Finding the right children’s masks has often been a challenging task for parents and guardians. Before the pandemic, the market for kid’s masks, especially those meeting higher standards like N95s, KN95s, and KF94s, was limited. These masks, designed for adults and focused on occupational use, didn’t consider the smaller facial structures or the need for comfort that’s crucial for kids. As a result, securing a mask that offers both effective protection and is comfortable enough for children to wear willingly was a significant hurdle.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for high-quality respiratory protection for everyone, including children. This need drove some manufacturers to innovate and produce masks specifically designed for kids, leading to a variety of options that were previously unavailable. Today, parents have access to masks that are not only certified but also designed with children’s needs in mind, focusing on comfort and breathability to ensure that kids can wear them without complaints. In this article, I want to introduce some of these choices.
BreatheSafeAir Award
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Best Reusable
Flo Mask Kids
A reusable, comfortable, elastomeric mask designed for children.
* This link may be an affiliate link. I can earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
BreatheSafeAir Award
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Best for Glasses
AirPop Kids Mask
Resuable up to 40 hours and washable up to 10 times.
* This link may be an affiliate link. I can earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
BreatheSafeAir Award
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Most Comfortable
CanadaMasq Q100
Ultra-breathable and CSA-N95 certified. XS size available.
* This link may be an affiliate link. I can earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
I’ve emphasized certified masks in this guide because of their proven effectiveness. While cloth masks might be more visually appealing to children, certified masks and respirators like N95s, KN95s, and KF94s have undergone rigorous testing to meet specific filtration and PPE standards. These standards ensure that the masks can provide reliable protection against airborne particles, which is crucial for children’s safety in environments with higher risk.
The market now offers a wide selection of masks tailored for children, featuring various designs, colours, and sizes to cater to different preferences and needs. From the AirPop Kids Mask, known for its breathability and comfort, to the Flo Mask Kids, with fantastic reusability, the options are now extensive. This development is a significant step forward, making it easier for parents to find a suitable mask their child is willing to wear, thereby enhancing their protection in public spaces.
This guide aims to simplify choosing the right mask for children by focusing on certified, comfortable, and child-friendly options. The goal is to provide parents with the information they need to make informed decisions, ensuring their children’s safety while addressing the practical considerations of daily mask-wearing.
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Information on this blog is for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information herein with other sources. Furthermore, this information is not intended to replace medical advice from professionals. This website assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, which is subject to change without notice.
Contents hide
1. AirPop Kids Mask
2. Armbrust Kids KN95
3. BNX Kids KN95 (E95S)
4. BreatheTeq Kids
5. CanadaMasq Q100
6. Flo Mask Kids
7. Happy Masks
8. Powecom KN95-SM
9. SoftSeal VFold N95
10. Strapless N95
11. VFlex (3M)
12. Vitacore CAN99e
13. WellBefore Kids KN95 3D
Honourable Mentions
Evolve Together
Fenfen Kids
Tri-fold KF94s
Finding the Best Kids Masks
1. AirPop Kids Mask
If you’re unaware, AirPop is a mask company that makes a few different reusable and disposable masks. In fact, I’ve already reviewed both its reusable masks, the Active, Active+ and Original, and its ‘everyday’ disposable masks, the Light SE and Pocket Mask, on this blog. However, the AirPop mask that I haven’t discussed yet is the AirPop Kids Mask.
The AirPop Kids Mask is identical to the Pocket Mask except that the former is targeted at children over three years of age due to its smaller size. Besides having a few colour variations available (blue, pink, and white; however, they appear to go in and out of stock), this child’s mask is the same as its larger sibling. This is mostly a good thing, though, as the Pocket Mask is a KN95 and ASTM F3502-21 approved mask that I found to both fit me well and remain comfortable even after long periods.
While I haven’t tried the Kids Mask myself (for obvious reasons!), since it’s just a smaller version of the Pocket, I know it’s very comfortable and provides a good fit – at least for an earloop mask. This is because it uses a thick piece of memory foam around the nose bridge to ensure that there is a good seal. Unfortunately, the AirPop Kids Mask doesn’t have adjustable earloops which I would’ve liked to see so that parents and children can adjust the loops to the correct length for their children.
