Quick verdict

Intake Breathing wins for band sizing, published US intellectual-property details and its 90-day breathing guarantee. On The Nose Co. wins for most Australian buyers overall because it provides an AUD storefront, Australian-owned support, a simpler local refill pathway, conventional-strip alternatives and a broader Australian education ecosystem. Neither brand has published a direct clinical head-to-head trial proving superior airflow.

Commercial-interest disclosure: On The Nose Co. publishes this comparison and sells the products evaluated, so it has a direct commercial interest in the outcome. Intake Breathing did not sponsor, approve, review or contribute to this page. Intake names and trademarks are used only to identify the compared brand; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

This article is written for Australians—not simply copied from a US product comparison. A US-dollar starter price can change after currency conversion, shipping, taxes or duties. Return postage and delivery time also matter when a product is supplied internationally.

Both systems follow the same broad concept: place an adhesive tab on each outer nasal wall, then connect a reusable magnetic bridge. The bridge applies outward support while worn. These are external nasal dilators, not internal devices, medications or permanent structural changes.

How we compared the systems

We reviewed each brand’s official product, refill, shipping, guarantee, policy and education pages on 10 August 2026. For Australian value, we compared the full customer journey rather than converting one headline price at an exchange rate that may be obsolete tomorrow.

ComparedStarter contents, bridge sizes, tabs, materials, published prices, refill structure, subscriptions, shipping, duties, returns, claims, education and alternatives.

Not performedNo airflow, lift-force, magnet, adhesive, sweat, skin, sleep, snoring or hands-on product test was conducted for this article.

Verdict ruleAustralian purchasing friction counts alongside product design. Brand claims are attributed and do not establish direct superiority without comparable data.

Intake Breathing and On The Nose Co. compared

What Intake Breathing does especially well

Intake has developed a mature magnetic-system offer. Its Starter Kit includes multiple band sizes rather than asking every nose to use one geometry. The main offer checked included four bands and 15 adhesive-tab uses, with a one-time resize pathway if the included widths do not suit.

The brand also publishes useful construction details: medical-grade plastic, neodymium magnets and latex-free, hypoallergenic adhesive tabs made with FDA-registered materials. It identifies US patents and explains that the business originated in Santa Barbara through Kickstarter and family ownership.

Intake’s 90-day Better Breathing Guarantee is longer than On The Nose Co.’s 30-day request window. Used tabs do not need to be returned, but the reusable product must remain in good condition, original packaging and accessories are required, the buyer pays for the return label, and non-official-site purchases go back through the original platform.

What On The Nose Co. does especially well for Australians

On The Nose Co. removes several international-purchase variables. Its Magnetic Nasal Strips are displayed through an Australian AUD storefront, supported by an Australian-owned, Brisbane-based business and a published local return pathway. Shoppers do not need to estimate a US-dollar card conversion before comparing the displayed price.

The Magnetic Tab Refills page creates a direct continuation route for the reusable bridge. Application guidance covers cleaning, tab placement, connection, adjustment and removal. The brand also offers sleep nose strips and sport nose strips in conventional formats if the magnetic setup does not suit.

That broader ecosystem matters. A shopper can compare two side tabs and a bridge with a clear or black full-width strip without changing retailers. The On The Nose Co. Breathing Academy, Interactive Breathing Lab™ and Knowledge Centre connect the product to suitability questions and alternatives.

The real Australian cost: starter kit plus refills

Intake displayed US$49.99 for a starter kit with 15 uses when checked. Its refill page displayed US$39.99 for 30 uses, US$59.99 sale pricing for 60 and US$79.99 sale pricing for 90. Other Intake landing pages showed subscription pricing of US$24.99 for 30 tabs, demonstrating why the exact checkout and recurring terms must be captured before purchase.

An Australian buyer should not compare that US$49.99 headline directly with an AUD product price. The final amount can include the card issuer’s exchange rate and foreign-transaction fee, shipping, taxes, duties or remote-area charges. Intake’s terms state that it cannot control or refund overseas import duties, customs fees or international tax.

Use a landed-cost calculation

Product + converted shipping + duties/taxes + card fees + expected return cost = Australian landed cost

Landed cost ÷ comfortable uses = real cost per wear

Calculate the starter period and a six-month refill period separately. Include replacement bands where relevant and do not assume a subscription discount remains fixed indefinitely.

On The Nose Co.’s magnetic product and refill pages use the Australian storefront and AUD checkout. Promotions and stock can still change, but there are fewer currency and import variables. This is the main reason On The Nose Co. wins value clarity for Australian customers rather than claiming it will always have the lowest nominal price.

Shipping to Australia and return friction

Intake confirms that it ships to Australia. Its international guide lists options ranging from slower postal services to DHL services, and notes that some USPS international delivery can take up to one or two months while DHL services can be faster. Actual choices, price and estimates appear at checkout.

International returns require extra attention. Intake’s guarantee requires contact within 90 days, an authorised process and return of reusable components in acceptable condition. Shipping and handling are generally non-refundable, and its guarantee page says the customer pays for the return shipping label.

On The Nose Co.’s Australian refund policy asks for return requests within 30 days of delivery. It is a shorter window, but the customer deals with the Australian business rather than an international return process. Eligibility conditions still apply; “Australian-owned” should not be interpreted as automatic approval.

Fit and application: four bands versus an adjustable bridge

Intake wins the documented fit category. Four commonly used sizes are included in the starter kit, and further sizes can be requested through its resize process. A discrete band size may provide a more repeatable geometry once the user finds the correct fit.

On The Nose Co.’s magnetic bridge is presented as an adjustable external system. That makes the purchase simpler, but fit still depends on tab placement, nose width and comfortable tension. On either system, moving tabs a few millimetres can materially change lift and comfort.

