High Flow Oxygen Concentrator Review Featuring Side-by-Side Comparison Chart - 2020

Updated: October 12, 2019

Review Home Oxygen Concentrators with High Oxygen Flow

High Flow Oxygen Concentrators provide continuous oxygen flow from 6 to 10 liters per minute (LPM). These oxygen machines are significantly larger than the 5 Liter Oxygen Machines and often produce twice the amount of concentrated oxygen. Oxygen patients that need high-flow oxygen, also require high-flow nasal cannula and oxygen tubing that can accommodate 6 to 15 liters per minute. Often, high-flow oxygen therapy requires humidification to offset the tendency to dry out the airway passages with large volumes of oxygen. Migrating from 5-liter oxygen machines to full-sized 10-liter oxygen concentrators requires upgrading all of the oxygen equipment you may have been accustomed to using. This upgrade also merits closer supervision by your physician due to the greater difficulty in breathing from the increased pressure from higher oxygen flows. At the bottom of this page are links to research studies regarding High-Flow Oxygen Therapy. Some of these studies refer to flows over 30 LPM which would not be suitable for home oxygen therapy but provide valuable information for understanding high flow oxygen.

This review examines the top high-flow home oxygen concentrators on the market that offer 8 to 10 liters of oxygen therapy per minute. These O2 machines include two 8 liter concentrators--the Nidek Nuvo 8 and the AirSep NewLife Intensity 8. The review also includes four 10 liter oxygen machines--the Invacare Platinum 10, the Respironics Millennium M10, the AirSep NewLife Intensity 10, and the DeVilbiss 10L. A side-by-side comparison of the High Flow Home Oxygen Concentrators is below this review summary.

Additional oxygen concentrator reviews, rankings, and comparison charts can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

• Low Flow Oxygen Concentrator Review - examines 2- and 3-liter oxygen generators designed for home use.
• Home Oxygen Concentrator Rankings - compares the top ten home oxygen concentrators with 5 liters of oxygen output.
• Portable Oxygen Concentrator Reviews - presents lightweight O2 generators by brand.
• Portable Oxygen Concentrator Comparison - compares the top portable oxygen machines on the market in a side-by-side chart.
• Ranking the Continuous/Pulse Flow Portable Concentrators - rates the top concentrators that offer pulse and continuous flow oxygen.

Smallest Size High Flow Oxygen Concentrators

Smaller sized oxygen concentrators are less cumbersome to move from room to room within your home. Large, bulky concentrators are harder to get through narrow doorways and bump into furniture. All of the five concentrators that made this review have caster wheels to facilitate room-to-room navigation. The lowest profile, high-flow oxygen concentrator FOR SALE, is the DeVilbiss 10L. It has only 3,969 cubic inches, making it significantly smaller in size than any of its competitors. It also has the least weight at 42 pounds, facilitating the best oxygen concentrator for negotiating narrow hallways and dodging furniture. If you need to move your concentrator around the house a lot from one room to another, the DeVilbiss 10L would be your best choice.

The largest home oxygen concentrator is the Platinum 10 at over 7100 cubic inches. Although the size is large, it comes in handy if you plan to refill portable oxygen cylinders with its cousin, the HomeFill. The comparison chart below displays the size and weight of each concentrator graphically. The larger the bubble, the larger the machine size. Concentrators at the top of the graphic have the largest size. Concentrators to the right of the chart, weigh more. The horizontal red line indicates the average size, and the verticle red line indicates the average weight. Concentrators positioned within the "Red Zone" offer less than average weight and have a smaller than average size. The DeVilbiss stands alone in the size and weight comparison with the lowest weight and the smallest size. Meanwhile, the competitors to the DeVilbiss form a tightly clumped group of heavier and larger machines.

Concentrators with the Lowest Power Consumption

Large oxygen machines that offer high-flows are going to use more power to operate than standard size home oxygen concentrators. In an age of rising utility rates, finding a high-flow oxygen concentrator that is economical to function is essential to many oxygen patients. Many high-flow oxygen therapy patients run their machines 24/7 and are on a fixed budget.

