Rebuilt vs new Inogen battery: an honest comparison
Axis Batteries technical team — Li-ion battery rebuilding since 2009 · Updated:
A new original Inogen battery gives you a complete factory product with the manufacturer's warranty at a higher price. A rebuilt battery puts new branded cells into your original housing and electronics for much less, with the rebuilder's warranty instead. A cheap generic replacement can be inexpensive, but its quality and cell origin are often hard to verify.
The three options
When your Inogen One battery no longer lasts long enough, you generally have three choices:
- A new original Inogen battery, bought from Inogen or an authorised seller.
- A rebuild of your existing battery, where worn cells are replaced with new ones inside the original housing.
- A generic replacement battery from a third-party manufacturer, often sold online at a low price.
Each has its place. Here is how they compare.
Comparison table
| New original | Rebuilt (Axis Batteries) | Cheap generic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Highest; a G3 battery costs roughly €320 (indicative, varies by seller and country) | €60 (8-cell) or €130 (16-cell) | Varies |
| Cells | New, fitted by the manufacturer | New 18650 cells from Samsung, LG or Sanyo | Origin often not stated |
| Housing and BMS | New original | Your original housing, BMS and connectors | Third-party design |
| Warranty | Manufacturer or seller warranty | 12-month written warranty from us; manufacturer warranty does not apply | Depends on the seller |
| Original charger | Works | Works | Check with the seller |
| Time without a battery | None if you buy before the old one fails | 2–5 business days plus shipping | None if bought in advance |
New original battery: pros and cons
Pros: a complete new product from the manufacturer, covered by the manufacturer's or seller's warranty, no need to send anything away. If your device is under a supplier or insurer contract, this may also be the option they require.
Cons: the highest price. The figure above is only indicative and depends on the seller and country.
Rebuilt battery: pros and cons
Pros: all worn cells are replaced with new branded 18650 Li-ion cells. The original housing, BMS electronics and connectors stay, so fit and charging are unchanged and your original charger keeps working. The BMS is reprogrammed: the cycle counter is reset and the charge indicator calibrated. Every battery gets diagnostics and a final test of capacity, voltage stability and temperature, and a 12-month written warranty. Repairs of the BMS, thermistor or connections are included in the price.
Cons: you are without that battery for 2–5 business days plus shipping. The rebuild relies on your original electronics being repairable. And it is not an original Inogen product.
Cheap generic battery: pros and cons
Pros: often available immediately and at a low price.
Cons: the cell brand and the quality of the electronics are often hard to verify, and warranty and support depend entirely on the seller. Before buying, ask which cells are used, what warranty is offered and whether it works with your original charger.
What you should know about rebuilt batteries
Axis Batteries is an independent service, not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by Inogen, Inc. "Inogen" and "Inogen One" are trademarks of Inogen, Inc. A rebuilt battery is not an original Inogen product, and any manufacturer warranty on the battery does not apply to the rebuilt pack. Our own 12-month written warranty covers it instead.
Check your own situation too. If your concentrator is rented or provided by an oxygen supplier or insurer, ask them before you change or rebuild a battery. If your device is still under warranty, check how the manufacturer's terms treat non-original batteries.
Which option suits you?
- Choose a new original battery if you want a factory product with the manufacturer's warranty, or if your supplier contract requires it.
- Choose a rebuild if your battery's housing and electronics are in good condition and you want new branded cells at a lower cost, and you can manage without that battery for a few days.
- Be careful with cheap generic batteries if you cannot verify the cells, the warranty or the seller.
See the full price list in Inogen battery rebuild cost and the step-by-step procedure in how Inogen battery rebuilding works.
FAQ
- Is a rebuilt Inogen battery as good as a new one?
- A rebuilt battery gets all-new branded 18650 cells in the original housing with the original electronics, and is tested for capacity, voltage and temperature. It is not an original Inogen product, and the manufacturer's battery warranty does not apply; our 12-month warranty does.
- Is Axis Batteries an official Inogen service?
- No. Axis Batteries is an independent service, not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by Inogen, Inc. Inogen and Inogen One are trademarks of Inogen, Inc.
- Will a rebuilt battery work with my original charger?
- Yes. The original BMS electronics and connectors are kept, so the original Inogen charger keeps working.
- Can I rebuild a battery from a rented concentrator?
- Ask your oxygen supplier or insurer first. Rental and insurance contracts may have their own rules about batteries.
This article contains technical information about batteries, not medical advice. For questions about your oxygen therapy, contact your doctor or oxygen supplier. Axis Batteries is an independent service, not affiliated with Inogen, Inc. Inogen and Inogen One are trademarks of Inogen, Inc.