manufacturer Guangzhou Powecom in the U.S. since 2020. ) Do not wash the face mask with water. manufacturer Guangzhou Powecom in the U.S. since 2020. So, in collaboration with Colorado State, we filtration-tested the mask ourselvesand found it to block 99% of particles as small as 0.5 micron. Baby or patient with respiratory abnormalities cannot use it. We also perused business-news articles online about US-based companies that are manufacturing or selling masks, or both. Florida-based wound-care company DemeTech, the maker of our surgical-mask pick, launched its respirator production early on in the pandemic. (This mask is currently out of stock on Costcos site but may be available in some locations when you purchase from Costco via Instacart. Its a bit pricier than our picks but cheaper than most others on this list. Click the button "Verify". Its estimated to be three times more transmissible than the delta variant, she said, referring to the variant that was previously the most more prevalent in the U.S. If we can upgrade our masks, it may help with that.. We would make this mask a pick except that, at more than $3 apiece, its much pricier than our picks from Powecom and Kimberly-Clark (each around $1 per mask). If youre using these masks only occasionally, you can opt instead for a pack of 10 for $7.50. This mask has a strikingly softer underlayermuch softer than that of most other surgical masks weve tried, including our pick from DemeTech. Masks Corp.(founded by Unilever previously sold its Lifebuoy Face Mask at Target. A caveat: The same mask sold by the same company can differ depending on the retailer. is the NO.1 direct importer and the Largest authorized Distributor of Best recyclable mask: Vida NIOSH and FDA Authorized N95 . Learn more. Part of HuffPost News. There are pictures on back of each poly bag of the KN95 masks, showing the fitting steps. Sometimes cross-checking wasnt possible until we received the masks and found the product qualification certificatethe small slip of paper in the packaging that includes the details about the product and its manufacturer, which is usually half written in the language of the country the mask comes from. However, an N95s elastics tend to be tighter than those on cloth masks, which helps with the seal but may be uncomfortable. Our face mask provides comfort and protection against pollution and particles. See qualification certificate in each bag For comparison, human hair is roughly 70 microns wide. Plastic adjusters on each side easily help you tighten the ridged headbands. These useful baby and kid items were among the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in 2022. When we tested the FLTR95 Sealing Face Mask it was sold at Costco in a pack of 100. Powecom products. If you go through N95s on a regular basis (like my husband, who wears one to teach in-person classes every day), the Dobu masks can get pricey (at this writing, theyre nearly $40 for a pack of 25 on Amazon). (It fit two panelists perfectly, though.) . The masks have an. These masks, which come in white or black, are similar in shape (measuring 6 inches vertically, tip to tip) and elastic to the Powecom KN95 masks. And it did: With a perfect seal, the mask offered more than 99% filtration efficiency for 0.5-micron-diameter particles drawn through a chamber at a rate of 15 liters per minute (similar to the rate that a person would exhale when talking at normal volume). As Loretta Fernandez, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, explained, Theres nothing magical about a KN95. HUHETA KN95 Face Mask Now 15% Off $14 at Amazon These KN95 masks come in bright colors you won't see everywhere else. The DemeTech DemeMask Surgical Mask and the Medline ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Mask with Ear Loops are our favorites because, more than other masks weve seen that are reliably in stock, theyre a good value for the level of protection they offer. For everyone besides health-care workers, whose risk of exposure is generally far less, there are more sustainable choices, including reusable cloth masks with high filtration efficiencies such as the Enro Tech or Happy Masks Pro, both picks in our guide to the best cloth face masks. Get the Supply Aid KN95 face masks, five-pack from Amazon for $5.75. For this guide, I tracked down legitimate respirators and masks, as well as reliable retailers that sell them. This is NIOSH approved (84A-9042) to filter out a minimum of 95% particulates to 0.3 microns in size. 1. The product page includes photos of multiple NIOSH documents, including the test report and proof of approval. 