For athletes and lifters looking to pursue better performance, finding the best smelling salts is one way to unlock better personal records.
These powerful ammonia inhalants provide an intense adrenaline rush to help you push through your toughest workouts and lifts.
In this post, we’ll share the 5 best smelling salts on the market, assessing their strength, quality, and overall effectiveness.
Top Picks
Best Overall: Prime-Smelling Salts
Best Quality: VYV Extreme Squeezable Nasal Inhaler
Best for Portability: MOXE Breathe
Best Individual Packets: Pac-Kit 9-001 Ammonia Inhalant Capsule
Best Smelling Salts
To select the best smelling salts featured in this roundup, we dove deep into the powerlifting and combat sports communities to see which brands are most trusted and evangelized by serious athletes.
We scoured Reddit threads, Amazon reviews, and fitness publications, as well as subjected ourselves to several brain-bending test products to find the smelling salts with the most potent reputations for delivering a powerful ammonia kick.
So let’s get started…. even Joe Rogan is in on the smelling salts trend.
Key factors we considered when evaluating the best smelling salts include:
- Ammonia concentration and potency
- Ease of use and portability
- Quality of ingredients and manufacturing
- Bottle design and safety features
- Duration of effect and shelf life
- Overall value for price
Prime Smelling Salts
- Super strong
- Long lasting
- Simple to use
- May be too intense for smelling salt beginners
Prime smelling salts pack an unstoppable formula into a convenient bottle for maximum impact.
In a small room, I perked up while holding the bottle 2 feet from my nose. Others rave that it “feels like snorting lightning” and will “make you rethink your whole existence.”
The overwhelming consensus is that this is some of the most potent stuff out there – barely crack the lid and you’ll get absolutely assaulted with ammonia.
Just be sure not to take a direct whiff or your eyes will be watering for minutes.
The effects wear off quickly, but those seeking the ultimate smelling salt experience will love these.
Best for: Experienced smelling salt users who want the strongest possible adrenaline rush for explosive power and aggression.
VYV Nasal Inhaler
For those seeking an intense aromatic experience, VYV’s peppermint-infused nasal inhaler offers a potent alternative to traditional smelling salts. This pocket-sized, reusable bottle delivers a powerful minty punch that can instantly invigorate your senses.
Users report that VYV’s intense peppermint aroma provides an immediate wake-up call, making it ideal for various high-performance situations. Whether you’re aiming to break personal records at the gym, ace a crucial exam, or maintain alertness during long work sessions, VYV claims to offer the boost you need.
The product’s unique squeezable design allows users to control the intensity of each inhalation, catering to individual preferences and tolerances. Made in the USA with high-quality ingredients, VYV is designed to be a versatile tool for enhancing energy, focus, and alertness throughout the day.
To use VYV, simply twist off the cap, hold the bottle 3-4 inches below your nose, squeeze, and inhale. Its compact size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or purse, ensuring you have a quick pick-me-up whenever needed.
Best for: Athletes, students, professionals, and anyone looking for a natural, portable energy boost without the harshness of traditional ammonia-based smelling salts.
MOXE Breathe
MOXE Breathe offers a natural and portable solution for those seeking sinus relief and aromatherapy benefits. This innovative inhaler combines the power of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt with a blend of cooling essential oils to provide a refreshing and therapeutic experience.
Unlike traditional smelling salts or harsh ammonia-based products, MOXE Breathe focuses on gentle yet effective relief. Users report that it helps clear stuffy noses, relieve headaches, and enhance focus through its carefully crafted blend of organic, steam-distilled essential oils.
The compact design of MOXE Breathe makes it ideal for on-the-go use, easily fitting into a pocket or purse. Its long-lasting formula remains potent for up to 45 days, with continued effectiveness for up to 3 months after opening.
Made in the USA, MOXE Breathe prides itself on using high-quality, all-natural ingredients. The company’s commitment to aromatherapy extends to creating unique blends that offer real benefits without disturbing others or pets nearby.
To use, simply uncap the inhaler and take a deep breath whenever you need a boost of clarity or relief. The mess-free design eliminates concerns about spills or leaks in your bag.
Best for: Individuals seeking a natural, portable aromatherapy solution for sinus relief, focus enhancement, and headache management, without the intense effects of traditional smelling salts.
MOXE backs their product with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, allowing users to try it risk-free. While it may not provide the extreme jolt favored by some athletes, MOXE Breathe offers a more versatile and gentle option suitable for daily use in various settings, from the office to the gym.
First Aid Only Ammonia Inhalants
- Medical grade for reliable potency
- Safely packaged in cotton-wrapped glass
- Precise 0.3ml doses, 100 per box
- Glass ampoules require some caution when breaking
- Scent can dissipate quickly once exposed to air
For those needing a more portable, controlled dose, Pac-Kit offers medical-grade ammonia inhalants in a box of 10 0.3ml ampoules.
Originally designed to treat fainting, each sealed ampoule delivers a precise 15% ammonia concentration for a reliable olfactory wakeup call without overdoing it.
The cotton-wrapped glass vials are safely crushable, although caution is advised as undiluted ammonia can sting the skin.
Lifters recommend transferring the broken capsules into a sealed jar to extend the scent’s potency for a full workout session. A great pocket-sized pick-me-up to have on hand.
Best for: Athletes wanting smelling salts in a compact, precisely-dosed form factor or those keeping it on hand for fainting
Are Smelling Salts Bad For You?
While smelling salts are generally safe when used as directed, some potential side effects should be considered.
The intense ammonia odor can cause nasal and sinus irritation, watery eyes, coughing, and a temporary burning sensation.
Overexposure may lead to lightheadedness, headaches, or disorientation. Those with respiratory conditions like asthma should exercise extra caution.
Smelling salts are intended for occasional use only – relying on them too frequently can diminish their effectiveness and may indicate an unhealthy exercise dependency.
Listen to your body, start slow, and don’t put your nose directly into the bottle.
Best Smelling Salts Reddit
Reddit’s fitness communities are abuzz with smelling salt enthusiasts sharing their favorite nose torks for PR-smashing sessions. r/powerlifting and r/weightroom regularly feature posts debating the best smelling salts for maximum impact.
Brands like Ward, Zone, and AmmoniaSport are frequently mentioned, with Ward’s Asylum and Zone’s Bear Down Steel series garnering particularly intense reactions.
Redditors warn that these ultra-potent salts are not for the “normie human” and may leave you “lacking half the brain cells” you had before.
The consensus is that the best-smelling salts consistently clear sinuses and get you amped without completely overwhelming you.
Where to Buy Smelling Salts
You can purchase smelling salts both online and in-store from a variety of retailers.
Amazon carries a wide selection, including many of the brands featured in this roundup, often with fast Prime shipping.
If you prefer to buy smelling salts in person, your local big box stores like Walmart or Dick’s Sporting Goods may have a small selection, particularly hockey-oriented brands.
Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS sometimes stock ammonia inhalants in their first aid section, though these may be lower strength than dedicated sports smelling salts.
