Buy a Refurbished Philips DreamStation: Recall Facts, Prices, and the Safer Buys Instead

Direct answer: Do not buy an original Philips DreamStation unless it was remediated under the June 2021 recall — the PE-PUR foam in pre-April 2021 units can break down and release particles. A certified refurbished DreamStation 2 is $629. MyRespCo does not sell Philips machines; the closest in-stock buys are a certified refurbished ResMed AirSense 10 at $379.99 or the brand-new Dream Sleep Auto combo at $469.99.

The 2021 recall in plain terms

On June 14, 2021, Philips Respironics issued a voluntary recall of millions of CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices — about 5 million in total. The problem was the polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam inside the machines. That foam can break down and release particles or chemicals that users might inhale. The recall covered the original DreamStation CPAP range and other Philips models manufactured before April 2021.

Philips remediated affected devices by replacing the PE-PUR foam with silicone foam, and the DreamStation 2 — the replacement model — was built with silicone foam from the start. Philips reports that the silicone foam passed extensive testing, including volatile organic compound testing to ISO 18562-3, with formaldehyde levels well below World Health Organization limits. The FDA has advised patients to keep using replacement devices rather than go without therapy.

Two things buyers should also know. First, Philips' registration process for the recall closed in early 2024, so a device that was never registered may no longer be eligible for a replacement. Second, the DreamStation 2 has drawn separate safety reports: the FDA has received hundreds of Medical Device Reports about DreamStation 2 units overheating, emitting smoke, or melting near the humidifier heating plate, and advises patients to inspect their machines daily for unusual odors. Those are reports, not a recall — but they are why many buyers are leaving Philips altogether.

DreamStation vs DreamStation 2

Feature Original DreamStation DreamStation 2
Foam PE-PUR — the recalled foam Silicone foam
Recall status Recalled June 2021 if made before April 2021 Not part of the foam recall
Remediation Foam replaced with silicone, or device replaced Built with silicone foam
Current status No longer made; sold only used or refurbished Current Philips model, but US sales halted April 2024 under a consent decree
Refurbished price $399 (out of stock at 1800cpap) $629 at 1800cpap, in stock
Verdict Buy only with proof of remediation Buyable, but check the overheating reports and compare with ResMed first

Prices: refurbished DreamStation

Option Price Where Stock
DreamStation 2 Auto, certified refurbished $629.00 1800cpap In stock, 90-day warranty, extendable to 1 year for $79
DreamStation CPAP, certified refurbished $399.00 1800cpap Out of stock
DreamStation Pro, certified refurbished $429.00 1800cpap Out of stock
DreamStation 2 Auto, open box (under 100 hours) $849.00 1800cpap Out of stock
DreamStation 2 Advanced Auto, certified pre-owned $629.00 Help Medical Supplies Listed in stock
DreamStation Auto with Autoset $500.00 theperfectcpap Marketplace-style listing, no prescription claimed — treat with caution
DreamStation 2, used $350.00 eBay Single listing, or best offer, no warranty stated

The pattern is clear: the cheap original DreamStation listings are mostly gone or out of stock, and the DreamStation 2 refurbished price is $629 — more than a refurbished ResMed AirSense 11 at $449.99. The "cheap Philips" deal that brings buyers to this search mostly no longer exists.

The 6 checks before you buy any refurbished DreamStation

  1. Check the model and serial number against the recall. The original DreamStation (DSX200, DSX400, and related part numbers) made before April 2021 is recalled. Ask the seller for the serial number and check it with Philips before paying.
  2. Demand proof of remediation. A remediated unit has silicone foam in place of the PE-PUR foam. A seller who cannot show remediation paperwork is selling a recalled device.
  3. Never buy a "no prescription needed" DreamStation. CPAP machines are prescription devices in the US. A seller who skips the prescription is skipping the law, and the machine is likely an un-remediated marketplace unit. (One listing found in this search advertises exactly that — avoid it.)
  4. Ask about hours and warranty. A refurbished DreamStation 2 at $629 with a 90-day warranty is a different buy from the same machine with a 1-year warranty. Ask how many hours are on the blower.
  5. Check the humidifier plate. Given the FDA's overheating reports on the DreamStation 2, inspect the humidifier heating plate for discoloration or melting before first use, and keep the machine off carpet and away from flammable materials.
  6. Compare the price against a ResMed. A refurbished AirSense 10 at $379.99 or an AirSense 11 at $449.99 costs less than a refurbished DreamStation 2 at $629, has no recall history, and is supported by a licensed RRT.

The safer buys at MyRespCo

MyRespCo does not sell Philips machines, and this article does not pretend otherwise. If you came here looking for a refurbished DreamStation, these are the closest in-stock machines that do the same job:

Machine Price Why it replaces a DreamStation
Refurbished ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet $379.99 Auto-adjusting, heated humidifier built in, the most common CPAP in the US, $249.01 less than a refurbished DreamStation 2
Brand new Dream Sleep Auto CPAP combo $469.99 Brand new, not refurbished — machine, humidifier, medium full face mask, tubing, filters, travel bag included
Refurbished ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet $449.99 Newest ResMed platform, touchscreen, myAir app, 1 unit in stock
Refurbished ResMed S9 AutoSet $249.99 Cheapest proven auto CPAP, simple dial, heated humidifier included

All refurbished machines at MyRespCo are RT-inspected with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year limited warranty, and ship free in the US. A prescription is required.

Ready to order?

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to buy a refurbished Philips DreamStation?
Only if the unit was remediated under the June 2021 recall — the PE-PUR foam replaced with silicone foam — or if it is a DreamStation 2, which was built with silicone foam. Ask for the serial number and remediation proof before paying. An un-remediated original DreamStation is a recalled device.

What was the Philips DreamStation recall?
In June 2021 Philips recalled about 5 million CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices because the PE-PUR sound abatement foam could break down and release particles or chemicals. Affected devices were repaired with silicone foam or replaced.

Is the DreamStation 2 safe?
The DreamStation 2 uses silicone foam, not the recalled PE-PUR foam, and Philips reports the foam passed extensive testing. Separately, the FDA has received reports of DreamStation 2 units overheating near the humidifier plate — inspect your machine daily for unusual odors and keep it off carpet.

How much is a refurbished DreamStation?
A certified refurbished DreamStation 2 is $629 at 1800cpap. The original DreamStation refurbished was $399 but is out of stock there. Used DreamStation 2 units appear on eBay around $350 with no warranty stated.

Does MyRespCo sell Philips DreamStation machines?
No. MyRespCo does not sell Philips machines. The closest in-stock buys are a refurbished ResMed AirSense 10 at $379.99 or the brand-new Dream Sleep Auto combo at $469.99.

Do I need a prescription to buy a refurbished DreamStation?
Yes. CPAP machines are prescription medical devices in the US. Any seller offering a CPAP with no prescription is a red flag.

General information only, not medical advice. Whether a buyer needs CPAP, APAP, or BiPAP, which mask type fits, and what pressure settings to use, comes from their prescriber and sleep study, not from a seller or an article.