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Portable oxygen concentrators are life-saving medical devices. They provide supplemental oxygen to people with pulmonary, cardiac and blood disorders. Plus, they’re convenient for those on the go—unlike stationary oxygen concentrators, they’re battery-operated and don’t have to be plugged into an electrical outlet. These portal devices “give people the freedom not to be tethered to an AC-powered concentrator,” says Bob Bacheler, the Philadelphia-based managing director of Flying Angels, a company that provides non-emergency medical transport on commercial airlines.

To determine the best portable oxygen concentrators, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 30 products and ranked them based on affordability, weight, battery life, range of settings and more. Note: All prices are accurate as of the publication date.

This lightweight device is ideal for travel and even comes with a carrying bag for easy transport. It can be charged and used in the car, and it’s designed to switch between various setting options with ease. This EasyPulse portable oxygen concentrator also has built-in alarms to notify users of problems, such as a low battery or an accelerated breathing rate.

The Live Active Five portable oxygen concentrator offers a multitude of features, including a large, easy-to-read display, convenient battery access, five pulse dose settings and a one-touch start option. It comes with a starter kit that includes power cords and car adaptors, as well as a custom carrying bag and an accessory bag. Plus, the device has controlled minute volume technology, which helps keep noise in check.

This device features a rugged design all while weighing less than 5 pounds, so you don’t need to worry about everyday wear and tear. It’s also quiet and easy to carry in its provided travel bag. This oxygen concentrator automatically adjusts oxygen settings based on the user’s breathing and features five pulse dose settings for a wide range of supplemental oxygen needs.

The larger version of our top pick, this EasyPulse portable oxygen concentrator is easy to operate—it starts with the click of a single button. It comes with a five-year warranty on the device and a one-year warranty on the battery, power supplies and cords. Ideal for people on the go, it’s designed to fit under an airplane seat and can be charged in your car.

The SimplyGo Mini is a lightweight yet powerful choice. The sleek design features an LCD touch screen and comes with a stylish case. Meanwhile, its five pulse dose settings make it a suitable option for a wide range of needs. It’s also durable enough that you don’t have to worry about damaging it while on the go.

This petite portable oxygen concentrator features a full-color LCD screen and easy-press buttons, and it’s designed with safety in mind. It delivers up to 20% more oxygen than similar units, and it automatically provides extra oxygen when you need it. The concentrator is also easy to maintain and comes with a five-year warranty.

The Invacare Platinum Mobile Oxygen Concentrator is a durable device that features a bumper in its carry bag, plus a foam-encapsulated compressor—it’s even water resistant for up to 10 minutes. Plus, its batteries can be swapped on the go without interrupting oxygen supply. Batteries are loaded in the top, which means you don’t have to switch the unit off or take the device out of its bag to swap them.

This device offers an impressive 12 settings, and it’s easy to swap the battery even while in operation. Designed to accommodate continuous flow and large pulse dosages without a bulky stationary concentrator, it can be stored underneath an airplane seat without being disassembled.

The Zen-O Lite portable oxygen concentrator is a quiet machine geared toward people with active lifestyles who need long-term oxygen therapy. It can deliver up to 1,050 milliliters of oxygen per minute, and it features technology that enables rapid breath detection. This device delivers oxygen on demand, which means if you’re taking a walk, it will automatically respond to your breathing rate and adjust the amount of oxygen to what your body needs.

This sleek device has a large display screen and is easy to adjust and control. It’s a great choice if you travel a lot, as it’s approved for flights within the U.S. The Oxlife Freedom utilizes a smart battery designed for a long life with a speedy recharge time, and it’s lightweight and durable.

To determine the best portable oxygen concentrators, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 30 products, ranking them based on:

Portable oxygen concentrators are battery-operated devices that provide supplemental oxygen to people who “require greater oxygen concentrations than the levels of ambient air,” says Sanul Corrielus, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist based in Philadelphia. “Oxygen concentrators draw oxygen from your immediate environment,” he adds, meaning they don’t require refillable oxygen canisters or tanks, which makes maintenance and upkeep easy.

