What Is the Difference Between an Ultrasonic & a Jet Nebulizer?

A nebulizer is a piece of equipment that takes a liquid medication and turns it into a fine mist (aerosol), so you can inhale it through a mouthpiece or mask. The two primary types of nebulizers, ultrasonic and jet, refer to the mechanism by which the machine aerosolizes the medication.

Mechanism

• An ultrasonic nebulizer uses high frequency sound waves. These sound waves cause vibrations that aerosolize the medication. A jet nebulizer uses compressed oxygen to aerosolize the medicine.

Dispensing Time

• Ultrasonic nebulizers generally take less time to dispense the medicine than jet nebulizers.

Loudness

• Ultrasonic nebulizers are typically quieter than jet nebulizers because of the compressor jet nebulizers use.

Usage

• Specific medications may require one type of nebulizer. For example, ultrasonic nebulizers cause degradation in some medications.

Size

• Jet nebulizers have historically required more parts and a large compressor, making them larger than ultrasonic nebulizers. This changed with the advent of compact and portable compressors. Ultrasonic nebulizers are typically smaller. However, they may require use of water and are generally more fragile pieces of equipment.