We bought every nose strip and nasal dilator we could find in Australia — chemist brands, supermarket generics, gym favourites, magnetic clips, even the AliExpress no-names — and tested them across four things that actually matter: spring strength, overnight adhesion, comfort, and value per strip.
Of the 13 brands we tested, Rhino Gear is the only one that scored 5/5 on strength, adhesion, comfort and value. Strong enough for snoring and training, gentle enough on the skin for nightly use, and ~30% cheaper per strip than the chemist equivalent.
How we tested
The full comparison
🇦🇺 Australia · External strip
Strongest spring tension we've tested in AU, hypoallergenic adhesive that survives a full night, and ~30% cheaper per strip than the chemist. Australian-made and the only brand that ticks every box.
Where: rhinogear.com.au (direct)
🇺🇸 USA (GSK) · External strip
The strongest Breathe Right variant. Decent lift but the tan colour is loud, the adhesive can irritate sensitive skin, and you're paying a brand premium at the chemist.
Where: Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Amazon AU
🇺🇸 USA (GSK) · External strip
The default option most Australians try first. It works — but the tension is mild, so heavy snorers and athletes usually outgrow it within a week.
Where: Chemist Warehouse, Coles, Woolworths
🇺🇸 USA (GSK) · External strip
Less visible than the tan version, but the trade-off is noticeably weaker spring tension. Best for very light congestion only.
Where: Chemist Warehouse, Priceline
🇨🇳 China (Amazon AU) · External strip
Cheap and surprisingly strong, but adhesive quality is inconsistent batch-to-batch — one pack stays on, the next falls off at 2am. Fine if you're price-sensitive and don't mind the lottery.
Where: Amazon AU, eBay AU
🇺🇸 USA · External strip
Aggressive lift built for jiu-jitsu and weightlifting. Overkill for sleep — the high tension can leave the bridge of your nose sore the next day.
Where: Amazon AU, gym retailers
🇺🇸 USA · Hybrid
A magnetic-tab system rather than a strip — genuinely strong but expensive once you factor in USD pricing and shipping. Great product, hard to justify in AU.
Where: intakebreathing.com (USD shipping to AU)
🇦🇺 Australia (Rhinomed) · Internal dilator
Sits inside the nostrils instead of across the nose. Effective if external strips irritate your skin, but takes a few nights to get used to and costs more per use.
Where: Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Coles
🇦🇺 Australia · External strip
Chemist Warehouse home brand. Same factory as several generics, fine for occasional use, mild lift. You can do better for similar money.
Where: Chemist Warehouse
🇦🇺 Australia · External strip
Pharmacy generic — almost identical to Pharmacy Health. Safe, no surprises, no standout features.
Where: Independent pharmacies
🇨🇳 China (re-badged) · External strip
Cheapest option in the supermarket aisle. Lift is weak and adhesive quality varies — fine for one-off use during a cold, not for nightly snoring.
Where: Coles, Woolworths
🇨🇳 China (generic) · Magnetic clip
A reusable clip that pinches the septum. Cheap and tempting, but research and most users agree: minimal effect on snoring, often uncomfortable, and not really a nasal dilator.
Where: eBay, AliExpress, Amazon AU
🇨🇳 China (white label) · External strip
What you'd expect: the price is the only good thing. Adhesive often fails within an hour and the spring tension is barely noticeable.
Where: AliExpress
The verdicts
Strongest spring tension we've tested in AU, hypoallergenic adhesive that survives a full night, and ~30% cheaper per strip than the chemist. Australian-made and the only brand that ticks every box.
The strongest Breathe Right variant. Decent lift but the tan colour is loud, the adhesive can irritate sensitive skin, and you're paying a brand premium at the chemist.
The default option most Australians try first. It works — but the tension is mild, so heavy snorers and athletes usually outgrow it within a week.
Less visible than the tan version, but the trade-off is noticeably weaker spring tension. Best for very light congestion only.
Cheap and surprisingly strong, but adhesive quality is inconsistent batch-to-batch — one pack stays on, the next falls off at 2am. Fine if you're price-sensitive and don't mind the lottery.
Aggressive lift built for jiu-jitsu and weightlifting. Overkill for sleep — the high tension can leave the bridge of your nose sore the next day.
A magnetic-tab system rather than a strip — genuinely strong but expensive once you factor in USD pricing and shipping. Great product, hard to justify in AU.
Sits inside the nostrils instead of across the nose. Effective if external strips irritate your skin, but takes a few nights to get used to and costs more per use.
Chemist Warehouse home brand. Same factory as several generics, fine for occasional use, mild lift. You can do better for similar money.
Pharmacy generic — almost identical to Pharmacy Health. Safe, no surprises, no standout features.
Cheapest option in the supermarket aisle. Lift is weak and adhesive quality varies — fine for one-off use during a cold, not for nightly snoring.
A reusable clip that pinches the septum. Cheap and tempting, but research and most users agree: minimal effect on snoring, often uncomfortable, and not really a nasal dilator.
What you'd expect: the price is the only good thing. Adhesive often fails within an hour and the spring tension is barely noticeable.
If you want one nose strip that beats every other option in Australia on strength, adhesion, comfort and price-per-strip — Rhino Gear is the answer.