Oxygen concentrators help patients suffering from pulmonary distress to have a better quality of life. If you want to buy a portable oxygen concentrator, but find the product specifications a bit confusing, don’t worry. We are here to help you. You have come to the right place. In the following paragraphs, we’ll show you some of the best mobile oxygen machines you can find.
Our Top Pick
10 Best Oxygen Concentrator Review
- ✅ Medical-Grade Performance: Provides a continuous oxygen supply with purity levels above 85%, ensuring reliable support for patients at home or in hospitals.
- ✅ Adjustable Oxygen Flow: This device delivers a 1–5 liters per minute (LPM) flow rate to suit different therapy requirements.
- ✅ Energy-Efficient and Quiet Operation: Operates with low power consumption and minimal noise for a comfortable environment.
- ✅User-Friendly Design: Features a simple control panel with a digital display for easy operation.
- ✅ Compact and Portable: Lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for home use and simple to move around.
- ✅ Built-in Safety Alarms: Includes alerts for low oxygen concentration, high pressure, and power failure for added security.
- 1-Net Weight: 15.5 Kg, 1 year warranty for machine. warranty does not include consumables like Sieve Beds and Air Filters. Sieve Beds will have a service life of around 7500 -9000 hours depending on environmental conditions
- 2-Item width : cm 49; Item height: cm 59.8; Unit Count Type: Count; Unit Count: 1; Batteries Required: False; Item length : cm 32.4
- Features built-in nebulizer
- Timing turn off function
- Displays the operation time on LCD
- Using imported technology from the USA and France, this oxygen concentrator provides a safe, effective, and low-maintenance design
- This device has alarms programmed for overload protection, high/low pressure, temperature, and power-off. There is an option alarm for oxygen purity.
- It uses American PSA technology to offer natural oxygen and has a reliable and durable oil-free compressor
- Medical level oxygen purity is guaranteed by the molecular sieve which is imported from France.
- Easy to use, high quality oxygen concentrator with a flow range of 1-5L
- ★ OXY99 OXYGEN PRIMA NATURALE (NON MEDICAL VERSION)
- ★ OXY99 Pure Oxygen is a Lightweight Portable Can Developed in collaboration with ING. L. & A. Boschi of Italy (Since 1930). Oxygen for personal use comes packaged in a 500 ml OXY99 can comprising of 6 liters of pure natural oxygen. Now the world has got easy access to pure natural oxygen.
- ★ OXY99 Can is fitted with ergonomically Built-In mask and Trigger system for easy use at anytime and carry with you anywhere.
- ★ OXY99 instantly increases oxygen levels in the body and helps restore brain and body functions to normal. It is safe and easy to use oxygen in a can. By using just 5 to 6 short bursts of oxygen, it helps through conditions resulting from low oxygen levels in the body.
- ★Useful for SPORTS RECOVERY, FATIGUE, BREATHLESSNESS, POLLUTION, HANGOVER, ALTITUDE etc . Helps you recover from breathlessness & suffocation caused by pollution, smoking, stale air, poorly ventilated rooms, high altitude, etc.
- Using imported technology from the USA and France, this oxygen concentrator provides a safe, effective, and low-maintenance design
- This device has alarms programmed for overload protection, high/low pressure, temperature, and power-off. There is an option alarm for oxygen purity.
- It uses American PSA technology to offer natural oxygen and has a reliable and durable oil-free compressor
- Medical level oxygen purity is guaranteed by the molecular sieve which is imported from France.
- Easy to use, high quality oxygen concentrator with a flow range of 1-5L and can work continuously for 24 hours
- Oxygen concentrator machine 1-9 litres for home and car. It can be used in car using car power inverter (not included with this product, can be purchased separately from Amazon).
- Suitable only for patients with oximeter spo2 oxygen reading above 75, this machine will help in bringing it to around 95
- This oxygen concentrator machine gives above 90% oxygen concentration till 2 litres and when the flow is increased from 3-9 litres then oxygen concentration of machine will reduce (95% to 30% overall).
- For any queries, support you can contact Sachdeva Medline.
- It comes with all accessories. Warranty is 1 year for compressor.
- This is a compact and light-weight Oxygen Concentrator with 5 Liters/minute capacity. Purity of Oxygen is above 90% even at 5 Liters/minute flow rate.
- FEATURES : Low pressure alarm shutdown || Low Oxygen Concentration alarm || Minimum Operating Time: 30 minutes || Mode of operation: Continuous duty
- Electric Classification : Class Ⅱ equipment , Type BF applied part(Nasal oxygen cannula) || Normal Operating Ambient: overvoltage category: II pollution degree :2 altitude:≤2000 || Temperature range: 5℃~40℃ (41℉~104℉)
- The Storage and transport Ambient : Temperature Range: 0℃~+55℃(32℉~+131℉) || Relative Humidity Range: 10%~90% || Atmospheric pressure: 70kPa~106kPa (10.2psi~15.37psi)
- The oxygen concentrator should be stored in area without erode gas; be avoided shaking and inversion in transportation. Height above sea level: The oxygen concentration will not decrease on 1828 meter height above sea level, from 1828 meter to 4000 meter; the efficiency will decrease to less than 90%. When the storage temperature is lower than 5℃, the equipment shall be laid in normal operation temperature environment for at least 4 hours.
