SinuSonic is a physical device used to improve nasal breathing and relieve congestion due to sinus issues. The brand claims that with just two minutes of therapy twice a day, users can “overcome your nasal congestion challenges – allowing you to breathe easier. And feel better.”

But is SinuSonic proven to work? How does the device actually work in the body? Is it safe? And is SinuSonic better or worse than nasal support devices like Breathe Right Strips?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we explain how SinuSonic works, and analyze its underlying technology to give our take on whether or not it’s likely to be effective for nasal congestion relief.

We’ll also discuss the potential for side effects, and compare SinuSonic to other popular nasal breathing support devices to pick our winners (and losers).

Key takeaways:

• SinuSonic uses proven technology
• May decrease nasal congestion scores by around 90%
• We currently recommend SinuSonic

How Does SinuSonic Work?

Sinusonic is a combined positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and acoustic vibration device.

The first mechanism of action (PEP) works by clearing mucus from the airway through targeted pressure changes, as we documented in our review of another PEP device called AirPhysio.

Acoustic vibrations may be therapeutic for a range of nasal diseases, according to a medical review published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology. The study authors concluded the following:

“Vibration technology used in patients with sinonasal pathology has been shown to improve pain, sinonasal symptoms, and radiologic outcome measures in small studies.”

Both of the mechanisms of action employed by SinuSonic appear to have research backing, and there may be a synergistic effect (the combined benefit from both may be greater than either individually).

A video from the brand’s official YouTube page documents how to use the device:

Is SinuSonic Proven to Work?

SinuSonic has been studied in several clinical trials.

A 2020 clinical trial examined the effects of SinuSonic on nasal congestion. After five weeks of treatment, nasal congestion scores decreased by over 50% and 87.5% of patients recommended the device to others.

A clinical trial published in the Medical Devices journal reported similarly positive results. Trial participants experienced significant improvements in ease-of-breathing and nasal congestion scores.

Based on the available research, we consider SinuSonic likely to be effective for the treatment of nasal congestion, and it’s a sign of a high-quality brand to have clinical research published in legitimate, peer-reviewed medical journals.

Does SinuSonic Cause Side Effects?

One of the consumers many consumers have when purchasing a medical device is whether or not it may cause side effects.

The SinuSonic appears to be non-invasive and low-risk.

Neither of the clinical trials on SinuSonic reported any side effects.

According to the brand’s FAQ page, only 2.5% of trial participants reported any pain or discomfort.

This is about as low-risk as you can get for a medical device, and appears favorable when compared to the risk profile of over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants, which cause “frequent” systemic adverse reactions according to a 2006 medical review.

We do not consider SinuSonic likely to cause side effects in otherwise healthy individuals.

SinuSonic vs. Popular Nasal Devices

Here's how SinuSonic compares to other popular nasal support or irrigation devices in terms of potential effectiveness and safety, in our opinion:

Breathe Right Strips

These strips mechanically improve nasal airflow by holding skin by the nasal bridge open.

Breathe Right is clinically shown to be effective, but has a different mechanism of action to SinuSonic (may be more effective in individuals with structural airflow issues but less effective than allergy-caused congestion).

Winner: Tie

Navage

This device uses saline water to clear out and irrigate the sinuses, as we documented in our Navage reviews article.

We consider the research backing for SinuSonic to be more comprehensive, and the risk of side effects to be lower.

Winner: SinuSonic

Magnetic Nose Clip

This type of device has become popularized on TikTok and other marketing platforms, but we haven't seen convincing research supporting it, like what exists for Breathe Right Strips.

Winner: SinuSonic

SinuSonic Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Clinically shown to work
• Affordable
• Should improve congestion
• Should improve ease-of-breathing
• Non-invasive
• Better safety profile than oral decongestants
• Unlikely to cause side effects

Cons:

• Mediocre customer reviews

Conclusion

SinuSonic is the most impressive nasal decongestant device we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health, given its clinical backing.

This device has been shown in two independent clinical trials to reduce nasal congestion and be side-effect-free.

Oral decongestants can have negative effects on cardiovascular function and we consider SinuSonic to be a better alternative.

The only downside of SinuSonic is the relatively mediocre online customer reviews, but it’s not a huge sample size, and we’d expect these reviews to trend in a more favorable direction given how effective this device appears to be based on research studies.

We consider SinuSonic to be a better option than Navage and magnetic nose trips.

We believe that SinuSonic is more likely to be effective than Breathe Right Strips in individuals with congestion-related nasal issues, but potentially less effective in patients with structural nasal issues.