Portable Oxygen Concentrator Comparison
How to Choose the Best Portable Oxygen Concentrator
When a doctor prescribes oxygen therapy for a patient, the patient often feels like their freedom is inhibited and finds it difficult to enjoy a lifestyle they had grown accustomed to. Since airlines do not permit the use of oxygen tanks, patients who are used to frequent travel find themselves in need of a portable oxygen concentrator. Portable oxygen concentrators are not cheap; some portable concentrators can cost over five thousand dollars depending on the features the patient needs and the accessories they purchase. But with so many different models available, such as the Respironics EverGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Sequal Eclipse 2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator, and Invacare XPO2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Invacare SOLO2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator, and Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator, how does one decide which model will be the best portable oxygen concentrator for their own personal needs? |
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Pulse vs. Continuous Flow
The most important feature to consider when purchasing a portable concentrator is how much oxygen is delivered and how it is delivered. Typically patients receive oxygen in pulse mode, meaning that the air is delivered in puffs as opposed to a continuous stream. The Respironics EverGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator delivers more oxygen in pulse mode than any other model - up to 1.05 liters of oxygen per minute. Easy to use touch screen controls allow the user to easily adjust the settings as needed while the over-the-shoulder bag and rolling cart make transportation of the device easy.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Airline Travel
The Inogen One oxygen concentrator, is also designed to operate at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. The battery life of the Inogen One, however, is less than that of the Respironics EverGo, so additional batteries will be needed on flights without available DC outputs.
Overall Size and Portability
If you're going to be traveling with an oxygen concentrator, obviously you want most lightweight, compact unit available that is going to give you the performance that you need. The Sequal Eclipse 2 is significantly larger than its competitors, but this can be attributed to Sequal's ability to provide oxygen in a continuous flow. It does, however, include a cart to eliminate the need to carry the unit, and also offers the optional Eclipse Pak Accessory Bag which attaches to the cart and can hold extra batteries, chargers, and other accessories.
The Respironics EverGo is lightweight and includes both a shoulder bag and a rolling cart. The batteries used in the EverGo are slim in design and similar to the batteries used in laptop computers. Weighing approximately ten pounds with two batteries installed, the EverGo can be carried over the shoulder when boarding airplanes and is small enough in size to be tucked under the seat in front of you.
Warranty Coverage and Reliability
Check out our Portable Oxygen Concentrator Features Comparison Chart for a breakdown of important features to consider when comparing portable oxygen concentrators.
Author: Richard Chandler
Contact: Richard@ActiveForever.com
Direct Dial: 480-459-3200
Check out a great selection of Oxygen Therapy Products, such as portable oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, and pulse oximeters by visiting our Oxygen Therapy Department!








