Disposable cylinder or rental – which to choose
Published , updated
The choice is decided not by the price per balloon but by scale, and by whether you are ready to sign a contract and return the cylinder.
What each option includes
A disposable cylinder is a ready-to-use kit: helium plus an inflation nozzle. There is nothing to return and it cannot be refilled. It is bought as an ordinary product, without a contract, and ships to a parcel locker.
A refillable cylinder is rented and must be returned; the helium is bought separately. A regulator is also needed. A cylinder this size does not fit a parcel locker – it is delivered by van, and the whole thing is covered by a contract.
Disposable cylinders
| Cylinder size | Balloons 23 cm | Balloons 28 cm | Price | Per 28 cm balloon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 l | ≈ 20 | ≈ 12 | 24,99 € | 2,08 € |
| 7 l | ≈ 30 | ≈ 18 | 32,99 € | 1,83 € |
| 13.5 l | ≈ 50 | ≈ 30 | 44,99 € | 1,50 € |
| 22 l | ≈ 90 | ≈ 53 | 79,99 € | 1,51 € |
Refillable cylinders
| Cylinder size | Balloons 30 cm | Helium price | Per balloon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 l | ≈ 280 | 217,80 € | 0,78 € |
| 40 l | ≈ 580 | 417,45 € | 0,72 € |
| 50 l | ≈ 710 | 477,95 € | 0,67 € |
The two tables cannot be compared directly: for disposables the yield is given for 23 cm and 28 cm balloons, for refillables for 30 cm ones. The closest comparable size is 28 cm, and even that is not exact. The supplier has not stated the 23 cm yield for a refillable cylinder, and we will not invent it.
What else is charged on a rental
- Cylinder rental
- 4,84 € per month
- Cylinder delivery
- 9,08 € one-off
- Regulator, from
- 63,53 € one-off
- Yearly rental – 15 % discount
All prices include VAT at 21 %.
Which to take when
Disposable – for a single party where balloons are counted in tens. Nothing to return, no contract to sign, and the parcel goes to a locker.
Refillable – when balloons are counted in hundreds or you inflate them regularly. The price per balloon is several times lower, but rental, delivery and a regulator are added, and the cylinder has to come back.