A Practical Technical Guide to Buying Used Portable Oxygen Concentrators
For anyone who relies on supplemental oxygen, a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) can mean the difference between staying home and living life on the go. Advances over the past decade have shrunk these machines, extended battery life, and driven down prices—especially in the second-hand market. Today’s refurbished units can be as small as a paperback, weigh less than 3 lb, and still deliver clinically reliable oxygen. This guide explains how used POCs are restored, what to compare before you buy, and where to find reputable dealers.
• Significant cost savings – Premium pre-owned bundles from CPAPXchange advertiseup to 60 % off retail; their site notes that the packages include a 1-year warranty and a 15-day money-back guarantee, helping buyerssave hundreds of dollars.• Rigorous re-conditioning – Bridge To Care USA details amulti-step reconditioning process(inspection, part replacement, recalibration, performance testing) so refurbished devices “meet stringent standards for safety and functionality.” You can see how every unit iscarefully inspected and recalibrated.• Warranty protection – Vendors such as OxygenPlus Medical include 6- to 12-month warranties on reconditioned portables, and extended plans can stretch to five years, giving buyers peace of mind withindustry-leading warranty options.• Environmental benefits – Re-use diverts electronics from landfills and maximizes the 40 000-hour design life typical of well-maintained concentrators (Respiration Nation reports that their used machines haveless than 10 % of that life consumed).
How Refurbishment Works
Below is a typical checklist a reputable company follows before a unit is resold:
| Stage | What Happens | Example Vendor Note |
|---|---|---|
| Intake & inspection | Run-time hours downloaded, cabinet opened, visual check for damage. | Oxygen Concentrator Store’s “30-point inspection.” |
| Component replacement | Sieve beds, filters, gaskets, valves, batteries swapped if out of spec. | Recertified units get new seals & filters to restore purity. |
| Calibration & test | Oxygen purity, flow accuracy, and battery discharge verified. | Bridge To Care USA recalibrates flow and runs extensive performance checks. |
| Cleaning & sanitation | Housing, cannula port, and intake paths disinfected. | CPAPXchange lists full cleaning and disinfection on every POC. |
| Quality sign-off | Unit tagged, warranty logged, FAA label confirmed. | All certified pre-owned devices are FAA-approved for flight. |
Key Technical Specifications to Compare
| Model (common on used market) | Weight | Battery life (single pack) | Flow type / Range | Noise (dBA) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inogen G5 | 2.8 lb | Up to 6 h | Pulse; settings 1–6 LPM | — | Respiration Nation |
| OxyGo /Inogen One G3 (refurb) | 4.8 lb* | 4–8 h* | Pulse; 1–5 | — | Bridges Medical |
| Philips SimplyGo Mini | 5 lb* | 4.5 h* | Pulse; 1–5 | — | Help Medical Supplies |
| Oxlife Liberty 2 | 6.8 lb* | 4 h* | Pulse + Continuous | — | My Medical Outlet |
| HACENOR FYY01 | 1.43 lb | 4 h internal / 5 h external | Continuous 0.3–1.5 LPM | < 50 dBA | HACENOR specs |
*Specifications marked with an asterisk vary by battery size or were derived from average vendor listings.
When browsing, also check:
• Oxygen purity (most portable units deliver 87 – 96 %).
• Max flow rate (continuous vs. pulse dose).
• Service life and remaining hours.
• FAA compliance label (for air travel).
Bridge To Care notes that their stock ranges from 1.75 lb micro-POCs to 18 lb high-capacity carts, with batteries lasting up to nine hours on a pulse setting, illustrating the span of choices across the market.
Purchase Channels and Pricing Models
- Direct Outright Purchase – many sites list certified units as low as $949 for a SimplyGo Mini at Help Medical Supplies.
- Financing Agreements – Respiration Nation offers a $299 down / $99 month rent-to-own plan with no credit check, making ownership accessible to fixed-income buyers.
- Short-Term Rental – OxygenConcentratorStore maintains a rental fleet for vacation or post-surgery use; browse their Respironics SimplyGo rental page for daily and weekly rates.
- Trade-In & Buy-Back – LPT Medical lets you trade an older concentrator for store credit, which they explain in their guide on whether to buy new, used, or refurbished.
Prescription & Regulatory Essentials
U.S. law classifies oxygen concentrators as prescription devices. Dealers therefore require a valid Rx before shipping. CPAPXchange reminds customers that “prescription is mandatory for oxygen concentrators,” a rule echoed by Respiration Nation and others. Be prepared to upload or fax your physician’s order during checkout.
Practical Buying Checklist
- Verify flow mode matches your doctor’s script (pulse vs. continuous).
- Ask for run-time hours and the refurbishment checklist.
- Confirm warranty length, return window, and service location.
- Check battery replacement cost and availability.
- Ensure accessories—AC/DC chargers, carry bag, cannula—are included; OxyGo G3 refurb bundles ship with all of these “essential accessories needed for operation.”
- Review noise level if you are sensitive to sound (Bridge To Care cites units as quiet as 40 dBA).
- Look for FAA approval if you plan to fly.
Maintenance & Ownership Tips
• Replace intake filters and sieve bed columns every 12–18 months (Respiration Nation provides affordable columns and how-to videos).
• Keep batteries between 20 %–80 % charge if storing for weeks.
• Use only distilled water in optional humidifiers.
• Never smoke near the device—many seller warranties exclude damage caused by smoke residue.
• Take advantage of 7-day “cooling-off” guarantees like the one Pure O2 offers on all reconditioned units, giving you time to confirm suitability.
Traveling With a POC
Because all certified pre-owned devices from CPAPXchange are FAA-approved, most airlines allow them in both cabin and cargo. Bring enough battery capacity for 150 % of the flight duration (e.g., 6 h of batteries for a 4 h trip) and keep your prescription handy for security checks.
The Bottom Line
Used portable oxygen concentrators combine modern engineering with deep discounts, letting more people breathe easy on a budget. Whether you choose a feather-light 1.4 lb HACENOR unit for day hikes or a refurbished Inogen G5 for international travel, the refurbished market—backed by stringent testing, solid warranties, and dealer expertise—makes high-quality oxygen therapy more accessible than ever.
By following the technical checkpoints in this guide and partnering with reputable suppliers, you can confidently select a unit that keeps pace with your lifestyle while protecting both your wallet and your health.
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