This mask is a good option if you’re looking for a mask for children due to its good breathability (it’s passed ASTM F3502-21 breathability requirements, which are quite stringent). It’s also reusable (ASTM F3502-21 tests the mask after ten wash cycles and ensures that filtration remains above the required amount). The one downside is that, as an earloop mask, this likely won’t provide as secure of a fit as a headband mask. With that said, many children prefer to wear a mask with headbands, and this is a step above a standard KF94 or KN95 children’s mask, as the nose foam helps to provide a better seal.
One final note: If you have an older child for whom you are purchasing masks, you might want to consider the Pocket Mask, too. It’s the same as the Kids Mask but slightly larger. This makes it a good choice for teenagers or anyone with a larger face for whom the AirPop Kids Mask is slightly too small.
2. Armbrust Kids KN95
The Armbrust KN95 is the first kids mask on this list, following a trend of American-made KN95 masks. You might wonder why this is common on this list, but there is a good reason behind it. NIOSH (the body that certifies N95 respirators) only approves respirators with headbands and has many other strict requirements, such as the markings that must be visible on the masks’ exterior. This means they aren’t ideal for children, whereas earloops and different-coloured masks are more appealing for many.
The Armbrust Kids KN95 is a KN95 mask designed specifically for children of all ages. With that said, some adults with smaller faces also find that the Kids KN95 fits them well – it’s also an excellent choice for anyone with a smaller face who wears glasses. This is because the mask has a strip of nose foam around the top, which helps prevent air from leaking around the nose bridge (a common point of leakage).
Generally, I’m not a fan of bi-fold (masks that fold vertically down the centre) KN95s, and you will soon learn that if you continue reading this post. However, these masks are a level above the standard bi-fold KN95 since they have more robust earloops and this strip of nose foam. While the fit still tends to be a bit behind a tri-fold mask, the fit is individual, and it’s worth trying your child with this mask to see if it fits them well.
I also know that many people prefer to purchase KN95s that are manufactured in the U.S. as they are often of better quality. If you’re in this boat, the Armbrust Kids mask and the next kids mask on this list, the BNX E95s, are both great options as they follow the KN95 standard but are locally made within the United States. Also, this means they both have the bonus of being readily available with short shipping times.
3. BNX Kids KN95 (E95S)
BNX is a company based in Texas that makes a wide variety of different facemasks – they also make a few different kids masks in various colours. Now, these are, for the most part, standard bi-fold KN95 masks, meaning that they aren’t my favourite due to their generally poorer fit (I explain in more detail under the section for the Powecom KN95-SM).
With that said, I know that parents have found these to be the best masks for their children, and therefore, I want to include them on this list. While I don’t find bi-folds to provide a good seal, some people can get these to seal well; for this reason, they’re worth trying, at least! If you have trouble getting a good fit, it might be worth experimenting with shorter earloops or added foam around the nose bridge.
The most significant advantage of the BNX Kids KN95 is that they’re so widely available across the U.S. due to being locally manufactured. Whether you choose to purchase from the official website or Amazon, you should be able to get your hands on these children’s masks in no time at all. On top of this, they’re also quite affordable, making them a popular choice among parents.
As the name suggests, these masks are approved KN95 and use earloops to seal. Thankfully, the earloops on these masks are quite comfortable relative to other earloops as they use less latex. While I still prefer headbands for comfort, these are one of the more comfortable earloop masks; therefore, they’re a good choice for children. Of course, the masks also have a metal nosewire for adjusting the fit and seal around your child’s nose.
4. BreatheTeq Kids
While I haven’t tried BreatheTeq masks myself, they are identical to the CanadaMasq Q100 (the next kids mask on this list), and they only differ in the certifications the masks hold – the BreatheTeq masks hold a KN95 certification, whereas the Q100 holds a CSA-N95 certification. This is also the reason why the Q100 is a bit more pricey, as the certification process for the CSA standard is much more costly and time-consuming than the KN95 process.
