Among the several face masks available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that N95 respirators are the most protective. They fit snugly on your face to minimize gaps around the sides, chin, and nose area, and they are made to filter out at least 95% of small and large airborne particles. Additionally, compared to comparable international respirators like KN95s and KF94s, N95s are easier to find because they are regulated in the US by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Although most individuals use the terms mask and respirator interchangeably, the CDC and medical experts expressly refer to fitted face coverings with certified filtration, such as N95s, KN95s, and KF94s, when they use the term respirator.
I talked to medical professionals about what to look for when buying for N95 masks, how they differ from other disposable face coverings, and when to wear them if you need to replenish your supply. Additionally, I put together a list of highly regarded NIOSH-approved N95s that may be purchased online.
GO Ahead and SkipWhen to wear a face mask, how to wear one, the finest N95 masks to buy, and why NBC Select is reliable.
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Best cup-shapedShawmut Protex N95 Respirator
$11.99$14.99Amazon
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Best flat-foldDemeTECH N95 Respirator
$undefined$65.00Amazon
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Best individually wrapped3M Aura N95 Respirator
$14.75$20.99Amazon
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How I picked the best N95 masks
Experts advise considering the following when purchasing N95 masks:
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NIOSH approval
: Since N95 masks are regulated by NIOSH, you should only purchase those listed on the agency slist of approved models
. When NIOSH gives an N95 its stamp of approval, it means the respirator has met very specific requirements for
testing
, says Dr.
Stella Hines
, an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. It s a quality assurance indicator that the respirator will perform as expected. All NIOSH-approved N95s adhere to specific performance and quality requirements, including the ability to filter out at least 95% of large and very small particles (0.3 microns in size).
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Appropriate markings
: Specificmarkings
on an N95 mask indicate that it s NIOSH-approved. These markings include identifying information verified using NIOSH s
Certified Equipment List
, filter designations, model numbers and more.
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Features
: N95 masks should have two straps that go around your head and an adjustable wire nose bridge. Experts say these features help ensure that the mask fits tightly against your face. Never buy N95s made with exhaust ports, which holds true for all face masks, says Dr.David Rempel
, a professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. The best N95 masks to purchase
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Shape
: N95 masks come in cup, flat fold and duckbill shapes. One is not better than the other, so experts recommend picking whichever you find the most comfortable. -
Type
: N95 respirators labeled as surgical or medical should be prioritized for healthcare workers, according to the CDC. A standard N95 mask is sufficient for the general public.
The best N95 masks to shop
Although many N95s satisfy NIOSH regulations, the CDC advises that surgical-grade masks be saved for medical personnel only. I’ve put up a list of highly regarded NIOSH-approved N95 masks that you can purchase online, excluding those options. Keep in mind that some N95s are separately wrapped, while others are bundled together. Every mask on this list features two headstraps and an adjustable nose bridge.
3M Aura N95 Respirator
(3-pack)
3M Aura N95 Respirator
The three-paneled 3M Aura folding N95 respirator is designed to be low profile around the nose and eye area to fit spectacles. The respirators are sold in packs of three or more, however they are individually wrapped and can be purchased in bigger quantities if necessary.
Honeywell N95 Flatfold Disposable Respirator
(20-pack)
Honeywell N95 Flatfold Disposable Respirator
When not in use, Honeywell’s N95s fold up. A foam cushion in their adjustable nose clip aids in forming a snug fit against the face. There are twenty masks in a pack.
DemeTECH N95 Respirator
(20-pack)
DemeTECH N95 Respirator
Five layers of material make up DemeTech’s N95s, which fold flat when not in use. There are twenty of them in the bag.
Shawmut Protex N95 Respirator
(10-pack)
Shawmut Protex N95 Respirator
Shawmut N95 respirators are available in packs of ten, twenty, or 240. In order to prevent eyeglass fogging, the masks are constructed with a piece of foam lining the inside of the movable nose piece. The N95s are available in small, medium, and large sizes.
BNX N95 Mask
(50-pack)
BNX N95 Mask
BNX N95 masks have head straps devoid of latex and fold flat when not in use. There are ten of them in the pack.
Kimberly-Clark Kimtech N95 Pouch Respirator
(50-pack)
Kimberly-Clark Kimtech N95 Pouch Respirator
According to the company, these N95s’ pouch shape produces a spacious breathing chamber that makes talking easier while wearing the respirators. There are fifty of them in a pack.
Aidway NIOSH N95 Respirator
Aidway N95 Respirator
The N95 mask from Aidway features a flat-fold design and five layers of protection. Packs of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, or 1,000 masks are available for purchase.
