Here’s What Epidemiologists Want You To Know About the Best N95 Masks To Buy

This N95 pouch respirator looks a bit like a duck bill, but it still provides 95 percent filtration efficiency, and gives you some extra room to breathe. Each mask has a bendable nosepiece and two headbands to ensure you get a tight fit, and the box comes with 50 masks.

Said one reviewer, “This ‘duckbill’ or ‘pouch’ N95 mask is a simple, brilliant design that folds flat. It conforms smoothly to the face, and the fabric feels soft. The bridge-of-nose wire is actually two parallel wires and molds well to the nose slope, preventing fog on eyeglasses. The mask stays secure with two, pull-out, elastic head-and-neck straps textured like crepe paper for better grip—no irritating ear loops. The fabric stays off the nostrils and mouth even during heavy inhalation, because of the mask’s tapered shape and semi-rigid seams. Breathing is very comfortable.”

These 3M masks (each set comes with three) have a three-panel design that let you breathe without sucking the entire mask in. They’re designed to direct air away from the nose, so if you wear glasses, you have to worry less about the lenses fogging up. The adjustable nosepiece and chin tab help create a snug fit around faces of all sizes, and they fold flat for easy portability.’

One customer commented, “I live with someone who is immunocompromised, so I take my face masks very seriously. Previously I always wore a surgical grade 3M N95 mask. Unfortunately those masks aren’t too comfortable. I had my eye on the 3M Aura mask for a long time, but it wasn’t available until recently. Now that I have one, it’s my all-time favorite mask. It’s comfortable, easy to put on, has a good seal all around, the straps aren’t too tight, and it has 2 straps that go around the back of your head so that it doesn’t pull on your ears. It also doesn’t fog up glasses as much as other masks.”

These respirators have the traditional fold-flat design and have adjustable head straps as well as four layers of non-woven fabric to keep unwanted particles out. You can buy them in bulk (minimum order quantity is 10, and they come individually wrapped) in either white or black.

Said one customer, “The WellBefore N95 Medical Respirator doesn’t go over your ears. It goes behind your head. SO much more comfortable especially if you are wearing it for any length of time.”

The DemeTECH N95 fold-style respirator mask has attached headbands and a nose clip to secure it to your face no matter how long you’re wearing it. It has five layers of protection, filtering out over 98 percent of airborne particles, and the edges are heat-sealed to be tear-resistant.

One customer said, “Comfortable with foam over the bridge of the nose. Double straps that over the head not around the ears. Wide metal band that can be formed easily for a tight fit. American made and on the NIOSH approved list.”

Stock up on N95 masks with this box of 50. They have multiple layers, including a smooth inner liner for comfort, and the head straps are latex-free. There’s a foam nose cushion and adjustable nose clip to give you a comfortable, tight fit around your face.

One customer said, “I am a healthcare provider, so I must wear N95 masks all day. Over the last 2 years, these are the most comfortable, well fitting masks I have worn. The foam over the nose prevents me from getting painful marks and I feel like the mask is secure on my face. I would definitely recommend.”

With latex-free, adjustable straps, an adjustable nose clip, and a soft inner layer, this 3M mask will provide a custom and relatively comfortable fit. The box comes with 50 individually wrapped masks that fold flat, making it easy to toss one or a few into your bag when you head out the door.

Said one customer, “Very affordable for a name-brand, high-quality medical grade mask. The individual wrapping is a nice touch, because it allows you to put one or several into purses, backpacks, or glove compartments. Well done.”

These masks have four latex-free, non-woven layers of protection, as well as an adjustable nose clip and two head straps that won’t tire out the tops of your ears. Each box comes with 10 masks.

One customer said, “The fabric is soft on the skin with a foam nose pad to eliminate the chance of skin irritation. The flexibility of the fabric allows for a nice tight seal to all of our team members faces, no matter the face size. They also come with gentle elastic headbands that don’t sit too tight on the head and ears and cut them (which we experienced a lot with 3M’s thick and rough elastic bands). The elongated nose allows for adequate breathing room, lessens fogging of our loupes and faceshields, and provides a great way to hide snacks while working.”