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It’s been a minute since face masks were required in indoor public spaces, but plenty of people still wear the tools to protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, whether they’re hitting the grocery store or traveling
As of now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you wear a mask if you have a health condition that puts you at high risk for complications of COVID-19 or if hospitalizations due to the virus are high in your area.
Why hospitalizations? “Many people are testing themselves at home,” points out Thomas Russo, M.D., a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. That means that the official COVID-19 case counts in your area is likely a “dramatic undercount,” he says. Hospitalizations are the best metric experts have to tell if COVID-19 cases are increasing since the more cases there are, the greater the chances of hospitalization.
Meet the experts: Thomas Russo, M.D., is a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York; William Schaffner, M.D., is an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; and Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., is a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
Omicron subvariant JN.1 has caused a wave of COVID-19 infections and re-infections this winter, and it currently makes up more than 93% of infections in the U.S. JN.1 and other Omicron subvariants are “the most contagious COVID-19 variants we’ve seen yet,” says William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Our top picks
Lement Lement KN95 Mask
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Luckily, you have tools to protect yourself against serious illness. One is the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which is specifically targeted at the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5—it’s believed to work well against the current variants circulating in the U.S., Dr. Russo says. Another is to wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces when cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses are high in your area. The CDC recommends using “specialized filtering masks such as N95s” when you can. So, it’s really best to use N95 masks and similar KN95 masks (built to Chinese standards). “These are basically indistinguishable,” says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “The one that fits your face better is the correct choice.” The mask must cover your nose and mouth, with a snug seal for the most protection.
Pros
- High level of protection
- Reputable company
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Headband style isn’t for everyone
3M is one of the most reputable names in N95 respirators, and it’s Aura masks are still in stock at Home Depot. This mask has a lightweight, three-panel design with a metal nose bridge to help you get a secure fit, no matter your face shape. It also features headband-style elastics to take the pressure off your ears. The masks fold up for easy storage in your bag or pocket.
What reviewers say: “Better fit than any other mask I’ve worn at work or for personal use.”
Quantity | 10 |
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Material | Polypropylene |
Pros
- Soft surface
- Firmer cup sits away from mouth
- Good for reuse
Cons
- Straps may feel too tight to some
Another great N95 option from 3M, this respirator protects against solid and liquid aerosols that don’t contain oil. It has a soft interior foam around the adjustable nose bridge for a comfortable fit and lightweight design that makes it easy to wear.
What reviewers say: “3M knows what they are doing. The 8210 plus is so easy to breathe through and the straps are tight yet comfortable. They are perfectly for reuse. They are just so good, especially if you have to wear something for a few hours or just going to the store.”
Quantity | 20 |
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Material | Non-woven fabric |
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These masks from Lement are Amazon bestsellers. They feature a breathable design with two layers of non-woven cloth, two layers of melt-blown fabric, and one layer of hot air cotton. A metal nose bridge allows you to get that just-right fit, while soft elastic loops won’t dig into your ears. The mask is foldable, making it easy to toss in your bag and go. Choose from black, gray, and white shades.
What reviewers say: One shopper said these are their “go-to masks.” They added, “Comfortable and affordable. I keep them with me. New packaging makes it convenient to leave five in the car, so we always have some with us.”
Quantity | 50 |
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Material | Non-woven cloth |
Pros
- Great for those who wear glasses
- Soft ear loops
Cons
- Can have a chemical smell that dissipates
Powecom’s KN95 mask also comes in a sleek black color. This 10-pack features masks with soft ear loops that are comfortable enough to wear for hours. The mask has several layers of non-woven soft and breathable fibers and filters out at least 95% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
What reviewers say: “I bought a cheaper brand and they smelled like chemicals. I went back to Powecom and they are perfect. No smell, fits nicely, and offers good protection. As an R.N., I recommend everybody stock up on these—the pandemic is not over. A good KN95 mask is your first line of defense after getting your vaccine and boosters. It’s not worth taking a chance and suffering needlessly when you can protect yourself easily.”
Quantity | 10 |
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Material | Non-woven fibers |
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Pros
- Cup style keeps mask away from mouth
- Comfortable fit
- Works well with larger faces
Cons
- Headband style isn’t for everyone
HDX’s N95 respirators have a medium-to-large coverage, allowing for a good fit for a wide range of face sizes. A cupped design keeps the mask off your face for easy breathing. Headband-style straps and a metal nose bridge allow for a tight fit.
