Long Breeze
Buying Guide · Oxygen Concentrators
Oxygen Generator, Oxygen Concentrator, Oxygen Machine: What Each Term Means
Key takeaways
- In everyday shopping, "portable oxygen generator," "oxygen maker," and "portable oxygen machine" usually mean the same thing as an oxygen concentrator. It is a machine that takes in room air and removes most of the nitrogen. The gas that comes out has more oxygen.
- "Oxygen generator" has a second, unrelated meaning: the chemical oxygen generators behind aircraft passenger masks. Those are one-shot devices, not what concentrator shoppers are looking for.
- An oxygen tank holds a fixed amount of compressed oxygen and runs out. A concentrator keeps making oxygen for as long as it has power.
- A canned oxygen "inhaler" is a small consumer can for a few short breaths. It is not a continuous source.
- Concentrators come as stationary home units and portable units. Long Breeze sells portable and compact units only.
Why one machine has so many names
Search for "portable oxygen generator" and "portable oxygen concentrator" and you will mostly land on the same products. Sellers and shoppers use the words loosely. Wikipedia's entry on oxygen concentrators notes that they are "also known as oxygen gas generators or oxygen generation plants." Here is how the common terms line up:
| Term you will see | What it usually means | Runs out? |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen concentrator | A machine that pulls in room air and separates out most of the nitrogen | No, while it has power |
| Oxygen generator, oxygen maker, oxygen machine | Usually a concentrator. Occasionally a chemical oxygen generator (see below) | Concentrator: no. Chemical: yes, one shot |
| Oxygen "compressor" or "condenser" | Not the usual industry names for a concentrator. A concentrator does compress air inside, which is probably where the word comes from | Same as a concentrator |
| Oxygen tank or cylinder | Compressed oxygen stored in a metal cylinder | Yes |
| Canned oxygen, oxygen "inhaler" | A small consumer can of oxygen for a few short breaths | Yes, quickly |
How a concentrator makes oxygen
An oxygen concentrator does not store oxygen. As Wikipedia describes it, the machine "compresses air and passes it over zeolite, causing the zeolite to adsorb the nitrogen from the air," leaving oxygen as the main gas. Two beds take turns. That is the soft cycling sound you hear while it runs. How rich the output is depends on the machine. Our guide to what oxygen concentration actually means explains the difference between a 33% unit and a 93% unit.
Chemical oxygen generators: the other meaning
A chemical oxygen generator is, in Wikipedia's words, "a device that releases oxygen via a chemical reaction." You will find them in commercial aircraft emergency systems, submarines, and rescue breathing apparatus. In aircraft they are designed to supply oxygen for at least 15 minutes. They are emergency devices, not household products. If you came here for something to use at home, you want a concentrator.
Concentrator versus oxygen tank
- Supply. A tank holds a fixed amount and has to be refilled or swapped. A concentrator makes oxygen from the air around it, so it needs power or a charged battery instead.
- Safety profile. Wikipedia notes that concentrators have "the advantage of not being as dangerous as oxygen cylinders, which can, if ruptured or leaking, greatly increase the combustion rate of fire." Oxygen from any source still makes fire burn faster, so keep it away from flames and heat.
- Upkeep. A concentrator needs its filters cleaned. See cleaning and filters: the whole routine.
Stationary versus portable concentrators
Home concentrators are the larger, plug-in units. Wikipedia reports that older designs "supplied up to 5 litres per minute of 90+% oxygen" and that "since about 1999, units capable of supplying up to 10 L/min have been available." Portable units are smaller. Wikipedia says portable units typically produce "the equivalent of one to five liters per minute of continuous oxygen flow." They often use pulse (demand) flow, which gives oxygen only when you inhale. Our explainer on continuous flow versus pulse dose covers that difference.
Long Breeze sells portable and compact units: the Battery-Powered 93% (1 to 7 L/min adjustable, 4.8 lb), the Lightweight 33% (3 L/min, 3.3 lb), and the NT-5 33% (3 L/min, a desktop-sized unit). We do not sell the large 5 to 10 L/min stationary home units.
Canned oxygen "inhalers"
These are small consumer cans with a mouthpiece, sold for a few short inhalations. They empty quickly and cannot give a steady supply the way a concentrator can. If a product page for a "portable oxygen inhaler" does not say how many breaths a can holds, check before you buy.
Which one are you actually looking for?
- A steady supply you do not have to refill at home or on the move: a concentrator.
- A few breaths on demand and nothing more: a canned oxygen product.
- Oxygen your doctor has prescribed for a diagnosed condition: buy to your prescription from a medical supplier that handles prescriptions, and follow your clinician's settings. Our guide do you need a prescription for a portable oxygen concentrator explains where our machines fit and where they do not.
Still sorting through the options? Our guide to choosing a portable oxygen concentrator walks through concentration, flow, weight, and battery. Or call us on 1-786-658-5217, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm ET.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Oxygen concentrator (how concentrators work, stationary and portable flow ranges, comparison with cylinders).
- Wikipedia, Chemical oxygen generator (definition, aircraft use, minimum supply duration).
Long Breeze machines are intended for general wellness and everyday breathing comfort. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or relieve any disease or symptom, and they are not a substitute for professional medical care or for oxygen therapy prescribed by your physician. Talk to your doctor before use if you have a medical condition. See our product disclaimer.