N95s for large heads/faces

January 6, 2022 8:56 AM

I’m looking for N95s that will fit my huge head and face.

I wear a size 8 hat (XXXL) and have a large face - for example, glasses rarely fit unless I get extra wide frames. I’ve been wearing disposable paper masks, which I like a lot, but want to upgrade to N95s as I teach middle school.

I’ve tried a few different KN95s and N95s and found that they’re all too small for my head and/or face. Looking for any personal recommendations from fellow large-faced mefites!

posted by rossination to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

The largest N95s I've found are these (in size large). I don't know if my head is as big as yours, they are large enough for me.
posted by caek at 9:39 AM on January 6, 2022

best ones I've found so far are the Harley L-188 NIOSH-approved N95s. I've got a fat face/head and wear one of these every workday (desk job) for 9+ hours. The headbands keep the mask tight, and the nosepiece takes shape and conforms well to my nose without completely pinching my nostrils shut (I've yet to find a mask that seals around my nose without pinching them shut somewhat).
posted by namewithoutwords at 9:40 AM on January 6, 2022

If you're open to the Korean-standard KF94 masks, they come in various sizes and white/black color. (These are all earloop masks, unlike the N95. Like the N95, they can be re-used a number of times until they become worn, dirty, or the earloops stretch out preventing a tight face seal. Do not clean or try to sanitize them since any chemicals can harm the filter material; just let them air out between wearings.) A lot of places are sold out right now but I'll list trusted suppliers that seem to have stock right now; this stock situation will change over time. Some brands that work for bigger faces include:

BOTN Large or BOTN XL (these have adjustable earloops; sizing note, a big-faced relative of mine found the XL to be too big, so it may be worth trying both)
LG Airwasher (adjustable ear loops but out of stock everywhere i'm looking right now)
KoreaMask Large
[This MegaFit says it's for XXL faces]

If you're ready to dig through numbers, here is Aaron Collins's youtube channel and his mask testing data set which includes mask dimensions for a loooot of KF94/K95/KN95 masks. Visual of how he measures mask dimensions.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:59 AM on January 6, 2022 [4 favorites]

Are you open to KF94s? The boat-style masks might be a better fit, and I think that fit and wearability are more important than a slight improvement in filtration.

These BOTN masks come in XL and have adjustable ear loops. I have a wide face and find the L to be pretty generously sized. The XL reviews are mostly from dudes with big heads and beards.

On preview: jinx!
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:03 AM on January 6, 2022

(Here's Aaron Collins putting on the BOTN large if you want a view of it one a human head; this was before the XL was available so I don't think he has tested that one yet)
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:06 AM on January 6, 2022

Have you tried the 3M Aura or a duckbill N95? They both allow for more movement of the mouth without breaking the seal, which leads me to believe they would fit a bigger face as well.
posted by danceswithlight at 10:30 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

I have a very large head, and I’ve tried the 3M Aura — the actual mask is surprisingly small, especially the nose to chin distance, and it had a very tight headband. It didn’t work for me. I’ve also tried the 3M Vflex, and the mask was definitely a better fit but the headband was still uncomfortably tight. I realize it has to be snug, but my giant head seems to require something explicitly made for giant heads.

I’ve tried BOTN large and XL, and actually found them very big/loose; I think those specific masks just didn’t happen to work for my face shape, but the KF94 shape in general tends to be good for big faces. I had an Air Queen KF94 that fit very well, but I hesitate to recommend it, as the one I used was apparently not a great filtering mask — they have other models that may be better, but I haven’t found them to try yet.

I typically use Powecom KN95s with ear loops, which are not perfect but have been a reasonable compromise as I try various N95s, looking for my perfect Goldilocks mask. When I’m in particularly risky situations, I put a cloth mask with around-the-head elastic and a very strong nose wire over the KN95; it helps improve the seal around my nose.
posted by kite at 11:48 AM on January 6, 2022

Unfortunately I can't find anyone with them in stock, but Honeywell does have two XL N95 models:

Basic model
Model number: N1105 XL
Item number: 14110389

Premium model with Nose Foam
Model number: N1115 XL
Item number: 14110392

Might want to look into a mask brace. Fix The Mask has a sizing video. You can follow this to see if they will fit you (without buying anything). They have not yet come out with their Large+ size as stated in the video.
posted by meowzilla at 12:37 PM on January 6, 2022

While I'm not gifted with a large jaw, I do wear a 7 7/8 hat, and I am pretty happy with the seal and format of the 3M 9105 n95, though the rubber headbands are a little tighter than I'd like.
posted by enfa at 1:30 PM on January 6, 2022

I shop for my partner who has a large, long head who also can’t get glasses with long enough arms. His favorite/the largest I’ve been able to get in the US is the BOTN XL, linked above. Some masks that are almost big enough are BOTN L, LG Airwasher Dr Puri L. Some that he’s found too small: Powecom N95, Masklab, Posh mask (great for small faces!), Bluna face fit.

I’ve been ordering 2 of each to try out when able. Good luck!
posted by Bunglegirl at 3:13 PM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

I have a similarly large head and I find the Honeywell N95 DF300 H910 masks fit okay for me.

Right now they are 50 for $30, and there's a discount code WELCOME15 if you order $50 worth of merchandise.

When I first bought these I bought them off Amazon at $37 for 50, which has since ran out fo stock, but Honeywell's shop sells direct for less and the discount code is on top of that.

I have a box in front of me. It is made in China for Honeywell, and looks to be genuine article, with nose foam and metal insert for shape-forming. It's two-loop over and under, not the ear loop style.
posted by kschang at 4:30 PM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

I also have a large head and wear that Honeywell H910. It’s a little tight getting the straps on, but it stays put very well and I can reuse them quite a bit.

Prior to this, I was wearing the BOTN large very comfortably
posted by advicepig at 7:13 PM on January 6, 2022