Buying · 3 min read
Soft vs Hard-Shell Hyperbaric Chambers
Compare soft and hard-shell chambers by installation, room access, capacity, daily operation, ownership and ideal buying scenario.
Soft and hard-shell chambers create different installation and operating commitments. Compare the room, user flow and ownership requirements first; use HBOT vs mHBOT when you need the terminology and pressure overview.
Construction and Portability
Soft chambers use medical-grade TPU with airtight, triple-sealed zippers over an internal support frame. They are light, foldable and installed by one person in a spare room — and folded away when not in use. The COSL15 and COSE15 are good examples of the soft family.
Hard-shell chambers are rigid carbon-steel or stainless-steel chambers on a wheeled base, professionally positioned in a fixed location. They feel like a permanent installation because they are one. The COHT20 single-person and COHB20 multiplace systems represent the hard-shell family.
Pressure and Capacity
Soft chambers typically run at 1.3–1.5 ATA, though professional portable models like the COSL20 reach 2.0 ATA. They hold one user, or two in double and wheelchair models. Hard-shell systems reach 2.0 ATA and, in multiplace form, treat up to five users at once — the key to throughput in a busy facility. If pressure terms are new to you, see ATA pressure explained.
Installation, Operation and Ownership
| Buying factor | Soft chamber | Hard-shell chamber |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery access | Cartons; easier through domestic access | Confirm doors, corridors, lift and positioning route |
| Room commitment | Can be folded or relocated | Dedicated operating position |
| Daily workflow | Typically one-person operation | Operator controls and facility workflow |
| Capacity planning | One user; selected models fit two | Monoplace or up to five users |
| Ongoing care | TPU, zipper, hose and filter checks | Door seal, controls and scheduled system service |
| Investment drivers | Pressure, size and package | Vessel, controls, capacity, freight and commissioning |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a soft chamber if you want home wellness, recovery or a flexible, budget-conscious system you can install yourself — start with chambers for the home. Choose hard-shell if you are equipping a clinic or facility and need clinic-grade 2.0 ATA pressure or multi-user capacity.
COSL15
Soft Lying Hyperbaric Chamber
1.5 ATA portable soft lying chamber for recovery studios, distributors and home channels seeking a spacious everyday-use format.
View details
COHT20
Single-Person Hard Shell Chamber
1.5-2.0 ATA Q355 carbon-steel single-person sitting chamber with an integrated oxygen system for clinics and professional facilities.
View detailsStill deciding between single-person and multiplace on the hard-shell side? Read monoplace vs multiplace chambers, or tell us your space and volume and we will recommend a configuration.
Have a Question About Your Project?
Our team can recommend the right chamber for your market, space and pressure.