CAIRE Eclipse 5: The Best Transportable Home Oxygen Concentrator

People with breathing disorders like COPD and emphysema may find that an oxygen concentrator is necessary in order to breathe better, provide the body with sufficient oxygen, and relieve symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness. Oxygen concentrators come in several different forms, including portable and stationary (home) units. More severe conditions likely require a home oxygen concentrator since they typically can provide higher doses of oxygen, but these machine can be bulky and dated.

CAIRE offers a fantastic option for those who want the best of both worlds. The Eclipse 5 isn’t just a portable or an in-home oxygen concentrator — it’s both. At 18.4 pounds, it is powerful enough to provide a continuous flow of oxygen at up to 3 liters per minute as well as nine pulse dose settings. It also features large wheels and an extendable handle, making it more transportable than other home oxygen concentrators.

The CAIRE Eclipse 5 is also a great choice for tech-savvy seniors: Unlike most other home oxygen concentrators, it is compatible with an app that allows you to view device notifications, monitor flow settings, and request service from a provider, all from your cell phone.

CAIRE is a well-established and reliable brand that has been producing oxygen equipment for over 50 years. Headquartered in Georgia with other facilities worldwide, CAIRE provides a wide range of breathing technology devices to everyone from people with COPD to scientists in space exploration laboratories.

With its flexible usage, app connectivity, and reliable brand name, the CAIRE Eclipse 5 is our top pick for transportable home oxygen concentrators.

Note that CAIRE products are sometimes associated with other brand names, including SeQual. While shopping, you may see the Eclipse 5 associated with the SeQual name, but the machine has the exact same features and benefits as the machines marketed under the CAIRE brand name.

CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator: Pros and cons at a glance

Pros	Cons
Choose from continuous flow up to 3 LPM or nine different pulse dose settings.	Selecting your flow setting and understanding alarms can be challenging.
Features a cart with wheels and an extendable handle, making it transportable.	Most expensive home oxygen concentrator on our list with a starting price of $2,840.99.
Cart is removable to convert it into a stationary home oxygen concentrator.	Yearly preventative maintenance and replacement of internal filters must be scheduled with a licensed equipment provider.
Can run on both electricity and battery power.
Connects to the myCAIRE app, allowing you to view notifications, transmit information to your care provider, and more.
Three-year warranty on device and sieve beds.
FAA-approved for air travel.
Extremely low power draw at just 145 watts.

Key features and specifications

Dimensions: 19.3″ × 12.3″ × 7.1″

Weight: 18.4 pounds with battery

Power draw: 145 watts

Oxygen delivery mode: Continuous flow and pulse dose

Oxygen flow rate/output range: Up to 3 liters per minute on continuous flow or a bolus of up to 192 mL per breath on pulse dose setting 9

Sound level: 48 dBA on highest continuous-flow setting

Cost: Pricing starts at $2,840.99

Additional features of the CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator

The CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator accommodates multiple flow rates on both continuous flow and pulse doses, giving you many ways to customize your airflow.

The Eclipse 5 comes with many great accessories, including:

• AC power supply.
• DC power supply.
• Battery.
• Removable cart.
• Accessory bag.
• Nasal cannula.
• Spare intake filter.

The Eclipse 5 gives you the option to use a humidifier bottle, but you have to separately purchase a humidifier kit that includes a bottle and strap. It is also important to note that you can use a humidifier only when the unit is stationary. It should be removed if you plan to move around while using the machine.

Additional accessories available for purchase include:

• Additional batteries.
• An external battery charger.
• A travel case that attaches to the cart handle.
• A wheelchair pack that allows you to hang the Eclipse 5 from the back of a wheelchair.
• A travel accessory kit that comes with a battery, bag, external battery charger, and AC power cord.
• A weather cover that can protect the machine while you’re outdoors.
• An accessory bag that hangs from the back of the cart to keep accessories handy.
• A power adapter so you can use the Eclipse 5 while traveling internationally.

One of the best things about the Eclipse 5 is that it connects with the myCAIRE app. This app tracks your oxygen therapy usage and allows your care provider to review usage hours and flow setting. The app also gives you easy access to the user manual, the ability to automate notifications, and request service if your machine requires it.

CAIRE has a robust catalog of resources. The Eclipse 5 product page features links to:

• A cut sheet that outlines product features and benefits.
• A page that details the smart technology that powers the Eclipse 5.
• A quick-start guide.
• A user manual.
• An unboxing video that helps you set up your machine.
• An operation video that helps you learn how to use your machine.

