Boots Baby Nasal Decongester review: a no-frills, bulb nasal aspirator that works

How we tested the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester

I’ve been using the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester with my 22-month-old for the last two months. I used it every day for a week when my daughter had a cold as she struggled to breathe through her nose, especially during the night.

During testing, I scored this nasal aspirator on five main criteria including: ease of use, comfort, effectiveness, ease of cleaning and value for money.

Read next: Best baby bouncers

How easy is the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester to use?

It's one of the easiest I’ve used. At just £4, this bulb-shaped aspirator is a no-frills option for parents looking for a cheap and cheerful everyday nasal aspirator, and there’s no set-up required whatsoever - it can be used straight out of the box.

All you need to do is to squeeze the bulb to let the air out and create a vacuum, then insert the end of the tip into one nostril before releasing the bulb slowly. This creates a suction that removes mucus from your baby’s nose. Repeat in the other nostril as required. 

How effective is the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester?

I was initially unsure how effective this nasal aspirator would be as it costs so little. However, I found that a good amount of mucus was removed from my daughter’s nostrils instantly upon use.   

When she had a more severe cold, I did have to insert the aspirator into both nostrils twice, but it was a quick process regardless - ideal if, like me, you have a wriggly baby to contend with. 

The suction power isn’t as strong as NUK’s Nasal Decongester or the Braun Healthcare Electric Aspirator, which I also tested, but worked well nonetheless. 

Read next: Best baby thermometers

How comfortable is the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester?

My daughter generally isn’t a fan of nasal aspirators, but was happy for me to insert the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester into both nostrils. 

The tip is longer than on other nasal aspirators including the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator and the NUK Nasal Decongester. As such, I found I needed to be careful not to insert the tip too far up each nostril. Unfortunately the nasal aspirator doesn’t come with an instruction manual for guidance. 

That said, the tip is made from silicone so is both gentle and flexible for babies, so is ideal for small nostrils from birth, and the gentle suction strength is ideal, especially for newborns. 

Is the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester easy to clean?

While not dishwasher-safe, which is a shame, I found this nasal aspirator easy to clean. Separate the tip from the bulb before rinsing with soapy water and leaving to air dry.

Read next: Best baby nail clippers for a safe trim

Is the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester good value for money?

Absolutely. At just £4, the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester is one of the cheapest nasal aspirators on the market. While some parents say it lacks the suction of a more powerful electric nasal aspirator, if you’re looking for an easy to use option or a back-up nasal aspirator for holidays, then you can’t go far wrong with this. 

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she is fully invested in discovering the best and most affordable baby products on the market, and sharing her knowledge and findings with other parents.

With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing pushchair product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier. 

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.