Recommendations for portable oxygen

hello! I do own a PO and like it. What I consider to be advantages: Easier to carry for they are lighter weight, then to drag a tank around, no tipping on the side walks or grass, much easier to put in and out of vehicles, grocery carts etc. Pending on your needs, easier to travel with, vehicle, plane, bus etc. Disadvantage is harder for me to say, but here goes something! Not allows covered by Insurance, cost can be high. If you are traveling via plane you would need one that is FAA approved, if traveling to another Country you would need to know if it is an approved unit in that country also, along with knowing how there electric system works so that you could recharge your unit. Every brand I checked are pulsating units. Meaning that there is no steady air coming, but delivers O2 to you with pulses as a setting your doctor advises, but can be changed of course if needed. Many units only go to a 3 Liter but there are those that go higher. Might be other things but off the top of my head, no.


Things I would suggest for you to try or look that might help you figure this out as it is a little process LOL.


1) Check with you Oxygen Supplier to see if they offer PO Units that your Insurance will help purchase or rent for you. this saving money. I found that the first O2 Co did not, but check through those available via my insurance and did find one Company that had them, I switched all my O2 needs to them. If this happens now you can try one for little or no cost!


2) They are all ran on batteries; how long does their basic battery work on the setting you need. Do they offer "extended life batteries". Larger sized so they work longer for you. They are all rechargeable of course, how long does it take to recharge? Can it be recharged off the Unit (external charger). Does it have an AC/DC adapter that could be used when you are at home, hotel, friends for a length of time etc.. Does it have an adapter to use in your car? If you wish to get a 2nd battery or upgrade to the "extended battery" is that covered by insurance or do you have to pay extra.


3) If you travel via plane is the the unit FAA approved, Foreign Country approved etc..


4) What pulse rate does the unit max out, just in case you might need to put your setting higher one day, let's hope not.


5) Size of unit. They all vary in size and weight. You want to make sure that you can handle it of course.


6) Does it have other options then carrying in your hand? example: Shoulder strap, backpack or even a rolling cart. Having these options or a couple would be helpful, especially if you want to go "hands free".


7) Can you put a "hose" on the unit. Why? Just in case you want to stay somewhere for the night, friends house, family members home, hotel... Having a hose added to it helps you to set the unit a little further away if needed of plugging in to the electric, more distance from the noise of the unit (not much). The one I use can handle a 25ft hose.. Some do not.


😎 Units do have to be serviced every so often, you will want to know that of course and cost if you have to cover that. On my unit is needs new filters about every 18 months, these cost me out of pocket for it needed to maintain it.


9) only purchase one from a Company that requires you to have a Prescription from your Doctor, thus this company has to make sure the unit you get is either new or been serviced, cleaned and is safe for use (refurbished). They are licensed and regulated by laws. Does the company have a warranty for the unit, can you get an extended warranty and exactly what does that warranty cover.


10) Check Consumer Reports, reviews and hopefully you will get more responses here on helping you .


Okay, I am tired, it's bed time and I think this is already a lot for anyone to read at this time of night .. 😀 LOL Sure hope it helps you..

Hola 😊

I have 2.... Insurance was useless and their durable equipment allowed companies a joke. They only want to give you some old used model they are getting rich leasing again and again...

The first one I purchased lying in a hospital bed, I saw the ad on FB.
The reviews were OK. Because they would not let me go home without some type of oxygen. Not medical grade, but works pretty good. Very portable. $400 and that was with extra battery. It was the portable Varon from Oxygenvip. It raised my oxygen level. Battery life only OK.

Then, after a losing battle with insurance.... thanks to an old friend. I got the Inogen 4. Refurbished with 4 year warranty for $1500. Extra big battery on Ebay was $150. On low setting you have about 8 hours with both double size batteries. I bought the Inogen backpack $120, made for that model and it makes you feel less self conscious than over the shoulder strap case.

Both are pulse but the Inogen senses your breathing pattern, the less expensive one just has a steady pattern. I guess new for 8x the money that's the difference.

Hi. How are you doing? I am wondering if you decided on a portable oxygen machine and if you were able to get one? Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator.