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Important note:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to urge Americans to wear cloth face coverings, with CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield affirming they are “the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus."
N95 and KN95 face masks are for sale online, though some larger stores like Amazon, Home Depot and Walmart have historically been low or out of stock of these types of face masks. To find in-stock N95 and KN95 face masks online, browse our list of Finder-verified mask sellers that offer a variety of masks and PPE products, including some made-in-USA options.
N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators, also known as N95 masks, fit more tightly around the face than surgical masks, and are designed to filter 95% of particles — up to 0.3 microns in size. This means that N95 masks are capable of filtering out viruses and bacteria, including airborne particles and liquid contaminants.
N95 masks are tested, evaluated and approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is why you’ll see the words NIOSH-certified when shopping for N95 face masks.
N95 surgical respirators are a subset of N95 masks and are intended for use by healthcare personnel who come into contact with airborne and fluid hazards — like sprays of blood and other bodily fluids — during surgery. Simply put, you don’t need to get a surgical N95 respirator if you’re not performing surgery.
No. N95 respirators should be used for a maximum of 8 to 12 hours and should be discarded before meals and bathroom breaks, according to the CDC. An N95 mask should also be discarded when it becomes damaged or deformed, no longer seals the face properly, is visibly sullied or is contaminated in any way. When used by healthcare professionals, N95 masks should be discarded “after each patient encounter,” per CDC guidelines.
Amazon currently offers KN95 face masks for sale, but N95 face masks are harder to come by on this marketplace. Some 3M N95 face masks on Amazon are only available to health organizations. Check seller reviews when buying face masks on Amazon to make sure they are offering legitimate face masks that will arrive in a timely manner.
Some big-box retailers are starting to stock limited supplies of N95 and 3M masks in stores and online again. However, many stores only carry stock in certain locations, so call your local store to see if it has stock before heading out.
Store | Masks in stock online | Masks in stock in stores |
---|---|---|
Ace Hardware | Yes | 3M masks available in select stores |
Costco | No | No |
CVS | No | No |
Dollar Tree | No | No |
Home Depot | Yes – 3M masks available | N95 and 3M masks available in select stores |
Lowe's | Yes – 3M masks available | 3M masks available in select stores |
Sears | Yes – Limted supply of 3M masks available | No |
Target | No | No |
Walgreens | No | No |
Walmart | No | No |
The difference is in the country standards that measure the product’s performance. The N95 mask is a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) that meets the United States standard of NIOSH-42CFR84. The KN95 face mask — the Chinese version of the same mask — meets China’s safety standard, GB2626-2006.
But both masks function and perform similarly. They filter a minimum of 95% of particles or droplets that are 0.3 microns wide or larger, including viruses, smoke and bacteria. Due to recent demand and shortages of N95 masks for medical workers, the US government has approved KN95s for use.
Both masks offer nearly the same level of protection, according to a study by respirator company 3M.
Certification/Class | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Filter performance | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 95% |
Test agent | NaCl | NaCl and paraffin oil | NaCl | NaCl | NaCl and paraffin oil | NaCl |
Flow rate | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min |
Total inward leakage (TIL) | N/A | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions |
Inhalation resistance | ≤ 343 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) ≤ 500 Pa (clogging) | ≤ 350 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
Flow rate | 85L/min | Varied – see above | 85L/min | Varied – see above | Varied – see above | 40L/min |
Exhalation resistance | ≤ 245 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 250 Pa | ≤ 120 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
Flow rate | 85L/min | 160L/min | 85L/min | 85L/min | 160L/min | 40L/min |
Exhalation valve leakage requirement | Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min | N/A | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec | Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min | Visual inspection after 300L /min for 30 sec | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 15sec |
Force applied | -245 Pa | N/A | -1180 Pa | -250 Pa | N/A | -1,470 Pa |
CO2 clearance requirement | N/A | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% |
Find information, requirements, in-stock products and other details for specific types of masks on these pages.
Get your hands on a face mask with built-in nose wires, for a covering that fits snugly. Plus, see which stores offer free shipping.
Here’s where you can shop replacement filters for your face mask and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, see which stores offer free delivery.
Shop in-stock 3M face masks from verified online retailers. This page is updated regularly.
If you’re looking to shop industry-standard KN95 masks, we’ve rounded up the retailers that will ship them right to your door.
Shop organic cotton face masks and masks made of upcycled materials right here in the USA. Reduce your carbon footprint while covering up during COVID-19.
If you’re riding with Biden, choose from a variety of customizable face masks to show your support.
Shop bestselling options to social distance in style.
If you’re looking to invest in a protective face mask, save yourself some cash by purchasing a reusable option from one of these retailers.
Hunting for a simple black face mask? Find one at these online retailers. Plus, see which stores offer free delivery.
Clinical Supplies USA is a California-based reseller of N95, KN95, 3M and disposable masks, as well as other PPE essentials. Find shipping and returns info, customer reviews and more.
Several months ago, I found a supplier on your website – Canopusgroup.us and used their website to order N95 masks. I see they are no longer listed on your website. Can you please let me know why they were taken off? Is it because those masks are not legit / effective? If so, I would really like to know so I stop using them!
Hi John,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
We understand why you are concerned as there are hundreds of thousands of counterfeit medical masks that are being peddled. The reason why you are not seeing Canopusgroup.us on the list is because vendors are temporarily taken off when they go out of stock and then put back when they’ve restocked. Please feel free to visit our page for updates.
I hope this helps. Should you still need assistance, please do not hesitate to message us at any time.
Sincerely,
Russel
Where can I order a black colored N95 disposable respirator with valve and material similar to 3M 8511 mask?
