An In-Depth Review on the Inogen One G4 Concentrator

An In-Depth Review on the Inogen One G4 Concentrator

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At a weight of just 2.8 pounds including a single battery, the Inogen One G4 Portable Oxygen Concentrator, released in May 2016, has quickly become a favorite among oxygen users that wish to maintain their active lifestyles. Producing “more oxygen per pound of weight” than other oxygen concentrators currently on the market, according to Inogen, it is designed for continuous use—even while those using it are still on the move.

Overview of the Inogen One G4

  • Pulse Dose Delivery: 1-3 flow settings
  • Wearable Technology – Only 2.8 Pounds
  • Up to 5 Hours of Power with the 8 Cell Battery
  • Designed for 24/7 usage
  • FAA Approved for Flights
  • Includes the G4 unit, 8 cell battery, custom carry bag, carry strap, AC/DC power supply, cannula and manual.
Overview of the Inogen One G4

G4 Appearance

The Inogen One G4 is a powerful portable oxygen concentrator in a small package, measuring at only 7.2 inches high by 5.91 wide and 2.68 inches deep. Nearly half the size of the Inogen One G3, it is one of the smallest oxygen concentrators available. Its small footprint makes it easy to move anywhere around the home—it fits comfortably even on a countertop—but it’s also ideal for traveling and simply being active.

It’s white rectangular casing, which is accented with some light blue details on the side and at the control panel, is smooth and unobtrusive to blend in with your surroundings, and the slightly rounded corners provide a sleeker appearance. The bright LCD display screen, located at the top of the machine for easy access, offers simple controls for efficient operation.

Excellent Oxygen Equipment

I absolutely love my Inogen G4 concentrator in every way possible. I will be buying the Inogen GS-100 for home use very soon. Great on-line company to work with also.

Review by James

G4 Portability

Dimensions: 5.91″ Wide x 2.68″ Deep x 7.2″ High (including single battery)
Weight: 2.8 pounds with single battery
Battery Life: Up to 5 hours with 8 cell battery

As one of the smallest oxygen concentrators available, the Inogen One G4 was designed to be mobile. The unit comes with a sturdy, durable black strap and a black carrying bag for better handling outside the home, but the strap can be used without the bag for even less weight. It is one of the quieter machines at only 40 decibels, similar to a quiet indoor conversation.
The unit, which offers three different pulse flow settings, can accommodate a 4-cell battery and an 8-cell battery, with the following average battery duration per setting:

Setting 1
4-cell battery: 2 hours, 40 minutes
8-cell battery: 5 hours

Setting 2
4-cell battery: 2 hours, 15 minutes
8-cell battery: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Setting 3
4-cell battery: 1 hour, 20 minutes
8-cell battery: 2 hours, 30 minutes

The Inogen One G4 is approved by the FAA to travel on most airlines in the US, and with its small size, it is ideal for traveling. For trips longer than the unit’s 5-hour operation time, the single or double rechargeable batteries can provide up to 3 or 8 hours of additional battery time and recharge in under 3 or 6 hours, respectively. The AC power supply has an auto-sensor that allows the machine to be used worldwide—no converters necessary—further proving its suitability for traveling around the globe. A DC power cable allows for use in the car, making long road trips once again a possibility.

An In-Depth Look at the Inogen One G4 Mobile Oxygen Concentrator

The innovative Intelligent Delivery Technology, available in all Inogen One portable oxygen machines, delivers oxygen within 400 milliseconds after detecting a breath to ensure that the oxygen is used efficiently within the body. The technology can also automatically adjust the level of oxygen depending on your physical activity: when sleeping, the unit delivers oxygen more slowly. When exercising or engaging in some physical activity, the Inogen One G4 delivers oxygen in shorter, smaller bursts. Together, this makes an ideal oxygen concentrate for day and night.

G4 Controls

The control panel on the Inogen One G4 is conveniently located at the top of the machine, which is completely viewable and accessible when moving around. Just four buttons—easy to press, but not so easy that users accidentally do so—are used to operate the unit, and the LCD display shows how much battery power is left and which of the three settings the machine is on.

The particle filter, which keeps dust, pet hair, and other airborne contaminants away from the delivered oxygen, is located on one of the narrower sides of the unit. The filter can be removed easily with one hand; it is reusable but should be washed weekly.

Great equipment. Perfect for traveling – car or plane.

After only 2 years, of very occasional use – intermittent use on air and car travel only – one of my double batteries is completely dead and will not charge. I have two Inogen One-g4 POCs and three double and a single battery, to ensure that in remote areas to which I travel, I have a back-up machine and batteries. I require supplementary oxygen at level 2, intermittently, for about 6-10 hours a day. I have a constant flow machine at home in the bedroom and only use the G4 – as required, away from home – car, plane, etc.

Review by Richard

Intro to the Inogen One G4 Video

Inogen One G4 Pricing:

The Inogen One G4 unit comes with a single lithium-ion battery, AC power supply, DC power cable, carry strap and carrying bag, cannula and a user manual. Additional batteries and replacement columns are also available. Please call us at 877.774.9271 to explore the various Inogen G4 pricing options available.

