3M Aura Particulate N95 Respirator 9205+, Flat Fold Lightweight Design, Non-Valved, 20 Count (Pack of 1)

Best Fit Yet!
Not a fan of wearing masks but who is!I’ve been wearing ear loop masks and they really bother my large but lovely ears. Specifically, the area that bothers me is the furrow between the helix or outer portion of the ear and my head (the area where eyeglass temples rest on my head). Traditional earloop mask loops tug on that area which generally bothers me. I am a lifelong eyeglass wearer so I am used to having a “foreign object” touch that area. I say that as not to appear too sensitive to the idea of having loops around my ears. Some people don’t mind and some do. I do – so earloop masks are not for me. Having tried numerous masks over the last couple of years starting with two band around the head types and ear loop types, I have concluded that for me (a bald guy who wears glasses and has large lovely ears), the two banded around the head type work best even though I have to remove my glasses to put the mask on and take it off otherwise I risk flailing my glasses off my head when removing the mask.Regarding the head loops themselves, they are elastic much like thin pliable rubber bands and are stapled to each side of the mask with industrial staples. I think the odd smell of the masks when first used may be attributed to the bands. These are single use masks but I can’t see throwing them away after only one use or even one day’s use so I usually wear one mask for a few days. After all, I am not an ER doctor or work in a Operating Room so true single use is relative. There are studies that suggest that bacteria can form on the inside of a mask but studies are inconclusive regarding the amount of bacteria that accumulates if used once or multiple times. Having said that, I wouldn’t use a mask for more than a few days. Sweat, normal breathing, and coughing all contribute to reasons you need to dispose of a used masks and use a new one regularly. I was able to get two full days of use before one of the bands broke. Admittedly, I took the mask off and put it back on several times each day. And I adjusted the bands repeatedly to get a good fit so I am not disuaded by the fact that the one band only lasted two days. I was about to “retire” that mask anyway.3M says you can use this mask up to 25 times based on wear, damage, etc.Last comment about using two banded versus earloop masks – I shave my head so I am comfortable with bands around my head. People with any amount of hair may be bothered by bands tangling their hair. My wife and children all have lovely manes and they DO NOT like two banded masks.Now as for fit besides the loops. Best facial comfort for any mask I’ve ever used. These masks come with a foam pad about 5″ long that is affixed to the top of the inner side of the mask. This ensures a tight fit and reduces eyeglass fogging. Fogging is not eliminated but reduced.A note about men with beards or goaties as is my case. The mask fits over my goatie completely and that contributes to the tight fit. But my beard does get “damp” which isn’t fun but oh well, when you need to wear a mask then go all in.Remember, N95 masks use head loops to ensure a tight fit. KN95 masks offer either head loops or ear loops. If they have ear loops, they are not N95 masks. Do I really need an actual N95 respirator? No, not really. I could get KN95s with head loops but I’m really digging these 3M masks.Summary:Great for bald heads.Best facial fit ever.Quality components that lasts for as long as intended.Final comment: They are Made In The USA (with globally sourced materials).

Stops particles
I used these a lot during the pandemic and keep a box around for handing to friends that don’t own cartridge based respirators when we are doing projects with lots of dust or chances of mold. They do their job well. If you wear them for too long at once you do get some moisture building up inside and it can be uncomfortable so for longer jobs you might try the vented ones that the manufacturer makes.

fits well; good for longer term wearing; good as cool flow masks on exhale
Highly recommended based on price, comfort and performance. These masks are useful when going to the doctor’s office for wearing less than an hour but are comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time (though just barely…). I base this review on having to wear a mask for covid less than once a month and being 6′ 3″, 225lbs.For the first year or so of covid I had been using 3M N95 cool flow masks. I had these on hand pre-covid for my allergies when doing yardwork and topped them off with a surgical mask when needed for covid. The Aura masks are slightly more comfortable / better fitting than the cool flow masks. They have about the same breathability as the cool flow masks, particularly on exhale, and no need to pair with a surgical mask.Then I used a Castle Grade elastomeric mask with replaceable filters. Those masks fit well like a 3M respirator but the filter area is about 1/5 the filter area of the Aura so it is much harder to breathe. Walking up steps, or anything that got me breathing slightly harder, made me want to lift my mask to catch my breath which fairly defeats the point of the mask. I wanted to avoid wearing that elastomeric mask for more than an hour. The elastomeric mask is possibly not as good as it’s rated because the same amount of breathed air is going through a much smaller filter which might mean less effectiveness. The Aura has much better comfort and breathability than the elastomeric mask and nearly as good fit so these are now my go-to masks for covid.I came across the Aura masks by recommendation and they are what I need. The price is right (~$2 a mask) and maybe can be worn for ~30 hours over several days (or whatever recommended lifetime is). I prefer these boxed packs from 3M and not the loose bundles from third-parties. The Aura 9205 masks are more comfortable than the 1870+ version because they are slightly taller. I did not like the feel of the 1870 mask.