In the past, common chronic conditions like COPD or emphysema would have meant spending the remainder of your life at home with an oxygen machine to help you breathe. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs), like Inogen One machines, have changed that, making it possible to travel farther from home and maintain an independent, active life.
Inogen offers three travel-friendly, FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator models, which means that each model is approved for use on airplanes by the FAA. Keep reading for our Inogen portable oxygen concentrator review and to discover the pros, cons, and costs of each model so you can determine the best portable oxygen concentrator for you.
Let There Be Life [portable edition]
The Inogen One G3 is a portable oxygen concentrator with intermittent, or pulse, flow. The G3 is only available as a rental through Medicare or other insurance, unlike the G4 and G5 machines, which can be purchased online with a prescription. That makes the G3 best for those experiencing a temporary condition that requires oxygen therapy.
The G3 battery lasts 4.5 hours on setting 1, takes three hours to recharge fully, and is expected to last for 500 total charges. This is slightly lower than the Inogen model with the longest battery life on this list, the Inogen One G5 (which has a maximum battery life of 6.5 hours).
The G3 could be a good option for those wanting a POC with a longer battery life and who only need the machine temporarily. If you want to buy a machine with more advanced features, like Bluetooth and app connectivity, another Inogen portable oxygen concentrator might be best for you.
The Inogen One G4, a portable intermittent flow oxygen concentrator, is lighter than the G3, making it the lightest model on this list. If weight and ease of portability are your most important considerations, the G4 may be a good fit.
The G4 offers the lowest battery life on this list, providing less than 3 hours of power on setting 1, compared to more than 4 hours with the G3. It also takes 25 minutes longer to fully charge the G4 compared to the G3, which can be a drawback for those with active lifestyles.
The G4 could be a good option for those searching for a lighter machine with an app connection that they can purchase rather than rent. If you are looking for longer battery life, lower noise level, and more flow settings, the G5 might be a better choice.
Like the G4, the G5 has Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to use your smartphone or tablet to connect to the Inogen Connect app to check the status of your filter, cannula, and battery life, and to access the user manual, FAQs, and troubleshooting tips. Having these resources available through your smartphone or tablet is convenient and can make the process of getting to know your portable oxygen concentrator easier, saving time and energy and helping you to schedule recommended filter and cannula cleanings.
The G5 model may be a good fit for those who want a longer battery life, a quieter machine, and Bluetooth technology. If you want a lighter portable oxygen concentrator, you might prefer the G4 model.
Inogen was founded in 2001 by University of California, Santa Barbara, graduates Alison Bauerlein, Brenton Taylor, and Byron Myers after their idea for a portable oxygen concentrator won the 2001 UCSB New Venture Competition.
A portable oxygen concentrator is a medical device that delivers supplemental oxygen to those with low oxygen levels. For example, a doctor might prescribe oxygen therapy to someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Inogen offers the Inogen Connect App for the G4 and G5. The app is not available for the G3. The app allows users to monitor information, such as battery life, battery status, nasal cannula life, filter life, column life, and more. Being able to easily check this information helps ensure peace of mind that your portable oxygen concentrator is operating optimally and keeping you safe and healthy.
While traditional oxygen tanks and machines are beneficial for people with COPD, they can be heavy and burdensome, affecting independence and limiting travel. For those who are otherwise able to leave their home, a portable oxygen concentrator can greatly improve quality of life.
Inogen portable oxygen concentrators work well and are a good option for those looking for intermittent flow and FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators. Inogen offers three models: Inogen One G3, Inogen One G4, and Inogen One G5.
Portable oxygen concentrators can last approximately four to six years. Proper care and servicing specified by each manufacturer can determine how long oxygen concentrators last. For example, the expected life of the Inogen G4 is five years with proper care and management. Something to keep in mind: The sieve beds, or metal columns, inside the oxygen concentrator last approximately one year, so they will need to be routinely replaced.
Yes, you can use your Inogen portable oxygen concentrator while charging the battery. When you plug the concentrator into an external power supply, whether at home or in a car or on an airplane, you can use the concentrator and charge the battery simultaneously.
When you have lung problems, not enough oxygen reaches your cells to keep your body and organs working as they should. You develop low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia). Over time, hypoxemia can lead to organ damage and organ failure. Lack of oxygen can be life-threatening.
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It is important to have a portable oxygen concentrator when you need to access oxygen outside your home. Fortunately, most portable oxygen concentrators for sale come equipped with long-lasting batteries capable of providing oxygen for several hours with a total lifespan of up to seven years.
Oxygen concentrators have a lifespan of four to seven years, and in some cases even longer, depending on how they are used and maintained. A standard portable oxygen concentrator requires little maintenance, with only the filter needing to be cleaned once a month.
Its larger capacity makes it more efficient as a continuous flow option for portable oxygen concentrators. Concentrators with higher outputs of 10 LPM or more may be more desirable for hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute or respiratory illness or COVID19 due to their fluctuating needs.
You and your portable oxygen concentrator will benefit from weather conditions with relative humidity ranging from 35 to 50% and temperatures ranging from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Dehumidifiers and humidifiers should be used as needed.
Also, water and humidity have the potential to damage your oxygen concentrator. Keep your portable oxygen concentrators dry because they are not waterproof. If you are going to the pool or the beach, protect your unit against splashes, sand, and submersion.
If you want to use your portable oxygen concentrator mostly for travel and not for everyday use, keep in mind that they perform best when used regularly. Prolonged storage is a common source of difficulties that require maintenance service.
Allowing a portable oxygen concentrator to stay idle, much like a car, can harm its overall performance and lifespan. Like most rechargeable and battery-powered oxygen machines, it'll last longer if you use it regularly and don't let it stay unused.
Most portable oxygen concentrators are powered by a single rechargeable battery with a three to five-hour battery life. Some models have double batteries capability, which can provide an additional few hours of use or allow one to be used while the other is charged. You may get additional battery life from your batteries by using power adapters and portable charging devices.
The Inogen One G5 can run for up to 13 hours on a single charge because of its double battery (16-cell configuration). It is the longest external battery life of any portable oxygen concentrator ever created. That should be more than enough to give you oxygen therapy for a whole day without the need to stop and plug it in.
A removable external battery is included with this device, and it is conveniently positioned on the bottom of the device. To access this, lift a tab on the side of the device. An oxygen concentrator with an internal battery is probably the only POC that can outperform the G5 for overall battery life. However, these types of units have a lot of issues.
Chosen by Forbes as one of the best portable concentrators in 2022, each lithium-ion battery of Live Active Five packs more than six hours of runtime! Thanks to its straightforward top-loading design, you can rapidly charge the battery while the device is still in the carry case. To conveniently prolong your battery life as needed without carrying about the additional weight of a second battery.
The Oxlife Independence elevates the performance quality of portable oxygen concentrators to an entirely new level. With its unique EnergySmart technology, it has one of the longest battery life of 5.75 hours, delivering oxygen more than three times the flow of the leading POC. Having Oxlife Independence by your side will allow you to take advantage of an unlimited oxygen supply.
This device has an impressive 12 settings, and it's simple to swap out the battery even while the device is in use, which is a plus. This portable concentrator is designed to accommodate continuous flow and big pulse dosages without a bulky fixed concentrator. Since it does need to be disassembled, feel free to travel and enjoy your trip to the fullest. 2ff7e9595c
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