The 4 Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators of 2023

• Portable oxygen concentrators provide extra oxygen for people with certain medical conditions who want to stay active.
• The price of portable oxygen concentrators starts at $2,500, but Medicare and private insurance cover part of the cost in some cases.
• Using a portable oxygen concentrator can help you maintain a healthy, active lifestyle even if you need supplemental oxygen.

If you’ve been prescribed supplemental oxygen by your doctor, using a portable oxygen concentrator, also called a portable oxygen machine, can be a convenient way to meet your oxygen needs while still getting out and doing all the things you enjoy.

It’s important to stay active even if you need extra oxygen. According to research published in the Journals of Gerontology, older adults who are socially active have better physical health and emotional well-being.¹  Also, a 2021 study of more than 32,000 adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or certain types of lung diseases found that those who were physically active had longer lifespans and improved heart rates.² A portable oxygen machine can help you stay active by providing safe, effective delivery of oxygen while you’re out and about.

On the other hand, stationary home oxygen concentrators can provide continuous oxygen without needing to recharge any batteries. Most home oxygen machines offer continuous-flow oxygen therapy, meaning the oxygen flows without stopping.

But finding the best portable oxygen concentrator for your needs can be confusing—especially if you’re buying one for the first time. Our Reviews Team researched the top portable oxygen concentrators on the market. We also compared and reviewed the best home oxygen concentrators. We dug into information on pricing, features, battery life, and more to help you find the best model for you.

• Longest Battery Life: CAIRE Freestyle Comfort
• Easiest to Use: Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini
• Smallest: Inogen One G4
• Best for Air Travel: Inogen One G5

• Best Value: CAIRE Companion 5
• Most Energy Efficient: Inogen At Home 5L
• Quietest: Philips Respironics EverFlo
• Best 10-Liter: AirSep Newlife Intensity 10

Jump to best home oxygen concentrators

Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We’ve spent more than 1,000 hours carrying out in-depth research on portable oxygen concentrators to give you the most accurate review. To make our selections, we:

• Engaged in independent research
• Consulted with three geriatric care experts
• Mystery shopped four brands and five models of portable oxygen concentrators
• Reviewed academic research into the efficacy of portable oxygen concentrators
• Read real reviews from verified customers on trusted third party websites, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Our Reviews Team consulted with three geriatric care experts to learn more about portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) and home oxygen concentrators (HOCs) and how they can enhance users’ quality of life.

Based on our expert consultations and research, we determined the following factors to be important for our readers when shopping for a POC unit:

• Cost
• Ease of use
• Oxygen delivery method
• Number of settings
• Weight
• Battery life
• Time to recharge battery
• Warranty
• Availability (all devices available online or in brick-and-mortar stores)

For HOCs, we also considered each unit’s maximum oxygen output, power consumption, and oxygen purity.

We had all of our selections medically reviewed by an expert in the field to ensure that each brand and model is appropriate for our readers’ needs.

Best Battery Life: CAIRE Freestyle Comfort

• Cost: $2,995
• Weight: 5 pounds with 8-cell battery, 6 pounds with 16-cell battery
• Dimensions: 7.3 inches wide x 3.1 inches deep x 10 inches tall with single battery (11 inches tall with double battery)
• Delivery/flow type: Pulse
• Range of flow settings: 1–5
• Battery life (Setting 1): 8 hours (8-cell battery), 16 hours (16-cell battery)
• Battery charging time:  3.5 hours (8-cell battery), 6 hours (16-cell battery)
• Max oxygen output: 1.05 liters per minute
• Noise level: 39 decibels
• Warranty: 3 years on the concentrator and sieve beds (which extracts the nitrogen from the air), 1 year on battery and accessories
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval: Yes

The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort delivers oxygen for up to 16 hours between charges, surpassing most other models on the market. This is why our Reviews Team named it the “Portable Oxygen Concentrator with the Best Battery Life.” If you enjoy long outings, this unit may be a great fit.