- Secure, reliable & energy efficient: gas circuit is controlled by low pressure system which ensures secured & reliable operation and is energy efficient & compressor with thermal protector
- Nebulization: built-in atomizing device for atomizing therapy
- Rugged & durable: flame retardant Thermo plastic moulded cabinet for strength and durability
- Timer function: users can set the time in the range of 0 – 99 min for auto shut down
- Ease of maintenance: because of its simple & ergonomic design product can be easily serviced
How does an Oxygen Concentrator works?
An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that produces air rich in oxygen. It takes in ambient air and removed nitrogen from it to produce a stream of air that’s mostly oxygen. Air is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, with trace amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, ozone and other gases. An oxygen concentrator filters air by taking out nitrogen to provide an air supply containing 90-95% oxygen.
Oxygen concentrators are widely used in the healthcare sector. They are required for patients who have difficulty breathing normally, or have low oxygen in their blood. Oxygen concentrators do not use a readymade source of compressed oxygen like an oxygen tank. Rather, they take in air, change its concentration, and give out oxygen-enriched air.
The Science behind Oxygen Concentration
An oxygen concentrator runs on electric power, either through a wall socket or a battery. If it relies on a battery, the battery needs to be plugged in to a wall socket to ensure an undisrupted power supply. Since it is a medical gadget, an oxygen machine needs a prescription, and cannot be bought over the counter.
Now let us understand the science behind oxygen concentration, and what really happens inside a concentrator. As mentioned already, an oxygen concentrator is a device that filters ambient air to generate air with a high concentration of oxygen. This is achieved by drawing in air through a motor, compressing it, and passing it through a molecular sieve bed filter.
An oxygen concentrator typically contains, among other things, a motor/compressor, a heat exchanger, two cylinders containing zeolite sieve beds, a product tank, a pressure regulator and a few valves for regulating airflow. First, the motor/compressor compresses the inflowing air and feeds it to the filter. The filter then removes nitrogen by a process called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA).
PSA is a technique used in separation of a gas from a mixture of gases under pressure. The filters use a mineral named zeolite for adsorption of nitrogen. Zeolite has a large surface area, and is made up of millions and millions of porous microscopic cubes. The mineral only eliminated nitrogen, allowing the rest of the atmospheric gases to pass through untouched.
When air passes through the filter beds at high pressure, zeolite adsorbs huge amounts of nitrogen due to its unique chemical nature and enhanced surface area. As a result, the outgoing air has a high concentration of oxygen. There are two stages to oxygen concentration. Air from the compressor first enters cylinder 1. A four-way selenoid valve regulates this part of the airflow.
The pressure inside the 1st cylinder is around 2.5 times that of normal atmospheric pressure. It facilitates rapid adsorption of nitrogen which leaves behind pure oxygen mixed with traces of other gases. This is the first stage of the concentration process and it takes about three seconds.
At the end of this stage, the oxygen-enriched air is channelized into the pressure-equalizing reservoir, also called product tank, and the incoming compressed air is directed towards cylinder 2 instead of 1.
As a result, pressure inside cylinder 1 drops which allows for desorption of nitrogen back into gas. In the second stage, there is another change in valve position, and the nitrogen-filled air from the 1st cylinder is released back into the atmosphere through a vent.
At the same time, oxygen-rich air leaves the reservoir and exits the machine though a flowmeter. The purified air is finally supplied to patients with the help of hoses, nasal masks and cannulas.
The pressure inside the hose is maintained by a pressure-regulating valve. A cooling system is also put in place to prevent the oxygen concentrator from overheating. This, in a nutshell, is how oxygen concentrators work. Oxygen machines can be of two types: fixed and portable.
Fixed oxygen machines need a wall socket, and hence, are not mobile. Portable devices can, however, be carried around, and are surprisingly easy to use. Let us now find out more about portable oxygen concentrators, how they work, and their uses.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators
A portable oxygen concentrator is an affordable source of on-the-go oxygen. It is a convenient alternative to cryogenic oxygen tanks that depend on a limited supply of compressed oxygen. A portable oxygen device typically has two settings: pulse dose and continuous flow. Pulse dose mode is suitable for daytime use. It delivers air through a cannula.
Machines with pulse dose mode are more compact and battery-efficient. Continuous mode is best suited for use during sleep. It supplies air through a tube and ensures a constant flow of air throughout the night. Portable oxygen machines are lightweight and easy to transport. They are permitted on public transport like trains, buses and ships.
Most devices are also approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and can be carried onboard commercial aircrafts. However, users need to check with the airline they’re flying with if the brand and model of their oxygen concentrator is allowed on their flights.
In aircrafts without a pressurized cabin, a special kind of oxygen concentrator is needed which can deliver enough flowrate even at high altitudes. A portable oxygen concentrator is super flexible and can adapt to different modes of power supply. It can operate on a fixed power supply from a wall socket, be plugged into a car 12V D/C cigarette lighter, or be powered by a lithium ion battery.
