Select is independent of editing. Our editor chose these offers and products because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. If you buy something through our link, we may earn a commission. As of the time of publication, pricing and availability are accurate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated Covid-related school guidelines, but did not specify which type of mask is best for children. However, Nina Shapiro, MD, director of the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, said that regardless of age, KN95 masks can provide the most non-medical level of protection. Since many children are not vaccinated, "it is especially important to protect the children," she said.

Learn more should children wear KN95 masks? | How to buy children's KN95 masks

As children resume face-to-face learning across the country, online searches for children's KN95 masks are on the rise. Naturally, parents may want to know which type of mask provides the highest level of Covid protection-adding to these concerns, the number of pediatric Covid cases in the United States is rising. But KN95 masks are suitable for children or should we stick to cloth masks? Experts previously told us that children's cloth masks with two or more layers of fabric are effective, and KN95 masks can provide a particulate filtering function similar to N95 masks. However, purchasing children's KN95 masks can be challenging.

As we previously reported, the recent surge in overall demand for KN95 masks, coupled with shortages in supply, has created challenges for brands that sell them. In fact, for example, the popular mask brand VIDA has been replacing KN95 orders with M95 masks, and confirmed to us that they would not contact customers about switching because of “the situation is very dynamic”-on the product page, VIDA told customers that they “ May receive "M95 replacement" and attribute it to "global shortage".

To help you find the right KN95 for your child-and learn more about them in general-we discussed with medical experts how to buy a mask and whether your child should wear a mask. We have also sorted out the highly rated KN95 mask options for immediate purchase.

In order to recommend children's KN95 masks, we independently confirmed the expert guidance qualifications of the following brands, such as filtering effects. We have also reviewed the manufacturers to ensure that they have been registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or have previously been featured in the KN95 mask list approved by the FDA under the now revoked Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) - or Sometimes it's both.

Multi-layer design | Filters 95% (or more) of particles | Including ear hooks | The manufacturer previously appeared on the FDA's EUA list

As stated on its packaging, Powecom's children's KN95 mask is about 15% smaller than its standard KN95 model to fit children's smaller face shapes. They are specially designed for children over 4 years old, with a pack ranging from 10 to 10,000 masks, and are equipped with adjustable nose pads.

Five-layer design | Filter 95% (or more) of particles | Including adjustable ear hooks | FDA registered manufacturer

WellBefore's children's KN95 masks are provided in three sizes individually packaged according to your child's age: normal, small and super small. You can buy at least 10 masks, and there are 5 white masks and 5 blue masks in the package. Note: The super small has a four-layer design.

Five-layer design | Filter 95% (or more) of particles | Including ear hooks | FDA registered manufacturer

These children's KN95 face masks are available in packs of 10 and are designed for small faces, especially those aged 3 years and above. They are available in a variety of colors, such as turquoise, light pink and dark blue. The mask has an adjustable nose bridge and is individually packaged.

Six-layer design | Filter 95% (or more) of particles | Including ear hooks | FDA registered manufacturer

Evolvetogether's KN95 masks are specially designed for people 12 years of age and above. There are five in each pack and are individually packaged in biodegradable pouches. The KN95 mask has an adjustable nose bridge and comes in five colors: Rio de Janeiro (black), Marrakech (grey), Copenhagen (khaki), Santorini (navy) and Mount Fuji (white). Evolvetogether will also launch KN95 masks for young children in Santorini and Mount Fuji in the near future.

The KN95 mask in China is equivalent to the N95 mask in the United States, which can provide 95% protection against particles. After seeing the surge in interest in adult-sized KN95 masks this year, Shapiro said that some manufacturers are now offering children a choice of sizes, colors and patterns. But should they wear it?

Adam Ratner, MD, director of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at New York University Lange Health Hasenfield Children's Hospital, said there is no reason for children to avoid using KN95 masks. But he doesn't think that children must wear them. Ratner, a professor of pediatrics and microbiology, said that overall, the deciding factor in determining the best type of mask for children comes down to fit.

“If it’s a child, they shouldn’t use adult-sized masks on their faces,” Ratner said. Since the proliferation of KN95, many brands have designed and released smaller KN95 masks specifically to help avoid them. Fit the problem to the children. "If the mask does not fit, the risk of the child not wearing it or wearing it wrong is higher."

