The Top 4 Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrators

When you depend on supplemental oxygen to keep you well, a reliable portable oxygen concentrator is all but a necessity. Portable concentrators are uniquely useful because they turn regular, ambient air into concentrated medical grade oxygen for you to breathe.

That means there are no heavy, flammable tanks that need to be refilled or replaced. You'll have an unending supply of oxygen as long as long as you have battery power.

Portable concentrators can be life changing; they allow you to leave home, stay active, and go about all your daily tasks with convenience and ease. Many models even offer optional backup batteries so you can go out with confidence and use your portable concentrator even longer without interruption.

 

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Because your health and comfort depends on it, choosing a portable continuous flow oxygen concentrator that fits your needs and lifestyle is an important decision. That's why, in this article, we've provided you with information about the top four continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market.

We've included everything you need to know about their unique features, oxygen output, battery life, and more to help you make the best decision possible. Listed in no particular order, here are the top 4 portable continuous flow oxygen concentrators.

SeQual eQuinox

The SeQual eQuinox is one of the most advanced continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators you can find. It's one of the most popular units on the market because of its sophisticated features and extremely compact design.

SeQual eQuinox Features

A step above the Sequal Eclipse 5, the SeQual eQuinox is smaller, lighter and packs a lot of power. It is loved for its high oxygen output, great user interface, and convenient battery options.

At only 14 lbs, it's packed with options and features you won't find in any other continuous flow portable concentrator in its class. Now let's take a closer look at the eQuinox's strengths.

Sophisticated, Multi-Lingual Voice Interface

With the SeQual eQuinox, you'll never have to worry about low battery or malfunctions. The eQuinox has a convenient audible interface that will speak to you and alert you about any problems or changes with the device.

Instead of having to constantly look at the screen to check battery life and flow rate, you can rely on the eQuinox's voice alerts to keep you updated. It even uses a backup 9-volt battery to keep the alarm powered even if the main battery runs out.

However, if you prefer a silent device or need to quiet the device temporarily, you can always mute the alarms at any time.

Here are the different alarm features included in the SeQual eQuinox:

• Warnings about low battery life
• Warnings when oxygen purity is low
• Alerts you to unit malfunctions
• Tells you your flow rate setting when it's changed
• Multiple language options, including English, Spanish, French, and more (8 total!)

Hassle-Free Battery

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a portable oxygen concentrator is how conveniently it will fit into your daily life and activities. Size and weight are some of the most obvious convenience factors, but the battery design plays a big part as well.

If you cannot easily change out new batteries, keeping your device charged will be a a pain. Luckily, the SeQual eQuinox features a front-loading battery to make switching out and recharging batteries as easy as possible.

You can remove the battery from the eQuinox oxygen concentrator while it's still in its cart with the simple push of a button. Then, to replace it, you simply push the new charged battery back into the slot and it will click right into place.

What's more, you can use the SeQual eQuinox's full functionality wherever you go, even while it's charging! Whether you're on battery power, charging through AC wall power, or charging through DC in your car, you can use all 3 continuous flow settings and all 9 pulse flow settings.

However, it does have some charging limitations. The eQuinox will only charge your battery on the DC power supply if you are using a continuous flow setting of 2.0 LPM or lower, or a pulse flow setting of 6 or lower. If you are using anything higher, the eQuinox will run off of your vehicle's battery to preserve your concentrator's battery life.

Superior Oxygen Output

Portable constant flow oxygen concentrators are sometimes inadequate for patients with high oxygen demands. Luckily, the SeQual eQuinox is at the top of its class, producing an impressive 3 liters of oxygen per minute.

The eQuinox's continuous flow settings can be adjusted lower or higher depending on your preferences. It can output anywhere from 0.5 liters per minute at the minimum up to 3 liters maximum, and can be adjusted at 0.5 liter intervals within this range.

For maximum versatility, the eQuinox also has 9 pulse flow settings, and is fully compatible with CPAP and BiPAP devices. The high oxygen output and multiple settings makes the eQuinox uniquely accessible to a wide variety of patients with different oxygen needs.

A Variety of Battery Size Options

When you need your portable oxygen concentrator to last longer on a single charge, the SeQual eQuinox has you covered. Along with the 12-cell battery that the eQuinox comes equipped with, you can also purchase an extra 24-cell battery for extra power.

The 24-cell battery doubles the device's life between charges, making it last nearly six hours (on pulse setting 2) instead of the three that you get with the 12-cell. However, the larger battery adds weight to the device, making it slightly heavier to cart around.

