Home oxygen concentrators are for home use because they can only be plugged into an AC outlet and cannot run on battery or inside a car with a DC adapter. They’re also usually larger than portable concentrators, so you wouldn’t want to have to transport them around. Even so, stationary oxygen units are still necessary and make the lives of oxygen therapy users easier.
If you only need to use oxygen therapy a few hours out of the day, a stationary model might be a better decision, because portable models can be much more pricey. You might only need to use it overnight, and you don’t plan on doing a lot of traveling to other places where you would be staying overnight. If you would generally only be using your oxygen therapy while you’re at home, a stationary oxygen concentrator is a way to go.
Moreover, stationary oxygen concentrators provide a higher liter flow compared to portable units, that’s one of the reasons why they are bulkier. Another important feature of stationary home oxygen concentrators is that they can supply a continuous flow of oxygen, making them compatible with CPAP machines. Portable oxygen concentrators can supply oxygen on a pulse dose, that is, it supplies a burst of oxygen right when the patient inhales. If you are prescribed a continuous flow of oxygen, stationary units are a great option.
Here is a comparison of the high flow, mid-sized and small home oxygen concentrators and why each one might be better for you than the others.
Low-Flow Stationary Oxygen Concentrators
Caire Companion 5, Philips Respironics Everflo, and Inogen at Home 5L oxygen concentrators can all provide oxygen up to 5 LPM (liters per minute) on a continuous flow. Companion 5 and Everflo are comparable units in terms of size, weight, oxygen output, and noise level. Whereas, Inogen at Home is the smaller unit that can produce up to 5 LPM but stands higher in the price range. Inogen at Home is capable of taking international power input. That means you can take it abroad and use it without a voltage converter.
Companion 5 is rising in popularity for its easy-to-use interface, low maintenance cost, power efficiency, and reliability.
High-Flow Stationary Oxygen Concentrators
The most powerful stationary oxygen concentrator is the Caire Intensity 10, it can supply up to 10 LPM with up to 20 psig pressure. It stands at only 16.5 inches wide, 27.5 inches high, and 14.5 inches deep. It weighs 58 pounds and can supply medical-grade oxygen in all settings. It has some of the best technology to make it the highest performing, with a liter flow from 2 to 10 LPM. Intensity 10 can be used with a nebulizer. Also, it is compatible with up to 200 feet of tubing that’s the longest for any concentrator.
If you need a slightly smaller oxygen concentrator that can supply up to 10 LPM, you can check Philips Respironics Millennium M10. It weighs 53 pounds and is 13.3 inches wide, 26.8 inches high, and 18.9 inches deep. M10 is quieter at 50 dBA and can supply oxygen in the range of 1 to 10 LPM.
Home Oxygen Concentrator Comparison Table
Date Modified: Oct 23, 2023
Date Published: Feb 26, 2015
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.
I have been on oxygen for 17 years and with my lungs at 38% function I need 12 to 15 liters of oxygen. Right now I have three 100lb liquid tanks in my garage which are linked together and a 50′ tubing to give me what I need to move around my home. I have been searching the internet for a concentrater that would go up to 15 lpm because I am planing a move and may not be able to work with only 50′ of tubing. Please, can you tell me if one exists and who I can contact for more information on it. The highest flow I have been able to find only goes to 10 lpm. Thank you for any help you can provide me, Diane Daley
There is such a thing that does exist, you are in luck! You can use a 10 liter per minute machine and Y two devices together which will allow you to receive up to 20 liters per minute. If you need up to 15 liters per minute you would need to operate each device on the setting of: 7.5 which will give you right at 15 liters per minute.