Therefore, the strengths of the BreatheTeq Kids masks are the same as the Q100. If you’re interested in this mask, please read on for the full details. However, if you’re looking for a quick answer as to why you should consider this mask for your children, it all comes down to comfort. The Q100 and BreatheTeq Kids are very comfortable masks with exceptional breathability. Since children are often particularly fussy when it comes to comfort, prioritising comfort with sacrificing fit and filtration is key.
One advantage of the BreatheTeq Kids masks is that they are available in various colours. Since the Q100 is certified by CSA, labelling is required on the mask’s exterior. Unfortunately, this means that the mask has to stick to a white colour scheme with black text. On the other hand, the KN95 standard is a lot less strict regarding the required labelling, giving BreatheTeq much more flexibility with colour schemes.
If children like the look and design of their masks, they’re much more likely to don them. For this reason, I appreciate that BreatheTeq gives a few colour options. While there aren’t too many currently (purple, grey, and black), giving your child the opportunity to pick the mask they will be wearing in the future is a great way to encourage them to continue masking.
5. CanadaMasq Q100
This option is limited to Canada and the U.S. (you can ship to the U.S. from the official website). However, if you happen to be in one of the two countries, a children’s mask worth checking out is the Canada Masq Q100. As with the AirPop Kids Mask, I’ve already reviewed the Q100 on this website, and it’s one of my favourite earloop masks. Even better, it’s certified CSA-N95, which is even more stringent than NIOSH’s N95 certification – that’s impressive for a mask that children can wear.
Although it’s not obvious at first glance, the XS size of the Q100 is intended for adults with small faces and children. However, based on my experience testing the mask with various subjects, I don’t think the XS fits many adults at all – it’s very small and a better fit for children. Interestingly, children were also included in the fit-testing panel that was used when the mask underwent CSA testing, meaning that the mask can provide a good fit on at least some children. That said, fit is very individual, and it’s important to fit-test yourself and your children for the best results.
What makes the Q100 so unique as a kid’s mask is that it’s not really a kid’s mask – it’s a kid’s respirator. The XS size of the mask is identical in performance to the larger masks, which means that this is a full-certified children’s mask. Perhaps the biggest benefit of the Q100, though, is the incredible breathability. If you look at the full approval tag of the mask, you will see that the Q100 is CSA-N95F-100Pa, meaning that it also comes in at under 100 pascals of breathability. It’s well below that at around 50Pa.
If you’re not sure what those numbers mean, they essentially show that the mask is incredibly breathable. It’s vastly more breathable than most N95 or equivalent masks and respirators, making it perfect for children. At the end of the day, many children won’t willingly wear a mask unless it’s comfortable, and therefore, having good breathability like this is of paramount importance.
6. Flo Mask Kids
The Flo Mask Kids is unique because it’s a reusable, elastomeric mask for children. While the mask might look a bit odd at first glance, there are numerous benefits to having a plastic shell. While I haven’t reviewed this version of the Flo Mask yet, I have tried the adult version of the Flo Mask, and it’s one of my preferred elastomeric respirators (the adult version is KN95 and FFP2 certified). Based on the children and parents I’ve heard from, the Flo Mask for children is equally loved.
While the Kids mask hasn’t undergone the same certification processes that the larger model has, the mask with the included filters has undergone filtration testing and shown a filtration rate of> 95%. However, this is only one piece of the protection puzzle, and the fit is equally, if not more important, than filtration. Luckily, this kid’s mask also excels in this area due to the silicone seal and sturdy headbands, which allow the mask to stay in place and remain comfortable even after long periods of wear.
During the design process, the team behind Flo Mask focused on breathability, as comfort is more important than ever when it comes to masks for children. With this in mind, the Flo Mask Kids is designed to be as breathable as possible without using exhalation valves. This means that, while being breathable, the mask filters both directions of air, acting as source control and protecting the wearer simultaneously.
Another bonus of using a mask such as this is that you can cut down on costs over time. While the initial cost of a product such as Flo Mask is quite pricey, you will only need to replace filters instead of whole masks, which will cut costs over time. While it will take a few months for the price to compare with disposable respirators, a children’s mask like this will come out much cheaper in the long run.