In addition, you can learn more about the myCAIRE app on the CAIRE website and check out the latest news and updates on their blog.

Sound level

The CAIRE Eclipse 5 transportable home oxygen concentrator has a maximum sound level of just 48 dBA when the machine is delivering 3 liters per minute on the continuous-flow setting and runs even more quietly on lower settings. It is loud enough to hear but still qualifies as background noise that is even quieter than rainfall.

Oxygen delivery modes

Unlike most home oxygen concentrators that only offer a continuous flow of oxygen, the Eclipse 5 has both continuous-flow and pulse-dose settings. Having a machine that does both can be handy if your oxygen needs change over time.

Continuous-flow settings range from 0.5 to 3.0 liters per minute (LPM), with the ability to choose half settings. Each setting reflects the amount of oxygen delivered per minute. For example, setting 1 delivers 1 LPM, setting 1.5 delivers 1.5 LPM, and so on.

Pulse doses are a bit trickier because each setting does not correspond to the amount of oxygen delivered. Pulse doses are measured in bursts (boluses) that indicate the amount of oxygen delivered each time you inhale. The amount of oxygen delivered per minute will change depending on your breathing rate. Each bolus will contain the same amount of oxygen, regardless of breath rate, up to a certain point. Once you reach the maximum breath rate, the amount of oxygen per burst may decrease.

Pulse-dose settings and their corresponding bolus levels are as follows:

Pulse setting	Bolus amount	Maximum breath rate
1	16 mL	40
2	32 mL	40
3	48 mL	40
4	64 mL	40
5	80 mL	37
6	96 mL	31
7	128 mL	23
8	160 mL	18
9	192 mL	15

CAIRE Eclipse 5 transportable home oxygen concentrator cost

There many ways to purchase an CAIRE Eclipse 5. Here’s how you can buy it new, buy it used, or rent it.

Buy it new

Pricing of the CAIRE Eclipse 5 is relatively consistent across different medical equipment suppliers. Direct Supply offers the cheapest price for a new Eclipse 5 at $2,840.99, but most retailers list it at $3,200, including the Oxygen Concentrator Store and Direct Home Medical. You can also purchase the Eclipse 5 directly from CAIRE, but you have to call them to buy one, as there is no online purchase option on their website.

Buy it used

The Eclipse 5 is one of the most time-tested and reliable oxygen concentrators on the market, but it’s also one of the most expensive. You can save some money by purchasing a used machine.

Always look for a certified preowned or refurbished machine, as they usually come with some kind of guarantee. For example, a used Eclipse 5 from CPAPXchange costs $1,599 and comes with a one-year warranty and a 15-day money-back guarantee. Resp NYC offers a certified preowned machine for $1,499.00, and Help Medical Supplies sells it for $1,449.00.

Rent the Eclipse 5

If you need a machine only temporarily or you want to try it out before you buy one, you can rent the Eclipse 5. The Oxygen Concentrator Store rents the machine for just $315 a week. You can also rent additional batteries and a separate battery charger for an additional fee.

1st Class Medical also offers a rental of the Eclipse 5 as well as a unique rent-to-own program. Pricing isn’t listed on the website, but you can call them directly at 1-800-520-5726 to learn more about the process.

Health insurance coverage

Oxygen concentrators are considered durable medical equipment and must be prescribed by a doctor. You might be able to receive some coverage through health insurance like Medicare or Medicaid, depending on your situation. Talk with your health care team and insurance provider to understand the details of their coverage of oxygen concentrators.

Power consumption

The Eclipse 5 transportable home oxygen concentrator has a very low power draw. Even at the maximum continuous-flow setting, it uses only 145 watts of power. Lower settings use less power. For example, it uses just 52 watts at a setting of 1 LPM. Pulse-dose settings use even less, with setting 1 using just 45 watts. That can save you a lot of money on your utility bills. The Eclipse 5 can also run on DC power, which means you can use it in the car or on a boat.

Batteries

A big selling point of the CAIRE Eclipse 5 is that it’s a home oxygen concentrator designed to be transportable with the ability to run on both electricity and batteries.

The Eclipse 5 comes with one battery. Here’s how long you can expect the battery to last on continuous-flow settings:

Continuous-flow setting	Battery duration
0.5	4.4 hours
1.0	3.7 hours
2.0	2.0 hours
3.0	1.3 hours

Battery run times on pulse-flow settings are as follows:

Pulse-flow setting	Bolus amount	Battery duration
1	16 mL	5.4 hours
2	32 mL	5.1 hours
3	48 mL	4.9 hours
4	64 mL	4.0 hours
5	80 mL	3.7 hours
6	96 mL	3.5 hours
7	128 mL	2.5 hours
8	160 mL	2.0 hours
9	192 mL	1.7 hours

You can operate the Eclipse 5 whether or not a battery is installed. An installed battery charges while the machine is plugged into electricity. It also charges with DC power if you’re using the machine in the car on all pulse settings and continuous-flow settings of 2 or less, as long as the power source has at least 150 watts of power.