The 8-liter concentrators consume the least amount of electricity to operate, utilizing 500 watts or less. The AirSep NewLife Intensity 8 uses the least amount of power, averaging 410 watts an hour. The lowest power consumption among the 10-liter machines is the Invacare Platinum 10. The home oxygen concentrator with the highest power consumption is the DeVilbiss 10L, requiring an average of 639 watts an hour. Operating the smallest high-flow concentrator has a cost of higher utility bills.

The national average for the cost of a kilowatt per hour (KWH) is 0.1327 cents. States with high prices for electrical power like Hawaii at 0.3142, Alaska at 0.2402, Connecticut at 0.2106, Massachusetts at 0.2090, and California at 0.1996 will require significantly more power costs than the national average. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, July 2019, Electric Power Monthly)¹

High-Flow Oxygen Concentrator Power Usage Comparison

The chart above displays the average watts per hour for each high-flow oxygen concentrator with the average daily cost and the average annual cost to operate. Oxygen patients that need 8-liters of oxygen or less can save over $267 annually on their electric bill by purchasing the NewLife Intensity 8 instead of the DeVilbiss 10L.

Lowest Noise Concentrator

Hearing the constant drone of an oxygen concentrator can be annoying to an oxygen patient or their spouse. Usually, the larger the oxygen concentrator motor, the more noise they emit. High-flow oxygen concentrators have the largest motors to generate a high volume of oxygen. High-flow oxygen patients may select a machine that offers the lowest noise while still producing the amount of oxygen they need.

Noise is sound pressure measured in decibel units. OSHA hearing protection guidelines consider decibel levels above 85 as harmful. Between the range of 51 and 84 decibels, the sound pressure is "non-hazardous noise." Below 50 decibels, the sound is considered as comfortable. See the chart below for the noise levels of each machine and where they fit on the OSHA noise scale.

Noise Decibel Levels

None of the machines have a hazardous sound rating between 85 to 159 decibels. Three concentrators fall in the non-hazardous noise range, emitting sound pressures above 50 but below 84 decibels. These O2 machines include the AirSep NewLife Intensity 8, the Intensity 10, and the DeVilbiss 10L. These concentrators emit from 57 to 69 decibels of noise.

Three concentrators fall in the "Safe, Comfortable" range. The Invacare Platinum 10 and the Respironics Millennium M10 are both on the edge of the comfortable sound level at 50 decibels. The lowest noise high-flow concentrator is the Nidek Nuvo 8 at 48 decibels.

Best Selling Oxygen Concentrator

The DeVilbiss 10L is the top-selling high-flow oxygen concentrator at Vitality Medical. It is a 10-liter machine with the smallest profile. The second top-selling machine is the Platinum 10 from Invacare, followed by the NewLife Intensity 10 from AirSep. The Intensity 10 has replaced the Sequal Integra 10, which is no longer in production. The Millennium M10 is the lowest price high-flow concentrator and has been popular for many years.

Best Performing 10 Liter Oxygen Concentrator

The Respironics Millennium M10 is the best performing high flow oxygen concentrator, offering the highest concentration levels ranging from 92 to 96%. The low and the upper range of the concentration level beats all of its competitors. The lower range of all of its competitors is 87%, a significant difference in capability. The Millennium M10 also offers the highest oxygen outlet pressure ranging from 10 to 30 PSI. Manufactured in the USA, the Millennium M10 surprisingly has the lowest ability to operate in high elevation areas. Its limit is only 1,368 feet. For people living at a higher elevation, you might want to consider the NewLife Intensity 10, which can operate up to 10,000 feet above sea level.

Bonus Features

Caire/AirSep provides high-flow concentrators with bonus features that are hard to ignore. AirSep provides high-flow concentrators with single and dual flow options. The dual-mode allows two patients to use the concentrator simultaneously as long as both oxygen patients together do not require more than the total capacity of the machine. AirSep also offers optional oxygen monitors that allow patients to monitor the concentration levels of their oxygen. Each of their Intensity branded products allows operation at higher altitudes. You may also add a nebulizer outlet if needed. These bonuses add significant functionality not found in the other concentrators in this comparison. The AirSep Intensity Series Concentrators presents a significant "bang" for your hard-earned bucks. For homes with two oxygen patients, or people who need to add nebulization to their oxygen therapy, the AirSep Intensity Concentrators are a great buy.

