Oxygen Concentrators

When shopping for an oxygen concentrator, there are a few key things to consider, including:

• Flow Rate: When choosing an oxygen concentrator, your doctor-prescribed flow rate will be the most important selection factor. The maximum flow rate of all oxygen concentrators sold here at CPAP.com is 5 Liters Per Minute (LPM), equating to about 40% FiO2. When selecting an oxygen concentrator from CPAP.com, ensure that your treatment will be effective with a flow rate of five LPM or less. 
• Continuous Flow or Pulse Dose: The two main types of oxygen concentrators are pulse dose and continuous flow. Pulse dose oxygen concentrators only deliver oxygen during inhalation and are better suited for those with lower flow rates. Continuous flow concentrators consistently supply oxygen and are more appropriate for those who are adding oxygen to their CPAP therapy or those with higher prescribed flow rates. It’s worth knowing that pulse dose oxygen concentrators won’t work properly when connected to a CPAP machine, and the numbered settings do not necessarily correlate with the LPM of oxygen delivered. 
• Portability: When making your oxygen concentrator purchase, consider how mobile you will need your device to be. Choose a compact, portable oxygen concentrator if you plan to take it on the go, or select a more stationary, at-home option if you only need it to be mobile enough to move around your house. We stock options ranging from 5 lbs (SimplyGo Mini) to 18 lbs (Inogen At Home). 
• Noise Level: Oxygen concentrators range from 40 decibels, which is about the same volume as moderate rainfall, to nearly 60 decibels, which is about the same volume as a loud conversation. If your concentrator will be in the same room with you as you sleep, make sure to pick a machine that won’t keep you up at night.
• Humidification: Humidification can help you more easily tolerate the continuous stream of incoming oxygen. However, it typically isn’t a necessity for most people under a flow rate of five LPM, since the natural humidification that occurs in the nose is sufficient for most people. Since we don’t carry oxygen concentrators with a flow rate over five LPM, we don’t stock humidifier bottles for our oxygen concentrators, so you’ll have to check with the manufacturer if you’re interested in humidifying your oxygen. At higher flow rates above five LPM, humidification will be more helpful as your airway may be drier, and the flow may be harder to tolerate without added humidification.
• Power Consumption: If you plan to take your oxygen concentrator with you when you leave home, you’ll want to be aware of how long your battery is expected to last at your specific prescribed flow rate and based on your device’s setting (continuous or pulse dose). Continuous flow concentrators will drain your battery significantly faster than pulse dose settings. Pulse dose settings with lower flow rates tend to last three to five hours on average. Most battery life estimates are made based on a pulse dose setting of two and claim to run for three to five hours across most models. Alternatively, a pulse dose setting of five will drain the battery of most portable oxygen concentrators in two hours or less, and continuous flow may not even be available unless the device is plugged in. Some concentrators, such as the SimplyGo Mini, offer an extended battery option for those who need more time to go about their business without worrying about recharging or connecting to a power source.

Need More Info? Read Our Guides:

• What Is An Oxygen Concentrator?
• What is a Portable Oxygen Concentrator? (Benefits, Uses, and Limitations)
• Using Oxygen Concentrators With a CPAP Machine
• The Difference Between Oxygen Concentrators and CPAP

Shop Popular Oxygen Concentrators

Here’s a brief look at our best-selling and most popular oxygen concentrators: 

• Inogen At Home Stationary Oxygen Concentrator: Our most affordable, yet least portable oxygen concentrator, the Inogen At Home, weighs in at 18 pounds and supplies a maximum flow rate of 5 LPM. It features a convenient carrying handle for moving it around your home and operates at just 40 decibels at a setting of 2 LPM, making it exceptionally quiet for devices in this category. 
• 3B Medical Aer X Portable Oxygen Concentrator: The Aer X from 3B Medical features a full-color LCD display and large, easy-to-use buttons for a more accessible experience. It is the smallest portable oxygen concentrator we sell, and it weighs in at a mere 4.25 lbs. It also includes a carry bag for added convenience when traveling or moving around your home. 
• Philips SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Weighing in at 10 lbs, the SimplyGo can provide up to 2 LPM of continuous oxygen flow or up to 5 LPM of pulse dose oxygen. This premium oxygen concentrator offers optional accessories, such as the Travel Cart for SimplyGo and the Humidifier Bottle Pouch (bottle not included). 
• Philips SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator: A smaller version of the SimplyGo, the SimplyGo Mini weighs just five pounds and can provide up to four and a half hours of battery run time at a pulse setting of two. Unlike the full-sized version, the SimplyGo Mini features a color touchscreen display to easily navigate menu options and flow settings while on the go.