Buying Guide- POC vs. Home

Portable vs. home concentrator — which do I need?

Short answer: most long-term oxygen patients end up with both. Here's how to think about which to start with, why one isn't a substitute for the other, and what your prescription actually requires.

The Fundamental Difference

A home (or stationary) oxygen concentrator is a larger plug-in device designed to run continuously- all day, all night- at higher flow rates. It's your therapy when you're at home.

A portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is a small, battery-powered device designed to deliver oxygen on the move. It's your therapy when you leave the house.

They're not interchangeable. A home unit isn't designed to be carried; a POC isn't designed to run 12+ hours overnight at high settings. Patients who need oxygen full-time generally use both, and that's the norm- not an exception.

Which Do I Need?

When you need ONLY a home concentrator
- Your prescription is for use only at night, or only at rest, and you don't leave the house with oxygen.
- Your prescribed flow rate exceeds what any POC can deliver (typically anything above pulse setting 6, or any continuous-flow requirement above 2 LPM).
- Cost is a major constraint and you're mostly homebound- a $2,500 home unit gives you full therapy at home without a $3,700 portable on top.
When you need ONLY a portable concentrator
- Your prescription is "as needed" or "with exertion"- meaning you only need oxygen during specific activities (exercise, climbing stairs, errands).
- You're active and your flow rate is in the pulse-dose range (settings 1–6, or roughly the equivalent of 1–3 LPM continuous).
- You're still working or socially active and don't spend long stretches at home requiring continuous flow.
When you need BOTH
This is the most common scenario for
long-term oxygen therapy patients:
- Your prescription is for 24-hour use or for use during sleep, AND you also want the freedom to leave the house.
- You need continuous flow at home for sleep but pulse dose is fine while you're up and moving.
- You travel periodically and don't want to be tied to a cylinder rental every time.
For these patients, a typical setup is a stationary 5L concentrator at home, plus a portable concentrator for outings.

Seven Key Differences

How much oxygen can each type deliver?

Portable: Pulse settings 1–6, roughly 1–3 LPM equivalent.

Home: 5 LPM continuous on standard units, up to 10 LPM continuous on high-flow units like the Drive DeVilbiss 10L.

Does either type offer continuous flow?

Portable: Most do not offer continuous flow- they deliver oxygen in pulse doses timed to your inhale.

Home: Continuous flow is the standard mode.

Can I run either type on battery?

Portable: Yes. Battery runtime is typically 5 to 13 hours depending on the model and pulse setting.

Home: No. Home concentrators are plug-in only.

How much does each type weigh?

Portable: 3.3 to 5.7 lb depending on the model- light enough to wear on a shoulder, hip, or backpack.

Home: 18 to 42 lb, cart-mounted on wheels so you can roll it between rooms.

How loud are they?

Portable: 38–42 dBA, quieter than a typical refrigerator.

Home: 40–69 dBA depending on the model and flow setting. The Inogen At Home is the quietest stationary option if noise matters to you.

How much electricity does each type use?

Portable: 90–120 W when plugged in- minimal impact on your hydro bill.

Home: 275–650 W depending on the model.

What's the typical retail cost in Canadian dollars?

Portable: $3,700.

Home: $2,500 for a 5L stationary unit, up to $3,300 for a 10L high-flow unit like the Drive DeVilbiss 10L.

Many patients on 24-hour therapy end up with one of each.

Talk To Your Physician

Your prescription drives this decision. Before purchasing, confirm with your physician or respirologist whether you need continuous-flow oxygen, what your maximum flow rate is, and whether your prescription covers different equipment for different times of day.

Questions? Email us at hello@homeoxygensolutions.ca. We help patients make this choice every week