Another feature that makes the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort unique is its leading technology. It has ultra-sensitive breath detection, automatically changing the flow to match your breathing rate, which can be helpful during sleep or for people with shallow breathing.

Keep in mind the Freestyle Comfort, along with all the models reviewed here, provides only pulse oxygen flow delivery. This means the unit provides a puff of oxygen every time you take a breath, as opposed to units that provide a continuous flow of oxygen. Many stationary home units offer continuous flow or a combination of both methods.

The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort comes with the following supplies:

• Portable oxygen concentrator unit
• Wall (AC) charger/power cable
• Car (DC) power cable
• Rechargeable battery
• Carrying bag with padded strap
• Nasal cannula
• User manual

One thing that makes CAIRE stand out from the rest is its Comfort Zone service program. When a member of our Reviews Team called the Oxygen Concentrator Store for more information, we learned that Comfort Zone is included with the purchase of a CAIRE Freestyle Comfort unit at no extra cost. Comfort Zone includes the following features:

• Live online orientation with a CAIRE representative to help you set up your machine
• Customer support seven days a week
• A replacement portable oxygen concentrator sent to your home within two business days if yours malfunctions

The last point is unique among portable oxygen concentrator companies; no other brand we’ve reviewed provides this type of warranty or service.

The Comfort Zone program speaks to CAIRE’s confidence in the quality of its products, and also gives you peace of mind knowing you won’t have to go without your portable oxygen machine for long if you ever run into problems.

Customer service

The CAIRE Freestyle Comfort is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can either shop online or at their retail location in Denver.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways to reach them, and our Reviews Team’s experience with the customer service department.

Payment options

You can pay for your purchase from the Oxygen Concentrator Store in the following ways:

• Credit card
• Cash (in store only)
• CareCredit
• PayPal
• Affirm

For people who enjoy being out and about and don’t want to worry about changing batteries every few hours, the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort is a good choice. The extra level of customer service available through the Comfort Program also sets this brand apart.

Explore more in our full CAIRE review.

Easiest-to-Use: Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini

• Cost: $2,595
• Weight: 5 pounds with standard battery, 6 pounds with extended battery
• Dimensions: 8.3 inches wide x 3.6 inches deep x 9.4 inches tall with standard battery (10.2 inches tall with extended battery)
• Delivery/flow type: Pulse
• Range of flow settings: 1–5
• Battery life (Setting 2): 4.5 hours (standard battery), 9 hours (extended battery)
• Battery charging time: 4 hours (standard battery), 8 hours (extended battery)
• Max oxygen output: 1 liter per minute
• Noise level: 43 decibels
• Warranty: 3 years on the concentrator, 1 year on the sieve beds, and 90 days on accessories (extended warranties also available)
• FAA approval: Yes

Philips Respironics has designed a portable oxygen concentrator that is clear and simple in design, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a simplified unit with just a few buttons. For its user-friendly design, the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini earned the title “Easiest-to-Use Portable Oxygen Concentrator” from our Reviews Team. Its screen relies on images and easy-to-follow instructions rather than more complicated buttons, making this unit especially attractive to people using a portable oxygen concentrator for the first time.

While it’s slightly louder than some other models—43 decibels compared to the Invacare Platinum’s 40 decibels—this concentrator may be a great fit if you have trouble reading small numbers or dealing with a device that has a lot of buttons.

The starter package for the SimplyGo Mini comes with the following:

• Portable oxygen concentrator unit
• Wall (AC) charger/power cord
• Car (DC) power cord
• Rechargeable battery
• Carrying bag with padded strap
• Accessory bag
• Mobile cart
• Nasal cannula
• User manual

Customer service

The Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the OxygenConcentratorStore. You can either shop online or at their retail location in Denver.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways to reach them, and our Reviews Team’s experience with the customer service department.

