Best Ozone-Free CPAP Cleaner of 2024: Liviliti Paptizer

By Ashley – Certified Polysomnographic Technologist

It’s no surprise that the Philips Recall that occurred in June 2021 has left us all wondering which CPAP machine we should trust and by extension, what CPAP cleaner we should use.

Ozone CPAP cleaners have gained popularity over the past few years because they are marketed as a quick and easy way to keep your CPAP equipment clean and bacteria-free.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, ozone cleaners aren’t without their downsides.

It’s important to know that some CPAP manufacturers’ warranty coverage excludes damage to machines caused by ozone. The FDA also recommends against using ozone cleaners because ozone irritates the respiratory system at high concentrations. Ozone is a gas, and there is always a chance of leakage if not handled properly.

Does this mean you should avoid using CPAP cleaning machines? Not if you choose the right one. Read on to see what is the best ozone-free CPAP cleaner in 2024.

Jump to:

• What Is an Ozone-Free CPAP Cleaner?
• Why Do I Need to Clean My CPAP Equipment?
• Do I Need to Wash My Equipment if I Use a CPAP Cleaner?
• Why Is the Liviliti Paptizer the Best Ozone-Free CPAP Cleaner?
• Liviliti Paptizer Key Features

An ozone-free CPAP cleaner uses UVC light instead of ozone to kill bacteria and viruses. UVC is the type of ultraviolet (UV) light with the shortest wavelength and the most UV radiation. This makes it more effective than UVA and UVB at killing germs.

Since it destroys DNA and RNA structures, UVC light is also harmful to human cells. Prolonged exposure to UVC light can cause cataracts and skin cancer.

However, UVC cleaners are generally safer than ozone cleaners because there’s no chance of accidental UVC exposure. UVC cleaners come with automatic safety features that shut off the UVC light when the disinfection cycle is over, or when the lid is opened. 

Furthermore, there’s no risk of leakage or residual smell, and you do not have to wait for the ozone gas to clear out before using your CPAP supplies. Once the light is off, your CPAP mask and hose are ready for use.

Some common UVC CPAP cleaners:

• React Health Lumin CPAP Cleaner (previously from 3B Medical)
• React Health Lumin Bullet UV Hose Cleaner (previously from 3B Medical)
• Liviliti Paptizer UVC Smart CPAP Sanitizer

Out of all these CPAP cleaners, I found the Liviliti Paptizer UVC Smart CPAP Sanitizer to be the best. It is the most effective ozone-free CPAP cleaning machine for my day-to-day CPAP cleaning and sanitizing needs. Keeping my equipment free from bacteria and viruses is very important to me, especially as the pandemic rages on.

Keep reading to learn why I think the Liviliti Paptizer is best CPAP cleaner or watch our review:

Unclean CPAP equipment can be contaminated with viruses and bacteria that can make you sick. Germs from your lungs, throat, and mouth can get into your CPAP hose and mask as you breathe nightly into your equipment. 

Even germs on the skin can get transferred onto your mask, which is why it’s important to clean your CPAP mask regularly. If you use a heated humidifier, regular cleaning becomes even more important. This is because the damp, warm humidifier chamber is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

The short answer is yes. CPAP cleaners sanitize your CPAP supplies—they kill bacteria and viruses—but they do not remove dead skin cells, oils, makeup and other organic material. Washing with soap and water is the only way to remove these impurities.

Therefore, in addition to using a CPAP cleaner, it’s important to continue following manufacturer guidelines for cleaning your sleep apnea equipment. Think of CPAP cleaners as sanitizing machines that kill germs for an extra layer of cleanliness.

Learn how to clean your CPAP mask, hose, filter and humidifier water chamber with soap and water.

The Liviliti Paptizer, launched in 2020, is one of the newer CPAP equipment sanitizers on the market. It has the largest internal capacity at 11.89” x 10.59” x 6.06” and it’s been lab-tested to kill E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and P. aeruginosa.

This sleek ozone-free CPAP cleaner is equipped with 40 UVC LEDs and a reflective surface at the bottom, providing 5-sided multidirectional medical-grade sanitization. It kills over 99% of bacteria in as little as 3 minutes, all without using ozone.

However, the standout feature of the Liviliti Paptizer is its versatility—it sanitizes anything that fits inside.

This multi-purpose ozone-free CPAP cleaner can sanitize anything around the house such as:

• Cell phones
• Keys
• Toys
• Remote controls
• toothbrushes
• CPAP masks
• CPAP humidifier chamber
• CPAP hose (outside only – the UVC light can’t penetrate into the hose)
• The list goes on!

Easy-to-Use

The Paptizer requires minimal setup. Using the device is as easy as plugging it into an electrical outlet, placing your equipment on the stainless steel rack inside and selecting 1 of 3 operating modes.

Available modes:

• 3 Minute Quick Disinfection: sanitizes items in 3 minutes (ideal for dry items)
• Auto Mode: 3 minute sanitization followed by a 60-minute drying cycle and sterile storage (ideal for wet items)
• 3 Minute Quick Disinfection and Sterile Storage: basically auto mode without the drying cycle (ideal for dry items and anything with batteries)

Drying and Warming Feature

Perhaps the best feature of the Liviliti Paptizer is that it doesn’t just disinfect your CPAP mask; it also dries it and keeps it warm and bacteria-free until you’re ready to use it.

Simply select “Auto Mode,” and the Paptizer will sanitize, dry, and maintain your CPAP supplies at a toasty and sterile condition for up to 24 hours. You can carry on with your day while the machine handles the rest.

Safer Than Ozone Cleaners

A built-in safety feature in the Liviliti Paptizer protects users from accidental exposure to UVC rays. It does this by automatically shutting off the UVC lights when the lid is opened.

With the Paptizer, you can feel safe knowing that when the lid is open, the lights are off. In contrast, with ozone CPAP cleaning machines, safety isn’t as easy to guarantee. There’s always a risk of ozone leaking from the system due to loose connections, which can potentially lead to a harmful buildup of ozone.

If you’re using an ozone-based cleaner in an enclosed space, it’s best to leave the room or open some windows for ventilation. This is because high levels of ozone can irritate your airways and lungs. In addition, ozone CPAP cleaners can leave a residual smell which can require you to rewash and dry your equipment before use.

Easy Maintenance

One of my favorite features of the Liviliti Paptizer is that it doesn’t have any expensive filter kits or cartridges to replace or maintain. With some ozone cleaners, filters need to be replaced 2 to 4 times a year. That can add up.

2-Year Warranty

The Liviliti Paptizer comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty for your peace of mind. Registering your CPAP cleaner for the warranty is simple—just visit www.liviliti.com/warranty and provide your information. You will need the serial number (SN) located on your unit for registration.

Does Not Affect CPAP Machine Warranty

The best part of using a UVC cleaner like the Paptizer is that it does not affect your CPAP machine warranty, unlike some ozone-based CPAP cleaning machines.

The Liviliti Paptizer is a convenient and user-friendly ozone-free CPAP cleaner that is not only safe for me but safe for my CPAP machine warranty. It disinfects anything that fits inside, doesn’t need an adapter to use and doesn’t have any ongoing filter replacement costs. Plus, it looks great on my kitchen countertop as well as on my dresser.

If you’d like more information about the Liviliti Paptizer Smart CPAP Sanitizer, or have questions about other CPAP equipment, feel free to connect with us!

Our team of respiratory therapists and sleep technologists are happy to answer your questions about sleep apnea therapy.