Philips Respironics Oxygen Concentrators Review 2023

By Ayla Girouard, LPN
Medically Reviewed by Elizabeth Lyda, RRT
Reviewed by Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, Senior Director, NCOA Center for Healthy Aging
Fact Checked

• Philips Respironics offers both portable and stationary oxygen concentrators for use on-the-go and at home.
• Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators can provide up to 2 liters per minute with the portable SimplyGo Mini and up to 10 liters per minute with the stationary Millennium M10.
• Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators are more expensive than some competitors, but may be more energy efficient and generate lower electricity costs.

Philips Respironics is a line of respiratory care products, including both portable and stationary oxygen concentrators, that supply oxygen to people in and out of the home. Our Reviews Team’s January 2023 survey of 600 portable oxygen concentrator users found 26.83% of respondents used a Philips Respironics device, making it the most widely used brand.¹ Our Reviews Team named the Respironics SimplyGo Mini as the “Easiest to Use” device in a review of the best portable oxygen concentrators. In our review of the best home oxygen machines, we named the Respironics EverFlo the “Quietest” continuous flow home unit.

If you have an oxygen prescription or require oxygen therapy, our Philips Respironics oxygen concentrator review can help you compare the available units to find the right device for your needs.

Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We’ve spent more than 1,000 hours carrying out in-depth research on portable oxygen concentrators to give you the most accurate review. To make our selections, we:

• Engaged in independent research of portable oxygen concentrator users
• Consulted with three geriatric care experts
• Consulted with one respiratory therapist
• Mystery shopped four brands and five models of portable oxygen concentrators
• Reviewed academic research into the efficacy of portable oxygen concentrators

*Oxygen concentrator pricing can be higher if you live in Massachusetts or New Jersey, which require a licensed respiratory therapist to deliver, set up, and adjust the oxygen dose of your concentrator.

Cost: $2,995

Weight: 5 pounds

Dimensions: 8.3 inches wide x 3.6 inch deep x 9.4 inches high

Battery life: 4.5 hours

Battery charging time: 4 hours

Delivery/flow type: Pulse

Range of flow settings: 1–5

Noise level: 43 decibels (about as loud as a refrigerator)

Accessories: Accessory bag, cannula, carrying case with shoulder strap

SimplyGo Mini is the smallest and lightest oxygen concentrator from Respironics. This model weighs five pounds (the equivalent of a two-liter bottle of soda) with a single standard battery and is designed to be portable. Oxygen is delivered through a pulse flow and with a maximum output of up to 1 liter per minute of oxygen. Pulse flow, also called intermittent flow, is triggered by your breathing. Each time you inhale, the pulse flow device delivers a measured burst of oxygen. The touchscreen panel on the oxygen concentrator is easy to use and lets you control the settings of the device. You’ll have up to 4.5 hours of use on a full charge with the standard battery, but you can purchase a larger battery that provides up to nine hours of use on one charge. Many portable oxygen concentrators come standard with a single battery but offer the option to purchase a double battery that offers twice the battery life compared to the standard size. An extra battery will about one pound to the weight of the device.

The SimplyGo Mini includes a nasal cannula carrying case with a shoulder strap that makes it easy to take the oxygen concentrator wherever you go, and you can charge the device in a vehicle using the DC power cord. The device is also approved by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) for use on an airplane.²

Drawbacks

The SimplyGo Mini is easy to carry and use on the go, but it isn’t suitable if you need oxygen dosing higher than 1 liter per minute. While it is designed for use whenever you need it, the pulse flow delivery may not be ideal for overnight use if you have sleep apnea.

Cost: $3,295

Weight: 10 pounds

Dimensions: 11.5 inches wide x 6 inches deep x 10 inches high

Battery life: 3 hours

Battery charging time: 2-3 hours

Delivery/flow type: Pulse, Continuous

Range of flow settings: 1–6 pulse, 0.5-2 continuous

Noise level: 43 decibels (about as loud as a refrigerator)

Accessories: Accessory bag, cannula, carrying cart

The Respironics SimplyGo is a portable option if you have more advanced oxygen needs. It offers pulse or continuous flow delivery and can provide up to 2 liters per minute of oxygen. Continuous flow concentrators supply a steady stream of oxygen regardless of your breathing rate. SimplyGo is one of the lightest continuous flow oxygen concentrators available, at only 10 pounds, and it includes a rolling cart with oversized wheels designed to help you easily move the device around with you. This unit is also FAA approved for use on airplanes.

