Best Nasal Strips for Deviated Septum: Do They Help?

Key Takeaways

• Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips (Best Overall): Offers a strong, long-term lift without the risk of skin irritation for users with a deviated septum who require maximum airflow.

• Intake Nasal Strips (Best Magnetic Option): Some users might prefer nasal strips that primarily open the nasal passages with magnetic force instead of adhesives.

• Breathe Right Extra Strength (Best Budget Choice): Widely available, decent airflow improvement, and an affordable starter option.

• Hostage Nose Strips (Best for Larger Noses): With a wide band containing 3 springs, they’re great if smaller strips don’t fit right.

If you’re someone with a deviated septum, you know the struggles of nasal congestion, mouth breathing, and restless nights. Many people search for quick relief with nasal strips for deviated septum, hoping they’ll finally breathe easier. But do they really help?

The short answer? While nasal strips can’t fix a deviated septum, they can help open up your nasal passages and reduce snoring and uncomfortable congestion temporarily. However, the right product depends on your specific needs.

In this guide, we’ll review the best nasal strips for deviated septum sufferers, explain how nasal strips work, their pros and cons, and real customer reviews to help you make the best decision.

Product Comparison Recap

Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips: Best for Deviated Septum Support

Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips provide maximum external lift for deviated septum sufferers. They are built with a stronger adhesive and more powerful spring action than most strips, helping to instantly improve nasal airflow night or day.

Key Features

Patented Design for Maximum Airflow

Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips use a patented structure that expands your nasal passages more effectively than other products. This design increases airflow instantly, helping you breathe deeper and making them the best nasal strips for snoring.

Hypoallergenic and Sweat-Proof Adhesive

Each strip uses a medical-grade, PFAS-free adhesive that's gentle on your skin, even during overnight wear or high-intensity workouts. It won’t peel off with sweat, also making it ideal for anyone who wants to wear nasal strips during exercise.

Universal Fit and Recyclable Materials

These strips contour to various nose shapes and stay firmly in place through up to 12 hours of wear, especially when you clean your nose with the supplied preparation swabs before applying.

The lightweight, recyclable materials create a combination of comfort and sustainability, which is perfect for those who are eco-conscious while looking for the best performance.

Pricing

• 1-month supply - starts at $27 (less than a dollar a day!)

• 3-month pack - starts at $79

• 12-month pack - $199

Where Dream Recovery Shines

• Up to 33% more airflow: Proven to significantly increase nasal breathing for better sleep and stamina.

• Secure during intense activity: Designed for high-performance use, which means they won’t budge during marathons, HIIT, or sweaty workouts.

• Gentle on skin: Hypoallergenic and medical-grade adhesive ensures no skin irritation.

• Wear up to 12 hours: These strips are made to stay put and even come with alcohol swabs to prep your nose before application for longer wear.

Where Dream Recovery Falls Short

Premium price: Compared to some cheaper, less effective nasal strips, Dream Recovery Second Wind costs more, but delivers the best results in return.

Customer Reviews

“I feel like I’ve tried a million nasal strips, but they all fall off after 1 or 2 hours. These are the first nose strips that have stayed on the whole time for me.”

“These provide instant relief from congestion. I suffer from allergies and now I can finally breathe!”

“These are my new favorite addition to my exercise routine. I feel like my performance is so much better now that I can actually breathe properly and I’m no longer relying on mouth breathing to try and feel like I’m getting enough oxygen.”

Who Dream Recovery Is Best For

• Those with a deviated septum wanting to breathe more easily

• Anyone with congestion from allergies, colds, or flu

• Athletes who want to improve their performance

• Those with severe snoring

• Those with sensitive skin needing a hypoallergenic adhesive

Transform your performance with Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips.

Intake Breathing Premier Nasal Dilator Starter Kit

The Intake Breathing Premier Nasal Dilator is a reusable magnetic device designed to widen your nasal passages naturally from the outside.

Instead of relying on spring-like adhesive strips, Intake uses small magnets with reusable adhesive tabs to secure the dilator.  If standard nasal strips don’t deliver enough relief for nasal breathing problems, the Intake system might work better for some users.

Key features

Designed for airflow restriction

Its strong magnetic pull design works well for some users with a deviated septum and nasal valve collapse, as reflected by customer reviews.

Magnetic clasp system

It’s secured in place with a magnetic clasp system that might help to prevent it from slipping during sleep or workouts. 

Custom fit options

The starter kit includes different sizes to help you find the right match for your nose shape and the severity of your blockage.