Payment options

You can pay for your purchase from the Oxygen Concentrator Store in the following ways:

• Credit card
• Cash (in store only)
• CareCredit
• PayPal
• Affirm

Philips Respironics provides a portable oxygen concentrator that’s a smart choice if you are new to these devices and would like an oxygen machine that’s simple to set up and use.

If you’re interested in this brand but need continuous flow oxygen, you might want to check into the Philips Respironics SimplyGo. At 10 pounds, it’s heavier than the SimplyGo Mini, but it offers both continuous and pulse flow settings and comes with a rolling cart.

Read more in our full Philips Respironics review.

Smallest: Inogen One G4

• Cost: $2,650–$3,344
• Weight: 2.8 pounds with standard battery, 3.3 pounds with extended battery
• Dimensions: 5.91 inches wide x 2.68 inches deep x 7.2 inches tall with single battery (7.79 inches tall with double battery)
• Delivery/flow type: Pulse
• Range of flow settings: 1–3
• Battery life (Setting 2): 2.25 hours (single battery), 5 hours (double battery)
• Battery charging time:  3.25 hours (single battery), 6 hours (double battery)
• Max oxygen output: 0.63 liters per minute
• Noise level: 40 decibels
• Warranty: 3 years on the concentrator, 1 year on the sieve beds, battery, and accessories (lifetime warranty also available)
• FAA approval: Yes

The Inogen One G4 is smaller and lighter than almost every other portable oxygen concentrator on the market, making it our Reviews Team’s pick for “Smallest Portable Oxygen Concentrator.” If you need supplemental oxygen but enjoy getting out of the house, this model may be just what you’re looking for.

Because it’s so small, the G4 is less powerful than other models, with a maximum oxygen output of only 0.63 liters per minute (LPM), compared to the Respironics SimplyGo Mini with 1 LPM and the Inogen One G5 with 1.26 LPM.

Another consideration is the G4 single battery only lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes (depending on the setting). So if you’re heading out to run more than one quick errand, you’ll want to either have the double battery or bring an extra single battery for backup.

You can also connect the G4 with your smartphone using the free Inogen Connect app. This allows you to check the battery status and change the settings using your phone instead of the concentrator itself.

The Inogen One G4 comes with the following supplies:

• Portable oxygen concentrator unit
• Wall (AC) charger/power cord
• Car (DC) power cord
• Rechargeable battery
• Carrying bag with padded strap
• Nasal cannula
• User manual

Customer service

The Inogen One G4 is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the OxygenConcentratorStore. You can either shop online or at their retail location in Denver.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways to reach them, and our Reviews Team’s experience with the customer service department.

Payment options

You can pay for your purchase from the Oxygen Concentrator Store in the following ways:

• Credit card
• Cash (in store only)
• CareCredit
• PayPal
• Affirm

For active people who like to go out with friends and family, the Inogen One G4 could be an excellent option.

Read more about this oxygen concentrator in our detailed Inogen review.

Best for Air Travel: Inogen One G5

• Cost: $2,882–$3,586
• Weight: 4.7 pounds with single battery, 5.7 pounds with double battery
• Dimensions: 7.19 inches wide x 3.26 inches deep x 8.15 inches tall with single battery (9.03 inches tall with double battery)
• Delivery/flow type: Pulse
• Range of flow settings: 1–6
• Battery life (Setting 2): 6.5 hours (single battery), 9 hours (double battery)
• Battery charging time: 4 hours (single battery), 8 hours (double battery)
• Max oxygen output: 1.26 liters per minute
• Noise level: 39 decibels
• Warranty: 3 years on the concentrator, 1 year on the sieve beds, battery, and accessories (lifetime warranty also available)
• FAA approval: Yes

The G5 is Inogen’s newest model. It provides more oxygen output and longer battery life than the G4, which is why we named it “Best for Air Travel.”

In general, the higher the oxygen output and the longer the battery life, the better for air travel. With the double battery, you’ll have up to 13 hours on Setting 1, and nine hours of power on Setting 2.

