I am on O2 24/7. I’m considered stage 4. Hoping for some feedback on portable concentrators.
Answer Summary
Members responded to a question about portable oxygen concentrators with better battery life, sharing hands-on experiences with devices like... Read more
I prefer the oxygen tanks with the carrying case. It weighs just a little less than 8lbs and the portable battery operated ones are not much lighter when you need 2liter flow. I have both over shoulder case and backpack. I never have to worry about battery going dead. I know how long tanks last and carry enough to easily go to car and change them out if necessary. Grocery shopping I just set it in the cart. The portable one they offered me was only 1 lb lighter for my needs. Most of them are pulse dose and it doesn't work for me gives me headache and ruins my whole day. Just my take on it. I an 74 and have no problem carrying the tanks in a bag they provide.
I cant recall my model, what we have done is get a second battery to take with us if we may be away from home for an unknown length of time. Definitely takes some pressure off
Great question! Finding a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) with longer battery life is really important, especially when on oxygen 24/7 at stage 4.
The Inogen G5 is a popular upgrade from the G4 and is worth asking about. A MyCOPDTeam member shared that they take their Inogen G5 everywhere they go and highly recommend Show Full Answer
@A MyCOPDTeam Member, Medicare is supposed to cover a portable machine rental, BUT… Medicare only covers a single piece of equipment at a time, and you’re stuck with whatever your oxygen equipment provider has on hand for rental.
Medicare can be a blessing and a hassle, and everything depends on whether you have a choice of equipment providers in your area, or are stuck with limited choices.
@A MyCOPDTeam Member, the portable units by Inogen are all pulse doses.
I have the Inogen HOME which is continuous flow, but it’s a stationary unit, not portable.
Hoping these answers help.
Thursday, mid-day, 20-AUG-26
I have the OXYGO Next and the Rove 6 both made by Inogen and with the extended battery by turning the setting down while I'm setting and back up when I move around I can get 5 and sometimes 6 hours out of the battery. In all the years I've had those machines I've only had to change batteries because they've run out of juice about 4 or 5 times. I always carry extra batteries with me.