 

Estimated Battery Life for SeQual eQuinox 12-Cell Battery:

• Continuous Flow Rate 1: up to 2.16 hours
• Continuous Flow Rate 2: up to 1.21 hours
• Continuous Flow Rate 3: up to 0.80 hours
• Pulse Flow 1: up to 2.82 hours
• Pulse Flow 2: up to 2.78 hours
• Pulse Flow 3: up to 2.38 hours
• Pulse Flow 4: up to 2.32 hours
• Pulse Flow 5: up to 2.22 hours
• Pulse Flow 6: up to 1.70 hours
• Pulse Flow 7: up to 1.56 hours
• Pulse Flow 8: up to 1.28 hours
• Pulse Flow 9: up to 1.0 hours

 

Estimated Battery Life for SeQual eQuinox 24-Cell Battery:

• Continuous Flow Rate 1: up to 4.84 hours
• Continuous Flow Rate 2: up to 2.75 hours
• Continuous Flow Rate 3: up to 1.84 hours
• Pulse Flow 1: up to 6.03 hours
• Pulse Flow 2: up to 5.94 hours
• Pulse Flow 3: up to 5.39 hours
• Pulse Flow 4: up to 4.94 hours
• Pulse Flow 5: up to 4.75 hours
• Pulse Flow 6: up to 3.85 hours
• Pulse Flow 7: up to 3.33 hours
• Pulse Flow 8: up to 2.72 hours
• Pulse Flow 9: up to 2.15 hours

SeQual eQuinox Specifications:

• Weight: 14 lbs with 12-cell battery, or 16 lbs with 24-cell battery
• Dimensions: 13.6” height, 10.6” length, 7.4” width
• Flow Rates: 0.5-3.0 LPM continuous flow, pulse flow settings 1-9
• Battery Life: Up to 2.75 hours on continuous flow (at flow level 2), up to 5.94 hours on pulse flow (at flow level 2)
• Power: 85-264 VAC, 47/63 Hz, 12V Nominal
• FAA Approved: Yes!
• Warranty: 3 Year warranty

What's Included in the SeQual eQuinox Package:

• SeQual eQuinox Portable Oxygen Concentrator device
• AC & DC Power Supply
• 12-Cell Batery
• Filter
• Tubing
• Travel Cart
• Accessory Bag
• Manual
• 3 Year Warranty

Optional Accessories for the SeQual eQuinox:

• External Battery Charger
• Extra AC/DC Power Supply
• Extra 12-Cell or 24-Cell Battery
• Additional Filters
• Extra Travel Cart
• Extra Accessory Bag

What Makes the SeQual eQuinox One of the Best Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrators

Offering up to 3.0 liters of continuous-flow oxygen per minute and an intuitive voice interface, the SeQual eQuinox is an extremely powerful and feature-rich portable oxygen concentrator.

The eQuinox makes recharging and replacing batteries easier than ever with its multiple battery options and convenient front-loading design. It also makes charging on-the-go a cinch, maintaining full functionality even when plugged in to your car charger.

At only 14 pounds, the eQuinox is 30% lighter than it's predecessor model, and it sits at the top as one of the most versatile, transportable oxygen concentrators you can buy.

 

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SeQual Eclipse 5

The SeQual Eclipse 5, the model preceding the eQuinox, remains one of the most well-known and popular portable oxygen concentrators. It's for good reason, too; as the fourth model in the series, it has earned a reliable reputation and has benefited from a multitude of improvements and adjustments over the years.

And since it comes from one of the most experienced and trusted brands in the industry, you know it's a machine you can depend on on.

SeQual Eclipse 5 Features

The SeQual Eclipse 5 is versatile, powerful, and comes with many state-of-the-art features. Its long-lasting battery, user-friendly controls, and great oxygen output makes it an ideal all-purpose oxygen concentrator for any occasion.

Unmatched Oxygen Output

The SeQual Eclipse 5 is ahead of its competitors, outputting more oxygen than most other portable concentrators. It can provide up to 3.0 liters per minute, making it a great choice for patients with high oxygen needs.

Like the eQuinox, the Eclipse 5 has 9 pulse flow settings and continuous flow that can be adjusted to put out between 0.5 and 3.0 liters of oxygen per minute. It is also fully compatible for use with CPAP and BiPAP machines, making it a great choice for both daytime and nighttime use.

Convenient Charging Options

Like the eQuinox, the Eclipse 5 is a trusty device for road trips and travel. You can use all of its features while it charges and every flow setting on the AC power.