1. Remove oils and skincare. Clean both outer nasal walls and allow them to dry completely.
2. Position the tabs symmetrically. Place them where outward support feels useful without pulling on irritated skin.
3. Connect the bridge gently. Do not maximise tension simply because the magnets will reach.
4. Check comfort while awake. Breathe normally, move your face and practise detaching the bridge.
5. Remove in two stages. Detach the reusable band first, then peel each tab slowly.

Claim audit: does either system provide more airflow?

Intake uses “up to 80%” airflow language on several current pages. On The Nose Co.’s refill page has used “up to 50%” compared with standard strips. These percentages cannot establish a winner because the public pages do not present one standardised head-to-head test using both current Australian products, the same participants, placement protocol and measurement method.

General research supports the concept that external nasal dilators can widen the nasal valve and reduce nasal resistance for some users. A review of external nasal dilators describes that mechanism.

Objective sleep outcomes are more limited. A systematic review of nasal dilators for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea found no significant improvement in major OSA outcomes. Nasal support can be useful for comfort without being a treatment for sleep apnoea.

For athletic performance, a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant overall changes in VO₂max, heart rate or perceived exertion among healthy participants using external nasal dilator strips. A more open-feeling nose does not guarantee a faster run or higher oxygen uptake.

Round-by-round Australian verdict

Which system should you choose?

Our final recommendation

Intake Breathing is a credible and well-developed competitor. Its multi-size starter kit, published material specifications, patent history and 90-day guarantee are genuine advantages. An Australian buyer who values precise band sizing and accepts international ordering may reasonably prefer Intake.

On The Nose Co. is our overall recommendation for Australian buyers. The value is not based on pretending every bridge fits every nose or making an unsupported airflow claim. It comes from the complete Australian journey: local AUD pricing, Australian-owned support, dedicated refills, conventional-strip alternatives and an education system built across sleep, sport and everyday breathing.

The best system is the one that fits comfortably, stays attached and delivers useful external support without skin damage. If neither magnetic geometry suits, a conventional strip—or no adhesive product—may be the better answer.

Compare magnetic support with local Australian guidance

Explore the reusable bridge, fresh tab refills and conventional alternatives before choosing your routine.

View Magnetic Nasal StripsView Tab Refills

Frequently asked questions

Is Intake Breathing better than On The Nose Co. in Australia?

Intake wins for starter sizing and its 90-day guarantee. On The Nose Co. wins overall for most Australians through AUD purchasing, Australian support, local refills, conventional-strip alternatives and connected education. No direct trial proves one provides more airflow.

Can Australians buy Intake Breathing?

Yes. Intake’s international shipping guide lists Australia. Delivery methods, costs, timing, currency conversion and possible duties or fees should be confirmed at checkout before purchasing.

How much does Intake Breathing cost in Australia?

The official store displayed US$49.99 for a 15-use starter kit when checked. The Australian landed cost depends on the exchange rate, card fees, shipping, tax or duties and any return cost, so a fixed AUD conversion can quickly become inaccurate.

How are Intake and On The Nose Co. magnetic strips different?

Both use reusable external magnetic bridges and disposable side tabs. Intake supplies several starter band sizes and a resize pathway. On The Nose Co. focuses on an adjustable bridge, Australian refills and integration with clear and black conventional strips.

Which brand has cheaper refills?

That depends on Intake’s current one-time or subscription offer, currency conversion and delivery versus On The Nose Co.’s live AUD price. Compare delivered cost for the same number of complete wears, including two tabs per use.

Does Intake provide 80% more airflow?

Intake uses “up to 80%” language, but this maximum does not predict every user and does not prove an 80% advantage over On The Nose Co. No public independent study directly compares both current products under the same protocol.

Which brand is better for running or HYROX?

Both are positioned for exercise and use side tabs rather than a full-width strip. Actual hold depends on skin preparation, sweat, fit and placement. General research does not guarantee improved VO₂max, heart rate or race performance.

Which brand is better for sleep and snoring?

Either may make nasal breathing feel easier for some users while worn. Intake cites a user sleep study, but it does not directly compare On The Nose Co. Neither system treats obstructive sleep apnoea or guarantees reduced snoring.

Which brand has the better guarantee?

Intake has the longer stated window at 90 days for official-site purchases, with reusable-product, packaging and return-postage conditions. On The Nose Co. provides a 30-day Australian return-request pathway. Read both live policies before buying.

Are magnetic strips better than conventional nasal strips?

Not automatically. Magnetic systems use reusable bridges and two side tabs; conventional strips use one adhesive band across the nose. Fit, skin contact, simplicity, tension and cost determine which format is better for an individual.

Sources checked

1. Intake Starter Kit — contents, displayed USD price, sizing and materials.
2. Intake Refills — quantities and one-time prices.
3. Intake International Shipping — Australia, delivery options, fees and duties.
4. Intake Better Breathing Guarantee and Guarantee Terms.
5. Intake About Us — origin and development history.
6. On The Nose Co. Magnetic Nasal Strips and Magnetic Tab Refills.
7. On The Nose Co. Sleep Nose Strips, Sport Nose Strips and Refund Policy.
8. External nasal dilators: definition, background and current uses.
9. Nasal dilators for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
10. 2021 systematic review of external nasal dilators in sport.

Prices, exchange rates, shipping, promotions, subscriptions, stock and policies can change. This comparison reflects public information visible on 10 August 2026. Research involving other external dilators supplies general context only and does not establish direct superiority.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general educational and product-comparison information only. External nasal dilators do not diagnose or treat obstructive sleep apnoea. Seek appropriately qualified medical advice for persistent obstruction, breathing difficulty, severe snoring, witnessed pauses or significant daytime sleepiness.