Best medical masks

Against the background of the massive infection of residents of various countries with the coronavirus, which has already reached Russia, the question of buying personal protective equipment is acute. These primarily include special respirators. We analyzed the current offerings of various manufacturers, tested them and studied customer reviews, resulting in this rating of the best medical masks. Of course, no one can guarantee 100% protection against infection, but it is still possible to reduce the risks of this.

Which is better - medical masks or respirators

Ordinary medical nonwoven masks are only effective at low epidemiological thresholds and to prevent infection of others. In most cases, doctors say they are not enough to contain serious viruses. In this situation, special respirators with an exhalation valve are most effective.

Thus, if there is an opportunity and free access to filtering half-masks-respirators, it is better to choose them. Ordinary medical dressings for the face are effective when it is necessary to eliminate the risk of infection of other people.

Best Antivirals

Which medical mask is better to choose

Medical masks are manufactured not only by pharmaceutical companies, but also by suppliers of electrical equipment. This rating includes both little-known brands and quite popular brands with a good reputation and a lot of positive reviews.

Below we describe each company in more detail:

• Orthoforma Is an Asian manufacturer of medical devices, including antiviral masks. Their advantages are the presence of several layers, normal air and heat exchange, reliable adhesion to the skin and the absence of allergic reactions. The brand's respirators are made from non-woven materials that do not irritate the skin or cause redness.
• Bison - a brand of construction power tools for the home, under which respirators are also produced for respiratory protection when working with harmful gases and alcohols. Often they are bought to prevent infection with various viruses, but there is no special such product in the company's catalog. Key advantages of the brand's products: high protection class - FFP3, durable, non-stretching shoulder straps, high tightness to the skin.
• Barrier reef - some of the best medical masks are being developed under this brand to prevent infection during epidemics of influenza and a number of other viral infections. According to the manufacturer, they are 99% effective and at the same time provide comfort when wearing products for a long period. Due to the valve, a person's breathing is not disturbed, and the alternation of layers further increases the success of preventive measures.
• Masker’s Is a brand of reliable new generation medical masks with a built-in exhalation valve to resist allergens, bacteria, viruses. The manufacturer guarantees 99% protection for up to 8 hours, after which a product replacement is required. They are distinguished by their anatomical shape, due to which the respirators fit securely on the face. Each is individually packaged to increase sterility.
• Breeze Kama - a specialist in the production of personal protective equipment for the face, eyes and respiration from harmful vapors. The company's catalog contains filtering half masks and household respirators, which are actively used not only in industrial conditions, but also in medicine to protect against attacks of various viruses. Basically, they are made of several layers based on hypoallergenic materials, which minimizes the likelihood of adverse reactions.
• 3M - the company specializes in the production of half masks, respirators, masks with various degrees of protection: low, medium and high. They are distinguished by the reliability of fixation on the head, so they do not fall off. Basically, the products are made in a cup shape and equipped with a nasal seal, which guarantees a high tightness to the skin.

Rating of the best medical masks

During the preparation of this rating, we first of all divided all medical masks into several types - procedural (disposable non-woven models, including 3-layer ones) and respiratory masks with a valve. As a result, both types of products were included in the TOP.

The main criteria for adding masks to the review were:

• Degree of protection - there are several of them: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3;
• The quality and type of materials;
• Heat and air exchange efficiency;
• Resistant to moisture;
• Maximum recommended duration of wearing without interruption;
• Number of layers;
• Method and reliability of fixation on the head;
• Dimensions and weight;
• Color and shape;
• Resistance to foreign odors;
• The quality of the fixing rubber bands.

Also, when selecting the nominees, it was also important what the price-quality ratio of the best medical masks was.

The best cold remedies

Best disposable medical masks

This is a more modern and effective alternative to the old gauze face bandages. Such disposable products cover the mouth and nose, but, unlike respirators, they do not fit so tightly to the skin and are not always equipped with a valve for normal air exchange. However, we reviewed the characteristics of the most reliable models and added the most worthy options in terms of convenience and workmanship to this category of the rating.

Orthoforma O-5000

Inexpensive medical mask "Orthoforma O-5000" is designed to protect the respiratory tract from migration of bacteria and penetration of infected biological fluids of other people. For this, the product is equipped with an antibacterial filter, made of three layers and covers the entire mouth and nose. It is disposable and is designed to be used for 2-3 hours, after which it needs to be replaced.

