What to Look for in a Hyperbaric Chamber
American-made vs Chinese-made Chambers
When it comes to your health, safety and quality should never be compromised.
If you’re wondering what to look for in a hyperbaric chamber, start with where it’s made. American-made hyperbaric chambers are built under strict FDA guidelines, ensuring exceptional hyperbaric chamber quality control and consistent safety standards. There are only three Hyperbaric Chamber brands that are approved by the FDA and built in the USA: Newtowne Hyperbarics, Summit to Sea, and Oxyhealth.
In contrast, many imported chambers—especially those offering above 1.3 ATA—are manufactured in unregulated environments. These overseas options, from places like China, often lack clear safety protocols, return policies, and reliable customer support. From mismatched specifications and poor build quality to electrical failures and missing components, buyers frequently face serious issues without any recourse.
Just as important as choosing the right manufacturer is choosing a trusted source to buy from. Unlike many dealers who’ve only been around a year or two, Hyperbaric Central has more than a decade of experience helping clients navigate the hyperbaric chamber market. We’re not just a retailer—we’re a trusted, long-term partner, here to support you long after your purchase. We are deeply committed to giving accurate information and constantly educating customers so that you stay in control of your health decisions.
THE ONLY FDA-APPROVED HYPERBARIC CHAMBERS BUILT IN THE USA
American vs Chinese-Made Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers
Support & Warranty
American-Made
Strong customer support; 2–5 year warranties common
Chinese-Made
Limited or less responsive support; high potential of going out of business quickly
Build Quality
American-Made
High-grade materials; strict manufacturing standards (e.g., FDA-compliant)
Chinese-Made
Often uses lower-cost materials; quality can vary between manufacturers
Durability & Lifespan
American-Made
Generally longer-lasting with reinforced zippers and seams
Chinese-Made
May wear out faster with heavy use; zippers/seals may degrade quicker
Safety Features
American-Made
Advanced: pressure relief valves, redundant zippers, internal controls
Chinese-Made
Basic: fewer or less sophisticated safety redundancies
Certifications
American-Made
Typically FDA cleared (Class II), ISO, and CE certifications
Chinese-Made
May have CE or ISO, but not FDA-approved
Lead Time / Delivery
American-Made
Faster domestic delivery; in-stock inventory common
Chinese-Made
Longer shipping times; customs delays possible, especially with new tariffs
Service & Repairs
American-Made
Manufacturer services domestically
Chinese-Made
Must often be shipped back to manufacturer, in China, at your own expense or DIY fixes
Reputation & Reviews
American-Made
Well-reviewed with known brands (e.g., Newtowne, Summit to Sea)
Chinese-Made
Mixed reviews; some unknown or private-label brands
Features
Support & Warranty
Build Quality
Durability & Lifespan
Safety Features
Certifications
Lead Time / Delivery
Service & Repairs
Reputation & Reviews
American-Made
Strong customer support; 2–5 year warranties common
High-grade materials; strict manufacturing standards (e.g., FDA-compliant)
Generally longer-lasting with reinforced zippers and seams
Advanced: pressure relief valves, redundant zippers, internal controls
Typically FDA cleared (Class II), ISO, and CE certifications
Faster domestic delivery; in-stock inventory common
Manufacturer services domestically
Well-reviewed with known brands (e.g., Newtowne, Summit to Sea)
Chinese-Made
Limited or less responsive support; high potential of going out of business quickly
Often uses lower-cost materials; quality can vary between manufacturers
May wear out faster with heavy use; zippers/seals may degrade quicker
Basic: fewer or less sophisticated safety redundancies
May have CE or ISO, but not FDA-approved
Longer shipping times; customs delays possible, especially with new tariffs
Must often be shipped back to manufacturer, in China, at your own expense or DIY fixes
Mixed reviews; some unknown or private-label brands
Why Imported Chambers Fall Short
Chambers manufactured overseas—particularly in China—are often marketed under U.S. brand names and may be labeled “assembled in the USA,” but they lack the FDA oversight and rigorous quality control required of true American-made products. Most are not pressure-tested to the same standards, increasing the risk of seam rupture, zipper failure, and inconsistent performance.