The Inogen One G5 is also the quietest portable oxygen concentrator on this list, which is helpful for air travel, so you won’t disturb your fellow passengers. And, like all portable oxygen concentrators on this list, the Inogen One G5 is approved for air travel by the FAA.

The Inogen One G5 comes with the following supplies:

• Portable oxygen concentrator unit
• Wall (AC) charger/power cord
• Car (DC) power cord
• Rechargeable battery
• Carrying bag with padded strap
• Nasal cannula
• User manual

The Inogen website also offers a rolling cart for the G5 for $145 that can be helpful when navigating large airports.

You can also connect the G4 with your smartphone using the free Inogen Connect app. This allows you to check the battery life and change the settings using your phone instead of the concentrator itself.

Customer service

The Inogen One G5 is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can either shop online or at their retail location in Denver.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways to reach them, and our Reviews Team’s experience with the customer service department.

Payment options

You can pay for your purchase from the Oxygen Concentrator Store in the following ways:

• Credit card
• Cash (in store only)
• CareCredit
• PayPal
• Affirm

For people who like to travel, especially on long flights, the Inogen One G5 could be a great choice.

Read our full Inogen review.

• Home oxygen machines provide oxygen therapy that’s accessible from the comfort and convenience of home.
• Unlike portable oxygen concentrators, home oxygen concentrators are designed to stay in one place and are also called stationary oxygen machines.
• Home oxygen machine prices range from $600–$2,000, but insurance and Medicare can help cover the cost.
• You can get a discounted home oxygen system by renting or purchasing one that’s used.

Best Value: CAIRE Companion 5 Home Concentrator

Cost: $695

Weight: 36 pounds

Dimensions: 12.5 inches wide x 13.5 inches deep x 21.5 inches high

Delivery/flow type: Continuous

Range of flow settings: 0.5–5

Power consumption: 250–350 watts per hour

Max oxygen output: 5 liters per minute

Noise level: 50 decibels

Warranty: Three years

For a comparatively low price of $695, the features of this home oxygen machine may make it a worthy investment. The CAIRE Companion 5 delivers oxygen flow settings in half-liter increments, which allows precise dosing for anyone who only needs a few hours of oxygen therapy a day or overnight. At 50 decibels, the home oxygen concentrator is about the same noise level as a running refrigerator.

Another feature is the power-saving autoFLOW technology. This reduces the machine’s power consumption from 350 watts to approximately 250 watts. This feature only works when the home oxygen concentrator is operating at or under 2 liters per minute. The machine is also 36 pounds, which is the heaviest 5-liter model on our list. Although it may be difficult to lift, it is equipped with wheels to make transport easier.

Customer service

The CAIRE Companion 5 Home Concentrator is available for purchase from medical equipment suppliers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can shop online or at its retail location in Denver, Colorado. You can also check with your local durable medical equipment store for availability or ask your doctor where to order a home oxygen concentrator.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways you can reach them, and our experience with its customer service department.

Payment options

When buying from the Oxygen Concentrator Store, you can pay for your purchase using:

• Cash (in store)
• Credit card
• PayPal
• CareCredit

This product is not available to rent.

Learn more in our complete CAIRE review.

Most Energy-Efficient: Inogen At Home 5L Concentrator

Cost: $1,645

Weight: 18 pounds

Dimensions: 13 inches wide x 7 inches deep x 16.5 inches high

Delivery/flow type: Continuous

Range of flow settings: 1–5

Power consumption: 275 watts

Max oxygen output: 5 liters per minute

Noise level: 40 decibels on flow setting 2

Warranty: Three years

The Inogen At Home 5 Concentrator uses a maximum of 275 watts of power, making it the most energy-efficient option on our list. Although the CAIRE Companion 5 has the ability to operate at 250 watts, that’s only when it utilizes its power-saving technology. The Inogen At Home 5 never uses more than 275 watts of power, regardless of which setting you use, which could help you keep electricity costs down.