This model is made of synthetic material, however, it does not cause skin irritation or sneezing attacks. It is sold in two colors - turquoise and light green. It is sewn taking into account the anatomy of the face, which ensures a high fit and minimizes the risks of infection with various viruses. The product is securely fixed behind the ears using soft elastic bands, which, when stretched, allow it to adapt to different head sizes.

Advantages

• The cost is not high;
• When buying in bulk, you can save a lot;
• Does not interfere with normal breathing;
• Virtually not felt on the face;
• Does not fall off the head;
• Does not provoke skin sweating.

disadvantages

• Cannot 100% protect against serious viruses.

Three-layer face mask "Orthoforma O-5000" is designed for adults and has dimensions 175x95 mm. It is suitable for daily use during epidemics - on the street, in public transport, hospitals, etc.

Bison

The Zubr mask has a chemical and biological protection class FFP1 (up to 4 MPC) and prevents inhalation of non-toxic dust and large aerosol droplets. It reduces the likelihood of infecting other people if the person has symptoms of a viral infection. For greater efficiency, men are advised to wear it only after shaving their face, as the bristles reduce the density of contact.

The product is equipped with an outlet valve to facilitate breathing. It weighs only 250 g, so it's not very difficult to walk with it. Its fixation on the head is carried out using two barely noticeable straps located above and below. This and the nose clip ensure a tighter fit of the mask and reduce the risk of infection with viruses. It is better not to touch the respirator with dirty hands while wearing it, and it does not fall off the face.

Advantages

• Tight enough;
• Effectively removes moisture;
• Provides normal heat exchange;
• Convenience of folding;
• Strong attachment to the head.

disadvantages

• Average degree of protection;
• Need to change regularly.

According to reviews, the Zubr mask as a whole does not cause much discomfort if worn correctly.

Best 3-layer medical masks

Such products can consist of 2-6 layers, and the more there are, the more effective the protection against viruses. However, the most popular are three-layer models, the best of which are presented in this section of the rating.

Barrier reef

The "Barrier Reef" mask is a procedural one, that is, it is suitable for daily wear during epidemics. It is sold in packs of 3. and is not cheap, but, according to reviews, it blocks virus attacks quite well. The medical device is made of durable spunbond and provides 8 hours of protection. It is sold in one size - the length is 14 cm from the bridge of the nose to the chin.

The respirator consists of three layers, which increases the efficiency of repelling attacks from various viruses. It does not allow the body fluids of other people to pass through and thereby delays the infection. The product is disposable and cannot be used twice, so you can harm yourself even more. The mask fits comfortably on the face and does not fall off, in particular due to its anatomical shape. A dedicated outlet valve does not interfere with breathing.

Advantages

• High quality materials;
• Quality tailoring;
• Good face girth;
• Does not irritate the skin;
• Doesn't provoke discomfort.

disadvantages

• Not low cost.

Reviews show that the "Barrier Reef" medical mask is actively used during influenza epidemics, but it is not capable of guaranteeing 100% protection, like similar options.

Masker's NF

This is another procedural mask for everyday wear during the development of influenza and other viral diseases. It is made of three layers, which guarantees gradual protection against infection. With its help, the likelihood of exposure to a healthy person of biological fluids of patients is reduced. The product is inexpensive and sold in packs of 1. Masker's NF is non-sterile and not suitable for medical use in hospitals.

The Masker’s NF medical disposable three-layer mask is additionally processed outside and inside, which increases the efficiency and level of comfort during long-term wearing. It repels water and, thanks to the presence of a valve, ensures free air exchange, prevents the skin from sweating and prevents excessive heating of the skin. The product is sewn in such a way as to completely cover the mouth and nose, taking into account the anatomy of the face.This reduces the risk of infection.

Advantages

• Black, not easily soiled color;
• Comfortable straps for fixing;
• Does not rub the skin;
• Does not cause facial redness;
• Has no unpleasant odor.

disadvantages

• Not very elastic;
• Has no other dimensions.

Due to the low degree of elasticity of the materials, it is not always possible to manually adjust the mask to the shape of your face, as a result of which it may not fit snugly.

Best Medical Valve Respirators

Thanks to the valve, a person practically does not experience discomfort during prolonged wearing of a medical mask. It provides unobstructed breathing, guarantees normal air and heat exchange, and prevents the face from sweating in the warm season. With such tasks, 3 models cope with dignity, which received mostly positive reviews. We included them in this TOP.