Many Chinese brands promote “all-in-one” combo units that combine a compressor, oxygen concentrator, and dehumidifier. While convenient in theory, they often deliver lower oxygen purity, poor power efficiency, and greater risk of malfunction.
These chambers are also often sold by dealers who disappear after a year or two, making it nearly impossible to get replacement parts or support. At Hyperbaric Central, we’ve helped many frustrated customers who were left with no help after buying from short-lived sellers.
Though foreign-made options may offer cheaper prices, they frequently cut corners on safety, durability, and long-term support—costing more in the long run and jeopardizing your safety and health.
The Dangers of Chinese-Made Chambers
If you choose to purchase a hyperbaric chamber from unfamiliar or unverified brands, potential challenges can arise. Here are real issues reported by buyers who opted to purchase directly from overseas suppliers, often bypassing U.S.-based distributors. While this route may appear cost-effective, it can carry significant risks that may outweigh the initial savings.
Burned by Private-Label Brand
Mark purchased an OXYFIT hard chamber for over $100,000. When he received it, the circuit board was burned up. He needed a circuit board, but the vendor, who claimed to be a doctor, would not accept his return. To make matters worse, there is no OXYFIT manufacturer—it’s just a brand name this doctor gave to his chamber line. The only information Mark could find on the chamber components was written in a foreign language. As a result, Mark lost a $100,000 transaction to an unresponsive American vendor!
Poor Quality Parts
Susan purchased a Salus 36, and it really helped her son with autism. They had the chamber for a while and often had to move it to a different room, usually if someone was visiting. During the moving process, a few of the joiners of the internal frames broke. Susan tried to purchase some more but struggled to find where to get them. Turns out, that company no longer offered parts or service after a purchase was made.
Cheaper Chambers aren’t Better
Kelly decided to pass on buying the Macy-Pan from China. She determined that their warranty wasn’t that great, even though they are almost half the price of the U.S. chambers. She also noticed that the payment platform was Alibaba.com, which was a red flag. The sales representative she was messaging from China had been very persistent, causing her to feel very stressed. She finally decided not to buy from them, noting that she did not know how the materials were regulated and was worried about the possibility of off-gassing. Also, if the unit was defective, there would have been a $700 fee to ship a replacement.
Watch out for these Foreign Manufacturers
Foreign-made chambers are designed to confuse you by mimicking styles and names of American-made brands—all while using lower-quality materials. Newtowne Hyperbarics, Summit to Sea, and Oxyhealth are the only FDA-approved chambers manufactured in the United States—and none of these companies rebrand with new identities. Here is an ever-growing list of foreign manufacturers that some American companies are sourcing their chambers from:
- MACYPAN
- Time World Co., Ltd.
- OOLAViET
- O2ark
- Oxygen Health Systems
- Sanai Health Industry Group
- Weifang Huaxin
- Ueerl
- HBOT MEDICAL Co., Ltd.
- Neowell
- Yantai Hongyuan Oxygen Industrial
- HearMEC
- Oxyfull Technology
- Oxyrevo
- Oxyspaces
Why Buy FDA-Approved Chambers?
Do You Actually Need a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber That is FDA-Approved?
Dr. Jason Sonners, DC, DIBAK, DCBCN, CHP—clinical director of New Jersey HBOT and HBOT USA—explains that FDA approval ensures the chamber meets strict safety requirements. Without this designation, there’s no verified proof the chamber is safe to operate. If an accident occurs while using a non-FDA-approved chamber or accessory, the manufacturer typically bears no legal responsibility—leaving the user fully liable for any damages or injuries.
Key Features of American-Made Chambers
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
U.S. Customer Service & Tech Support
100% Safety Record
FDA-Approved for Your Safety
Long-term Durable Materials
Non-toxic & Medical-Grade
USA hyperbaric chamber safety isn’t just a tagline—it’s peace of mind. Choosing a vetted, U.S.-based manufacturer—and a knowledgeable, established dealer like Hyperbaric Central—means you’re investing in reliability, performance, and above all, your health and safety.