If you’re frequently on the go, consider purchasing additional batteries and a desktop charger to charge additional batteries.

Setup of the CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator

The Eclipse 5 user manual includes a handy quick-start guide with pictures to help you set up your machine. The instructions also show how to secure and operate the cart. Here is the setup process:

• Connect the AC power cord to the machine and plug it into the wall.
• Install the battery if you want to charge it.
• Press and hold the ON/OFF button for two seconds.
• Select your oxygen delivery mode by pressing the button with wavy lines. This button toggles between continuous flow and pulse flow, with a green light indicating that the machine is in pulse-flow mode.
• Adjust the flow setting using the plus and minus buttons.
• Make sure the air inlet filter is installed in the top and back of the machine.
• Connect the oxygen supply tubing.
• Use the machine by breathing through the nasal cannula.

CAIRE also has two videos to help you set up the Eclipse 5. The unboxing video shows the included accessories, how to attach the power cords, and how to assemble the cart. There is also an operation video that goes over basic controls, how to turn the machine on and off, and what the indicator lights mean.

myCAIRE app

The Eclipse 5 is one of very few home oxygen concentrators that have Bluetooth capabilities and can be paired with an app. This feature is extremely beneficial for those with care teams who want to help manage a loved one’s health, as well as tech-savvy seniors who want to be able to keep track of their own health.

The app enables you to:

• View the user manual.
• View device notifications.
• View device connection.
• Monitor average flow settings.
• Provide access to family members and your care team.
• Request technical service from your equipment provider.
• Troubleshoot issues with your equipment provider.

You can download the myCAIRE app for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Once you download the app, you can create an account and pair your device. 

Operation guide and assistance

CAIRE has a detailed manual featuring images and tables that show how to operate your machine and troubleshoot problems. It includes a quick-start guide, operating instructions, maintenance instructions, and more.

Additional materials that can help you learn more about your machine include:

• A quick-start guide with color visuals.
• An unboxing video.
• An operation video.
• A quick-start guide for the myCAIRE app.

Warranty

CAIRE offers a three-year warranty on all their oxygen concentrators, including the Eclipse 5. Accessories come with a one-year warranty. CAIRE will also provide you with a warranty period for any repaired products. If your machine requires repair within the first three years, your initial warranty still applies. CAIRE offers a 90-day warranty for machines repaired outside the initial warranty period.

Certified preowned and refurbished machines usually come with a one-year warranty, but used machines that aren’t certified or refurbished may not. Different online suppliers offer different guarantees, so it’s a good idea to carefully look into the warranties and guarantees before you decide where to purchase a used machine.

Maintenance and care instructions

Maintenance of the CAIRE Eclipse 5 is fairly straightforward. The air intake filter must be washed using warm tap water and a mild detergent at least once a week. Rinse it and make sure it is completely dry before reinserting the filter. The Eclipse 5 comes with a spare intake filter so you can continue using your machine while waiting for the filter to dry. Filters should be replaced annually. You can purchase additional inlet filters here.

Use a damp cloth to wipe dirt, dust, and debris from the case. You can also disinfect the machine with Lysol disinfectant. Spray the Lysol onto a cloth and then wipe down the machine. Never spray disinfectant directly on the case. When cleaning the case or filter, make sure the oxygen concentrator is powered off and disconnected from AC or DC power before you begin. 

One downside of the Eclipse 5 is that it requires yearly preventive maintenance that includes replacing internal filters. Unlike some other home oxygen concentrators that have user-replaceable sieve beds and filters, you have to schedule an appointment with a provider to keep the machine running in good condition.

If you don’t use your oxygen concentrator frequently, CAIRE recommends running it for at least two hours once a month to make sure your unit is in proper working order. You should also drain the battery before storage so it will hold a full charge the next time you use it.

Troubleshooting common issues with the CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator

The CAIRE Eclipse 5 has various visual and audio alarms indicating any problems the machine might be having. Although alarms come with messages displayed on the screen, they aren’t always easy to understand. You should always keep the user manual handy to check on the meanings of different alarms. One of the best ways to do that is to download the myCAIRE app, which makes it easy to access the manual even when you’re on the go.

