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Oxygen is essential for breathing, and typically an individual’s normal blood oxygen level is 95% or higher. Certain chronic conditions, such as heart failure, asthma and COPD, can cause oxygen levels to consistently measure below 95%, however. In such situations, an individual may benefit from oxygen therapy.
Home oxygen concentrators are medical devices that are prescribed and monitored by a physician. To help guide you in your search for the best home oxygen concentrator to suit your unique needs, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed over 20 available devices, ranking them based on price, weight, sound level and more.
The Nidek Nuvo Lite Mark 5-liter oxygen concentrator is one of the quieter home oxygen concentrators on our list. With a flow setting range of 0.125 liters per minute to 5 liters per minute, this device is suitable for many home oxygen users. It’s designed for ease, with four wheels and a convenient built-in handle for maneuvering around the home as necessary. Meanwhile, visual and audible alarms alert the user of any device malfunctions for the utmost safety and reliability.
Home oxygen concentrators generally run throughout the day, so the amount of energy they require to operate may matter to some users. The Caire Companion 5 Eco Oxygen Concentrator draws on only 285 watts of electricity when set to a continuous oxygen flow of 2 liters per minute, which may save users money on electricity costs, according to the company. The Companion 5 Eco also has a wide range of flow settings, from .5 liters per minute to 5 liters per minute, making it ideal for many home oxygen users.
The Inogen At Home Oxygen Concentrator is by far the lightest 5-liter oxygen concentrator on our list—around half the weight of other similar products. With five flow settings, from 1 liter per minute to 5 liters per minute, it’s slightly less customizable than some other stationary units, but an easy-to-read display and minimal footprint (including low electricity usage) may appeal to many users.
Read our comprehensive review of Inogen oxygen concentrators.
The DeVilbiss 5-liter oxygen concentrator offers many of the same features as competing products at a much more affordable price. While not the lightest, quietest or most eco-friendly option, it offers 5 oxygen settings and round-the-clock oxygen therapy at home, as well as audible and visual alarms in the event of a device malfunction or low oxygen delivery.
The EverFlo home oxygen by Philips Respironics, one of the best-known manufacturers of oxygen devices, comes with a built-in humidifier connection for users who require humid air. With a durable design, including a recessed flow meter (to avoid accidentally bumping into it) and metal nasal cannula, the EverFlo is built to last. Furthermore, it’s easy to maintain, as the filters don’t need to be changed by the user or a home care worker for up to two years.
Read our comprehensive review of Philips Respironics oxygen concentrators.
To determine the best home oxygen concentrators, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed over 20 available devices on the market, ranking them based on the following:
When an individual requires constant oxygen supplementation throughout the day and/or night, because of a condition like heart failure, a health care provider may prescribe a home oxygen concentrator.
Oxygen concentrators extract and filter the air in the surrounding environment to create purified oxygen with an increased oxygen concentration. “This oxygen from the tank is then sent through clear plastic tubing to reach a mask or nasal cannula worn by a person who needs extra oxygen delivered to their body,” explains Sonja Bartolome, M.D., a pulmonologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
While home oxygen concentrators are similar to other devices used for oxygen therapy, such as oxygen tanks, these stationary devices are distinguished by their use of electrical pumps to filter out nitrogen and concentrate oxygen levels.
Stationary oxygen concentrators are plugged into a wall for use in a single location, such as within one’s home. They often weigh between 22 to 35 pounds, though this can vary greatly depending on the device. Home oxygen concentrators can be difficult to maneuver, though smaller and lighter stationary concentrators are becoming increasingly available, and many are designed with built-in handles and/or wheels for enhanced portability throughout the home.
Home oxygen concentrators generally feature a display screen that shows oxygen levels and the oxygen administration in liters per minute. Additional features include a filter, which purifies the oxygen in the room, as well as tubing and a face mask or nasal cannula, which allows the oxygen to easily flow into the mouth and nose.
Home oxygen concentrators are used by those with critical health conditions that lead to low blood oxygen levels. These chronic conditions vary widely, but some of the most common, according to experts, include:
“The common characteristic of these conditions is the presence of respiratory failure or the inability to achieve good oxygenation while breathing room air,” says Luis Javier Peña-Hernández, M.D., a lung and sleep specialist at LungMD in south Florida. “In those circumstances, it is imperative to breathe air with a higher concentration of oxygen, which is provided by the oxygen concentrator.” The blood flowing to and from the heart is responsible for pumping oxygen throughout the body, so when someone experiences cardiovascular issues, the heart may not circulate oxygen correctly.
When purchasing a home concentrator, look for a device that suits your budget, lifestyle and personal preferences.
The most important features to consider include the weight, energy requirements and display type. If you’re trying to conserve energy, a system which uses less energy to operate may be a better choice. A lighter weight machine will be easier to maneuver around your home. Finally, an easy-to-read display may make it easier to adjust the settings on your concentrator. You may also want to purchase a machine with warning signals if any malfunctions occur.
If you live an active lifestyle or travel frequently, you might consider a portable oxygen concentrator instead of or in addition to a home oxygen concentrator.
Speak with your health care provider about your unique budget, preferences and needs to find the best home oxygen concentrator for you.
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Getting too much or too little oxygen is dangerous because it makes it difficult to breathe. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any home oxygen concentrators for use without a prescription from a health care provider.
Along with a prescription for the device, a person is prescribed a flow rate of oxygen for the machine’s settings. The flow rate is the liters of supplemental oxygen a person needs per minute. It’s important to use the prescribed flow rate, as too much or too little oxygen can lead to adverse and sometimes severe health effects, including lung and other organ damage.
After receiving a prescription from a health care provider, you can decide whether you want to rent or buy a home oxygen concentrator. Buying a home oxygen concentrator usually costs between $600 and $2,000.
Medicare Part B covers rental costs associated with home oxygen concentrators, as well as some oxygen therapy costs if you purchase your own equipment.
For those who don’t have Medicare, most private health insurance plans cover some or all costs associated with home oxygen concentrators, though exact coverage details vary from plan to plan.
Usually, a home oxygen concentrator lasts about four to seven years. The brand, build, size and use can all impact a device’s lifespan, so it’s best to ask how long a particular concentrator model tends to last for other users by reading online reviews on third-party websites, such as TrustPilot.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
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Angela Myers is a freelance writer covering mental health, wellness and nutrition. She’s also conducted award-winning research on how to better communicate about sexual violence prevention and mental health on college campuses. When not writing, you can most likely find her buying too many books, lifting weights or doing yoga.
Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.
Xnuo Oxygen Concentrator M9 Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.