Search for a Protekt Aire mattress system and you will find a range that runs from a 5-inch overlay to a 750 lb bariatric system to a full lateral rotation surface with four therapies layered together. The model numbers climb from 2000 to 9900, and the naming does not tell you what changes between them. A buyer comparing the 6000 against the 8000 cannot see from the label that one is a standard-width system and the other is bariatric, or that the 7000 adds a therapy neither of the others has.
This guide maps the whole range. Proactive Medical's Protekt Aire line is one of the most widely stocked therapeutic mattress families in home care and long-term care, and every model in it carries HCPCS code E0277 for group 2 support surfaces. We walk model by model through what each one does, what it holds, what width it comes in, and which patient situation it fits.
Who This Guide Is For
Family caregivers comparing specific Protekt Aire models, DME providers and home health agencies specifying support surfaces, long-term care purchasing staff, wound care clinicians matching a surface to a care plan, and anyone who has been given a model number by a discharge planner and needs to know what it actually is.
What This Guide Covers
Every Protekt Aire model stocked at MediDepot: the 2000 overlay, 3000 and 3500 economy systems, 3600AB, 4000DX and 5000DX digital systems, 6000 and 6450 mid-tier, the 7000 lateral rotation system, the 8000 bariatric range, and the 9900 wide-format line. Plus the raised-rail (RR) and AB variants, replacement components, and how the Protekt foam surfaces fit alongside. For the underlying therapy concepts, start with our alternating pressure vs low air loss vs lateral rotation guide.
Quick Start: Browse Protekt Aire
Already know the model you need? Browse the Proactive Medical range or the full mattress and support surface collection.
Table of Contents
- How Does the Protekt Aire Range Step Up?
- What Do the Suffixes Mean? DX, AB, RR Explained
- Protekt Aire 2000 & 3000: The Economy Tier
- Protekt Aire 3500, 3600AB, 4000DX & 5000DX
- Protekt Aire 6000 & 6450: The Mid Tier
- What Is Cell-on-Cell and Why Does It Matter?
- Protekt Aire 7000: Lateral Rotation and Pulsation
- Protekt Aire 8000 & 9900: The Wide Formats
- Protekt Foam Surfaces: 500, 600 and Supreme Support
- Protekt Aire Geri-Chair Overlay
- Which Protekt Aire Model Should You Choose?
- What Does HCPCS E0277 Mean for Coverage?
- Replacement Pumps, Mattresses and Covers
- Protekt Aire Model Comparison Table
- Selection Checklist
- Ordering & Smart Solutions
- Explore Related MediDepot Guides
- External References
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Does the Protekt Aire Range Step Up?
The model numbers follow a rough logic once you see it laid out. Every system in the range combines low air loss with alternating pressure, so that is the shared baseline rather than a differentiator. What changes as you move up is depth, pump sophistication, weight capacity, width, and at the top, whether lateral rotation is included.
- 2000: 5-inch overlay, sits on an existing mattress. Economy entry.
- 3000 / 3500 / 3600AB: 8-inch replacement mattress systems. Economy to standard.
- 4000DX / 5000DX: digital pumps with LED weight settings and added features.
- 6000 / 6450: mid tier. Deluxe digital pump, cell-on-cell base, LED touch panel, three alarms.
- 7000: adds lateral rotation and pulsation on top of low air loss and alternating pressure. The top of the range.
- 8000: bariatric, 750 lb capacity, widths from 42 to 60 inches.
- 9900: wide-format line with pulsation, available from 36 up to 60 inches.
One thing worth flagging early: the 8000 and 9900 are not simply "bigger versions of the 7000." The 7000 is the only model in the range with lateral rotation. If you need turning, the 7000 is the model, and its widths run 36, 42 and 48 inches.
What Do the Suffixes Mean? DX, AB, RR Explained
The letters after the model number tell you about configuration, and they are easy to misread when comparing listings.
- DX indicates a deluxe digital pump. The 4000DX and 5000DX carry digital LED weight settings rather than a simple analog dial.
- RR means raised rails, specifically foam raised side rails built into the mattress perimeter. These create a bolstered edge that helps prevent a patient from rolling off and adds a firmer surface for sitting on the side during transfers. The 4000DXRR is the 4000DX with this addition.
