While many people aren’t wearingface masksas often as they did during the Covid-19 pandemic, they’re still a great piece of personal protective equipment to keep at home, says Dr.Nina Shapiro, a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist at Westside Head and Neck in California.Masks can help prevent illness and protect the people around if you happen to be experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness. There are many types of face masks to choose from, but properly fitting respirators offer the most protection, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. And whileN95 masksare the gold standard, some people find them uncomfortable. KN95 masks offer a similar amount of protection, so long as you buy high quality models.
I spoke to experts about how to shop for KN95 masks and rounded up a handful of options that meet their guidance from brands like Powecom and Evolvetogether. Plus, I bought and tried on all of the face masks we recommend to ensure their packaging, features and fit align with what experts say to expect.
SKIP AHEAD The best KN95 face masks | How to shop for KN95 face masks
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Editor’s pick KN95 mask
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While shopping for KN95 masks, experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
- Filtration level: KN95 masks must filter out at least 95% of particulates, experts told us. For all of the masks I recommend, I obtained associated lab tests regarding filtration. I got documentation from the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory or had brands send us documentation directly.
- Construction: The KN95 masks you buy should have ear loops and at least five layers of material. I made sure all of the masks I recommend are designed with these features, as well as an adjustable nose bridge.
- Brand transparency: Brand transparency is key when buying any type of face mask, but it’s especially relevant for KN95 masks, which the United States does not regulate the way it does for N95 masks. There are, however, ways for brands and manufacturers to increase their trustworthiness, like FDA registration or inclusion in the FDA’s now-defunct emergency use authorization (EUA), which it passed in 2020 to help medical workers choose KN95 masks when there was a shortage of N95 masks. All of the masks I recommend come from manufacturers registered with the FDA — while this has nothing to do with regulating mask quality, it increases accountability for the brand selling it, experts told us. Some of the masks I recommend also appeared on the FDA’s EUA — I note which ones.
Best KN95 masks overall: Powecom KN95 Face Mask
Powecom’s KN95 masks were featured on the FDA’s EUA list. They are available in black and white, as well as multiple colors, all of which come in a pack of 10. You can also purchase individually packaged KN95s. The masks have an adjustable nose piece and their ear loops are latex-free, according to the brand.
Best multi-color KN95 masks: WWDOLL KN95 Face Mask
WWDOLL’s KN95 masks were featured on the FDA’s EUA list. They come in a pack of 25 and are available in multiple colors. These masks have an adjustable nose bridge and stretchy earloops.
Best KN95 masks in neutral colors: Hotodeal KN95 Face Mask
These KN95 masks were featured on the FDA’s EUA list. They come in a pack of 40, are built with an adjustable nose bridge and stretchy ear loops, and come in colors like white, black and grey.
Editor’s pick KN95 mask: Evolvetogether KN95 Face Masks
Out of all the masks I’ve tried, I find these to be the most comfortable due to their round shape. The mask doesn’t press up against my mouth, making it easy to speak, and the panels around the perimeter help create a tight fit against my face without leaving indentations in my skin. I wore these masks for three years while attending college classes during the pandemic, and I still buy them today.
Evolvetogether’s KN95 masks come in a pack of five and are individually wrapped in biodegradable pouches. Each mask has six layers, an adjustable nose bridge and stretchy ear loops. The KN95 masks come in multiple colors.
Best KN95 masks to buy in bulk: WellBefore KN95 Face Mask
WellBefore offers KN95 masks in multiple colors and allows a choice between standard ear loops and head straps. The masks have an adjustable nose bridge, and you can purchase as few as 10 masks, which come individually wrapped.Note: The price listed above reflects the cost of 10 KN95 masks with standard ear loops. You must purchase a minimum of 10 masks per order.
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It’s difficult, sometimes impossible, to be sure you’re buying a real KN95 mask just by looking at it, says Dr. Jeremy Friese, a former Mayo Clinic physician and the founder and CEO of Humata Health. The CDC doesn’t provide specific regulations to follow when choosing a KN95 mask, but they do offer a list of tips to help you spot masks that may not meet the necessary standards.
Experts I interviewed recommend you review your masks before wearing them with the following in mind:
- A KN95 mask should not be damaged in any way
- Packaging should never include false claims or logos from the FDA. The FDA does not permit their logo to appear on packaging of any sort.
- KN95 masks shouldn’t cost more than $3 apiece, according to the CDC.
Additionally, shoppers should review lab testing documents that clearly illustrate how well a mask acts as a filter before they use it, says Anne Miller, executive director of Project N95, a nonprofit that helps people source personal protective equipment and medical supplies. Some brands publish these documents online, while others may send you them if you ask.
Another factor to consider while shopping for KN95 masks is FDA registration. To register with the FDA, manufacturers pay a fee and submit certain criteria about the operation. Though experts tell us this is better to have than not, FDA registration has no bearing on the quality of the face mask itself and does not denote approval of the mask or its manufacturer by the FDA. Miller also says that the list of KN95 models the FDA specifically approved in its 2020 emergency use authorization is one of the best resources to use when sourcing the respirators, even after the FDA stopped updating the list in 2021.
Frequently asked questions
A KN95 face mask is a type of disposable respirator. (Most people use “mask” and “respirator” interchangeably, but when the CDC and medical professionals say “respirator,” they specifically mean specialized, fitted face coverings like N95s, KN95s and KF94s.) It filters 95% of particulate matter, just like the N95 mask, says Shapiro.
KN95 masks are the Chinese equivalent of an N95 respirator in the U.S. A Chinese governing body similar to the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health sets the standard for KN95 masks in China. Since they’re designed to meet a Chinese standard, KN95s are not regulated in the U.S.
