Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organizations like the WHO and the Center for Disease Control have recommended mask usage to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result, thousands if not millions of masks and mask manufacturers have been flooding the U.S. and international markets—but which type of mask is the right type for you?
There are three main types of mask we’ll cover in this post: KN95, N95, and surgical face masks This post will compare these different types of face mask in five different categories to help you decide which will provide the best protection for your needs.
There are three main types of mask we’ll cover in this post: KN95, N95, and surgical face masks This post will compare these different types of face mask in five different categories to help you decide which will provide the best protection for your needs.
Categories: Control/certification, disease protection, breathability/comfort, reusability, and an overall verdict.
KN95 Mask vs. N95 Mask
You may have noticed that some respiratory masks on the market have labels that vary just enough to make you blink twice: KN95 and N95. Confused by the differences? Here are how these two types of mask stack up against each other.
You may have noticed that some respiratory masks on the market have labels that vary just enough to make you blink twice: KN95 and N95. Confused by the differences? Here are how these two types of mask stack up against each other.
Controls and certification: This is the main difference between KN95 and N95 masks: N95 masks meet the US standards for respirator masks, while KN95 masks meet the Chinese standards for masks. In other words, N95 masks meet standards set by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), whereas KN95 masks are not NIOSH-certified: they’re produced according to Chinese government standards.
Does this mean the masks are incredibly different in actuality? Not really. In fact, mask manufacturers like 3M consider them to be reasonably equivalent.
In practice, the difference just means that KN95 masks are required to pass a fit test run on real humans doing exercises, to a standard of no more than 8% leakage. N95 manufacturers are not required to run fit tests to get NIOSH certification, but many U.S. hospitals and companies regulate that their workers be fit-tested anyway.
Does this mean the masks are incredibly different in actuality? Not really. In fact, mask manufacturers like 3M consider them to be reasonably equivalent.
In practice, the difference just means that KN95 masks are required to pass a fit test run on real humans doing exercises, to a standard of no more than 8% leakage. N95 manufacturers are not required to run fit tests to get NIOSH certification, but many U.S. hospitals and companies regulate that their workers be fit-tested anyway.
Disease protection: KN95 and N95 masks are essentially equal in efficient protection against respiratory diseases. Both are medical-grade masks that filter out both large and small airborne particles—including the germs and droplets that cause transmission of diseases like the coronavirus—at a performance rate of no less than 95%, with the same airflow rate.
Buyers should be aware that, due to some issues with less efficient KN95 masks imported to the U.S. under the Emergency Use Authorization act—masks that, on subsequent testing, failed to meet the required standards—the CDC now offers guidance on assessing the legitimacy of imported respirators, and the FDA maintains a list of reputable KN95 manufacturers in China.
Buyers should be aware that, due to some issues with less efficient KN95 masks imported to the U.S. under the Emergency Use Authorization act—masks that, on subsequent testing, failed to meet the required standards—the CDC now offers guidance on assessing the legitimacy of imported respirators, and the FDA maintains a list of reputable KN95 manufacturers in China.
Breathability and comfort: Due to marginally stricter requirements related to pressure drop while inhaling and exhaling, N95 masks are slightly more breathable than KN95 masks. Both N95 and KN95 have very similar features when it comes to wearability—they often have metal nose slips to fit around the nose and elastic or cloth bands that go around the wearer’s ears.
Reusability: It’s important to know that regardless of the purpose or setting, neither N95 nor KN95 masks are intended to be worn repeatedly or for long periods of time. However, given the shortage of masks during the pandemic, the CDC has released guidelines for cautious extended use in settings like hospitals.
The verdict: On paper and in practice, KN95 and N95 masks should function at about the same level of efficiency. Both should be reserved for front-line health and care workers, so they shouldn’t be your top pick as an average consumer unless you’re immunocompromised or work in fields that typically use respirators (e.g. construction sites). They can be combined with other protective equipment for maximum efficiency. Be careful, however, when purchasing imported KN95 masks, due to the amount of counterfeits available for sale.
