If you’re choosing an oxygen concentrator — used to provide supplemental oxygen for individuals requiring oxygen therapy — you may have questions about which device is right for you. If you feel you need a better understanding of oxygen concentrators and how they function before selecting a device, please read our previous article, “How Does an Oxygen Concentrator Work?” In this post, we’ll discuss the features of (and differences between) two of our most popular oxygen concentrators from Philips Respironics: the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
What are the differences between these oxygen concentrators?
While both of these oxygen concentrators from Philips Respironics are reliable, effective devices, they have different features (both in design and in function) that you should consider when making your selection — depending on your lifestyle and your personal preferences, one of these oxygen concentrators may be better suited to you than the other.
Oxygen Output
The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator is the only portable oxygen concentrator to offer both continuous flow and pulse-dose delivery in a single device, while the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator offers pulse-dose delivery only. If you want the option of continuous flow delivery, the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator will be a better choice for you than the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator has more than twice the oxygen output of any other portable oxygen concentrator, and the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator has the ability to deliver nearly 20% more oxygen output than the nearest competitive portable oxygen concentrator. Both devices are impressive in their oxygen output capabilities.
Battery Life
The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator boasts a battery life of approximately 3.5 hours on a pulse dose setting of 2 LPM and 2.3 hours on a continuous flow setting of 1 LPM. The SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator comes with two battery options: standard and extended. The standard battery will last up to 4.5 hours on a pulse setting of 2 at 20 BPM, while the extended battery will last up to 9 hours on a pulse setting of 2 at 20 BPM. Higher oxygen settings will reduce the overall operating time of your oxygen concentrator.
Physical Design Features
Philips Respironics has designed their portable oxygen concentrators to be easy to take on the go and as a result, they are relatively light. The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator weighs in at 10lbs while the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator weighs just 5lbs (or 6lbs if you choose the extended battery) — it’s the smallest and lightest portable oxygen concentrator ever developed by the company. When it comes to ease of transportation, the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator has the advantage over the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
Although these oxygen concentrators have distinct differences in their design and function, they also share a number of features. One such feature is the streamlined control panel, which is intuitive, easy to read, and easy to use on both the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator. These oxygen concentrators are also equipped with alarm systems, ensuring you’re alerted should something be amiss — such as your battery level becoming depleted.
Similarly, both oxygen concentrators have easy to access and easy to remove (and replace) external batteries, meaning no fiddling around with battery belts or internal machinery. The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator have been developed for oxygen therapy patients with active lifestyles, so they’re built to last. The high-impact resistant design ensures these oxygen concentrators are able to sustain the bumps and knocks of daily life without negative effects to their performance.
What warranties do these oxygen concentrators come with?
The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator is covered under a two-year warranty and its batteries are covered under a one-year warranty. The SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator comes with a three-year warranty on the system, a one-year warranty on the sieve bed, and a one-year warranty for the battery.
What is the lifespan of these oxygen concentrators?
The expected lifespan for both the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator is five years (or up to 10,000 hours).
How do I transport my oxygen concentrator?
The SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator comes with a carrying case as well as a mobile cart, allowing for easy transportation. Because the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator is lighter, it comes with a carrying case only. If you’d like more flexibility in your transportation options when you’re on the go, you may prefer the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator.
What maintenance does my oxygen concentrator require?
According to Philips Respironics, no routine maintenance of the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator or the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator is necessary.
However, the surface of your oxygen concentrator should be cleaned according to the instructions in the user manual to keep it free of dust and debris. The battery bay should also be cleaned as and when required — ensure your oxygen concentrator is unplugged and switched off when you do this.
When selecting a portable oxygen concentrator, consider your lifestyle and how well the different features of the SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator gel with your day-to-day. If you’re still unsure which portable oxygen concentrator is best for you, consult your provider for further information.