Asthmatic patients who were regular and experienced users of the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) but with no history of powder inhaler use were interviewed by questionnaire. Most (71%) of the 159 adults recruited had suffered from asthma for more than five years; 89% had used an MDI for more than one year. In all, 153 (97%) found their current MDI easy or very easy to handle. Effectiveness in delivering the drug and ease of operation were the two features of the device they were most satisfied with. The two features 'of an ideal inhaler' rated most highly were the presence of a dose counter and ease of use during an attack (58% and 72% of respondents, respectively). Other important features included hygiene, sensation that a dose had been taken, and small size. When attitudes towards the Diskus inhaler and the Turbuhaler inhaler were compared, 108 (68%) would have been quite or very happy to have a Diskus inhaler prescribed for them, and 79 (50%) a Turbuhaler inhaler. The Diskus inhaler scored significantly better than the Turbuhaler inhaler for knowing how many doses were left, the presence of an attached cover, attractiveness (p < 0.001), hygiene, shape, weight (p = 0.001), and perceived ease of use (p = 0.002). The Turbuhaler inhaler scored significantly better in terms of size (p < 0.001). Overall, the Diskus inhaler was preferred by 104 of 159 patients (p < 0.001), with perceived ease of use, the dose counter, and shape cited as the main reasons for preference.