Surgical Mask vs. N95 Mask
Surgical masks, on the other hand, are fairly different from both N95 and KN95 masks. The term “surgical mask” is used as a catch-all category to describe many different kinds of face mask, but it applies particularly to the blue, disposable surgical masks often found in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Surgical masks, on the other hand, are fairly different from both N95 and KN95 masks. The term “surgical mask” is used as a catch-all category to describe many different kinds of face mask, but it applies particularly to the blue, disposable surgical masks often found in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Controls and certification: While N95 masks are governed by NIOSH restrictions and standards, as described above, surgical masks are regulated and tested by two different agencies: they’re regulated by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and tested by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Still, if produced by government-certified manufacturers, both types of mask will have been tested for qualities like fluid resistance, filtration, flammability, and biocompatibility (whether the mask material will cause a toxic reaction). Since there are fraudulent companies that misrepresent both N95 and surgical masks, the CDC provides this list of ways to identify legitimate NIOSH-approved respirators versus counterfeit ones.
Still, if produced by government-certified manufacturers, both types of mask will have been tested for qualities like fluid resistance, filtration, flammability, and biocompatibility (whether the mask material will cause a toxic reaction). Since there are fraudulent companies that misrepresent both N95 and surgical masks, the CDC provides this list of ways to identify legitimate NIOSH-approved respirators versus counterfeit ones.
Disease protection: Surgical masks are more loose-fitting than N95 masks, with different thicknesses and different levels of ability to protect against contact with liquids. N95 masks, on the other hand, are designed to achieve a close facial fit that seals the edges of the respirator around your mouth. They have also been rigorously tested to block at least 95% of airborne particles.
It’s most important to note that surgical masks provide only “barrier protection”—they block large particle droplets, splashes, and sprays, and may help reduce the chances of exposing your own saliva or spit to others. However, they do not block very small particles in the air. N95 masks block BOTH large and small airborne particles.
Overall, this means surgical masks do not provide as efficient protection from disease-causing particles and other contaminants as N95 masks do.
It’s most important to note that surgical masks provide only “barrier protection”—they block large particle droplets, splashes, and sprays, and may help reduce the chances of exposing your own saliva or spit to others. However, they do not block very small particles in the air. N95 masks block BOTH large and small airborne particles.
Overall, this means surgical masks do not provide as efficient protection from disease-causing particles and other contaminants as N95 masks do.
Breathability and comfort: Some N95 models come with exhalation valves to make exhaling easier and to reduce heat buildup under your mask. However, in general, they aren’t designed for children or for people with facial hair, who can’t wear N95 masks due to the difficulty of achieving a tight fit.
Glasses-wearers may also find N95s uncomfortable or dangerous due to their glasses fogging up. Moreover, not everybody is able to wear an N95 respirator comfortably due to certain medical conditions, like asthma or eczema, that N95 masks can cause to worsen.
Surgical masks’ loose fit, lightweight quality, and lack of need for a tight seal may be more comfortable, convenient, and breathable for any users who fall into the above categories, particularly for daily use or usage where you expect to breathe heavily.
Glasses-wearers may also find N95s uncomfortable or dangerous due to their glasses fogging up. Moreover, not everybody is able to wear an N95 respirator comfortably due to certain medical conditions, like asthma or eczema, that N95 masks can cause to worsen.
Surgical masks’ loose fit, lightweight quality, and lack of need for a tight seal may be more comfortable, convenient, and breathable for any users who fall into the above categories, particularly for daily use or usage where you expect to breathe heavily.
Reusability: Although surgical masks and N95 masks are quite different based on these other criteria, they are both designed to be disposable. Surgical masks are single-use, so they absolutely must be disposed of after one use or visible damage—no washing or re-wearing. As described above, N95 masks can be worn for an extended period of time in cases of extreme shortage, though they should also be discarded if spoiled or contaminated by (for healthcare workers) patient fluids.
Keep in mind that while some people may refer to fabric face masks as “surgical masks”, and while some fabric face masks are washable and reusable, single-use blue surgical masks are not.
Keep in mind that while some people may refer to fabric face masks as “surgical masks”, and while some fabric face masks are washable and reusable, single-use blue surgical masks are not.
The verdict: For your average everyday person, daily use of surgical face masks—as long as you make sure you dispose of your mask and get a new one promptly every time you come into contact with people—is acceptable. It’s also key for making sure N95 respirators can go to front-line healthcare workers first, without causing a shortage.
Medical staff who are not in high-risk situations can also use surgical face masks. Anyone working with COVID-19 patients and/or high-risk patients, however, should use an N95 mask with or without additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a face shield and gloves. Immunocompromised individuals may want to consider N95 respirators as the more efficient option at protecting against disease spread.