A portable oxygen concentrator, sometimes called a POC, is similar to a home oxygen concentrator (OC) but more mobile, says Corrielus. These devices are small enough to carry, which makes them ideal for travel, and some are approved for use on airlines.

According to Corrielus, here’s how an oxygen concentrator works:

Anyone with a condition that may cause a low blood oxygen level (hypoxia) may benefit from supplemental oxygen, says Bacheler. Such conditions can include anemia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, heart failure and congenital heart disease.

There are numerous features to consider when choosing a portable oxygen concentrator, but there are a few particularly important details to think about when browsing your options.

While stationary oxygen concentrators deliver a continuous flow of oxygen, portable devices can either provide a continuous flow or a pulse mode, explains Bacheler. Pulse mode POCs can only be used by those using nasal cannulas who have enough breathing power to trigger the device to deliver a pulse of oxygen. People with tracheostomies (a surgical opening in the neck into the trachea) or very poor breathing ability need a continuous flow POC. Some POCs feature both pulse dose and continuous flow settings.

It’s also important to consider the amount of oxygen needed, says Bacheler. Pulse mode POCs can typically deliver 1 to 6 liters of oxygen per minute, though some small ones are limited to 3 liters per minute. Continuous flow POCs can only provide 1 to 3 liters of oxygen per minute.

Batteries on pulse mode POC devices have a much longer life than those on continuous flow concentrators, according to Bacheler.

All portable concentrators have a car charger, he notes, but airplanes don’t “have enough power to operate a POC, so the user needs to have enough batteries to operate the POC for the duration of a flight.” Many airlines require passengers to have enough battery life for 150% of a planned flight time as a safety precaution to avoid emergencies. If you use a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator, that could mean traveling with an additional 20 to 30 pounds of batteries, says Bacheler.

Portable oxygen concentrators range in weight from about 5 to 20 pounds, says Bacheler. Smaller concentrators have a lower oxygen capacity, so it’s usually best to opt for a larger device if you need a lot of supplemental oxygen. Consider how often you travel and what size would best fit your lifestyle. If you frequently fly on airplanes, make sure the device you’re considering is approved for air travel before you purchase it.

Yes. Supplemental oxygen is only sold or rented if you have a prescription, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Using a concentrator without a doctor’s prescription could lead to health problems, including oxygen toxicity, which occurs when you receive too much oxygen, states the agency. Your prescription states how much oxygen you should use and the duration for which you need it.

Medicare Part B often helps cover the cost of renting oxygen equipment, such as portable concentrators. However, you must meet the following conditions:

If you already own a portable oxygen concentrator, Medicare does help pay for supplies and for the delivery of oxygen.

Many private insurers cover portable oxygen concentrators, too, but it depends on the details of your specific plan. For instance, the Inogen One Oxygen Concentrator is covered by “many private insurance plans” at little or no cost, though copayments and deductibles may apply. Contact your insurance provider to find out exactly how much will be covered.

Yes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows certain portable oxygen concentrators—including the Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse and Airsep Lifestyle—onboard airplanes.

In order to be permitted on a flight, the devices must meet certain criteria. For example, they cannot radiate radio frequency emissions that interfere with the plane’s systems, and it’s important that they don’t generate compressed gas. Additionally, they can’t contain any hazardous materials. Check with the FAA if you’re unsure whether your portable oxygen concentrator qualifies to fly.

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

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Angela Haupt has been a health writer and editor for more than a decade. She was previously the managing editor of health at U.S. News & World Report, where she spent 11 years covering and editing wellness and conditions topics. She helped launch the popular Best Diets rankings and continued to oversee the franchise throughout her time there. Angela has also written about health and wellness for publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Everyday Health and Verywell Fit. She’s passionate about helping people make healthier decisions through accurate journalism that delivers the facts and puts them in context.

Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.