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Your nose is your body’s air filter; and the tiny hairs in your sinus passages, called cilia, provide the first line of defense against airborne viruses, allergens, pathogens, and debris. Health care providers recommend keeping your nasal and sinus passages clean through irrigation with a mild saline (saltwater) solution from a neti pot. For this reason, the best neti pots for colds, allergies, and sinus congestion can provide natural and nonmedicinal relief from symptoms as well as create a healthy and hygienic regimen for preventing illness. A regular habit of nasal irrigation with a neti pot can become an advantageous part of your regular self-care routine.
Neti pots have grown more popular in recent years, so it can be more difficult to choose from the plethora of available options. In this guide, you’ll learn about the several types of neti pots, the various features to consider as you shop, and review a selection of some of the best neti pots for colds on the market in a variety of specific categories.
- BEST OVERALL: Navage Nasal Hygiene Essentials Bundle
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: SinuCleanse Soft Tip Neti-Pot Nasal Wash System
- BEST UPGRADE: Health Solutions SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus
- BEST CERAMIC: Himalayan Chandra Neti Pot Complete Sinus Cleansing
- BEST ELECTRIC: Grossan Hydro Pulse Nasal and Sinus Irrigation System
- BEST FOR KIDS: Dr. Hana’s Nasopure Nasal Wash Little Squirt Kit
- BEST KIT: Wellead Waterpulse Neti Pot Sinus Rinse Bottle Nose
Types of Neti Pots
Simple manual neti pots use gravity to irrigate your nasal and sinus passages as you pour the saline solution into your nose by hand. More sophisticated neti pots, typically those that are electric or battery powered, deliver the nasal irrigation experience with a gentle pumping or spraying action. Both types of neti pots accomplish the desired results by cleansing your nasal and sinus passages with a solution made from distilled or sterile water and noniodized salt.
Manual Irrigator
The most common type of neti pot is designed for the manual irrigation of nasal passages. Similar to a small teapot, a manual neti pot allows you to pour the lukewarm saline solution into one nostril so it can circulate through your nasal passages and then exit through your mouth and other nostril.
The low-pressure and free-flowing action of pouring saline solution from a manual irrigation neti pot into your nose provides a safe and natural way to clear nasal passages of allergens and mucus.
Electric Irrigator
You may find that an electric neti pot works more efficiently than a manual irrigation device for your particular needs. With an electric neti pot, it’s easy to adjust the water pressure so the irrigator sends comfortable, gentle pulses of saline solution through your nasal passages. Some users report that the saline solution reaches further into the sinus cavities when it is gently pumped via an electric neti pot.
For individuals who prefer to use a neti pot in the shower, an electric irrigator is not a viable option. It must be plugged into an electrical outlet, requiring cautious use in the wet environment of a bathroom. Alternatively, you might consider a battery-powered electric neti pot.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Neti Pot
When you’re shopping for a neti pot, consider several factors before choosing an option. Perhaps you want to purchase a manual neti pot, such as a ceramic pot or a plastic squeeze bottle, that you can use over a sink or in the shower. Maybe you’re instead interested in a more advanced neti pot that features an electric irrigation system, which offers multiple attachments for children and adults and can be conveniently within reach on your bathroom counter. For proper hygiene, you will need to clean your neti pot after every use regardless of the type you choose. Therefore, it’s essential to also consider ease of cleaning as you shop for the best neti pot to suit your needs.
Material
Manual neti pots are commonly available in ceramic, porcelain, and plastic. More advanced electric or battery-powered neti pots primarily feature plastic water tanks and attachments.
If you select a plastic neti pot, ensure that it is BPA-free: bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical, used in some plastics and epoxy resins, that can be harmful to humans in food and beverages. Because you will pulse the saline solution from your neti pot through the soft tissue of your nasal passages, it’s a prudent idea to ensure the neti pot you select is BPA-free.
Ease of Cleaning
Keep your neti pot meticulously clean to avoid introducing bacteria and other organisms into your nasal passages. It’s crucial to always thoroughly wash your neti pot after each use with hot water and antibacterial soap, and then allow the parts to air dry.
As you shop for a neti pot, consider choosing one that will be easy to clean. For example, a squeeze bottle may be preferable for its convenience, but it may be harder to thoroughly clean the inside of the bottle. While a larger neti pot with an electric irrigator offers several advantages, keep in mind that you’ll need to invest the time to remove the attachments from the system for cleaning after every use.