WellBefore N95 Flat Fold Respirator
(10-pack)
WellBefore N95 Flat Fold Respirator
The N95 respirator from WellBefore features a flat-fold design and four layers of protection. It comes in black or white. The N95s come in a 10-pack and are individually wrapped.
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How to wear N95 masks
Wearing a mask improperly will not protect you or those around you, regardless of the style you choose. According to the CDC, make sure your mask fits snugly on your face and completely covers your mouth and nose to avoid gaps around the chin, nose, and sides of the mask.
According to Hines, N95 respirators will only offer the wearer the controlled, anticipated degree of protection if the face is properly sealed. To ensure that all of the air inhaled is drawn in through the mask body, you want a good seal. All of the particle and microbiological contamination filtration takes place there.
According to Rempel, you can use a N95 to do an at-home leak test by donning it and exhaling. It’s not tight enough if you can feel the air around your eyes or beneath your chin. Additionally, according to Hines, if your glasses fog up while wearing a N95, there is leakage and the fit is inadequate.
According to the CDC, every mask and model fits differently, and features like an adjustable nasal bridge might help you get the best fit possible. For those with facial hair, which can make it challenging to get a tight fit, using a brace or fitter is strongly advised.
When should you wear a face mask?
Determining when to wear a mask might be challenging because the US has no national mask-wearing regulations. Here are some tips from experts, and keep in mind that masks can help prevent the spread of diseases other than COVID-19, such as the flu, RSV, and the common cold.
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In crowded indoor spaces where you spend more than 15 to 20 minutes
: Examples include concerts, grocery stores, classrooms and offices, as well as transportation hubs like airports and train stations, says Dr.Carl Fichtenbaum
, a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Wearing a face mask while traveling on a crowded plane, train or bus is also a good idea, he says.
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When you re sick
: You re at the highest risk for transmitting a virus when you have a fever, so you should stay home, says Dr.Sharon Nachman
, chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children s Hospital. Once your fever gets better, or if you re just coughing and sneezing, wear a mask if you absolutely have to go out in public, she says. Doing so makes it less likely that you ll spread germs to others.
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If you re at a higher risk for infection
: That goes for people 65 and older, and those who have medical conditions or take medications that weaken their immune system, says Fichtenbaum. -
When there s high levels of illness in your community
: The CDC hasCovid-19
,
flu
and
RSV trackers
online that are open to the public, which Nachman recommends bookmarking. You can enter a zip code and see how present each illness is in your community or those you re traveling to. If positivity is trending upward, that s a sign that you should consider wearing a mask, especially in crowded indoor public spaces, says Nachman.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Hines, employees must undergo a formal fit exam in environments where wearing a N95 is mandated, such as some construction zones and medical facilities. However, before purchasing and donning a N95, the general public is exempt from the requirement to undergo a formal fit test. In any case, she advises making sure your respirator fits correctly before donning it in public.
N95s are, in theory, single-use, disposable face coverings. However, according to the CDC, if you remove and store a N95 correctly, you can use it again and again. To put it simply, this means removing the mask by its head straps and keeping it in a paper or mesh fabric bag in between usage.
The recommended duration of use for N95 masks is frequently specified by the manufacturer either online or on the packaging. However, generally speaking, you should discard your N95 if it becomes damaged—for instance, by crumpling up in your bag—or if you are unable to maintain a tight seal on the face. Additionally, if your N95 becomes contaminated, moist, or unclean, you should replace it.
The CDC states that N95 respirators have not been extensively tested on children and are not meant for their usage. Smaller N95s might fit some kids’ faces, though, as some brands provide them in both small and large sizes. Some brands also make KN95s for kids. According to the CDC, selecting a face covering that fits well and is comfortable is essential to lowering the likelihood that kids will take it off frequently or wear it improperly.
Yes, N95 masks can be reimbursed through a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health savings account (HSA). Both limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) and dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA) are ineligible for them.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we guarantee that no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest exist and that all expert advice and recommendations are offered independently.
-
Dr.
David Rempel
is a professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
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Dr.
Stella Hines
is an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
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Dr.
Carl Fichtenbaum
is a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
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Dr.
Sharon Nachman
is the chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children s Hospital.
Why trust NBC Select?
I m areporterat NBC Selectwho has written about face masks since 2020, including articles about KN95s, N95s, disposable face masks and kid s face masks. To write this article, I interviewed four doctors about how to shop for N95 masks and researched face coverings using resources from the CDC and NIOSH. I also recommended NIOSH-approved N95 masks to buy that meet expert guidance.
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