Sources for legit N95/KN95 masks
October 27, 2020 1:13 PM
I'm in a blazing hot COVID state and have to go to physical therapy 4x/week so I am now in the market for genuine N95/KN95 masks. Amazingly I am unable to find a list of reputable vendors online. Plenty of guides to identifying counterfeits, but I just want someone to say "buy from this place." Can you?
Previously.
On that thread I suggested N95MaskCo and linked to their CDC credentials. Since then I've succesfully ordered from them. I chose the Respokare model. I found those very tight, and would probably get the regular N95 or KN95 face mask if I were to order again.
posted by caek at 1:31 PM on October 27, 2020
On that thread I suggested N95MaskCo and linked to their CDC credentials. Since then I've succesfully ordered from them. I chose the Respokare model. I found those very tight, and would probably get the regular N95 or KN95 face mask if I were to order again.
posted by caek at 1:31 PM on October 27, 2020
i successfully ordered a box of 20 kn95 masks from n95maskco based on caek's recommendation. they fit well, although they're a bit large on me. (i have small face, though, so this is a problem with all standard / one-size-fits-all masks.)
posted by guybrush_threepwood at 1:34 PM on October 27, 2020
posted by guybrush_threepwood at 1:34 PM on October 27, 2020
I ordered some Respokare masks from the N95MaskCo a couple months ago, they arrived and seem fine - they fit well and are well-made but I'm not a professional filtration test facility. They worked well on the very smoky days during the wildfires in the SF Bay Area. They are very not cheap!
I also recently got some KN95 masks from Amazon, these ones. They claim to be on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization List and they seem to filter fine. They're ear-loop masks as opposed over-the-head straps like the Respokare but still fit well enough. And are a lot cheaper!
posted by GuyZero at 1:39 PM on October 27, 2020
I also recently got some KN95 masks from Amazon, these ones. They claim to be on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization List and they seem to filter fine. They're ear-loop masks as opposed over-the-head straps like the Respokare but still fit well enough. And are a lot cheaper!
posted by GuyZero at 1:39 PM on October 27, 2020
Buy from here: https://www.protectly.co/ They're legit and based in Portland, Oregon.
posted by purple_bird at 1:44 PM on October 27, 2020
posted by purple_bird at 1:44 PM on October 27, 2020
I picked up these Kitsbow when I signed up to be an election worker. They have a replaceable HEPA filter and area a lot more comfortable than the cup-style N95s I have.
They're expensive, but the replaceable filters themselves are a bit more affordable. Most of the time I just wear the filterless (still two layers) out while riding my bike or walking the dog. There's a nose wire, and does a passable job at keeping my glasses from fogging.
They have a lot of sizing info on the site, and it seemed pretty accurate for my and my SO.
posted by typetive at 2:36 PM on October 27, 2020
They're expensive, but the replaceable filters themselves are a bit more affordable. Most of the time I just wear the filterless (still two layers) out while riding my bike or walking the dog. There's a nose wire, and does a passable job at keeping my glasses from fogging.
They have a lot of sizing info on the site, and it seemed pretty accurate for my and my SO.
posted by typetive at 2:36 PM on October 27, 2020
I've ordered KN95s from Brooklyn Equipment, which seems like an honest operation, and the masks don't seem counterfeit.
The vendor has good customer service in my experience, I gave them the wrong shipping address the first time and the shipment got a bit lost. They sorted it out with UPS for me.
posted by BungaDunga at 2:47 PM on October 27, 2020
The vendor has good customer service in my experience, I gave them the wrong shipping address the first time and the shipment got a bit lost. They sorted it out with UPS for me.
posted by BungaDunga at 2:47 PM on October 27, 2020
I ordered some masks last week from N95MaskCo based on the recommendations in the earlier thread in anticipation of some travel I have to do for a family crisis. They shipped them very quickly but the masks are now stuck in Louisville, I think being held up in customs (?) and I'm worried they won't arrive in time for my travel.
If any of the above vendors keep their stock in US warehouses that might be preferable.
posted by dis_integration at 5:54 PM on October 27, 2020
If any of the above vendors keep their stock in US warehouses that might be preferable.
posted by dis_integration at 5:54 PM on October 27, 2020
McMaster-Carr has some styles of N95 disposable respirators in stock right now, like these. I would trust their supply chain integrity as much as anyone’s, and they are very, very fast.
posted by musicinmybrain at 6:24 PM on October 27, 2020
posted by musicinmybrain at 6:24 PM on October 27, 2020
If any of the above vendors keep their stock in US warehouses that might be preferable.
I think Brooklyn Equipment (linked by me above) shipped mine from a warehouse in New Jersey.
posted by BungaDunga at 6:50 PM on October 27, 2020
I think Brooklyn Equipment (linked by me above) shipped mine from a warehouse in New Jersey.
posted by BungaDunga at 6:50 PM on October 27, 2020
Nthing, the recommendation for N95MaskCo, but do be generous with shipping times. I ordered some so I can be a poll observer in PA on Tuesday and they will arrive on time, but it was a little touch and go with customs delays. Total turnaround from order to arrival is a little over a week for me.
posted by fancypants at 8:08 AM on October 28, 2020
posted by fancypants at 8:08 AM on October 28, 2020
I have been checking McMaster-Carr for weeks and this is the first time they've had a ventless mask in stock! Thank you. Based on the registration number, they're the Moldex masks that Protectly is also selling. McMaster is a technical/industrial supplier of long standing, I concur that their supply chain is as good as anyone right now. I would order from them in a heartbeat, and shy away from any overseas supplier or fly-by-night N95 website.
posted by wnissen at 9:08 AM on October 28, 2020
posted by wnissen at 9:08 AM on October 28, 2020
I tried ordering from McMaster-Carr and they took my order but then sent an email saying they couldn't fulfill it. I also ordered from Protectly and the masks just arrived and fit very well. I found a number of Reddit threads critical of N95MaskCo so didn't feel confident ordering from them; just mentioning this for future searchers.
posted by HotToddy at 10:20 AM on October 29, 2020
posted by HotToddy at 10:20 AM on October 29, 2020
I got mine delivered from McMaster-Carr yesterday. I can't evaluate their authenticity, but there are no obvious red flags. The "one size fits most" is definitely on the larger size. They are back in stock, if anyone missed out. I note that Protectly is charging $125 including shipping for the same masks McMaster-Carr ships for $31.84. Just under 4x the price.
posted by wnissen at 8:39 AM on November 4, 2020
posted by wnissen at 8:39 AM on November 4, 2020
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posted by wicked_sassy at 1:21 PM on October 27, 2020