Incubators are enclosed units of transparent material with portholes in the sides for access.they can be warmed and humidified air or oxygen can be delivered to the infant inside. The temperature inside an incubators is maintained in the thermoneutral range which is the environmental temperature at which oxygen consumption is minimal in the presence of a normal body temperature.this will vary according to the patient's gestational and weight.
A radiant warmer is and open-topped unit with a rediant heating device above it.it allows free access to the infant but there is more convective heat loss and insensible fluid loss then with an incubator.