What reviewers say: “Like that it was not over my ears like soooo many others. Give my ears a break people!!!”
Quantity | 10 |
---|---|
Material | Polypropylene |
Pros
- Individually wrapped
- Adjustable straps
- Affordable
Cons
- Only one size option
Well Before’s N95 masks offer up adjustable headband straps to let you get that just-right fit and prevent gaps. It also offers a wide and tented design, giving you more breathing space. A nice perk: They come individually wrapped, so you can toss one directly into your bag without worrying about lint.
What reviewers say: “I purchased the N95 masks and they are really good. They are secure, fit great, adjustable, and comfortable. I’ve been able to keep one on for eight hours straight.”
Quantity | 10 |
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Material | Not listed |
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Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Folds easily
- Reusable
Cons
- Pricey
This mask four-pack is a KN95 that’s designed to have a lightweight feel. It features an ergo-foam nose seal that won’t dig into your skin, along with soft, adjustable ear loops for long wear. Independent lab testing found that they filter out more than 98% of airborne particles smaller than 0.3 microns. The mask is reusable and comes in a four-pack.
What reviewers say: “One of the few ASTM F3502 masks I can wear under all conditions. We’ve been wearing these for years now.”
Quantity | 4 |
---|---|
Material | Foam, polyester |
BNX’s N95 masks are NIOSH approved and certified to protect against 95% of non-oil based particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. Reviewers praise these masks for their breathability, and they feature a classic headband style. A 3D design gives your mouth plenty of room to move while you talk. Choose from white and black shades in 10- and 20-packs.
What reviewers say: One owner calls the BNX masks “comfortable and breathable.” They continued, “While these are not the cheapest masks, they are the most comfortable masks I've worn. I wore these only in the airport and airplane and felt safe and could breathe with ease.”
Quantity | 10 |
---|---|
Material | Non-Woven, polypropylene, meltblown |
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How to choose and buy an N95 and KN95 mask
In a perfect world, you’d be able to snatch up a KN95 mask and know that it performs the way it says it does. But the CDC warns that up to 60% of KN95 masks on the market are counterfeit and do not work as well as they claim. “There are definitely counterfeits out there,” Dr. Schaffner says.
That’s where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes in. Earlier in the pandemic, the FDA issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for KN95 masks to allow healthcare workers who couldn’t obtain N95s to use them and trust that they were legit.
The FDA has since revoked those EUAs now that N95s are more widely available. Prior to that, some companies and their masks were taken off the list for producing products that weren’t up to snuff, making the whole process pretty confusing. The list isn’t updated anymore, but you can generally use it as a buying guide to make sure that the KN95 masks you’re buying are good.
N95 masks, on the other hand, have to be NIOSH-approved, and the government agency has a list online that you can use to look up a mask you’re considering. Keep in mind, too, that if you buy an N95 mask from a reputable retailer, like Target, CVS, Home Depot, or Lowe’s, you can usually trust that it’s legitimate, Dr. Russo says.
Whether you choose an N95 or KN95 respirator, the CDC recommends that your mask forms a tight seal on your face. You’ll also want to take a pass on masks that have exhalation valves, vents, or other openings, as well as those that you feel like you can’t breathe well when you’re wearing them.
What are N95 and KN95 masks, and what’s the difference?
N95 masks, which are considered the gold standard of face masks, are particulate respirators that filter out at least 95% of aerosols, according to the CDC. (Worth noting: There’s a subtype of N95 masks labeled “surgical” N95 respirators. These provide extra protection against hazards that may be present during medical procedures like blood splatter, and should still be reserved for healthcare workers, the CDC says.)KN95 masks are the Chinese version of N95 masks, Dr. Russo says. These are certified by the Chinese government and also filter out up to 95% of aerosols.
The main difference between these two masks is that N95s have to meet stricter requirements, including the ability to filter out bacteria and viruses, and be certified by NIOSH. Still, “N95 and KN95 respirators are quite comparable,” says Dr. Schaffner.
With either mask, “you should feel the air seal around your face and have difficulty smelling perfume or the like if it’s a good fit,” Dr. Adalja says.
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How we chose the best N95 and KN95 masks
We consulted Thomas Russo, M.D., a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York; William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; and Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., is a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, and made sure these masks were certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.