The noise level of a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) can directly impact the daily comfort, rest, and overall quality of life of its user. Let’s explore what POC noise ratings mean, how they vary across today’s devices, and ways that POC users can improve their rest and relaxation while on oxygen therapy.
Portable oxygen concentrators’ noise levels are measured in dBA, sometimes written as dB(A). While decibels (dB) are a measure of sound, dBA is a weighted scale that judges relative loudness based on how a human will hear it.
The human ear doesn’t hear all frequencies equally, especially those that are very low or very high. When rating the noise level of devices, the frequencies you’ll actually hear are given more importance. Regardless of the noise in question, the lower the number, the quieter it will be.
The table below ranks various environmental noises by level, giving you a real-world guide to compare a POC to.[2]
| dBA Level | Equivalent Noise |
|---|---|
| 0 | Threshold of human hearing |
| 20 | A peaceful natural area with no wind |
| 25 | A human whisper |
| 40 | A suburban area at night |
| 55 | A typical refrigerator |
| 60-70 | A normal conversation |
| 75 | A typical vacuum cleaner |
| 85 | City traffic |
Resting with a quiet device as an oxygen therapy patient can be a challenge for many. Clinical studies have suggested that the noise level of oxygen concentrators can negatively impact patient adherence to long-term oxygen therapy and their overall user experience.[1]
Thanks to advances in POC technology, as POCs have gotten smaller and more compact, they’ve also gotten quieter. There are many portable oxygen concentrators on the market today designed for quieter operation.
Most modern POCs range from 35-50 dBA in normal use, which is about the same as a library, soft conversation, or a normal PC.[3] Given that most background noise in our daily lives is around 40-50 dBA, you’ll rarely hear your POC when it’s running.
But what about in a quiet room?
Depending on your specific POC, you and anybody you share a room with may hear it during a conversation or while watching a program. However, this also depends on your environment. For instance, if you live in a quiet suburb, your POC will likely be comparable to the level of outside noise. If you live in an urban environment, you may not even notice it.
That said, many POCs have been designed to be quiet. For example, the Inogen® Rove 4™ and Rove 6™ systems operate at 39 dBA on Setting 2 [4], which is as quiet as the sound of a typical refrigerator running. POCs operating at this level (39 dBA) meet the industry standard for quiet operation.
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For oxygen therapy patients prioritizing noise level, the following list of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) available in 2026 and their stated noise levels may be helpful. At these levels (typically measured at Setting 2), most devices are comparable to a human whisper (25-40 dBA).
39 dBA (Industry Standard Quiet):
Inogen® Rove 4™
Inogen® Rove 6™
CAIRE® FreeStyle® Comfort®
Belluscura® X-PLOR®
Some POCs operate at higher dBA, but may offer different features, such as continuous flow therapy (versus pulse-dose therapy).
40+ dBA (Noticeable in Quiet Environments):
Rhythm P2-S4: 40 dBA
Philips SimplyGo: 43 dBA
Ready O2 Pro/Lite: 48 dBA
O2 Concepts® OxLife Liberty 2®: 52 dBA
Although there are devices with slightly lower noise ratings than those listed above, sources suggest that even a difference of 3 dBA is barely perceptible to humans.[5]
Many of today’s newer POCs achieve quiet operation, though overall comfort goes beyond noise alone — portability, battery life, and therapy type all play a role in finding the right fit. Patients may want a quiet machine, but they may also want something reliable that they can easily take to work, run errands, or on trips.
For example, patients may find a POC like the Inogen® Rove 4™ offers a good balance of noise level, portability (weighing just 2.9 lbs.), and battery performance (up to 5 hours with the extended battery on Setting 1). It’s also FAA-approved and designed for both mobility and quiet, discreet operation during air travel.
Because device satisfaction and quality of life are intimately connected for many oxygen therapy patients, as research suggests, it’s important to work with a clinician/care provider to find the right machine to fit your therapy needs.[6]
Adjusting to life with oxygen therapy can be difficult at first, but patients are likely to get used to it over time. Following some of our oxygen therapy tips can also contribute to a better restful time at home:
Yes, with access to a power supply, you can use a portable oxygen concentrator all day at home. However, you should take some precautions:
Portable oxygen concentrators are incredibly safe, but pure oxygen is flammable and can still be a fire risk. Do not smoke around your POC or put it near candles and other open flames. Ensure it always has proper ventilation when being used, and always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance guidelines.
At Inogen, we believe that reliable and effective oxygen therapy can be delivered by small, quiet, and powerful machines. Our portable oxygen concentrators, like the Rove 4™ and Rove 6™, are designed to be whisper-quiet and discreet to fit into an active lifestyle.
Explore our full range of portable oxygen concentrators today.
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