Best Masks for Kids

Nose Clip: Yes | Filter N95

The Kimberly-Clark N95 Pouch is a unique duck bill-shaped pouch with fabric elastic head straps, nose clip, and soft fabric. This N95 mask offers impressive filtration recommended by the CDC, a design that allows for open breathing with no “suck in” of the mask, and has ultra-soft fabric that feels good on the skin all day long. We like the fabric style straps that don't snag in hair and the comfortable design that doesn't need chronic adjustment.

The shape of this pouch is weird, and some kids might be self-conscious about how it looks. It also has a funny dryer sheet scent when fresh from the package (we recommend airing this out), which can be offensive and caused a headache in at least one tester if not aired out. This mask is one of our all-time favorites after 2 years of testing and is a made-in-the-USA N95 option by a company we've heard of, making it a shoo-in for an award.

Nose Clip: Yes | Filter: KN95 (CDC concerns)

The WWDOLL Kid KN95 Face Mask pack offers multiple colors and a good fit. Our favorite part is the foam padded nase clip that seals off any potential for air gaps. It has adjustable ear straps, which is nice, even if they are on the shorter side.

These masks do not have the GB2626-2019 stamped on the masks, though they are listed on the box. This gives us pause, and we aren't sure what to make of it, but no stamp is a red flag for potential fake masks, according to some sources. However, there are 5 layers, and appear to be what the manufacturer claims, at least in the description. We think these are a good option for those with glasses or anyone concerned with air gaps.

Nose Clip: Yes | Filter: N95

The 3M Aura is an N95 mask from a company you know. It has a three-part design that holds the mask away from your lips and includes two head straps like all N95 masks. This mask has N95 filtration, is NIOSH-approved, and is individually wrapped. You almost can't ask for more. Several kid testers felt it was a less embarrassing shape than the Kimberly-Clark N95 Pouch.

These masks smell awful. No joking, we almost didn't get them off in time to avoid vomiting. Some testers got headaches when wearing them straight out of the package. The head strap design includes very large industrial staples that secure the straps to the mask. The staples easily scratch faces when putting the masks on. The head straps also smell strongly of rubber bands, and the strap materials snag hair in a way that could easily lead little ones to refuse to put them on. All of these issues aside, finding a good quality N95 mask from a company name we know has proven difficult, making the 3M Aura a hard mask to ignore. In our experience, if you allow the masks to air out for at least 24 hours and use great care when putting them on (to avoid hair snags and face scratches), they offer a comfortable and functional mask you can feel secure wearing.

Nose Clip: Yes | Filter: KN95 maybe

The Spellow Kids KN95 Face Masks pack was impressive to testers at first, with a nice comfort level and many fit features that create a snug, gap-free fit. However, given further research, we worry about some red flags indicated by reputable sources that this mask could be a fake. First, it has no date for when it was made or expires. Second, nowhere on the box or on the masks themselves does it mention the GB2626-2019 label, indicating it meets the current standards for the KN95 masks. According to our sources, the GB label should be stamped on the masks themselves. While we saw many that only indicated the GB standard on the box, this brand didn't mention it anywhere. These masks might be totally fine and not fake (we can't say for sure), but given the information we have and the flags raised, we don't recommend them to our readers.

How We Test Kids' Masks

We researched and tested masks over several months with multiple kids of various ages. We conducted online research concerning the most protective mask types and those that have been shown as “counterfeit” by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Our tests include multiple tests for quality, comfort, fit, breathability, filter properties, and more. We consider tester observations and feedback from kids testers to determine our award winners and the ranking of our lineup. With more than 12 individual in-house tests and extensive real-world wearing, we have all the details to determine which masks are better than the competition. We tested, scored, and ranked metrics like fit, filter, comfort, and more, including smell, design, and other components.

Why Trust GearLab

BabyGearLab has been testing products for babies and kids since 2012. This team is led by Senior Review Editor, Wendy Schmitz, a mother of two who has been with the team since 2014. Wendy's boys contributed to testing by graciously wearing each mask for long periods during play, exercise, car rides, camp, and more. They compared each product for comfort, fit, breathability, and movement when talking or being active. Their feedback helped influence ranking and Wendy's expert analysis of mask construction, quality, durability, and potential longevity.

Analysis and Test Results

We purchased each mask and tested it side-by-side and face-on to compare the competition. We considered various metrics designed to help parents find a mask their children will willingly wear without fighting that also provides the protection they hope for. Our testers included little ones from 3 to 12 years old.

Fit and Comfort

The overall fit of a mask can impact how effective it can be at doing its job and whether or not your child tolerates or voluntarily wears the mask. Three main features influence a mask's fit and comfort: the ear straps, a moldable nose piece, and what we call a chin shelf. After much testing, we think some of the best masks offer all three. Most of the KN95 masks all have a similar shape with similar features, but how well they fit the faces of testers varied. For the most part, these masks fit better than most of the fabric masks we've tested over the years, especially if they lack the 3 components we think are most important: a nose clip, adjustable ear straps, and chin shelf. The N95 masks include two straps that go around the head, not the ears, which is different than the competition. However, both of the N95 masks we tested have nose clips and chin coverage.

Good-fitting masks include the Kimberly-Clark N95 Pouches and Spellow Kids KN95 Face Masks. The Kimberly-Clark N95 Pouches might have a funny look, but we wore them all day with no complaints or problems. The fabric is soft, the straps are hair-friendly, and the pouch design prevents it from rubbing on your face when you breathe and talk.

