Hostage Tape® has made a name for itself in the mouth taping market with bold branding and claims of superior performance. But does it truly deliver on its promises? We put it to the test to find out.
We don't recommend Hostage Tape.
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We found Hostage Tape adheres almost too firmly, even for those with facial hair. The breathable material allows for some airflow, which can be reassuring for first-time users. However, the adhesive's strength made removal uncomfortable, occasionally pulling at the skin and leaving behind sticky residue.
We do not recommend Hostage Tape.
Hostage Tape makes a lot of noise in the mouth tape category, but isn't a particularly great product. We weren't able to fully confirm the safety and healthiness of the product's adhesive or material composition. In physical trials, the tape did hold securely over the mouth (and worked well with beards and facial hair, as advertised) but the adhesive felt extremely strong (borderline aggressive) and ripped at the skin upon removal. This typically left the lips feeling sore and sensitive, along with a film of sticky residue. It was certainly not our favorite mouth tape!
Pros:
Secure adhesion that lasts through the night
Works well on beards & facial hair
Breathable material allows for some airflow
Effective in promoting nasal breathing
Cons:
Strong adhesive can cause discomfort upon removal
May leave residue on the skin
Size and shape does not cover entire mouth
Avoid. We found far superior alternatives. Hostage Tape delivers on its promise of staying put throughout the night and promoting nasal breathing. Its strong adhesive and breathable material make it a solid choice for those serious about mouth taping. However, the discomfort during removal was a massive drawback for us. If you're new to mouth taping or have sensitive skin, you might want to explore other options first.We understand that many of our site visitors are here looking for alternatives to Athletic Greens. And for good reason!
Seeking a great alternative? Check out our full review of 25 top mouth tape products.
Mouth taping shows genuine promise for certain sleep-related benefits, especially reducing snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but evidence from large-scale clinical trial is still on the limited side. A few smaller clinical studies have been conducted, and many of their results do support core mouth taping claims. In short: Initial research supports mouth taping benefits (including, improving sleep, reducing snoring, reducing sleep apnea-related wake ups, etc.)
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7 Night challenge
Our research is 100% transparent. Please visit our open-source, collaborative analysis to review our data and share any suggestions for improvements. We welcome questions or comments directly.
Sleep Karma is our favorite mouth tape, based on 100% transparent research & testing. #1 of 25 products evaluated.
After thoroughly testing 23 different mouth tapes, Sleep Karma stands out in every way. First, the materials are best-in-class: most importantly, the adhesive is certified non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and skin-safe, meeting ISO-10993-1 biocompatibility standards. The fabric itself is ultra-premium organic bamboo silk — breathable, buttery-soft, and a dream to wear overnight. We also love the performance: the tape stays firmly in place all night, but peels off easily and gently in the morning (without leaving any yucky residue on your lips). The size and shape are another win — the full-coverage design keeps the mouth securely closed (and for beginners, they also offer "slim strips" which go vertically across the lips). Sleep Karma goes above and beyond by including monthly free gifts, such as a stunning bamboo night stand and bamboo travel case (with a subscription) and 24/7 access to a team of sleep coaches. All of this comes at a price that's right in line with most competitors — around $0.83 per night for dramatically better sleep.
• Certified skin-safe adhesive (meets ISO-10993-1 standards)
• Ultra-soft, breathable organic bamboo silk
• Secure hold and easy removal with no sticky residue
• Full-coverage design for complete mouth sealing
• Slim strip option available (perfect for beginners)
• Complimentary bamboo bedside stand and travel case (included with subscription)
• Free 24/7 access to expert sleep coaches
• Excellent value (~$0.80 per night)
• Mouth taping may take a night or two to get used to
• Only available online