Nozzle Attachments
Simple manual neti pots do not typically include attachments. However, neti pot kits featuring squeeze bottles or electric irrigation systems feature multiple attachments to meet your unique needs.
A nozzle attachment with one large hole facilitates a coarse flow of saline solution from a squeeze bottle, while a nozzle attachment with several tiny holes creates a more gentle flow, suitable for children. Electric neti pots include attachments that offer varying angles for comfortable insertion into your nose. The pressure delivered to these attachments can be adjusted for an ultralight, moisturizing vapor; gentle mist; or pulsating spray, depending on the preferences of you or members of your family.
Appearance
A plethora of neti pots and nasal irrigation systems are available on the market in many shapes, sizes, and materials. The most colorful are ceramic and porcelain manual neti pots that resemble tiny teapots. Like any attractive teapot, you may wish to leave these neti pots sitting out on a shelf or countertop as a decoration.
On the other hand, some manual neti pots are available in the form of plastic squeeze bottles. Although these nasal irrigation devices work as well as the ceramic or porcelain pots, they are not as pleasing to look at or display. You’ll probably want to tuck this type of neti pot away in your medicine cabinet.
Electric and battery-powered neti pots feature a larger footprint but can also be suitable to leave out on your countertop. Although they look a bit clinical, these small electrical appliances are not unattractive and will look appropriate in a bathroom setting.
Our Top Picks
The top picks feature a collection of some of the best neti pots for colds, allergies, and sinus congestion. Small manual neti pots or squeeze bottles provide nasal irrigation based on a simple, traditional design. Modern, advanced irrigation neti pots deliver a comfortable, hygienic experience via electric or battery-powered pumping action. Several of the top picks include packets or pods of saline powder to mix with distilled or sterile water in your neti pot. Read on to discover more about some of the best neti pots on the market for colds and more.
Best Overall
Navage Nasal Hygiene Essentials Bundle
Conveniently achieve nasal hygiene with this battery-powered neti pot from Naväge. It runs on two included AA batteries. Simply fill the upper tank with lukewarm, distilled, or sterile water and insert a Naväge SaltPod capsule. You don’t need to mix the salt and water because the device will do it for you. Next, insert the two nasal tips into your nose, and push a button on the side of the device. The battery-powered pumping and suction action pushes the saline solution into one nostril, through your nasal passages, and out the other nostril.
Unlike manual neti pots, the saline solution exiting your nasal passages does not run out into the sink. Instead, it runs into a lower water tank in the Naväge device. Therefore, there’s no mess. When you’re finished, empty and clean the water tanks and remove the nasal tips for cleaning.
Best Bang For The Buck
SinuCleanse Soft Tip Neti-Pot Nasal Wash System
This plastic, manual neti pot from SinuCleanse looks like a tiny, clear teapot. The plastic is free of BPA and latex. A soft nasal tip creates a comfortable experience as the neti pot delivers soothing saline solution to your nasal passages.
SinuCleanse includes 30 packets of buffered saline to mix with lukewarm, distilled, or sterile water in the neti pot. Made with sodium bicarbonate USP and sodium chloride USP, this pharmaceutical-grade saline is preservative-free. The saline packets are manufactured in a facility registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) using 100 percent all-natural ingredients. Additionally, the saline is created with a PH-balanced formula, resulting in a gentle, soothing irrigation experience that does not cause burning or stinging.
Best Upgrade
Health Solutions SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus
Here’s an advanced electric nasal irrigation system from Health Solutions to remove excess mucus, allergens, and impurities from your nasal passages. It features a 24-ounce water tank for less frequent refills along with nasal tip attachments for throat or sinus irrigation. The system delivers 1,200 pulses per minute to provide gentle but thorough cleaning action via an oscillating rinse.
Use distilled, sterile, or boiled water in the tank to prevent the introduction of organisms into nasal or sinus passages. For added peace of mind, the water tank is made from BPA-free plastic. The system includes a 30-day supply of SinuAir powdered saline solution that mixes with the water. It’s registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). And, if the air in your environment contains irritants, this nasal irrigation system is known to remove industrial and environmental pollutants from your nasal passages as well as excess mucus and common allergens.
Best Ceramic
Himalayan Chandra Neti Pot Complete Sinus Cleansing
Manufactured by Himalayan Institute since 1972, this ceramic neti pot provides a natural, chemical-free mode for cleansing nasal and sinus passages by washing away dust, pollens, and other irritants. This manual neti pot provides a gentle sinus cleansing experience, moistening mucus and filtering out allergens and pathogens, thus increasing immune support and enhancing your ability to breathe freely. The plastic-free and lead-free Himalayan Chandra neti pot is made from a ceramic material that is finished with a food-grade glaze.
