in patients who need it.
You do not get to choose between them based on preference. Your sleep physician prescribes one or the other based on your diagnosis, pressure needs, and how your body responds to therapy. Understanding the differences helps you know what your machine is doing and why.
The Lineup
AirSense 11 Models
| Model | Mode | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| AirSense 11 AutoSet | Auto-adjusting (APAP) | Most new OSA patients. Auto-adjusts pressure 4-20 cmH2O. |
| AirSense 11 Elite | Fixed pressure (CPAP) | Patients who need a specific fixed pressure from their titration study. |
| AirSense 11 AutoSet For Her | Auto-adjusting with female-specific algorithm | Women with OSA. Algorithm optimized for female breathing patterns. |
All AirSense 11 models deliver a single pressure at any given moment. The AutoSet varies that pressure automatically; the Elite holds it fixed. The AirSense 11 sits in the mid-tier CPAP price range; check current retail pricing for live numbers since they fluctuate.
AirCurve 11 Models
| Model | Mode | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| AirCurve 11 VAuto | Auto bilevel (auto EPAP, fixed pressure support) | Patients who need bilevel but benefit from auto-adjusting pressures. Most common AC11 prescription. |
| AirCurve 11 S | Fixed bilevel | Fixed IPAP and EPAP. For patients who need consistent bilevel pressures. |
| AirCurve 11 ST | Bilevel with backup rate | Adds a timed backup respiratory rate. For patients with central apneas or hypoventilation who may stop breathing. |
| AirCurve 11 ST-A | Bilevel with backup rate + iVAPS | The ST plus higher pressure capability and the iVAPS mode (intelligent volume-assured pressure support with AutoEPAP), per ResMed's spec. For patients who need target-ventilation support. |
| AirCurve 11 ASV | Adaptive servo-ventilation | Dynamically adjusts pressure support breath-by-breath. For complex and central sleep apnea. |
All AirCurve 11 models deliver two pressures: IPAP (inhale) and EPAP (exhale). The gap between them is pressure support. Bilevel devices sit in the premium price tier and run noticeably higher than a single-level CPAP; check current retail pricing for live numbers.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | AirSense 11 | AirCurve 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy type | Single-level (CPAP/APAP) | Bilevel (two pressures) |
| Pressure range | 4-20 cmH2O | EPAP 4-25, IPAP 4-30 cmH2O |
| EPR | Yes (1-3 cmH2O reduction on exhale) | Not applicable (bilevel handles this natively) |
| Modes | CPAP, AutoSet, AutoSet For Her | S, ST, VAuto, ASV, iVAPS |
| Humidifier | HumidAir 11 (integrated) | HumidAir 11 (integrated) |
| Heated tube | ClimateLineAir 11 (optional) | ClimateLineAir 11 (optional) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + cellular (myAir) | Bluetooth + cellular (AirView for providers) |
| SD card | Yes (detailed EDF data) | Yes (detailed EDF data) |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Noise level | 26 dBA | 26 dBA |
| Weight | 1.1 kg (without humidifier) | 1.3 kg (without humidifier) |
| Dimensions | 169 x 112 x 262 mm | 169 x 112 x 262 mm |
| Pricing tier | Mid (single-level CPAP) | Premium (bilevel) |
| Prescription | Required | Required |
Key Differences That Actually Matter
Pressure Delivery
This is the fundamental difference. The AirSense 11 pushes air at one pressure. When you exhale, you push back against that pressure. EPR (Expiratory Pressure Relief) reduces exhale pressure by 1 to 3 cmH2O to make this more comfortable, but it is a comfort feature, not a therapy mode.
The AirCurve 11 delivers genuinely different pressures for inhale and exhale. If your IPAP is 14 and your EPAP is 10, you get 14 cmH2O on every inhale and 10 cmH2O on every exhale. That 4 cmH2O gap (pressure support) is not a comfort adjustment. It is part of the therapy, actively assisting your ventilation.