1. there is an Anti-fake Label pasted on each bag of the Powecom KN95 protective masks The Kimberly-Clark mask closes absolutely flat without the need for you to pinch the nose wire closed, as you have to with many other foldable masks, and at around $1 a mask, its also the least expensive NIOSH-approved N95 weve seen so far. Its KN95 was FDA-cleared under the agencys emergency use authorization during the N95 shortage. Best face masks for COVID-19 in 2022. Faces differ, but these masks straps can be knotted and stretched to help them stay put on a range of sizes while providing ample breathing room. can shift to purchase from Bona Fide Our panelists agreed, however, that it felt lightweight. Hana Akselrod, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, George Washington University School of Medicine, phone interview, February 23, 2021, Kathy Cummins, head of marketing and overseer of research and data analytics, Hinge Global, phone interview, February 24, 2021, Loretta Fernandez, PhD, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University, phone interview, February 23, 2021, Christian LOrange, PhD, associate director of the Center for Energy Development and Health, and assistant professor of research in mechanical engineering, Colorado State University, phone interview, February 3, 2021, Linsey Marr, PhD, professor of civil and environmental engineering, Virginia Tech, email interview, February 9, 2021, Nikki McCullough, PhD, global technical services and regulatory director, 3M Personal Safety Division, phone interview, January 19, 2021, Bryan Ormond, PhD, assistant professor of textile engineering, Textile Protection and Comfort Center, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, phone interview, June 12, 2020, Kristen Picard, product marketing director, Honeywell, phone interview, February 11, 2021, Chris Plotz, director of education and technical affairs, INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry), phone interview, March 2, 2021, Nura Sadeghpour, health communications specialist, CDC/NIOSH, email interview, February 24, 2021, Ron Shaffer, PhD, former research branch chief, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, NIOSH, phone interview, June 29, 2020, Shirley Simson, press officer, FDA, email interview, February 24, 2021. It is designed specifically for the consumer market. We liked the CVS Health Medical Face Mask when we tested it, but consistent stock issues keep it from being a pick in this guide. Besides the typical box of 50, the masks are available in small batches of 10, in both regular and small sizes, and with ties instead of loops. Heres what to look out for so you dont waste money on fakes. *At the time of publishing, the price was $30. The small size even has cord stoppers in the ear loops. Suitable for respiratory protection, filtering droplets/particles &a. . . Joanne Chen is a former senior staff writer reporting on sleep and other lifestyle topics. But wed splurge on a five-pack for $17.50 for the infrequent situations where we might especially appreciate a mask thats lighter than most, such as a lengthy flight or a long doctors visit. Here we recommend legitimate N95, KN95, and surgical masks you can buy from trusted retailers now. One way to detect a fake is to hold it top side up under a dripping faucet: If the droplets soak in instead of completely beading up, its not a real surgical mask, which by definition should have some level of water resistance. KN95 and N95 masks also fit more snugly on your face than cloth or surgical masks, preventing gaps that further expose your mouth and nose to airborne droplets. This is especially true given the presence of additional layers of protection (such as vaccines, social distancing, and good ventilation). Filter Not Included. These respirators, sold in packages of five or more, also come individually wrapped (which some people may find beneficial for tossing in a bag or glove box, though others may find it unnecessary). For masks sold on Amazon, we confirmed with the manufacturer that we had a legit link to the product it was selling, and if we couldnt reach the manufacturer (and if the mask was sold out everywhere except Amazon), we checked that the mask was both sold and shipped directly by Amazon. According to the CDC, N95 masks that have approval from NIOSH meet rigorous U.S. standards and testing to be considered the best possible medical mask. * only genuine numbers of the Sticker of authentic Powecom masks exist at our factory Verification Databank. Oh, and whatever you buy is typically nonrefundable. Level 1 indicates that the mask blocks out 95% of particles at 0.1 to 5 microns in diameter at certain flow rates following another set of challenges. (Bona Fide Masks is now the exclusive distributor of Powecom KN95s in the US and Canada.). 8. And according to Bona Fides website, all respirators manufactured after May 20, 2020 are affixed with an anti-fake sticker that can be used to verify authenticity.. 