It seems like every month there is a new portable oxygen concentrator coming to market. So which one is the right oxygen concentrator for you? There are choices in size, weight, battery life, continuous flow and pulse flow. Some units are FAA approved and others are not. Portable oxygen units have a pretty hefty price tag, so its important to make sure you make the right decision. Here is a comparison of the most recognized portable oxygen concentrators on the market.
First the Inogen One. The Inogen One was one of the first travel oxygen concentrators to come out on the market. This unit is very light coming in under 10 pounds. Its easy to carry or tote along with you with the travel cart that it comes with. When it first came out the battery life was more than any other portable concentrator on the market. Now there are other models giving you almost three times the amount of battery life, which I'll get to in just a moment. This unit like most comes with an A/C and D/C power supply. Making it simple to travel with. Pros of the Inogen one would be that is light weight and about the size of a football. Cons of this unit, The inogen one battery only goes up to 3 hours on a low prescribed liter flow. The unit is only pulse flow, so it can only be used in the day. Usually a doctor will tell you if you are on oxygen therapy to switch over to continuous flow when you go to sleep. If you travel with the Inogen One and plan to use it on your trip you will probably want a back up unit when it is time for you to go to sleep.
Next out on the market is the Sequal Eclipse. The Sequal Eclipse is the only FAA approved portable oxygen concentrator that has a continuous flow setting. The Sequal Eclipse has a setting of 1-6 liters per minute on pulse flow and 1-3 liters per minute on continuous flow. The Eclpse is not as light as most portable oxygen concentrators. This unit is about 17 pounds. It is still easy to travel with coming with a handy travel cart. Pros of the Sequal Eclipse. The unit is the only FAA approved concentrator with continuous flow settings, Battery life could go as high as 4 hours on a low liter flow, can be used during the day or while sleeping. Cons would be that the unit is a bit heavier and a little bigger than the others.
The portable oxygen concentrator that followed the Sequal Eclipse is the Respironics Evergo. The Evergo is also FAA approved. Its claim to fame is its battery life. This portable concentrator holds two batteries at one time and can last up to 8 hours. This was the biggest issue before the Evergo by Respironics came out. Pros of the Respironics Evergo, the unit has up to 8 hours of battery life. It comes with a travel case that is perfect for travel oxygen patients because it looks like a small piece of carry on luggage. The unit also comes with a travel cart. Even though it weighs less than 10 pounds you still may decide to roll it along side with you. The only Con to the Respironics Evergo would be that is only a pulse flow oxygen machine, so you can't use it if you are prescribed continuous flow by your doctor.
Every few months there seems to be a new portable oxygen concentrator [http://www.oxygenconcentratorsonline.com/portable-oxygen-concentrators] hitting the market. Coming up are the Evo Central Air, The Invacare XPO2, The Devilbiss IGO, The Oxlife Independence. As these units become FAA approved we will keep you up to date on there pros and cons.