Even when it's plugged into your DC car charger you can use it on every oxygen setting! However, it will only recharge your battery if you are using continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 liters per minute, and pulse flow settings 1-6.

This puts it far ahead of the Eclipse 3 and other portable concentrators that don't work well, or at all, on DC charge. This makes it more reliable, more transportable, and makes long car rides worry-free.

Easy-to-Use Controls

The user-friendly touch screen is another great feature included in the SeQual Eclipse 5. With just a few simple, well-labeled buttons, operating this portable oxygen concentrator is just about as easy as it gets.

The LCD screen is large, clear, and displays both the device's remaining battery life and your current oxygen flow setting. It also has a small LED warning light to alert you to if there is ever a mechanical problem that needs to be addressed.

The controls include a simple power button, two arrows to adjust flow settings up and down, and a separate button to toggle between continuous flow and pulse flow oxygen delivery.

Long-Lasting Battery

When you're looking for a portable oxygen concentrator that you can rely on wherever you go, a long-lasting battery is key. That's why the SeQual Eclipse 5 is a great choice to take on the go.

Compared to other portable concentrators, the Eclipse 5 has an impressive battery life. It lasts up to 5.1 hours on pulse setting 2, and nearly 4 hours on the lowest continuous flow setting.

Estimated Battery Life for SeQual Eclipse 5:

• Continuous Flow Rate 1: up to 3.7 hours
• Continuous Flow Rate 2: up to 2.0 hours
• Continuous Flow Rate 3: up to 1.3 hours
• Pulse Flow 1: up to 5.4 hours
• Pulse Flow 2: up to 5.1 hours
• Pulse Flow 3: up to 4.9 hours
• Pulse Flow 4: up to 4.0 hours
• Pulse Flow 5: up to 3.7 hours
• Pulse Flow 6: up to 3.5 hours
• Pulse Flow 7: up to 2.5 hours
• Pulse Flow 8: up to 2.0 hours
• Pulse Flow 9: up to 1.7 hours

SeQual Eclipse 5 Specifications:

• Weight: 18.4 lbs
• Dimensions: 19.3” height, 12.3” length, and 7.1” wide
• Flow Rates: 0.5-3.0 LPM continuous flow, pulse flow settings 1-9
• Battery Life: Up to 2.0 hours continuous flow (at flow rate 2), up to 5.1 hours pulse flow (at flow rate 2)
• Power: 100-200 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 12V Nominal
• FAA Approved: Yes!
• Warranty: 3 Year warranty

What's Included in the SeQual Eclipse 5 Package:

• SeQual Eclipse 5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator device
• AC & DC Power Supply
• One Rechargeable battery
• Filter
• Tubing
• Travel Cart
• Accessory Bag
• Manual
• 3 Year Warranty

Optional Accessories for the SeQual Eclipse 5:

• External Battery Charger
• Extra AC/DC Power Supply
• Extra Rechargeable Battery
• Extra Travel Cart
• Convenient Wheelchair Pack
• Protective Weather Cover
• Upgraded Deluxe Accessory Bag
• Extra Standard Accessory Bag
• All-in-one Travel Kit Accessory Bundle: includes one battery, one external battery charger, and one upgraded deluxe accessory bag

What Makes the SeQual Eclipse 5 One of the Best Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrators

As one of the longest-lasting, most trusted models on the market, the SeQual Eclipse 5 is a great all-around choice for portable oxygen.

Its long-lasting battery, ease-of-use, and unmatched oxygen output makes it the perfect device for a variety of needs. And with its multitude of settings and accessories, you'll find that it's comfortable and convenient for both travel and everyday use.

 

GCE Zen-O

Although it's new to the market, the GCE Zen-O is quickly becoming one of the best-selling top-of-the-line portable oxygen concentrators. It's one of the most convenient continuous flow concentrators yet with a lightweight, durable design that makes it easy to take with you wherever you go.

GCE Zen-O Features

The GCE Zen-O is popular for its compact design, simple controls, and multiple flow settings. It is small and light enough to wear on your body, but still packs all the features and power you could want from a portable oxygen concentrator.

Lightweight, Travel-Friendly Design

The GCE Zen-O has one of the most compact designs of any constant flow portable oxygen concentrator yet, making it a great choice for trips and physical activities. It also comes with multiple transport options so it's comfortable to bring along no matter how you like to travel.

