If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a respiratory illness, chances are, your physician prescribed oxygen. But rather than getting a traditional oxygen tank, why not get a home oxygen concentrator that doesn’t need refilling?
Unlike liquid or gas systems, a concentrator never runs out of oxygen. It’s a device that filters out the nitrogen from the surrounding air, giving you supplemental oxygen to normalize your blood oxygen level.
Because of how it works, it continuously provides oxygen supply at home–without the need to replace or refill tanks.
Before ordering a stationary oxygen concentrator online, check out our buying guide below.
Here, we’ll briefly explain what low-flow home oxygen concentrators are and share our reviews on the best oxygen concentrators for home use. We’ll delve into what other home oxygen concentrator reviews often overlook: specifically, what users actually like or dislike about each machine.
Overview of Low Flow Home Oxygen Concentrators
After being prescribed oxygen, you may come across the term “low flow.” Most doctors recommend this type of concentrator for those starting out home oxygen therapy.
Compared to high-flow concentrators (with a flow rate of 5-10 liters per minute or LPM), low-flow models deliver a lower oxygen flow rate (up to 5 LPM). The amount of oxygen they produce is small enough that you’ll barely feel the air coming from the cannula.
If your oxygen needs are greater than 5 LPM, you’ll need a high-flow concentrator instead.
Learn more about high-flow oxygen concentrators and compare the best 10L home oxygen machines here.
When shopping around for the best home O2 concentrator, you might see them categorized under stationary/home and portable oxygen concentrators.
While both types of machines are used for home oxygen therapy, the motors of portable devices are not built for all-day use, making them a complementary solution (rather than the main tool) in oxygen therapy.
Additionally, stationary concentrators usually provide a higher oxygen output than portable ones. This is because home concentrators deliver continuous flow oxygen while portable concentrators typically deliver pulse dose oxygen.
See how pulse dose and continuous oxygen differ and what’s the difference between home vs. portable oxygen concentrators.
Moreover, stationary or home oxygen concentrators cost at least $600, while portable machines come with a heftier price tag, costing over $2,000 in some cases.
Best Home Oxygen Concentrators for Low Flow Therapy
To help you pick the best home oxygen machine, we’ll compare three of the most popular low-flow home oxygen concentrators: CAIRE Companion 5, Philips Respironics EverFlo, and Inogen At Home.
Find out why each stands out on the market and how well it suits your needs.
In This Review:
- Specifications Comparison Chart
- Most User-Friendly: CAIRE Companion 5
- Most Affordable: Philips Respironics EverFlo
- Most Energy-Efficient: Inogen At Home
- The Verdict: Which is the Best Low-Flow Home Oxygen Concentrator?
Low-Flow Home Oxygen Concentrator Specifications Comparison
| CAIRE Companion 5 | Philips Respironics EverFlo | Inogen At Home | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size (H x W x D) | 21.5” x 12.5” x 13.5” | 23″ x 15″ x 9.5” | 16.5” x 13” x 7” |
| Weight | 36 lbs | 31 lbs | 18 lbs |
| Flow Rate | 0.5 – 5 LPM | 0.5 – 5 LPM | 1 – 5 LPM |
| Oxygen Concentration | 87% to 95.5% | 90% to 96% at 5 LPM | 87 to 96% |
| Noise Level | 45 dBA at 2 LPM | 45 dBA (average) | 40 dbA at 2 LPM |
| Price | $995 (MSRP as of this writing) | $699 (Respshop’s price as of this writing) | $1,495 – $1,699 (as of this writing) |
| Warranty | 3-year manufacturer warranty | 3-year manufacturer warranty | 3-year manufacturer warranty |
| Power Consumption | 285 W at 2 LPM, 350 W maximum | 350 W | 100 W at 2 LPM, 275 W max |
| Maintenance | Replacement of air intake filters every 2 years. Handle gross particle filter (optional) should be cleaned every week. | Replacement of air intake filter every 2 years | Cleaning of particle filter every week. Replacement of air intake filter every 3 to 5 years or when dirty (according to visual indicator). |
Most User-Friendly: CAIRE Companion 5
With over 50 years of innovation in the oxygen therapy industry, it’s no surprise CAIRE has created one of the best home oxygen concentrators out there: the Companion 5.
What makes the CAIRE Companion 5 stand out among the competition? A user-friendly interface.
