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POWERbreathe KH2

A KH2 next to an open laptop showing the BreatheLink software screen
Close up of the KHP2
The POWERbreathe KH2 offers a professional level of breathing training, testing and monitoring. Shows a partial laptop next to it.
Head and shoulders of a Woman using a K-Series
A Woman using a K-Series at breakfast
Digital Healthcare A KH2 next to an open laptop showing the BreatheLink software screen
Close up of the KHP2
The POWERbreathe KH2 offers a professional level of breathing training, testing and monitoring. Shows a partial laptop next to it.
Head and shoulders of a Woman using a K-Series
A Woman using a K-Series at breakfast

POWERbreathe KH2

The Gold Standard Breathing Trainer used by Healthcare Professionals - for advanced testing, monitoring, and patient care.

The KH2 builds on the KHP2 by adding more powerful analytics, endurance training options, and extended session history. This makes it ideal for professional use in hospitals, clinics, and research where detailed inspiratory muscle assessment is required.

With its deep testing capabilities and advanced data handling, the KH2 is the most comprehensive clinical device in the POWERbreathe range. It is validated for use by healthcare professionals for IMT and assessment in patients with dyspnoea and is now widely used in patient groups such as COPD, ventilator weaning, tracheostomy, and for pre-op and post-op.

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Description

The POWERbreathe KH-Series, the Gold Standard for use in healthcare, is the pinnacle of clinical Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) – precision-engineered digital breathing devices designed for healthcare professionals, patients and researchers seeking accurate, data-driven respiratory muscle assessment and training. 

The KH-Series uses advanced Pressure Threshold technology combined with a patented electronic tapered flow resistance system to automatically tailor resistance to the user’s inspiratory muscle strength. Unlike fixed-load or constant-flow devices, the KH-Series continuously monitors inspiratory pressure throughout the breath, reducing resistance in line with the natural drop in muscle strength. This ensures maximum flow, full inhalation volume, and significantly greater training work per breath compared to traditional constant flow IMT devices. This tapering load technology was utilised in the 2022 University of Colorado research, that demonstrated blood pressure improvements when undertaking breathing training using a POWERbreathe K3.

A calibrated electronic pressure sensor detects the exact moment the user generates sufficient breathing force to lift and open the valve. Working in harmony with the tapered electronic resistance, this system creates a more physiologically natural loading pattern, one that enhances respiratory muscle recruitment, improves endurance, and delivers clinically meaningful training outcomes.

After analysing the user’s inspiratory strength, the KH-Series devices automatically select the optimal starting resistance and progressively adjusts the load during each breath to match changing muscle capability. This automated, personalised approach leads to more effective, efficient, and clinically reproducible IMT sessions. Manual resistance adjustment is also available for research protocols or specialised clinical applications.

By avoiding the limitations of constant-load devices, which impose a fixed resistance regardless of muscle fatigue, the KH-Series supports deeper, fuller breaths, improved patient comfort, and superior respiratory muscle conditioning across clinical populations.

The KH Series includes the POWERbreathe KH2 and KHP2.

The POWERbreathe KH2 includes integrated Breathe-Link® Live Feedback Software, providing real-time training visualisation, strength testing, and detailed performance metrics for up to 30 user profiles. This makes the KH-Series ideally suited for pulmonary rehabilitation settings, cardiopulmonary clinics, pre and postoperative respiratory optimisation and research environments requiring precise, longitudinal data tracking.

Whether used for respiratory rehabilitation, chronic condition management, prehabilitation, performance assessment, or clinical research, the POWERbreathe KH-Series delivers medical-grade accuracy, intelligent automation, and evidence-based inspiratory muscle training designed to help users breathe stronger, recover more effectively and improve overall respiratory health.

What is POWERbreathe IMT?

KH-Series Range

For a more detailed look at the different functions available with each Model, take a look at our K-Series Functions Table >

 

POWERbreathe KHP2 (for patients)

The KHP2 has been developed specifically for patients to use in pre-operative conditioning, as part of their rehabilitation, or for symptom relief of lung function limiting diseases and conditions. Clinical research shows the KHP2 has high patient motivation and adherence to training thanks to the on-screen feedback. It’s this immediate feedback that produces a high compliance (90%+) and significantly improves breathing muscle strength and stamina.

 

POWERbreathe KH2 (for Healthcare Professionals) 

The KH2 is the Gold Standard Inspiratory Muscle Trainer utilised by healthcare professionals and can be paired with hygienic TrySafe disposable filters, for testing and training. It is also compatible with an optional oxygen adapter and face mask.