The SimplyGo oxygen concentrator is designed for 24/7 use and has a “sleep mode” that increases oxygen output while you sleep. This ensures you get enough oxygen, even if your breathing slows or is interrupted during sleep. This model notifies you of a low battery, high breath rate, no breath, no flow, and low oxygen purity to ensure safety during use. These notifications help the machine respond to your breathing pattern and alert you to possible malfunctions, like a lack of oxygen flow or an oxygen concentration that’s lower than it should be.

Drawbacks

To enable a higher oxygen flow, the SimplyGo requires a larger, more powerful motor, which puts the device weight at 10 pounds. This is equivalent to a large watermelon and double the weight of the SimplyGo Mini. The carrying cart helps to offset the SimplyGo’s weight by allowing you to roll versus carry the unit. The cart can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces like public transportation. The SimplyGo also requires more battery power, so you’ll only get up to three hours of battery life with a full charge.

Cost: $1,495

Weight: 31 pounds

Dimensions: 15 inches wide x 9.5 inches long x 23 inches high

Battery life: AC power

Battery charging time: N/A

Delivery/flow type: Continuous

Range of flow settings: 1–5 L/min

Noise level: 40–45 decibels (similar to a library or quiet office)

Accessories: None

The Respironics EverFlo is a stationary oxygen unit designed for efficiency. It offers up to 5 liters per minute of continuous flow oxygen. It uses less electricity than comparable home units, producing less heat and making it more energy-efficient. The EverFlo weighs 31 pounds (or roughly four gallons of water) making it significantly heavier than portable units, but the molded handle and rolling wheels make it easy to install in your home or relocate it to a different room if necessary. With a noise level between 40 to 45 decibels, it makes about as much noise as you would hear in a library or quiet office.³ This is why our Reviews Team named it the “Quietest” home oxygen concentrator in our review.

This concentrator has a humidifier bottle holder that can be used with most common humidifier bottle styles. Humidification is important if you’re a higher-flow continuous user, as it helps to avoid airway dryness and irritation. The EverFlo features internal tubing storage, which keeps your tubing neatly stored and out of the way to avoid tangles or tripping hazards. It’s also designed for easy maintenance and has two user-replaceable filters.

Drawbacks

The primary drawback of the Respironics EverFlo is its size and weight. While you can wheel the unit if you need to move it, it’s best to keep it in one or two locations in your home, like the bedroom and living room. The EverFlo also requires AC power, meaning it can’t be used without being plugged into a power source. This model is also not designed to accommodate high-flow oxygen needs, as its maximum delivery is 5 liters per minute.

Cost: $2,595

Weight: 53 pounds

Dimensions: 19 inches wide x 13 inches deep x 27 inches high

Battery life: AC power

Battery charging time: N/A

Delivery/flow type: Continuous

Range of flow settings: 1–10 L/min

Noise level: 50 decibels (about as much noise as a running refrigerator)

Accessories: None

The Millennium M10 is the most advanced stationary unit from Respironics. It’s capable of delivering up to 10 liters per minute for people with more advanced high-flow oxygen needs. The Millennium M10 is designed with fewer parts than many high-flow concentrators to make it more efficient and easier for users to maintain. The wheels and handle make it easy to relocate the oxygen concentrator in your home. Like the EverFlo, this unit also has a humidifier bottle attachment that fits most humidifier bottle types. The Millennium M10 concentrator includes alarms for high system pressure, low system pressure, power failure, low oxygen level, and no oxygen flow to help you monitor your oxygen supply.

