CPAP rent vs buy in India: the real math

The cost of buying outright

A new, genuine ResMed CPAP in India costs from ₹26,000 for the basic AirStart 10 to ₹71,500 for the latest AirSense 11 AutoSet, plus a mask. The most-bought model, the AirSense 10 AutoSet, is ₹51,000. That is a large upfront sum to commit before you know whether you will tolerate and stick with therapy — see the full CPAP machine price guide for what drives the cost.

The cost of renting

SleepEase rents CPAP from ₹1,999/month (Auto CPAP ₹2,999/month) with a refundable ₹5,000 deposit and mask included. You can start therapy immediately after diagnosis without a large outlay.

A worked rental example

Suppose Auto CPAP rents at ₹2,999/month. Try it for a few months after diagnosis; if therapy suits you, keep renting for as long as it helps, and if it does not, simply return the machine — having spent a few months' rent rather than tens of thousands of rupees upfront.

Why renting first is lower risk

Studies of CPAP adherence find only about 30–40% of first-time users continue long term. Renting means the downside of stopping is small — you return the machine and stop paying. If it helps, you keep it for as long as you need.

When buying is the better deal

Once you know CPAP works for you — typically after two or three months of consistent use — the maths flips. Auto CPAP rental at ₹2,999/month adds up to the price of an AirSense 10 AutoSet in roughly a year and a half, and after that the machine you own costs nothing but consumables. Long-term users almost always come out ahead by buying.

The sensible path for most people in Kerala is therefore: diagnose, rent for a few months, then buy a genuine ResMed machine with delivery and setup at home once the doctor confirms you should continue.