Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Hyperbaric Chamber: Complete Guide

Understanding Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Hyperbaric Chambers

Choosing between hard-shell hyperbaric chambers and soft chambers shapes everything from safety to outcomes. A hard shell hyperbaric oxygen chamber is better for higher pressures, consistent pure oxygen delivery, and treatment of specific medical conditions in clinical settings. On the other hand, a soft-shell chamber, often referred to as a mild chamber, is ideal for at-home sessions, wellness, and recovery, and offers an easier setup.

The right hyperbaric oxygen chamber affects pressure levels, oxygen concentration, and whether your treatment sessions fit home use or clinical settings. Pick well and you get a reliable, effective treatment option; pick poorly and you risk mismatched protocols, limited results, and avoidable complications.

In this guide, you’ll be able to make an informed choice by learning how pressure levels, oxygen concentration, and chamber materials influence outcomes and safety. We compare hard-shelled and soft-sided chambers by structure, operating range, oxygen dose, session flow, evidence, compliance, and cost. 

Overview of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Let’s start by discussing the basics and benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Hyperbaric therapy places a person inside a pressurized chamber to breathe pure oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. This increases oxygen in blood plasma, supporting healing in a range of evidence-based medical conditions. While some people also use mild chambers for wellness or recovery, these applications remain experimental and are not backed by the same clinical evidence [2].

There are two main types of chambers. Soft shell chambers are portable chambers designed for home use and mild HBOT, often paired with oxygen concentrators. Hard shell chambers are rigid pressure vessels used in clinical settings, delivering higher pressures and consistent oxygen dosing for indications like decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Next, let’s take a deeper dive into how structure, pressure range, and other features differ between these types. 

Key Differences: Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Hyperbaric Chamber

Advantages of Hard Shell Chambers vs Soft Chambers

Across hyperbaric therapy, elevating atmospheric pressure while breathing pure oxygen increases dissolved oxygen in blood plasma, which supports tissue repair and approved medical care for conditions including decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), the leading international organization that sets clinical practice standards and publishes research on hyperbaric medicine, lists these and other evidence-based indications. In most clinical programs, dosing is delivered at 2.0 to 3.0 ATA to ensure therapeutic effectiveness [5]. 

Why Hard-Shell Chambers Often Outperform Soft Chambers

Higher Therapeutic Dose And Consistency

Hard chambers are rigid pressure vessels built to established safety codes like the Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (PVHO-1) code issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and operated under the National Fire Protection Association 99 (NFPA 99) health care safety code. These requirements allow stable higher pressures and pure oxygen delivery.  

Broader Medical Use

Hospitals and wound-care clinics use them for UHMS-recognized conditions where precise dosing is essential. In the US, soft chambers usually run at 1.3 ATA, better suited for wellness. 

Regulatory Alignment

The FDA clears hard chambers as Class II medical devices, which means the FDA regulates their manufacturing and labeling for basic safety. Still, they’re not approved to treat any disease other than those recognized by the UHMS. While soft chambers are not recognized for treating serious diseases, a portable hyperbaric rescue bag, the Gamow bag, is currently only FDA-cleared for one medical purpose: acute mountain sickness (4). Soft chambers are also designed to be compressed with air (no supplemental oxygen permitted), and their use for other conditions with supplemental oxygen is off-label. 

Where Soft Chambers Can Be Better Than Hard Shell Chambers

While hard hyperbaric chambers are used for serious medical conditions, soft hyperbaric chambers have advantages that make them the preferred choice in many specific needs scenarios.

• Accessibility and ease of use. Soft-shelled chambers are portable and easy to set up in homes or wellness centers without hospital infrastructure.

• Wellness and recovery focus. Popular with athletes, mountain climbers, and wellness users, they support recovery, fatigue, and altitude sickness at gentler pressure levels.

• Affordability and convenience. Inflatable hyperbaric chambers cost less, need minimal upkeep, and have a smaller footprint, making them practical for regular home sessions.

• Safety at lower pressures. Operating at lower pressure levels, soft chambers reduce fire risks while still providing many benefits of HBOT for wellness and recovery. However, it’s important to note that safety protocols should be followed religiously. 

Known limitations

Outcomes suffer when pressure levels and oxygen concentration do not match the indication. Soft chambers are referred to as mild HBOT because they typically operate around 1.3 ATA, which can aid wellness. These mild chambers are inadequate for UHMS-approved medical conditions treated by HBOT, which require ≥2.0 ATA. Unlike hard shell chambers, soft chambers do not meet standards such as ASME PVHO-1 (pressure vessel safety) or NFPA 99 (fire and electrical safety for hyperbaric facilities). 