Equipped with an LCD screen, it lets you see how long you’ve been using your concentrator. This 6-digit digital display, along with an audible alarm and two LED lights, will alert you to any problem with your unit–whether it’s the flow rate or power supply.
And for models with OCSI (oxygen concentrator status indicator), a third LED light will warn you of low oxygen concentration levels.
Combining its self-monitoring alarm system with an easy-to-read flow meter, relatively low power consumption, and quiet operation, the CAIRE Companion 5 is an easy choice of oxygen supply at home.
Key Features
- Display: 6-digit LCD screen displays elapsed time and diagnostic alarm codes. LED lights and audible alarm allow for easy troubleshooting
- Controls: It comes with a flow meter and a flow control knob.
- Quiet operation: Low noise level of 45 dBA at 2 LPM (as quiet as a moderate rainfall)
- Easy maintenance: Internal HEPA filter is designed to last a lifetime. Air intake and bottom gross particle filters need to be replaced every two years. An optional filter (handle gross particle filter) needs weekly cleaning.
- Size: The Companion 5 is the smallest and lightest model in CAIRE’s line of stationary concentrators. It also has wheels for mobility.
- Durable: It comes with a flame-retardant plastic enclosure, high-capacity compressor, metal cannula connector, and moisture-resistant sieve beds. It also has autoFLOW technology–an energy-saving feature that can extend the life of the compressor and other major components.
- Storage: It has a humidifier bottle holder.
How It Compares to Other Low-Flow Home Oxygen Concentrators
- Easier-to-read user interface with its LCD screen
- Easier to maintain than the Inogen At Home
- Costs less than the Inogen At Home and more than the EverFlo
- Power consumption (350 W at high flow) is similar to the EverFlo and more than Inogen At Home
- Largest and heaviest of the three (weighs 36 lbs)
- Average noise level (45 dBA at 2 LPM)
What Users Think About the CAIRE Companion 5 Home Oxygen Machine
Pros
- Quieter than other stationary oxygen concentrators
- Plug-and-play operation
Cons
- Mixed reviews about CAIRE’s after-sales support
- Produces a lot of heat
Most Affordable: Philips Respironics EverFlo
A leading manufacturer of respiratory equipment, Philips Respironics produces some of the best home oxygen concentrators in the world. Compared to its other products, the EverFlo is more lightweight, energy-efficient, and quieter.
The reason it’s a top choice among oxygen therapy patients? Affordability. At the time of publishing, RespShop offers the EverFlo at $699, which is a lot cheaper than the average price of the two other home O2 concentrators on the list.
But its low cost doesn’t mean it compromises on quality. Designed with the user in mind, it comes with durable components, storage for tubing, a recessed flow meter, and an ergonomic handle.
Philips Respironics also offers the EverFlo with OPI (oxygen percentage indicator), which will light up an additional LED indicator and sound an alarm if the oxygen purity level reaches below 82%.
Ergonomically designed, easy to maintain, quiet, and best of all, budget-friendly, the Philips Respironics EverFlo is definitely one of the best oxygen concentrators for home use today.
Key Features
- Ergonomic design: Molded handle, lightweight design, and wheels allow for ease of movement and transport.
- Controls and display: It comes with an interface panel with on/off switches, LED alarm indicators, a recessed flow meter, and a flow control knob.
- Quiet operation: Low noise level of 45 dBA (as quiet as a moderate rainfall)
- Durable: The flow meter is recessed to prevent breakage. The concentrator is also built with a strong plastic casing and metal cannula connector.
- Easy maintenance: The compressor intake filter only needs to be replaced every two years.
- Energy-efficient: It uses 24% less energy than its predecessor.
- Storage: It has a humidifier bottle holder and internal bottle connector tubing storage.
How It Compares to Other Low-Flow Home Oxygen Concentrators
- Most affordable of the three
- Has more storage for oxygen supplies
- Easier to maintain than the Inogen At Home and Companion 5 (if it has an optional filter)
- Power consumption (350 W) is similar to the Companion 5 and more than Inogen At Home
- Average size and weight (31 lbs)
- Average noise level (45 dBA)
What Users Think About the Philips Respironics EverFlo Home Oxygen Machine
Pros
- Great performance
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Mixed reviews about the noise level
- Replacement parts are not always available
Most Energy-Efficient: Inogen At Home
Specializing in portable oxygen concentrators, Inogen made one of the most lightweight stationary oxygen concentrators on the market: the Inogen At Home. Unlike the other two on the list, it doesn’t have wheels. But it only weighs 18 pounds–roughly half the weight of the EverFlo and Companion 5.
Besides the fact that it’s easier to carry and takes up less floor space, it’s the most energy-saving. It only uses 100 W at 2 LPM, equivalent to a 100 W incandescent light bulb. And at this flow setting, it produces 40 dBA–a lower noise level than most concentrators.
This compact device packs a lot of great features. Take its control panel–instead of a knob, it’s designed with buttons to adjust the flow rate. And instead of a flow meter, it has LED lights indicating the current flow rate.
Plus, it comes with other built-in light indicators and an audible alarm to notify you of low flow rates, low concentration, and other errors.
But all good things come with a price. The Inogen At Home is the most expensive home O2 machine of the three. It’s also the hardest to maintain, with a particle filter that needs weekly cleaning.
Key Features
- Compact: Small, lightweight design makes it as easy to carry as a standard-sized dachshund.
- Energy-efficient: It uses 100 W at 2 LPM and 275 W at the maximum setting.
- Display: LED indicators display the selected flow rate. Two other LED lights and an audible alarm indicate low oxygen concentration levels, low oxygen output, when to replace the column, when to clean the filter, and other alerts.
- Controls: Flow control buttons allow for easy flow rate adjustments.
- Quiet operation: Low noise level of 40 dBA at 2 LPM (as quiet as a library)
- Maintenance: Particle filter should be cleaned every week. Air intake filter should be replaced every 3 to 5 years or when dirty (according to visual indicator).
How It Compares to Other Low-Flow Home Oxygen Concentrators
- Smallest and lightest of the three (weighs only 18 lbs)
- Produces the least noise (40 dBA at 2 LPM)
- Most energy-efficient (100 W at 2 LPM)
- Least affordable
- Hardest to maintain
What Users Think About the Inogen At Home
Pros
- Perfect size and weight for those who want to travel with their home oxygen concentrators
- Low power consumption; can be hooked up with standard car power inverters
Cons
- Not as quiet as expected
- Lack of wheels
The Verdict: Which is the Best Low-Flow Oxygen Concentrator for Home Use?
As with most purchasing decisions, choosing a low-flow stationary oxygen concentrator all boils down to your budget and preferences. To help you choose the best at home oxygen concentrator, we’ve compared key features between the three home O2 machines:
User Interface
Looking for the most user-friendly home oxygen concentrator? The CAIRE Companion 5’s large digital display makes it simple to use.
Meanwhile, the Inogen At Home comes with all the bells and whistles that give you a comprehensive view of the device’s condition.
Noise Level
When it comes to noise level, all of the three concentrators are more or less similar. While the Inogen At Home produces the least noise, users don’t find it noticeably quieter than the other two home oxygen concentrators .
Energy Usage
As for power consumption, the Inogen At Home is still the star of the show. It runs on 100 W at flow setting 2, making it more energy-efficient than the other two. If you’re concerned about your electric bill, the Inogen At Home is definitely the best home oxygen concentrator for you.
Ease of Transport
While these three are oxygen machines for home use, the Inogen At Home is light enough to be carried.
And while the CAIRE Companion 5 and Philips Respironics EverFlo are twice as heavy, they come with casters, letting you move them around your home.
The EverFlo also has an ergonomic handle, so it’s easier to carry or transport. If you’d rather not spend over $1000 for a home O2 machine and are fine with wheeling the device around, we’d say the EverFlo is the best stationary oxygen concentrator.
Maintenance
When you decide to get the EverFlo, there’s virtually nothing for you to clean or replace.
The only thing you need to do is to replace its air intake filter every two years, which is pretty easy to do yourself. In short, the EverFlo is the best home at home oxygen machine for you if you’re looking for a reliable yet low-maintenance unit.
Price
If you don’t want to spend too much, the EverFlo is the most budget-friendly option. You can buy it here on RespShop at only $699 (at the time of publishing).
You can even rent this concentrator or other Philips Respironics oxygen machines from us.
Still unsure which is the best low-flow oxygen concentrator for home use? Feel free to browse our selection of oxygen concentrators or reach out to our medical team for further assistance.
Our respiratory therapists and sleep technicians can help you understand your oxygen prescription and recommend the best home oxygen machine for your needs.