N95 vs KN95: What's the difference, where to buy them, and how to avoid fakes

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• Mask mandates are lifting but real-world mask requirements remain.
• Wearing a high-quality mask helps protect yourself and others.
• Below, we examine KN95 vs N95, breaking down the differences, where to buy them, and why you should wear them.

Most every state lifted its mask mandate in the US but needing protection isn't disappearing from public life.

In tandem with public health tools such as vaccinations, testing, and social distancing, masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the likelihood of future variants. You still need one to board a plane or visit a hospital, and unvaccinated and/or immunocompromised folks may still choose to wear one to protect themselves and others. 

If you're going to wear a mask, you want to make sure it's effective. It's likely everyone has a cloth mask by now but studies show cloth masks offer a minimal amount of protection compared to other options. 

Ideally, everyone (not just medical workers) should be using a KN95 or N95 mask for optimal protection when COVID cases are high or when there's a contagious variant like Omicron, according to the CDC. Each offers the tightest fit and best filtration on the market (alongside KF94) thanks to layers of high-tech filtering material that trap at least 94% of concerning particles. 

It's important to understand the difference between N95s and KN95s as well as how to make sure you're buying a real one. You'll find answers to these and other FAQs below.

What's the difference between N95 and KN95? 

The main difference between the two leading options is that N95 masks are the US Standard and approved by the FDA, while KN95 masks are the Chinese Standard but not approved by the FDA.

The N95 mask is regulated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and is named for its ability to filter out 95% of airborne particles when worn correctly. Almost all come with a head strap (two elastic bands that go behind your head), which are the gold standard in masks, according to the CDC.

The KN95 mask is made to meet Chinese standards for medical masks and has more variety in fit and construction.; you'll find KN95s with ear loops and behind-the-head elastic bands. But, they're not regulated quite as heavily as N95s.

While the FDA did grant temporary emergency-use authorization to KN95s to allow US healthcare workers more options for high-quality protection, as of June 2021, KN95s are not approved by the FDA. 

If you're looking for the highest-quality, most reliable mask, opt for an N95.

How should they fit?

Each mask fits differently (behind the head, over the ears, etc.) but in terms of efficacy, the best fit is the option that's comfortable enough to wear consistently and which fits closest to your face; the full effect of wearing a mask like this only works if it creates a seal against your skin. It should completely cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaping.

Our medical reviewer for this piece, Tania Elliott, MD, pointed out that medical professionals undergo special mask fittings to assure their N95s fit properly to filter small respiratory particles. Proper fit is vital.

While many masks come as a "one size fits all," N95s are available in sizes small, medium, or large, and it's important you check the size guide in order to purchase the correct one for your face. If you buy a one-size-fits-all KN95, you can typically knot straps or stretch them to customize the fit.

Why is it important to use a real N95 or KN95 mask?

High-quality, well-fitted medical masks such as the N95 work exceedingly well at keeping virus particles out, making them the best masks for COVID and an excellent tool for minimizing the chances of contracting any virus and new variants.

A true KN95 and N95 mask can trap at least 94 to 95% of concerning particles when it's both worn and manufactured correctly (even 98.4% for N95s in some studies). 

But as demand for high-quality masks soared over the last two years, counterfeit masks started cropping up. NIOSH evaluated that around 60% of the KN95 respirators available during 2020 and 2021 were counterfeit and didn't meet the intended requirements.

And although they look similar, studies show the fakes don't protect nearly as well as the real thing. Many counterfeit versions don't even stack up against less-protective cloth masks. 

In other words: It's so important to check that the masks you buy are real N95s or KN95s.

How can I tell if an N95 or KN95 mask is fake?

A real KN95 mask is stamped with details like the name of its manufacturer, KN95, and "GB2626-2019," which refers to the current quality control standard approved by the Chinese government. If your mask's GB number ends in 2006, it was made according to earlier Chinese respirator standards but it's still viable if it's not passed its expiration date.

N95 masks are the gold standard of FDA-approved masks in the US, and you can verify their legitimacy by searching on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List. All NIOSH-approved respirators have "NIOSH" stamped on the front as well as their model and lot numbers. It'll also have a TC approval number (e.g., TC 84A-XXXX), which you can look up to confirm it matches.

Here are a few easy giveaways to indicate your N95 might be fake, according to the CDC:

1. It has ear loops without a fastener to connect them behind the head: N95s typically have elastic bands worn behind the head and earloops would need to have been approved to use with a connecting fastener — not loose around the ears. 
2. Its description says it's approved for children: NIOSH doesn't approve any type of respiratory protection for kids. 
3. It has decorative add-ons like sequins.
4. It doesn't include all the required label markings on its face: You can find examples of the markings here, as well as below.

Where to buy N95 masks and KN95 masks

N95 masks

Start with big box stores as most major retailers (i.e. Home Depot, Lowes) work directly with manufacturers approved by NIOSH or its distributors. 

Do beware of Amazon, however: Counterfeits are rampant and it's difficult to fact-check them. Your safest bet is to shop from official on-site stores like 3M or Kimberly-Clark. 

If both of those are sold out, you can find a table of NIOSH-approved N95 respirator manufacturers on the CDC's website. You can sometimes buy directly from them, like US mask manufacturer DemeTech or 3M. 

KN95 masks

Buy from companies that are exclusive distributors of KN95 masks like Bona Fide Masks or the nonprofit, Project N95. Both are NIOSH-certified. 

There's no way to verify the legitimacy of KN95s sold on Amazon as there is for N95s (which are regulated within the US), so stick to the aforementioned distributors.

It's worth noting, though, you may have to wait longer with sites like Bona Fide Mask due to supply chain challenges and high demand.