Hi Norm,
I hope you’re doing well and I do understand the importance of searching for a product that would best suit your needs.
Generally, in order to look for masks that are similar to what you are looking for, you may click on the blue ‘Shop now’ button on any of the lenders we have on the page. This will securely take you to their website where you can review more details and complete the transaction.
If you click on the DreamHugs listing on the page, you will find they carry a black “reusable and washable KN95 protective mask”, and also black “disposable 3-ply” face masks, which may be the closest we can find.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Best Regards,
Ems
I ordered a set of 10 masks from Cufy from your website and I couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t heard back from them. I was informed today that they did not fill my order because their “fraud protection” service said that I, an 86 year old woman who takes 5 heart meds a day, am a fraud. That my order was a phony and my credit rating is in the 800’s. No more ordering via a secondary website.
Hi Sandy,
We’re sorry to hear you had this experience. Unfortunately, right now there are lots of cases of scams and fraud across the country as there is such high demand for legitimate PPE products. Because of the increase in scams, businesses are taking more and more stringent precautions, which includes using fraud software to help detect when an order is suspicious.
Sometimes since the software is so effective, legitimate orders can get swept up and flagged as fraud in an abundance of caution. This is to protect the customer as much as the business.
The best course of action is to contact Cufy using the contact information on their website, to ask that the order be submitted and sent. We appreciate you reaching out and we want to make sure you get the order you intended! Please let us know if you have any other questions and we’ll be happy to help.
All the best,
Ems
I cannot wear a mask with ear loops as I wear hearing aids that sit behind my ears. I have read that the KN95 mask comes with ties while the N95 does not. Can you clarify/recommend a model or style of mask that will fit my specific need? Thank you.
Hello Susanna,
Thank you for reaching out to us here at Finder.
I understand it’s not comfortable having to wear face masks and hearing aids at the same time. Unfortunately, we have no page specifically for KN95 masks with ties behind the back of the head. However, you can see above that cloth fabric face masks have this elastic tie strap. If you want to buy KN95 masks, you can customize it to a DIY KN95 mask by making the tie longer and tie it behind the back of your head. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Please advise from where can i get kids KN95 mask
Hi Rocky,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
The stores featured on the page are the only sellers of KN95 available on Finder. We currently do not have the information if this masks come in a different or single size. If you prefer a mask that come in small, small/medium, medium/large and large – you may want try the N95. You may visit the seller’s official page by pressing the “Order Now” or “Shop Now” button to check if they have a stock for smaller size.
I hope this helps. Keep safe!
All the best,
Faye
Hi Ver,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
Any retail partner labeled “Finder Verified” has confirmed relevant licenses and certification to ensure it’s a legitimate seller of these products. We have a reminder on our page advising you to take caution before ordering to protect yourself against price gouging especially for any retailers we’ve listed as “Unverified.” If you see retailers that are price gauging, you may report them directly to your state Attorney General.
Kind Regards,
Faye
I work in the construction field and due to covid-19, I am unable to find respirator masks. Do you know of any companies that sell to the construction field? I usually purchase the 3M 8271 mask.
Thank you
Hi Jiggs,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
You can check with some of the top stores with in-stock 3M masks and see if they have the respirator model for construction workers available on their online inventory.
Please be wary of scammers and price gouging as you search for products on the web.
All the best,
Ems
Can you recommend a manufacturer of N95 masks in Southern California?
I’ve been volunteering with getusppe.org and we’ve had great results with donors.
I would like to be one of those donors. I’d like to start a match program on my own where I can purchase masks in big quantities and donate them personally.
Hi Mario,
Thanks for leaving a comment.
I’m afraid we do not have a list of N95 manufacturers in Southern California. Also, the online stores listed on this page does not advertise where the masks are made. You may want to search through the FDA page to search for certified face mask manufactures in your states.
Kind Regards,
Faye
I just received KN95 masks from your recommended vendor. From everything I’m reading online, I fear they may be counterfeit. I was going to use them in my dental practice. Should I use them? If not, do I have any legal recourse to get my money back?
Hello Mike,
Thanks for contacting Finder and leaving a comment.
I see you want to know if the masks you ordered from a merchant you saw on our page are legitimate and if you can use them for your dental practice.
Finder staff has a 10-point compliance checklist that verified partners must go through. These merchants are then marked as “Finder Verified” once they are able to pass the checklist and provide supporting documents regarding their business and products. Finder Verified is a sign to you that our team has vetted a partner as a legitimate reseller of items our readers are interested in. We go the extra step to request samples of verified items to compare against the advertising.
They are FDA Approved, however, mone of the masks our merchants sell are medical-grade (unless specified on their website). The N95 masks have been made in facilities that are FDA registered, but we are not medical professionals and cannot guarantee that these are all medical-grade.
As for the refund, should you choose to return the products, we recommend that you read through the details of the Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions of the merchant for additional information regarding their refund process.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Mei
Like others have mentioned, these masks seem to be Chinese made and consumer confidence is low on China products. I have found really great options for masks that are reusable and made in America. Can you list American distributors such as that one so we can all make a better choice considering the amount of frustration from this COVID-19 pandemic?
Hello Alex,
Thank you for leaving a comment and contacting Finder today.
I understand your concern.
If you are looking for face masks that are made in the US, you can check with some of the top brands that sell a wide variety of face masks that are made in the USA, including surgical, 3M N95 and cloth masks.
We are working hard to find and list more partners who have 100% made in USA masks and will keep this section updated as more information becomes available. If you would like to suggest American distributors for masks that are reusable and made in America, feel free to get in touch so our dedicated team can look further into it.
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Mei