Portable oxygen concentrators are life changing (and in some cases, life saving) machines for individuals suffering from conditions such as COPD, emphysema, pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. People suffering from these conditions require supplemental oxygen on a regular basis to maintain a comfortable quality of life. For anyone requiring medical oxygen, portable oxygen concentrators are an important tool for maintaining freedom and independence.
For the uninitiated, portable oxygen machines function by pulling air in through a high quality filter and compressing it into one of two zeolite towers. They are highly effective at producing oxygen by removing nitrogen from the air, thus increasing the concentration of oxygen higher than ambient air. Furthermore, portable oxygen concentrators are considerably safer and easier to transport than traditional pressurized oxygen tanks, and they are more economical and cost-effective.
If you’re in the market for the best portable oxygen concentrator of 2022, there’s four key things to keep in mind as you begin your consumer journey; weight, delivery/flow type, battery life and oxygen output. As we put together our list of the best portable oxygen machines, we considered each of these four points with each product review. So without further ado, these are the best portable oxygen devices on the market in 2022:
Best Overall Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Inogen One G3
The G3 is one of the quietest portable oxygen concentrators available, but this efficient device has a lot more going for it. It boasts a four-hour battery life and an operational altitude of up to 10,000 feet, and the carrying case looks more like an outdoorsy lunch bag than a medical device.
The G3 also always puts your health first with audible alerts in case of a power outage, no breath detected alarms, and oxygen purity checks. Rest assured, if your oxygen level ever falls below required purity levels, you will know immediately.
Best Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Respironics SimplyGo
The Respironics SimplyGo has a continuous flow up to 54 minutes and comes with two rechargeable batteries, so you can always have a charge going while your POC is in use. At 10 lbs and with a modern design of less than 12 inches wide and tall, it is one of the smallest POCs with continuous flow. It’s approved for use up to 10,000 feet, where it’s able to keep up a pulse dose setting of one to six and continuous flow setting between 0.5 and two.
Best Small Portable Oxygen Concentrator: AirSep Freestyle 3
The AirSep Freestyle 3 weighs only five pounds and is very small, as in mix-it-up-with-your-smartphone small. AirSep is leading the category in compact oxygen concentrators with this model. This specific model is designed for the active user with quiet, efficient pulse flow that goes up to a setting of three. It has a Max Pulse Setting of three and has a max oxygen of 332 per minute. The Freestyle can be worn over your shoulder with a carrying bag or add on the optional harness to convert into a backpack, which frees you to do your favorite activity.
Best Battery Operated Portable Oxygen Concentrator: SeQual Eclipse 5 mobile unit
If energy efficiency is priority number one, you can do no wrong with the SeQual Eclipse 5 mobile unit. It’s hands down one of the most energy-efficient models with long-lasting batteries available, but it’s also on the heavier side. It weighs 18 pounds and comes with a cart that easily wheels it around. You can also sling it over both shoulders and carry it as a backpack.
The battery lasts up to five hours and has a pulse dose of one to six LPM for precise and predictable 90 percent oxygen with each inhale. SeQual’s AutoSAT technology really sets it apart. It helps maintain the same amount of oxygen consistently, even as breath rate varies.
Best Pulse Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Precision Medical EasyPulse PM4150
For pulse-flow POC, it is impossible to beat this Precision Medical model in price, ease of use, and performance. It’s half the price of many competitors and only has one filter, which makes cleaning a breeze. The EasyPulse PM4150 will keep humming along on one battery over three hours at setting two and it comes with a car adapter for on-the-go charging needs. If that’s not quite enough, extra batteries are available as is a sling for easy transportation.
The 6.8-pound concentrator is also highly efficient, as the oxygen volume adjusts automatically to breath rate, maintaining minute volume so not a bit of oxygen-rich air is wasted.
Best Lightweight Portable Oxygen Concentrator: AirSep Focus
This FAA-approved device is one of the lightest on the market, weighing in at a mere two pounds. It’s so light and petite, you’d barely notice carrying it on your shoulder or pocket. The AirSep has microbatteries that last up to three hours and an additional supplemental battery pack belt for an additional three and a half hours of battery life. It has a pulse dose rate of two LPM, so what you gain in featherweight class, you will notice a decrease in airflow ranges.
Best Multi-System Delivery Portable Oxygen Concentrator: Invacare Platinum
This model shines all around just like its namesake precious metal. It’s incredibly quiet in both continuous and pulse dose mode and emits one of the highest oxygen purity levels and weighs under five pounds. It may be compact, but it is rugged, durable, and water resistant, and it can withstand extreme temperatures. It has a pulse dose range of one to five LPM.
Best Portable Oxygen Concentrator for High Altitude and Traveling: The Oxlife Independence
The Oxlife Independence is excellent for traveling due to its operational altitude of 13,123 feet. Unlike other models that top out at 8,000 or 10,000, this portable oxygen concentrator can keep up even up higher and it comes with wheels and a cart handle for easier transportation. The pulse dose setting ranges from one to six LPM. It also has a continuous setting of one to three LPM for precision oxygen. The battery keeps both pulse dose mode chugging for up to four hours and up to 1.5 hours operating in the continuous mode.