Reviews on Portable Concentrators at High Altitudes

Reviews on Portable Concentrators at High Altitudes

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Whether you want to climb to the top of Japan’s Mt. Takao, or go hiking high in the Rocky Mountains, you will need to check oxygen concentrator specifications so you can safely reach these heights. Climbing quickly to high altitudes can be dangerous for anyone. Altitude sickness, also known as “Acute Mountain Sickness” or AMS, can happen to anyone because of the lack of oxygen in the air at high altitudes.

If one travels upward too high and too quickly, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere isn’t enough to keep the body healthy. The symptoms of AMS can mimic the symptoms of a cold and can be bad enough to put someone in the hospital. Before you do something as strenuous as climb a mountain or hiking at high altitudes, you will need to talk to your doctor.

An oxygen concentrator works by bringing in the air around it. Less oxygen at higher altitudes means it will have a much harder time working at a certain point above sea level. It won’t be able to purify enough air for you to breathe if there isn’t enough in the atmosphere around you. Most oxygen concentrators will operate at higher elevations, but some models perform better than others.

Oxygen Concentrator Operating Altitude

  • SeQual Eclipse 5: Up to 13,123 feet
  • AirSep Freestyle: Up yo 12,000 feet
  • Respironics SimplyGo: Up to 10,000 feet
  • Inogen One G3: Up to 10,000 feet
  • Respironics SimplyGo Mini: Up to 10,000 feet
  • Inogen One G4: Up to 10,000 feet
  • Inogen One G5: Up to 10,000 feet
  • CAIRE Freestyle Comfort: Up to 10,000 feet
  • ResMed Mobi: Up to 10,000 feet
  • Inogen At Home 5L: Up to 10,000 feet
  • Caire Companion 5: 9,878 feet
  • Invacare PErfecto: 8,000 feet (8,000 to 13,129 feet below 90% efficiency)
  • Respironics EverFlo: Up To 7,500 feet

Check out what people had to say about our portable oxygen concentrators, while they were traveling about and admiring the world from a bird’s eye view.

Karen, 57, owner of a Respironics SimplyGo – I decided to get my SimpleGo because of how high it can go and still give me the oxygen I need. When I was diagnosed with COPD, and my doctor prescribed oxygen with a continuous flow, I was sad because I thought that meant I wouldn’t be able to climb Mt. Takao, which was on my bucket list for many years. When I read that it can go as high as 10,000 feet, it offers a continuous flow and is only 10 pounds, and I knew I had to get it. I have a bad back, so I didn’t want to carry something up a mountain that weighed close to 20 lbs. This concentrator was perfect for what I needed, and I’m planning on go back to Mt. Takao again next year!

Jim, 60, owner of a SeQual Eclipse – I wasn’t about to give up my love for hiking in the Rockies when I was diagnosed with Emphysema 5 years ago. Lugging around oxygen tanks just wasn’t going to work for me either, so that’s when I got my Eclipse. I got it because it can go as far up as 13,123 feet above sea level, which is more than enough for someone like me. I also need continuous flow, which it delivers, and the batteries are enough to get me through until I can charge them again.

Randy, 55, rented an Inogen One G2 – I found out my family was going on an adventure to hike to the top of Guadalupe peak in Texas, and at first I didn’t think I’d be able to come along because of my need for oxygen therapy throughout the day, and I couldn’t exactly bring my home concentrator with me. I got the 24 cell for the longer battery life, and this thing was great because of how light it was. I had a good time with my family on our vacation because I rented this concentrator.

Updated: September 13, 2023
Published: May 7, 2013

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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.

28 thoughts on “Reviews on Portable Concentrators at High Altitudes

  1. We have a cabin at 11,300 feet, and visits from friends and family coming from sea level can be a challenge. Would an oxygen concentrator help?

    • The answer is yes. Oxygen will help with altitude sickness and will help people adjust. You do however need either a prescription or a tax id number to purchase an oxygen concentrator. Feel free to contact us at 888-360-9628 or if you prefer email sales@amsro.com.

    • The oxygen concentrators that we sell are not rated for that high of an altitude. There is a company called Inogen Aviation that has a machine that goes to 18,000 ft.

      • Can an oxygen concentrator be used in unpressurised aircrafts used in general aviation to fly between 15,000 ft – 20,000 ft? Will the low pressure at such altitudes affect the operations of the oxygen concentrator?

        • They are only rated to specific altitudes and I do not know of any that are rated to that high of an altitude.

        • Yes, it will affect it. The system is limited by Dalton’s gas law. Also, the plural of aircraft is aircraft, not ‘aircrafts’. Sheeps Mooses Aircrafts.

  2. My wife has pretty serious COPD and is on her oxygen concentrator 27/7. He in house unit s a Oxlife Independence O2 concepts continuous concentrator and for out of the house she has a Inogen 1 G4. We live at an elevation of 1500 ft above sea level and would like to take an extended road trip in our motorhome that will take us up to elevation aroune 5500 ft over a period of several weeks. We can take these concentrators with us and they can operate 24/7 just as they do at home. My question is, will they perform as well at the higher elevations as they do at home? If so, then I will not worry about putting my wife in jeopardy. I don’t want her to have more difficulty breathing than she does at home.

    • The Inogen G4 is rated up to 10,000 feet and the Oxlife Independence is rated up to 13,000 feet. The concentrators will still function at higher altitudes, but the oxygen purity may drop. I hope this answers your questions and feel free to contact us at 1-877-644-4581 if you have further questions.

