Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite review: a bedside battery that keeps a ResMed CPAP running when the power drops

This is a research-based review, based on manufacturer specs and published data. We do not test products. Figures come from Medistrom's Pilot-24 Lite product page, checked November 1, 2026, with power figures from ResMed's AirSense 11 user guide and guidance from the FDA and FAA.

A night outage stops a CPAP with no warning. The Pilot-24 Lite is built for that moment. It connects between the CPAP's own power supply and the machine. While the grid is up it charges; when the grid drops, Medistrom says the machine keeps drawing power from the battery without interruption.

This review covers which machines it fits, how far 95 Wh goes, and what to add when an outage lasts longer than a night or two.

Who should buy it

• ResMed AirSense 10 users: Medistrom includes the AirSense 10 output cable in the box.
• ResMed AirSense 11 users, with the AirSense 11 cable kit, which Medistrom marks as sold separately.
• Users of other machines on Medistrom's Pilot-24 list, including the ResMed AirMini and S9, Philips DreamStation Go, 3B Luna and Apex iCH, each with its listed cable kit.
• Anyone who wants a backup small enough to travel with: Medistrom lists it as FAA compliant.

Who should skip it

• Users of 12 V machines such as the Philips DreamStation. They need the Medistrom Pilot-12 Lite.
• Ventilator users. Medistrom says the Pilot-24 Lite is not compatible with ventilator PAP devices. BiPAP users should confirm compatibility with Medistrom support before buying.
• Anyone who must run a heated humidifier all night. 95 Wh will not cover that; a 1 kWh station such as the Anker SOLIX C1000 will.

Strengths

• Automatic backup. Medistrom describes it as an uninterruptible power supply: plug it in once and it takes over when the power fails.
• DC output at the machine's voltage. 24 V DC goes straight to the CPAP, with no inverter step and its losses.
• Enough output for an AirSense 11. 3.75 A at 24 V is 90 W, above ResMed's 73.2 W peak figure for the AirSense 11 power supply.
• USB port. 5 V, 2.5 A for a phone; Medistrom equates the pack to about 19,000 mAh for handheld devices.
• Small and light. 1.3 lb and under an inch thick, in an aluminum case.
• Quick recharge. 2 to 3 hours, which matters when power returns only briefly.

Drawbacks

• Humidifier off. Medistrom's 1 to 2 night claim assumes no humidifier and no heated tubing.
• Cable kits cost extra for the AirSense 11 and several other machines. Check the list for your exact model.
• No published switchover time. Medistrom says the handoff is without interruption but gives no figure.
• Cycle life. Medistrom rates the cells for 500+ full cycles, far fewer than the LiFePO4 power stations we review.
• Small capacity for long outages. It needs a recharge source after a night or two.

How it compares

The Pilot-24 Lite against its 12 V sibling and two power stations often used for CPAP backup. Figures are from each maker's page.

Using it in a long outage

How far 95 Wh goes

ResMed lists the AirSense 11's 65 W power supply at 56.1 W typical and 73.2 W peak consumption. Those are ceilings for the whole supply, including a heated humidifier. At 56.1 W, 95 Wh would last under 2 hours. Medistrom's 1 to 2 nights with heat off implies an average draw closer to 6 to 12 W, which is why the humidifier setting decides almost everything. Your real number depends on pressure, mask leak and room temperature.

Setting it up before an outage

1. 01Check Medistrom's compatibility list for your exact machine and buy the cable kit if it is marked as sold separately.
2. 02Connect the CPAP's power supply to the battery and the battery to the CPAP, so it charges every night and is full when an outage starts.
3. 03Do one trial night with the wall plug pulled, and note the charge lights in the morning.
4. 04Learn how to turn the humidifier and heated tube off quickly in the dark.
5. 05Keep a written plan for a second night: a spare pack, a car charger (sold separately) or a power station.

Recharging during a long outage

A 2 to 3 hour recharge makes the pack easy to refill from a power station during the day. Plug the CPAP's own AC power supply into a station's AC outlet to recharge the battery, then run on the battery at night. A 288 Wh station like the Jackery Explorer 300 v2 holds enough for two or more refills, and a solar panel can top that up. Our best CPAP battery backup guide has the full Wh math.

If your outage plan relies on reaching a powered facility, Ready.gov advises having alternate plans for power-dependent medical devices. BackupPowerAI's CPAP backup power guide covers DC adapters for power stations.