When you purchase this starter kit, you receive not only the ceramic neti pot but also a 10-ounce jar of Neti Pot Salt as well as a 2-ounce bottle of Neti Wash Plus. These proprietary additives boost the effect of the nasal wash. Neti Pot Salt is 99.99 percent pure, USP-grade salt that is noniodized and contains no additives or noncaking agents, while the Neti Wash Plus Daily Neti Pot Boost is a blend of herbal extracts and essential oils, including peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol.
Best Electric
Grossan Hydro Pulse Nasal and Sinus Irrigation System
With this electric nasal and sinus irrigation system from Grossan, you can relax and let the machine do the work. It provides a gentle and pleasant pulsating action that is proven to make the cilia in your nasal passages function better. Use this electric nasal irrigation system to eliminate excess mucus, pollen, allergens, and foreign particles that enter your sinuses and nasal passages from the air in your environment.
The system features a base unit that measures 8 inches by 8 inches by 6 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds. It uses 110-volt/120-volt electricity. The handheld wand offers two sinus tips and two throat tips. The throat tips facilitate tongue cleaning for breath control. It also includes 30 premixed sinus rinse packets. Each packet contains a mixture of sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, Xylitol, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride.
Best For Kids
Dr. Hana’s Nasopure Nasal Wash Little Squirt Kit
When children experience nasal congestion from colds, allergies, or sinus problems, they feel uncomfortable and irritable. Rest assured that you can treat their symptoms naturally, without medication or chemicals. The Nasopure nasal wash system was developed by Dr. Hana, M.D., a pediatrician who wanted to provide a natural alternative to prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications for his young patients. Dr. Hana recommends this nasal wash for children as young as age 2.
Using the squeeze bottle, you can deliver a gentle and pleasant nasal-cleansing experience for your children. The squeeze bottle is made from plastic that is safe, BPA-free, and 100 percent recyclable. Each package includes a 4-ounce Nasopure bottle and cap along with 20 salt packets. Each packet contains 3.75 grams of highly buffered salt for mixing with lukewarm, distilled, sterile, or boiled water.
Best Kit
Wellead Waterpulse Neti Pot Sinus Rinse Bottle Nose
Use this manual nasal irrigation kit from Wellead Waterpulse to clear away mucus, pollen, and other irritants from your nasal passages with the ease of pushing a button. After you mix the included nasal-wash salt with distilled, sterile, or boiled water, pour the solution into the plastic bottle. Turn the bottle upside down and insert the nozzle into one of your nostrils. Press the button, and gravity takes over to provide a soothing, cleansing experience. You don’t need to squeeze the bottle.
This kit includes the sinus rinse bottle, 30 packets of nasal-wash salt, and 2 nozzle attachments. The adult nozzle delivers a single stream of saltwater that flows through your nasal passages. The child nozzle is rounded in shape for comfort and features several tiny holes to send a gentle flow of saline solution through children’s tender nasal passages.
FAQs About Neti Pots
Doctors recommend using a neti pot once a day to clear the allergens and mucus from your nasal passages. After relieving the symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, or colds, some people use a neti pot approximately three times per week to maintain clear nasal passages. This approach is especially useful for individuals who experience nasal congestion due to allergies. If you’ve never used a neti pot, perhaps you have some questions. Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about neti pots.
Q. How do I use my neti pot?
Follow the directions included with your specific neti pot. Generally, to use a neti pot, you tilt your head sideways over a sink and pour the saline solution into one nostril, allowing it to run out of your other nostril. Additionally, some of the solution may run out of your mouth. Gently blow your nose, then repeat on the other side.
Q. Can I use tap water in my neti pot?
Do not use water straight from the tap in your neti pot. Instead, use distilled or sterile water or water that you have boiled for one to three minutes. The water should be lukewarm—not too hot or too cold.
Q. Can using a neti pot make me feel worse?
A neti pot could potentially make you feel worse if you have an ear infection or if one nostril is hard to breathe through because it is blocked with mucus or another obstruction.
Q. How often should I clean my neti pot?
Clean your neti pot after every use with hot water and antibacterial dishwashing soap. Let the parts air dry before storing in a covered container.
Q. Do doctors recommend a neti pot?
Yes, doctors generally recommend using a neti pot once a day to clear the allergens and mucus from your nasal passages. However, it’s important to consult your health care provider for your particular situation.