A moldable nose piece is a metal component incorporated into the mask, usually some bendable wire, that allows the wearer to form the mask around their nose to prevent gaps that could let in air. It also creates a somewhat customizable fit and helps prevent fog from forming on glasses. We believe moldable nose pieces are essential for preventing masks from moving up on the face and into the eyes, a problem we experienced with some of the larger masks and some without the wire nose piece. Fabric rubbing on your child's eyes will likely result in mask fiddling and removal.

The WWDOLL KN95 Kids Masks have foam padding inside the mask (see photo above) under the nose clip that helps stop air gaps, increases overall comfort, and prevents glasses fog in our tests. This feature is well worth considering if your child wears glasses or you have concerns about comfort or air leaking. The 3M Aura also has a padded nose clip area, but the wire part is so strong and wide it was hard to get a comfortable fit that didn't apply too much pressure without some practice and patient finessing.

A chin shelf, a term we believe we coined, is an extra bit of fabric sewn to the bottom of the mask that brings the mask closer to the face and fits under the chin in a more form-fitting way (see photo above) to help limit potential air gaps. While not 100% necessary, we found that the masks that included a chin shelf were largely considered more comfortable by our little testers. They also help prevent gaps for air to get in and stop some upward movement that can happen as kids talk, move, and play. In addition, we saw less continuous mask adjustment with the masks that included a chin shelf. Most of the KN95 masks lack a true chin shelf, but their cone-shaped design tucks under the chin in a similar manner. The downside to this design is if the mask is too small, it will ride up when children talk without any wiggle room for little ones between sizes. The 3M Aura has what the manufacturer calls a “chin tab,” and the Kimberly-Clark N95 Pouch tucks under the chin nicely with little movement when talking.

Adjustable ear straps help create a more custom fit that allows the mask to fit more faces than a stationary ear strap. In our tests, users liked the adjustable straps because they were thinner, less noticeable, more comfortable, and let them adjust the mask as tight or loose as desired. This feature also prevented the need for a mask with fabric covering from ear to ear and instead only covers the area right around the mouth, which can be cooler and less claustrophobic to some kids. We also like that the adjustability helps provide some distance between the mask and your mouth. As previously stated, N95 masks must have straps that go around the head. While we suspect some kids will fight this feature, the straps on the Kimberly-Clark Pouches are soft, easy to put on, and need no adjustment. We loved them. On the other hand, the 3M Aura had a rubber chemical smell and snagged on hair. They were also secured to the masks with heavy staples, which seems like a design flaw and caused cheek scratches on some testers. If you allow them to air out for more than a day, the smell dissipates, but you'll need to plan ahead and still take care with the staple ends. The WWDOLL KN95 mask has adjustable straps. Masks with thicker, adjustable cotton straps were not well received by testers.

We recommend looking for masks that include all three of these components and have comfortable materials that feel good on the skin. While you can still find a great mask without these components, as our testing indicates, it is more challenging without a lot of trial and error.

The exception to this rule is the “gaiter” style of mask, which is essentially a tube of fabric that rests around your neck and pulls up over the lower portion of the face, going around the back of the head. Traditionally, gaiter-style masks were for winter outdoor activities or riding motorcycles but have seen a rise in popularity as the need for masks has increased. This style is comfortable for most kids and comes in cooling fabrics that are breathable and comfortable. You can also arrange it into various head dressings, which is appealing to some kids. The CDC currently doesn't recommend gaiters as many lack filtration properties and have more air gaps than a well-fitted traditional mask. Kids also often mess with them and might feel the pressure on their nose bridge uncomfortable. Some children feel claustrophobic with something around their entire head; depending on the fabric, they can be hot. While we no longer include a gaiter-style mask in our review, if your child absolutely refuses to wear a mask, it might be worth looking for a gaiter with filtering properties to try, as something might be better than nothing.

Features

Beyond the features related to fit and comfort, we think there are other features to consider before making a purchase. Without discussing the efficacy of masks or their level of protection, we think it is a good idea to look for N95 or KN95 masks or cloth masks that include the ability to add a filter.

If you can't find a great, well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask, many cloth masks have the ability to add an activated charcoal filter that is PM2.5. These filters potentially provide more protection against airborne particles than going sans filters in a cloth mask. Researchers are still assessing whether or not they can protect you from specific viruses.

Currently, most health organizations recommend an N95, KN95, or KF95 mask type. If you can't find a well-fitted 95-style mask, studies indicate that multiple layers are better and filters are safer (even if only because they provide more layers). Most external filters are listed as “PM 2.5,” which means they can trap Particulate Matter (PM) that is smaller than 2.5 micrometers. While these filters may or may not capture specific viruses, the filters are 3-5 layers, which recent studies show increases your protection from the moisture droplets that carry viruses.

Conclusion

Wearing a mask is now a part of regular life for many kids. Whether picking up groceries or returning to school and other activities, kids often wear masks away from home or on travel. Our tests show that kids prefer comfortable masks for long periods without hindering breathing, talking, or playing. Finding the perfect mask for your child can make the difference between cooperative compliance and repeatedly saying, “Put your mask on.” Because kids are generally more active than adults, finding an excellent mask for physical activities is essential. We believe our hands-on, side-by-side testing will help you find the right mask for your child and budget.