For users, this means soft chambers are suitable for general wellness and recovery but are not recognized as safe or compliant devices for treating serious medical conditions. Regulators have also warned against unattended, unlicensed, or unapproved uses, citing safety and efficacy concerns.

Materials and chamber structure

Hard shell chambers use rigid materials and medical-grade systems that support pure oxygen delivery and precise control of internal pressures. Hospitals must also comply with NFPA 99 hyperbaric facility requirements for fire safety, electrical systems, and operations. 

Soft shell chambers are inflatable chambers made from flexible materials for home use or wellness studios. They are usually pressurized with room air plus an oxygen concentrator, not filled with pure oxygen, and are not intended for the full spectrum of medical device indications. Health authorities have cautioned that promoting soft-shelled units for serious conditions like autism or cerebral palsy can pose serious health risks.

Pressure Control & Operating Range (ATA)

The amount of pressure a chamber can deliver is one of the biggest differences between soft hyperbaric chambers and hard shell chambers:

• Soft shell chambers usually operate at –1.3 atmospheres absolute (ATA), often referred to as mild hyperbaric therapy.

• Hard hyperbaric chambers reach 2.0–3.0 ATA or higher, offering the higher pressures needed for FDA-cleared conditions.

These operating ranges determine how much oxygen dissolves into blood plasma. For serious medical conditions, hard shell chambers are often the preferred choice, while soft-shelled hyperbaric chambers are suitable for wellness or recovery.

Oxygen Delivery & Dose

Oxygen delivery also separates the two main types of chambers. Hard chambers deliver 100 percent pure oxygen through a simple oxygen mask or hood. This provides consistent dosing for indications such as carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and chronic wounds.

Soft-sided chambers typically use room air pressurized with oxygen concentrators. This creates a lower oxygen concentration that supports wellness, fatigue recovery, and altitude sickness, but does not substitute for strict medical device protocols.

Session Flow, Reliability & Throughput

Session structure also varies by type of chamber. In a hospital setting, monoplace and multiplace hard chambers are staffed by trained medical professionals, follow strict treatment protocols, and can accommodate either one patient or multiple patients per session. These systems offer consistent throughput, making them suitable for wound-care centers and other high-volume clinical settings.

Soft-shelled hyperbaric chambers, on the other hand, are designed for ease of use at home or in wellness centers, offering flexible scheduling but less monitoring and fewer safeguards.

Uses and Clinical Effectiveness by Indication

The clinical effectiveness of hyperbaric treatments depends on matching the type of chamber to the indication. Studies have shown improved healing rates and reduced complications when higher pressure levels and pure oxygen delivery are used. Given this, hard shell hyperbaric chambers are the preferred choice for severe medical conditions such as:

• Decompression sickness in divers and aviators

• Carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation

• Radiation tissue injury, such as soft tissue radionecrosis

• Chronic non-healing wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers

• Severe infections such as necrotizing fasciitis or gas gangrene

HBOT is also being studied for other medical conditions, which include COVID-19. As of this writing, the FDA has not cleared hyperbaric chambers for COVID-19 treatment [3]. 

Soft hyperbaric chambers, also called mild hyperbaric chambers, are more often used for:

• Wellness and recovery sessions

• Fatigue and performance recovery for athletes

• General wellness goals like tissue support and energy improvement

Off-label and emerging uses (such as autism, cerebral palsy, or chronic Lyme disease) are sometimes promoted in wellness centers. Still, regulators caution that these applications lack strong clinical evidence and should be approached with care.

Safety & Compliance

Safety and compliance are where hard hyperbaric chambers and soft chambers diverge most clearly:

Regulatory Status

• Hard shell chambers are recognized medical devices by the FDA in the United States and by Health Canada and CE-marked in Europe.

• Soft chambers are sold as Class II devices for mild pressurization

Oxygen Supply Rules

• Hard-sided chambers deliver pure oxygen under pressure.

• Soft-sided chambers are usually pressurized with room air plus oxygen concentrators.

Infection Control, Air Quality, and Fire Safety

Hospitals operating hard chambers must comply with NFPA 99 standards for hyperbaric facilities. Even without oxygen tanks, oxygen-enriched, pressurized environments like soft chambers carry elevated fire risk; strict Instructions for Use adherence, grounding, and clothing/device controls are essential in any chamber type.

