At Main Clinic Supply, we have multiple portable oxygen concentrators rated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for air travel. To determine the best portable oxygen concentrators for air travel, we reviewed hundreds of portable devices to find the six best ones. Here’s the criteria we used to evaluate the best models:
- Portability Score (35%): In addition to FAA certification, a portable oxygen concentrator needs to be lightweight and have an easy-to-carry profile. For this criterion, we examined our selected models of portable oxygen concentrators to see how portable they are for people on the go.
- Sound Level While Running (25%): When traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator, minimizing noise disruption is essential. To evaluate this, we measured the decibel levels produced by each unit during operation.
- Battery Life (25%): While staying active, maintaining reliable power is essential to avoid interruptions caused by a depleted battery. We looked at the maximum battery life for each product and determined how effective each was at providing maximum usage. We also determined the viability of “hot swapping” batteries for each device.
- Pricing (15%): For many, pricing is a top concern when purchasing a portable oxygen concentrator for air travel, so we also considered the price point for each product.
The Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Air Travel
| Rank | Product | Portability Rating | Sound Level | Battery Life | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | CAIRE Freestyle Comfort Portable Oxygen Concentrator | 4.8 out of 5 | 38 dBA | Up to 8 hours (8-cell battery) Up to 16 hours (16-cell battery) |
From $2,795.00 |
| #2 | Inogen® Rove 6 Portable Oxygen Concentrator | 4.7 out of 5 | 37–39 dBA (depending on flow) | Up to 6 hours (8-cell battery) Up to 12 hours (16-cell battery) |
From $3,295.00 |
| #3 | Inogen One® G4® Portable Oxygen Concentrator | 5 out of 5 | About 40 dBA | Up to 2.66 hours (4-cell battery) Up to 5 hours (8-cell battery) |
From $2,744.00 |
| #4 | Inogen One® Rove 4 Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Standard Battery | 5 out of 5 | About 39 dBA | Up to 4.5 hours (4-cell battery) Up to 5.83 hours (8-cell battery) |
From $2,995.00 |
| #5 | O2 Concepts OxLife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator | 4 out of 5 | About 40 dBA | Up to 6.5 hours (8-cell battery) Up to 13 hours (16-cell battery) |
From $3,195.00 |
| #6 | GCE Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator | 3.7 out of 5 | 38–52 dBA (depending on flow) | Up to 4.8 hours (one 12-cell battery) Up to 9.7 hours (two 12-cell batteries) |
From $2,285.00 |
The Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Air Travel: Descriptions & Reviews
1. CAIRE Freestyle Comfort Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Best Overall Portable Oxygen Concentrator for Air Travel
- Portability Rating: 4.8 out of 5
- Sound Level: 38–39 dBA
- Battery Life: Up to 16 hours (with 16-cell battery)
- Pricing: From $2,795.00
With a five-pound weight, which is lighter than the average purse, the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort is an excellent choice for portability. It also has a whisper-quiet sound level and a sizable battery life of up to 16 hours. This larger battery allows plenty of outdoor time during the day. It also has intelligent pulse flows from 1 to 5. As a result of these stats, it’s the most well-rounded portable oxygen concentrator in our guide, which gains it the top spot.
| What Customers Are Saying |
|---|
| When reading reviews online about the CAIRE Freestyle, many users love the long battery duration options. Also, since many users have limited carrying capability, the light, five-pound weight appeals to many users. Some have also stated that the convenience that such an easy charging profile brings is another major plus. |
2. Inogen® Rove 6 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Best Air Travel-Friendly Portable Oxygen Concentrator for Quiet Everyday Use
- Portability Rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Sound Level: 37–39 dBA
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours (16-cell battery)
- Pricing: From $3,295.00
With a decibel rating of 37 dBA at its lowest setting, this model is the quietest in our list of air-travel-friendly portable oxygen concentrators. It weighs about the same as the Inogen One G5, which means it will be easy to tote around, especially with the Rove 6 travel bag or cart. It has intelligent pulse flows from 1 to 6.
