Portable Oxygen Concentrator Battery Life Guide
The battery life of a portable oxygen concentrator is as critical as the oxygen output settings that come with the device. At Main Clinic Supply, we have multiple devices designed to provide patients with the capability of staying active, but not every device lasts 15 hours on a charge. Whether a patient wants to simply go for a stroll in the park or wants to book a cross-country flight, it’s critical to know the battery life features of specific portable concentrators. In this guide, we’re going to provide a look into how battery life durations work for portable oxygen concentrators.
Main Clinic Supply Portable Oxygen Concentrator Battery Life Cheat Sheet
Each portable oxygen concentrator has various battery life durations based on several factors. However, knowing the battery life of different models can be difficult. For this reason, we at Main Clinic Supply have created this quick guide to understand the number of pulse and continuous flow settings a portable oxygen concentrator has as well as the durations of each setting when providing supplemental oxygen.
| Portable Oxygen Concentrator | Pulse Flow Battery Life at All Flow Settings | Continuous Flow Settings | Continuous Flow Battery Life | Pulse Flow Settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inogen® Rove 6 |
Single Battery ● 1: 6 hrs, 15 min ● 2: 5 hrs ● 3: 3 hrs, 15 min ● 4: 2 hrs, 15 min ● 5: 1 hr, 45 min ● 6: 1 hr, 15 min Double Battery ● 1: 12 hrs, 45 min ● 2: 10 hrs, 15 min ● 3: 6 hrs, 30 min ● 4: 5 hrs, 15 min ● 5: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 6: 2 hrs, 30 min |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 6 |
| Oxlife Liberty2 |
Single Battery ● 1: 4 hrs, 30 min ● 2: 4 hrs ● 3: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 4: 3 hrs ● 5: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 6: 2 hrs ● 7: 1 hr, 45 min ● 8: 1 hr, 45 min ● 9: 1 hr, 15 min ● 10: 1 hr, 15 min |
0.5 to 2 LPM | ● 0.5 LPM: 3 hrs, 15 min ● 0.75 LPM: 2 hrs, 40 min ● 1 LPM: 2 hrs ● 1.25 LPM: 1 hr, 45 min ● 1.5 LPM: 1 hr, 30 min ● 2 LPM: 1 hr |
1 to 10 |
| O2 Concepts OxLife Independence |
Single Battery ● 0.5: 3 hrs, 8 min ● 1: 3 hrs ● 1.5: 3 hrs ● 2: 2 hrs, 53 min ● 2.5: 2 hrs, 23 min ● 3: 2 hrs ● 3.5: 1 hr, 45 min ● 4: 1 hr, 30 min ● 4.5: 1 hr, 15 min ● 5: 1 hr, 8 min ● 5.5: 1 hr ● 6: 53 min Double Battery ● 0.5: 6 hrs, 15 min ● 1: 6 hrs ● 1.5: 6 hrs ● 2: 5 hrs, 45 min ● 2.5: 4 hrs, 45 min ● 3: 4 hrs ● 3.5: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 4: 3 hrs ● 4.5: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 5: 2 hrs, 15 min ● 5.5: 2 hrs ● 6: 1 hr, 45 min |
0.5 to 3 LPM |
Single Battery ● 0.5 LPM: 2 hrs, 53 min ● 1.0 LPM: 2 hrs, 38 min ● 1.5 LPM: 1 hr, 45 min ● 2.0 LPM: 1 hr, 15 min ● 2.5 LPM: 1 hr ● 3.0 LPM: 45 min Double Battery ● 0.5 LPM: 5 hrs, 45 min ● 1.0 LPM: 5 hrs, 15 min ● 1.5 LPM: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 2.0 LPM: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 2.5 LPM: 2 hrs ● 3.0 LPM: 1 hr, 30 min |
1 to 6 |
| CAIRE Freestyle Comfort |
Single Battery ● 1: 8 hrs ● 2: 4 hrs ● 3: 3 hrs ● 4: 2 hrs, 15 min ● 5: 2 hrs Double Battery ● 1: 16 hrs ● 2: 8 hrs ● 3: 6 hrs ● 4: 4 hrs, 30 min ● 5: 4 hrs |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 5 |
| Inogen One® G3® |
Single Battery ● 1: 4 hrs, 30 min ● 2: 4 hrs ● 3: 3 hrs ● 4: 2 hrs ● 5: 1 hr, 40 min Double Battery ● 1: 9 hrs, 30 min ● 2: 8 hrs, 30 min ● 3: 6 hrs ● 4: 4 hrs ● 5: 3 hrs, 20 min |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 5 |
| Drive Devilbiss iGO2 |
Single Battery ● 1: 5 hrs ● 2: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 3: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 4: 1 hr, 45 min ● 5: 1 hr, 30 min |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 6 |
| GCE Zen-O |
Single Battery ● 1: 4 hrs ● 2: 4 hrs ● 3: 3 hrs ● 4: 2 hrs, 15 min ● 5: 2 hrs ● 6: 1 hr, 45 min Double Battery ● 1: 8 hrs ● 2: 8 hrs ● 3: 6 hrs ● 4: 4 hrs, 30 min ● 5: 4 hrs ● 6: 3 hrs, 30 min |
0.5 to 2 LPM |
Single Battery ● 0.5 LPM: 3 hrs ● 1.0 LPM: 1 hr, 45 min ● 1.5 LPM: 1 hr, 15 min ● 2.0 LPM: 45 min Double Battery ● 0.5 LPM: 6 hrs ● 1.0 LPM: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 1.5 LPM: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 2.0 LPM: 1 hr, 30 min |
1 to 6 |
| GCE Zen-O Lite |
Single Battery ● 1: 5 hrs ● 2: 4 hrs ● 3: 3 hrs ● 4: 2 hrs, 15 min ● 5: 2 hrs Double Battery ● 1: 10 hrs ● 2: 8 hrs ● 3: 6 hrs ● 4: 4 hrs, 30 min ● 5: 4 hrs |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 5 |
| CAIRE SeQual Eclipse 5 |
Single Battery ● 1: 5 hrs, 24 min ● 2: 5 hrs, 6 min ● 3: 4 hrs, 54 min ● 4: 4 hrs ● 5: 3 hrs, 42 min ● 6: 3 hrs, 30 min ● 7: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 8: 2 hrs ● 9: 1 hr, 42 min |
0.5 to 3 LPM |
Single Battery ● 0.5 LPM: 3 hrs, 42 min ● 1.0 LPM: 3 hrs, 42 min ● 2.0 LPM: 2 hrs ● 3.0 LPM: 1 hr, 18 min |
1 to 9 |
| Inogen One® Rove 4 |
Single Battery ● 1: 4 hrs, 29 min ● 2: 3 hrs, 34 min ● 3: 2 hrs, 8 min ● 4: 1 hr, 24 min Extended Battery ● 1: 5 hrs, 49 min ● 2: 4 hrs, 40 min ● 3: 2 hrs, 44 min ● 4: 1 hr, 47 min |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 4 |
| Rhythm P2-E6 |
Single Battery ● 1: 5 hrs, 24 min ● 2: 4 hrs, 48 min ● 3: 3 hrs, 18 min ● 4: 2 hrs, 30 min ● 5: 2 hrs, 6 min ● 6: 1 hr, 42 min |
N/A | N/A | 1 to 6 |
Factors That Affect the Battery Life of a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Portable oxygen concentrators typically have battery lives that range from a single hour up to 16 hours on a charge. However, several factors will affect how long these devices will last as a patient uses them. Here’s a breakdown of a few.
Flow Mode
With the portable oxygen concentrator models available at Main Clinic Supply, each model will have intelligent pulse settings, but some have these settings as well as continuous oxygen flow features. These continuous flow settings are useful when patients have higher oxygen needs due to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Continuous flow modes also help patients at night, as the steady stream of oxygen is useful during sleeping hours when breathing is irregular. Still, it’s worth noting that a continuous flow-capable machine that outputs constant oxygen will drain a battery much faster than a pulse device that provides oxygen on demand based on a patient’s breath rate. This is because continuous flow machines need a larger compressor and motor to manage the constant flow of oxygen.
Battery Configuration
Portable oxygen concentrators use lithium-ion batteries to provide the machine with extended battery durations. Still, you’ll find that many have:
● Dual-battery configurations
● Options for different battery types that can extend the lifespan of the portable oxygen concentrator
● Smaller batteries that help make the device more portable
For example, with the Inogen Rove 4, the device accommodates up to three different kinds of batteries. These include the BA-400, the BA-404, and the BA-408. The BA-400 is the lightest at about 0.8 lbs, and the heaviest is the BA-408, which is double the weight. But some patients might prefer the BA-400 for its weight, even though it lasts a little more than half the duration of the BA-408 (the 400 will run for about three hours at setting one, and the 408 will run for about 5.8 hours on a charge at the same setting level).
For those looking to find balance, the BA-404 falls right in the middle of the other options and weighs about 1.2 lbs and lasts 4.5 hours at the same setting level.
Oxygen Flow Setting
Within both pulse and continuous modes, there are usually flow settings that also dictate how long a portable oxygen concentrator will last. Typically, the slower the flow, the longer the duration, as the machine will not have to work as hard to deliver oxygen to the patient.
Condition of the Battery
It’s important to keep in mind that the durations listed in this guide are approximate and that batteries degrade over time. A fresh battery will last longer on a charge than one that has gone through charging cycles for years. After about 300-500 full charge-discharge cycles, a lithium-ion battery will only retain about 70 to 80% of its original capacity. Additionally, the conditions in which a battery is stored can contribute to losing some of its capacity.
Tips for Maximizing Battery Life
While batteries inevitably discharge, there are ways to ensure that your portable oxygen concentrator lasts as long as possible when a patient is out and about. Here are a few ways to maximize battery life.
Use Pulse Dose When Possible
To extend the battery life of a portable oxygen concentrator, if the patient’s oxygen needs support, we at Main Clinic Supply suggest switching to pulse dose settings. Pulse dose settings provide oxygen based on the respiratory habits of the patient. As they breathe, the machine automatically delivers oxygen based on the breathing rate. This differs significantly from continuous oxygen concentrators because these deliver a steady stream of oxygen, meaning the machine needs more energy. Since pulse dose is a much more on-demand system, it ends up being a much more efficient system for energy usage.
Carry A Backup Battery
Many portable oxygen concentrators allow users to “hot swap” their batteries. This means that the patient will be able to carry extra batteries so that, when one dies, they can simply place a new one in the machine. This effectively doubles battery life.
Keep Batteries Charged And Store Them Properly
Ideally, to get the most out of a portable oxygen concentrator battery, it’s critical to keep it charged. These batteries lose power over time, no matter what, but keeping batteries at about 50% capacity will keep capacity loss at reasonable levels. Additionally, storing these in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight or too hot or cold environments will also reduce battery life loss.
Battery Life is Crucial for a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
At Main Clinic Supply, we understand that battery performance is an essential part of owning a portable oxygen concentrator. We designed this guide to help patients understand how various factors affect the longevity of one of these devices while in use. Choosing the right device, with the right battery setup to power an active lifestyle is essential, and caring for both the device and the battery will ensure its overall longevity.
Not sure which portable oxygen concentrator or setup is best? Our expert Oxygen Specialists are here to help!
Contact us today at 1-888-850-9017.