These 8 Aspirators Will Help Clear a Cranky Baby’s Stuffy Nose
With winter approaching, now is the time to invest in a nasal aspirator to alleviate the discomfort of mucus build-up in your baby’s nasal passages. A stuffy nose can be caused by allergies, dry air and viral infections and will make your baby cranky.
If the infant is suffering from thick mucus congestion, use a saline solution or prescribed respiratory drops before using a nasal syringe. Cleaning your baby’s nose before feeding is recommended because it makes it easier for the infant to breathe and eat easily.
How we selected the top eight products
Our team examined 13 baby brands available in Australia that produce the best nasal suction products. They then compared 15 different products before arriving at their final selection of eight devices. We also examined hundreds of current online reviews to see which products gave customers the best results.
Our top 8 selections
Electric Suction
Clear your baby’s nose with the click of a button:
Oral Suction
Control the suction with these manual devices:
Cleanoz Easy — No Cross-Contamination
Pros
- Hygienic.
- Easy to use.
- One-year warranty.
Cons
- Noisy and vibrates loudly.
- Only one-refill of nasal tips per pack.
Price (RRP): $69.00
The Cleanoz Easy is an electric product that uses disposable single-use reservoir tips. These single-use tips are a hygienic solution, ensuring no cross-contamination. The product is designed to make breathing more comfortable by providing a fast, more efficient way to clean a baby’s nasal passages. Cleanoz Easy can be used on new-borns, infants and toddlers.
Specs
- 3 X alkaline 1.5V batteries (not included).
- One nasal tip pack included.
Customer Reviews
“I am very happy. Cleanoz works as described. Great for getting snot out. Use saline first, then Cleanoz to help the child breath easily. Works for all 3 of my kids – 1, 3, and 5 year-olds.”
Flick
Source: Amazon
Snotty Three — A Australian Designed Device
Pros
- Provides constant, steady suction.
- Clears high into the nasal passages, preventing nasal drip.
- Different size nose tips are provided.
- 12-month manufacturer warranty.
Cons
- The noise can frighten some babies.
Price (RRP): $45.99
From newborns to pre-schoolers, the Snotty Threeis a natural therapy for treating colds, flu, sinus, allergies and teething-related congestion. This ergonomically Australian designed device can be used one-handed while your child is sitting up or lying down. The nasal syringe quickly and gently clears out nasal mucus and prevents mucus build-up along the ear canal.
Specs
- Battery operated – requires 2 x AA batteries (not included).
- Fully waterproof.
- Fully submersible for cleaning and use in shower/bath.
Customer Reviews
“My son has learned how to use it himself and now walks around cleaning his nose, our dog’s nose, all his toys noses and anyone who is game.”
Nose Frida — A Evergreen Favourite
Pros
- Disposable filters.
- Safe to use up to three times a day.
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons
- Tube fits too loosely.
- Filter must be replaced after each use.
Price (RRP): $22.99
The Nose Frida is hygienic with disposable filters that are clinically proven to prevent mucus and bacteria transfer. Use your suction to draw mucus out of the baby’s nose. It is comfortable and non-invasive and recommended by paediatricians. The Nose Frida is suitable for 0 to 9-year age groups. The product is supplied with four hygiene filters which must be replaced after each use.
Specs
- Dimensions: 18.03 x 7.62 x 2.54 cm
- Weight: 22.7 g
Customer Reviews
“The Nose Frida is more gentle and simple to use than the aspirator bulb. My bub still doesn’t like it, but it’s easier and quicker and therefore a lot less distressing for him.”
Seldy
Source: Amazon
NeilMed Naspira — Functions as an Aspirator and as a Bulb
Pros
- 2-in-1 design allows for use as both a bulb and an aspirator.
- Easy to sterilise.
- Disposable filters reduce contamination risk.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Difficult to suction.
- The bulb is unnecessary and too big to hold comfortably.
Price (RRP): $14.99
Made of high-grade silicone, the NeilMedis sold with a lifetime warranty! It contains in-line disposable filters to reduce the risk of contamination, and its components pull apart for easy cleaning. The unit is dishwasher-safe (excluding the filters) and its 2-in-1 design allows for use as both a bulb or as a nasal syringe. It is safe for babies and toddlers.
Specs
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 10.8 x 18.5 cm
- Weight: 115 gm
Customer Reviews
“I put my baby’s head in the V of my legs to keep his head still and pin his arms under my legs to keep him still. And I use saline drops before suctioning. He’s no delighted by that process, but he was smiley right after and finally went to bed without his little arms flailing toward his nose because it was bothering him.”
