Pros and Cons of the Inogen One G3 Portable Concentrator

Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Concentrator – Pros and Cons

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The Inogen One G3 really puts the “portable” in oxygen concentrator portability. This small, lightweight unit is over 2 pounds lighter and several inches smaller than its predecessor, the G2. The G3 offers “pulse mode” oxygen therapy and also comes with several useful features and protective warranty. Here is a list of the Pros and Cons of the Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Machine.

Pros of the Inogen One G3

  • Portability: Weighing less than 5 pounds, even with standard battery, the G3 requires no cart for traveling and can easily be held by most patients. This unitis extremely compact, at less than 9 inches in any dimension. It also comes with a fitted carry bag and is fully FAA certified for air travel. You’ll be hard pressed to find an oxygen concentrator this small and this effective.
  • Battery: Unlike several other oxygen concentrators, the Inogen One G3 comes with a standard 8 cell battery. This provides approximately 4 hours of continual use. An optional 16 cell battery upgrade is also available.
  • User Friendliness: The G3 features a LCD screen that displays flow settings and remaining battery life. These indicators make it easy to see the status of the concentrator at a glance.
  • Intelligent Delivery Technology: Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology is an extremely useful feature that provides smart oxygen delivery to the user. During times of increased respiration, like during exercise, this system levels off the amount of oxygen in each breath, ensuring a smooth, constant delivery of O2. Likewise, when the breathing rate decreases, such as during sleep, the unit will deliver more oxygen per breath so that blood oxygen levels remain high.
  • Warranty: Inogen includes a generous 3 year manufacturer’s warranty on the G3 unit itself and a 90 day warranty on any certified accessories.
  • Noise Level: The G3 functions at 39 decibels, which is about the same volume as a hushed conversation or the background noise in a library. This very low decibel provides a distraction-free environment and unobtrusive use, even in extremely quiet settings.

Cons of the Inogen One G3

  • No Alarms: Other than the LCD battery life and flow rate display, the G3 provides no alarms for events like malfunctions or low oxygen rates.
  • No Continuous Flow: Inogen contends that using pulse dose oxygen delivery is more efficient than continuous flow oxygen. Pulse dose provides oxygen with each inhale, whereas continuous flow maintains a steady, constant stream of oxygen, even during exhalation. Thus, the G3 has no continuous flow option and delivers oxygen in pulse doses only. This also means it cannot be used in conjunction with a CPAP or BiPAP machine for sleep apnea patients.
  • Standard Filter Only: Although the G3 oxygen concentrator does come with standard filters, they are particle filters and do contain any extra antibacterial or antiviral properties. Patients with a weakened immune system might want to consider a more robust filter system.
  • Low Battery Life at Highest Setting: As expected, the higher the pulse dose setting, the quicker the battery drains. At the highest setting, the 8 cell battery only lasts about 1.7 hours. This might not be optimal for patients with high supplemental oxygen requirements.

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

4 thoughts on “Inogen One G3 Portable Oxygen Concentrator – Pros and Cons

  1. I currently have the Inogen #1 machine with both a small (4hr) and a large (8hr) Batteries. is it possible to Trade my older unit and upgrade to the smaller, lighter Inogen #3 unit or even a newer version if available. I had paid $3500.00 for my current machine. If so, what would be the cost to upgrade?

    • Thank you for your question, Joan. I have passed along your information and you should have a specialist reach out regarding your inquiry shortly. For immediate assistance you can contact us via 877-774-9271 or at sales@amsrco.com.

    • Thank you for your question, Stacy. Yes, supplemental oxygen as well as an oxygen concentrator can greatly improve some patients quality of life. If you’re interested in reading more about the benefits of oxygen therapy and oxygen concentrators you can download our Free Oxygen Therapy Guide here: Oxygen Therapy Guide

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