M
Maren Estrada
Guest
- 3M N95 masks can actually be found these days at a few online retailers, including Amazon, but prices are severely gouged.
- That's not the only reason you should avoid them: The US is running out of N95 masks for healthcare workers.
- You should stock up on AccuMed KN95 masks and Powecom KN95 face masks instead.
- Those masks are the only KN95 masks on Amazon that are FDA-authorized, and they were certified by NIOSH to work just as well as 3M N95 masks.
Everyone reading this undoubtedly knows that the coronavirus pandemic in the US has never been as bad as it is right now. It seemed unavoidable after schools reopened and restaurants began allowing indoor dining. People let down their guard, and now the COVID-19 outbreaks are uncontrollable across the entire US. To make matters even worse as our daily new case numbers rocket past the 180,000 milestone, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the inventory of crucial N95 masks in the US is running low.
Thankfully, the good news is that it's still quite simple to protect yourself so you don't become just another COVID-19 stat.
When it comes to hand hygiene, there are some terrific hand sanitizer options on Amazon right now. The hottest listings right now are 12-packs of 8oz Purell pump bottles and 4-packs of 1-liter Purell bottles sold directly by Amazon at the lowest price on the internet. As far as face masks, Amazon's best-selling 3-layer coronavirus face masks are great for low-risk situations and they're only $0.36 each. You'd have to be crazy not to pick up at least a box or two since we'll all need to keep wearing face masks for the foreseeable future. If you want something a bit sleeker, you can also find black 3-ply face masks and reusable cloth face masks in stock right now.
As far as higher-risk situations go, however, you need a better face mask that does more to protect you — 3-ply masks mainly keep you from spreading COVID-19 if you're already infected.
3M face masks are considered by many to be the gold standard, and you can actually get them on Amazon right now along with NIOSH N95 masks from other top brands like 3M Moldex. But there are two reasons you shouldn't necessarily buy them. First, healthcare workers and other people on the front lines of the war against the novel coronavirus are running out of N95 masks and they need them much more than the general public. And second, most N95 masks you'll come across online are price-gouged. Instead of getting N95 masks, you should consider KN95 masks. Good KN95 face masks are just as effective as N95 masks — the "95" in both ratings means they block at least 95% of small airborne particles — and they're far less expensive.
If you want protection from the coronavirus that's even better than most 3M N95 masks out there, you need to check out AccuMed KN95 masks and Powecom KN95 face masks now that they're both back in stock.
 | AccuMed Face Mask (Headband) (10 Count) $22.32 Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
 | Powecom KN95 Face Mask Reusable, Disposable Masks on FDA EUA List, Protection for Dust Pollen,… $19.99 ($2.00 / Count) Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
AccuMed KN95 masks and Powecom KN95 face masks are among the only KN95 masks on Amazon that have been tested by NIOSH and are on the FDA's list of KN95 masks that are authorized for medical use. Beyond that, NIOSH's testing found that these masks are between 98% and 99% effective as opposed to the 95% minimum for N95 and KN95 masks. Most popular N95 masks from 3M and other top companies were found to filter between 95% and 98% in NIOSH's tests, so NIOSH says that these masks work even better!
You can easily pay $100 or even more for a 10-pack of comparable N95 masks because prices are so inflated, but Powecom's FDA-authorized KN95 masks from Powecom retail for $45 per 10-pack. Grab them today, however, and you'll only pay less than half. AccuMed KN95 masks are available in three colors and you'll find 15% coupons available on all of them. What's more, you can get these masks with either elastic earloops or elastic headbands that many people find to be more comfortable and secure.
 | AccuMed Face Mask, Protective Face Mask (10 Count) $22.32 Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
 | Powecom KN95 Face Mask Reusable, Disposable Masks on FDA EUA List, Protection for Dust Pollen,… $19.99 ($2.00 / Count) Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
Powecom and AccuMed masks are our top choices, and they're also the best-selling KN95 masks among our readers. That said, there are a few more good options that we'll share.
If those masks sell out again, or if you're looking for some variety to ensure you get masks with the best possible fit, check out COVAFLU KN95 face masks and SupplyAID KN95 face masks. The COVAFLU masks are by a British healthcare company called Clinova, and they're extremely popular on Amazon at just $3 each. SupplyAID masks are just as effective, and 5-packs are in stock right now. Also of note, sleek black KN95 masks that reviewers are calling "perfect" are on sale right now for just $1.40 each.
 | KN95 Face Mask 50 Pack, WWDOLL 5-Layer Breathable Cup Dust Mask with Elastic Earloop and Nose B… $69.99 Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
 | COVAFLU KN95 Disposable Fold Flat Face Mask (Pack of 10 KN95 Face Masks) $25.99 ($2.60 / Count) Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
 | SupplyAID RRS-KN95-5PK KN95 Protective Mask, Protection Against PM2.5 Dust. Pollen and Haze-Pro… $16.93 Available from Amazon Prime. BGR may receive a commission. Buy Now |
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America is running out of N95 masks – get these instead for $2 each originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2020 at 07:58:10 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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