This model is also small and lightweight at only 18 pounds and 16 inches tall, making it a good minimalist option for those who would like to save on space. But since it lacks wheels, you have to lift the concentrator when you want to move it. Also, the model has two sieve bed columns that you’ll need to replace every 18 months to two years to maximize the unit’s life. Its sieve beds convert air with low oxygen levels into medical-grade oxygen. Replacement sieve beds cost $160 and can be done by yourself at home.

Customer service

The Inogen At Home 5 Home Concentrator is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can shop online or at its retail location in Denver, Colorado.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways you can reach them, and our experience with their customer service department.

Payment options

When buying from the Oxygen Concentrator Store, you can pay for your purchase using:

• Cash (in store)
• Credit card
• PayPal
• CareCredit

This product is not available to rent.

Learn more in our detailed Inogen review.

Quietest: Respironics EverFlo Home Concentrator

Cost: $795

Weight: 31 pounds

Dimensions: 15 inches wide x 9.5 inches deep x 23 inches high

Delivery/flow type: Continuous

Range of flow settings: 0.5–5

Power consumption: 350 watts

Max oxygen output: 5 liters per minute

Noise level: Between 40 and 45 decibels on all settings

Warranty: Three years

The Respironics EverFlo home oxygen concentrator is the most consistently quiet 5-liter model on our list. It operates at between 40 and 45 decibels on all settings, which is about the same amount of noise you would hear in a library.²

It’s also easy to use with a simple control panel and a power switch. It has only two filters: a microdisk filter that only needs to be replaced if deemed necessary during routine maintenance procedures and a compressor intake filter that needs replacing every two years. Some other home oxygen machines have filters that require weekly cleaning or replacing, making this machine especially low-maintenance in comparison.

Customer service

The Respironics EverFlo Concentrator is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can shop online or at its retail location in Denver, Colorado.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways you can reach them, and our experience with their customer service department.

Payment options

When buying from the Oxygen Concentrator Store, you can pay for your purchase using:

• Cash (if shopping in-store)
• Credit card
• PayPal
• CareCredit

This product is also available to rent.

Best 10-Liter Unit: AirSep Newlife Intensity 10 Home Concentrator

Cost: $1,895

Weight: 58 pounds

Dimensions: 16.5 inches wide x 14.5 inches deep x 27.5 inches high

Delivery/flow type: Continuous

Range of flow settings: 2–10

Power consumption: 590 watts

Max oxygen output: 10 liters per minute

Noise level: 55 decibels

Warranty: Three years

If your prescription for home oxygen therapy requires high-volume or high-pressure oxygen, a 10-liter home oxygen system may be the best choice for you. We selected the AirSep Newlife Intensity 10 as our best 10-liter option for its average oxygen purity rating of 93% and air pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (psi), which is twice as much as most oxygen machines. It can also support nebulizers and venturi masks.

The machine is never louder than 55 decibels, which is the equivalent of the sound from an electric toothbrush.³ At 27.5 inches tall and 16.5 inches wide, it has the ability to neatly fit next to a couch or bedside table. One downside to this unit is its weight—at 58 pounds, it would be difficult to move from place to place as it lacks wheels. It also uses the most electricity out of all the units on this list.

Customer service

The AirSep Newlife Intensity 10 Home Concentrator is available for purchase from local medical equipment suppliers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can shop online or at its retail location in Denver, Colorado.

See below for details on Oxygen Concentrator Store customer service hours, ways you can reach them, and our experience with their customer service department.

Payment options

When buying from the Oxygen Concentrator Store, you can pay for your purchase using:

• Cash (in store)
• Credit card
• PayPal
• CareCredit

This product is not available to rent.

