CDC Tested Top Performing N95 and KN95 Masks

After a severe shortage in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, there are now thousands of different types of masks available on the market. Since April 2020, CDC has tested hundreds of different brands. The table below shows some of the top-performing masks based on the most important measure - filtration efficiency. While big names like 3M and Honeywell performed very well in these tests, some lesser-known names came out on top.

B.1.1.7 Alpha: This variant was first detected in the United States in December 2020. It was initially detected in the United Kingdom.

B.1.351 Beta: This variant was first detected in the United States at the end of January 2021. It was initially detected in South Africa in December 2020.

P.1 Gamma: This variant was first detected in the United States in January 2021. P.1 was initially identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan, in early January.

B.1.427 and B.1.429: These two variants were first identified in California in February 2021.

B.1.617 Delta: This triple mutation variant was first detected in the United States in April 2021. It was initially detected in India. Reduced neutralization by post-vaccination sera

B.1.1.529 Omicron: Includes BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, BA.5 and descendent lineages. It also includes BA.1/BA.2 circulating recombinant forms such as XE. WHO emphasizes that these descendant lineages should be monitored as distinct lineages by public health authorities and comparative assessments of their virus characteristics should be undertaken.

In Europe, due to the rapid spread of the variants, governments are mandating medical-grade masks in public spaces such as airports and mass transit.

“The overall picture is one of something like a 40 to 60 percent increase in hospitalization risk, and risk of death,” Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist and scientific adviser to the British government

Link to the complete list of CDC test results

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with a Ph.D. in quantum chemistry from the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry at the Academy of Sciences in Berlin-Adlershof, has made KN95 masks her PPE of choice and has been photographed with these masks often in the last several months. Powecom seems to be her go-to KN95 brand while she has also been photographed with other KN95 masks with no clear brand identification.

SeattlePPE CDC Tested KN95 and N95 Masks

At SeattlePPE, we have curated a selection of the highest-ranked medical-grade N95 and KN95 masks according to the CDC tests. We have supplied these masks to hospitals, retirement communities, businesses and the general public. These masks provide effective protection against viruses, fire smoke, pollution, smog, airborne allergen and other airborne particles and contaminants. The masks have also received great customer reviews. In addition, we’ve donated tens of thousands of masks to nonprofit organizations in the state of Washington. Your purchase will allow us to continue giving back to those in need.