These KN95 and N95 Face Masks Help Protect Against the Flu, COVID, and RSV

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Face masks are no longer required in most indoor public spaces, but the rise of highly infectious COVID-19 variants has had plenty of people rethinking their personal mask usage.

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., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. That means that the official COVID-19 case count in your area is likely a “dramatic undercount.” 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.

Omicron subvariant EG.5 has been causing a wave of COVID-19 infections and re-infections. Omicron and its 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.

Luckily, you have options. 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 masked in crowded indoor spaces when COVID-19 cases are on the rise in your area. While N95 masks were restricted to healthcare workers earlier in the pandemic, they’re now available to everyone—and 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 (the Chinese version of N95 masks). “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.”

If you haven’t used either a KN95 or N95 mask in the past, you probably have questions about what, exactly, these are.

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; Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., is a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

How we chose the best N95 and KN95 masks

We consulted Dr. Schaffner, Dr. Russo, and made sure these masks were certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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.

Experts say it’s not a bad idea to have a mask or two around your home for the just in case. Grab a few of these while they’re still in stock

3M Aura Particulate Respirator N95, 10-Pack

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.”

3M 8210 Plus N95 Particulate Respirator, 20-Pack

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.”

KN95 Respirator Face Masks (10 Pack)

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.”

HDX N95 Respirator Masks, 10-Pack

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!!!”

WellBefore N95 Respirator, 10 Pack

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.”

AirPop Pocket KN95 Facemask

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.”

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 (to healthcare workers, at least). 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, and the Federal Travel Mask Mandate has been lifted, 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.

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