Have you ever tried to buy an N95 mask on Amazon or similar sites?

[Stinky The Clown]

There is a confusing array of different types of N95 masks. Some for dust. Some only 0.3 micron particulate size (COVID is 0.1 micron). Some for paint fumes. Etc., etc.

Then there are KN95 masks which may be great alternatives or no better than a single layer of paper towel.

Anyone know the differences and what to buy?

[hlthe2b]

1. Lots of counterfeits. If it is a truly NIOSH-Approved mask, this will tell you how to know:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/default.html

[CrispyQ]

2. I bought a 10-pack that was listed on the CDC site as an acceptable brand.

Now, were they the real deal? IDK. But there was a review from a dentist's office that said these were the masks they'd been using for years. There's so much fraud and corruption it's hard to trust anything. We double mask. N95 with a folded bandana over that. The N95 has elastic bands that go around your head & the bandana has rubber bands that hook over your ears.

[MLAA]

3. I've bought them all 🙂

Various K95s appeared to be very high quality. I googled and found a list of tested KN95s that had been tested. I also checked how many good reviews they received. They all came out fine.

Recently during the lull I bought some actual N95s that said they were made in USA and were a brand name I recognized, 3M. I bought all of these from Amazon.

Good luck!

[Midnight Writer]

4. I got BNX brand KN-95 a while back, and am very happy with them.

They are made in USA, and on their Amazon page they have a chart showing their tested effectiveness. (97% plus in most categories) They also list various standards that they comply with.

I have bought a couple of other brands, and these seem far better quality. Got them delivered within 3 days.

They are more expensive, but when I replenish these are the ones I will go for.

[SheltieLover]

5. These are what have kept me alive and well, so far

Kn-95 are made in China.

Here is link to what I just bought another 2 boxes of:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Particulate-Respirator-9502-Particulates/dp/B08NTS51JX/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=3m+n95&qid=1626753302&sr=8-4

[LisaL]

6. Sure.

I figure, even if they are fake, they are still better than cloth mask.
You can also do some tests on them-they are supposed to be able to hold water and not leak.

[LisaL]

7. Sure.

I figure, even if they are fake, they are still better than cloth mask.
You can also do some tests on them-they are supposed to be able to hold water and not leak (don't test them all, since you are not supposed to get them wet-you can sacrifice one of the bunch for testing).

"On the recommendation of both Sciencealert.com and Honest PPE founder Shahzil Amin, the first test I performed on the KN95 mask was filling it with water and then letting it sit. Science Alert recommends watching to see if the water beads immediately, while Amin invited me to fill the mask with water and hang it from a door knob and wait -- so I did the latter. Why cut them any slack?"

https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/non-scientific-ways-to-test-your-face-masks-15575341.php

[captain queeg]

10. I never heard that. Thanks for the tip (the water test)

I imagine many fakes are on the market, probably including the ones I bought online. Myself, I’m not going to get too stressed. They are better than nothing. I’ve been vaccinated and take the usual precautions and even the genuine model is not 100%. I do the best I can.

[RainCaster]

8. I've been buying them for many years

I use them in my woodshop, since I work with alot of swamp woods that will damage my lungs with the dust. Teak, cocobolo, wenge mostly. Occasionally others too. I can't believe the price nowadays. I always bought the 3M masks, but now I buy the K95 variants because of price and availability.

[CousinIT]

9. NOT since covid, no. Before that I got a box of 15

for about $15 dollars. I still have about half of them. Not sure the micron rating. I got them for yard work.

[Sherman A1]

11. Got some at Harbor Freight a few weeks back

I don't wear it much as I use other masks, but still handy to have around.