You or someone you know has been prescribed oxygen. Maybe the oxygen is for COPD, or pulmonary fibrosis, or end stage lung cancer. Your doctor tells you that breathing medical oxygen will increase the amount of oxygen in the blood, in turn providing your cells and tissues with more oxygen.
Supplemental oxygen will also help you stop feeling short of breath all the time. With all these benefits, you’re eager to get started.
However, there are a lot of different oxygen machines out there – how do you know which oxygen equipment is right for you?
At RespShop, we recognize that using oxygen at home can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the world of home oxygen.
Read on for a a step-by-step guide on how to choose an oxygen concentrator.
In This Guide:
- What Are Oxygen Concentrators?
- How Much Oxygen Do I Need?
- How to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator Step 1: Understand Your Oxygen Prescription
- Why Does Oxygen Amount Matter?
- Why Does Oxygen Use Frequency Matter?
- How to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator Step 2: Understand the Difference Between Portable and Home Use Oxygen Machines
- How to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator Step 3: Identify the Features That Matter
- Portable Oxygen Concentrators Key Features
- Stationary Oxygen Concentrators Key Features
What Are Oxygen Concentrators?
Oxygen concentrators are machines that create pure oxygen from room air. They take in the air that we breathe, stripping it of nitrogen and concentrating the remaining oxygen. The nitrogen is released back out of the machine while the purified oxygen is delivered to the user.
An oxygen tubing and an interface is needed to breathe oxygen from the machine. The interface can be a mask or an oxygen nasal cannula.
Oxygen concentrators require a power source to operate. This is usually AC power, (i.e., plugging the concentrator into a wall outlet) but oxygen concentrators designed for use outside the home can also be powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and/or a DC power source.
Many portable oxygen concentrator (POC) manufacturers make DC adapters that allow you to run and, depending on the concentrator, even charge your POC via your car’s cigarette lighter socket.
Before we look how to buy an oxygen concentrator, we’d like to point out that oxygen concentrators aren’t the only way to obtain oxygen outside of the hospital. There are many home oxygen delivery systems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
In general, oxygen machines are a good choice because they provide a reliable source of oxygen that is easy to use, safe, and cost-effective in the long run.
How Much Oxygen Do I Need?
Understanding how much oxygen you need is the first step when you’re trying to figure out how to choose an oxygen concentrator. This is because not all O2 machines can deliver the same amount of oxygen.
The best oxygen concentrator for you is the one that can adequately meet your therapy needs and fulfill all other ‘extra’ criteria, such as size, noise, cost, etc.
If the concentrator is the perfect size and weight but can’t provide sufficient oxygen flow to match your prescription, it is not the right one for you.
That’s why we recommend starting the concentrator shopping process with a clear understanding of your oxygen needs.
How to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator Step 1: Understand Your Oxygen Prescription
When your doctor prescribes you oxygen, they will indicate the amount and specify how frequently you should use it. The amount of oxygen can be listed in liters per minute, commonly abbreviated as L/min or LPM.
Sometimes, the amount of oxygen isn’t specified at all and the prescription may simply state “portable oxygen concentrator (POC)” or “pulse dose.”
The frequency of oxygen use may or may not be listed on the prescription. However, this is an important aspect of home oxygen therapy that your doctor would have discussed with you prior to issuing the prescription.
If you are unsure about when you should be using oxygen, please follow up with your doctor. Oxygen is a drug and using too much or too little can be harmful to your health.
Read on to see the different oxygen delivery methods and why this matters when buying an oxygen machine.
What is Continuous Flow Oxygen Delivery?
Machines that supply continuous flow oxygen deliver a set amount of oxygen in a constant stream to the user regardless of their breathing pattern. In other words, oxygen flows to the user from the concentrator at a preset rate during inhalation and exhalation. Continuous oxygen is delivered in liters per minute (L/min or LPM).
