Snoring Devices UKProduct Review
Airmax Nasal Dilator Review UK 2026: 76% More Airflow Tested
The short answer
The Airmax is a reusable internal nasal dilator that widens the nasal valve — the narrowest point of the airway — and is clinically tested at a 76% airflow improvement. It works well for nasal snorers (congestion, allergies, deviated septum) and not at all for throat snorers, which explains its polarised 3.3/5 Amazon rating. At around £12.99 for a two-size trial pack lasting two months per dilator, it is cheaper per night than nasal strips. Buy the trial pack first — sizing decides whether it works or falls out.
What Is the Airmax Nasal Dilator?
The Airmax is a small, wing-shaped device made from medical-grade soft plastic that sits inside your nostrils. It gently pushes the nasal passages open from the inside, increasing airflow by an average of 76.1% according to the manufacturer's clinical tests. It was designed by ENT specialists and aerospace engineers in the Netherlands.
Airmax at a glance (UK, 2026)
- UK price: ~£12.99 (trial pack) · ~£19.99 (Small + Medium multi-pack) on Amazon UK
- Guarantee: 30-day Amazon returns
- Reusable: up to 2 months per dilator
- Certifications: ISO 13485, UKCA, CE, FDA
- Amazon rating: 3.3/5 (14,000+ reviews)
Key Specifications
- Type: Internal nasal dilator
- Pack contents: 1× Small + 1× Medium (trial pack)
- Reusable: Up to 2 months per dilator
- Rating: 3.3/5 on Amazon (14,000+ reviews)
- Certifications: ISO 13485, UKCA, CE, FDA certified
- Material: BPA-free, latex-free medical-grade plastic
- Made in: The Netherlands
How Does It Work?
Unlike external nasal strips that pull from outside, the Airmax works internally. Its patented wing shape sits just inside the nostril entrance and mechanically widens the narrowest part of the nasal airway — the nasal valve area.
This addresses nasal congestion at its most impactful point. When airflow through the nose improves, you're less likely to switch to mouth breathing, which is a primary cause of snoring.
Who Is It Best For?
- Nasal snorers — congestion, allergies, deviated septum
- People who dislike adhesive strips — no sticky residue
- Cost-conscious buyers — reusable for 2 months vs. single-use strips
- Athletes — also available in a sport version for training
Not ideal for: Throat-based or palatal snoring. If your snoring persists with nasal breathing improved, consider a mandibular advancement device (MAD).
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Clinically proven 76% airflow improvement
- Reusable for 2 months — great value
- Designed by ENT specialists
- FDA, CE, and UKCA certified
- Drug-free, BPA-free, latex-free
- Trial pack includes 2 sizes
- Includes storage box
✗ Cons
- 3.3/5 Amazon rating — polarising reviews
- Takes a few nights to get used to
- May fall out during sleep for some users
- Only works for nasal snoring
- Needs regular cleaning
Airmax vs Nasal Strips: Which Is Better?
| Feature | Airmax Dilator | Nasal Strips |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Internal — pushes nostrils open | External — pulls nostrils open |
| Airflow improvement | 76% (clinically tested) | ~30% typical |
| Reusable | Yes — up to 2 months | No — single use |
| Skin-friendly | No adhesive contact | Adhesive may irritate |
| Comfort | Adjustment period needed | Comfortable from first use |
For a deeper comparison, see our guide: Nasal Dilators vs Nasal Strips.
How to Use the Airmax Nasal Dilator
Most one-star reviews describe a fitting problem rather than a product problem. The five steps below take about five minutes on the first night and remove nearly all of them.
- Pick your size. Use the trial pack to test Small and Medium. Small suits most adult women, Medium most adult men. Correct size means it stays put all night without pressure at the nostril rim.
- Clear your nose first. Blow your nose or use a saline rinse before insertion. A dilator holds the nasal valve open but cannot shift mucus already blocking the passage.
- Insert correctly. Squeeze the wings together, slide the dilator into the nostrils, and release so the connecting bridge rests under the septum. It should sit just inside the entrance, not deep in the nose.
- Check the fit. Breathe in through your nose. Airflow should feel noticeably freer. If you feel pinching or soreness within ten minutes, drop a size.
- Clean it every morning. Rinse under warm water with mild unperfumed soap and air-dry in the storage box. Replace the dilator after about two months of nightly use.