- AB appears in model names like 6000AB and 3600AB. Treat it as part of the model designation rather than a bolt-on option, since it identifies a distinct configuration within the family.
- Numeric suffixes such as 80080-54 or 81090-42 indicate width in inches. The 81090-42 is a 9900 at 42 inches wide.
When a discharge planner writes "Protekt Aire 6000" on a form without a suffix, they usually mean the base configuration. Confirm the width and whether raised rails were intended before ordering, because those change the price meaningfully.
Protekt Aire 2000 & 3000: The Economy Tier
These two cover the lower-acuity end, and the difference between them is structural rather than a matter of features.
The Aire 2000 is a 5-inch overlay. It does not replace the mattress, it lies on top of one, which makes it the lowest-cost way into powered therapy and the right choice when the existing mattress is sound and the risk level is moderate. The trade-off is depth: 5 inches of air over an existing surface provides less immersion than a full replacement.
The Aire 3000 is an 8-inch replacement system at standard 36 by 80 inches. You remove the existing mattress and this becomes the sleeping surface. It runs an air flow dial for custom pressure levels and includes a static function for safe transfers. The Aire 3500 sits just above it in the same family.
Protekt Aire 3500, 3600AB, 4000DX & 5000DX
The middle of the economy-to-standard range is where digital pump control appears, and each model adds something specific.
The Aire 3600AB continues the low air loss and alternating pressure combination in the 836xx family. The Aire 4000DX introduces a digital pump with Auto Compressor Sleep Technology, which quiets the compressor when full output is not needed. In a bedroom this matters more than the spec sheet suggests, since the pump runs all night. A raised-rail version, the 4000DXRR, adds foam side bolsters.
The Aire 5000DX carries digital adjustable LED weight settings so pressure can be tuned to the individual patient, and it uses a 5-inch air mattress over a 3-inch densified fiber base. That fiber base is a safety layer: if the air system fails, the patient is still resting on structured foam rather than a flat bladder.
Protekt Aire 6000 & 6450: The Mid Tier
The 6000 is the model most people mean when they say "Protekt Aire," and it is the workhorse of the range for standard-width patients with genuine pressure injury risk.
The Aire 6000 runs an 8-inch mattress at 36 by 80 inches on a deluxe digital pump delivering roughly 8 liters per minute. An LED touch panel gives four alternating cycle options at 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes so a clinician can tune therapy to the patient. Three alarms cover low pressure, power failure and alternating failure, which is more monitoring than the economy tier provides. A seat-inflate function firms the centre bladders when the head of the bed is raised, protecting the patient in the Fowler position where body weight shifts toward the sacrum. The quilted nylon cover is fluid resistant and anti-microbial, and three non-skid rubber panels on the underside keep the mattress from creeping on the frame.
Variants include the 6000AB, the 6000 with foam raised side rails, and the related Aire 6450 and 6450RR. Shown alongside is the 7000, covered next.
What Is Cell-on-Cell and Why Does It Matter?
This feature appears across the 6000 and above, and it addresses a failure mode most buyers never think about until it happens.
A standard alternating pressure mattress is a single layer of air cells. If power fails, or the pump dies, or someone unplugs it to vacuum, the cells deflate and the patient settles onto the bed deck through a flat bladder. There is no therapy and no cushioning, and a patient with an existing wound is now resting directly on the surface that caused it.
Cell-on-cell construction puts a second layer of cells underneath the alternating layer, with a one-way valve that traps air in the lower cells. On the 6000, roughly 4 inches of air stays in place during a power failure. The therapy stops, but the support does not collapse. For a home setting where power interruptions happen and nobody is watching the pump at 3 AM, this is a meaningful safety margin rather than a marketing bullet.
Protekt Aire 7000: Lateral Rotation and Pulsation
The 7000 is the only model in the range that turns the patient, and it is a different class of product from everything below it.
It layers four therapies. Lateral rotation offers left turn, right turn and full turn modes with adjustable angles and cycle times from 10 to 95 minutes. TrueCare alternating technology re-inflates the first set of cells before the second set deflates, which smooths the transition and reduces the sensation of dropping that some patients dislike about alternating surfaces. iLAL independent low air loss delivers periodic high-volume air relief rather than constant flow, managing moisture and skin heat. Pulsation mode adds gentle rhythmic variation intended to support circulation.
