Buying Guide: How To Compare Portable Oxygen Devices

With so many factors to consider, purchasing respiratory therapy equipment may feel overwhelming. Understanding how oxygen devices such as concentrators and cylinders work is the first step.

Keep in mind factors like your lifestyle, maintenance requirements, weight, battery life, and price.

Purchasing options, such as through insurance or in a rental program, may impact your selection.

Reach out to Vitality Medical’s friendly customer service teams if you have questions or need assistance.

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1. Introduction
2. Understanding Portable Oxygen Devices
3. Key Differences Between Device Types
4. Continuous Flow vs. Pulse Dose Oxygen Delivery
5. Battery Life and Power Options
6. Weight, Size, and Portability
7. Maintenance, Durability, and Warranty
8. Price, Insurance, and Long-Term Value
9. Conclusion

If you have an active lifestyle but need respiratory support, your doctor may prescribe you a portable oxygen concentrator or an oxygen cylinder.

Although oxygen devices vary in size, output, and battery life, using them as directed will greatly improve the quality of your life by allowing you to take your oxygen therapy wherever you go.

There is an ocean of options. How do you know which one is right for you?

This blog will serve as a practical guide to purchasing portable oxygen devices. It will explore factors such as device types, key specifications, and user considerations.

Your doctor will prescribe the right oxygen delivery device for you based on your mobility needs, oxygen flow requirements, and travel frequency.

• Extract oxygen from the air around you
• Typically for pulse dose prescriptions
• Lightweight and compact

• Store compressed supplemental oxygen
• Provide a continuous flow of oxygen
• Refillable

• Pull oxygen from the air
• Feature rechargeable batteries
• Require regular filter cleaning or replacement
• Provide oxygen without refills

• Deliver oxygen from a pre-filled tank
• Tanks must be periodically refilled
• May be preferred for short-term or backup use

• Only flow type for oxygen cylinders
• Provides constant oxygen flow
• For sleep or stationary needs
• For individuals with higher supplemental oxygen needs

• Most common delivery for portable oxygen concentrators
• Supplies oxygen only during inhalation
• For individuals with more respiratory independence

Vitality Medical is a great source for both continuous-flow and pulse-dose portable oxygen concentrators.

Oxygen cylinders don’t require a battery to function. Instead, regulators control their flow rates. However, their supplemental oxygen is limited, whereas concentrators can pull oxygen from the surrounding air until they run out of batteries or are turned off.

Oxygen concentrator flow settings greatly impact battery life. Portable concentrators typically offer pulse-dose; however, a few machines offer both. Normally, the higher the setting, the shorter the battery life.

Some units have the option of 1 or 2 batteries, which also impacts how often the machine needs to be charged. For example:

Consider carrying backup batteries and power adapters with you for extended use or in case of an emergency.

Newer concentrators support USB-C cables or lightweight lithium-ion batteries for efficient recharging.

When you’re on vacation or out and about on daily errands, a few pounds make a big difference in mobility and comfort.

Oxygen cylinders are large and can sometimes be heavy depending on their volume. However, carrying cases can easily attach to the back of a wheelchair.

Compact oxygen concentrators are easier to tote around. Smaller units take up less space when stored in suitcases or overhead bins on airplanes.

Many oxygen devices are FAA-approved for commercial air travel. However, you should always check the TSA and airline’s current policies when booking a flight.

Some of the lightest oxygen concentrators Vitality Medical offers include: