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An estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. require supplemental oxygen due to chronic heart and lung problems, according to the American Thoracic Society[1]Oxygen equipment & accessories. Medicare.gov. Accessed 4/13/2023. . Individuals with chronic health conditions that compromise their blood oxygen concentration, such as pulmonary fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may require supplemental therapy with an oxygen concentrator that provides a continuous flow of oxygen.
Research suggests portable oxygen concentrators, which are designed for enhanced mobility, can help people with supplemental oxygen needs continue to live active and independent lives. Several portable machines offer continuous oxygen flow, as well as pulse dose flow (which means the device delivers oxygen when the user takes a breath). Users prescribed continuous oxygen therapy need to be sure to choose a reliable portable model that can supply continuous oxygen flow.
To determine the top five continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators, the Forbes Health editorial team gathered and analyzed data on 10 available products, ranking them based on price, available oxygen settings, battery life and more. Read on to see which ones made our list and learn more about the devices.
Note: Prices are accurate as of publication.
The O2 Concepts Oxlife Independence is a tankless portable oxygen concentrator that features a battery life of just over six hours—the longest potential battery life of any other continuous flow concentrator on our list. Although it’s classified as a portable device, its range of oxygen concentration (from 82% to 95%) may meet the daily needs of many users who rely on daily supplemental oxygen therapy. The Independence isn’t wearable, but it does feature wheels and a handle for enhanced portability, as well as meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for air travel.
The EasyPulse Total Oxygen Concentrator is a hybrid stationary and portable oxygen therapy device. It features the maneuverability of a portable oxygen concentrator due to its small footprint, lightweight design and pulse flow setting option, as well as a continuous oxygen flow setting of up to 2 liters per minute. With a battery life of up to five hours on a continuous flow setting, this device may be ideal for users at home or on the go.
The O2 Concepts Oxlife Liberty is compact, lightweight and technologically advanced. Its battery, which lasts about 4.5 hours depending on a user’s settings, and it can be charged during use with AC or DC power (meaning it can be charged on the go.) It’s small enough to fit into a wearable carrying bag for enhanced portability. And in spite of its small footprint, the Oxlife Liberty features an oxygen concentration of 87% to 95%, which is comparable to similar larger products.
The Philips Respironics SimplyGo is a dual continuous and pulse flow oxygen concentrator that offers competitive oxygen output while remaining lightweight and wearable. With a battery life of just three hours, it may not be the best choice for users who tend to be out and about for extended periods of time. However, it does feature three power sources (AC, DC and battery) for longer road trips. It’s also FAA-approved for air travel.
GCE Healthcare Zen-O is the quietest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on our list, ensuring user comfort whether they’re at home or on the go. It offers comparable oxygen delivery to most competing devices, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Featuring pulse flow oxygen in addition to continuous flow oxygen, this concentrator is versatile enough to meet the needs of many people requiring daily oxygen therapy.
To choose the top five continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed 10 available products on the market, evaluating them based on:
Oxygen concentrators are medical devices that deliver concentrated oxygen through a nasal cannula (a small tube that can be attached to the nostrils to deliver oxygen) or face mask to ensure a person’s oxygen levels remain in the optimal range, says Christine Kingsley, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and the health and wellness director of the Lung Institute in Manchester, Connecticut. They work by drawing air from the surrounding environment and compressing it through a series of filters to remove nitrogen and other impurities, she adds.
Oxygen concentrators can be stationary or portable and deliver oxygen in a pulse dose, meaning only when the user inhales, or in a continuous flow, which delivers a constant flow of oxygen. Because pulse dose systems make it easier to conserve oxygen and battery life, in the past, most portable models offered exclusively pulse dose oxygen therapy. More recently, however, several portable devices have been designed to offer both pulse dose and continuous flow settings, so people with higher oxygen needs can benefit from the mobility of a machine designed for on-the-go use.
The American Lung Association lists the following conditions as commonly requiring supplemental oxygen, either in the short or long term:
Health care providers determine prescriptions for oxygen concentrators based on the results of specific tests assessing oxygen needs, such as a six-minute walk test and/or nocturnal oximetry (a test that measures oxygen saturation in the body at night), says Tejaswini Kulkarni, M.D., director of the interstitial lung disease program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and vice-chair of the interstitial lung disease section of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Pulse dose oxygen concentrators deliver oxygen with each breath and are generally ideal for treating people who don’t require a high oxygen flow rate, says Dr. Kulkarni. Continuous flow oxygen concentrators, however, deliver a steady flow of oxygen irrespective of the number of breaths being taken by the individual and are prescribed when a person’s prescription requires a higher oxygen flow rate.
If the person requires a high flow of continuous oxygen to maintain adequate oxygen levels, then a pulse device [alone] wouldn’t be adequate, says Corey Kershaw, M.D., associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
“A continuous flow requirement [upon] testing of 5 liters, for example, would not equate to 5 liters with pulsed flow,” says Dr. Kershaw. “A higher pulse flow is needed to equal what a person requires via continuous flow. People should know that once their continuous oxygen requirement reaches 5 to 6 liters or higher, they very likely will not be able to meet their oxygen needs with a pulse flow device.”
Therefore, it’s important to make sure you have a clear understanding of your oxygen needs before purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator, as the amount of oxygen per minute a machine can provide is a crucial factor, according to Mike Hess, a respiratory therapist and oxygen therapy advocate in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
“Two liters per minute is a pretty common starting prescription for people with relatively mild to moderate hypoxemia (the clinical term for low oxygen levels) on exertion,” he shares. “If symptoms [worsen], they would need more [oxygen], [which] is common as COPD progresses, as well as in conditions like pulmonary fibrosis.”
A health care provider can determine whether an individual is a good candidate for a portable oxygen concentrator and whether this type of concentrator can provide a continuous flow of oxygen at a sufficient level to fulfill their needs, according to experts.
“Continuous flow fills up some of the upper airways with oxygen, allowing people to get a higher effective dose and to be better able to adapt to changing oxygen needs, such as if you get up and start walking somewhere,” says Hess.
If a person’s oxygen needs are high and they lead an active lifestyle, a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator may be an ideal choice if the device can meet their oxygen needs.
It’s important to find a reliable portable device that can adequately satisfy one’s prescribed oxygen needs (both oxygen concentration level and flow rate) and personal preferences.
There are several portable oxygen concentrators on the market that offer continuous flow, says Hess. “[However] the trade-off is that, by necessity, these devices are on the larger and heavier side,” he adds.
For example, a portable oxygen concentrator that offers a continuous flow option might weigh more than someone with breathing problems is able or willing to carry around all day, continues Hess. But one weighing just a few pounds might not offer a continuous flow setting or might not be able to provide as many liters per minute as a person needs.
In addition to a device’s size, weight and oxygen delivery system, Hess cautions that it’s important to understand that the settings on a portable concentrator do not represent an equal level of continuous flow.
“For example, a setting of ‘2’ is essentially whatever the manufacturer wants it to be rather than 2 liters per minute,” he explains. “Many clinicians are not aware of this [product detail], let alone patients, and they assume that if someone is on a continuous flow setting of 2, then they’ll be fine at a portable pulse dose of 2. People should always monitor their own oxygen saturation while out and about and adjust their portable setting as needed.”
Hess advises that individuals try a portable oxygen concentrator in person before committing to a particular device so they can make sure it meets their oxygen needs.
Choosing a portable continuous flow oxygen concentrator depends on additional individual factors. Beyond the oxygen flow rate required, individuals need to find out what their insurance might cover and which appropriate devices might be available at their local oxygen supplier, says Dr. Kulkarni. Local availability is vital so people requiring continuous flow oxygen therapy can try specific devices in person, according to experts.
Other factors to consider prior to purchasing a portable continuous flow oxygen concentrator include:
Price. Portable oxygen concentrators are typically more expensive than stationary home oxygen concentrators, and insurance might not cover them unless someone can prove they need to leave home on a regular basis, such as for work. Medicare covers 80% of a rental fee under Part B after the deductible is met.
Noise level. Portable oxygen concentrators make a certain amount of noise when in use, which is measured in decibels. It’s a good idea to try a device in person before buying it to make sure the noise level is acceptable. “Loud, noise-producing units can intimidate and distract users from focusing on their breathing,” says Kingsley.
Ease of sieve bed replacement. Sieve beds are the components that filter out the nitrogen and allow the oxygen in a concentrator device to be compressed, explains Hess. It can be more convenient to choose a device with sieve beds that users are able to replace themselves. “With some models, a user has to send it in for service, which means they’re without the use of their machine for an indeterminate amount of time. With user-replaceable sieves, an individual can just get replacements and do it themselves like changing an air filter.”
Alarms. Alarms, such as low battery and low oxygen purity alarms, are fairly standard on machines that have gone through the FDA approval process, says Hess. These alarms are particularly important for people who need continuous supplemental oxygen so they don’t compromise their health while out and about.
Battery life. When shopping for a portable oxygen concentrator, find out how long batteries last, how long they take to charge and how they can be changed.
“Most have user-changeable batteries, and individuals can get additional batteries for longer hauls. In fact, people have to prove they have enough batteries to get through all legs of their flights plus some extra time in case of delays, according to FAA regulations,” says Hess.
FAA approval. If someone intends to take their portable oxygen concentrator on an airplane, they need to check with the FAA and the device manufacturer to confirm whether their device is approved for air travel.
Durability. Since portable oxygen concentrators are exposed to a variety of situations, it’s best to look for one that is known for its durability, says Dr. Kershaw. “A durable unit has a protective casing that can withstand daily use and the occasional bump.”
No, many portable oxygen concentrators are intermittent, or offer pulse flow, meaning they only deliver oxygen when the user inhales.
The smallest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator available is O2 Concepts Oxlife Liberty, which weighs just over 6 pounds. However, its continuous oxygen flow rate of 1.5 liters per minute may not meet some users’ needs.
Prices vary by manufacturer and supplier, but a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator generally costs around $3,000.
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Based in Tampa, Florida, Virginia Pelley is a former women's magazine editor who has written health and fitness content for Men's Journal, Cosmopolitan magazine, the Chicago Tribune, WashingtonPost.com, Greatist and Beachbody. She has also written for MarieClaire.com, TheAtlantic.com, Glamour magazine, Fatherly and VICE. A devotee of YouTube fitness videos, she also enjoys stand-up paddleboarding and exploring the natural springs of her adopted state.
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.
Oxygen Concentrator 15 Lpm 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.