One aspect of Flo Mask that I appreciate is the ability to purchase single components of the mask if anything gets damaged, lost, dirty, or otherwise. Instead of needing to replace the mask as a whole, you can purchase the applicable pieces – whether that’s the mask shell, headbands, seal, or filters. This is another reason that this is a good long-term investment for anyone wanting the best protection for their children.
7. Happy Masks
Happy Masks are the only non-certified masks on this list, but I’ve chosen to include them because they’ve made great strides towards making the best kids’ masks possible. While Happy Masks have no official certifications, they have undergone lab testing and achieved > 98% and > 95% filtration even after 50 wash cycles. This means you can safely wash and reuse your child’s Happy Mask many times – make sure to follow the washing instructions on the website.
I first tried Happy Masks years ago, in 2021 (I believe. It was so long ago that I can’t remember properly), and I liked them at the time because they are ultra-breathable, lightweight, and offer a good level of filtration. However, the metal nosewire was a bit flimsy, and I couldn’t get the best seal with the mask. Since then, Happy Masks has released the Ultra series, which has more durable parts and a significantly sturdier metal nosewire. Since this change, I’ve found Happy Masks to provide a much better seal, and they’re easily among the best of these types of reusable masks. I find myself recommending Happy Masks much more frequently than the likes of Cambridge Mask or Vogmask.
An important yet often overlooked feature I appreciated about Happy Masks is the inclusion of adjustable earloops. This makes it far easier to get the correct earloop tension and means that you’re far more likely to get a good seal on your child with this simple feature. It may sound simple, but trust me – the vast majority of masks, especially for kids, often overlook this feature.
Happy Masks has emphasized children’s masks as they have a couple of small sizes – extra small and small – and a ton of colourful and playful designs in each size. This makes them ideal for younger children as a mask that your child likes is far more likely to be worn. On the other hand, simple solid-colour designs are ideal for teenagers or children who prefer something a bit simpler.
All in all, these updates to the Happy Masks lineup make them a good choice for many parents and children. However, as always, the fit is vital, and you’ll want to check that you get the correct size of Happy Mask for your children and that the mask seals well to prevent leakage.
8. Powecom KN95-SM
If you’ve used KN95 masks before, you’ve likely come across Powecom at some point. These KN95s have been popular since the pandemic’s beginning and are still a popular choice for many today. What you might not have known, though, is that a Powecom KN95-SM (small) version is available for children. It’s also available in a few different colours, letting your child have a few different options when selecting which style to pick up.
Now, I’m not a fan of the standard adult’s Powecom KN95 masks because bi-folds (masks that have one central fold point down the centre) tend not to provide a good seal. This is especially true when the mask has no other additional fitting mechanisms, such as an earloop toggle to adjust the length or a strip of nose foam around the top of the mask. With that said, the reviews of this mask are fantastic, with many parents saying they fit and seal their children well. Therefore, I chose to include them here. Also, I know a lot of people will ask if I forgot to include these if they don’t make the list!
As the name suggests, the Powecom KN95-SM masks are KN95-approved as per GB2626:2019. This is the updated version of the KN95 standard, and all KN95s should be produced to this standard now – you can still find older stock that is marked GB2626:2006, but these are old products and should be avoided. This certification means the mask has undergone some basic fit testing with children and passed total inward leakage tests.
The Powecom KN95-SM is great for children from around three years old all the way to teenagers with smaller faces. For teens with larger faces, you might want to consider purchasing a few masks first to ensure they fit before investing in a larger quantity. If the mask is a bit too large and doesn’t seal well around the nose, you can try adding a strip of memory foam, adding toggles for adjustment, or even using a mask brace such as Fix The Mask.
9. SoftSeal VFold N95
With a frustratingly similar name to the 3M VFlex, the SoftSeal VFold is another N95 respirator that also comes in a small size and fits many children. Therefore, while this respirator isn’t designed to be used with children and N95s are intended for occupational use, many parents have found the VFold to make a good children’s mask due to its small size. Of course, having N95 approval is also confidence-inspiring as it shows the product can perform.
