![]() That’s where John Volckens, professor of mechanical engineering, and Christian L’Orange, assistant research professor, assessed the filtration efficiency and breathability of a variety of cloth masks and filters, including for our picks. Later in the pandemic, as we learned more about how the virus is transmitted, Wirecutter commissioned independent tests at Colorado State University’s Center for Energy Development and Health. ![]() Since 2020, I’ve consulted more than two-dozen authorities-from fashion designers and textile experts to aerosol scientists and infectious-disease specialists-with the aim of zeroing in on the small but crucial design details that have an outsize impact on how a mask fits, feels, and protects. And so I took a multidisciplinary approach. Motivated by self-interest (I wanted to protect myself and my family) and a journalistic mindset (thanks to more than a decade’s worth of health reporting, a biology degree, and, frankly, common sense), I suspected, despite vague expert guidance at the time, that some masks really are better than others. I started researching masks in spring 2020, when people were still wearing bandanas and wiping down groceries. In this guide we recommend a variety of cloth options (with incorporated filters or pockets in which to add one) that balance fit and comfort with filtration efficiency and breathability. We have a guide to N95 and KN95 masks, too.) Although the most protective cloth masks are those that incorporate an effective and efficient filter into their design (like our top picks from Enro and Happy Masks), the best cloth face mask for you is also one you’ll wear and not fuss with, so we’ve provided a range of options to help make that happen. (For more information on N95 and KN95 respirators and surgical masks, see below. ![]() All of them have incorporated filters or pockets for an additional filter layer and can also be worn over a surgical-type mask. So we favored masks that are adjustable in multiple ways and- when worn properly-can filter airborne particles better than other cloth masks, while still being easy enough to breathe through. For this reason, we couldn’t possibly identify the most effective mask for every individual and every situation. And we’ll explain how prioritizing fit and comfort can lead to better protection-for others and for yourself.įor each person, a specific mask’s effectiveness involves myriad factors (the size of someone’s head and facial features, their behaviors, and the environment). We’ll tell you how to improve the masks you already have by adding a few inexpensive accessories. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the latest research on cloth face coverings and help you build a collection of masks that suit your various needs. ![]() Shopping for a cloth face mask involves making compromises. Understandably, most people would prefer a mask that fits like a proverbial glove, traps all incoming and outgoing viruses, lets you gulp in fresh air with abandon, and feels like it isn’t even there. Ear loops you can adjust help a mask fit comfortably and snugly along the sides and bottom of your face. ![]()
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