KN95

Respiratory medical mask "KN95" is designed primarily to protect against dust and harmful chemicals. However, it is actively used to prevent infection with various viruses. The product is made of hypoallergenic materials, so it does not cause skin irritation even with prolonged wear. There is a special valve on the side that ensures unobstructed breathing and eliminates discomfort.

KN95 is equipped with side straps that allow it to be securely fixed on the face and thereby reduce the likelihood of infection with viruses. These elastic bands are flexible enough to fit the head, but do not stretch during extended wear. Due to its large size, the mask completely covers both the nose and mouth, which reduces the risk of infection.

Advantages

• Gets dirty slowly;
• High quality seams;
• Dense materials;
• Not heavy;
• It practically does not get wet.

disadvantages

• Only 1 piece is sold in packages.

The reviews note that KN95 absorbs up to 95% of dust, pollutants and harmful volatile compounds. In medical practice, it has also shown high efficiency, for example, as a medical mask for coronavirus. But we can only talk about this with regular replacement of the product and its correct use.

U2K Breeze 1102

The filtering half mask U2K Breeze 1102 is designed to prevent the negative effects on the respiratory system of harmful fertilizers, coal dust, bacterial agents, toxic gases and various viruses. It has the lowest degree of protection FFP1 (up to 4 MPC) and is relevant for not very strong epidemics.

The outer part of the product is made of polyurethane foam, and the inner part is made of polyethylene film, between which there is a filter layer. This provides a step-by-step prevention of infection. The mask practically reaches the eyes and thus protects most of the face from contaminated body fluids.

The U2K Breeze 1102 has two exhalation valves to maintain normal breathing. They are located in a convenient place - on the side and provide normal heat transfer. The product is fixed with two wide shoulder straps, which are located behind the ears.

Advantages

• Enough for a long time;
• Doesn't interfere with breathing;
• Doesn't cause discomfort;
• Cheapness;
• Easy to put on.

disadvantages

• Too variegated, light green color.

3M 8122

Of all the masks in the ranking, this one is most reminiscent of a respirator in design and provides stronger protection against viruses than conventional models. It can be worn by sick people to prevent the spread of infection, and healthy people to prevent infection. The product has a comfortable and effective cup shape, which provides it with a snug fit to the skin of the face. This reduces the likelihood of penetration into biological fluids.

Due to its anatomical shape, 3M 8122 is suitable for most people, but nevertheless, it is better to buy this respirator against viruses only for adults.It adheres closely to the skin, but at the same time does not rub it, it effectively removes moisture and heat, and ensures ease of breathing even in closed rooms. The nose clip increases the security of the mask on the head and has a sweat-wicking pad.

Advantages

• 4 rubber bands attachment points;
• Convenient valve location;
• Small weight - 13 g;
• Does not absorb foreign odors;
• Effective in high temperature environments.

disadvantages

• The valve increases the likelihood of viruses entering the mask space.

Which medical mask is better to buy

Basically, viruses, especially coronavirus, are transmitted by airborne droplets along with the patient's body fluids, which get on healthy people with bouts of coughing and sneezing. The task of a medical mask is to isolate the respiratory organs from inhalation and thereby prevent the penetration of foreign microorganisms inside. In fact, any product in the FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 categories can be considered as a barrier to prevent infection. But it is very important to select them in size and ensure the most snug fit to the face.

Here is the best respirator for a variety of medical uses:

• Of the simple options that are relevant with a low epidemiological threshold in sparsely populated areas, Orthoforma O-5000 can be considered.
• For more serious cases, with the probability of infection above average, you should pay attention to the product from the Zubr brand.
• If there is a suspicion of a virus infection, then the "Barrier Reef" mask is suitable to protect others.
• For everyday wear for a long time, subject to constant updating, a model from Masker's is used.
• In the hot season, the comfort when wearing a respirator will be provided by options with an exhalation valve, for example, KN95.
• For almost complete isolation of a person from infected biological fluids, U2K Breeze 1102 is provided.
• In closed rooms, the mask "3M 8122" has proven itself well.

Of course, in conditions of large-scale epidemics, your health must be especially taken care of. And, of course, a respirator mask against coronavirus cannot protect 100%, but it can significantly reduce the risk of infection and protect yourself. The main thing is not to succumb to public panic and, in addition to this, follow all WHO recommendations: wash your hands regularly, try to have less contact with people who have SARS symptoms, avoid crowded places and refuse to travel to infected regions.