A Quick Guide to Portable Oxygen Concentrator Noise Ratings for a Quiet Lifestyle

How are portable oxygen concentrator noise levels measured?

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.

Example dBA Levels

The table below ranks various environmental noises by level, giving you a real-world guide to compare a POC to.^[2]

How many decibels (dBA) is a standard portable oxygen concentrator?

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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How do dBA levels vary across POCs?

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]

Comfortable Daily Living and Rest With Oxygen Therapy

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:

• Experiment with accessories to find what works: Some people find that the cannula is uncomfortable and prefer a face mask in the privacy of their own home instead. Others may find that investing in different carry accessories can give them more ability to move around. Using clips or straps can help prevent tubing from becoming kinked or tangled.

• Find the perfect rest position: You may have to change how you relax with oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy is delivered through different methods, such as pulse dose or continuous flow. In time, you can determine whether a stationary or POC is more convenient for your personal lifestyle and home setup.

• Adjust the flow settings: Working with your care provider, you can adjust the settings to find a flow rate that’s comfortable for you to deliver the oxygen you need.
• Use a humidifier or water-based nasal gels and sprays. Oxygen therapy can cause your airways to dry out. Using a humidifier with your POC can help avoid this. Water-based sprays can also help keep your lips and nose moist.^[7] However, do not use flammable creams and lotions such as vapor rubs, petroleum jelly, or anything oil-based.^[8]
• Use earplugs or white noise to cover noise: Using earplugs or playing gentle white noise can help hide the noise of your POC. Similarly, you can put your POC on an elevated surface, but place a soft pad underneath to reduce vibrations.

Oxygen Therapy Safety Considerations & FAQs

Is a POC safe to use all day?

Yes, with access to a power supply, you can use a portable oxygen concentrator all day at home. However, you should take some precautions:

• Keep it away from heat sources and open flames
• Do not put it on the floor during the night.
• Keep it clear of walls, curtains, and bedding.
• Do not use flammable products around the POC, such as aerosols, petroleum jelly, or oil-based cosmetics.

Do portable oxygen concentrators pose a fire risk?

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.

Investing In a POC for Your Lifestyle

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.

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19722141/
2. https://ehs.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/decibel-level-chart.pdf
3. https://www.hp.com/hk-en/shop/tech-takes/post/silent-gaming-revolution-quiet-pc-build-guide
4. https://www.inogen.com/rove4/pdf/96-11126-00-02 Rev_C_Inogen_Rove_4_US_User_Manual_English_web.pdf
5. https://des.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/CrushingPlantOperationDb.pdf
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6822580/
7. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/using-oxygen-at-home
8. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/using-oxygen-safely

This article was authored by Inogen, Inc. and includes discussion of products manufactured by Inogen. The information provided is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.