Guide to Portable Oxygen Concentrators

What Is a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

Portable oxygen concentrators refine the air around us to maximize the oxygen we breathe and absorb into our bloodstream. Air contains 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and 1 percent other gases.2 An oxygen concentrator draws in air, runs it through a compressor, and passes it to a sieve bed that becomes saturated with nitrogen. A portable oxygen concentrator removes the nitrogen from the air, leaving the oxygen at about 95 percent purity. That oxygen is delivered to you via a mask or nasal cannula.

Two types of portable oxygen concentrators can be used for different purposes, depending on how much oxygen you need.

• Pulse flow: The concentrator in a pulse-flow unit is activated to coincide with your typical breathing patterns instead of providing a steady stream of oxygen. Because the flow isn’t continuous, these concentrators are better if you can breathe on your own but need a little extra assistance. Pulse-flow units are favored by active users, and, since they aren’t constantly operating, they tend to offer better battery life.
• Continuous flow: Continuous-flow units provide a consistent, steady stream of oxygen. If you have severe COPD or sleep apnea, these units may be right for you. A pulse-flow machine may be recommended if you have an oxygen requirement of 2 liters per minute, but a continuous-flow machine is better suited to handle users who need around 5 LPM. Note that oxygen concentrators that can deliver 5 LPM are at-home units; portable concentrators do not typically provide more than 3 LPM on continuous flow settings.

Expert Take

From Dr. Tina Sadarangani, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

Oxygen needs aren’t static. Patients should work with their clinician to track how often they’re using oxygen and monitor their levels with pulse oximetry, so therapy can be adjusted as their condition or activity level changes.

Who Might Benefit From a Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

More than a million Americans need supplemental oxygen for a range of medical conditions.4 These can include lung and respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or even heart disease. Low oxygen levels affect not only your lungs, but your brain, muscles, and every other organ in your body. So if you’re experiencing shortness of breath, tiredness, and weakness based on low oxygen levels, your doctor might prescribe supplemental oxygen to help ease your symptoms.1

The best portable oxygen concentrator for you will depend on your doctor’s recommendation for your oxygen needs and individual circumstances. If possible, it’s a good idea to check out concentrators in person to make sure the devices are comfortable and intuitive to use.

Expert Take

From Dr. Tina Sadarangani, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

Oxygen concentrators aren’t just a lifeline; they’re what make life possible. For many people with chronic lung disease, these devices are the difference between simply surviving and actually being able to move, engage, and participate in daily life.

Where to Purchase a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Your specific oxygen requirement will be unique to you, and some portable oxygen concentrators are better suited to particular oxygen levels. In most cases, medical-grade portable oxygen concentrators can’t be purchased without a prescription from a doctor defining your oxygen levels. Your doctor can help you determine the best device for you.

Once you receive the necessary guidance from your physician, the best place to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator is often directly from the manufacturer. There are many after-market sellers that offer portable oxygen concentrators — occasionally at better prices than the manufacturers themselves — but the manufacturers typically provide more reliable customer service that can work with your doctors and insurance to offer the lowest possible prices. Since portable oxygen concentrators are considered durable medical equipment, Medicare typically provides coverage for rental costs of a prescribed oxygen equipment, depending on your eligibility.

The Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators

For better or worse, there isn’t a huge selection of portable oxygen concentrators on the market. Thankfully, the options available are well-designed, highly effective pieces of portable medical tech. Let’s take a quick look at some of the best portable oxygen concentrator options available and for whom they might work the best.

Best in Class: Rove 4

Inogen’s Rove 4 was designed and assembled in the U.S. and comes with a DC power cable, AC power supply, battery, user’s manual, and a handy carry bag. Because it does not provide a continuous flow of oxygen, the Rove 4 is best for people who can breathe on their own but need extra oxygen sometimes. If you have a severe health condition that causes heavy oxygen needs, the Rove 4 probably will not be the model your doctor recommends.

If the Rove 4 is right for you, however, note that the device is quiet at 39 decibels (on setting 2), and it’s FAA-approved for air travel. Currently, the Rove 4 is available for less than $3,000. This is cheaper than Inogen’s previous C4 system, which only had three oxygen flow settings. We also like the Rove 4’s simple control screen that’s easy to read and intuitive. Inogen Rove 4 users can also download the accompanying app, Inogen Connect, which helps users stay active while monitoring their oxygen usage and battery life.

