Finding the right portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is essential if you or someone you know uses supplemental oxygen. A good POC can improve daily life.

These devices are not just for hospitals anymore. Today’s models are sleek, quiet, lightweight, and smart. They can adjust to your breathing in real time.

In 2025, new oxygen delivery technology will improve battery life. The new system will also have smarter sensors and more FAA-approved travel options.

This buying guide for portable oxygen concentrators (POC) can help if you need one. It reviews the best options for different situations. You can find discreet options for errands, strong ones for long flights, and reliable choices for sleep.

Let’s explore what matters most in a POC and compare the best units available in 2025.

What are Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

An oxygen concentrator is a machine that provides up to 95% pure oxygen to patients. If you have never seen someone use one, it might be unclear when you meet a user.

So why do people use oxygen concentrators even at home? An oxygen concentrator raises the oxygen levels in the blood. This means that people who use them do not have enough oxygen.

Oxygen deficiency is detrimental to the heart and overall body health. A person with low oxygen levels may feel confused, lose consciousness, have trouble coordinating, or feel dizzy. In extreme cases, the individual will experience nausea, might faint, and worse still, they may die.

Hypoxemia means low blood oxygen levels. People with this condition may show signs like anxiety, confusion, and restlessness. Therefore, the best portable oxygen concentrator should help reverse the effects.

How do Portable Oxygen Concentrators work?

The portable oxygen concentrator works by taking in air from the room. This air has nitrogen and oxygen.

The air then passes through a compressor that compresses the oxygen. The mechanism then removes nitrogen from the air and adjusts how it delivers the air.

The air that is released is fully purified. Healthcare providers administer it to patients through a nasal cannula, mask, or oxygen tubing.

“Portable” means something that people can easily carry. A portable oxygen concentrator is a small, mobile device. It provides oxygen therapy to people who need more oxygen than in the air. We will, therefore, try to cover everything about portable oxygen concentrators.

Top Picks for Comfort, Mobility, and Performance

1. AirSep portable oxygen concentrator ($999.00)

AirSep portable concentrators, such as the Freestyle 5 and the Focus, come in different designs. The great thing about them is that they are exceptionally quiet. Even at 3 liters per minute, they make little noise. The battery can last for about 2 hours.

The pulse settings are 5. They help with different flow rates.

The concentrator is portable. You can carry it to the gym, airplanes, or parks. It will not interfere with your activities. And in case you don’t want to attract too much attention, you can conveniently place it in the backpack for comfort.

Pros

• Approved for use in flights by the FAA
• Exceptionally quiet can thus be used even in libraries or on flight nights
• The backpack is padded and has straps soft for maximum comfort
• Incorporated is a manual that contains everything about portable oxygen concentrators

Cons

• Airsep portable oxygen concentrator reviews say the machine gets hot when users set it to more than 2 liters per minute.
• The battery takes a long time to charge

2. Philips Respironics SimplyGo ($1,999.00)

The Philips Respironics SimplyGo is lightweight and exceptionally durable. Compared to similar models, it provides nearly double the oxygen output.

Using the Philips oxygen concentrator gives you a special sleep mode. This mode provides a steady flow of oxygen while you sleep. It has an improved trigger level for your comfort.

If the Philips Portable oxygen concentrator does not detect breathing, it will automatically give a steady flow of oxygen based on the continuous flow mode set. The unit includes an extra rechargeable battery, an accessory bag, and a user manual for easy use. The manual contains almost everything about portable oxygen concentrators.

Pros

• The Philips portable oxygen concentrator unit is lightweight at only 4.5 kg
• Offers pulse dose delivery and oxygen flow in a single unit
• Philips portable oxygen concentrator reviews say the machine includes a backpack. This makes it easy to carry and comfortable to move around.
• The oxygen concentrator is easy to assemble and operate

Cons

• The battery doesn’t last long
• Seller doesn’t offer service

3. Inogen One G5 ($1,695.00)

The Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator features an intelligent delivery technology, especially when sleeping or resting. When you sleep, your breathing slows down.

The Inogen portable oxygen concentrator notices this change and adjusts the volume of oxygen it delivers, ensuring the same amount of oxygen.

Intelligent delivery technology can detect shallow breaths at night and then give a set amount of oxygen. The portable Inogen concentrator is lightweight, weighing only 4.8 pounds. It can be carried over one’s shoulder for easy carrying.

The Inogen oxygen concentrator is accurate to 90%, plus or minus 3. It works on all five settings. The best part is its low-oxygen feature, the “O2 Sensor.” The latter alarms you in case the oxygen concentration goes below the therapeutic range.

Unlike other oxygen concentrators, Inogen does not have an internal battery. Instead, it uses an external battery cartridge. You can easily insert or disconnect this cartridge using the provided push button. During purchase, a manual is incorporated with everything about portable oxygen concentrators.

Pros

• Upon new purchase, it comes with extra batteries
• Features an internal oxygen sensor
• Incorporates a sensitive breath detection trigger
• The battery can last up to 4.5 hours in a 2-hour setting

Cons

• According to Inogen portable oxygen concentrator reviews, the oxygen concentrator’s case heats quite easily.
• The zipper is not correctly displayed.

