Oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators are meant to offer oxygen therapy to patients in need of pure oxygen. The provision of additional oxygen is necessary for the maintenance of blood oxygen levels in patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, or heart failure. Portable oxygen tanks and concentrators provide portable oxygen to those who need to travel.

Difference between portable oxygen tanks and concentrators

Although oxygen tanks and concentrators work in different manners, they fulfill the same purpose of providing pure oxygen through either a nasal tube or a mask that covers the nose as well as the mouth.

• While oxygen tanks contain either compressed or portable liquid oxygen, oxygen concentrators are machines that take in air from the surroundings and concentrate oxygen present in the air.
• The oxygen contained in the tank is 100% pure; so this serves the patients who are in dire need of absolutely pure oxygen. Oxygen concentrators can now offer around 95% pure oxygen; so the concentrators serve the patients who are not suffering from severe respiratory conditions.
• Oxygen tanks need to be filled and then delivered to your home whereas oxygen concentrators are machines that run on electricity. So the availability of a filled oxygen tank must be ensured to serve a patient when there is a power failure.
• While large oxygen tanks are stationary, smaller cylinders can be carried around to meet the need for portable oxygen efficiently. Although oxygen concentrators were quite bulky and large in the past, many compact and lighter models are available today that are quite mobile.
• Since smaller oxygen tanks contain liquid oxygen, they are quite expensive. Moreover, a person needs to carry around multiple tanks as a backup while going on longer journeys. Although portable oxygen concentrators can be costly, cheaper variants are available in the market today.

Since tanks and concentrators are quite different from each other, they meet the needs of the various types of patients. Therefore, it is advised to consult a doctor and have your condition diagnosed before purchasing a portable oxygen tank or concentrator. It will ensure you make the right decision.