Medical staff who are not in high-risk situations can also use surgical face masks. Anyone working with COVID-19 patients and/or high-risk patients, however, should use an N95 mask with or without additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a face shield and gloves. Immunocompromised individuals may want to consider N95 respirators as the more efficient option at protecting against disease spread.
Surgical Mask vs. KN95 Mask
How about KN95 masks? How do they compare to surgical face masks? Well, since KN95 masks are very similar to N95 masks, they’re also pretty different from your standard blue surgical masks. Here’s a quick layout of how the two compare:
How about KN95 masks? How do they compare to surgical face masks? Well, since KN95 masks are very similar to N95 masks, they’re also pretty different from your standard blue surgical masks. Here’s a quick layout of how the two compare:
Controls and Certification: KN95 masks are certified and controlled according to standards set by the Chinese government. Surgical masks are regulated, in the United States, by the CDC and the FDA. As a result, KN95 masks must meet higher standards of testing and efficiency, including a mandatory “fit test” tested on actual people.
Disease Protection: Surgical masks provide reasonable protection against large droplets, for instance, protection against someone coughing nearby. They also protect others in the vicinity from droplets that you might expel. However, their loose fit, lack of a tight seal, and failure to protect from tiny particles makes them less efficient on the whole in protecting against disease spread than KN95 masks.
Breathability and Comfort: KN95 masks do not have to meet the same requirements for managing pressure drop when users breathe in and out in the mask, which means that of the three types of mask discussed here, KN95 masks are the least breathable. Users may prefer the looser fit and lack of tight seal in the surgical masks in terms of comfort and convenience, particularly for anyone with preexisting respiratory issues.
Reusability: If purchased from a reliable source, KN95 respirators are, like N95 respirators, not designed for reuse or laundering but could be worn for slightly more extended use in a shortage. Surgical masks are one-use only.
The verdict: KN95 respirators, if legitimate, are designed to be a safer bed for medical and healthcare professionals or others working in situations of increased risk for contracting respiratory diseases like the coronavirus (for instance, traveling on long airplane flights). That being said, they’re less comfortable than surgical masks and may not be a good choice for children or anyone with skin or breathing issues.
Due to concerns about counterfeit KN95 respirators flooding the market, average buyers should probably look for regular surgical masks instead. This has the added benefit of reserving legitimate KN95 respirators for hospitals, care homes, and other locations that are overwhelmed and high-risk.
Due to concerns about counterfeit KN95 respirators flooding the market, average buyers should probably look for regular surgical masks instead. This has the added benefit of reserving legitimate KN95 respirators for hospitals, care homes, and other locations that are overwhelmed and high-risk.
Summing It All Up
That’s a lot of information to take into account! Here’s our handy rundown of the details we’ve provided here about these three types of masks and how they compare.
Surgical mask
- Single-use, non-reusable, must be disposed ASAP after use
- Good for everyday use by non-professionals
- May be preferable for children or people with asthma, eczema, and other conditions that complicate respirator use
- Looser fit, non-sealing
- Protects against large droplets, but not small airborne particles = least efficient against disease spread, but still useful
- Regulated by CDC and FDA in the United States
N95 mask/respirator
- Designed for one use; extended usage only with caution and under guidelines
- Should be saved for medical professionals on the front line
- Good for immunocompromised; not recommended for people with facial hair
- More breathable than KN95 masks, but less breathable than surgical masks; may get hot, uncomfortable, or cause glasses to fog
- Tighter fit with seal
- Protects against both large droplets and small airborne particles to at least 95% efficiency = most efficient option against disease spread
- Regulated by NIOSH in the United States
KN95 mask/respirator
- Designed for one use; extended usage only with caution and under guidelines
- Good for use by medical professional, especially working with COVID patients
- Similar to N95 masks in recommended/not recommended wearers
- Slightly less breathable than N95 masks, but equally efficient
- Requires “fit test” administered on real people
- Protects against both large and small particles with at least 95% efficiency
- Regulated by Chinese government; risk of many counterfeits flooding US market
Remember, if you have any doubts about what type of face mask will best help you, your family, and your coworkers or employees prevent the spread of coronavirus, consult government organizations like the CDC and FDA for tips on mask usage.
Also, keep in mind that masks aren’t a replacement for other hygiene practices such as hand-washing and social distancing, but should be used alongside these other methods. Stay safe and mask up!
Also, keep in mind that masks aren’t a replacement for other hygiene practices such as hand-washing and social distancing, but should be used alongside these other methods. Stay safe and mask up!