The POWERbreathe KH2 with Breathe-Link® Medic Live Feedback Software provides inspiratory muscle training, instant monitoring and live feedback analysis for respiratory muscle training programmes for patients with dyspnoea and features a Quality Control MIP Test. It is validated for use by healthcare professionals for IMT and assessment in patients with dyspnoea and is now widely used in patient groups such as COPD, ventilator weaning, tracheostomy, and for pre-op and post-op.

Breathe-Link® Medic Software

The POWERbreathe KH2 with Breathe-Link® Medic Software

  • Real-Time Feedback: View live metrics including Load, Power, Volume, Flow, Energy, and Strength-Index (S-Index®)
  • Live Breath Test: Measures inspiratory muscle strength and peak inspiratory flow in a single breath
  • Live Training – Pro View: Detailed, simultaneous plotting and analysis of all inspiratory muscle training data
  • Custom Mode: Create and upload your own personalised breathing training sessions
  • PC & Mac Compatible: Connect the KH2 via Breathe-Link® Software to view historical data and track progress over time

Contact us for further information about the Breathe-Link® Medic Software

Benefits

The KH-Series is the ultimate way to achieve fast, effective breathing training results. View our Product Range Comparison Table to see why >

Breathing Muscle Training benefits include:

  • Strengthens breathing muscles
  • Improves lung stamina and wellness
  • Helps athletes, singers, and those with a variety of health conditions

POWERbreathe KH-Series Benefits include:

  • Patented Adaptive Resistance: Electronically tapered resistance matches your breath for longer, more effective inhalations
  • Scientific Precision: Backed by peer-reviewed studies validating training load, strength metrics, and inspiratory energy output. The POWERbreathe K3 was device used in the 2022 University of Colorado Study investigating the anti-hypertensive impact of high resistance inspiratory muscle strength training
  • Elite-Level Conditioning: Enhance breathing strength, stamina, and control for sport, rehabilitation, or health optimisation
  • The POWERbreathe KH2 is the Gold Standard device used by Healthcare Professionals

How it Works

  • Initial Strength Test: Start each session with two unresisted breaths to assess your maximum inspiratory capacity using the S-Index®
  • Adaptive Loading: Resistance is applied dynamically from breath 3 onward, tapering throughout each inhalation to match your naturally decreasing strength
  • Live Tracking: Key performance metrics are shown on the built-in LCD screen with the optional real-time Breathe-Link® Software for KH2 for immediate feedback
  • Progressive Training: Over time, the KH-Series increases the starting resistance automatically to align with your gains in strength and endurance

Measurement Validity

The following study concludes that the K-Series device ‘provides automatically processed and valid estimates of physical units of energy during loaded breathing task.’

The following study suggests that S-Index® might be more appropriate for measuring inspiratory muscle performance than the currently most used test, PImax.

The following study finds that ‘It is feasible and reliable to evaluate the maximum repetition of inspiratory muscles in healthy individuals.’

The following research found that by using the Strength-Index® Test to assess and enhance respiratory muscle strength, athletes will experience tangible improvements in both endurance and overall athletic capability:

Which Model

Unlike the Mechanical Models, such as the POWERbreathe Classic and Plus, the POWERbreathe KH2 and KHP2 automatically set the optimal training resistance, so there’s no need to manually adjust the level. The KHP2 is designed for Patients to use at home. The KH2 is designed for Healthcare Professionals and is the gold standard for use in clinical and healthcare settings. Each model within the KH-Series comes with its own unique set of features, allowing you to simply choose the one that delivers the guidance, feedback, and functionality that best supports your training goals.

The following resources will help you decide the most appropriate KH-Series device for your needs.

K-Series Model Comparison Table

POWERbreathe Product Quiz

What's in the Box

  • GB, AUS or EU plug (depending on your country of purchase)
  • Cradle to house the device while charging
  • Mouthpiece TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers)
  • Nose clip
  • Storage pouch
  • 4 x Cleansing Tablets – except for in the USA. Genuine POWERbreathe devices will not contain POWERbreathe Cleansing Tablets in the USA, as these tablets are not approved for sale and/or distribution within the USA by the regulatory authorities. Read more about Counterfeit products.
  • Market specific user manual – supplied for end user’s country e.g. English for UK & Ireland, Spanish for Spain, French for France etc.
  • Breathe-Link® Software will need to be downloaded

FAQ

When connected to the Breathe-Link® software, you can add up to 30 user profiles on the K5, or 10 on the K4, who you then select in the software. Each user can then train on their own profile. If the device is used while disconnected from the software, then only one profile will be in the hand-held unit, the one set by the user on the unit. The results will refer to this user.

