Inside-the-nose dilators. Fit comes first.
No sticky strip on the outside. Instead, small supports sit inside the nostrils to help keep them open.
What’s appealing
Some people prefer a reusable device. Adjustable sizing may help with fit, depending on the design. But “internal dilator” describes a category, not one standard product.
Too small may not stay put. Too large may be uncomfortable. And reusable doesn’t mean it lasts for months.
A useful example: Mute
Mute’s FAQ says to replace each device after ten uses and to clean it after use. It isn’t intended to treat sleep apnoea or for children under 12. These are the maker’s instructions, not our own testing.
What the research can’t promise
A small 2019 study without a placebo group compared another internal dilator, Nas-air, with a nasal strip. Snoring time fell with both, more with Nas-air. That doesn’t show Mute, or any other brand, has the same effect. We found no independent study of Mute itself.
Original sources & their limits
- 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.
- 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.
- Mute: Australian product FAQ ↗
Manufacturer FAQ, used for instructions only. Versions sold elsewhere can differ.
- 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.
Sources checked 26 Oct 2026.