Drawbacks

Higher flow means more energy consumption, so continuous use of the Millennium M10 will likely result in a more noticeable impact on your electric bill versus the EverFlo. This unit is heavier and slightly louder than portable and lower-volume concentrators, but those tradeoffs are typical of high-flow oxygen concentrators. At 50 decibels, the Millennium M10 makes about as much noise as a running refrigerator.

Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators can cost $1,500–$3,300, but pricing can vary depending on the state you live in.

Why might pricing vary?

If you live in Massachusetts or New Jersey, you may see a higher price for your oxygen concentrator. These states require a licensed respiratory therapist to deliver, set up, and titrate (adjust the oxygen dose of) your concentrator. The cost of this service is reflected in the total price of the unit. This requirement can be beneficial as it offers an opportunity to ask questions and be sure that your device is properly set up.

Does insurance or Medicare cover oxygen concentrators?

Insurance coverage for a Philips Respironics oxygen concentrator will depend on your insurance plan. If your insurance plan does offer some coverage for oxygen equipment, it is likely you will need to meet certain requirements, such as a physician’s determination that supplemental oxygen is medically necessary. It’s important to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm coverage and eligibility before purchasing an oxygen concentrator.

If you have Medicare and require oxygen as determined by your doctor, Medicare will cover the rental costs of oxygen equipment for an initial period of 36 months. After that time, your oxygen equipment provider is obligated to continue providing supplies for an additional 24 months. After those five years, if you still need oxygen, Medicare will initiate a new 36-month rental term. You can find more details about this coverage on the Medicare website.⁴

How to pay for Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators?

Besides paying with insurance or cash, the other options to pay for a Philips Respironics oxygen concentrator are a health savings account, flexible spending account, or CareCredit.

Health savings account (HSA): An HSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money to use for eligible health expenses.⁵ Oxygen equipment is included in the full list of qualifying expenses.⁶

Flexible spending account (FSA): An FSA is an account your employer deposits pre-tax salary funds into. These accounts can be used to reimburse a variety of purchases, such as medical expenses and oxygen concentrators.

CareCredit: CareCredit is a credit card issued specifically for health care expenses, and you can use it to purchase oxygen concentrators. Eligibility is subject to credit approval, and Care Credit can only be used at participating retailers.

If you use supplemental oxygen, you may also use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) device, or nebulizers to treat your condition and promote sleep therapy. Philips Respironics has CPAP, BiPAP, and nebulizer models that may be compatible with your Philips Respironics oxygen concentrator.

DreamStation: Philips Respironics DreamStation CPAP devices are positive airway pressure units and include both CPAP and BiPAP models. The DreamStation CPAP device uses smart technology to track your daily progress. Be aware that some DreamStation, DreamStation 2, and DreamStation Go therapy devices are currently affected by an FDA class I recall due to issues with sound abatement foam degradation.⁷

DreamWear: Philips Respironics DreamWear is a mask system that includes a full face mask, a nasal mask, and a nasal pillow for use with the Philips Respironics DreamStation. The full face mask covers your nostrils and mouth, the nasal mask covers only your nose, and the nasal pillow rests below your nose to deliver air just inside the nostrils.

InnoSpire Essence: Philips Respironics InnoSpire Essence nebulizer system is used to dispense liquid medicine in the form of a mist for breathing treatments.

Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators come with different warranties depending on the model and retailer. If purchased online from a retailer like the Oxygen Concentrator Store, the warranty on each model covers:

SimplyGo Mini: Three-year warranty on concentrator unit and 90-day warranty on accessories like tubing, chargers, and carrying cases.

SimplyGo: Three-year warranty on concentrator unit and 90-day warranty on accessories like tubing, chargers, and carrying cases.

EverFlo: Three-year warranty on the unit, with the option to purchase a five-year warranty at an additional cost.

Millennium M10: Three-year warranty on the unit.

Maintenance and care of portable and stationary oxygen concentrators is relatively simple and detailed in each model’s user manual. The components of each model are slightly different, but you can expect to clean or replace filters and sieve beds (or columns). The sieve beds and columns are the components of the concentrator that filter air into concentrated oxygen.