In August 2025, the FDA reminded providers and facilities of specific HBOT safety practices to reduce the risk of serious injury or even death [1]; highlights include the following:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) for each device.

• Apply fire-prevention and grounding measures to reduce ignition risks.

• Ensure trained staff operate the chamber and provide continuous patient monitoring.

• Perform regular cleaning, maintenance, and safety checks as specified by the manufacturer.

• Restrict prohibited items and require static-safe clothing (e.g., cotton, not wool/synthetics).

• Report adverse events or malfunctions through the FDA’s MedWatch program.

Staffing and Training

Hard hyperbaric chambers are run by medical professionals trained in hyperbaric medicine and emergency preparedness. On the other hand, soft chambers are intended for home use or supervised wellness centers, with minimal staff oversight.

Cost and Setup

The cost and setup of hyperbaric oxygen chambers can often be a deciding factor for many buyers. 

Hard shell chambers

• Purchase cost: $80,000–$150,000+ for monoplace or multiplace systems

• Require dedicated treatment rooms, electrical upgrades, and safety infrastructure

• Available in hospitals, wound care centers, and specialized clinics

Soft shell chambers

• Purchase cost: $4,000–$20,000+ for portable inflatable chambers

• Smaller footprint, easy setup in homes or wellness centers

• Lower maintenance costs and fewer facility requirements

Hyperbaric Chamber Types Comparison Table

For a quick review of the differences we’ve discussed, here’s a comparison chart. 

Choosing the Right Type of Hyperbaric Chamber

Pick a hard-shell hyperbaric oxygen chamber when the indication is clinical and pressure-dependent. If you have a prescription, require protocolized doses, or your safety profile includes complex comorbidities, choose a hard-sided chamber and a provider with hyperbaric medicine expertise.

Choose a soft shell chamber when your goals are home use, wellness, or recovery sessions at mild HBOT levels. These portable chambers fit small spaces, use oxygen concentrators, and keep costs and setup lower. Match your budget and schedule to the chamber that meets your specific needs, then confirm fit with a healthcare professional and review facility standards before starting hyperbaric therapy.

Soft vs Hard Shell Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber: FAQs

Is a soft shell hyperbaric chamber effective?

Yes, for wellness and recovery at mild HBOT pressures. For medical indications, use hospital-grade chambers under protocols.

Can you use pure oxygen in a soft shell chamber?

Soft chambers are typically pressurized with room air and an oxygen concentrator, not filled with 100 percent oxygen.

What conditions require a hard shell chamber?

Decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation injury, severe infections, and chronic non-healing wounds require hard chambers at higher atmospheric pressure.

Is mild HBOT safe for home use?

Generally, yes, when following manufacturer guidance. Always consult medical professionals and follow safety rules for pressurized chambers.

Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Hyperbaric Chamber: Conclusion

Choosing between a hard shell hyperbaric oxygen chamber and a soft shell chamber comes down to safety, evidence, and your specific goals. Hard chambers deliver higher pressures and pure oxygen, making them the gold standard for FDA-cleared medical conditions. Soft chambers, by contrast, are best suited for home use, wellness, recovery, and altitude support, offering convenience and affordability at mild HBOT levels.

When deciding which type to use, start with your indication, safety profile, and treatment needs. Clinical patients should rely on hard chambers in supervised facilities, while individuals seeking at-home wellness benefits may find soft hyperbaric chambers more practical.

If you’re ready to explore your options, Strength Warehouse USA offers a curated selection of both hard and soft hyperbaric chambers to match your needs and budget. Browse our collection today to find the right fit.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog, including content related to hyperbaric chambers and wellness practices, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References

1. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. (2025, August 25). Follow instructions for safe use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy devices - letter to health care providers. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Click Here to View Reference. 

2. Heyboer, M., 3rd, Sharma, D., Santiago, W., & McCulloch, N. (2017). Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Side Effects Defined and Quantified. Advances in wound care, 6(6), 210–224. Click Here to View Reference.  

3. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society. (2018, July 10). Position statement: Low-pressure fabric hyperbaric chambers [Position statement]. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from Click Here to View Reference.  

4. Office of the Commissioner. (2021, July 26). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Get the facts. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Click Here to View Reference.  

5. Weaver, L. K., Hopkins, R. O., Chan, K. J., Churchill, S., Elliott, C. G., Clemmer, T. P., Orme, J. F., Thomas, F. O., & Morris, A. H. (2002). Hyperbaric oxygen for acute carbon monoxide poisoning. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(14), 1057–1067. Click Here to View Reference.