The manual includes a handy troubleshooting table that tells you what the different alarms mean. It also outlines steps to take for common alarm conditions, like making sure the machine has proper ventilation and the nasal cannula tubing isn’t kinked.

The manual also addresses other problems that aren’t accompanied by alarms. For example, if your battery is draining even though the machine is plugged into AC or DC power, it means it isn’t receiving power. The manual gives you a list of things you can try, like double-checking that the outlet is active and the power cord is connected properly.

CAIRE recommends contacting your health care provider if a problem persists with your machine, but you can also contact the outlet where you purchased your Eclipse 5. Most online stores have customer service reps who can help you troubleshoot problems over the phone and schedule maintenance if necessary.

You can also call CAIRE directly at 1-833-203-2473. They can troubleshoot your problem and help you schedule a repair or replacement according to your warranty.

Safety considerations

Before using any oxygen concentrator, you should consider some safety precautions. You should never use an oxygen concentrator while smoking, around someone else who is smoking, or near open flames.

You should not use a humidifier with your machine if you’re mobile. It should only be used when stationary. Humidifier bottles are designed to stay still and upright so as not to spill water on your device.

Do not allow any of the air intake or outlet vents to be covered. Never use your machine adjacent to or stacked with other equipment, and keep it away from walls, furniture, and curtains so it can pull in the ambient air and vent it out safely.

Never use oil-, grease-, or petroleum-based products on or near the machine because they are flammable. You should use only water-based lotions and salves on your face and hands for the same reason.

Customer service

CAIRE has a user service and support line that you can call at 1-833-203-2473 if you have any questions, need to troubleshoot a problem, or want to utilize the warranty. If you have questions that don’t require an immediate answer, you can also fill out their online contact form, where you can describe your problem. 

If you purchased your Eclipse 5 from a third-party seller, you can also call them. Many have their own return and repair policies, so it’s worth contacting them first if you need help.

User reviews and testimonials

CAIRE is a well-known oxygen concentrator brand, and the Eclipse 5 has been on the market for many years, so there’s no shortage of user reviews and testimonials. The CAIRE website does not have reviews, but you can find them on third-party websites.

The Oxygen Concentrator Store is a great place to read user testimonials. There are dozens of well-thought-out reviews about the machine itself as well as the level of customer support that the Oxygen Concentrator Store offers. The Eclipse 5 has an impressive 4.7-star rating. However, some users mention that it can get heavy when carrying it up stairs or over a curb. A few others mention that the battery doesn’t last long on higher settings.

Vitality Medical is also a good place to read reviews. Their website features over two dozen reviews that are specific to the Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator. It has a 4.6-star rating with the biggest complaint being the cart. One user says it feels flimsy, while another wishes it had smaller wheels for better maneuverability.

If you’re looking for even more reviews, check out Direct Home Medical.

How to buy the CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator

Like most home oxygen concentrators, the Eclipse 5 requires a prescription from a doctor before CAIRE or a third party will ship you the machine. Make sure you understand their process for sending and receiving your prescription before purchasing the machine to avoid delays with your order.

Buying the Eclipse 5 directly from CAIRE is the most straightforward way to purchase the machine, but there are also other stores where you can purchase it. Here are a few places where you can buy the Eclipse 5, along with the benefits of shopping with each medical equipment supplier:

Name	Cost	Benefit
The Oxygen Concentrator Store	$3,200.00	Known for their superior customer service.
Harmony Home Medical	$3,199.00	Physical stores in San Diego and Vista, California.
Direct Home Medical	$3,200.00	15-day money-back guarantee.
Vitality Medical	$3,200.00	Add up to two extra batteries for an additional fee.
The Oxygen Concentrator Supplies Shop	$3,869.48	Comes with additional accessories like a travel case and a pulse oximeter.
Just Medical Store	$3,200.00	Ability to pay with PayPal Credit.
My Medical Outlet	$3,200.00	Add an extra battery for an additional fee.
RehabMart	$3,200.00	Monthly payment options through Approve.
Direct Supply	$2,840.99	Lowest price on the internet.

Note: These prices are accurate at the time of publication, but the dealer may change prices as they see fit.

Final thoughts on the CAIRE Eclipse 5 home oxygen concentrator

The CAIRE Eclipse 5 is unique because it is both stationary and transportable and offers continuous-flow and pulse-dose delivery modes. Another useful aspect of this device is its ability to pair with the myCAIRE app. If you’re looking for a transportable home oxygen concentrator and want to manage your oxygen usage from the convenience of your phone, the CAIRE Eclipse 5 could be the right oxygen concentrator for you.