3. These N95 masks are NIOSH-approved and have a secure two-strap design instead of an ear loop design, plus an adjustable nose wire. With pandemic-related recommendations and regulations continually evolving along with the coronavirus itself, masks will likely remain a part of peoples lives for some time. Whats more, there are sizing issues. The surgical N95 is a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator that has also been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration as a surgical mask. A piece of foam cushions its sturdy, pliable nose-bridge wire. On the product page, youll also find an online copy of the certification from the FDA and the owner/operator number that can be searched in the FDAs database of Establishment Registration and Device Listing. N95 vs. KN95, KF94, FFP2, and surgical masks, More NIOSH-approved, NIOSH-assessed, or FDA-authorized masks worth considering, More masks (that arent FDA-authorized or NIOSH-approved), knot at the ear loops and tuck at the sides (video), knotting the ear loops and tucking in the sides (video), NIOSHs International Respirator Assessments, filtration efficiency and breathability testing, reduce the amount of pandemic-related environmental waste by 75% or more, Harley Commodity N95 Particulate Respirator, United States Mask Particulate Respirator N95, Honeywell DF300 N95 Particulate Disposable Respirator, assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, George Washington University School of Medicine, head of marketing and overseer of research and data analytics, Hinge Global, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University, associate director of the Center for Energy Development and Health, and assistant professor of research in mechanical engineering, Colorado State University, professor of civil and environmental engineering, Virginia Tech, global technical services and regulatory director, 3M Personal Safety Division, assistant professor of textile engineering, Textile Protection and Comfort Center, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, director of education and technical affairs, INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry), health communications specialist, CDC/NIOSH, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, NIOSH, The Best Cloth, KN95, and Surgical-Style Masks for Kids and Toddlers, 12 Signs You Have a Fake N95, KN95, or KF94 Mask, Wirecutters Most Popular Picks for Babies and Kids in 2022, The FDA has a database of devices that have received. The Etiqa Airway Round Mask is neither FDA-cleared nor NIOSH-approved, but according to its packaging and seller Be Healthy, it has been approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Safety. In fact, when Wirecutter commissioned cloth-mask filtration-efficiency testing, filter-less, double-layer cloth masks filtered (at a flow rate similar to what happens with normal talking volume) around 47% of 0.5-micron particles at best. If you prefer headbands to ear loops, you may find that this ear-friendly respirator mask provides a better fit. Safety comes first during a pandemic, which is why experts are urging people to opt for disposable masks with high filtration efficiency when possible. The ear loops version of this mask also comes in gray, pink, dark blue, light blue, and red. The Kimberley-Clark N95 Pouch Respirator is a one-size fit's most N95 mask. Yes, outside of the health-care setting, most people can safely reuse some disposable face masks. Surgical masks are less expensive and less thick than N95 designs and other respirators, but because they tend to gape at the sides, they require some adjustments for optimal protection. their website Co., Inc.) The product page includes its NIOSH approval number, which is hyperlinked back to the CDCs list of NIOSH-approved N95 particulate-filtering facepiece respirators. We also reached out to some of the manufacturers or the sellers to understand the vetting or manufacturing process, especially if we couldnt find the manufacturing company on any of the above lists. Input the serial numbers shown at bottom of the sticker. What we like: Most disposable pleated masks feel and function about the same, but the DemeTech DemeMask Surgical Mask is FDA 510(k)-cleared and meets ASTM Level 3 standards, as its capable of blocking 98% of particles as small as 0.1 micron (assuming a good seal). POWECOM KN95 Respirator Face Mask | Breathable Face Mask (10 Pack) |White| Headband Style $15.00 ($1.50 / Count) Available on Amazon Breatheze KN95 face masks made in the USA Breatheze. Product valid for three years, we use anti-counterfeit technology & anti-fake label for authentic POWECOM brand KN95 masks, starting since the middle of May,2020 Leave the contaminated area immediately if breathing gets difficult or dizziness or distress occurs. Get the Moldex 2200 N95 Series Particular Respirator (NIOSH-Approved) - 20-Pack from PPE Canada for $59.99 . Scrape the coating of the anti-fake label, visit www.powecom.com and click the navigation "ANTI-FAKE CHECK" guide to verify. P100. We independently review everything we recommend. All Powecom KN95 face masks manufactured after May 20, 2020, come affixed with "anti-fake" stickers that allow the end-user to verify authenticity.