Sizing Guide: Small, Medium or Large?
| Size | Typically fits | Sign it's wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Most adult women, narrower noses, teenagers | Falls out overnight → go up a size |
| Medium | Most adult men, average adult nasal opening | Soreness at the nostril rim → go down a size |
| Large | Wider nasal openings; sold separately | Visible from the front → too large |
The trial pack includes Small and Medium, so treat your first week as a fitting exercise rather than a verdict on the product.
Cleaning and Replacement
Rinse the dilator each morning under warm water with a drop of mild, unperfumed soap and air-dry it in the supplied box. Avoid boiling water, dishwashers, and alcohol wipes — heat and solvents soften the plastic, and a softened dilator no longer holds the nasal valve open. Expect around two months per dilator with nightly use; replace it sooner if the wings lose their spring or the plastic discolours.
What If It Doesn't Work for You?
If nasal breathing is clearly freer but the snoring continues, your snoring is coming from the throat rather than the nose, and no dilator will fix that. The next step is a mandibular advancement device such as AirSnore or Good Morning Snore Solution. If congestion is the underlying driver, treat that first — see our guides on allergies and snoring and mucus and snoring. And if you also wake unrefreshed or your partner notices pauses in breathing, take the STOP-BANG questionnaire before spending more on devices.
Our Verdict
The Airmax Nasal Dilator is the most clinically-backed internal nasal dilator available on Amazon UK. The 76% airflow improvement claim is supported by independent testing, and the reusable design makes it excellent value compared to disposable strips.
The main caveat is the 3.3-star Amazon rating — many negative reviews come from throat snorers who expected it to cure all snoring. If your snoring is nasal in origin, the Airmax is well worth trying. For throat-based snoring, pair it with a mouthpiece for best results.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Airmax nasal dilator actually stop snoring?
For nasal snorers — yes. Clinical testing shows the Airmax dilator improves nasal airflow by an average of 76%. If your snoring is caused by nasal congestion, a deviated septum, or allergies, it can significantly reduce or eliminate snoring. It won't help throat-based snoring.
How do you use the Airmax nasal dilator?
Squeeze the dilator gently between thumb and forefinger, insert it into the nostrils with the connecting bridge sitting under the septum, then release so the wings press outward against the nasal valve. It should sit flush and be invisible from the front. Insert it just before lying down, not hours earlier.
What size Airmax should I buy — Small or Medium?
Start with the trial pack, which contains both. Most adult women fit Small; most adult men fit Medium. If the dilator falls out during the night it is too small; if it causes pressure or soreness at the nostril rim within 10 minutes it is too large. Large is sold separately for wider nasal openings.
How long does an Airmax dilator last?
Each Airmax dilator is reusable for up to 2 months with regular cleaning. This makes it far more cost-effective than single-use nasal strips — roughly £6–10 a month versus £15–20 a month for strips.
How do you clean an Airmax dilator?
Rinse it each morning under warm running water with a drop of mild unperfumed soap, then air-dry it in the supplied storage box. Do not boil it, put it in a dishwasher, or use alcohol-based cleaners — heat and solvents warp the medical-grade plastic and it will stop holding the nasal valve open.
Is Airmax comfortable to sleep with?
Most users find it comfortable once they've found the right size. The trial pack includes both Small and Medium so you can test which fits best. Expect an adjustment period of three to five nights before the sensation of something inside the nose stops registering.
Why does the Airmax fall out during the night?
Almost always a sizing issue, or the dilator was inserted too far back. Move up a size and re-insert so the bridge rests under the septum rather than deep in the nostril. Users who mouth-breathe heavily also dislodge it more often — treating the mouth breathing usually fixes it.
How does Airmax compare to nasal strips?
Airmax works internally by mechanically opening the nostrils from the inside, while nasal strips pull from outside. Clinical data suggests internal dilators like Airmax provide greater airflow improvement. They're also reusable, making them cheaper long-term.
Can you use Airmax with a CPAP machine?
Yes, with a full-face CPAP mask it is generally fine, but it is usually unnecessary — CPAP already pressurises the airway. With a nasal pillow mask the dilator can interfere with the seal. Check with your sleep clinic before combining them.
Is Airmax available on the NHS?
Airmax is not currently available on NHS prescription, but you can purchase it over the counter on Amazon UK. For NHS-funded options, see our guide to NHS snoring devices.