BeneVision N1 vs N12 vs N17: comparing Mindray patient monitors
The BeneVision N1, N12 and N17 are three different tools rather than three tiers of one monitor. The N1 is a 950 g three-in-one unit that works as a standalone bedside monitor, an N-Series multi-parameter module or a transport monitor, with a 5.5-inch HD capacitive touchscreen, up to 8 hours of battery and IP44 protection. The N12 is the standard bedside platform: a wide-angle HD display showing up to 8 waveforms, up to 48 hours of full disclosure, and a slot that accepts the N1 so monitoring continues from bedside to transport. The N17 is the high-acuity platform. This page compares all three on display, portability, waveform capacity, expansion and where each model fits.
Three monitors, three different jobs
The BeneVision N1, N12 and N17 belong to the same Mindray monitoring family, but they are built for different points in the patient pathway. Choosing between them is mainly a question of where the patient is monitored and how much parameter expansion the department needs.
The N1 is the portable unit: a palm-size monitor that can also be used as a multi-parameter module inside the larger N-Series monitors. The N12 is the standard bedside monitor with a wide-angle HD display. The N17 is the high-acuity platform, with a larger 1920x1080 panel and support for advanced parameters.
Mindray BeneVision N1: portable, module and bedside
The N1 has a 5.5-inch HD capacitive touchscreen at 1280x720 resolution in a body of approximately 950 g (150 x 102 x 81 mm in standard configuration). Battery life is up to 8 hours, and a docking station adds a dual-power option for longer transport.
It is specified with IP44 dust and water protection and 1.2 m six-surface drop endurance, and is stated to meet EN1789, EN13718-1, IEC 60601-1-12 and US military transport standards. Because it works as an independent bedside monitor, as an N-Series module, or as a transport monitor with a 19-inch external display, the N1 is usually the device that maintains continuity in an N-Series fleet.
Mindray BeneVision N12: the standard bedside monitor
The N12 pairs a wide-angle HD display showing up to 8 waveforms with a flat multi-touch interface in which about 90% of common operations are reachable in no more than two steps. iAlarm technology is intended to reduce nuisance alarms, and the monitor stores trends, alarms and events with up to 48 hours of full disclosure.
It accepts the BeneVision N1 as a slide-in monitor/module, so a patient can move from the ward to theatre or ICU without a monitoring gap. The modular parameter platform includes advanced ECG options such as QT/QTc, atrial fibrillation detection and 12-lead analysis, with BeneVision DMS, eGateway and HL7 connectivity.
Mindray BeneVision N17: the high-acuity platform
The N17 uses a 1920x1080 HD display with a 178-degree viewing angle and ambient-light auto brightness, shared with the N15 panel. As display size increases, up to 12 waveforms can be shown simultaneously.
It keeps the same multi-touch workflow and iAlarm technology as the N12 and also offers up to 48 hours of full disclosure. Its distinguishing feature is a modular high-acuity platform supporting advanced options such as 12-lead ECG analysis, PiCCO/ScvO2, ICG, CO2, INVOS rSO2, EEG and BIS, plus N1 monitor/module docking.
Comparison at a glance
The table below summarises the differences that most often decide the choice between the three models.
| Display | N1: 5.5-inch HD touchscreen (1280x720) | N12: wide-angle HD, up to 8 waveforms | N17: 1920x1080, 178°, up to 12 waveforms |
|---|---|
| Portability | N1: approx. 950 g palm-size, IP44, 1.2 m drop endurance | N12: bedside | N17: bedside, high-acuity |
| Battery | N1: up to 8 hours plus docking-station dual power | N12: bedside power | N17: bedside power |
| Workflow | N1: 3-in-1 bedside / module / transport | N12 & N17: flat multi-touch, ~90% of common operations in ≤2 steps |
| Alarm management | iAlarm technology with up to 48 h full disclosure (N12 and N17) |
| Expansion | N12: advanced ECG (QT/QTc, AF detection, 12-lead) | N17: adds PiCCO/ScvO2, ICG, CO2, rSO2, EEG, BIS |
| Continuity | Both N12 and N17 accept the N1 as a slide-in monitor/module |
| Connectivity | BeneVision DMS, eGateway, HL7 |
Which one fits your project
If monitoring must continue during intra-hospital transport, start with the N1 and confirm which bedside monitors it will dock into. If the requirement is a general ward or step-down bedside monitor, the N12 covers the standard parameter set and keeps continuity through the N1 module.
If the department needs advanced haemodynamic, cerebral oximetry or EEG/BIS parameters, the N17 is the appropriate platform. In many hospital projects the three models are supplied together rather than chosen exclusively, which is why the N1 module function matters.
ICEN can review your department list and suggest a configuration, then confirm availability, documentation and market requirements for your destination country.
Questions buyers often ask
What is the main difference between the N1, N12 and N17?
The N1 is a palm-size portable monitor that also works as a module; the N12 is a standard bedside monitor with a wide-angle HD display and up to 8 waveforms; the N17 is a high-acuity platform with a 1920x1080 display, up to 12 waveforms and advanced parameter options.
Can the N1 be used with the N12 or N17?
Yes. The N12 and N17 accept the BeneVision N1 as a slide-in monitor/module, which supports gap-free bedside-to-transport monitoring.
Which model supports the most parameters?
The N17 supports advanced options including 12-lead ECG analysis, PiCCO/ScvO2, ICG, CO2, INVOS rSO2, EEG and BIS. The N12 supports advanced ECG options such as QT/QTc, atrial fibrillation detection and 12-lead analysis.
Can ICEN supply a mixed fleet of N-Series monitors?
Yes. ICEN can quote a combination of N1, N12 and N17 units and confirm configuration, documentation and destination-market conditions.