Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator review: an easy-to-use nasal aspirator from birth

How we tested the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator

I’ve used the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator for the last two months with my now 22-month-old toddler. 

I used this nasal aspirator both day and night, but it came in especially handy during a severe cold when my daughter was struggling to breathe through her nose at night.

During testing, I scored this electric nasal aspirator on the following criteria: ease of use, comfort, effectiveness, ease of cleaning and value for money.

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How easy is the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator to use?

The Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator is one of the easiest nasal aspirators to use. Because it’s electric, there’s no margin for error when it comes to suction strength as this is predetermined for you. There are two tips included to ensure you get the right fit and you can use it when your child is seated or lying down. 

You’ll need to insert the two AA batteries included in the box before first use, but this is simple to do, which meant I had the Braun nasal aspirator up and running in around two minutes. 

A quick start guide and instruction booklet is also included, but I found the nasal aspirator so intuitive to use that I rarely referred to them. To use, you insert the tip gently into the nostril then select one of two gentle suction strengths by holding down the relevant button on the front of the device. One is more powerful than the other depending on your needs. 

While bulky compared to bulb-shaped aspirators, which makes it less ideal to travel with, the Braun Nasal aspirator does come with a handy storage bag. 

How effective is the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator?

The Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator has more suction power than bulb-shaped nasal aspirators I’ve used such as the NUK Nasal Decongester and the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester especially on the highest suction setting.

That said, I found it extracted less mucus the first time round compared to the NUK or John Lewis nasal aspirators, but this may have had to do with me not inserting the tip into my daughter’s nostril enough or choosing the wrong tip size. The tip should fit snugly for optimal results. 

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How comfortable is the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator?

The Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator is comfortable to use on babies and toddlers, however I would recommend starting with the lowest suction setting first to gauge comfort levels, especially if you have a newborn.

It’s easy to hold and has a wide nozzle, which stops you from inserting it too far into your baby’s nose. This is a huge difference from the budget-friendly Boots Baby Nasal Decongester which has a long tip that could be inserted too far. 

Is the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator easy to clean?

Yes! One of the benefits of the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator is that you can put the collection cup and tip into the dishwasher. All you need to do is twist the nozzle to remove it from the main device and then detach the tip from the cup to wash as two separate parts. The main device can be wiped down with a baby wipe or cloth if needed. You can refer to the instruction booklet for further care guidance.

When it comes to mucus removal, there is a handy ‘max’ line in the collection cup that tells you when it’s too full and needs emptying, but I would always clean out the cup part of the nozzle after every use.

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Is the Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator good value for money?

The Braun Healthcare Electrical Nasal Aspirator is one of the more expensive nasal aspirators on the market with an RRP of £25. While I think it’s worth it if your child is susceptible to nasal congestion, I’ve found more affordable bulb aspirators like the NUK Decongester and the Boots Baby Nasal Decongester to be just as effective. 

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.