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Whether your baby gets the occasional stuffy nose or they’re the world’s largest producer of snot, you’re going to need a nasal aspirator in your cold-and-flu toolkit. Snot sucker, bulb syringe, mucus extractor—whatever you call it, it’s something you’ll want to have on hand before your little one gets sick.

There are a few different types of nasal aspirators out there, but they all serve the same function: to help clear nasal passages by working like a vacuum to suck mucus out. Our top choice, the NoseFrida SnotSucker by FridaBaby, is a longtime parent favorite—Babylist parents say it’s “efficient” and “hygienic” (albeit also “a little gross”), and according to our data, it’s one of the top-registered and top-reviewed baby first aid products overall.

But all families and needs are different, so we have a few more picks to help you find the best fit for your baby. To make sure your little one is breathing their best, here’s a roundup of the best nasal aspirators and how to use them.

Why Trust Babylist?

Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands of people annually via our Best Baby Products survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.

As a mom of two and a Babylist editor for over five years, I’ve tested hundreds of baby products—including lots of snot suckers. Thanks to my two boys (who seem to get stuffy noses more often than I ever thought possible) and my own rigorous testing methods, I’ve seen firsthand which nasal aspirators work well, and which ones work not so well. I've gone through so many nasal aspirators in the past seven years, and the four on this list are the only ones I actually like—and Babylist parents agree.

Along with my own expert knowledge, I also incorporated feedback from thousands of parents’ product reviews and write-in responses for Babylist’s annual Best Baby Products survey, where they talked about their favorite products, including their favorite bibs.

Babylist’s Top Picks for The Best Nasal Aspirators

  • Best Overall: FridaBaby NoseFrida SnotSucker

  • Best Silicone Nasal Aspirator: Haakaa Easy-Squeezy Silicone Bulb Syringe

  • Best Electric Nasal Aspirator: Grownsy Electric Nose Aspirator

  • Electric Honorable Mention: Dr. Noze Best NozeBot Electric Nasal Aspirator

Best Overall

FridaBaby NoseFrida SnotSucker Saline Kit

$20.99

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Pros:
  • Easy to control the suction level
  • Dishwasher-safe (top rack)
  • More hygienic than traditional bulb aspirators
Cons:
  • Some parents find it gross
  • Requires disposable filters, which can add up in cost

Topping the list of parent-favorite (and expert-favorite) nasal aspirators is the NoseFrida SnotSucker by FridaBaby. If you haven’t heard of it by now, this aspirator has an unconventional take on snot sucking—rather than a traditional bulb or a battery-powered vacuum, this aspirator uses your mouth.

With one end securely between your lips and the other end (of a thankfully long hose) in baby’s nostril, you have full control over the level of suction to clear baby’s nasal congestion. There’s no relying on different settings like with electric aspirators or a single level of suction like with bulb syringes. And don’t worry, there’s a filter in the hose so you won’t suck up anything unsavory.

It’s also more hygienic than the typical bulb aspirator you get at a hospital, since you can take the NoseFrida apart and wash every piece. The blue nasal tube, red mouthpiece, and filter cap are all top-rack dishwasher safe.

If you’re hesitant about this aspirator’s method, you’re not alone. To be totally honest, it took me months to finally work up the courage to use mine. I was really weirded out by the idea of clearing out my son’s nose with my own mouth, but when I finally used it, I was so impressed with how easy it was and how remarkably well it worked. Gross, but effective.

Besides the ick factor, the other major downside to the SnotSucker is that it relies on disposable filters to keep mucus and boogers from entering the tube. Instructions say to replace the filter after every use, and most packs only come with 11 filters, so you’ll need to buy replacement packs somewhat often if your baby is particularly prone to a stuffy nose.

Real Parent Reviews:

“It grossed me out and I was afraid to use it, but once I tried it, I am so glad I have it. My baby doesn’t mind it at all and I didn’t realize how much I would need to be unclogging her nose for her.” — Best Baby Products survey response

“I wasn’t convinced that this was as good as everyone said it was. I resisted using it because I thought it was gross. But wow it’s amazing! The very best thing we’ve used to suction mucous!” — Best Baby Products survey response

“Ok, I was totally skeptical of this product because the thought of sucking out my baby’s boogers made my skin crawl. But it’s so great! First of all, there’s absolutely no way those boogers are getting anywhere close to your mouth. You can see how the force of the suction is working and see the progress you’re making clearing your baby’s nose. And it’s washable unlike the old school bulb ones that held in all the germs.” — Monique

“Weirdly satisfying.” — Shannon R.