Two safety details are worth knowing. The two-stage Fowler detector stops the turning function at 20 degrees of head elevation and increases pressure at 45 degrees, so the system will not rotate a patient who is sitting up. And the 18 cell-on-cell design prevents bottoming out during power failure, matching the protection in the 6000 but across a deeper surface.
The 7000 supports 660 lb and comes in 36, 42 and 48 inch widths at 80 inches long and 8 inches deep. Note the warranty differs from the rest of the range at 18 months non-prorated, where the 6000 and 8000 carry two years. Constant low pressure mode is available for patients who cannot tolerate alternating therapy, and auto-lockout prevents accidental setting changes.
Protekt Aire 8000 & 9900: The Wide Formats
Both lines address the same problem from different angles: standard 36-inch surfaces do not serve heavier or larger patients, and a mattress narrower than the person on it creates edge instability and pressure at the perimeter.
The Aire 8000 supports 750 lb across widths of 42, 48, 54 and 60 inches, all at 80 inches long. Standard height is 8 inches, rising to 10 inches on raised-rail configurations. Its 18 LPM pump moves more than double the air of the 6000, which is what a larger surface needs to cycle properly. Alternating cycles run 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes. A seat-inflate function increases airflow to the centre bladders by around 20 percent to counter the weight shift when the head section is raised, and max inflate fills all cells to firm the surface for transfers. A CPR pull tab dumps air quickly in an emergency, and a lockout key disables the control panel including the power switch, which matters in settings where a confused patient might change settings. The pillow-top design steadies the head and neck during alternating cycles. Width options include 54 inch and 60 inch.
The Aire 9900 line adds pulsation to the low air loss and alternating pressure combination and spans an unusually wide size range, from 36 inch through 48, 54 and 60 inch. Because it starts at 36 inches, the 9900 is not strictly a bariatric line; it is a wide-format family that happens to reach bariatric sizes. If you want pulsation at standard width, the 9900 at 36 inches is the route.
Protekt Foam Surfaces: 500, 600 and Supreme Support
Not every patient needs a pump, and Proactive covers the non-powered end too. These are worth considering when the risk assessment does not call for active therapy, or when pump noise is a genuine obstacle in a home bedroom.
The Protekt 500 is a gel-infused foam pressure redistribution mattress. The Protekt 600 is the bariatric equivalent in wider formats. The Supreme Support 94001 is an interesting middle option: a self-adjusting air and foam hybrid that responds to the patient without a powered pump running continuously. For lighter needs, the Serenity gel overlay lays over an existing mattress.
Protekt Aire Geri-Chair Overlay
Pressure injuries do not only form in bed. A patient who spends the day in a geriatric recliner loads the sacrum and ischial tuberosities continuously, often for longer stretches than they spend lying down. The Protekt Aire Geri-Chair alternating pressure overlay brings the same cycling therapy to seated positioning.
This is a commonly missed gap in a care plan. A facility invests in a 6000 for the bed and then seats the resident in an unpadded recliner for six hours a day. If you are equipping a chair as well as a bed, see our clinical care recliners guide.
Which Protekt Aire Model Should You Choose?
Work from the constraints rather than the model numbers.
Does the patient need turning? If they cannot reposition themselves and caregivers cannot reliably turn them, the 7000 is the only model that rotates. Everything else requires manual repositioning to continue.
What does the patient weigh, and how wide are they? Above roughly 350 to 450 lb, or where the body approaches the edge of a 36-inch surface, move to the 8000 or 9900. Edge instability is a real risk factor, not just a comfort issue.
Is the existing mattress sound? If yes and risk is moderate, the 2000 overlay costs less and installs faster. If the mattress is worn or risk is elevated, a replacement system gives more depth and better immersion.
How much does pump noise matter? In a shared bedroom, the 4000DX with Auto Compressor Sleep Technology is worth the step up. In a facility corridor, less so.
Is anyone monitoring the equipment? If the patient is alone overnight, prioritise cell-on-cell construction and the three-alarm package on the 6000 and above. A silent failure on a single-layer economy system is the scenario that causes harm.
What Does HCPCS E0277 Mean for Coverage?