The SoftSeal’s unique selling point is that it contains a full silicone seal on the inside of the mask. This is unusual for an N95 FFR (filtering facepiece respirator) as most rely on headbands or nosefoam alone to provide a secure seal. SoftSeal decided this wasn’t enough and decided to add a full face seal to the interior of its’ mask to ensure that it provides a better seal, making it perfect for children for whom it’s often hard to find a well-fitting mask.
Being N95, these respirators use headbands instead of earloops. While this makes the device a bit more inconvenient to use, it tends to mean a better fit (but not always – fit is very individual). Interestingly, SoftSeal also doesn’t use staples to connect the headbands to the mask, further reducing the chance of leaks and, perhaps more importantly, when it comes to a mask for children, is far more comfortable. While I love 3M Auras, there’s no denying that the staples can sometimes be irritating!
Overall, the VFold is one of the best choices for a children’s mask if you want to ensure they are receiving the best protection. The SoftSeal range of masks tends to provide a good fit, and they secure well. They also have a range of sizes, including small, making them ideal for a wide range of people. While your mileage may vary, these respirators are up there in providing the best average fit across a range of people.
10. Strapless N95
If your child finds earloops and headbands uncomfortable, you might think that you’re out of options. Luckily, there is one other option which uses neither earloops nor headbands! How does it seal, you might ask? With an adhesive inner layer. The best part is that the Strapless N95 (also called Readimask) is an approved N95 and comes in various sizes. Although designed for adults, the small model fits quite a few children, too – especially children who are a bit older (ten or over).
Being such a unique children’s mask, the Strapless N95 has both significant advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, you have one of the most comfortable N95s on the market. I love the Strapless N95 because it’s so comfortable and does not use headbands or earloops. On top of this, for me (and many children), this is the best sealing mask as it uses an adhesive to stick to your face instead of requiring a tight mounting mechanism.
However, there are significant downsides, too. For one, the mask can’t really be reused since the adhesive seal will lose its stick with every use. From my experience, the seal is great for the first use, decent for the second, and usable for the third. After this, I will replace my Strapless N95s as they lose enough of the adhesive’s stick that I no longer trust them to seal well.
This brings the question of cost into the picture. Most people I know will let their children reuse a mask for a few school days before replacing them. Unfortunately, that’s not possible with these masks as they will likely be removed for school intervals and lunchtime, meaning they will be donned twice or thrice daily. Luckily, while they will probably only last your child a day or two each, they are quite affordable, and Alliant Biotech has a 50% discount if you use the code ‘breathesafeair50’ at checkout.
If you want to learn more about these unique masks, please refer to my full review. As with the other kid’s masks in this article, I recommend purchasing a small quantity first to see if they are suitable for your child before investing in a larger quantity of masks. While these masks are the perfect solution for some, others struggle to get a good fit with them, and therefore, it’s hard to judge how they will perform without firsthand experience.
11. VFlex (3M)
Despite being one of my favourite N95 respirators, I hadn’t considered these as children’s masks until I came across them in the children’s section on Evidencebased.ca. After seeing them there, I was curious, so I bought a few of the small models (9105S with S indicating ‘small) to see how they’re sized compared to the standard model designed for adults (the 9105). To my surprise, the small VFlex is significantly smaller, and it fits a lot of older children well.
That said, this is one of the masks on this list that I would recommend more for older children. While it depends on your child’s facial size and structure, this is best for tweens and teens as the mask is still a bit larger than many others on this list – especially those designed exclusively for children.
If you’ve ever used the VFlex, you’ll know it deserves a place on this list. Despite the slightly odd duck-bill look, this mask has a few advantages. Firstly, it’s certified N95, meaning that it’s been proven to perform – this also means it has headbands to secure well and protect your children. On top of this, the shape of this respirator means it has a large surface area, which leads to fantastic breathability and prevents your child from having a muffled or quiet voice.
Alongside the Aura, the VFlex is one of the better-fitting masks for a wide range of subjects. While this testing was done with adults, it stands to reason that the smaller model of the VFlex also fits a wide range of facial sizes and features. However, once again, you will need to perform a fit test to ensure it fits your child well and that they receive the best protection.