If your battery is no longer charging it may need replacing. It is like any other battery, such as in your smartphone, and will become less efficient with every charge. It is at this point that your battery will start to lose its capacity to hold the charge. If this is the case:

  • If you purchased your device on powerbreathe.com, please contact us regarding your battery replacement request and we will get back to you.
  • If you purchased your device from one of our official distributors or stockists, please contact them directly in the first instance.

There is a service charge for the replacement of a K-Series battery, as it must be replaced by a technician to ensure all connectors are correctly located. It is then fully tested before being returned to you.

It really varies based on the User i.e. Medical, Trainer, Private Individual, and personal needs.

We offer the Calibration Service to meet the needs of the respective Groups. Medical generally require all equipment to undergo an annual calibration, as they rely very much on the data. Private individuals may also wish to have this service for peace of mind in the knowledge that their device is functioning correctly. However, due to Calibration being a chargeable service, you may choose not to.

Certainly KH2, KH1 products designed for Medical Markets should be calibrated annually.

These levels are more like “Intensity” levels so once you are comfortable with working at the Very Light intensity and/or your improvement appears to flat line with little or no improvement, then you Manually increase the intensity of your work out to Medium for example.

Each time you use your POWERbreathe, your first two breaths will calculate your optimised working level (Auto-optimising feature). This will step incrementally over the next three breaths to your training load for the session, and is based on the level of intensity you have manually selected.

The most important message is to ensure that you can maintain your 30 breaths for the session, if the Level or Intensity is too high then you will find that the session will be short and you are training to fail. Consider as a comparison: Weight lifting as an example – the incomplete Arm curl or doing half completed repetitions within a set – It is more important to complete those 30 reps.

In order for you to use your mask with the K-series units you will require the POWERbreathe Spacer

People suffering from COPD and Asthma and may also require assistance with Oxygen, so there is also an “Oxygen Mask adapter” which links also to the POWERbreathe spacer.

The KH1 is a medical device and includes features and results for more medical requirements, including measurement of a Single Breath Test MIP (maximal inspiratory pressure) and measurement of a Single Breath Test PIF/Flow Test (inspiratory muscle strength, peak inspiratory flow rate and inhaled volume). It also provides test results specifically for MIP (cmH2O) and PIF (litres). 

The KH1 has been developed for the following:

  • Doctors 
  • General Practitioners 
  • Respiratory and cardiac specialists
  • Surgeons 
  • Physiotherapists 
  • Nurses 
  • Patients with respiratory problems 

The K5 doesn’t include testing for MIP or PIF, nor therefore provide results. The K5 was developed for anyone who wished to improve their breathing strength and stamina for whatever reason, including individuals and sports people.

The K5 has additional features: the Pro Analysis View and the Custom Mode.

The Pro Analysis View enables you to see line graphs of each breath opposed to bar charts. This is good feedback to enable you to aim for a long flat line on the graph although some people prefer the bars.

The Custom Mode allows you to set a custom number of breaths at a selected load as opposed to the standard 30 breaths. For example you can select maybe 10 breaths on a heavy load or 60 breaths on a light load. This session can be done using the computer or uploaded to the unit. If you go for the K4 you could still do 10 of the 30 breaths and manually select a higher load if you specifically wanted to do this session.

The POWERbreathe unit will only show the highest load set in the custom routine. It is advised to use the Breathe-Link® software to get a more accurate view of pressure load. The values shown on the Breathe-Link® software is the average pressure (average weight lifted) for the entire session. It is possible to analysis the data in greater detail in the Review Screen see Chapter 10 Data Review for more information.

The POWERbreathe K-Series unit will automatically estimate your training load at the beginning of every training session. Using this method, the device will adjust the training load every time you start a new session and as the strength of your inspiratory muscles increases. Automatic setup of this load takes place during the first two breaths of each training session. The intensity levels represent a percentage of your estimated load that you will be training at.

The session number counts the total number of sessions you have completed (up to 999). However, the K-Series device can only store a maximum of your last 36 training session results – this is limited by the memory on the device and the display area on the screen.

How To Clean Your POWERbreathe KH-Series IMT Device

Precautions & Contraindications

A list of precautions and contraindications can be found here.