For most people with straightforward obstructive sleep apnea, the AirSense 11 with EPR is sufficient. Bilevel therapy is typically prescribed when:
- You need pressures above 15 cmH2O and find exhaling difficult
- You have central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea
- You have obesity hypoventilation syndrome
- You have COPD overlap (COPD + OSA)
- You have neuromuscular conditions affecting breathing
- A standard CPAP trial failed due to pressure intolerance
AirCurve 11 VAuto vs AirSense 11 AutoSet
These two are the most-prescribed models on each side, so this is the comparison most people actually mean. The AutoSet auto-adjusts one pressure and offers EPR as a comfort feature on exhale. The VAuto auto-adjusts your exhale pressure (EPAP) and delivers every inhale at a fixed distance above it, the pressure support your provider prescribes, with IPAP capped at a prescribed maximum. On the AutoSet the exhale drop is comfort; on the VAuto the gap is the therapy. If your titration showed you need pressure support, the VAuto is the machine that provides it; if not, the AutoSet does the job with less machine. Both record equally detailed data to the SD card, and both are fully readable in CPAP Clarity (AirSense 11, AirCurve 11 VAuto).
SD Card Data
Both machines write detailed data to an SD card in EDF+ format. The data structure is nearly identical, with the same .2s suffix signal labels for 2-second resolution time series.
The AirCurve 11 records additional bilevel-specific channels that the AirSense 11 does not:
- IPAP and EPAP as separate values (the AirSense 11 records only a single therapy pressure)
- I:E ratio (inspiratory to expiratory time ratio)
- Inspiratory time (Ti) and expiratory time (Te)
- Target ventilation (on ASV and iVAPS modes)
If you use an AirCurve 10, CPAP Clarity already displays these bilevel channels including I:E ratio and inspiratory time charts. Both AirCurve 11 ASV and AirCurve 11 VAuto are supported as of 2026-05-19, including the same breath-by-breath flow-rate waveform the AirSense 11 gets; see the comparison table on the ASV review for the differences in data shape between them. The remaining AirCurve 11 modes (S, ST, ST-A) need contributor data before we can verify their SD card formats.
For AirSense 11 users, CPAP Clarity reads your SD card and shows detailed AHI breakdowns, pressure charts, leak trends, a breath-by-breath flow-rate waveform, and a therapy score. Import your whole SD card folder to see your data.
myAir vs AirView
The AirSense 11 connects to myAir, ResMed's patient-facing app. It shows a daily score (0-100), usage hours, mask seal, and events per hour. It is simple and intentionally limited.
The AirCurve 11 connects to AirView, ResMed's provider-facing platform. Patients typically do not have direct access to AirView. Your sleep physician or DME sees the detailed data; you see the simplified myAir version (if your provider enables it for your device).
This means AirCurve 11 users often have less visibility into their own therapy data than AirSense 11 users, despite having a more complex machine. Reading your SD card with a tool like CPAP Clarity or OSCAR fills that gap.
Cost
The price difference between single-level and bilevel is significant. The AirSense 11 AutoSet sits in the mid-tier CPAP price range. AirCurve 11 bilevel models run noticeably higher, with the ASV at the top of the bilevel range. Retail pricing fluctuates, so check live numbers when comparing.
Insurance typically covers both, but copays and rental vs. purchase structures vary. If your insurance covers a bilevel device, the out-of-pocket difference may be smaller than the sticker price suggests. See our Medicare compliance guide for details on the 90-day trial period that applies to both.
Which One Do You Need?
You don't choose. Your doctor prescribes based on your sleep study results and clinical needs. But here's the general pattern:
AirSense 11 is right if:
- You have obstructive sleep apnea (the most common diagnosis)
- Your titration study showed good results on a single pressure
- You tolerate CPAP pressure with EPR for comfort
- This is your first CPAP machine
AirCurve 11 is right if:
- Single-pressure CPAP was tried and you could not tolerate the exhale pressure
- You have central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea, or treatment-emergent central apnea
- You have COPD, obesity hypoventilation, or neuromuscular conditions
- Your sleep physician specifically prescribed bilevel therapy
If you are currently on an AirSense 10 or AirSense 11 and doing well, there is no clinical reason to switch to bilevel. Bilevel solves specific problems that single-pressure CPAP cannot.