Anon
Source: Google Shopping
Braun Nasal Aspirator — Designed for Suction from any Angle
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe.
- 2 x sizes nasal tips.
- Design allows suction from any angle.
- Two-year guarantee.
Cons
- Difficult to use if baby wriggles around.
- Two suction modes operate with the same strength.
Price (RRP): $54.99
This Braun product is quiet and easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts. Two sizes of soft nasal tips are included, ensuring a snug fit for both babies and toddlers. There are also two levels of gentle suction. This product features an ergonomic design that allows suction from any angle.
Specs
- 2 AA batteries.
- 2 washable tip sizes.
- Carrying pouch.
- Dimensions: 11.38 x 6.4 x 17.09 cm.
- Weight: 99.8 g
Customer Reviews
“I bought it for my infant daughter because the bulb syringe wasn’t cutting it, and there was no way I was going to use a straw type one to suck the snot out of my kid’s nose. Does she hate this thing? Yes. But does it work? Oh yeah. And it’s not too strong on the suction. I tested it on my hand, and it didn’t even leave a mark or indentation. I then tested it on my very opinionated toddler, and even he said, “that isn’t so bad.” Also, while my daughter hates it, it’s faster and more effective. I’d rather have her nose cleared faster using this device than taking forever to use a bulb sucker while trying to pin down a wiggly unhappy baby.”
Kirsten Christiansen
Source: Amazon.com.uk
Haakaa — No Need to Replace a Battery
Pros
- Battery-free — charged with a USB cable.
- Three different suction strengths.
- Simple one-button operation.
- 12-month warranty.
Cons
- Mucus collection is faulty.
Price (RRP): $49.95
There is no need to replace a battery as the Haakaa is charged with a USB cable. It takes about two hours to fully charge. The device has three different suction strengths. Soft silicone nasal tips can be sterilised and the gadget is easy to clean.
Specs
- Dimensions: 22.86 x 7.62 x 4.82 cm.
- Weight: 227 gm.
- 5 x Collection Sponges.
- 2 x Silicone Tips.
- 1 x USB Charging Cable.
Customer Reviews
“Product does suck the mucus out of the child’s nose, but it does not go into the collection container as the description explains. It goes into the location of the filter, which is not good. Maybe mine is defective. But I will be returning this item and purchase a different brand.”
Katy Robertson
Source: Amazon.com.uk
Baby-Vac — Clinically Tested and Approved
Pros
- Clinically-tested and approved.
- Recommended by paediatricians and ENT specialists worldwide.
Cons
- Very loud.
Price (RRP): $39.95
Baby-Vac is automated and designed to work safely and effectively, automatically adjusting and reducing the suction power. It is attached to any vacuum cleaner, and the continuous suction motion effectively removes mucus from all parts of the nasal cavity. It was designed by an award-winning Hungarian scientist named the Best Product of 2005 from Quality of Life Award Omnimedia in Canada. The Medical University of Vienna research disclosed that by using Baby-Vac, removing secretion from the nasal cavities accelerates recovery in cases of illness, improves breathing and prevents the onset of disease.
Specs
- Dimensions : 19.56 x 9.91 x 4.57 cm.
- 113 gm.
Customer Reviews
“I was hooked on the Nose Frida and was annoyed my husband bought this, but now I’m hooked. It’s way more productive than the Nose Frida, and it doesn’t make me light-headed, desperately trying to suck the snot out in one big breath while my kid flails and screams. Overall, great suction and does the best job getting snot out of my baby’s nose. There are some drawbacks. First, it’s not a one-person job. You need one person to hold it to the vacuum and one person to hold it to the kid’s nose. The other problem is that it’s loud. It’s not realistic to use in the middle of the night since it’s so loud. Still would recommend it, though I’d still keep the manual nose sucker for times when you’re alone or for use during the night.”
Sizzle
Source: Google Shopping
Oricom — An Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods Device
Pros
- Flexible silicone tips.
- Simple one-touch operation.
- Easy to clean.
- 12-month warranty.
Cons
- It is expensive in comparison to other aspirators.
- Can be quite noisy.
Price (RRP): $79.95
The Oricom is named as a medical device on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Suitable for newborns and toddlers up to two years, the aspirator is charged with a USB cable, eliminating the need for batteries. It has two suction power levels, and its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to operate.
Specs
- Dimension: 4.2 x 19b2 x 4.2 cm.
