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Transcend suits people with a CPAP prescription who travel, fly or camp often and want a second machine that fits in a pocket. It is a legitimate Minnesota CPAP maker whose devices are FDA cleared, and its Micro 510 is one of the smallest and lightest auto CPAPs sold in the U.S. at 0.48 pounds. The tradeoffs are cost for a backup machine, no heated humidifier (only a waterless HME), CPAP and Auto-CPAP only, and no insurance billing. Talk with your sleep doctor before switching machines, since your settings and mask fit matter more than size.
- Maker
- Somnetics International, Inc. (doing business as Transcend Inc.), 103 Osborne Road NE, Fridley, Minnesota3
- Models and price
- Transcend Micro $769 (2-year warranty); Micro 510 $829 (3-year warranty), as listed October 20262
- Size and weight
- Micro 510: 0.48 lb, 3.6 x 3.6 x 2.4 inches1
- Therapy
- CPAP or Auto-CPAP, 4 to 20 cm H2O; no BiPAP mode1
- Sound
- 27 dBA with the WhisperSoft muffler, per Transcend1
- Humidification
- AirMist HME, a waterless heat and moisture exchanger; no heated humidifier1
- Insurance
- Transcend doesn't bill insurance; you can file for reimbursement yourself, and HSA or FSA funds can generally be used1
- Returns
- 30 days for new, unopened items; you pay return shipping4
Pros
- Micro 510 weighs 0.48 lb and fits in a pocket
- FDA-cleared devices from an established U.S. maker
- FAA compliant for in-flight use, with a downloadable compliance letter
- Works with standard 22 mm masks
- 3-year warranty on the Micro 510
Cons
- No heated humidifier, only a waterless HME
- No BiPAP mode
- Doesn't bill insurance
- Returns only for new, unopened items within 30 days
- Battery adds $349.95
Best for: People already on CPAP who travel often and want a backup machine that fits in a carry-on or pocket.
Skip it if: You need BiPAP, heated humidification or insurance billing, or you rarely travel.
Transcend vs. competitors
| Company | Price | Weight | Warranty | Humidification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transcend Micro 510 | $829 | 0.48 lb | 3 years | Waterless HME (AirMist) |
| Transcend Micro | $769 | Under 0.5 lb | 2 years | Waterless HME, sold separately |
| ResMed AirMini AutoSet | $919 at the Resmed Shop | 10.6 oz (300 g) | 2 years | Waterless HME (HumidX) |
| ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet (home machine) | $1,054 at the Resmed Shop with HumidAir | Not a travel unit | Heated humidifier |
Transcend pricing at a glance
Transcend machines and travel add-ons sold direct, as listed October 20262
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transcend Micro Auto CPAP | $769 | 2-year warranty, white only |
| Transcend Micro 510 Auto CPAP | $829 | 3-year warranty, four colors; includes AirMist HME and WhisperSoft muffler |
| Micro 510 Essentials Bundle | $978.90 | Machine plus accessories |
| Micro 510 Power Bundle | $1,328.85 | Machine plus battery bundle |
| PowerAway Battery | $349.95 | Up to 17.5 hours, per Transcend |
| Sun-Watt Solar Panel Charger | $195 | For charging off grid |
| Micro 510 Resupply Pack | $69.59 | Replacement filters and parts |
A mask is not included with the machine. Transcend lists free shipping on orders over $99. Prices change with sales and promo codes; check the cart total before you pay.
Transcend, step by step
Get a prescription
A valid CPAP prescription is required to buy the Micro or Micro 510 in the U.S. Transcend can contact your doctor's office for it.
Order direct or from a retailer
Buy from mytranscend.com or a CPAP retailer. Transcend does not bill insurance, so you pay up front and can file for reimbursement.
Device is set to your prescription
Transcend programs the machine to your prescribed pressure before it ships.
Connect your mask and travel
Use any mask with a standard 22 mm connection. Download the FAA compliance letter and check your airline's battery rules before you fly.
Track and maintain
The optional MySleepDash app shows sleep data. Replace filters and the AirMist cartridge on schedule.
Transcend legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Transcend is the brand of Somnetics International, Inc., a Minnesota company that has sold Transcend CPAP machines since its first FDA clearance in 2010. FDA records list a 510(k) clearance for the Transcend 365 miniCPAP System in November 2018, and in April 2026 the FDA cleared Transcend’s MySleepDash app under the company’s current Fridley, Minnesota address.
CPAP machines are prescription medical devices, so Transcend requires a valid prescription before it ships a machine. We did not find a recall notice for current Transcend models; you can check the FDA’s medical device recall database for any updates.
Transcend CPAP price
Transcend sells the Micro for $769 and the Micro 510 for $829 on its own site. Bundles with accessories run $978.90 and up, and the Micro 510 Power Bundle with a battery is $1,328.85. The PowerAway battery alone is $349.95. A mask is not included.
Transcend doesn’t bill insurance. You can pay with an HSA or FSA card in most cases and file with your insurer for reimbursement, but many plans cover only one machine every few years, and a travel unit is often an extra you pay for yourself.