Every powered Protekt Aire system carries HCPCS code E0277, which designates a powered pressure-reducing air mattress in the group 2 support surface category. This code is what a supplier bills against when seeking Medicare or insurance reimbursement.
Carrying the code does not mean coverage is automatic. Group 2 surfaces generally require documentation of qualifying clinical criteria, which typically involves an existing pressure injury of a certain stage, or multiple injuries, or a documented history combined with a comprehensive care plan. Requirements are set out in the relevant CMS local coverage determination and change over time.
Practically, this means two things for a buyer. First, do not assume the E0277 code alone secures reimbursement; the clinical documentation carries the weight. Second, if you are pursuing coverage, involve the prescribing clinician early, because the wound assessment and care plan need to exist before the claim, not after. For related coverage questions, see our Medicare Part B guide.
Replacement Pumps, Mattresses and Covers
Protekt Aire systems are sold as complete units, but pumps, mattresses and covers are also available separately, which is useful when one component fails outside warranty or when a cover is contaminated.
Common replacements include the 6000 digital pump, the 6000 mattress only, the 7000 deluxe digital pump, the 7000 top cover, the 3000 mattress only, the 3000 top cover, the 2000 overlay only, and the 4000DX mattress only with its matching 4000DX pump.
Before ordering a replacement, check the numbers carefully. Component SKUs sit close to system SKUs and are easy to confuse, and a replacement mattress arriving without a pump is a frustrating way to discover the difference. If the model number on your existing unit is unclear, the pump housing usually carries a label.
Protekt Aire Model Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Therapies | Depth | Widths | Best For | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aire 2000 | Overlay | LAL + AP | 5" | Standard | Moderate risk, sound mattress | View → |
| Aire 3000 | Replacement | LAL + AP | 8" | 36" | Economy full system | View → |
| Aire 3500 | Replacement | LAL + AP | 8" | 36" | Step up from 3000 | View → |
| Aire 4000DX | Replacement | LAL + AP | 8" | 36" | Quiet pump priority (ACST) | View → |
| Aire 5000DX | Replacement | LAL + AP | 5" + 3" fiber | 36" | Fiber safety base, LED weight | View → |
| Aire 6000 | Replacement | LAL + AP | 8" | 36" | Standard workhorse, cell-on-cell | View → |
| Aire 6450 | Replacement | LAL + AP | 8" | 36" | Related mid-tier option | View → |
| Aire 7000 | Replacement | Rotation + LAL + AP + Pulsation | 8" | 36/42/48" | Cannot be turned manually, 660 lb | View → |
| Aire 8000 | Bariatric | LAL + AP | 8" / 10" RR | 42/48/54/60" | Bariatric, 750 lb, 18 LPM pump | View → |
| Aire 9900 | Wide format | LAL + AP + Pulsation | 8" | 36/42/48/54/60" | Pulsation at any width | View → |
Specifications vary by configuration. Confirm exact dimensions, capacity and features by model number before ordering.
Selection Checklist
Start with therapy need
- ✅ Needs automated turning → Aire 7000 (only model with rotation)
- ✅ Needs pulsation at standard width → Aire 9900 at 36"
- ✅ Standard pressure and moisture management → Aire 6000
- ✅ Budget-constrained, moderate risk → Aire 3000 or 2000 overlay
- ✅ No powered therapy indicated → Protekt 500 or Supreme Support foam
Then check size and capacity
- ✅ Up to roughly 350-450 lb, standard frame → 36" models
- ✅ Up to 660 lb with rotation → Aire 7000 (36/42/48")
- ✅ Up to 750 lb → Aire 8000 (42/48/54/60")
- ✅ Measure the bed deck, not the old mattress
- ✅ Confirm bed frame capacity matches the mattress capacity
Then the practical details
- ✅ Bedroom setting, noise matters → 4000DX with ACST
- ✅ Fall risk or edge instability → RR raised-rail variant
- ✅ Unattended overnight → cell-on-cell plus three-alarm models (6000+)
- ✅ Confused patient near controls → lockout key (8000)
- ✅ Pursuing insurance coverage → clinician documentation before purchase
Ordering & Smart Solutions
Need Help With Budget, Coverage, or Configuration?
Not Sure Which Model Was Prescribed?
