Rhinomed Mute Nasal Dilators for Sleep, Snoring Solution, Large, 3 Pack

Mute is an internal nasal dilator. Instead of lifting your nose from the outside like a strip, it sits just inside the nostrils and holds them open. The large 3-pack costs about $21 on Amazon. It has around 19,000 ratings, but the average is only 3.5 stars, and that tells you something important about it.

How it works

Each Mute is a small, mostly clear frame with adjustable left and right stents. You push it into your nostrils and adjust the stents until it holds the passages open without pinching. Rinse it daily and each one lasts up to ten nights, so a 3-pack covers about a month.

Rhinomed says clinical trials showed 38% more airflow through the nose, and that Mute reduced snoring in 75% of users. Those are the company's own figures, not independent tests.

Why the reviews are split

Fit. Noses vary a lot, and a dilator that's the wrong size either falls out or feels like it's stretching your nostrils. Rhinomed itself tells first-time users to buy the starter pack, with one of each size, before committing to a size. Comfort divides people too. Some forget it's there within minutes, and some can't sleep with anything inside their nose.

Who it's for

• Nasal snorers whose skin reacts to adhesive strips
• People who found strips helped a little and want a stronger effect
• Anyone who wants something nearly invisible

Who should skip it

Anyone who can't tolerate the feeling of something inside the nostril, and people whose snoring comes from the throat or an open mouth. If your nose is blocked most of the time, see a doctor about the cause. If anyone has noticed you stop breathing while asleep, or you're exhausted during the day, ask about a sleep study. Mute isn't a treatment for sleep apnea.

Alternatives

The Mobi Lock silicone nose vents are a $10 way to find out whether you can tolerate internal dilators at all. If you'd rather stay external, Breathe Right Original strips are the standard starting point. Our best nasal strips for snoring guide compares all five options, and the best anti-snoring devices roundup covers the other device types.