Two years ago, India was at the international epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the second wave struck, the demand for medical oxygen skyrocketed to nearly double pre-pandemic levels. Gruesome incidents unfolded as people struggled to access this life-saving commodity.

The sudden surge in demand was compounded by the scale of the counterfeit industry, and the intrusion of low-quality Chinese concentrators, causing more harm than good for patients. It was then that the country not just realised the vitality of quality parameters that quantify its quality metrics. 

While oxygen concentrators are not specific to Covid-19 and extend their importance in other lung conditions where a patient requires supplemental oxygen, the pandemic raised some questions worth addressing: Which oxygen concentrators to trust considering the patient’s supplemental oxygen needs? Is an expensive oxygen concentrator always the right choice for a patient’s stationary or mobile use? Equally important, what quality metrics and features define the oxygen concentrator’s suitability?

Following this trail, Oxygen Times, the unbiased online stockpile of oxygen concentrator information, has combed top 5 oxygen concentrators based on price, features, international approval and ease of use. 

• Oxymed Mini:

Beginning with the affordable at INR 41,999, and the most compact Oxymed Mini 5LPM, it boasts the largest dealer network in India. The concentrator sticks to its claim of delivering oxygen purity of more than 90% at a flow rate of 0.5-5 LPM, which can be checked in real-time by the inbuilt oxygen purity analyzer. With sound level of 45 dB, operating altitude of 7000 ft, CE certification and a 3-year warranty period, the concentrator stands true to its price.

• Philips Respironics Everflo:

Another well-known brand that stood the tide of time is Philips Respironics Everflo available in price range of INR 54,000 delivering oxygen purity of 93% +/- 3% at a flow rate of 0.5-5 LPM. 

With sound level of 40dBA, operating altitude of 7500 ft, and oxygen purity indicator as a safety feature lightning up if the machine reaches below 82% oxygen purity, it keeps with its brand value. This lightweight concentrator has an extensive dealer market in India, CE and FDA certification and comes with a 3-year warranty. 

• Oxymed 10: 

Talking in the 10LPM range, Oxymed 10 litres is a deal breaker with its budget-friendly price range of 64,990 to 71,489, with oxygen purity of 90-96% at flow rate of 1-10LPM. This high-flow stationary concentrator is CE certified and features oxygen purity indicator as the safety feature alongside alarms as malfunction indicators. Its warranty of 2 years adds another trust feather to its already comprehensive dealer network in India. 

• Airsep Newlife Intensity 10: 

Another high-flow concentrator on the top 5 list is Airsep Newlife Intensity 10, which sets itself apart with its excellent quality compressor giving you the highest operating altitude of 10,000 ft.

This device delivers oxygen purity of above 90% (+/- 3%) across flow rate of 2-10 LPM. Besides US FDA and CE certification, its warranty period is 2 years. However, its cost of 174,899 can be a bit for some patients in search of budget concentrators.

• Nidek Nuvo Lite: 

It is another top 5 worthy lightweight home oxygen concentrator with a wide dealer network and is both FDA and CE certified. Besides its high oxygen purity of 90% (+6.5/ -3%) at flow rates of 0.125-5 LPM, it is energy-efficient, comes with an oxygen purity indicator as a safety feature, and is a quiet device with a 3-year manufacturer warranty. And all this at a budget-friendly price range of 53,999. 

It is widely agreed by patients battling lung disorders that buying an oxygen concentrator for their supplemental oxygen needs is no cakewalk. In fact, there will always be confusion between two devices either on price or features terms. So, make sure you read all the specifications thoroughly before investing your money.

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