Filters room air to deliver purified oxygen continuously — available in 5L and 10L capacities depending on medical need.
An oxygen concentrator provides respiratory support at home for patients with breathing difficulties, working by filtering nitrogen out of room air to deliver continuous purified oxygen — unlike a cylinder, it never runs out as long as it has power.
The machine draws in room air and passes it through a molecular sieve material that captures nitrogen, allowing purified, oxygen-enriched air to pass through to the patient via a nasal cannula or mask.
| Feature | 5L Concentrator | 10L Concentrator |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Mild-moderate COPD, post-COVID recovery, elderly respiratory support | More severe respiratory conditions, higher flow needs |
| Size & noise | Smaller, quieter | Larger, louder |
| Power use | ~300-600 watts | Higher power draw |
| Monthly rent | ~₹4,000 – ₹5,000 | ~₹6,000 – ₹8,000 |
The right choice depends entirely on your doctor's prescribed flow rate — never choose capacity based on price or general assumption.
Tell us the prescribed flow rate and your pincode.
Someone who's already rented a similar unit nearby.
Which provider they used, cost, and delivery experience.
Contact them directly — we're not involved in delivery.
"My father needed an oxygen concentrator after being discharged post-COVID, and we had no idea whether to get a 5L or 10L unit or which provider was reliable. A neighbour who'd gone through the exact same situation a few months earlier shared what her doctor recommended and her provider's contact — saved us from guessing during an already stressful time."
Oxygen concentrators became a much more familiar piece of home medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and remain genuinely useful for a range of ongoing respiratory needs. This guide covers how they work, choosing the right capacity, and safe operation.
The machine draws in ordinary room air (which is roughly 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen) and passes it through a molecular sieve material — typically zeolite — that selectively captures nitrogen molecules, allowing purified, oxygen-enriched air (typically 87-95% oxygen concentration) to pass through to the patient. This is fundamentally different from an oxygen cylinder, which stores a fixed, finite supply of pre-compressed oxygen that eventually runs out — a concentrator, as long as it has power, produces oxygen continuously and never needs refilling.
A 5L concentrator suits the majority of home oxygen users — mild to moderate COPD, post-COVID recovery, general elderly respiratory weakness — maintaining good oxygen purity across its flow range. A 10L machine is for more severe respiratory conditions requiring higher flow rates, and is correspondingly larger, heavier, and noisier. The right choice depends entirely on your doctor's prescribed flow rate in litres per minute (LPM), not internet research, price comparison, or general assumption — renting a higher-capacity machine than needed adds cost without benefit, while an insufficient capacity for actual needs can be genuinely dangerous.
A 5L concentrator typically uses 300-600 watts — comparable to a desktop computer — worth factoring into backup power planning if power outages are common in your area, since the machine needs continuous power to function. Regular filter cleaning (usually a simple, user-doable task) and periodic professional maintenance checks keep the machine performing reliably; a well-maintained unit can provide years of daily use, though rental units should be serviced by the provider as part of the rental agreement.
Since concentrators require continuous power, areas with less reliable electricity supply should specifically ask about battery backup options when renting — some models include this, providing continued operation for a limited period during a power cut. This is a practical, not optional, consideration for anyone in an area with frequent outages, since interrupting oxygen supply can be genuinely dangerous for a patient who depends on it.
Oxygen is not flammable itself but does support and accelerate combustion, meaning open flames, smoking, and certain flammable materials should be kept well away from an operating concentrator and the patient using it. The device should be placed in a well-ventilated area, not enclosed in a small space, to ensure proper air intake for the filtration process. Regular checks of the tubing and nasal cannula for damage or blockage support both effectiveness and comfort.
A prescription is typically required for renting a concentrator, since this is medical-grade equipment requiring a doctor's determination of appropriate flow rate for your specific condition. Ongoing use, particularly for chronic conditions, usually involves periodic doctor check-ins to confirm the prescribed flow rate remains appropriate as the underlying condition changes over time — this isn't a one-time setup, but an ongoing part of managing the respiratory condition.
Whether it's for a temporary post-illness recovery or an ongoing respiratory condition, the hardest part is often just knowing which capacity to get and finding a provider who delivers reliably. A referral from a nearby patient who's already navigated this removes most of that uncertainty. Share your pincode, see who's already found their provider, and take it from there.
Often yes, for medical-grade equipment like oxygen concentrators — confirm requirements directly with the provider.
This depends entirely on your doctor's prescribed flow rate — a 5L machine suits most home users, while 10L is for more severe respiratory conditions requiring higher flow.
A 5L concentrator typically uses 300-600 watts, similar to a desktop computer — worth considering for backup power planning during outages.
Some models include battery backup — ask specifically about this if you're in an area with frequent power outages, since continuous power is essential.
Yes, with normal precautions — keep open flames and smoking away, ensure good ventilation, and follow your provider's maintenance guidance.
A concentrator filters and purifies room air continuously and never runs out with power; a cylinder stores a fixed amount of oxygen that eventually depletes.
Usually yes, particularly for chronic conditions, to confirm the prescribed flow rate remains appropriate as your condition changes.
You do. We only make the introduction — whether you go with the referral or choose someone else is entirely up to you.
Whatever home care you need — physiotherapy, a nurse, elder care, a doctor visit — a patient in your own pincode has probably already found it. Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll connect you directly with them.