What you get with the Micro 510
The Micro 510 measures 3.6 by 3.6 by 2.4 inches and weighs 0.48 pounds. It runs fixed CPAP or Auto-CPAP from 4 to 20 cm H2O, with ramp, auto start and auto stop, and works up to 8,000 feet. The box includes a hard travel case, filter, AC power adapter that takes 100 to 240 volts, the AirMist HME and the WhisperSoft muffler. Transcend rates it at 27 dBA with the muffler.
There is no built-in battery and no heated humidifier. The AirMist HME is a waterless cartridge that returns some of your own breath’s moisture. If you rely on a heated humidifier at home, try the HME before a long trip.
What customers say about Transcend
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Very small and light for flights, cruises and camping
- Quiet enough for shared rooms with the muffler fitted
- Works with most standard masks
- Helpful service with prescriptions and shipping
Common complaints
- High price for a second, travel-only machine
- No heated humidifier; the waterless HME isn't enough for some users
- Fewer comfort settings than full-size home machines
- Battery and accessories add a lot to the total cost
Flying with a Transcend CPAP
Transcend says the Micro 510 is FAA compliant for in-flight use and offers a downloadable FAA compliance letter. Airlines set their own rules for using devices and batteries in flight, and some ask for battery capacity covering 150% of the flight time. Call your airline before you fly and bring the letter and your prescription.
Complaints and what users report
Transcend has very few public reviews on Trustpilot (one in the last 12 months), and we found no BBB profile, so there is little complaint data to go on. Reviews and forum posts commonly praise the size and quiet, and criticize the cost of a second machine, the lack of a heated humidifier and the cost of batteries and accessories.
Returns and warranty
You can return new, unopened items within 30 days of shipment after getting an RMA number; machines must be unused with all packaging. Return shipping is on you, expedited shipping isn’t refunded, and refunds can take up to 10 business days after inspection. Mask trials have their own 30-day rules. The Micro carries a 2-year warranty and the Micro 510 a 3-year warranty.
Who should skip Transcend
Transcend machines only do CPAP and Auto-CPAP, so they are not a substitute if your doctor prescribed BiPAP. If you need supplemental oxygen, a heated humidifier or close data monitoring by your care team, ask your sleep doctor before buying a travel machine. If you travel only a few times a year, packing your home machine costs nothing.
Alternatives to Transcend
- ResMed AirMini The other widely sold travel auto CPAP, if you want a ResMed device and app or your supplier already services ResMed machines. Read review
- Travel with your home CPAP The free option: most home machines are allowed as carry-on medical devices, so a separate travel unit is optional if size isn't a problem.
- CPAP.com A retailer that sells several travel and home machines with a 60-night return policy on machines, if you want to compare before buying. Read review
Transcend reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Who makes Transcend CPAP machines?
Somnetics International, Inc., which does business as Transcend Inc. and is based at 103 Osborne Road NE in Fridley, Minnesota.
How much does a Transcend CPAP cost?
Transcend lists the Micro at $769 and the Micro 510 at $829 as of October 2026. Bundles with a battery cost $1,328.85 for the Micro 510.
Do I need a prescription for a Transcend CPAP?
Yes. A valid CPAP prescription is required to buy the Micro or Micro 510 in the U.S., and Transcend sets the machine to your prescribed pressure before shipping.
Does insurance cover Transcend?
Transcend doesn't bill insurance. You can submit a receipt to your insurer for possible reimbursement, and HSA or FSA funds can generally be used.
Can I use a Transcend CPAP on a plane?
Transcend says the Micro 510 is FAA compliant for in-flight use and provides a compliance letter. Check your airline's rules on in-flight use and battery capacity before you fly.
How long does the Transcend battery last?
Transcend says the PowerAway battery provides up to 17.5 hours. Actual run time depends on your pressure setting and whether you use the HME.
Does the Transcend Micro 510 have a humidifier?
It uses the AirMist HME, a waterless heat and moisture exchanger, and has no heated humidifier. People who need heated humidity at home may find it drier.
Is the Transcend Micro 510 quiet?
Transcend rates it at 27 dBA with the included WhisperSoft muffler. Without the muffler it is louder.
Does Transcend work with any CPAP mask?
It works with masks that use a standard 22 mm connection, which covers most masks.
Transcend vs. ResMed AirMini: which is smaller?
The Micro 510 weighs 0.48 lb, while ResMed lists the AirMini at 10.6 oz (300 g). The AirMini costs $919 at the Resmed Shop versus $829 for the Micro 510.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Transcend: Micro 510 Auto CPAP product page and FAQ (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Transcend: Home page and store listings (accessed October 13, 2026)
- FDA 510(k) database: K252338 MySleepDash, Somnetics International (dba Transcend Inc) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Transcend: Refund policy (accessed October 13, 2026)
- FDA 510(k) database: K180388 Transcend 365 miniCPAP System (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Transcend (mytranscend.com) reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Resmed Shop: AirMini AutoSet (accessed October 13, 2026)
- FDA: Medical device recalls database (accessed October 13, 2026)
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