Nuby
Nasal Aspirator
5.2/10 overall£19.99
A manual, parent-controlled nasal aspirator for gently clearing a congested baby's nose.
The verdict
This NUK nasal aspirator is a manual, mouth-controlled device giving parents direct, gentle control over suction strength for clearing a congested baby's nose from birth. It's quieter and cheaper than an electric aspirator and works best alongside saline nasal drops, but requires the parent to be comfortable with the mechanism and depends on correct filter cleaning for hygiene.
Manual, mouth-controlled nasal aspirators like this one give the parent direct, gentle control over suction strength via their own breath through a filtered tube, which most health visitors consider gentler and more controllable than an electric or squeeze-bulb aspirator, particularly for very young infants who can't blow their own nose.
Against an electric nasal aspirator, the manual version is quieter (electric motors can startle or upset an already-uncomfortable baby), cheaper, and gives more tactile feedback on suction strength, but it requires the parent to be comfortable with the mechanism, and hygiene depends on properly cleaning and replacing the filter between uses.
Used alongside saline nasal drops (which the NHS recommends to loosen mucus before suction), this is a genuinely effective, low-cost tool for the common newborn congestion that makes feeding and sleep harder — it doesn't treat any underlying illness, just clears the physical blockage.
Is the Nasal Aspirator worth it?
- Gentle, parent-controlled suction strength
- Quieter than an electric aspirator
- Inexpensive with replaceable filters
What are the downsides of the Nasal Aspirator?
- Requires the parent to be comfortable with mouth-suction mechanism
- Hygiene depends on correct filter cleaning and replacement
- Best used alongside saline drops, not alone
Specs
- Method
- Manual, mouth-controlled suction
- Included
- Reusable filters
- Sterilising
- Boil, steam or dishwasher safe (parts)
- Suitable from
- Birth
How we scored it
Measurement Accuracy
How consistent and clinically reliable the readings are.
Not a measurement device — scored low on this criterion by design, included for first-aid relevance.
Ease of Use on a Squirming Baby
How quickly and calmly it can be used on an uncooperative baby.
Straightforward once a parent is comfortable with the mechanism.
Value for Money
Cost relative to accuracy and build quality.
Very low cost with reusable, replaceable filters.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How this review was done
We haven't used the Nasal Aspirator ourselves yet. This review is built from Nuby's published specifications and product information, and scored the same way as everything else on the site. We'll update it, and the badge above, once we've tested it hands-on.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £19.99 | £40.00 | £4.40 | £4.00 |
| Overall score | 5.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Method | Manual, mouth-controlled suction | Ear (tympanic) | — | — |
| Suitable from | Birth | — | — | 2 months, minimum 4kg |
Frequently asked questions
How does this nasal aspirator work?+
It's manual and mouth-controlled — the parent creates gentle suction through a filtered tube, giving direct, controllable strength that most health visitors consider gentler than an electric or squeeze-bulb aspirator, particularly for very young infants.
Is a manual aspirator better than an electric one?+
It's quieter than an electric aspirator, which can startle or upset an already-uncomfortable baby, and gives more tactile feedback on suction strength, but it requires the parent to be comfortable with the mouth-suction mechanism.
Should I use saline drops with this aspirator?+
Yes — the NHS recommends saline nasal drops to loosen mucus before suction, and using the two together is a genuinely effective, low-cost way to clear the physical blockage that makes feeding and sleep harder.
How do I keep this nasal aspirator hygienic?+
Hygiene depends on correctly cleaning and replacing the filter between uses; the parts are reusable and can be boiled, steamed or put through the dishwasher for sterilising.
Guides that mention this
Reviewed by
Sepehr
Software engineer, soon-to-be dad, uncle to four — the tech-obsessed half of the two of us testing this stuff. Currently building this site with my wife, ahead of our own baby arriving.