Extra filters are not included with most units, and you will need to purchase replacement filters separately. Make sure that you purchase the correct filter for your unit according to the user’s manual. Replacement filters range in price from $5–$59 depending on the type of filter and oxygen concentrator model. Replacing these parts is typically as simple as removing the old filter or sieve bed and inserting a new one in its place. For more complex maintenance or repairs, you’ll need to speak with your oxygen concentrator supplier for assistance.

In June 2021, Philips issued a recall of some of its respiratory devices.⁸ The recall applies to devices manufactured between 2009 and April 26, 2021.

There were no oxygen concentrators involved in the recall. Affected devices included some Philips Respironics CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices. The recalled devices were made with a polyester-based foam to reduce noise and vibrations. This foam was found to occasionally break down, and small pieces of black foam were released into the breathing system and tubing. Inhaling the foam is a potential health hazard.

In April 2023, the FDA updated the recall to a Class I recall, meaning that some CPAP, bilevel PAP, and ventilator devices could result in serious injury or death.⁷ In some cases, Philips Respironics is issuing replacement devices, which the FDA is monitoring. If you own a Philips Respironics CPAP, BiPAP, or ventilator device, check the FDA update to see if your device is on the list and instructions for getting a replacement device.

Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators are available from authorized distributors. These include durable medical supply stores and online retailers like the Oxygen Concentrator Store. Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service is available through:

• Phone (888-721-2372) available 365 days a year with the following hours:
  • 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. MT, Monday through Thursday
  • 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT, Friday
  • 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT, Saturday
  • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, Sunday
• Email (service@amsrco.com)
• Contact form on website (https://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/contact)
• Live chat on website (https://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com)

Our Reviews Team consulted with three geriatric care experts and a respiratory therapist to learn more about portable oxygen concentrators and how they can enhance users’ quality of life. Based on our expert consultations and research, we determined the following factors to be important for our readers when shopping for a portable oxygen concentrator unit:

• Cost
• Ease of use
• Oxygen delivery method
• Number of flow settings
• Weight
• Battery life
• Time to recharge battery
• Warranty
• Availability (all devices available online or in brick-and-mortar stores)

We had all of our selections medically reviewed by an expert in the field to ensure that each brand and model is appropriate for our readers’ needs.

Philips Respironics is a popular brand of oxygen concentrators and respiratory devices made to treat a range of respiratory conditions. The portable SimplyGo Mini is the lightest device at only 5 pounds with a maximum oxygen output of 2 liters per minute. The SimplyGo is also portable, but offers both pulse and continuous oxygen flow delivery. Both portable units are FAA approved for use on airplanes.

The Respironics EverFlo is a stationary unit that weighs 31 pounds and provides a continuous flow of up to 5 liters per minute of oxygen. The largest Respironics oxygen concentrator is the Millennium M10. This unit weighs 53 pounds but can provide a maximum oxygen output of up to 10 liters per minute of continuous oxygen, making it a good option for those with high oxygen therapy needs.

1. NCOA Adviser Portable Oxygen Concentrator Survey. 600 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched January 2023.
2. Federal Aviation Administration. Acceptance Criteria for Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Found on the internet at https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/cabin_safety/portable_oxygen
3. International Noise Awareness Day. Common Noises – How Loud is Too Loud? Found on the internet at https://noiseawareness.org/info-center/common-noise-levels/
4. Medicare.gov. Oxygen Equipment Coverage. Found on the internet at https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/oxygen-equipment-accessories
5. Healthcare.gov. Health Savings Account (HSA). Found on the internet at https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-savings-account-hsa/
6. Internal Revenue Service. 2021 Publication 502. Found on the internet at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
7. US Food and Drug Administration. UPDATE: Certain Philips Respironics Ventilators, BiPAP Machines, and CPAP Machines Recalled Due to Potential Health Risks: FDA Safety Communication. Found on the internet at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-certain-philips-respironics-ventilators-bipap-machines-and-cpap-machines-recalled-due
8. Philips. Medical Device Recall Information. Found on the internet at https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep/communications/src-update