Sechrist Industries and Perry Baromedical are the two dominant US monoplace chamber manufacturers. Other US makers — ETC Biomedical, Healing Chambers International, and (in the soft-shell category) OxyHealth and Summit to Sea — serve adjacent markets. Sechrist and Perry chambers run most US hospital wound centers and many UHMS-accredited HBOT programs.
This honest comparison treats them as what they are: two competitive Class II hard-shell makers with similar capability and slightly different service models. Both are real choices.
Use this guide alongside our complete chamber buyer's guide for the full decision frame.
What both makers share
Both produce FDA-cleared Class II chambers under product code CBF in the openFDA database (2024).
Both serve the 14 FDA-approved indications listed by Medicare (2024). Both deliver 1.5 to 3.0 ATA on 100% oxygen.
Both are common at UHMS-accredited facilities. 180 of the 1,588 US HBOT centers in our directory carry UHMS accreditation (2024).
Both makers price new monoplace chambers in the $150K to $250K range.
Sechrist Industries — the volume player
The maker has the larger installed base in the US monoplace market. The line traces back to the 1980s.
Current cleared models include:
- Sechrist 3300/3300E/3300ER monoplace — K052713 (2005) and updates
- Sechrist 3200P/3200PR — K950386 (1995)
- Sechrist Monoplace Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber — K140559 (2014), K100268 (2010)
- Model 2500E/2500ER — K934164 (1995)
The 3300 line is the current workhorse. It includes acrylic chambers with viewing, electronic monitoring, and standard safety systems.
The service model is a network of regional technicians plus a direct support line. Service contracts run $5K to $15K annually.
Perry Baromedical — the engineering player
This maker has a slightly smaller installed base but a strong engineering reputation. The Sigma line is the monoplace flagship.
Current cleared models include:
- Sigma 3400 Monoplace — K990927 (1999)
- Sigma Series Hyperbaric Chamber — K072427 (2008)
- Sigma Plus Monoplace — K974868 (1998)
- Sigma MP Multiplace — K930748 (1993, multiplace)
- Sigma Plus/II Multiplace System — K983648 (1999, multiplace)
The Sigma 3400 is the current monoplace workhorse. It includes acrylic chambers, monitoring, and the same general feature set as the Sechrist 3300.
The service model leans on direct factory support. Contracts run in the same $5K to $15K range.
The maker also produces the multiplace lines listed above. The Sechrist brand is primarily monoplace.
Side-by-side spec comparison
| Spec | Sechrist 3300/3300ER | Perry Sigma 3400 |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 510(k) | K052713, K140559 | K990927 |
| Max pressure | 3.0 ATA | 3.0 ATA |
| Chamber material | Acrylic | Acrylic |
| Patient access | Top-loading gurney | Top-loading gurney |
| Internal length | ~84 inches | ~84 inches |
| New price | $150K–$250K | $150K–$250K |
| Used 5-year-old | $80K–$120K | $80K–$120K |
| Annual service | $5K–$15K | $5K–$15K |
| Manufacturer support | Active | Active |
The chambers are competitive at the spec level. Neither holds a clear feature advantage.
Where the makers differ
Three real differences for buyers to weigh.
Service network
Sechrist Industries has more regional technicians in the US. Perry leans on factory-direct support. For metros, both are well-supported.
For rural facilities, Sechrist's regional network may respond faster.
Multiplace lineup
Perry makes both monoplace and multiplace chambers. The Sigma MP and Sigma Plus II are the multiplace lines.
Sechrist is primarily monoplace. Facilities planning a multiplace program lean toward the Perry catalog by default.
Brand history
The Sechrist brand has been in the hyperbaric market longer. It has a larger US installed base.
Perry has a strong engineering reputation. Neither difference is decisive on its own.
The used market
Both makers' chambers hold value well in the used market. A 5-year-old Sechrist 3300 sells at $80K to $120K. A Perry Sigma at the same age sells in the same range.
Past 15 years, manufacturer support can become limited on both lines. Older chambers may need control system updates or fall outside active support.
For a full walkthrough on the used market, see how to buy a used hyperbaric chamber safely.
The NFPA 99 (2024) third-party inspection is required for any used hard-shell purchase. Recertification can run $5K to $25K depending on age and condition.
Which one is the right choice
The honest answer: either, depending on the local service environment and multiplace needs.
For a single monoplace chamber in a metro hospital wound center, both makers are equally appropriate. The choice often comes down to sales team responsiveness and service network proximity.
For a multi-chamber program with multiplace planned, the Perry catalog has the broader product line. Standardizing on one maker is easier under that route.
For a rural or under-served facility, the Sechrist regional service network may matter more.
Other US makers include ETC Biomedical and Healing Chambers International. Those primarily build multiplace and custom chambers.
What this comparison does not solve
The maker choice does not solve:
- Facility build and NFPA 99 compliance
- Medical director and CHT-certified operator staffing
- UHMS accreditation and ongoing quality program
- Indication mix and patient flow planning
Those are bigger drivers of clinic success than the chamber maker. The chamber is the equipment. The program is the people and the process.
Related reading
- The complete 2026 HBOT chamber buyer's guide
- How to buy a used hyperbaric chamber safely
- Monoplace vs multiplace HBOT chambers: which is better
- FDA-cleared hyperbaric chambers: the complete list
Frequently asked questions
Are Sechrist and Perry chambers interchangeable for hospital use?
Mostly yes. Both deliver 1.5 to 3.0 ATA and serve the FDA-approved indications. Operators trained on one maker's chamber can transition to the other with orientation.
Which chamber is more reliable?
Both have strong reliability records. Failures on either line trace to wear items rather than catastrophic chamber failure. There is no clear reliability gap between the makers.
What about ETC Biomedical and Healing Chambers International?
Both are real US manufacturers but primarily focus on multiplace and custom chambers. For monoplace purchases at a typical wound center, Sechrist and Perry are the default options. For larger multiplace programs or specialty builds, ETC and Healing Chambers International can be the right call.
How long do chambers from either maker last?
Well-maintained chambers from either maker can run 20 to 25 years. There are working units past 30 years in the field at facilities with in-house engineering support. Past 15 years, manufacturer support can become limited on older models and the parts and control system updates needed to keep the chamber current may cost more than the residual value.
Which is better for a first-time HBOT clinic owner?
Either works. The maker choice should follow from the local service environment, the planned indication mix, and the facility's relationship with each manufacturer's sales team. New buyers should pay more attention to the medical director, operator staffing, UHMS accreditation path, and facility build than to the maker brand — those drive program success more than chamber choice.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical or purchasing advice. Chamber selection should involve a medical director and qualified facility engineer. Verify the specific model's current clearance and support status before purchase.
-- The HBOT Finder Team