12. Vitacore CAN99e
Another Canadian mask with a size for children, the CAN99e, is based on the popular CAN99 respirator. However, you need to be aware of a few key differences between the two. Most importantly, the CAN99 respirator is certified by NIOSH as a surgical N95 respirator. This certification is held alongside an FFP3 certification. On the other hand, no certifications are held by the CAN99e. While it is based on the CAN99 and has filtration testing (which it does very well at, getting over 99.6% filtration in all cases), it doesn’t hold the same certifications.
This is likely due to the fact that NIOSH only certifies respirators with headbands as it doesn’t consider products with earloops even potentially to provide a good fit. While this decision could be debated, it explains why the CAN99e Kids doesn’t hold any certifications as it is designed with earloops. The good news, however, is that these products are otherwise the same, and this means the CAN99e inspires confidence as a performant mask for children.
The CAN99e is relatively unique among the kid’s masks on this list because it’s a tri-fold mask. This means that instead of folding vertically down the centre (as a bi-fold does), it follows the ‘boat style’ of other masks and respirators, such as the 3M Aura series. While it’s dependent on the mask in question, this style of mask/respirator tends to provide a better and more universal fit, and it’s the type of device that people such as myself choose to rely on daily. If you’re wondering, I tend to use an FFP3 3M Aura.
This mask also has good breathability, and tri-fold masks remain more comfortable over long periods of wear. They’re also a good choice for children who need to attend school with a mask as they tend to sit off the face and leave room for air inside. This means children can speak up; if the mask fits correctly, their voice shouldn’t be muffled or otherwise difficult to hear.
The CAN99e Kids mask uses an aluminium nose wire that is flexible but not too much. While it’s not as strong as some nosewires and, therefore, can loosen over time, it holds its shape relatively well and doesn’t need too much adjusting. I do wish, however, that the mask had adjustable earloops, as having one size for all children from 3-13 is a difficult prospect! With this in mind, if you have a teenager or are a teenager shopping for yourself, you might want to consider purchasing a small quantity of these masks first. It’s likely the CAN99 will fit you better, and it also has headbands, which tend to provide a much more secure seal.
13. WellBefore Kids KN95 3D
WellBefore makes a range of kids’ masks with different styles and designs. However, only two are certified – the KN95 and KN95 3D. In this section, I want to focus on the 3D model as I don’t think the standard bi-fold KN95 model has anything that makes it stand out from other KN95s other than having an XS size for 2-4-year-olds. However, the KN95 3D also has this extra small size, and many children will appreciate the extra breathing room that the 3D model offers.
The KN95 3D uses the traditional ‘boat-style’ that you see on many if not most, KF94 masks. However, the key difference here is that there are a few different sizes for children – XS for 2-4-year-olds, S for 5-8-year-olds and Regular for 9-12-year-olds. Even better, these masks come with adjustable earloops, meaning the company realises that even children within these age ranges can have very different head sizes and shapes. These adjustable earloops will allow both parents and children to adjust the mask to get the best tension for a good fit.
For a KN95, this kid’s mask also has a sturdy wire nosepiece, enabling you to mould the mask to your child’s nose. While it’s not as sturdy as many adult masks, I appreciate using a stronger piece of nose wire as it generally means the mask will hold its shape for longer, leading to a better seal and fewer leaks.
If you’re still on the fence, Armbrust tested these masks and found that they performed well (although they aren’t as breathable as many children’s masks on this list), but they lacked the KN95 labels. Since the video was published, the markings have been added, and they now adhere to the KN95 requirements, meaning they are certified. If you do opt for the traditional KN95s from WellBefore, those are also now KN95s.
Honourable Mentions
While they didn’t make the list, there are a few other masks and one mask type that I want to discuss before concluding this article. I didn’t include these in the main list for reasons that I will discuss, but they might be worth considering if nothing on the main list sounds like the kind of kid’s mask you want. Let’s get started.
Evolve Together
These masks are quite popular among older children and teenagers due to their minimalist yet appealing design. Many readers have mentioned these masks to me, and I wanted to include them on this list for that reason. However, these are standard KF94-style masks (although they are KN95, they follow the typical ‘boat-style’ KF94 design), and I didn’t include them for the same reason I didn’t mention KF94s – you’ll see my reasoning for this below in the ‘Tri-fold KF94s’ section.