Like most other portable concentrators, the Zen-O comes with a wheeled travel cart to save you the trouble of carrying the weight. But, for even more flexibility, the Zen-O also comes with a handy, wearable custom carrying case so you can easily tote it on your person.

With the custom case, you can wear it over your shoulder or simply carry it by the handle. The case also helps to protect the portable concentrator from damage and wear while still letting you access all of the device's buttons and controls without having to take it out of the case.

When you are feeling breathless, fatigued, or simply don't want to carry the weight of the 10-pound machine, you don't have to. You can always use the Zen-O with the wheeled travel cart to save yourself energy and effort.

Simple & Easy to Use

Another of the Zen-O's great features is its easy-to-learn controls. It has a basic button interface and a large, clear screen to make operation as simple and easy as possible.

The clearly-labeled control panel lets you control the oxygen flow rate with basic arrow buttons and has an oxygen delivery mode button to quickly switch between pulse and and continuous flow. There are also buttons for muting the alarms, powering the device on and off, and for checking the remaining battery life.

The Zen-O's screen also makes it easy to monitor and control your oxygen delivery. It displays all the important information you need at a glance, including battery life, your oxygen flow rate, and warnings about problems or malfunctions with the device.

Flexibility for Both Pulse and Continuous Flow

The GCE Zen-O packs a lot of oxygen flow options in one tiny, 10-pound package. The ability to vary flow settings and operate while charging the Zen-O makes it perfect for 24-hour use as both a stationary and portable device.

The Zen-O can run pulse settings 1-6, which is great for daytime pulse-dose oxygen needs. It can also provide a continuous oxygen flow at up to two liters per minute, making it a great nighttime oxygen supply.

While plugged in to AC wall power, the Zen-O's continuous flow setting is fully compatible with CPAP and BiPAP machines. This makes it versatile enough to meet a variety of patient oxygen needs and to use at any time of day.

Extended Battery Options

Despite its small size, the GCE Zen-O has flexible battery options to allow you to keep it going longer in between charges. It can run on the standard single battery or you can pop in two batteries at a time to make the device last twice as long.

With the single battery, the Zen-O weighs 10 pounds and lasts about 4 hours on pulse setting 2. It's perfect for short errands, outings, or for bringing with you around the house.

Estimated Battery Life for GCE Zen-O with One Battery:

• Continuous Flow 0.5: Up to 3.0 hours
• Continuous Flow 1.0: Up to 1.75 hours
• Continuous Flow 1.5: Up to 1.25 hours
• Continuous Flow 2.0: Up to 0.75 hours
• Pulse Flow 1: Up to 4 hours
• Pulse Flow 2: Up to 4 hours
• Pulse Flow 3: Up to 3 hours
• Pulse Flow 4: Up to 2.25 hours
• Pulse Flow 5: Up to 2.0 hours
• Pulse Flow 6: Up to 1.75 hours

Using the Zen-O with two batteries adds two extra pounds to the device's total weight, bringing it to 12 pounds total. But with double the battery life, making the Zen-O a bit heavier is certainly not a bad trade-off.

Estimated Battery Life for GCE Zen-O with Two Batteries:

• Continuous Flow 0.5: Up to 6.0 hours
• Continuous Flow 1.0: Up to 3.5 hours
• Continuous Flow 1.5: Up to 2.5 hours
• Continuous Flow 2.0: Up to 1.5 hours
• Pulse Flow 1: Up to 8 hours
• Pulse Flow 2: Up to 8 hours
• Pulse Flow 3: Up to 6 hours
• Pulse Flow 4: Up to 4.5 hours
• Pulse Flow 5: Up to 4.0 hours
• Pulse Flow 6: Up to 3.5 hours

The two battery options make it easy for you to customize your device based on your changing, everyday needs. You can use the single battery for brief activities and put in a second battery for longer journeys.

GCE Zen-O Specifications:

• Weight: 10 lbs with one battery, 12 lbs with two batteries
• Dimensions: 12.3” high, 8.3” long, 6.6” wide
• Flow Rates: 0.5-2.0 liters per minute continuous flow, pulse flow settings 1-6
• Battery Life: Up to 1.5 hours on continuous flow, up to 8.0 hours on pulse flow
• Power: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz; 24 VDC
• FAA Approved: Yes!
• Warranty: 3 Year warranty

 

What's Included in the GCE Zen-O Package:

• Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator device
• AC & DC Power Supply
• One 12-cell battery
• Custom Carrying Case
• Tubing
• Padded Handle Strap & Padded Shoulder Strap
• Wheeled Travel Cart
• Manual