Portable Oxygen Concentrator Comparison

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?

Many patients who require oxygen be delivered in a continuous flow have found themselves unable to travel because of their breathing needs. The Sequal Eclipse 2 and Invacare SOLO2 give those patients the freedom to travel by being the only portable oxygen concentrator to offer oxygen in both pulse and continuous flow settings. Heavier and bulkier than most of their competitors, the Sequal Eclipse 2 includes a lightweight cart for easy transportation. Best off all, because of its ability to run on AC power and the continuous flow oxygen delivery mode, the Sequal Eclipse 2 can be used for both travel and in the home, eliminating the need for oxygen tanks or bulky home concentrators. The Invacare SOLO2, one of the newest portable oxygen concentrators available, also delivers oxygen in continuous flow or pulse, and also is slightly larger than portable concentrators that only use pulse mode.

For those who prefer to travel by airplane, it is best to choose a portable oxygen concentrator that is not only FAA approved for air travel, but offers enough battery power to last through a long flight or a possible flight delay and can handle the thin oxygen in airplane passenger compartments.

Airline cabins are typically pressurized to simulate oxygen levels found at 8000 feet above sea level. The Sequal Eclipse 2 and the Respironics EverGo portable oxygen concentrators, both of which are FAA approved, are designed to function at altitudes of 8000 feet or more, which enables the user to still get the amount of oxygen they need throughout the flight. This ability also makes them ideal for visiting places with higher elevations. The Respironics Evergo, however, offers longer battery life than the Sequal Eclipse 2 (up to 8 hours with two batteries installed). When planning for an airline trip, keep in mind that most airlines require that passengers carrying portable oxygen concentrators have enough batteries for twice the duration of the flight, as well as one extra battery.

The smallest and most affordable portable oxygen concentrator available is the Invacare XPO2. Able to operate at altitudes up to 10000 feet, the Invacare XPO2 weighs approximately 6 pounds and significantly smaller than both the Respironics Evergo and the Inogen One. It comes in a handy carry bag and features simple controls for easy operation. The Invacare XPO2 has recently received FAA approval and as of March 2009 is in the process of receiving individual airline approval. Check with your airline for additional portable oxygen concentrator information.

While the warranty service on your portable oxygen concentrator is handled by the retailer you purchase it from, oxygen concentrators are covered by different warranties depending on who manufactured them. It is important to keep in mind the duration of your warranty so you are prepared with the correct information, should a problem with your device arise.

Typically warranty coverage on a portable oxygen concentrator runs from 3-5 years; the Respironics EverGo and Sequal Eclipse 2 both offer a 3 year warranty while the the Invacare XPO2 offers an incredible 5 year warranty against manufacturer's defects.

When purchasing a new oxygen therapy device, it is important to look at all of the features, benefits, and warranty coverage of each model while taking into consideration how you will be using it and what your oxygen needs are. Be sure to carefully consider the different portable oxygen concentrators available before purchasing. However, regardless of what model you choose, you are sure to enjoy the freedom of being able to travel in ways that, several years ago, were not possible for patients requiring oxygen therapy.