Smelling salts, used since Roman times to revive the fainted, still come in handy today. They are just more refined and conveniently packaged for use in first aid and even athletics. If you need to stock up on smelling salts, either to complete your first aid box or to gear up for a workout, which packets are the best?
The best smelling salt packet is the Vaxxen Labs Ammonia Inhalants. It comes in a box containing a hundred individually-sealed pouches, all neatly stacked for your immediate use. The individual packaging reduces the likelihood of the product losing its potency.
Since the NCAA made rules banning the use of certain levels of caffeine for athletes during competitions, many athletes prefer to use smelling salts to boost their performance. This article will give you a short list of the best smelling salts packets on the market. Let’s get right into it then, shall we?
Best Overall: Vaxxen Labs Ammonia Inhalants
Vaxxen Labs Ammonia Inhalants come in two box sizes. You can buy them in a box of 10 or 100 individually-sealed pouches, with the larger box weighing just 11.5 ounces (362 grams). Customers have commented that they like to leave the box at home, and pack one or two pouches in their sports bag.
The compact individual packets are handy and easy to carry around on the go. A pouch of Vaxxen Labs Ammonia Inhalants weighs only 0.7g (0.025 oz).
Each pouch rips open easily to reveal an ammonia wipe that should be waved under the user’s nose, and not held directly there. The product has a high concentration of ammonia, and you should, therefore, hold it at least five inches (13 centimeters) from the nose.
These are single-use wipes, and you should discard them immediately after use. After opening the pouch, the wipe loses its potency rapidly, so it’s a good idea only to open it just before you need to use it.
These ammonia smelling salts will undoubtedly make an excellent addition to any first aid box or athlete’s bag.
Pros
- Quick action. This product is formulated with just enough ammonia saturation to work instantly and efficiently. It helps to expertly rouse someone who has fainted and sharpen an athlete’s focus in one wisely-placed whiff.
- Potent. You don’t need to use several pouches to get a strong enough hit. Just one packet is enough to wake up an unconscious person or get wide-eyed enough for that workout session. Remember to wave it under the nose and not sniff it directly, otherwise you risk injuring your mucous membranes.
- Value for money. The 11.5 oz pack contains a hundred separate pouches, meaning you won’t run out often or have to restock frequently. Vaxxen Labs is a brand that is well known for providing value within a reasonable price range, and their ammonia inhalants are no different.
- Excellent packaging. The pouches are designed so that you can easily tear them open when you need them. They are also tightly sealed to prevent leaks.
- Eco-friendly. The entire package, from the box to the individual pouches, are made of recyclable material. Vaxxen Labs made their smelling salts with concern for the environment in mind. Purchasing it will give you peace of mind that you’re not harming the environment.
- Light-weight. With a weight of only 0.7 grams, this smelling salts packet is light enough to carry around with you without it accidentally breaking open and losing potency.
Cons
- Not long-lasting. Once you open the pouch, the wipe tends to lose its potency quickly as the active ingredients evaporate. This is the reason it’s intended for single use.
- Single-use wipe. If you’re looking for reusable smelling salts, you’ll have to find another product as this one is for single use only.
Best Packaging: Obsidian Ammonia Ultra Premium Smelling Salts
Obsidian Ammonia Ultra Premium Smelling Salts comes in two packaging sizes – a 100cc eco-friendly packet, or a larger, 42-gram (1.48 oz) bottle. This brand boasts some of the most potent smelling salts on the market, and you’ll be impressed by the durable packaging.
These are multiple-use smelling salts and should give you around a hundred uses if you store it properly.
They don’t require water for activation as they come with a ready-made activator. To use them, simply add the activator, shake it vigorously, and wave it in front of your nose.
Due to its efficacy, many lifters and gym-goers use this product during their workouts, and many people like to keep it in their first aid boxes.
Using these smelling salts is incredibly easy. All you need to do is open the packet or bottle, and gently inhale the vapors.
Pros
- Potent. Obsidian Ammonia Ultra Premium Smelling Salts are formulated with a large dose of ammonia, in a dry form. Whether you use it to rouse a fainted person, sharpen your focus for a game, or keep drowsiness at bay, this product will work well. It can also provide instant relief from lightheadedness.
- Practical packaging. It comes in an easily accessible packet or bottle containing a large enough volume of the inhalant to be used at will. The packaging is economical and saves space, making it handy to be carried about if the situation calls for it.
- Multiple-use. Obsidian Ammonia smelling salts offers about a hundred uses with proper storage. Its excellent packaging helps in ensuring multiple uses, making it incredibly economical as you will not need to make multiple purchases.
- Eco-friendly. With its eco-friendly packaging, buying this product won’t harm the environment.
- Hermetic sealing. Each packet is hermetically sealed, making it airtight, and reducing the risk of contamination or loss of potency.
- Ready-made activator. This product has a ready-made activator, decreasing the risk of using too much and rendering the inhalant less potent.
- Easy to use. The directions say to shake, wave in front of the nose and inhale. The instructions are also clearly printed on the packaging.
- Easy to open. When you use this product, there is no crushing or grinding involved. All you need to do is tear the packet or twist the cover open. Opening it only takes a few seconds, giving you quick access to the smelling salts.
- Value for money. This product offers you excellent value for money, and you’ll be impressed by how much product you get for the price.
Cons
- Irritation. If you hold the product too close to your nose or the fluid accidentally touches the nasal area, it can irritate your sinuses. You should, therefore, be careful when using this product.
- Packaging size. This product is not single-use, and can be less convenient than other products offering this feature.
Most Affordable: Safetec Ammonia Towelette
Safetec Ammonia Towelettes are just as their name depicts. They are affordable, little ammonia-drenched towelettes sealed away in tiny individual packets. They come in packs of ten, with each pouch weighing 0.025 oz (0.71 gram).
With the Safetec Ammonia Towelette, lightheadedness can easily be prevented or treated. It also works well to revive a fainting victim. All that is required is to hold the product near the person’s nose so that they can inhale the vapors.
Customers who purchase this product also use it to help them remain alert while driving or studying. After inhaling the ammonia vapors, your nasal passages become irritated, causing you to inhale sharply, and giving your brain a helpful boost of oxygen.
If you work out every day, these towelettes are ideal as they are gentle enough for daily use.
Pros
- Inexpensive. This brand of respiratory stimulant is quite affordable and will not put a dent in your pocket.
- Proper sealing: The sealing of each pouch is effective at preventing accidental leaks. The packaging material also works well at maintaining the product’s efficacy.
- Great quality. This product offers excellent quality and value for money. Safetec Ammonia Towelettes are quite strong, offering 15 to 30% ammonia concentration in each pouch for a minimal price.
- Long-lasting. With good storage, a box of Safetec Ammonia Towelettes will last a couple of months or longer when opened, and they won’t lose their potency.
Cons
- Tough packaging. The packaging of the individual pouches of Safetec Ammonia Towelettes is tough, probably to elongate shelf life. It can be rather difficult to open the pouches, which may be inconvenient in an emergency.
- Fixed packaging sizes. Safetec Ammonia Towelettes only come in a pack of ten. You can’t purchase a single piece or even a box with as many as fifty or a hundred. For that, you’d have to purchase several boxes. This could be a pain if you intend to buy it only once or in bulk.
Final Thoughts
Smelling salts in packets is an ingenious packaging approach, but beyond the fancy wrappers, potency and pricing are important. If you’re on a budget and looking for smelling salts for your first aid collection, competition prep, or workout rituals, ensure you don’t sacrifice quality. This compilation will help you pick smelling salts packets that are just right for you!
