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Shortly after the COVID-19 vaccine was made available to all eligible individuals over the age of 12, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overhauled its mask mandates and guidance in May. For the upwards of 141 million vaccinated individuals, heading outside and into indoor, uncrowded spaces no longer requires face masks — but the essential need remains the same for those who have yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. And while the risk threshold for COVID-19 spread has lowered considerably for those with a vaccine, choosing to wear a mask even if you are vaccinated may prevent you from unknowingly spreading the disease to those around you.
While unvaccinated individuals will still need to wear masks virtually anytime they leave the house and enter public spaces, even vaccinated individuals need to mask up in a few instances. Travel, for example, requires most passengers to mask up, especially in indoor spaces within airplanes, trains, buses and ferries. Crowded outdoor gatherings, including live performances, may also require you to mask up; the CDC’s visual breakdown of activities’ risk is here.
In any case, masks are still very much a necessary accessory these days. Below, we’re sharing Good Housekeeping editors’ picks and best-tested masks for an array of needs. Plus, we’re answering a few questions about how you can I.D. the safest masks with the help of our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Should I buy a fabric face mask?
Back when the pandemic began, many DIY fanatics turned to their sewing machines to create their own masks (as well as folded options like this model!). Now, there are so many models to consider, it may feel overwhelming. How do you find the best mask in a sea of options, you might wonder?
To start, you can look for marketing language that indicates that the mask in question has been tested according to standards established by industry experts at ASTM, explains Lexie Sachs, textiles director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. You’ll need to look for wording that suggests the product “Meets ASTM F3502,” a new standard that masks manufacturers are largely implementing after its debut in February. Usually, this standard is applied to cloth-based masks that have a washable nonwoven filtration layer built-in, or an insert for disposable filters on their own. There are other guidelines in place for disposable, surgical-style masks; you’ll need to look for a stamp of approval in language like “Meets ASTM F2100,” an indicator that these masks have been made according to protective standardization.
You can view full CDC recommendations for which kind of mask you should buy, but nearly any of the masks you purchase should meet these criteria, Sachs says:
- If the masks are made out of fabric, make sure it’s 100% woven cotton
- If you want extra protection, it should have a non-woven interface to filter contaminants
- A design feature to ensure it fits close to your face, like an adjustable nose clip and ample fabric to fit beneath your chin
- Make sure it’s machine washable for reuse
Where to buy a fabric face mask:
There are more than 85 retailers on this list that are making top-quality fabric face masks across the nation. As we’ve highlighted in our collection of guides above, there are different manufacturing standards between non-medical fabric face coverings and medical-grade disposable face masks; you can shop the best-rated medical face masks here. The following fabric masks have been vetted in one way or another in various categories by Good Housekeeping editors throughout the pandemic.
Best Tested Face Masks
Courtesy of Amanda Perna
Courtesy of Amazon
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More of our best tested:
Best Face Masks of 2021
Courtesy of Casetify
Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Madewell
More of the best new face masks on the market:
Best Lightweight Face Masks
Courtesy of Champion
Courtesy of Lululemon
Courtesy of Athleta
More best lightweight masks to shop:
Best Stylish Fashion Face Masks
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Courtesy of Marni
More fashionable face masks to choose from:
Even More Face Masks on Sale Now:
- Antimicrobial Face Mask with Filter Pocket, Love Your Melon, $16 each.
- The Everyday Face Mask 2.0, ProperCloth, $20 each.
- Printed Face Mask in Multiple Styles, Scout Bags, $11 each.
- Reusable Cotton Face Mask, Fruit of the Loom, $22 for a pack of 50.
- Cotton Face Mask, Case-Mate x Safe+Mate, $10 for a pack of 3.
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- Unakite Jasper’ Printed Face Mask, Crown Inspired, $20 each.
- Protective Comfort Mask, Xirotex, $22 each.
- Antimicrobial and Fluid Resistant Face Masks, Mandala, $30 for a pack of 5.
- Zahara Ruffle Face Mask, Aso+Asa, $25 each.
- Lightweight Face Masks with Nose Tab, Emilia George, $10 for a pack of 3.
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