Because it is difficult (experts tell us, sometimes impossible) to spot counterfeit KN95 masks only by observation, purchasing them is a multi-step process to confirm that you are getting the genuine product. Experts recommend reviewing the manufacturer to confirm the filtering effect, rather than just checking the physical mask and its packaging upon arrival, and paying attention to the danger signs along the way, according to the brand's statement. Especially for children's KN95 masks, it is important to ensure that the mask fits correctly.

Sharon Nachman, MD, director of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, said that when deciding whether to buy KN95 masks for your children, you should pay attention to one disadvantage: young children are oral respirators, which can cause the masks to become wet, especially When worn for a long time. Since “wet masks are not effective masks,” Nachman recommends that parents put multiple masks in a Ziploc bag to send their children to school so they can change them at lunch, for example, wash them after returning home. However, if children wear disposable KN95 masks to school, they may experience it multiple times in a single day, Nachman said.

The following are some factors to consider when buying children's KN95 masks.

Like Ratner, Shapiro said to pay attention to fit. “The size and shape of children’s faces vary greatly. If the mask is too large, it will touch the eyes directly below, or there will be gaps in the cheeks or chin, and it will not be able to achieve the purpose of protection. This also reduces the possibility of the child continuing to persist. "she says.

Nachman said that unlike many cloth reusable masks, these masks are usually designed with built-in adjustable ear hooks, and sometimes there are multiple sizes to choose from. KN95 masks are usually a size that suits everyone. Therefore, even if the KN95 mask is designed to be smaller than the KN95 mask for adults, it is difficult to guarantee whether the KN95 mask is suitable for children. She said that before going out in public, it might be helpful to buy several different versions and try them at home. In order to improve the fit of the mask, CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter or bracket to prevent gaps at the edges. You can also add cord locks to the earrings of the KN95 mask to make them adjustable.

Since KN95 masks are produced in accordance with Chinese standards and are not supervised by regulatory agencies in the United States, it is difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake KN95 masks, and it is difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake KN95 masks.

Anne Miller, the executive director of the N95 project, a non-profit organization that helps people purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies, pointed out: “There is no officially approved child size KN95 list.” So purchasing them is very good. Tricky.

"We recommend purchasing from manufacturers with proven quality in other mask categories," Miller said. For this, you can follow the same guidance provided by experts regarding adult KN95 masks: use the FDA's EUA authorized KN95 model list or the FDA's institutional registration and device list database to confirm the manufacturer.

Miller recommends checking the test documents provided by the brand or manufacturer to confirm that the children's KN95 model can provide 95% protection against particles. If such test documents are not available online, you can request to view them. Masks should also be multi-layered-adult KN95 masks usually have five layers, but due to the smaller size of the mask, children sometimes have fewer layers. Although it is difficult to tell whether a KN95 mask is a fake based on its appearance alone, it should not be physically damaged in any way upon arrival.

The popular mask brand VIDA revised the product description of KN95 masks sometime in August, and told customers at the end, “You may receive an M95 mask, which is a mask made in the United States, which is equivalent to KN95.” Said this was the result of a "global shortage".

According to a VIDA spokesperson, the same disclaimer has appeared next to the brand’s children’s masks since "early August". He also confirmed to us that VIDA will not tell customers about the conversion. You can buy KN95 masks and receive them. To M95 masks, without notice to your order.

VIDA told us in an email: “Only when our supplier’s KN95 masks are out of stock, will they be exchanged as needed.” “Due to the very dynamic situation, we cannot contact the customers who received the M95 before the order is delivered. "

VIDA stated on the FAQ page that the M95 masks "function the same" and pointed out in an email to us that all masks have been "fully tested"-VIDA publishes these tests on its website. In any case, the medical experts we interviewed said that they have never heard of M95 masks-no one can confirm to us that they are interchangeable with KN95 masks. We will continue to report this issue and update our report as we learn more.

Update (August 27th at 3:21 pm): The previous version of this article included VIDA KN95 masks. We have removed it from the list because, according to its website, the brand is shipping M95 masks for some KN95 mask orders in view of a “global shortage”.

Get the latest information from NBC News shopping guides and recommendations, and download the NBC News app to fully report on the coronavirus outbreak.

Zoe Malin is a digital editor intern for NBC News Select.

© 2021 Choice | All rights reserved. Using this website means that you accept the confidentiality regulations and service conditions.