N95 or KN95, which one is best effective for prevention against virus transmissions? Both the masks are considered to be the best for preventing virus transmissions and especially the different variants of COVID-19. But which is better between N95 and KN95, are we wearing the right one? Who needs to wear a mask? Whether you are vaccinated or not, the latest pandemic situation has made this clear that masks are now an important part of our lives and are a must for everyone.
Both N95 and KN95 masks are manufactured with a need to filter a minimum of 95 percent of small and large particles. These particles could be 0.3 microns in size or may be larger in size. Coming to their origins, patent rights, and standards, while N95 masks are US patented and match the US standard of filtration, KN95 masks match perfectly to Chinese filtration standards. So, are N95 and KN95 masks the same, let’s find out the Difference Between N95 and KN95: Which is better between N95 and KN95?
Difference Between N95 and KN95
While both the masks are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are believed to be a must for the prevention of airborne transmissions and the dangers of fluid transmissions. While earlier these masks were only recommended for the use of front-line workers, especially Health line workers, now CDC suggests the use of these masks for all for prevention against COVID -19 variants like Omicron, Delta, and Stealth Omicron, and other kinds of virus transmissions. Which is better between N95 and KN95? Making it easy for you, here we have a simple chart of comparison of these two masks, let’s take a look:
| Parameters | N95 | KN95 |
| US NIOSH Certification | No fit test is required | Pending for special mask fit test on humans with <or equal to 8% leakage |
| Inhalation Resistance- max pressure drop | < or equal to 343 Pa | < or equal to 350 Pa |
| Exhalation Resistance- max pressure drop | < or equal to 245 Pa | < or equal to 250 Pa |
What are the similarities between N95 and KN95?
Let’s talk about similarities, both N95 and KN95 are good and can seize 95% infiltration of particles. Both the masks are capable of percolation efficiency at seizing salt particles i.e., NaCl. Another similarity, both N95vand KN95 are tested at the same flow rate of 85L/minute and have succeeded in this parameter. As per the latest update of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both N95 and KN95 masks both are considered to provide the best protection from the contagious COVID-19 omicron variant and other kinds of virus transmissions.
Which one is better N95 and KN95
Where KN95 masks are due for fit trials on humans as per the regulation, N95 masks can improve on breathability factor more than KN95 masks. However, it doesn’t mean that N95 masks will cause suffocation or any kind of oxygen deficiency in the body or KN95 masks are not for humans. A due check on mask brands that match the standard of a genuine N95 and KN95 mask is required as there are many brands that claim to be producing these but have failed to match the required standards, so we recommend sticking to reputed mask brands only.
In the United States, as KN95 masks do not match the standards of The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), their use is prohibited in the healthcare sectors amongst front liners. For a regular average person, both the genuine masks N95 and KN95 are fit to use as per quality. If we talk about availability, finding KN95 masks is much easier as N95 masks are high in demand in the healthcare sector.