  3. I am planning to visit Mount Kailash in Tibet next year. The highest altitude we are trekking is at 11929 feet. Which model will help me in this trip? Thank you.

    • SeQual Eclipse 5 can operate up to an elevation of 13,123 feet. We suggest speaking with your doctor regarding your oxygen requirement for that high altitude. Best wishes for the trek.

  4. Will a continuous flow portable concentrator work better that pulse portable cylinders.If I go to 3,000 ft. My oxygen stays below 90 at that altatude.I can’t visit my son’s in Prescott.I live in scottsdale AZ.I have mild PAH.

    • Oxygen output, typically, needs to be bumped up at higher altitudes. Please consult with your doctor for medical advice. He/She can assess your requirement and prescribe the right amount of oxygen for high altitudes.

  5. I live in a city which is at 11700 ft aprox. I want to buy a O2 concentrator for my parents because they have prescribed to use O2 every night at least 30 to 60 minutes. Which one do you think is better for that kind of use?, I have some asian products in mind, but I can´t trust in them completely because they don´t have the specs for altitudes…

    • While most of the oxygen concentrators can operate up to an elevation of 10,000 feet, Sequal Eclipse 5 can be used up to 13,123 feet (4,000 meters). This powerful machine can supply up to 3 liters per minute (LPM) on continuous flow and up to a setting of 9 on pulse-dose. Since oxygen is prescribed for about an hour every day, I think it the liter flow would be low, and Eclipse 5 should cover your parent’s needs. However, please check the prescription to how much liter flow is required.
      Our Oxygen Specialists would be happy to understand your requirements and advise the way forward. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

  6. Geez, now I don’t feel so stupid asking my question. I live at near 6,000ft Altitude & haven’t been able to walk the 15ft to the bathroom without losing my breath.
    Most my days are spent sitting in a chair, sleeping. I just had a sleep study done and they said, when I fall asleep my oxygen level drops to 77 (?) instead of 95 (?).
    Yesterday they brought me a Respironics EverFlo, which your website says is useful Up To 7,500 feet
    I thought about this question regarding if it’s effectiveness decreases with altitude, that’s how I ended up here.
    I’m really glad people are able to climb to Katmandu, I’m jut hoping to walk more than 25ft, in my home, without passing out.

    While I just started using this machine last night, would my health benefit if I moved from the mountains to somewhere along the Ocean?
    I’m all alone, with no family or friends so I can move anywhere.
    Does the Latitude have any bearing on the Altitude? Like Southern California verses Washington State.

    • Hi Richard,
      High altitude has low barometric pressure (atmospheric pressure) which can be a contributing factor to Hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen). Not a perfect example but as a water tap with higher pressure will give more water per minute than a tap with lower pressure, the oxygen we get at sea-level (higher atmospheric pressure) will be greater than what we get at high-altitudes. So, yes living at sea-level may be beneficial.
      I’m not aware whether latitude has any bearing on Oxygen. Please, consult with your health care practitioner to determine what would work the best for you.

  7. I am a Texas licensed MD and will be moving to our home in CO full time at 8300 feet elevation. I am 72 years old and have noticed the last few years that my sleeping is not that great. I am wanting to get an oxygen concentrator with which to sleep. My wife would like to use it with me. What would you recommend? I can prescribe it for myself.

    • Home (Stationary) Oxygen Concentrators are great for meeting nighttime needs. Most of the models go up to 5 liters per minute on continuous flow. However, ultimately, the choice of your concentrator depends on your liter flow requirement. Our Oxygen Specialist would be happy to help you out with your requirements. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

  8. Hi,
    I and my husband are travelling to India in couple months. Can you advice me which Oxygen concentrator is good for a long hauled flight at 40,000 ft above sea level? Thanks

    • Hello Naina, Caire Freestyle Comfort has the longest battery duration. It is FAA Approved for flights and doesn’t count towards luggage. The cabin pressure on commercial flights is maintained at 8,000 feet or below.
      So, while making a purchase remember that the oxygen requirements for the patient may be higher than at ground level. Moreover, depending on the flight duration additional batteries may be required.

      Caire Freestyle Comfort can run for 8 hours on a setting of 2 on the extended 16-cell battery. Our Oxygen Specialist would be happy to help you out with your requirements. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

  9. Re recently had a portable oxygen concentrator fail at 7,100 feet The unir was a recently replaced one that was only a few months old. BEWARE

    • Hello Lori, please provide more information about the issue. Which make and model were you using? Does the unit provide medical-grade oxygen in all settings? What was the alert message when the machine broke down?

  10. I have a vacation home in Colorado that is at 8,650’. I have several friends that get altitude sickness when they visit. Also, it’s very dry here. Is there a system you would recommend that perhaps they can use when they sleep that helps with both oxygen and the dry air?

    • Oxygen is a prescription-only drug and needs to be prescribed by a practitioner. If Oxygen therapy is needed, a continuous-flow oxygen concentrator can be used with a compatible humidifier bottle. This takes care of oxygen requirement and dryness. Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

  11. We are going to be in the Andes at just under 9,000 feet, much of the winter. Upon arriving there a few years ago I experienced altitude sickness for about two days and stayed in bed. It was suggested that I look into an oxygen concentrator as a means to avoid or treat the altitude sickness. I wouldn’t need an expensive model because I would only need to use it for the first few days until I’m acclimatized to 9,000 ft. Do battery powered concentrators also work on regular house current?

    • We have gently-used oxygen concentrators starting from $1,495. 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.

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