Tested
Magnetic nose strips: do the magnets actually do anything?
Magnetic nose strips have flooded TikTok and Amazon Australia. We bought the popular ones and slept in them for a week. Short version: the magnets are marketing — but the clip can still help.
How magnetic nose strips claim to work
The pitch is that two small neodymium magnets sit on either side of your nostrils and "improve circulation" or "stimulate nerve endings" to open your airway. There is no clinical evidence for either claim.
What actually opens your nose
Two things produce real airflow: a spring pulling the sides of your nose outward (regular nasal strips), or a clip mechanically pinching the alar wall outward (Intake-style devices). Both work. Magnets attached to either system contribute zero measurable airflow in our tests.
The good, the bad, the gimmick
- Good: Reusable, no adhesive on your skin, easy to travel with.
- Bad: The magnets pinch and feel intrusive, and the clip slips during the night for side sleepers.
- Gimmick: Any "magnetic therapy" or "infrared" claims on the packaging.
Better alternative
For overnight wear we recommend an adhesive spring strip — Rhino Gear gave the strongest, most consistent lift in our 2026 testing without the slipping or pinching issue. See the full ranking.
Safety notes
Skip magnetic nose products if you have a pacemaker, an implanted defibrillator, a cochlear implant, or are pregnant. Magnets near the face are also not recommended for young children.
Frequently asked questions
- Do magnetic nose strips actually work?
- The lift comes from the spring or clip mechanism, not from the magnets. Studies show no measurable benefit from the magnetic component itself. A regular spring-based nasal strip gives you the same airflow boost for less money.
- Are magnetic nose strips safe?
- Generally yes for healthy adults. Avoid them if you have a pacemaker, an implanted defibrillator, a cochlear implant, or are pregnant — small magnets near the face are not recommended in those cases.
- What's better than a magnetic nose strip?
- A strong-spring adhesive nasal strip like Rhino Gear gives you a larger and more measurable airflow improvement than any magnetic clip we've tested.