Inogen has been breaking ground for nearly twenty years by introducing cutting-edge, high-quality oxygen delivery technology that has helped save the lives of numerous patients with lung conditions around the world.
The Inogen One G5 is the most recent member of Inogen’s user-friendly portable oxygen concentrator series. The Inogen One G5 appears to be a “one-size-fits-all” portable oxygen concentrator, with increased functionality built on the foundations of the Inogen One G3 and Inogen One G4 to fulfill your supplemental oxygen needs. In this review, I’ll go through its features, accessories, perks, and my final thoughts on this new portable model.
Why my Input matters
My assessment of this product is based on publicly accessible information from Inogen, and 5+ years of experience as a certified medical doctor working in acute care hospitals, and adult and neonatal intensive care units. My expertise with adult respiratory medicine has exposed me to a variety of obstacles and situations related to the use of oxygen treatment in both the hospital and at home. I’ve worked with various oxygen concentrators – stationary and portable, and provided prescriptions based on my experience and patient feedback.
What is New in the Inogen G5?: Its Features
The Inogen G5 has two major improvements: The flow setting capacity and longer battery life. Inogen appears to have focused these updates in order to improve the user’s capacity to acquire more oxygen and extend the machine’s overall life while on the go. Both of these enhancements will give the user additional flexibility in terms of being able to undertake more physical activity without having to constantly change equipment. These additions are in line with Inogen’s objective to help people who use supplemental oxygen become more independent. So, I would begin with them.
SIX PULSE FLOW SETTINGS
While the Inogen One G3’s pulse flow settings can reach up to five levels and the Inogen One G4’s can reach up to three levels, the Inogen One G5 can reach up to six flow settings. This makes it one of the ruling oxygen concentrators available by Inogen (if not the best); unparalleled by their stationary oxygen device. While users on low oxygen flow may not see this as a significant benefit in the short term, the truth is that having more options is always preferable, especially as ailments worsen or conditions change. A person with a chronic lung condition, for example, may be perfectly suited to a three-level flow setting, but the need for oxygenation may increase to a six while exercising.
No continuous oxygen flow settings: This might be an inaccurate criticism of the G5 amongst other portable oxygen concentrator models because portable oxygen devices rely on pulse oxygen flow rather than continuous flow. There are a variety of reasons why this continuous flow setting isn’t available in portable concentrators, the most important of which being power consumption, but it’s still a drawback because it excludes a huge segment of the market that requires continuous oxygen supply.
EXPANDED BATTERY LIFE:
How many hours does an Inogen G5 last?
Having to be dependent on portable oxygen concentrators also comes with the worry of how long the single battery would be able to support breathing before a charge is required. Battery life of 5-6 hours would certainly not do much with the day-to-day activities of an average person, but the new Inogen One G5 comes with a whopping 13 hours of extended battery life with a double battery. So, no more frequent checks, charges, or even the additional mental burden. It is the perfect fit for an active lifestyle whilst on supplemental oxygen therapy. An external battery charger on a trip makes this possible. It’d enable you charge multiple single and double batteries.
RELATIVELY LIGHT WEIGHT
Carrying heavy oxygen concentrators around can be inconvenient and hinder your social interactions. This Inogen portable oxygen concentrator weighs only five pounds and measures 7.19 inches wide, 3.26 inches deep, and 8.15 inches tall. For some, it may be too heavy, but it does give a more stylish and less conspicuous look in public.
TRAVEL-FRIENDLY
The G5 is already a terrific portable device to carry about all day, thanks to its weight and the amount of battery life it provides with the double battery. Because it is also FAA approved (FAA – Federal Aviation Administration), it is a good choice for people searching for an oxygen concentrator that they can carry with them when they travel.
NOISE LEVEL
The device also has a noise level of about 39 decibels. Meaning it could conveniently be set up in a public place without drawing unwanted attention whilst receiving medical grade oxygen.
Perks
INTELLIGENT OXYGEN DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY
The new Inogen One G5 is a novel pulse dosage oxygen concentrator that aids patients in fast becoming used to oxygen therapy. It is powered by the Intelligent Oxygen Delivery technology.
The intelligent technology in the inogen oxygen concentrators helps to manage oxygen levels by detecting the patients’ breathing rate at a precise level. When the user engages in any type of physical activity, the device recognizes it and begins administering precise and brief bursts of oxygen to match the user’s oxygen demands. During sleep or rest, the medical unit delivers larger, slower boluses of oxygen in accordance with the user’s natural breathing rhythm. This allows the user to receive personalized oxygen therapy without having to do anything. Furthermore, the user does not require two separate units, one for use during the day and the other for usage at night, because the medical unit is designed to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now that’s awesome!
INOGEN CONNECT
The Inogen Connect mobile app makes use of Bluetooth technology to effortlessly report and monitor battery life, column life, and consumption. Because oxygen concentrators are such a large investment, the Inogen Connect app helps you to properly manage your system for optimal performance. If you’re generally highly active, knowing how much battery you have left and when it’s time to charge the concentrator might give you peace of mind.
INOGEN FREEDOM BUNDLE
Inogen offers Freedom Bundles to let you live your life as normally as possible, whether or not you’re utilizing oxygen therapy. The Freedom Bundle is the greatest deal if you want to use your oxygen concentrator for a long time and want it to be portable and stationary. The G5 system has three distinct freedom bundles to pick from, each with a different number of batteries. An oxygen specialist can help you decide.
Accessories
Inogen offers a comprehensive way to add more items to the purchase of the device. Available add-on items may include:
- Single battery
- Double battery
- External charger (car charger inclusive)
- AC power supply
- DC power cord
- Backpack
- Carrying bag
Is there a warranty?
The Inogen One G5 portable concentrator comes with a 3-year warranty.
Final Thoughts: Is Inogen One G5 good?
Inogen really outdid themselves with the new modifications into the Inogen One G5. It is undoubtedly a best-in-class device in practically every way. Being dependent on supplementary oxygen may not be the life you dreamed of, but with the new G5, you can take a trip or simply go outside for a walk unbothered. All your needs are met with this device, and it offers the best bang for your money.
