Three ways to open the nose.
No winner’s podium. Just the trade-offs.
For most people who snore, nasal devices have weak evidence. They make the most sense when a blocked or narrow nose is part of the problem.
| What matters | Nasal strips | Internal dilators | Magnetic bands |
|---|---|---|---|
| How they sit | Adhesive strip outside the nose | Supports inside the nostrils | External band clipped to sticky tabs |
| Example checked | Breathe Right | Mute | Intake |
| Main practical catch | Adhesion and skin irritation | Fit, cleaning and replacement | Adhesion and refill-tab costs |
| Recurring cost | One strip per night | Mute: replace after ten uses | Replacement adhesive tabs, often by subscription |
| Evidence for snoring | Weak or mixed A 2016 review found no change in snoring index | Weak or mixed One small open study, of a different brand | None found The maker’s own study didn’t measure snoring |
| Returns | Not checked | Not checked | US: 90-day guarantee; trial kits not returnable |
| Who it’s not for | Irritated or broken skin on the nose | Mute: under 12s | Check the maker’s skin advice |
| Tested by us? | No | No | No |
| Sources checked | 26 Oct 2026 | 26 Oct 2026 | 26 Oct 2026 |
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
Evidence ratings use the same scale as all the options at a glance. More on each: nasal strips · internal dilators · magnetic bands.
Easier nasal breathing is not a treatment for sleep apnoea. This comparison doesn’t diagnose a cause or recommend a purchase.
Original sources & their limits
- Nasal dilators for sleep apnoea: systematic review (2016) ↗
Read. 14 studies, 147 people with sleep apnoea. No significant change in breathing events, oxygen levels or snoring index. Small, varied studies.
- Report on two placebo-controlled nasal-strip trials (AJMC, on Advances in Therapy 2019) ↗
News report read. Two manufacturer-funded trials (140 and 130 adults with chronic night-time nasal congestion, 14 days). Strips did not improve sleep problems more than placebo strips. They measured sleep in congested people, not snoring.
- Small trial in people with chronic rhinitis ↗
English abstract read. Twelve selected participants; snoring frequency and loudness gave different results.
- Controlled crossover study of external nasal dilation ↗
English abstract read. Eighteen participants; opening the nose did not reduce snoring duration or intensity.
- Open comparison of an internal dilator and a nasal strip (2019) ↗
Abstract read. 41 people, open design, snoring time measured with a phone. Snoring time fell with both devices; the internal dilator (Nas-air) did better. No placebo group.
- Breathe Right: US product instructions and FAQs ↗
Manufacturer information on use limits and skin care. Not independent evidence of effectiveness.
- Mute: product FAQ (PDF) ↗
Manufacturer FAQ. Replace each device after ten uses; not for treating sleep apnoea; not for children under 12. Its “up to 38% more airflow” figure has no source attached.
- Intake: official trial-kit page ↗
Manufacturer information. Not independent evidence of effectiveness.
- Intake: return policies (US) ↗
90-day money-back guarantee; trial kits where you only paid shipping can’t be returned. US terms; other markets not checked.
- Intake blog: “What SleepScore Labs discovered about nasal strips for sleep” ↗
Company blog, not a published study. Three weeks without, three weeks with; number of people not stated; mostly self-reported outcomes; snoring was not measured.
Sources checked 26 Oct 2026.