Both fixed and portable machines have alarms to alert the user about power failure and sudden rise or fall in pressure. This helps them attend to the issue immediately and fix it at the earliest. In a portable machine, as in a fixed one, the purified air is delivered to the patient through a tube with either a cannula or mask fitted at its end. A cannula is a thin tube with two outlets that fits under the nose.
The patient breathes in the oxygen through the two vents that remain slightly inserted into the nostrils. The tube may be supported by loops around the ears and neck. While breathing through a cannula, a patient also breathes in the surrounding air as the nostrils are not fully covered.
In a mask, the area around the mouth and nose are fully covered and this helps provide a more concentrated supply of medical-grade oxygen. For travel purposes, of course, a cannula is more practical and comfortable to wear. It is easier to use and carry in the subway and streets than a full mask.
Portable oxygen concentrators produce anywhere between 1-5 liters of oxygen every minute. They ensure a continuous supply of oxygen as they use ambient air to produce oxygen-enriched air. They are great for mobile medical facilities like ambulances and mobile hospitals used in disaster relief.
Lightweight and Ergonomic
The primary selling point of the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is its size and weight. While there are many lightweight machines on the market, few are able to pack as much technology into such a small space. In fact, when people first see the device, they often don’t recognize it because the pictures make it look bigger than it really is.
The FreeStyle Comfort weighs in at just 5 pounds, about the weight of a milk jug. Additionally, the weight is distributed nicely making it even easier to carry. Whether you’re taking a quick trip to the grocery store or you’re taking an extended trip, you can have the FreeStyle Comfort at your side the whole time while hardly knowing it’s there. It even has an ergonomic curve to it that will keep it from moving around at your side as you walk.
Long Battery Life
There’s nothing worse than having your portable oxygen concentrator run out of juice while you’re on the go. This can throw a wrench in your plans and even put you in a dangerous situation. Fortunately, the Caire Comfort packs enough battery life to keep you going all day. With the single battery that comes with the device, you can expect to see up to 8 hours of battery life and with the double battery, you’ll have up to 16 hours of freedom! Below is a breakdown of battery life depending on your flow setting.
FreeStyle Comfort Battery Life
Flow Setting | Single Battery | Double Battery |
1 | 8 hours | 16 hours |
2 | 4 hours | 8 hours |
3 | 3 hours | 6 hours |
4 | 2.25 hours | 4.5 hours |
5 | 2 hours | 4 hours |
High Oxygen Output
While there are many things that go into making a great oxygen concentrator, the most important by far is the amount of oxygen the machine can put out.
The Caire Comfort offers flow settings 1 through 5 affording you ample options to customize your oxygen therapy according to your doctor’s specifications. If you are exercising or experiencing an exacerbation, the flow setting can be increased using the simple-to-use control panel. What’s more, Caire Inc. products like the FreeStyle Comfort come equipped with smart O2 technology which is a proprietary monitoring and O2 delivery feature that ensures proper oxygen delivery in more situations. Below is a breakdown of how this works.
autoSAT: This is a technology that ensures consistent bolus size by adjusting the motor speed with the patient’s breathing rate.
UltraSense®: The breath detection feature in the Caire FreeStyle Comfort is extremely sensitive and can detect even the most shallow breaths that may go unnoticed by other oxygen concentrators on the market.
autoDOSE: Rather than shutting off if no breath is detected like other devices would, the FreeStyle Comfort delivers auto doses in case the situation is critical.
Advanced Connectivity
While many people these days have a love-hate relationship with their smartphones, it’s hard to deny the benefits of staying connected wherever you are. Each FreeStyle Comfort unit is equipped with CaireVIEW™, a Bluetooth-enabled technology that allows you to track information such as your oxygen usage statistics and other information all from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
CaireVIEW also offers telehealth technology that allows you to stay connected with your oxygen providers wherever you are in the world. From the smartphone app, you’ll be able to send data that will help your oxygen providers determine whether you are using your device as prescribed. You’ll also find a list of contacts that you can reach out to if you need assistance or troubleshooting.
Caire FreeStyle Comfort Specs
Weight | 5 Pounds |
Dimensions | 10” H, 7.3” W, 3.1” D |
Flow Settings | Pulse Settings 1-5 |
Sound Level | 43 dBA @ Setting 2 |
Expected Battery Life | Up to 16 Hours (double battery) |
Summary
If you are an individual needing a little extra room to breathe, selecting the right oxygen concentrator will greatly improve your quality of life by improving concentration, energy level, and overall mobility!
All five oxygen concentrators described in this review are excellent, but each has qualities that may better meet your unique needs.
The main variables people consider are accurate oxygen sensing, easy-to-use controls, cost, size/portability, altitude height operation range, low noise level, low power consumption, and need for maintenance.
In our group of five, all have safe methods to accurately deliver oxygen and easy to use controls. Power use, warranties, and maintenance needs were also closely ranked among our group.
Leave a Comment