All of the brands and models in this review are available through the online retailer Oxygen Concentrator Store. You can contact its customer service department in the following ways:

• Phone: 844-885-9530, available 365 days a year on the following schedule:
  • 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT Monday through Friday
  • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT Saturday
  • 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT Sunday
• Email: service@amsrco.com
• Online chat: On the Oxygen Concentrator Store support page
• Contact form: Submit an online ticket, and a representative will respond within one business day.

The Oxygen Concentrator Store website also has a detailed product support page with information on cleaning, maintenance, and use of portable oxygen concentrators.

Our Reviews Team’s customer service experience

A member of our Reviews Team called the Oxygen Concentrator Store to learn more information about all of the brands and models in this list. It took less than 30 seconds to get a representative on the line, and he was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about every model we asked about.

He shared that all of the portable oxygen machines sold through Oxygen Concentrator Store come with a free seven-day trial period. If you find the unit you’ve purchased has mechanical problems, is hard to use, or just isn’t a good fit for you, simply call the store to receive a shipping label. Then you can send the unit back (at your own cost) and exchange it for a different one.

Shipping takes about three to five business days, but Oxygen Concentrator Store also offers two-day and overnight shipping.

After sharing details of the various models over the phone, the representative offered to email the information as well and gave us his direct phone number for any future questions.

He also said even if we didn’t buy a unit from Oxygen Concentrator Store, he would be happy to answer questions and provide help in the future. We were very pleased with the customer service experience; it felt like we were learning about portable oxygen concentrators rather than enduring a high-pressure sales call.

An oxygen concentrator is a machine that concentrates oxygen from the air we breathe. It uses pumps, electricity, and filters to increase the amount of oxygen in the air from 21% to 90% or higher.¹² Portable oxygen concentrators are powered by a rechargeable battery and can be taken with you to provide mobile oxygen on-the-go, whereas home oxygen concentrators need to be plugged into a power outlet and are meant for use in the home.

Oxygen concentrators convert outside air into almost pure oxygen with the following steps:

1. Draws outside air into the unit
2. Filters the air to remove any contaminants
3. Compresses the filtered air
4. Passes the filtered and compressed air through a sieve bed that extracts the nitrogen

The resulting air is about 95% oxygen, which flows from the machine through tubing connected to the machine on one end and to a nasal cannula or oxygen face mask on the other end.

For more information, the American Lung Association has a webpage with helpful videos showing how to use a portable oxygen concentrator.³

Oxygen delivery/flow types

Portable oxygen concentrators deliver either a continuous flow of oxygen, measured in liters per minute (LPM), or a pulse flow (also called intermittent flow). Pulse flow delivery systems produce a puff of oxygen every time you breathe.

Some concentrators can deliver oxygen by either pulse or continuous flow, depending on the setting you choose. Other devices only provide one type of flow. For example, most portable concentrators (including all of the models in this review) offer only pulse flow settings.

If you need supplemental oxygen (also known as oxygen therapy), you’re not alone. The American Thoracic Society estimates 1.5 million adults in the United States use oxygen therapy.⁴

People with a variety of conditions may benefit from supplemental oxygen. According to the American Lung Association, these conditions include:⁵

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Pneumonia
• Severe asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Sleep apnea
• Anemia

When your body is not getting enough oxygen, you might feel confused, weak, tired, or breathless. Low oxygen levels can also cause other health problems over time, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).⁶ Supplemental oxygen can help relieve these symptoms and improve your overall health.

If you have a diagnosed need for extra oxygen but don’t want to be tied to a stationary, in-home oxygen unit, you may enjoy the independence and freedom a portable oxygen concentrator can give you. Being able to go out with friends and family, travel, and/or enjoy activities outside of the house are all possible with portable oxygen concentrators.

Because portable units are designed to be lightweight, they aren’t as powerful as stationary, home oxygen machines. As a result, the portable oxygen concentrators currently on the market can only provide an oxygen output of up to 3 LPMs. If your prescription is written for more than this amount, a portable unit won’t meet your needs, so you’ll need to look for an in-home oxygen system instead.