Pricing

• 15-day starter kit with multiple sizes: $39.99

• 30-day starter kit with multiple sizes: $49.99

• 30 adhesive tab refills: $32.99

Where it shines

• Effective for deviated septum relief: Provides a stronger and more stable airway opening than some external strips.

• Performance support: Helps athletes or active users who need consistent airflow under stress.

• Good for sensitive skin: The magnetic clasp design means only a small surface area of skin is exposed to adhesive, making it an option for those who have very sensitive skin.

Where it falls short

• High upfront cost: Even though they are partly reusable, they are actually more expensive than disposable strips.

• Varying efficacy: Some users say the magnetic clasp system is less effective than traditional nasal strips.

• Doesn’t fit everyone: Some users complain that none of the four size options provided fits their nose shape or size. 

Customer reviews

“I have a mild deviated septum on right nostril which causes all kinds of breathing congestion issues. I been using Breathe Right strips along with flonase and ponairs nasal enrollment and have been getting by with this combo. I thought that combo was good enough until my wife bought me these magnetic strips. My breathing air way opened up twice as much to the point i couldnt believe it.”

“Doesn’t help much for my case. I have a severe deviated septum with one of my nasal valves collapsing during heavy inhaling. Tried breathe right, that helped a little bit but the adhesive wasn’t strong enough, which became ineffective after an hour of use. Purchased the Intake product after seeing positive reviews. In 2 days of use so far, I noticed this doesn’t expand the nostrils much when compared to breathe right and doesn’t prevent nasal wall collapsing either. “

Who it is best for

• Deviated septum sufferers: Those looking to naturally widen their nasal passages to breathe more easily.

• Chronic congestion users: Want reliable nightly airflow support.

• Athletes with breathing issues: Looking for a stable, reusable performance aid.

Breathe Right Extra Strength

Breathe Right Nasal Strips Extra Strength is a classic heavy-duty breathing strip that works well to reduce congestion, snoring, and difficulty with nasal breathing. Their spring-like action is 50% stronger than regular strength Breathe Right Strips, making them ideal for those with a deviated septum.

At a starting price of $13.99 for a pack of 26, they are more budget-friendly than the other options on the list. 

However, reviews consistently report issues around skin irritation, pain upon removal, and loss of adhesion. So, while they are a great choice for some, they might not be ideal for everyone. 

If that’s the case, here are some more Breathe Right Nasal Strip Alternatives.

Hostage Nose Strips

Hostage Nose Strips are designed with three reinforced springs to ensure maximum nasal opening and airflow. They are also made with medical-grade material and sweat-resistant, hypoallergenic adhesive to improve wear time and reduce the likelihood of skin irritation. 

You can also purchase a special tin with your order, which makes for a convenient place to store your nose strips in your gym bag or when you’re traveling with them.

They start at $19.99 for a 30-day supply and also offer a 100% money-back guarantee, so you can try these nasal strips out risk-free. Learn more here at our in-depth Hostage Nose Strips review.

Discover more on how to widen your nasal passages naturally and the difference between nasal strips vs nasal dilators.

How to Choose the Best Nasal Strips for a Deviated Septum

Nasal strips can’t cure a deviated septum, but they can help reduce symptoms. Here are a few features to look out for when choosing the best product for the job.

Feature #1: Adhesive Strength

To ensure the strips stay in place without falling off, look for a product with a sturdy skin-safe adhesive.

Dream Recovery’s super-strong adhesive backing stays put for up to 12 hours. They also come with special prep swabs that can be used to clean your nose before application to ensure a better stick!

Feature #2: Spring Action Strength for Maximum Airflow

Look for a product with a strong spring-like action once applied. The stronger the spring, the more the strip will open up your nasal passages for better airflow, easier breathing, and improved oxygen intake.

Feature #3: Comfortable and Hypoallergenic 

It’s essential to choose nasal strips that are comfortable and gentle on your skin. Go for a product that is made with hypoallergenic, medical-grade materials, like Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips, to avoid irritation, redness, and other negative skin reactions. 

Find out more about how to apply nasal strips and the potential side effects in our article: Are nasal strips bad for you?

Wrapping Up: Can Nasal Strips Help With Your Deviated Septum?

Nasal strips can be life-changing for those with a deviated septum. They can help to open your nasal passages, reduce snoring, and improve sleep quality.

However, not all nasal strips are equal, and some may be more suited to your needs than others. For the best lift and durability during night or day, Dream Recovery Second Wind Nasal Strips stand out as the superior choice. 

With their super-strength adhesive and powerful spring action, they’ve been proven to instantly improve breathing by up to 33%, providing instant relief for those struggling with a deviated septum. Unlike other brands, they won’t cause skin irritation or pain upon removal. It’s a win-win.