Fewer people wear face masks than during the Covid-19 pandemic, but they’re still great personal protective equipment to keep at home. They can help prevent illness and protect the people around you, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms like sneezing and coughing.
There are many face masks to choose from, but properly fitting respirators offer the most protection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts say N95 respirators are the gold standard of face masks, but some people find them uncomfortable. High-quality KN95 masks, which offer similar protection, can be a more comfortable alternative.
I spoke to experts about shopping for KN95 masks and rounded up a handful of options that meet their guidance. Plus, I bought and tried on all of the face masks below 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 | Why trust NBC Select?
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What is a KN95 mask?
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 Dr. Nina Shapiro, a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist at Westside Head and Neck in California.
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.
How I picked the best KN95 masks
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 me documentation directly.
- Construction: The KN95 masks you buy should have ear loops and at least five layers of material. All of the masks below 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, especially 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.
The best KN95 masks
Best overall: Hotodeal KN95 Face Mask
These KN95 masks were featured on the FDA’s EUA list. They come in a packs of 20, 40, 60 and 120, and are built with an adjustable nose bridge and stretchy ear loops, and come in colors like white, black and grey.
Best neutral colors: 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.
Editor’s pick: 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 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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How to shop for KN95 masks
It’s difficult, if not impossible, to be sure that the KN95 mask you’re buying is real just by looking at it, says Dr. Jeremy Friese, a former Mayo Clinic physician and founder and CEO of Humata Health.To help guide your shopping, the CDC offers a list of tips to help you spot masks that may not meet the necessary standards.
Experts I interviewed recommend reviewing your masks before wearing them with the following in mind:
- When you take a KN95 mask out of its packing, it 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, it's a good idea to review lab testing documents that clearly illustrate how well a mask acts as a filter before you 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 their business. Though this is better to have than not, FDA registration has no bearing on the quality of the face mask itself, and it does not denote FDA approval of the mask or its manufacturer. Miller also says 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.
When should you wear a face mask?
There are currently no state- or city-wide masking regulations in the U.S. However, wearing a face mask, be it a KN95 or another type, can help protect you from viruses like Covid, the flu and the common cold, as well as prevent you from spreading illness if you're experiencing symptoms.
The highest risk settings for viral spread are crowded indoor environments like airplanes, trains, busses and concert venues, says Shapiro. She also recommends wearing a face mask in waiting areas at doctors' offices or hospitals since viruses tend to frequently circulate in these settings.
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, it's best to wear a face mask to protect those around you.
Meet our experts
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.”
- 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.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm an associate updates editor at NBC Select who has covered face masks since 2020. I've 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, I spoke to three experts about how to shop for KN95 masks and tried every mask I recommend.
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