Overall Best High-Flow Oxygen Concentrator

The overall best home oxygen concentrator with high-flow delivery is the Respironics Millennium M10. The Millennium M10 offers up to 10 liters of oxygen with the highest oxygen concentration of 92 to 96%. It provides the strongest oxygen outlet pressure in a range from 10 to 30 PSI. Having high outlet pressure allows you to use longer oxygen tubing with your machine. Noise emissions are in the "Safe, Comfortable" zone. The combination of best performance and lowest price make the Respironics Millennium M10 Oxygen Concentrator the best high-flow concentrator on the market. Below is a side-by-side comparison chart of the top high-flow concentrators for sale.

Best High-Flow Oxygen Concentrator

•    Highest Concentration Level - 92 to 96%
•    Highest Oxygen Output Pressure - 1 to 30 PSI
•    Made in the USA
•    Lowest Price High-Flow Concentrator
•    Respected Manuacturer of Respiratory Products
•    Respironics Millennium M10

High Flow Oxygen Concentrator Comparison Chart

Footnotes

¹U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector". July 2019. Electric Power Monthly. Last Accessed October 9, 2019.

High Flow Oxygen Therapy Studies

• Ward, JJ, High-Flow Oxygen Administration by Nasal Cannula for Adult and Perinatal Patients. Respiratory Care, January 1, 2013 vol. 58 no. 1 98-122.
• Agarwal, R, and Gupta, D. What are High-Flow and Low-Flow Delivery Systems? Stroke, 2005; 36: 2066-2067.
• Singhal AB, Benner T, Roccatagliata L, Koroshetz WJ, Schaefer PW, Lo EH, nanno FS, Gonzalez RG, Sorensen AG. A pilot study of normobaric oxygen therapy in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke. 2005; 36: 797–802.
• Shapiro BA, Peruzzi WT, Templin RK. Clinical Application of Blood Gases. 5th ed. St. Louis: CV Mosby; 1994: 127–156.
• Miller, Kenneth. High Flow Oxygen: Does It Make a Difference? RT Magazine. September 12, 2013.
• Lenglet H, Sztrymf B, Leroy C, Brun P, Dreyfuss D, Ricard JD. Humidified high flow nasal oxygen during respiratory failure in the emergency department: feasibility and efficacy. Respir Care. 2012;57(11):1873-8.
• Kernick J, Magarey J. What is the evidence for the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygen in adult patients admitted to critical care units? A systematic review. Aust Crit Care. 2010;23(2):53-70.
• Cairo JM. Administering medical gases: regulators, flow meters and controlling devices. In: Cairo JM, Pilbeam SP, eds. Respiratory Care Equipment. St. Louis: CV Mosby; 1999: 62–89.
• Parke RL, McGuinness SP, Eccleston ML. A preliminary randomized controlled trial to assess effectiveness of nasal high-flow oxygen in intensive care patients. Respir Care. 2011;56(3):265-270.
• Parke R, McGuinness S, Eccleston M. Nasal high-flow therapy delivers low level positive airway pressure. Br J Anaesth. 2009;103(6):886-90.
• Chanques G, Constantin JM, Sauter M J, et al. Discomfort associated with underhumidified high-flow oxygen therapy in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Med. 2009;35(6):996-1003.
• Sassoon CSH, McGovern JP. Oxygenation strategy. In: Schoemaker WC, Ayres SM, Grenvik A, Holbrook PR, eds. Textbook of Critical Care. Singapore: Harcourt Asia; 2001: 1308–1323.
• Cuquemelle, E, Pham, T, Papon, JF, Louis, B, Danin, PE, Brochard, L. Heated and Humidified High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Reduces Discomfort During Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure, Respiratory Care. October, 2012 vol. 57 no. 10.