In the age we live in, a face mask is as much a part of your wardrobe as a t-shirt or underwear. But when picking out your mask, KN95 and N95 masks are essentially gold standard.
As of now, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises you wear your mask whenever you’re around people outside your bubble. Some experts are even advising you to wear two masks for extra effectiveness!
If you’re looking for the most protection, a KN95 mask (and an N95 mask) offers higher filtration than your standard cloth or surgical mask. These FDA-approved N95 masks are built to filter out an impressive 95% of tiny, 0.3-micron particles. Hence the 95 in the name! The coronavirus is 0.1 microns in size, but don’t fear – it usually attaches itself to large things like water droplets from sweat, breathing, or talking. The more layers on the mask, the better job a mask does at protecting you. FDA-approved KN95 masks generally have around five layers to them, which further guards your mouth and nose from dust, germs, and other dangerous particles.
Just what is an approved KN95 mask? KN95 masks are similar to the FDA-approved N95 masks, but N95s are the U.S. standard, while KN95’s are China’s standard.
At the start of the pandemic, FDA-approved N95 masks were in high demand. Resulting in a big shortage of masks. So the CDC approved the use of KN95 masks as an alternative. The only major difference between the two is KN95 masks feature a seam down the middle – it lets you fold the mask in half so it’s easier to store. The approved KN95 mask secures via straps that fasten behind your ears.
To help you find the best FDA-approved KN95 mask for you, we compiled a list of our favorite options. All are readily available on Amazon.
3. Individually Wrapped KN95 Face Mask 60 Pack
4. SupplyAID RRS-KN95-5PK KN95 Protective Mask
5. 30 Pack KN95 Disposable Face Mask
6. 7 Layer Unisex Filter Efficiency
7. M95c Disposable 5-Layer Efficiency Kids Breathable Face Mask
8. KN95 Face Masks (60pcs White)
10. Arcnode KN95 Protective Face Mask