If you’re wondering why this information is relevant, it’s because oxygen concentrators operate in one of two modes: continuous flow or pulse dose. When you choose a delivery mode that’s different from your prescription, there’s a chance you won’t receive sufficient oxygen.
What is Pulse Dose Oxygen Delivery?
Pulse dose, or demand dose, is an oxygen delivery mode where oxygen is supplied to the user on inhalation only. The concentrator senses when the user starts to inhale, delivering a “pulse” or “bolus” of oxygen as they breathe in.
Since oxygen is not delivered during exhalation, pulse dose delivery is more energy efficient than continuous flow. This mode of oxygen delivery is only found in portable oxygen concentrators, which are small, battery-powered concentrators designed for use away from an AC power source.
Pulse dose settings vary across brands and models. For instance, the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini features pulse dose settings of 1 to 5 while the SimplyGo, produced by the same manufacturer, offers pulse dose settings 1 to 6.
To make this even more complicated, pulse dose setting levels are arbitrary and don’t have a consistent unit of measurement such as L/min for continuous flow.
For example, pulse dose setting 5 on the SimplyGo is roughly equivalent to 1.2 L/min while setting 5 on the SimplyGo Mini provides around 1 L/min oxygen.
For a detailed comparison of the SimplyGo vs. SimplyGo Mini, see our in-depth review.
Why Does Oxygen Amount Matter?
If the oxygen setting on your prescription is listed in L/min, you’ll need an oxygen machine that delivers continuous flow. This is typically a large stationary/home use concentrator that needs to be plugged into the wall.
In general, stationary concentrators deliver continuous flow oxygen while portable concentrators deliver pulse dose oxygen.
Some portable concentrators offer both pulse dose and continuous flow modes. However, the maximum continuous flow these machines can deliver is always lower than the maximum amount you can expect from a home use concentrator.
If your prescription states ‘portable oxygen concentrator,’ the choice is obvious – you need a portable oxygen concentrator. This is less commonly seen as most doctors don’t prescribe “pulse dose oxygen” in as much as they prescribe “portable oxygen therapy”
Why Does Oxygen Use Frequency Matter?
Compared to oxygen amount, oxygen use frequency is less of a determining factor in the concentrator buying process. Once you know whether you need continuous flow or pulse dose, all that’s left is to use the oxygen according to your doctor’s instructions.
How to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator Step 2: Understand the Difference Between Portable and Home Use Oxygen Machines
There are two types of oxygen concentrators: stationary/home use and portable. This chart below outlines their main differences.
| Stationary Oxygen Concentrator | Portable Oxygen Concentrator | |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Delivery Mode | Continuous Flow | Pulse Dose/Demand Dose Some units can also provide continuous flow. |
| Power Source | AC Power | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery, AC Power, DC Power |
| Weight | 18 to 55 lbs | 5 to 20 lbs |
| Travel-Friendly | No, too heavy to be carried/transported comfortably | Yes, designed to be carried/wheeled by the user. |
| Nocturnal Use | Yes | Not recommended unless the specific unit has a “sleep mode” or has both continuous and pulse dose modes. |
How to Buy an Oxygen Concentrator Step 3: Identify the Features That Matter
Regardless of whether you need a portable or home oxygen concentrator, there are numerous options to choose from. Let’s take at look at key features to consider when buying oxygen machines.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators Key Features
Weight
Weight is the number one priority for most people. You’ll want a device that you can carry comfortably while running errands, not a massive oxygen machine that gives you back pain.
Manufacturers understand this, and they design carrying cases to make their machines easy to transport.
The SimplyGo, for instance, even has its own wheeled cart, which helps take the load off your shoulders, literally.
However, keep in mind that weight correlates with battery life and performance. Larger portable O2 machines can generate more oxygen and some, like the CAIRE SeQual Eclipse 5, can deliver up to 3 L/min of continuous flow.
