Key facts
- Soft mild chambers run at about 1.3 ATA: 4 psi at Newtowne, up to 4.4 psi at Summit to Sea.
- Every soft chamber we list runs from a standard 120V outlet. Summit to Sea specifies 120V 15 amp.
- Maker prices on soft chambers ran from $4,095 (Newtowne A4-27, fall sale) to $20,395 (Summit to Sea Grand Dive Pro with platform) as of October 26, 2026.
- The lowest published hard-shell price we found was $24,900, for a 1.5 ATA, 30 inch chamber.
- Mild 1.3 ATA chambers are FDA cleared for acute mountain sickness. Newtowne requires a prescription to buy.
Soft or hard: the choice that sets the budget
| Soft (mild) chamber | Hard-shell chamber | |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | About 1.3 ATA (4 to 4.4 psi) | Commonly 1.5 to 2.0 ATA, some higher |
| Build | Coated fabric bladder on a steel or PVC frame, zipper entry | Steel or acrylic vessel with a hatch or door |
| Weight | About 19 to 55 lb for the bladders we checked | Hundreds of pounds; check floor loading |
| Power | Compressor on a standard 120V outlet | Varies by model; some pair an air unit, oxygen generator and dehumidifier. Ask for the nameplate rating |
| Moving it | Deflates and packs into a case or onto its frame | Stays in one room; plan the delivery path |
| Maker prices we found | $4,095 to $20,395 | From $24,900 |
For most homes the soft chamber is the practical choice. It fits through a normal door, sets up in an afternoon and runs off a household outlet. A hard shell makes sense only if your physician has a specific reason for a higher pressure, and then the purchase, installation and supervision should be planned with that physician and the maker.
Lie flat, sit up or walk in
Shape matters as much as diameter. A lie-flat cylinder is the classic format and the least expensive. Seated designs, such as the Newtowne Shoe and Long Shoe or the Summit to Sea Dive Vertical, let you read or work upright. Walk-in chambers like the Newtowne Tent and Summit to Sea Grand Dive Vertical fit a chair and are easier for anyone who finds crawling in hard.
| Model | Format | Size at pressure | Maker price, Oct 26, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newtowne A4-27 | Lie flat | 27" x 84" | $4,095 (sale) |
| Newtowne Shoe | Sit up | 68" x 37" x 42" | $4,895 (sale) |
| Newtowne A4-34 | Lie flat | 34" x 95" | $5,795 (sale) |
| Summit to Sea Shallow Dive | Lie flat | 26" x 84" | From $7,995 |
| Newtowne Tent | Walk in, chair | 72" x 40" x 58" | $8,195 + $300 shipping |
| Summit to Sea Dive | Lie flat | 33" x 90" | From $9,995 |
| Summit to Sea Grand Dive Vertical | Walk in, chair | 60" x 7 ft tall | From $17,995 |
Sources: Newtowne products page, Newtowne 2025 brochure and Summit to Sea. Newtowne's sale prices run through November 30, 2026.
Room, floor and electrical planning
- Measure the inflated length and diameter plus about three feet on the entry side.
- Choose an interior room with a level floor and a steady, cool temperature. A bedroom, office or finished basement works well.
- Use a standard 120V outlet that is not shared with large loads. If the outlet is far from the spot, have an electrician add one rather than using an extension cord.
- Leave room for the compressor where you can hear its alarm. Newtowne includes a power outage alarm as standard.
- Keep the zipper path, hose and power cord clear so you can get out quickly.
Nevada notes
Plugging a chamber into an existing outlet is not new wiring. Adding a receptacle or circuit is, and in Southern Nevada that work goes through your local building department: the City of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas or Clark County for unincorporated areas such as Spring Valley and Enterprise. Hire a Nevada licensed electrician for new wiring.
Heat is the bigger local issue. Las Vegas summer afternoons often run past 105°F, and garages and casitas without cooling get hotter. The compressor pushes room air into the chamber, so a hot room means a warm session. Plan on an air-conditioned room, keep the compressor out of direct sun, and follow the maker's temperature guidance. Dry desert air also builds static, so follow the maker's rules on clothing, electronics and anything that can spark.
Safety, prescriptions and claims
Hyperbaric chambers are regulated medical devices. Summit to Sea says its chambers are FDA cleared to treat acute altitude sickness, and both Summit to Sea and Newtowne say a prescription is required. Ear and sinus pressure is common as the chamber fills, so learn to equalize. Talk with your doctor before you buy, especially if you are pregnant, have lung, ear or sinus problems, or take medication. We list what makers publish and make no other health claims.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a soft and a hard hyperbaric chamber?
A soft chamber is a fabric or urethane-coated bladder on a frame that inflates to about 1.3 ATA (4 to 4.4 psi). It is portable, runs from a 120V outlet and costs roughly $4,000 to $21,000 at the makers we checked. A hard shell is a rigid steel or acrylic vessel that can reach 1.5 to 2.0 ATA or more, weighs far more, stays in one place and starts around $24,900 in the published prices we found.
What does ATA mean?
ATA is atmospheres absolute. Sea level air is 1.0 ATA. A mild chamber at 1.3 ATA adds about 4.4 psi above the air around you, which is roughly the pressure about 10 feet under water.
Are home hyperbaric chambers FDA cleared?
Summit to Sea holds FDA 510(k) K072757, which names its Dive, Shallow Dive and Grand Dive. Newtowne cites K051759, which the FDA lists under applicant Performance Hyperbarics, with Newtowne's maker Typhoon Water Wares registered as marketing a device under it. Summit to Sea says its chambers are cleared to treat acute altitude sickness. Ask any maker which clearance covers your exact model. We do not make other health claims for them, and you should talk with your doctor before using one.
Do I need a prescription to buy a hyperbaric chamber?
Often, yes. Hyperbaric chambers are regulated as prescription medical devices, and Newtowne states that a prescription is required to buy any of its chambers. Ask the maker what it needs before you order.
What power does a home chamber need?
The soft chambers we list run their compressors from a standard 120V household outlet. Summit to Sea specifies a 120V 15 amp outlet for every model. Put the compressor on an outlet that is not shared with a space heater, window air conditioner or other large load, and skip extension cords unless the maker approves one in writing.
How much floor space do I need?
Measure the inflated size, not the box. Newtowne lists its A4-27 at 27 by 84 inches at pressure and its A4-40 at 40 by 108 inches. Add about three feet along the entry side so you can get in and out, plus space for the compressor and its hose.
Can I keep a hyperbaric chamber in a Las Vegas garage?
We would not plan on it. Southern Nevada garages regularly pass 100°F in summer, and the compressor feeds the chamber with the air around it. A cooled interior room with a level floor is a better spot. Check the operating temperature range in your maker manual.
Can I use an oxygen concentrator with a home chamber?
Only as the maker and your doctor direct. Concentrators are prescription devices, and oxygen raises fire risk, so keep heat sources, sparks and flammable products away. Some makers sell oxygen kits as accessories, but the chamber itself is pressurized with air from its compressor.
Keep reading
Browse our home hyperbaric chambers collection, see all guides, or ask us a question about your project.