RO vs. Spring vs. Distilled Water for CPAP: What Is the Difference?

When it comes to using water in your CPAP machine, distilled water is generally recommended as it is free from minerals and other impurities that can build up in your machine and potentially affect its performance. However, if distilled water is not readily available, you can also consider using other types of purified water, such as reverse osmosis (RO) or spring water.

RO water is purified water that has been filtered through a semipermeable membrane to remove impurities and minerals. It is similar to distilled water in terms of purity, and can therefore be used safely in your CPAP machine.

Spring water, on the other hand, is sourced from natural springs and may contain minerals and other impurities that can cause buildup in your CPAP machine. While it may be safe to use in some cases, it is generally not recommended as it may not be as reliable as distilled or RO water in terms of consistency and purity.

In summary, while distilled water is the recommended type of water to use in your CPAP machine, RO water is also a suitable alternative. Spring water should be avoided if possible due to the potential for mineral buildup and inconsistency in purity. Regardless of the type of water you use, it's important to check with the manufacturer of your specific CPAP machine to ensure that the type of water you plan to use is safe and recommended for use.