Inogen Rove 4 features at a glance:

•  Incredibly lightweight at just under 3 pounds
•  Four pulse dose delivery settings
• Up to six hours of pulse-dose oxygen to help users stay active and independent
• Three-year or lifetime warranty available
• Currently available for $2,695

To learn more about Inogen’s portable oxygen concentrators, read our in-depth guide.

Expert Take

From Dr. Tina Sadarangani, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

Not being able to breathe is one of the most frightening experiences for both patients and caregivers. That’s why it’s not enough to just deliver a device—patients need education, responsive support, and a clear backup plan for when things don’t go as expected.

Best for Continuous Flow: O2 Concepts Oxlife Liberty2 Portable Concentrator

The O2 Concepts’ Oxlife Liberty2 is pretty easy to set up and use. The Liberty2’s digital screen is bright and easy to read, with a giant battery charge status icon. You can change the mode from continuous flow to pulse flow or vice versa simply by pressing the button marked with a big “M.”

The device is heavier than the other models on our list, at 6.6 pounds, but it’s a great option for people with heavier supplemental oxygen needs. O2 Concepts is one of the few companies that make oxygen concentrators, offering both pulse-flow oxygen and continuous oxygen. (Note that our previous recommendation, Philips Respironics SimplyGo, has discontinued manufacturing oxygen concentrator products.)

The Liberty2’s features at a glance:

• 10 pulse-flow settings
• Continuous flow settings up to 3 LPM
• The only wearable continuous flow device allowing CPAP and BiPAP compatibility
• O2 Concepts provides helpful videos on their website that explain the Liberty2’s features, how to use the device, and how to maintain the unit
• FAA-approved for air travel
• 1 to 3.25 hours of battery life on continuous flow, depending on the setting
• Heavy: Note that with the battery and carrying case, the Liberty2 weighs 8.6 pounds

Best Ergonomic Design: CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort

The FreeStyle Comfort is less than 10 inches tall, weighs around 5 pounds, and is ergonomically designed to align with the curves of the body. Available only with a doctor’s prescription, CAIRE representatives can provide you with a list of retailers in your area. Note that the FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator is not suited for people with heavy oxygen needs. This lightweight device is best for people with lighter oxygen needs who want a portable device to help ease their peace of mind on short jaunts away from home.

CAIRE uses smart technology to deliver a pulse dose of oxygen when no breath is detected. Its display screen features large fonts, a color LCD display, and a glow-in-the-dark keypad. And the myCAIRE app can connect users with their health-care providers so they can monitor their patients’ oxygen use and troubleshoot any issues with the device. We love that the FreeStyle’s carry bag has a no-slip shoulder pad to keep it comfortable and in place.

FreeStyle Comfort’s features at a glance:

• 5 pulse-dose oxygen settings with a maximum output of 1050 mL of oxygen per minute
• 5 pounds with the eight-cell battery and 6 pounds with the 16-cell battery
• About 3.5 hours charging time for the small 8-cell battery, and up to 6 hours for the large 16-cell battery
• Large, user-friendly control panel
• FAA-approved for air travel
• 39 decibel level
• Three-year warranty, one-year warranty for battery and power supplies

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Accessories

There are many accessories you can add to your portable oxygen concentrator to make the most of your unit. Let’s take a look at some of the options.

• Extended batteries: Most portable oxygen concentrators offer additional external batteries or batteries with larger capacities that can be swapped out to extend the devices’ lives.
• Carrying cases: Most portable oxygen concentrators feature special cases that can be used to carry the units around. Some cases are backpack-style, while others offer shoulder-strap carriers.
• Replacement parts: Portable oxygen concentrators filter air, so their filters need to be replaced occasionally to ensure functionality. Particle filters and column pairs that help power the concentrator typically can be bought separately from the devices.
• Masks and cannulas: Portable oxygen concentrators require a way to deliver oxygen to the user. Typically, it’s via a nasal cannula tube, but sometimes it’s a mask.

The Bottom Line

No matter why you need extra oxygen, it’s great knowing that modern technology has made advancements in portable oxygen concentrators that enable you to live a full, active life while receiving the care you need to breathe free. Hopefully, future iterations of portable oxygen concentrators will lead to even lighter-weight models with longer battery lives.

With more than 1.5 million Americans requiring supplemental oxygen, portable oxygen concentrators are an excellent way for people with respiratory illnesses to stay active, which can aid in the healing process.