Where to find the best KN95, N95 and KF94 masks online

Wearing face masks and regular testing for COVID-19 has become part of our daily lives. And with COVID-19 cases on the rise ahead of summer, many cities and institutions are encouraging the use of masks in buildings.

New York health officials today issued a recommendation for people to wear surgical masks in an enclosed public setting, but they will not reinstate the mandate that collapsed in March. Philadelphia resumed demand for indoor masks in April and canceled it less than two weeks after the number of cases and hospitalizations dropped. Some universities, including Columbia University, Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University, recently announced that face masks are required in classrooms and some enclosed spaces, reports CNBC.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously recommended that people remove facial fabric coverings and upgrade to medical-grade protective masks to better protect themselves against the coronavirus. Surgical masks remain the first line of defense to help stop the spread of the virus, but the CDC also recommends KN95, N95, and KF94 masks (also called respirators).

The US agency notes that “the respirator has better filtration and, if used correctly at all times, can provide a greater level of protection than a procedural cloth or mask.” They also claim that if N95, KN95 or KF94 masks are not available, a cloth mask is still better than no mask.

While cities no longer need masks indoors, many people have chosen to continue wearing them to ward off germs and other airborne viruses. Before replenishing your mask supply, you should know the differences between the three most common types of respirators used to protect against the coronavirus. Keep asking where to buy real KN95, N95 and KF94 masks, how to spot fake ones and more.

KN95 and N95 KF94 masks: what’s the difference?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the agency that inspects and approves supplied-air respirators for use in the workplace, has a list of approved particulate-filtering respirators, according to the CDC. These NIOSH-approved air-purifying respirators protect particles by filtering them out of the air before the wearer can breathe.

There are seven classes of filters available for NIOSH approved filter type respirators. The minimum NIOSH approved filtration rate is 95%. Notes N, R and P refer to the oil resistance of the filter.
Here are the main differences between the KN95, N95 and KF94 masks that filter out 0.3 micron particles:

• N95 masks NIOSH approved and filters 95% of airborne particles. They are not oil resistant. The Surgical N95 is a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator that has also been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration as a surgical mask.
• KN95 The masks are the Chinese equivalent of N95 masks and meet international safety standards. They are not NIOSH approved, but filter 95% of particles. The FDA granted some manufacturers an emergency use permit when N95 masks were hard to find, but keep in mind that some brands have had their approval revoked.
• KF94 masks It meets South Korean safety standards and filters 94% of particles. They are designed to give you a comfortable fit. Some KF94 are FDA approved and it is important to verify that the face mask is made in South Korea.

How to know if your mask is authentic

It’s important to make sure you don’t buy fake skins, especially from online marketplaces that don’t test for authenticity. You can tell N95 skins are authentic if they have a GB number that will tell you when the skin was created. The GB mark does not indicate that it is not a certified medical grade mask. Also, there is no Kids N95 mask as NIOSH only approves masks for adults. However, brands create masks for children and others, which will give you extra comfort.

Since KN95 and KF94 masks are not NIOSH approved, the indication that they are counterfeit is if they have a “NIOSH Approved” seal.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best KN95, N95, and KF94 masks guaranteed to be authentic, including options often seen on Hollywood stars.

The best N95 masks to buy online

1. Kimberly-Clark N95 Professional Bag Respirator

The Kimberly-Clark Professional N95 Pouch Respirator is NIOSH approved and comes in packs of 50. They are white in color with a pouch design and two blue straps to secure the mask. These masks are airtight and do not allow air to leak inside.

2. 3M Aura N95 Particle Respirator

The 3M Aura Particulate N95 respirator is also NIOSH approved and features an embossed top panel designed to protect the eyewear from hot, humid exhaled air. It also has soft inner material, a sculpted nose panel, and a fitted ring.

3. Benehal N95 Face Masks

Benehal N95 face masks offer high breathability, facilitating long-term use and providing high worker acceptance rates. The nylon and cotton mask is comfortable and features an adjustable metal nose clip for a perfect fit.

4. Happy Masks

You should keep an eye out for Happy Masks, which are sold regularly and have just been updated on the California Company website. The brand has many unique designs and styles, from bold, solid colors to a rainbow, ending with strawberries and dinosaurs.

The masks have five layers, including a three-layer nanofiber membrane filter tested by Nelson Labs to provide over 99.9% filtration against viruses, bacteria, dust, air pollution, smoke and other contaminants. It has a parrot style beard, ideal for prolonged use.

The best KN95 masks to buy online

1. WWDoll KN95 Masks, Pack of 25

WWDoll’s KN95 face masks are equipped with a five-layer design, non-woven fabric, belted fabric and warm air cotton, plus an adjustable nose bridge.

2. KN95 Masks Evolve Together

The sustainable brand Evolvetogether’s KN95 masks have a six-layer design that is breathable and waterproof. They have soft ear flaps that don’t curl up on themselves. And the company’s mission, to be sustainable, comes in boxless packaging. They come with a plant-based biodegradable pouch for permanent travel. (Masks have been seen with stars like Pete Davidson, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Dakota Johnson, Ania Taylor-Joy, and Sarah Jessica Parker.)

3. KN95 Maskc Masks

Maskc’s modern KN95 face masks feature an ergonomic design in a variety of colors and a five-layer construction that filters 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns or less. Breathing masks are perfect for running or exercising. Plus, they’re 50% off for a limited time when you use code FLASH50.

The Los Angeles brand was spotted with Katie Holmes and Naomi Watts, both wearing the brand’s neutral KN95 in New York. Other stars who wear masks include Jenna Duane, Hillary Duff, Jennifer Garner, Bella Hadid, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Blake Lively, Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner and Olivia Wilde.

4. Powecom KN95 Masks, 10 packs

Powecom KN95 masks come in packs of 10 and jeans in blue, pink, grey, black and white. The masks are made from multiple layers of polypropylene and electrostatically filtered cotton and are available in headband and headscarf models. The 3D folding design provides extra comfort, ideal for an ergonomic fit.

5. KN95 Life Masks

Vida offers high-protection recyclable masks in a variety of sizes, including family, custom, infant, and children’s masks. They are available in packs of 10 to 1,000. Colors come in black, white, grey, lavender, fuchsia, coral, denim, blush, sea foam and aqua. An added bonus is that each purchase is a donation to the VIDA Global Education Scholarship Fund.

The best KF94 masks to buy online

1. Vida KF94 recyclable masks

Vida offers six colors in recyclable KF94 masks, including white, grey, black, light blue, light pink and light green. Pricing varies by quantity, ranging from $25 to $1,200 per pack for a $1,000 set. Vida also offers global mask donations, delivering medical-grade masks to hospitals in Africa, South America, India and other poor countries. Donations range from $30 to $1,000 and cover the cost (in value) of the masks.

2. Well Before KN94 KN95 Style 3D Masks

WellBefore Facial Mask “follows the KN94 standard” for the South Korean equivalent of China KN95 and offers both styles of the best face mask, such as a more comfortable fit and four layers of filtration.

3. KF Linen KF94 Face Masks

These KF94 Mesh Face Masks are individually packaged and come in 20 pieces. Made in South Korea, each mask has four layers of protection against airborne particles.