Portable Oxygen Concentrator Comparison

When choosing a portable concentrator, there are a number of factors to consider. We always suggest that you speak with your doctor and ask him what your oxygen needs are. After that please feel free to contact us and use our Oxygen Concentrator Comparison chart to help you make your decision.

Keep in mind that every concentrator is not right for every person. A more active person might want a lighter concentrator with longer battery life, while others might need a concentrator with continuous flow instead of pulse flow.

Oxygen Flow Settings and Capabilities

Portable oxygen concentrators generally deliver pulse dose oxygen, but there are a select few that offer continuous flow delivery as well. Of these six portable oxygen concentrators offered through Oxygen Concentrator Store, two models feature both pulse dose and continuous flow oxygen capabilities: the Respironics SimplyGo and the SeQual Eclipse 5.

The Respironics SimplyGo and the SeQual Eclipse 5 both feature dual capabilities, with the former offering 0.5 to 2 LPM in 0.5 increments and the SeQual Eclipse 5 offering 0.5 to 3 LPM in 0.5 increments. The SeQual Eclipse 5 provides a broader range of pulse dose settings (settings 1 through 9, also in 0.5 increments) while the Respironics SimplyGo offers settings 1 through 6.

The other four portable oxygen concentrators offer only pulse dose oxygen, with some offering up to six settings (Respironics SimplyGo) and some just three (the Inogen One G4), which is ideal for users whose oxygen needs are not as high as others.

Weight and Size

Portable oxygen concentrators are noted for their lightweight: they are made to be mobile, allowing oxygen users to move around more freely. Some models are considered transportable oxygen concentrators, meaning they can be moved around the home, while others are true portable ones that are meant to be carried around outside of the home.

Oxygen concentrators that offer both pulse dose and continuous flow oxygen capabilities are often heavier than their pulse dose-only counterparts. For example, the Respironics SimplyGo and SeQual Eclipse 5 weigh 10 pounds and 18.4 pounds with a single battery, respectively. Oxygen concentrators offering only pulse dose settings generally weigh around five pounds; the heaviest of the remaining oxygen concentrators is the Respironics SimplyGo Mini at 5 pounds with an 8-cell battery. The lightest is the Inogen One G4, which weighs a scant 2.8 pounds with a single battery. Even with a double battery, the Inogen One G4 weighs just 3.3 pounds, which is still lighter than the rest.

Regarding size, the largest unit is the Eclipse 5, followed by the SimplyGo. The SimplyGo Mini and the Invacare Platinum Mobile are comparable sizes, while the Inogen One G4 is the smallest. Generally, the heavier the unit, the more capabilities it has. For example, the Inogen One G4 is exceedingly light, but it has three pulse dose settings; the Invacare Platinum Mobile, on the other hand, weighs nearly twice the amount but has an additional pulse dose setting. SeQual

Eclipse 5, the heaviest unit, features the most robust oxygen concentrator offering: not only does it feature the most pulse dose settings, but it also provides a broader range of continuous flow settings.

Battery Life and Power

All units can operate on battery power, though some can last exceptionally longer. Many models offer the ability to hold a double battery, allowing users to travel longer distances or spend more time out of the home. Because using an oxygen concentrator on a continuous flow setting consumes more power, it always advisable to purchase an additional battery if you opt for one of those units.

Even the most powerful of oxygen concentrators offering continuous flow can last at least 1.5 hours on a single battery. On setting 2 with a single battery, pulse dose-only portable oxygen concentrators last at least two hours and at most 4.5 hours (e.g., the Respironics SimplyGo Mini). The SeQual Eclipse 5, being a larger unit, can last at least five hours on a single battery at a setting of 2.

Noise Levels

Most units are relatively quiet, ranging from 40 to 48 decibels. This range is generally compared to noise that is as loud as a refrigerator humming or a residential area to an office. The quietest machine is the Inogen One G4 at 40 decibels or the SeQual Eclipse 5 when used as a pulse dose setting (also 40 decibels). While the Respironics SimplyGo and SimplyGo Mini are slightly louder at approximately 43 decibels at setting 2, the difference is fairly negligible.

FAA Approval

The Federal Aviation Administration approves all units for use on an airplane. Note that while they are approved, some models, with their lighter weight, are better equipped for long-distance travel such as the Inogen One G4. Before purchasing your ticket, make sure that you understand how to fly with an oxygen concentrator.

Warranties and Guarantees

All units feature a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, ensuring that you can rely on your machine model to work as it should. Five of the six oxygen concentrators also offer warranties on accessories. The SeQual Eclipse 5 features a one-year warranty on accessories; the remaining four, including the Invacare Platinum Mobile, Respironics SimplyGo and Respironics SimplyGo Mini come with 90-day warranties on accessories. The Invacare Platinum Mobile also includes a one-year warranty on sieve beds and the battery.

How to Choose a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Many oxygen users no longer decide between home oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators. Instead, they’re choosing among dozens of different portable oxygen concentrators, new models of which are being released every year. Narrow down your search by selecting between a unit that offers both continuous flow and pulse dose or opt only for a pulse dose-capable unit. From there, you can narrow down your selection by weight, battery life, noise level and more to find the perfect portable oxygen concentrator for your needs.

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• Which Portable Oxygen Concentrator is Right for You

Updated: April 22, 2022