5 Best Home Oxygen Concentrators Of 2024 (2024)

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:

• Price (25%)
• Warranty length (10%)
• Required electricity wattage (10%)
• Product weight (10%)
• Operating sound level (15%)
• Length of tubing and cannula (10%)
• Whether the device features audible and visible alarms (5%)

Additional details were also considered including power source options and minimum and maximum oxygen flow levels.

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.

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.

How Does a Home Oxygen Concentrator Work?

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.

Stationary oxygen concentrators are plugged into a wall for use in a single location, typically within a person’s home. They usually weigh between 22 to 50 pounds, though this varies depending on the device. Home oxygen concentrators can be difficult to maneuver, so fortunately 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.

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Home oxygen concentrators are used by people 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:

• Chronic heart diseases, such as heart failure
• Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Interstitial and pulmonary fibrosis, which is scarring on the lungs that prohibits normal breathing
• Severe asthma
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Cystic fibrosis
• Advanced cardiac failure

“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.

Supplemental oxygen therapy offers users many benefits, but there are risks and drawbacks to consider, too. The American Lung Association offers the following pros and cons for potential consumers of home oxygen concentrators to consider.

Pros

• Improves shortness of breath or breathlessness during everyday activities
• Less fatigue and increased energy levels
• Improved quality of sleep
• Some devices may come with longer tubing or wheels to allow for greater range of motion within one’s home

Cons

• Increased risk of fire (oxygen enables surrounding items to catch fire more quickly)
• Can require regular cleaning and maintenance
• Not meant for travel

Keep in mind that although oxygen is a safe, non-flammable gas, it does support combustion. This means that materials will burn more quickly in an oxygen-rich environment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends adhering to the following guidelines while using a home oxygen concentrator to reduce the risk of fire:

• Avoid using an oxygen concentrator while smoking or near an open flame.
• Position your stationary oxygen concentrator in an open space to reduce the risk of overheating.
• Do not cover or block any vents on the oxygen concentrator.

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.

Does Medicare Pay for At-Home Oxygen Machines?

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. Contact your insurance provider for more details.

How Much Electricity Does a Home Oxygen Concentrator Use?

The amount of electricity a home oxygen concentrator uses depends on factors like device size and oxygen dosage settings. Generally, the larger the device, the more energy it will use. For example, a 5-liter oxygen concentrator may use up to 275 watts or 0.275 kilowatts per hour, whereas a 10-liter device may use as much as 600 watts or 0.6 kilowatts per hour.

Getting too much or too little oxygen is dangerous because both situations impair breathing. 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 refers to 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.

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.