- Weight: 160 g.
Customer Reviews
“We love our nasal aspirator from Oricom! It saved us numerous times this winter with our newborn, who unfortunately had a run of cold after cold. Thankfully, this device allowed us to clear away that mucus and get him back to sleep. Highly recommend!”
What to consider when buying a baby nasal suction device
- Oral Suction vs Electric Suction: There are pros and cons related to both products. However, many mothers say that mouth suction devices are more successful than electric nasal syringes because they often require a two-hand operation, making it difficult to hold a wriggling baby.
- Warranty: Make sure you purchase a product with a warranty; otherwise, you will be out of pocket if there are any malfunction problems.
- Price: Baby nasal suction devices are generally affordable, but some products are at the higher end of the scale. Just make sure that you study the product information to ensure that it has the features you want, and then go ahead and buy the one that will best suit your needs.
- Cleaning: Before deciding on a suction device, you may want to look at the care instructions involved. As you’ll be dealing with mucous, you want to ensure that the device can be cleaned and sterilised with ease to avoid cross-contamination.
Compare the best 2021 aspirators
| Product | Price | Warranty | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanoz | $69.00 | 1 year |
|
| Snotty Three | $45.99 | $1 year |
|
| Nose Frida | $22.99 | 1 year |
|
| NeilMed | $14.99 | Lifetime |
|
| Braun | $54.99 | 2 years |
|
| Haakaa | $49.95 | 1 year |
|
| Baby-Vac | $39.95 | 1 year |
|
| Oricom | $79.95 | 1 year |
|
Source: Pharmacyonline, BabyBunting, Catch, Discountchemist, Chemist Warehouse (March 2021)
Our methodology
13 brands examined
15 products compared
8 products chosen
- Our team researched the many baby brands available in Australia that produce the best nasal aspirators.
- We poured over hundreds of online reviews March 2021 to see which products gave customers the best results.
- Our editorial team selects the products on this list based on their benefits and features. Items are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Brands Compared
To choose the best lamps, we examined the following brands:
- Baby-vac (1)
- Braun (2)
- Canpol Babies (1)
- Chicco (2)
- Cleanoz (1)
- Fridababy (1)
- Haakaa (1)
- NeilMed (1)
- Novartis (1)
- Oricom (1)
- Pigeon (1)
- Rotho Babydesign (1)
- Snotty Three (1)
We then carefully read hundreds of online reviews given by customers who have bought and tried these products. We looked at the features of each aspirator to see how it performed.
We then chose the 8 best products in terms of quality, cost, and effectivity, based on our research.
Take note: We have not compared all products on the market, and we may receive compensation when you click links on our site or purchase products or services from partners. However, we value our editorial independence, and all reviews and comparisons are based on an unbiased analysis of our research.
Conclusion
Whether you opt for electric or manual suction, baby nasal suction devices are an invaluable addition to any nursery, particularly with winter fast approaching and the threat of colds and flu. Electric products such as Cleanoz, Snotty Three and Braun are popular with mothers, as are the manual suction versions such as Nose Frida and NeilMed. As you can see from our research, you don’t have to opt for the most expensive device to enjoy all the benefits associated with clearing out the baby’s stuffy nose. Your infant will eat and sleep better and be far less cranky with a mucus-free nasal passage.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Do nasal aspirators work?
Nasal aspirators are proven to be very effective at clearing nasal passages of mucus build-up. They remove the build-up by suctioning your child’s nostril. This can be done mechanically or manually by sucking on the correct attachment.Are these devices safe for babies?
Doctors recommend that nasal aspirators are not used more than three times a day. Aspirators should be used when your baby sounds congested, has a runny nose, or if there is visible evidence of a nose full of boogies.How do nasal suction products work?
A nasal aspirator creates suction to safely remove mucus from the nasal cavity. This is done manually, via suction by mouth, or electrically, by battery-power or USB cable charged devices.How to sterilise a nasal device
Some aspirators are dishwasher-safe, but those that are not can be cleaned with warm soapy water. You may also want to soak the removable parts in a sterilising solution.Which nasal aspirator is the best?
With all things in life, there are different strokes for different folks and baby nasal aspirators are no different. While some mothers enthuse about battery-operated models, others swear by the efficacy of mouth suction devices such as Nose Frida, NeilMed and baby-Vac. The electric versions that are ranking high on the 2021 list of Australian favourites include Cleanoz, Snotty Three Braun and Haakaa.