| What Customers Are Saying |
|---|
| Many users love the accuracy of the device’s display. Also, some have stated that the sound levels are very low, which is useful when traveling or entertaining guests. |
3. Inogen One® G4® Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Best Lightweight Air Travel-Friendly Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- Portability Rating: 5 out of 5
- Sound Level: About 40 dBA
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours (8-cell battery)
- Pricing: From $2,744.00
This concentrator only weighs 2.8 pounds, so it’s a useful option for anyone needing a more lightweight portable oxygen concentrator. It has intelligent pulse flows from 1 to 3. As a smaller unit, it also has a somewhat limited life on a battery charge (about five hours with an 8-cell battery). Still, hot swapping can be performed seamlessly, allowing for uninterrupted operation.
| What Customers Are Saying |
|---|
| Users of the Inogen G4 state how much more convenient it is over oxygen tanks for going to life events like doctor’s visits. People love how it only weighs 2.8 pounds. |
4. Inogen One Rove 4 Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Best Lightweight Air Travel-Friendly Portable Oxygen Concentrator for Pulse Flows
- Portability Rating: 5 out of 5
- Sound Level: About 39 dBA
- Battery Life: From $2,995.00
- Pricing: From $2,995.00
This model is very similar to the One G4 concentrator, but it has a broader range of intelligent pulse flows (1 to 4). This is a very travel-friendly option, as it weighs only 2.8 pounds, like the One® G4.
| What Customers Are Saying |
|---|
| While the Inogen One Rove 4 is a new model on the market, many customers love that it lasts a reasonable amount of time on a charge and that its sound levels are very low. Some have also noted that the interface is easy to understand and use. |
5. O2 Concepts OxLife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Best Wheeled Air Travel-Friendly Portable Oxygen Concentrator
- Portability Rating: 4 out of 5
- Sound Level: About 40 dBA
- Battery Life: Up to 13 hours (16-cell battery)
- Pricing: From $3,195.00
Unlike the other models in our guide, the O2 Concepts OxLife Independence Portable Oxygen Concentrator is a wheeled model. This means that it can be a more easily transportable style of concentrator for some users. It’s still important to note that this model weighs 16.7 pounds, which would be difficult for some users to carry when needed. Flows are up to 3 LPM, and at the True Constant Flow/Pulse Dose, it ranges from 1 to 6.
| What Customers Are Saying |
|---|
| Many users love how travel-worthy this model is, with one user using it on a trip to the Caribbean. She noted how easy it was to roll through the airport and fit under seats during transit. It also has a very quiet operation and a duration that’ll last on long flights, especially with more batteries hot-swapped in. |
6. GCE Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Best Air Travel-Friendly Portable Oxygen Concentrator for Pricing
- Portability Rating: 3.7 out of 5
- Sound Level: 38–52 dBA (depending on flow)
- Battery Life: Up to 9.7 hours (with two 12-cell batteries)
- Pricing: From $2,285.00
At only $2,285, the GCE Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator is the most cost-effective model featured here. However, while it has a constant flow option of up to 2 LPM and a pulse flow option of 1 to 6, it’s essential to understand that this is a heavier model. In total, the GCE Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator weighs about 10.27 pounds. This means most users will need to purchase a cart.
| What Customers Are Saying |
|---|
| Customers love how responsive the portable oxygen concentrator is to breathing. While some complained about its weight, most agree that the design makes it easy to take on walking trips. |
The Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators by Weight
| Ranking | Product | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inogen One G4 | 2.8 pounds |
| 2 | Inogen One® Rove 4 | 2.8 pounds |
| 3 | Rhythm P2 | 4.37 pounds |
| 4 | Inogen One Rove 6 | 4.7 pounds |
| 5 | CAIRE Freestyle Comfort | 5 pounds |
The Best Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Battery Duration
| Ranking | Product | Maximum Battery Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAIRE Freestyle Comfort | 16 hours |
| 2 | Inogen One Rove 6 | 12 hours |
| 3 | Inogen One G3 | 10 hours |
| 4 | SeQual Eclipse 5 | 5.4 hours |
For assistance choosing the best portable oxygen concentrator for air travel, call us at 1-800-775-0942.