How to Choose an Oxygen Concentrator

Start with the prescribed flow rate. Most home patients need between 1 and 5 litres per minute, and choosing a unit rated slightly above the prescription leaves headroom for changing needs.

Purity matters as much as flow. Look for 93% ± 3 oxygen concentration held steady at the maximum flow, not just at the lowest setting, and a built-in purity alarm that warns you when output drops.

Noise decides whether the machine can live in a bedroom. Anything at or below 45 dB is comfortable for overnight use. Ask about sieve bed life and filter cleaning intervals too — they drive long-term running cost.

Finally, decide between continuous flow and pulse dose. Continuous-flow units suit steady home therapy; pulse-dose portables suit patients who travel and can breathe steadily through the nose.