Best Silicone Nasal Aspirator

Pros:
  • Two-piece construction = easy to clean
  • Transparent
  • Narrow, flexible tip
Cons:
  • Tip can pop off

This silicone aspirator has two major features over traditional silicone bulb aspirators: it’s completely see-through, and it separates into two easy-to-clean pieces. No more guessing at what mystery mucus lies within or if your attempt at rinsing it out was actually successful. And even though it isn’t one-piece construction like the bulb aspirators you get in the hospital and most baby first aid kits, the two pieces aren’t large enough to be choking hazards.

I love this bulb because it’s a compact size (I bought two so I could keep one in my diaper bag), it’s easy to clean and, unlike most bulb aspirators, it has a narrower, super flexible tip to help get the best angle inside a tiny nose.

The only real issue I’ve ever had with this aspirator—and other parents seem to agree—is that the tip can pop off mid-use. “The top comes off really easily when using and it’s annoying to keep having to push it back on,” Sarah Bruton writes in her product review. “If it’s loose, it doesn’t suction properly.”

Real Parent Reviews:

“I ordered this when my 8-month-old granddaughter got her first cold. It fit her tiny nostril well and we weren’t concerned that it would go in too far. The suction was just right. It is so nice that it’s so easy to clean and comes apart so you can clean it well and see that it is clean. Very good design.” — AJS

“I love the clear silicone and the ability to clean product. Unfortunately the top comes off really easily when using and it’s annoying to keep having to push it back on. If it’s loose it doesn’t suction properly.” — Sarah Bruton

“I had no idea they made a clear version of these. I just remember thinking with the traditional ones it would be great to see how much mucus was coming out and the color. So as I usually do, I headed to Amazon to search and there it was. I also love that I can separate it and clean it. My only contention is sometimes it may not suck as efficiently but other than that I am definitely pleased with my purchase.” — Ken

Best Electric Nasal Aspirator

Pros:
  • Multiple suction levels
  • Varying tip sizes
  • Built-in lights and music to entertain/distract kids
Cons:
  • Loud
  • Bulky
  • Needs recharging

This aspirator saves you a sore thumb. No constant pushing on a bulb to create suction—electric nasal aspirators work with just the press of a single button. Parents love this one from Grownsy because it has three suction levels, three sizes of silicone tips, a small light for nighttime snot sucking and soothing music to help distract nervous or fussy babies. “My one-year-old loves the color-changing light and music, which makes aspirating his mucus so easy!” user Courtney wrote in her review of the Grownsy.

But with as many bells and whistles as it has, the Grownsy is pretty bulky. It’ll take up twice as much space in your medicine cabinet and diaper bag as other options on this list. And since it’s electric, it makes a buzzing noise—it may not be too loud for some little ones, but it definitely startled my toddler and made him wary of using it (he got over it eventually).

Real Parent Reviews:

“It has been a life saver both when my daughter was a newborn and now with teething and colds.” — Best Baby Products survey response

“Works very well but the light show and music are hilariously weird. Confuses our son enough to get the job done, so perhaps that’s the point?” — Allie

Electric Honorable Mention

Dr. Noze Best NozeBot Electric Nasal Aspirator - Nozebot

$134.99

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Pros:
  • Finger grip for better control
  • Multiple suction levels
  • Most powerful suction on this list
Cons:
  • Very loud
  • Bulky; not ideal for on the go

This is no basic nasal aspirator—think of it more as an ENT doctor in a machine. This thing is powerful, but also gentle enough to not irritate. It’ll get more mucus out in less time, and it won’t cramp your hand in the process. I really appreciate the finger grips, since they’re pretty comfortable and allow for better control as you’re holding the tip to baby’s nose. Other parents agree, saying it’s “convenient” and “allows for easier one-handed suctioning.”

What I don’t appreciate about this aspirator is the noise level. It was so loud the first time I turned it on, my kids and I all jumped, and my toddler had to cover his ears while I used it on him. It’s also not as easy to store as typical nasal aspirators, even other electric ones, since it’s so bulky. With that in mind, I was still really impressed with how well it works (and with almost no effort on my part).