From April 2020 to June 2021, the FDA had a temporary emergency use authorization that allowed U.S. health workers to use KN95s on the job. It later ended the EUA because NIOSH-approved respirators were no longer in short supply.
“KN95 masks are quite effective, especially if they’re worn correctly and by multiple people in a given setting,” says Shapiro. “While they’re not as form-fitting as N95 masks, their efficacy is nearly as good as N95s. And given that they’re more comfortable, they’re more likely to be worn for longer periods of time.”
Face masks help reduce the risk of respiratory virus transmission between people, according to the CDC . In their guide to masks and respirators , the CDC prioritizes respirators above masks with emphasis on a proper fit, and specifies that they’re better than cloth products. Here, a cheat sheet of the different levels of protection offered by different masks and respirators:
- Highest level of protection: Well-fitting respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), including N95s
- Less protection than NIOSH-approved respirators: Well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95s
- Less protection than non-NIOSH respirators and surgical masks: Layered, finely woven products
- Least protection, but still better than not wearing a mask at all: Loosely woven cloth products
KN95 masks are disposable face coverings, so you can’t wash and reuse them like you can a cloth mask. However, you don’t have to toss a KN95 mask after a single use. A KN95 mask can be worn multiple times If you remove and store it properly. Shapiro says KN95s should be stored in a paper bag between uses. If you notice that a mask is wet or dirty, or if it’s damaged — for example, if any part of it is worn away, or if the straps are broken or stretched — you should throw it out, she says.
Shapiro says she wouldn’t wear a KN95 more than three or four times maximum, especially if doing so for multiple hours. Additionally, if you knowingly come into close contact with someone infected with Covid, or you yourself have Covid while wearing it, you should throw the mask out after a single use.
No, KN95 masks are not FDA-approved or NIOSH-approved. KN95 masks are designed to meet a Chinese standard and they’re not regulated in the U.S. So if you see the phrases “FDA-approved” or “NIOSH-approved” on the packaging of KN95 masks, it’s a red flag. Learn more about signs that a mask is a counterfeit through CDC resources here.
Regardless of the type of mask you wear, it won’t protect you or the people around you unless you wear it correctly. The CDC recommends making sure it completely covers your mouth and nose and fits tightly against your face to prevent gaps around the sides of the mask, nose and chin.
All masks fit differently, and features like adjustable ear loops and an adjustable nose bridge help you improve the fit of your mask, as do mask fitters or braces, according to the CDC. Using a fitter or brace is especially a good idea for people with facial hair, which can make it difficult to achieve a tight fit.
When comparing different types of masks, “properly fitted respirators provide the highest level of protection,” including N95s and KN95s, according to the CDC. The agency says disposable surgical masks and reusable cloth masks offer less protection.
The CDC says you should not double-mask while wearing a KN95 mask. Friese adds that a KN95 mask generally offers more protection than double-masking anyway, as long as it fits well. You should not wear international respirators with exhalation valves or vents, either, according to the CDC — this guidance applies to all masks.
“N95 masks remain the option with the best protection to both the wearer and those around them,” says Shapiro. “That said, they are quite uncomfortable, which usually means lower compliance when it comes to wearing them for prolonged periods of time in general settings.” Because of this, many people tend to wear KN95 masks in everyday scenarios — they’re quite effective if you buy high quality models and wear them properly, says Shapiro. Healthcare workers, however, should always wear N95 masks while treating patients with active infections.
To recommend when Americans should wear face masks, the CDC determines an area’s Covid-19 Community Level risk on a scale of low, medium or high. To do so, it analyzes how many Covid-related hospital beds are in use, hospital admissions and the total number of new Covid cases in that area. Each Covid-19 Community Level corresponds to a masking recommendation — suggested precautions increase alongside the level. To determine your area’s Covid-19 Community Level, use the CDC's Covid-19 county check.
Since face masks can help protect you from viruses beyond Covid, you may want to wear one in crowded indoor environments, or environments when you’re standing or sitting very close to people, says Shapiro. For example, some people choose to wear face masks on airplanes, trains and subways, as well as concert venues. Also consider wearing a face mask in waiting areas at doctors’ offices or hospitals since viruses tend to frequently circulate in these settings, says Shapiro.
If you’re exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness like coughing, sneezing or a fever, you should stay home and not spend time in public spaces, says Shapiro. But if you have to leave your home to visit the doctor or pick up medication, for example, she recommends wearing a face mask to protect those around you.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Nina Shapiro is a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist at Westside Head and Neck in California. She is the author of “Hype: A Doctor’s Guide To Medical Myths, Exaggerated Claims and Bad Advice,” as well as a children’s book, “The Ultimate Kids’ Guide To Being Super Healthy.” Shapiro was also the director of pediatric otolaryngology and a professor of head and neck surgery at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles for 25 years.
- Dr. Jeremy Friese is a former Mayo Clinic physician and the founder and CEO of Humata Health.
- Anne Miller is the executive director of Project N95, a nonprofit that helps people source personal protective equipment and medical supplies.
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who has covered face masks since 2020. She’s written about disposable masks, KN95 masks, N95 masks and KN95 masks for kids, in addition to at-home Covid tests and vaccine card holders. For this article, Malin spoke to three experts about how to shop for KN95 masks and tried every mask she recommended in the article.
CORRECTION (Aug. 26, 2021, 5:45 p.m.): A previous version of this article incorrectly included some face mask manufacturers on the FDA’s EUA list. Manufacturers for masks from Evolvetogether, Hope Health and Well Before are not on the list, but are only registered with the FDA. We’ve kept them on the list because they meet guidance from medical experts.
UPDATE (Aug. 26, 2021, 5:45 p.m.): A previous version of this article included the VIDA KN95 face mask. We’ve removed it from the list because the brand is shipping M95 face masks for some orders of KN95 face masks given "global shortages," according to its site.
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