The downside is that these POCs are too heavy to be easily carried (the Eclipse 5 weighs over 18 lbs) and need to be wheeled around.
Batteries are a source of significant weight for POCs. Users who want to extend their unit’s runtime do so at the expense of portability. Extended life batteries can weigh twice as much as standard life batteries, but they double the device’s operating time so it’s a reasonable tradeoff for some.
Price
So how much does it cost to buy an oxygen concentrator that you can bring around town? The answer is, it depends. The general price range for a portable oxygen concentrator is $2000 to $3500. The price varies depending on the brand and type of battery.
For a detailed comparison of popular top-rated portable oxygen concentrators, check out our comparison review.
Noise
While perceptions of noise levels can be subjective, most POCs on the market today are relatively quiet, with a sound level of 45-50 decibels. That’s comparable to the noise level on a quiet residential street or that of a modern fridge.
Since you’ll likely be carrying the oxygen concentrator on your person most of the time, we recommend checking the technical specifications for the sound level before you buy.
Battery Duration
The battery duration of a fully charged standard battery depends on the machine and your setting. When looking at battery duration, make sure you’re comparing oxygen machines of a similar class.
For instance, it wouldn’t be fair to compare the SimplyGo Mini, which features five pulse dose settings and weighs roughly 5 lbs, to the SeQual Eclipse 5, an 18 lb unit that delivers both pulse dose and continuous flow.
A more fitting comparison would be the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini vs the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort, as both units come with five pulse dose settings and are similar in size and weight.
FAA Approval
In today’s modern era, there’s a good chance you’ll need to travel by plane at some point. So it’s a good idea to ensure the portable oxygen concentrator you’re considering is FAA-approved for in-flight use.
Maintenance Requirements
Some portable O2 concentrators come with external filters that need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. Others are low maintenance units that don’t require any cleaning other than the occasional wipe down with a damp cloth.
Understanding the maintenance requirements of your POC will help you choose one that fits your lifestyle.
Warranty
Considering the hefty price tag, a portable oxygen machine is an investment for most people. That’s why we recommend checking the length of the warranty before you purchase one.
Stationary Oxygen Concentrators Key Features
Noise
Noise level is an important feature to consider for home use oxygen concentrators, especially if you need to run your concentrator for hours on end.
The good news is that modern home O2 concentrators are much quieter than their predecessors and generally operate at just 45 to 50 decibels.
Price
So how much does it cost to buy an oxygen concentrator for home use? The price can vary significantly, ranging from just under $700 to over $2000, depending on oxygen delivery capability, size, and power consumption.
For a detailed comparison of home O2 machines at various price points, check out our low-flow home oxygen concentrator comparison review and our high-flow home O2 machine review.
Maintenance Requirements
Like POCs, stationary oxygen concentrators vary in their maintenance requirements. Some units, such as the Philips Respironics Millennium M10, have two filters that need maintenance, while others, like the Philips Respironics Everflo, have just one filter that requires replacement every two years.
Power Consumption
A 5L stationary concentrator uses, on average, 300 to 350 watts per hour, while a 10L concentrator uses 550 to 650 watts per hour. Let’s say you have the Everflo, which has a power consumption of 350W per hour. You use it when you sleep and for a few hours during the day while you move around the house. We’ll estimate 12 hours of usage per day.
Doing the math, we find the Everflo consumes 4.2 kWh per day. To figure out how much it costs to run the Everflo for 12 hours each day, multiply the 4.2 kWh by your electricity rate.
Then, multiply that number by 30 to find your monthly cost of running the Everflo. If we use an electricity rate of 23 cents/kWh, that cost comes to $28.98 per month, which is probably lower than you expected.
The Takeaway
We hope this guide has given you some insight into how to purchase an oxygen concentrator. If you’re ready to order an oxygen machine for home use or travel, visit us at RespShop.com! Or, get in touch with our dedicated team of respiratory therapists and sleep technologists who can answer your oxygen questions.