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It is often appropriate to use a chamber device such as a spacer with an asthma inhaler. These devices hold the aerosol cloud, which is produced from an asthma inhaler, in a confined space and allow subsequent inhalation. Evaporation of some of the propellent produces particles of smaller size and gives the potential for greater bronchial deposition.

Spacer devices are either large-volume (examples include Volumatic, Nebuhaler and Fisonair) or small-volume (examples include AeroChamber, MEDI-Spacers, Space Chamber and Breath-A-Tech). They have a valve system, which can assist patients who have problems with coordination. They are particularly important in decreasing the oropharyngeal deposition of medication and increasing the relative dose delivered to the lung.

The correct technique to use a spacer is as follows:
1. Shake the asthma inhaler device before use.
2. Insert the asthma inhaler, with the mouthpiece down, into the spacer.
3. Actuate (spray) the asthma inhaler.
4. Inhale slowly and deeply from the spacer, starting as soon after the actuation as possible.
5. Hold your breath for about ten seconds.

Warm water with kitchen detergent are recommended to be used to wash spacers. Leave the spacer to drain without rinsing and dry before initial use, and at least monthly thereafter. Do not use a cloth to dry spacers, as using a cloth can produce electrostatic charges that leads to drug particles adhering to the walls of the spacer. Before using the spacer, it should be 'standardized' by actuating 3 to 5 doses of drug; this minimises fluctuations in dose due to variation in electrostatic charges.

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