Real Parent Reviews:

“Amazing product and a life saver! I have 3 littles under 4 and this is one of the first products that comes to mind when I recommend things to parents. It’s easy to use with multiple setting and has convenient finger holes to hold the tip up to baby’s nose. It is 100% worth the buy, you won’t regret it!” — Cari H.

“I love this product! I wasted money getting cheaper alternatives at the store and when I finally decided to invest in this I was mad at myself that I didn’t sooner 😂 this has helped my baby get over his colds much quicker and sucking out the phlegm is very satisfying! Highly recommend!!” — Hannah C.

How to use a nasal aspirator

No matter which type of nasal aspirator you use, you should prime baby’s nasal passages with saline before trying to suck mucus out. Nasal aspirators don’t work on dry, hardened mucus, so saline gets everything nice and moist in there so it can be removed more easily. Saline drops, mists and sprays are all safe to use on babies, but drops and micro-mist inhalers are the most gentle options for newborns and younger babies.

Boogie
Micro-Mist Saline Inhaler

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FridaBaby
Saline Mist Inhaler

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Once you’ve got all the supplies you need (saline, aspirator, probably a few tissues), it’s time to get started. It’s a bit of a process, and your little one will probably be really wiggly, so to make sure you’re doing it right, here are some instructions based on what tools you’re using.

“First things first: parents and caregivers need to get comfortable with the fact that your child will almost definitely not enjoy this process,” says Dr. Christina Johns, pediatric emergency physician and Senior Medical Advisor at PM Pediatric Care. “They will temporarily be mad at you and that’s just a fact. Once you face that fear, you can move forward with confidence!” The good news, Dr. Johns says, is that babies under 12 months old are usually better at dealing with snot suckers; it’s the toddlers who’ll try to fight you.

“The most important part of this process is your baby’s position,” Dr. Johns says. “If you can, have a partner help you with this. Hold the baby’s head still so you’re less likely to poke your baby.”

  • Using saline drops: Make sure baby is laying down on their back before putting in the saline (having baby’s head at a diagonal is preferable, Dr. Johns says, but flat is okay too; just make sure baby isn’t upside-down). Insert three to four drops into each nostril, then wait about five seconds for the saline to work its magic. Keep baby on their back for the aspirator, too.

  • Using saline mist: Position baby however they’re most comfortable (though lying on their back is still preferable), place the inhaler mask securely over baby’s nose and mouth and allow them to breathe normally for one to five minutes.

  • Using a manual aspirator bulb: Squeeze the bulb before putting the tip in baby’s nose. It’s important to squeeze the bulb as instructed for your specific product—some bulbs squeeze from the bottom using your thumb, others squeeze from the sides.

  • For all aspirator types (unless specifically stated in the instructions): Position the tip straight into baby’s nostril. Make sure the tip isn’t pointed toward the sides or angled down or up. Going straight in will line the aspirator up with the sinus cavity and allow for maximum snot removal rather than accidentally suctioning the nostril walls and causing inflammation. (Don’t worry too much if your child ends up bleeding a bit, Dr. Johns says. “A little bit is okay, especially since their nasal passages are likely to be irritated in the first place, but this is something we work hard to avoid. This is why I recommend immobilizing your child for this process to go more smoothly.”)

Once the aspirator tip is inserted as far as it can safely go (just far enough to create a vacuum seal in the nostril), close the other nostril with your finger and then either release the bulb of a manual aspirator, turn on an electric aspirator or start sucking from an oral-powered type. If the tip is transparent, you should see mucus coming out right away.

After suctioning one nostril, squeeze the aspirator into a clean tissue to try and remove at least some of the captured mucus so you don’t accidentally deposit it into baby’s other nostril (ew). Then it’s time to repeat the process in the other nostril.

Keep in mind, it’s possible to cause irritation and inflammation in baby’s nose by using a nasal aspirator too often. “Depending on how much nasal secretions a child has, and how well they’re able to tolerate the nasal aspiration process, you can do this as often as every 4 hours but I do not recommend any more than that,” Dr. Johns says.

How to clean a nasal aspirator

Always clean the aspirator after each use. You don’t want mucus sitting there over time and breeding bacteria.

If you’re using a manual one (either a bulb or the mouth-powered kind), clean the entire aspirator with hot, soapy water and let it air dry after each use, or check the cleaning instructions to see if it’s dishwasher safe.

If you’re using an electric aspirator, only wash the removable tip in hot, soapy water. Be careful not to get the actual aspirator wet, since most aren’t waterproof.

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and review products, as well as the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

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