Inogen One G4 Summary

The Inogen One G4 oxygen concentrator is truly portable. Small, efficient and quiet, the unit takes up little to no space and is light enough to use all day long—and with a battery that can last up to 5 hours, you just might. With this long-lasting, light and durable unit, oxygen therapy users are free to do anything they want—including traveling the world.

Updated: May 15, 2023
Published: January 12, 2017

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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.

22 thoughts on “An In-Depth Review on the Inogen One G4 Concentrator

    • Inogen One G4 generates oxygen in an increment of 210 ml/minute per setting.
      Setting of 1: 210 ml/min
      Setting of 2: 420 ml/min
      Setting of 3: 630 ml/min

      Oxygen delivery per bolus (or burst) depends on the breath rate. However, the total amount of oxygen delivered in a minute remains the same on the same setting. For example, at the setting of 1, if the concentrator is delivering 10 bolus per minute, then one bolus will contain 21 ml of oxygen. Whereas, if the concentrator is delivering 25 bolus per minute, then one bolus will contain 8.4 ml of oxygen. In both scenarios, the total oxygen delivered in a minute is 210 ml.

      The setting of 1 to 3 on Inogen G4 is comparable to the same setting on Inogen G3.

    • Medicare covers oxygen needs. However, usually, it provides a stationary oxygen concentrator or an oxygen tank as a portable solution. For more information watch our video on Medicare and Oxygen Solutions. Please reach us out at 888-387-5914 if you have any questions.

      • does title IXX pay for this? Is it covered in Wisconsin’s Forward Health program or Badger Care? I have anthem blue cross medicaid.

        • Our Oxygen Specialists would be happy to understand your requirements and advise the way forward. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

    • A normal functioning Inogen One G4 provides oxygen concentration at 90 +6/-3% at all settings.
      If you are asking about pulse flow rate, G4 supplies 210 ml/minute at a setting of 1, 420 ml/minute at a setting of 2, and 630 ml/minute at a setting of 3.

      • What people want to know is – what are the Liter equivalents?? For examples I require 2L, which flow setting ensures that I receive 2L???

        • Hello Maxene, thanks for your comment and we understand your concern. Currently, the pulse dose setting is prescribed by a doctor according to the patient’s lifestyle, medical requirements, and respiratory rate.
          Since a pulse-dose setting of 2 on one POC will not be equivalent to a pulse-dose setting of 2 on another POC, there is no industry standard for this conversion. However, there is clinical research in process to make the conversion, from continuous flow liter per minute to pulse-dose settings, easier.

    • The setting of 1 or 2 would be compatible with 1 LPM. You would have to check that with her doctor, which setting can sustain the target blood oxygen saturation level.

      • Inogen G4 can be used 24/7 continuously. However, it is highly recommended to prepare for an alternative source of oxygen.

  1. Hi Sanket: kindly explain in plain English what you mean above, written 4/22/2021, when you say “…concentration at 90+6/-3% at all settings.”

    I use 2 LPM constant flow while sleeping, so what setting on G4 should I use when I leave home? What is the equivalent LPM on each G4 setting? Thank you for your kind assistance.
    David

    • Hello David,

      Oxygen concentrators need to supply oxygen at a purity greater than 86%. Inogen One G4 provides oxygen purity in the range of 87% to 96%, regardless of the flow setting. So, you can rest assured that whether you are using Inogen G4 at a setting of one, two, or three, you are getting medical-grade oxygen.

      Now, to your second question. 2 LPM of constant flow translates to approximately a pulse setting of 2. There is no perfect conversion available. As pulse dose is a different technology than the constant flow. We’d suggest consulting with your doctor to see which pulse setting will fulfill your medical needs.

      We can quickly answer all your questions over a phone call. Please reach us at (877) 644-4581. We are open seven days a week.

  2. I purchased the Inogen G4 Portable Oxygen Concentrator, when released from the hospital, in August of ’21, after fighting CV19 last summer. I only use the machine sporadically and it has worked well so far. Now out of the blue the yellow warning keeps coming on and the burst of air are erratic… Battery is fully charged, plus I keep it plugged in. Any suggestions

    • A yellow light on Inogen G4 means that there’s an alert. For more information, check the message on the display screen and contact the customer care department.

      • Look I spent a lot of money for this machine and didn’t even get a full year use before the “yellow light” and the bleeps began. Do you service these things?

        • Hello Jose, yes, we do service the unit bought from us. Please check your invoice and contact your provider to get the unit serviced. It might be under warranty.

  3. Hi I would like to know the single battery (8cell) life at the 3 different settings. Thank you
    Rick

    • The battery life of a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) can vary based on factors such as the device’s settings, the user’s breathing rate, and the altitude of their location. However, I can provide you with a general estimate of battery life of Inogen G4 at the three different settings:

      Pulse Dose Setting 1: On the lowest pulse dose setting, a single battery (8-cell) might last around 2 hours and 40 minutes.
      Pulse Dose Setting 2: On the middle pulse dose setting, the battery life might be around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
      Pulse Dose Setting 3: On the highest pulse dose setting, the battery life could be around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

      Please note that these are approximate estimates and the actual battery life can vary depending on the breath rate, age of the battery, and other factors.

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