For people receiving oxygen therapy, the most popular means of treatment is oxygen concentration. For this approach, a machine draws in atmospheric air, which is roughly 80 percent nitrogen and other trace gases by volume, and removes those other gases, leaving only oxygen for the wearer to breathe. Today’s oxygen concentrators usually come in one of two models: home concentrators, designed for stationary use, and portable concentrators, which allow for more movement while delivering oxygen. In this guide to portable and home oxygen concentrators, we’ll help you determine which to choose for you or your loved one.
Airflow Approaches
Most home concentrators operate continuously, providing a steady stream of oxygen. Just like their stationary counterparts, portable oxygen concentrators filter surrounding air to provide oxygen to patients. Unlike home concentrators, however, portable concentrators favor an “on-demand” method that varies from the continuous flow that home models provide. Also known as “pulse dose technology,” this operation tailors airflow to the patient’s needs, supplying oxygen to match the user’s breathing rate. This makes the most efficient use of both oxygen and battery life. Is pulse or continuous-flow oxygen best for you? That depends on your needs.
Power Sources
Battery life isn’t a concern for the home concentrator, which runs on AC electricity, plugging into the nearest wall socket. Portable concentrators also require electricity, but they rely on battery power instead. Battery life varies from model to model, with some portable concentrators offering about two hours and 45 minutes of operation, while some higher-end alternatives employ a double-battery system to give patients up to 13 hours of use before a recharge.
Unit Size
Home and portable oxygen concentrators vary greatly in size. Most home concentrators weigh roughly 20 pounds and stand about four feet tall. While this does restrict movement, it doesn’t necessarily limit the wearer to one room. Home concentrators often come with wheels or carts to allow for movement from room to room. Portable concentrators, on the other hand, are much smaller, weighing as little as three pounds in some cases and allowing for easy movement in public.
Oxygen Capacity
With low-effort portability, customized airflow, and even strong battery life in some cases, portable concentrators can seem as if they would be a full-time fit—what’s not to love? The benefits of a home oxygen concentrator reveal themselves when it comes to its capacity to deliver the gas itself. A home concentrator is designed for high performance, delivering as many as ten liters of concentrated oxygen per minute. Portable models, however, can only provide up to five liters at best. While portable concentrators are useful adjuncts to living a full life, they’re not an all-around substitute for oxygen therapy.
Which To Choose?
Determining which to choose between home and portable oxygen concentrators is something of a false dilemma. Ideally, a person on oxygen therapy would have both—one for the house, and the other for when they leave the house. At Bridge to Care, we believe that breathing is a right, not a privilege. Be sure to check out our affordably priced oxygen concentrator equipment. And contact us with any questions!