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What Is the Difference Between Oxygen Concentrators of Different Brands?

by Mervyn Beckles

A portable oxygen concentrator is a medical oxygen system used to treat respiratory disorders. There are many reasons why people need oxygen therapy as they age. Health issues such as sleep problems, COPD, low blood iron, or surgical recovery will leave us with low oxygen. 

 

With so much information on the Internet, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It can be tough to distinguish between different brands without the correct information and choosing the right one for you. 


Here is a short guide to help you choose. 


Choosing A Portable Oxygen Concentrator 

Unlike other oxygen devices like bulky oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen concentrators are built to be compact and powerful.  They provide the individual with as much mobility as possible while also guaranteeing their oxygen requirements. 

Oxygen concentrators are pretty complicated. There are several variables to consider when choosing a POC, including:

  • the supply of oxygen
  • battery capacity
  • weight
  • scale
  • model
  • accurate oxygen sensing
  • simple controls
  • price
  • size/portability
  • operating range of altitude
  • noise
  • power efficiency
  • need for upkeep

It's necessary to understand your oxygen requirements before buying any portable oxygen concentrator. Ask these questions the next time you go to the doctor or pulmonologist:

  • How frequently do I need per day to use oxygen?
  • When sleeping, can I use my oxygen concentrator?
  • Should I use oxygen for pulse flow or continuous stream?
  • What are my oxygen requirements?      

You can easily provide your respiratory consultant with the number when you buy a portable oxygen concentrator. This helps them authenticate your use of oxygen.

Best Overall

1. Inogen G3 

In the event of a power failure or no breath warnings detected, the G3 still puts your wellbeing first with auditory alerts. 

This POC would help patients who require prescription supplementary oxygen and want to retain their freedom to get up and about. This compact but efficient Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Concentrator System, used with a nasogastric tube, can meet the oxygen patients' requirements while retaining its smaller footprint and functionality. With this easy to use, compact POC, there is no need to hold bulky oxygen tanks. You do not have to stress about supplementary oxygen running out.

Most consumers noticed how convenient it was to fly. They reflected on how quickly it slipped under airline seats. Other customers talked about how easy and convenient it is to use.  They reported that the settings menu is backlit and big enough to see clearly. 

Because of its light, compact nature, and outstanding operating altitude, some users preferred the operational elevation.  One consumer said that it is the ideal oxygen concentrator to use while rock climbing. 

It retails at $2300. It is more expensive than other cheap portable oxygen concentrators in the market. 

Reasons to buy G3 Systems Portable Oxygen Systems

  1. Ultra-Silent

  2. Secure Service

  3. Built for both steady and portable use.

  4. Compact and lightweight

  5. Traveling on wheels or in a bag

 

      Best for Traveling

      2. Philips Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator


      The Respironics SimplyGo comes with two battery packs and has a constant flow of up to 54 minutes, so you can still have a charge when your POC is in use. At 10 lbs. with a compact size of fewer than 12 inches wide and tall, it is one of the smallest POCs with a steady supply. It is licensed for use up to 10,000 feet, where a pulse dose range of one to six and a constant pressure setting of between 0.5 and two can be maintained.


      SimplyGo is the first POC in a single unit weighing only 10 pounds to provide constant flow and pulse-dose delivery. SimplyGo was tested during production and exposed to severe conditions. 


      These include: 

      • collisions
      • noise
      • day-to-day change in temperature
      • direct access to the battery 

      There is no more versatile portable oxygen concentrator than the Philips SimplyGo. This allows patients to be away for the day, for work, for a break, or a long vacation.

      Reasons to Buy the Inogen G3 

      1. Attractive Design: Your oxygen concentrator replaces the medical design with a new, streamlined appearance.
      2. User-Friendly Interface: The interface system can be controlled by just about anybody. It is designed to satisfy users of all ages and backgrounds.
      3. Safe and Reliable: This system is built with safety as a top priority. It features warnings that will help you relax. 

      Best for Maximum Oxygen Flow

      3. Invacare Platinum

      Much the precious metal "platinum," the Invacare Platinum is strong, sturdy, and reliable. In both steady and pulse dose modes, it's quiet and releases one of the highest possible levels of oxygen concentration. It also weighs under five pounds. 


      It may be lightweight, but it can endure temperature extremes and is durable, heavy-duty, and completely waterproof. It has a one to five LPM pulse dose range. 


      This portable oxygen concentrator (POC) has sophisticated Invacare Sensi-Pulse technology. This regulates to provide the patient with the correct amount of oxygen, no matter how much or little oxygen they need at the moment. 

      Benefits of the Invacare Platinum
      1. Reliability: The design enables maintenance technicians to have quick access, saving both planned expense and time.

      1. Medical efficiency: It features the advanced Sensi-Pulse technology designed to replicate the volume provided. 

      1. Affordability: The Invacare Platinum is one of the most affordable options in the market. 

      Best to Be Used at An Altitude

      4. O2 Concepts Oxlife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator

      Owing to its operating altitude of 13,000 feet, the Oxlife Independence is ideal for flying. This portable oxygen concentrator can hold up much higher, unlike other versions that cap out at 8,000 or 10,000 feet. It comes with wheels and cart handles for maximum convenience. The dosage setting for the pulse varies from one to six LPM. For accuracy of oxygen supply, it also has continuous-flow settings of one to three LPM. 

      The streamlined design and dark pigment allow it to blend into the backdrop for a more discreet oxygenation device.

      The LCD screen with a colored backdrop makes it easy to track and adjust settings. For flexible use, continuous and pulsed modes can be changed, satisfying many patients. A two-battery arrangement that helps you to charge batteries while the unit is still working without oxygen loss. This concentrator offers the best battery capacity in its category.

      What Are the Benefits to the Oxlife POC?

      1. An integrated cart and POC that fits without removal and replacement under an airplane seat.
      2. A configuration of two batteries that allows you to switch batteries when running the computer.
      3. Two times the amount of oxygen pulse per environment relative to the leading POC.
      4. The simple spelling of all warnings and messages to prevent confusion.
      5. The compact nature makes it easy to travel.

        Best for Multiple Users

        5. Drive Medical DeVilbiss 10L Oxygen Concentrator

        This small and compact 10L oxygen concentrator controls oxygen levels. It is best for simplicity of use with LED lights and an audible warning.

        The Drive DeVilbiss 10L Oxygen Concentrator helps tackle COPD, cardiovascular problems, or respiratory disorders. It also has extra adjustments when the oxygen requirement is low. The oxygen concentrate offers from 2 to 10 LPM with 87 to 96 percent oxygen concentration.  This makes it an excellent option for personal use and medical care facilities. 

        Much of the favorable reviews about the DeVilbiss 10L Oxygen Concentrator come from clinicians in permanent medical care facilities that use the system for multiple patients.   

        Its level of noise and its power consumption is the only justified criticism linked with this POC. It may be too noisy for some users, varying from less than 70 dBA, when using it for sleep at night. Its energy consumption has a median range of 120VAC. Some consumers said that after using this concentrator, their electricity costs increased significantly.

        Benefits of Using a DeVilbiss 10L POC

        • It can be used with a liquid humidifier.
        • For patient protection, it has oxygen level warnings.
        • Quick level change from 2 to 10 liters per minute.
        • For fast reading and setting changes, bright LED lights.
        • Small, compact, and lightweight for convenient transportation and storage.

        Conclusion

        Breathing is a miracle. All of us do it so naturally that most of us take this blessing for granted. For those with respiratory problems, breathing is anything but easy. Previously available oxygen concentrators were bulky and difficult to carry. However, portable oxygen concentrators have changed the way these breathing problems can be solved. 

        With portable oxygen concentrators, there is no one size fits all formula. Thus, it does not necessary that the POC that worked for your peers will work for you. However, portable oxygen concentrators have changed the lives of many in a positive way.  

        Choosing the right oxygen concentrator will significantly improve your quality of life by enhancing:

        • concentration,
        • activity level, 
        • and overall agility 

        All the six oxygen concentrators listed here are outstanding. However, each has characteristics that can suit your specific needs better.

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