Oxygen concentrators
An oxygen concentrator draws in room air, filters out nitrogen and delivers concentrated oxygen through a nasal cannula or mask, so it never needs refilling like a cylinder. MEC supplies stationary home and facility concentrators from AirSep, and portable and transportable concentrators from Kingon, SeQual and Drive DeVilbiss, for home oxygen users, aged care and clinics.
Shop the concentrators below, or see oxygen supplies and accessories for cannulas, masks and tubing.
Important — prescription and fire safety: oxygen should only be used as prescribed by a doctor, who will set the flow rate and hours of use. Oxygen makes things burn much more easily: never smoke or allow open flames near a concentrator or cannula, and keep it away from heaters, stoves and oil-based products. Before you start, read Using Oxygen Safely at Home (PDF) and keep a copy with the machine.
How to choose an oxygen concentrator
Start with the oxygen prescription: the flow rate, whether it is continuous or pulse dose, and when the oxygen is needed — at rest, during activity or overnight. The concentrator has to meet that prescription at every setting the patient uses.
| Type | What it does | Best suited to | At MEC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary (home) concentrator | Mains-powered, continuous flow, designed to run for long periods in one place. | Home oxygen at rest and overnight, aged care and clinics. | AirSep VisionAire 5 (up to 5 L/min), AirSep NewLife Intensity 10 (up to 10 L/min, dual-flow version available) |
| Transportable concentrator | Continuous flow and pulse dose, with a battery, usually moved on a wheeled cart. | Users who need continuous flow away from home, or oxygen added to CPAP. | Kingon P2 TOC, SeQual Eclipse 5 |
| Portable (pulse dose) concentrator | Light, battery-powered units that deliver a pulse of oxygen as the user breathes in. | Getting out and about, travel and daytime activity. | Kingon P2-E, P2-E6 and P2-E7, Drive DeVilbiss iGo2 |
Pulse dose settings are not directly interchangeable with litres per minute, and a pulse dose concentrator cannot be used where continuous flow is prescribed, such as with CPAP. Check battery run time at the setting the user actually needs, not the lowest setting.
Oxygen concentrator hire
Need a concentrator short term? MEC offers oxygen concentrator hire across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba, with installation and training where required.
Oxygen concentrator FAQs
What is the difference between an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen cylinder?
A cylinder holds a fixed amount of stored oxygen and has to be refilled or replaced. A concentrator makes oxygen from room air for as long as it has power, so it suits people who use oxygen for many hours a day.
What is the difference between pulse dose and continuous flow?
Continuous flow delivers a steady stream of oxygen measured in litres per minute. Pulse dose releases oxygen only when the user breathes in, which saves battery and lets portable units be much smaller. If oxygen is added to a CPAP or bilevel machine, it must come from a continuous flow concentrator — a pulse dose unit won't work with CPAP. Your doctor's prescription will say which you need.
Do I need a prescription to buy an oxygen concentrator?
Oxygen therapy should be prescribed by a doctor, who will tell you the flow rate and when to use it. Using too much or too little oxygen can be harmful, so check with your doctor or respiratory team before buying or changing settings.
Supplying oxygen for a client, NDIS plan or aged-care facility? Contact our team for product advice and quotes.