Accessories and Compatibility
Both the AirSense 11 and AirCurve 11 use the same accessories:
- Masks: any ResMed AirFit or AirTouch mask works with both. The AirFit P10 (nasal pillow), AirFit N30i (nasal), and AirFit F20 (full face) cushion replacements are the most popular. See our mask types guide or take the Mask Finder Quiz to find the right fit.
- Humidifier: HumidAir 11 (integrated, same unit)
- Heated tube: ClimateLineAir 11 (same for both)
- Filters: same disposable and reusable filters. See our replacement schedule.
- SD card: same standard SD card. To pull data off either machine you only need a basic USB-C / USB-A SD card reader. See our SD card guide.
- Power supply: same 24V adapter (90W for both)
- CPAP pillows and other accessories work identically with either machine
Tracking Your Bilevel Data
If you use an AirCurve 11, your SD card contains bilevel-specific data (IPAP, EPAP, pressure support, I:E ratio, inspiratory time) that myAir does not show you. Understanding these numbers gives you and your provider a fuller picture to work from.
CPAP Clarity supports AirCurve 10 bilevel data with full I:E ratio and inspiratory time charts, plus the AirCurve 11 ASV and AirCurve 11 VAuto. The remaining AirCurve 11 modes (S, ST, ST-A) need contributor data before we can verify their SD card formats; in the meantime, OSCAR can read AirCurve 11 SD cards.
For AirSense 11 users, import your SD card data now to see detailed pressure, leak, AHI, and therapy score analysis. No account needed, everything stays in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the AirSense 11 and AirCurve 11?
Therapy delivery. The AirSense 11 is a single-pressure device that delivers one pressure level (or auto-adjusts within a single-pressure range) to keep your airway open. The AirCurve 11 is a bilevel device that delivers a higher pressure when you inhale (IPAP) and a lower pressure when you exhale (EPAP). The housing, touchscreen, and humidifier are nearly identical; the therapy is fundamentally different.
Do I need an AirCurve 11 instead of an AirSense 11?
That is your sleep physician's call, based on your diagnosis and how your body responds to therapy, not a preference choice. Bilevel is typically prescribed when you need pressures above 15 cmH2O and find exhaling difficult, when a standard CPAP trial failed due to pressure intolerance, or for conditions like central or complex sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation, COPD overlap, or neuromuscular conditions affecting breathing. For most people with straightforward obstructive sleep apnea, the AirSense 11 with EPR is sufficient.
Can an AirSense 11 work as a bilevel machine?
No. EPR (Expiratory Pressure Relief) reduces exhale pressure by 1 to 3 cmH2O, but it is a comfort feature, not a therapy mode. The AirCurve 11's pressure support delivers genuinely different inhale and exhale pressures and actively assists ventilation as part of the therapy, which a single-pressure machine cannot do.
Do the AirSense 11 and AirCurve 11 use the same masks?
Yes. Any ResMed AirFit or AirTouch mask works with both machines. They also share the same HumidAir 11 humidifier, ClimateLineAir 11 heated tube, filters, standard SD card, and 24V power supply.
Which AirCurve 11 is for central sleep apnea?
The AirCurve 11 ASV (adaptive servo-ventilation) is the model built for complex and central sleep apnea; it dynamically adjusts pressure support breath by breath. The AirCurve 11 ST adds a timed backup respiratory rate for patients with central apneas or hypoventilation who may stop breathing. Which one you get depends on your sleep study results and your physician's prescription.
How can I see my AirCurve 11 bilevel data?
Pull the SD card. The AirCurve 11 syncs to AirView, ResMed's provider-facing platform, so patients often have less visibility into their own therapy than AirSense users. The SD card records IPAP, EPAP, I:E ratio, and inspiratory time, and CPAP Clarity supports the AirCurve 11 ASV and VAuto models; the S and ST variants still need contributor data.
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