Many portable oxygen concentrators weigh fewer than five pounds and can be worn as a shoulder bag or backpack, allowing you to do all of your normal activities while getting the oxygen you need. Heavier oxygen machines—like the Inogen One G5 with a double battery—can also be strapped onto a mobile cart and rolled like a suitcase.

Portable oxygen concentrators vary in their maximum amount of oxygen output (measured in liters per minute), type of oxygen flow (continuous or pulse), weight, noise level, battery life, and warranty. You’ll need to think about each factor as you’re deciding which model is the best for your needs.

Current oxygen needs

Your oxygen needs are the first place to start when shopping for portable oxygen concentrators. Check your prescription to see what your doctor has written for oxygen amount and type of flow.

Future oxygen needs

It’s also a good idea to think about your future oxygen needs. You may only need one LPM now, but if you have a chronic disease like COPD, you may want to choose an oxygen concentrator that’s best for COPD, with a maximum output that’s above your current needs. This way you won’t need to replace your concentrator with a more powerful one if your oxygen needs increase.

Battery life

Before narrowing down your choices, consider how long you’ll need to use your portable oxygen concentrator when you leave the house. Do you only go out to run quick errands, or do you enjoy spending full days out of the house? Do you enjoy traveling? These are all factors that will affect which battery-operated concentrator is the best fit for you.

Warranty length and type of coverage

Warranties vary among manufacturers of portable oxygen concentrators, both in terms of length and what they cover. One thing to ask about is when the warranty starts. Some companies begin their warranty on the date the unit is put on a store’s shelves (whether brick-and-mortar or online), not when it arrives at your house.

For example, if a portable oxygen concentrator has been sitting on the shelf for three months before you buy it, you may have lost three months of your warranty. Other companies don’t start the warranty period until you purchase the unit, and this is obviously better for you as the customer.

Portable oxygen concentrators cost between $4,000 and $4,500 from the manufacturer, although you can often find them in the range of $2,500 to $4,000 from online retailers such as the Oxygen Concentrator Store and others. Used portable oxygen concentrators are even less expensive, at a cost of $800 to $2,000.

Online retailers like the Oxygen Concentrator Store may have financing and “buy now, pay later” payment options through services like CareCredit, PayPal, or Affirm that allow you to finance your portable oxygen concentrator purchase and pay it off over time.

Does Medicare cover portable oxygen concentrators?

Oxygen concentrators are considered durable medical equipment (DME) ⓘMedical equipment expected to last at least three years, prescribed for in-home use for a medical reason., and as such they’re covered under Medicare Part B if certain criteria for medical necessity are met. Medicare will cover the cost of renting oxygen equipment and accessories under the following conditions:⁷

• You have a prescription from a doctor listing your need for supplemental oxygen (either a specific medical condition or a statement that oxygen therapy may improve your health)

• You have been diagnosed with low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) through a test conducted by your doctor or other health care provider (not an oxygen equipment supplier)
• Other measures to raise your blood oxygen levels haven’t been successful

Your doctor will be required to complete paperwork and provide documentation on the medical necessity of a portable oxygen concentrator. If you have questions about this requirement, your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (or SHIP), can help. You can find your local SHIP counselor at www.shiphelp.org.

It’s more common for Medicare to cover the rental of in-home oxygen units rather than portable oxygen concentrators. Medicare providers may pay for portable oxygen concentrator rentals on a case-by-case basis, though, if they decide it would be beneficial for you either as a sole source of oxygen or as a supplement to an in-home unit.⁸

Keep in mind Medicare will not cover the purchase of a portable oxygen concentrator, only the rental. See Medicare.gov for more information.

If you purchase a portable oxygen concentrator, Medicare will help pay for certain types of oxygen-related supplies and services such as:

• Tubing, masks, and nasal cannulas (nose tubes)
• Maintenance and repairs

After you meet your deductible for the year, you will only pay 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of those supplies.⁹

Oxygen Concentrator Store does not bill Medicare directly, so that’s something you’ll have to handle.

