N95 vs. KN95 Masks: Everything You Need to Know About Their Differences
Trying to keep up with changing masking guidance from public health officials has been challenging to say the least. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first said that masks weren’t necessary to help fight the spread of COVID-19, then said they were but stressed that N95 masks should be reserved for healthcare workers. Now, the CDC says that N95 masks and KN95 masks are some of the best ways to protect yourself against the spread of COVID-19—including the Omicron variant and its symptoms, “stealth” variant and more—and opened them up to everyone.
But, with that, many people are weighing N95 vs. KN95 masks: What’s the difference? Here’s what you need to know, plus where to find them.
N95 vs. KN95 masks: What’s the difference?
N95 masks are the gold standard of face masks and are highly protective against COVID-19 when they’re used properly, says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York.
N95 masks are particulate respirators that filter out at least 95% of aerosols, according to the CDC. It’s important to keep in mind that there’s a subtype of N95 masks labeled “surgical” N95 respirators. These help protect against extra hazards that doctors and other healthcare workers may come into contact with like blood splatter, and should still be reserved for healthcare workers, the CDC says.
KN95 masks are the Chinese version of N95 masks. “The KN95 is the Chinese regulatory equivalent of the N95 mask,” says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
They “offer even more protection” than surgical and cloth masks, the CDC says. Like N95 masks, they 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 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Still, if you compare legitimate KN95 and N95 masks side-by-side, “they serve the same function,” Dr. Adalja says.
Is it safe to use KN95 masks?
“The concern with KN95s is whether you really are procuring a product that's going to perform as advertised,” Dr. Russo says. “There’s always some uncertainty because there are knockoffs.” In fact, the CDC warns that up to 60% of KN95 masks on the market are counterfeit and do not work as well as they claim. “I feel more comfortable using an N95 mask because of stricter U.S. regulations,” Dr. Russo says.
That said, KN95 masks have been more readily available than N95 masks. And, while N95 masks are getting easier to track down these days, you’re still more likely to come across a KN95 masks.
How to find quality KN95 masks
So, how can you know if your KN95 mask is really up to snuff? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued some guidance that can help, although it’s a little complicated to navigate.
Earlier in the pandemic when N95 masks were hard for everyone—including healthcare workers—to find, the FDA issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for KN95 masks to allow healthcare workers to use these KN95 masks and know that they were legitimate.
Now that N95 masks are more widely available, the FDA has revoked those EUAs, largely because they just aren’t needed anymore. Some companies did have masks removed from the list before that for rolling out products that weren’t as high quality as they claimed to be, which is why this can be a little confusing.
While the FDA doesn’t update the list anymore, it’s still available online. Many people who want to make sure their KN95 masks are quality will double-check the list, just to be safe.
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.
How to find good N95 masks
N95 masks 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.
Another thing to consider, per Dr. Russo: 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.
N95s vs. KN95s: When to use them
The most important things with either an N95 or KN95 respirator, is to make sure it forms a tight seal to your face, the CDC says.
Breathability is a big factor, Dr. Russo says. “With the N95 masks, you know what you’re getting for the most part but they’re not necessarily comfortable for people to wear them for prolonged periods of time,” he says. “They work fine in a hospital when you’re just wearing them going in and out of rooms with patients but it can be tough to wear them all day.”
Many people find that KN95s are a little more comfortable, Dr. Russo says. But, he points out, “it’s really tough to establish if they’re performing as well as advertised.”
If you just need something to wear when you head into the grocery store or doctor’s office, Dr. Russo says an N95 might be a good choice. But, if you’re looking for something to wear all day, he suggests a KN95 or even a KF94, which is the Korean version of N95s. “They’re comfortable and I have more trust that they’re performing as advertised,” he says. “KN95s have just had more knock-offs.”
This article is accurate as of press time. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific community’s understanding of the novel coronavirus develops, some of the information may have changed since it was last updated. While we aim to keep all of our stories up to date, please visit online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department to stay informed on the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.
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