As these are more pricey than many other KN95 and KF94 brands, I would recommend picking up some tri-folds from the cheaper brands first. With these, you can check that they fit your child or teenager well before investing in the more expensive Evolve Together masks. This is also a good plan if you purchase in bulk, as you don’t want to buy many masks only to realise they don’t fit well.
Fenfen Kids
Fenfen Kids KN95 Disposable Masks are some of this list’s most visually appealing masks for children. With masks available in almost every colour imaginable and with many cool designs, such as unicorns and dinosaurs, you will be hard-pressed to find more fun and exciting children’s masks.
So, why didn’t I include these on the main list? Well, if you’ve read my entries on the Armbrust KN95 and Powecom KN95, you’ll know that I am not the biggest fan of bi-fold KN95s due to their (generally) worse fit. Of course, some people will be able to achieve a good fit with these masks, but it’s rare, and without access to fit testing, I prefer to recommend masks that are more likely to fit.
That said, if you find these masks fit your child or children well, you’re in luck because they’re easily the most fun masks on this list. Also, if you need to encourage your child to wear a mask, there’s no better way to do so than to let them pick out a mask colour and design that they really like. At the end of the day, while I know some people will disagree with me, any mask is better than no mask, and if your child doesn’t like masking, it could be worth trying to incentivise them by letting them choose one they like.
If you do purchase Fenfen KN95s for your child, make sure to adjust the earloops so they are the right length. These masks are designed for children four years old and older, meaning that anyone younger than that and also those a few years older will likely need adjustments to the earloops for the best fit. You can either tie the loops to the right length or add a toggle if you have some on hand to create adjustable earloops.
Tri-fold KF94s
Although many people don’t know, KF94s are an entirely different class of mask than something like an N95 or FFP2 respirator. The latter two are designed for occupational use, but KF94s are not their direct comparison – that falls to Korean Class 1, 2 and Special class respirators, designed for medical use. On the other hand, KF-approved masks are designed for civilian usage. This means they’re designed to fit many ages, including children.
However, there are a lot of Tri-fold KF94s on the market, and many of them are very similar, if not identical, due to the fact that they are produced at many of the same factories. For this reason, I wanted to include these types of children’s masks as a category rather than introducing specific masks from individual brands. With that said, if you’re interested in this kind of mask for your child, there are a few good places to start. Here are a few models that performed well in MaskNerd testing.
- Happy Life (Good Day)
- Savewo 3D Mask Ultra
- Dr. Puri
- Masklab
Since many KF94 masks are made primarily or exclusively for children, you will have no trouble finding a wide range of these masks online. However, if you’re purchasing outside of the brands mentioned above (which are all legitimate), make sure that you check the authenticity of your masks. I have a guide on how you can do that at the link.
One final note: many masks these days call themselves ‘KF94 style’. This does not mean the mask is KF94. Instead, they are referring to the iconic ‘boat shape’ that KF94s often have. Many of these masks do not hold a KF94 certification, and you’ll want to keep an eye out to make sure you purchase performant masks.
Finding the Best Kids Masks
In conclusion, navigating the landscape of kid’s masks to find suitable, certified protection for children has become significantly easier, thanks to the increased awareness and subsequent market response following the global health crisis. This guide has aimed to provide a thorough overview of the best options available, emphasizing the importance of selecting masks that not only meet stringent testing standards but are also designed with the comfort and breathability that children require.
My guiding principle in this discussion has been a simple yet profound one: the best face mask for our kids is the one they’re happiest to put on each day, but that provides the needed protection. This means features like soft, adjustable ear loops, breathable fabrics, and designs that spark joy are just as almost as important (but not quite!) as the technical certifications these masks carry. By focusing on certified masks – whether N95, KN95, or KF94 – I’ve aimed to ensure that we’re providing our children with a level of verified and trustworthy protection.
Through this guide, my intention has been to arm you with the knowledge and confidence to select a kid’s facemask that not only meets rigorous safety standards but also fits seamlessly into your child’s daily life. In a world that’s constantly adapting to new challenges, the constant that remains is our unwavering commitment to our children’s well-being.
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