Send us the model number from the discharge paperwork along with patient weight and bed deck width. We'll confirm the right configuration, including width and whether raised rails were intended.
Explore Related MediDepot Guides
- Pressure Injury Prevention & Support Surfaces (Pillar Guide)
- Alternating Pressure vs Low Air Loss vs Lateral Rotation
- Best Mattress by Pressure Injury Stage
- Bariatric Mattresses: Weight Capacity & Sizing
- Hospital Beds: The Complete Buying Guide
- Clinical Care Recliners Buying Guide
- Medicare Part B Coverage Guide
External References
- NPIAP Pressure Injury Stages
- CMS Local Coverage Determination: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces
- AHRQ Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Hospitals
- Proactive Medical Support Surfaces (Manufacturer)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between the Protekt Aire 6000 and 7000?
The 6000 provides low air loss and alternating pressure at 36 inches wide. The 7000 adds lateral rotation (automated turning) and pulsation, supports 660 lb, and comes in 36, 42 and 48 inch widths. The 7000 is the only model in the range that turns the patient.
Q2: What weight can the Protekt Aire 8000 support?
750 lb. It is available in 42, 48, 54 and 60 inch widths at 80 inches long, with an 18 LPM pump sized for the larger surface. Standard depth is 8 inches, rising to 10 inches on raised-rail configurations.
Q3: What does cell-on-cell mean on a Protekt Aire mattress?
A second layer of air cells sits beneath the alternating layer, with a one-way valve that traps air. If power fails, roughly 4 inches of air remains in the lower cells on the 6000, so the patient does not bottom out onto the bed deck. It appears on the 6000 and above.
Q4: Is the Protekt Aire 2000 a mattress or an overlay?
An overlay. It is 5 inches deep and lies on top of an existing mattress rather than replacing it. The 3000 and above are replacement systems that become the sleeping surface.
Q5: What do DX, AB and RR mean in Protekt Aire model numbers?
DX indicates a deluxe digital pump with LED settings. RR means foam raised side rails built into the mattress perimeter. AB is part of the model designation on configurations like the 6000AB and 3600AB. Numeric suffixes such as -54 indicate width in inches.
Q6: Are Protekt Aire mattresses covered by Medicare?
They carry HCPCS code E0277 for group 2 powered support surfaces, which is the code a supplier bills against. Coverage is not automatic, as group 2 surfaces generally require documented clinical criteria such as an existing pressure injury and a care plan. Involve the prescribing clinician before purchase.
Q7: What is the Fowler detector on the Protekt Aire 7000?
A two-stage safety feature that stops the rotation function at 20 degrees of head elevation and increases pressure at 45 degrees, so the system will not attempt to turn a patient who is sitting up.
Q8: Which Protekt Aire model is quietest?
The 4000DX uses Auto Compressor Sleep Technology, which reduces compressor output when full flow is not required. In a home bedroom where the pump runs all night, this is a meaningful difference.
Q9: Can I buy just the pump or just the mattress?
Yes. Replacement pumps, mattresses and top covers are stocked separately for most models. Check the SKU carefully, since component and complete-system numbers are similar and easily confused.
Q10: Does MediDepot carry the full Protekt Aire range?
MediDepot stocks the Protekt Aire line from the 2000 overlay through the 3000, 3500, 3600AB, 4000DX, 5000DX, 6000, 6450, 7000, 8000 and 9900, in standard and bariatric widths, plus Protekt foam surfaces and replacement components. Browse: Proactive Medical at MediDepot.
Need Help Choosing a Protekt Aire Model?
From a 5-inch overlay to a 750 lb bariatric system to full lateral rotation, request a quote and we'll match therapy, width, and capacity to the care plan.
*All technical specifications and workflow recommendations reflect general laboratory practice guidance. Always follow your manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU), your facility's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and any applicable regulatory requirements for your sample type and application.
**Reviewed for workflow practicality by MediDepot Clinical Support Team. Always follow manufacturer instructions and your facility protocol.
***Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always verify current compliance certifications (NSF/ANSI 456, NFPA 45, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106), GLP/GMP requirements applicable to your facility, and your state's specific program requirements before purchase. Always consult your physician, healthcare provider, or qualified medical professional before using any medical products or following health-related guidance. MediDepot products do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.