4. ResMed Mobi ($2,095.00)

The ResMed Mobi oxygen concentrator has four settings. It weighs 5 pounds, which is a bit heavy compared to other similar products, which weigh only 4.5 pounds.

The portable oxygen concentrator has smart technology. It senses how you breathe and adjusts automatically. This works whether you are active or resting.

The built-in mobi display will show you the machine’s battery life. It will also inform you when they deliver oxygen doses. We will provide you with a stylish, functional, and easy-to-clean carry bag when you purchase. The machines also comes with a manual that contains everything about portable oxygen concentrators.

Pros

• The portable oxygen concentrator is an FAA-approved
• The Resmed portable oxygen concentrator reviews indicate that it features a simple and easy to use push button
• Incorporates an intelligent system that adjusts the oxygen flow rate as required
• Easy to move around with given the portable carry bag provided

5. Sequal Eclipse 5 ($1,550.00)

The Sequal Eclipse 5 has a new portable model from 2019. The design accommodates different types of oxygen patients.

This concentrator supports your active lifestyle and gives you more freedom and independence. The machine features intelligent technology (AutoSAT), which adjusts according to your breathing rate.

AutoSat technology is also famous for maintaining a constant volume supply of oxygen even when breathing changes. The FAA has approved the Sequal Eclipse for airplane use when traveling out of the country.

The machine includes a wheeled cart for easy movement. When connected to an AC or DC power source, the Eclipse 5 unit starts charging automatically.

Pros

• Comes with a two-wheeled mobile cart
• Features an easy-to-read LCD control panel
• The portable oxygen concentrator is FAA approved thus users can travel with their dose of oxygen supply.
• Comes with a custom carry bag you can thus detach it from the rolling cart

Cons

• The price of the Sequal Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator is a secret, making it difficult for customers to decide.

6. SeQual eQuinox  ($1,995.00)

The SeQual eQuinox is one of the most portable oxygen concentrators. It is the heaviest, weighing 12.5 pounds, and with the battery, it weighs 14 pounds. However, its top-notch performance provides up to 3 liters per minute of oxygen.

Incorporated is the intelligent AutoSAT technology that adjusts the flow rate level according to the breathing rate. The Sequal Equinox sets a high standard for other competitors. It has a voice alert system that is easy to hear. The feature helps inform the user of the flow rate settings and the remaining battery life.

Pros

• The Equinox portable concentrator is FAA-approved
• Equinox portable oxygen concentrator reviews praise the machine as it incorporates a durable battery.
• The battery can be switched easily on the go
• Incorporates the latest Autosat technology and the pulse dose sensitivity settings

Cons

• The portable oxygen concentrator reviews show this machine is much heavier than others with similar functions.

Things to Consider Before Buying Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Several factors, such as portability, must be considered before purchasing an oxygen concentrator. Some concentrators come with a bag, making it convenient to move anywhere, even when boarding a plane. To help you choose, we will give you all the information you need about portable oxygen concentrators. This will guide you in selecting the best one.

Noise

The oxygen concentrator may not be ideal, but it is still important. People will pay you extra attention. To avoid being the center of attention, it would help if the oxygen concentrator was exceptionally quiet. With this regard, it all boils down to their construction and power levels.

The smaller units are usually quieter. In contrast, the high-powered units can be noisy. The high-flow rate oxygen concentrators are also loud. They need more power to handle the large amount of oxygen flowing through them.

Flow Rate

Your doctor largely determines your oxygen concentrator’s flow rate capabilities, which is how fast oxygen goes to the patient through the machine. Before you buy the concentrator, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if you need a high or low flow rate.

Different companies make oxygen concentrators. They all have different flow rates to meet user needs.

Oxygen concentration levels

The filtration system and nitrogen sieve design in an oxygen concentrator are important. They influence how much pure oxygen a patient receives.

Different oxygen concentrators provide various levels of oxygen. A high-powered concentrator works well for patients needing a lot of oxygen, while a smaller concentrator usually has lower flow rates.

Portability

Oxygen concentrators come in different sizes, which will either promote or discourage portability. Units with higher flow rates are usually larger and heavier. They need more power because they do more work.

Portable oxygen concentrators come from various vendors. However, we should not expect them to provide high flow rates. They are designed to be portable during use.

Remember that the design team minimized the filtration tools in the concentrator to make it lightweight. Therefore, portable oxygen concentrators might not provide sufficient oxygen for patients who require high flow rates.

Carrying containers

Some high-powered concentrators come with a carrying container. However, bags and containers work well with portable concentrators. This ensures you get your oxygen dose wherever you go.

Another essential factor to consider when buying portable oxygen concentrators is how easy it is to change the filter. Some concentrators will warn you if the machine is not working properly or doesn’t detect a breath.

Summary / Conclusion

This excerpt provides information about portable oxygen concentrators to help you decide. Different patients have different needs.

This means they need different types of concentrators. Before you choose a concentrator, ask your doctor for a recommendation based on your condition. All the above portable oxygen concentrators are functional and have incorporated innovative features.

Portable oxygen concentrators in 2025 will be more advanced and user-friendly than ever. Choosing the right model depends on your medical needs. First, understand the key features and how these devices work.