Does insurance cover portable oxygen concentrators?

Some private insurance companies will pay for part or all of the costs of oxygen concentrators, but plans vary quite a bit. Contact your insurance provider to see what your plan covers.

You can also use NCOA’s Benefits CheckUp tool to see what other discounts and savings you qualify for.

If you are in need of supplemental oxygen, also called oxygen therapy, you may be concerned about the expense of owning and using an oxygen tank, concentrator, or CPAP machine. Thankfully, you can save money on these units in a variety of ways.

Buy a used oxygen concentrator

If you can’t afford to purchase a new oxygen concentrator, consider looking for a used one from your local DME provider. They typically run between $800 and $2,000, which is about a third of the cost of new units. Oxygen Concentrator Store also sells used portable and home oxygen concentrators.

Used portable oxygen concentrators start at $995, which can be a third of the cost of new units. Used home oxygen concentrator units start at $350.

Christopher Norman, a New York-based nurse practitioner who specializes in geriatric care (the care of older adults) and holistic health, gave the following tips for people thinking about buying a used portable oxygen concentrator. “As with anything you might buy, I would always advise asking about the equipment’s history. Was it maintained appropriately [and] cleaned regularly (oil-based cleaners can gum up the works, whereas water-based cleaners are usually safe); what kind of environment was it maintained in (smoking household, lots of pets, etc.); has it ever been serviced and by whom; and what is its purchase history (maybe you’re actually getting it third or fourth hand)? I would advise a person to never buy used tubing (the nasal cannula) or used filters due to risk for infection or other transmissible illness concerns,” said Norman.

Rent an oxygen concentrator instead of buying one

Some people need supplemental oxygen and already have an in-home unit, but they may want to rent a portable oxygen concentrator for an upcoming trip or other time away from home. Or you may want to rent a unit for a few weeks to see if it’s a good fit for your needs.

While renting may not be a good choice if you have a long-term requirement for oxygen therapy, it could be a great fit for someone who needs an oxygen concentrator temporarily. This may include people who are recovering from COVID-19, pneumonia, or another short-term respiratory illness.

Not all oxygen concentrators are available to lease, but certain models are. For example, the Oxygen Concentrator Store offers Inogen and Respironics units for rental starting at $210 per week.

Renting can save you thousands of dollars up front, especially considering Medicare Part B will pay for the rental of oxygen concentrators—as well as some other types of oxygen equipment.

Talking to your doctor about how long you’ll need to use supplemental oxygen can help you decide whether it’s best to rent or buy an oxygen machine.

Most concentrators last three to five years before needing to be replaced.

Supplemental oxygen is sometimes necessary for relieving symptoms of a respiratory or cardiac disease and improving a person’s quality of life. If you are facing the need for oxygen therapy, know that it doesn’t mean your normal activities have to end!

For those who value ease of use, we rated Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini as “Easiest to Use.” If you’re looking for a POC that’s easy to carry, we selected the Inogen One G4 as “Smallest Portable Oxygen Concentrator.” If you’re a frequent flier, the Inogen One G5, which we ranked as “Best for Air Travel”, may be a good choice. And lastly, for those who want to ensure their POC can function as long as possible between charges, we chose the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort as “Best Battery Life.”

You can—and should—continue to enjoy outings with your family and friends, and a portable oxygen concentrator will go a long way in helping you do that.

For home oxygen machines, the best model for your needs will depend on a variety of factors. The CAIRE Companion 5 had the best value for its features. The Inogen At Home 5L is the most energy-efficient machine on our list. If you’re noise-conscious, consider the Philips Respironics EverFlo that had the quietest operation on all settings. The AirSep Newlife Intensity 10 was our choice for the best home oxygen concentrator with a maximum output of 10 LPM.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

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