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COVID-19 case numbers are down, and masks are no longer required indoors in many locations. That said, now is actually a smart time to buy N95 masks: Availability is high, and prices are lower than ever.
Top products in this article:
Our most popular N95 mask: Kimberly-Clark N95 duckbill mask (50 pack), $49 (reduced from $58)
Best per-mask price: Honeywell N95 Flatfold Respirator (50 pack), $44 (reduced from $51)
Small pack of N95 masks: 3M Aura N95 respirator (3 pack), $10
N95 masks offer the best protection against COVID-19, as they're designed to filter at least 95% of all airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns when worn correctly.
It's important to pick up an N95 mask that's approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Find the full list of approved N95 brands here (and all the picks below are NIOSH-approved, naturally). Beware: There are counterfeit N95 masks online, so be sure to check the brand name on the NIOSH site, and to shop at trusted retailers to avoid ending up with a fake N95 face mask .
Real N95 masks can be tough to track down, but we've found some available at Honeywell, Amazon and more below.
These NIOSH-approved masks have four filter layers and feature an adjustable nose clip. The double elastic head straps eliminate pressure on the ears and is meant to make wearing the mask more comfortable.
Benehal N95 Mask Particulate Respirators (20 pack), $29 (reduced from $53)
This new Honeywell design is made to fit more face shapes and minimize pressure points. It comes in a pack of 20.
Honeywell DC300 N95 particulate disposable respirators (20 pack), $30
If you're willing to purchase 50 at a time, these duckbill N95 masks from Kimberly-Clark have a large breathing chamber for comfort and soft but strong headbands -- and one of the best per-mask prices around. After a short period of unavailability, these N95 masks are back in stock at Amazon for quick shipping, so grab them before they sell out (again).
Kimberly-Clark professional N95 pouch respirator (50 pack), $49 (reduced from $58)
These 3M masks prevent eyewear fogging and have a foam cushion for maximum comfort on your nose.
3M N95 8210 respirator (20 pack), $18 (reduced from $30)
These disposable N95 masks by 3M feature an adjustable nose clip, chin tab and a low-profile design that directs air away from the nose panel to reduce eyewear fogging.
3M Aura N95 respirator (3 pack), $10
Home Depot has several N95 face mask options, including this 25-pack. These N95s have an adjustable nose clip and head strap.
N95 disposable multi-purpose respiratory mask (25 pack), $42
This N95 face mask has a soft foam nose cushion for maximum comfort. Its humidity- and moisture-resistant filter media repels moisture. At less than $1 per mask, these Honeywell N95s are one of the best N95 mask deals out there.
Honeywell Safety DF300 N95 Flatfold Disposable Respirator (50 pack), $44 (reduced from $51)
The Biden Administration announced a plan to make 400 million N95 masks available to Americans for free through local pharmacies (such as Walgreens, CVS and some supermarkets) and local health centers.
Supplies are limited to guarantee availability, and children's masks will not be available (at least at first). And unlike the free at-home COVID-19 tests offered by the government, these free N95 masks cannot be shipped. So if you need a reliable supply of N95 masks delivered, you'll have to open up your wallet and choose one of the N95 options below.
First published on January 5, 2022 / 4:47 PM
Word of the plan emerged as the White House warned Moscow may seize the assets of U.S. and international companies that are pulling out of or suspending operations in Russia.
The Senate approved the $1.5 trillion legislation by a 68-31 bipartisan margin.
Colombia would join more than a dozen countries on the major non-NATO ally list.
Smollett faced up to three years in prison for each of the five felony counts.
As Luis, Delgado, a Mexican American, got to play an ordinary, non-stereotypical Latino character at a time when such depictions were few and far between on TV, for adults or children.
Word of the plan emerged as the White House warned Moscow may seize the assets of U.S. and international companies that are pulling out of or suspending operations in Russia.
The Senate approved the $1.5 trillion legislation by a 68-31 bipartisan margin.
Russia "has a track record of falsely accusing the West of the very violations that Russia itself is perpetrating," a U.S. spokesperson said.
Colombia would join more than a dozen countries on the major non-NATO ally list.
But the company says calls for violence against Russian civilians will not be allowed.
Some police departments are dispatching mental health professionals instead of officers to certain emergencies.
TSA extended the mask mandate on planes and other public transportation until April 18.
A Colorado police department is dispatching mental health professionals instead of police officers to certain 911 calls. Jeff Pegues reports.
A new study of "excess deaths" estimates the pandemic's true toll has already surpassed 1 million in the U.S.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says his company is not cutting ties with Russia entirely, as that nation's invasion of Ukraine is about to enter its third week.
Consumers may incur an extra $2,000 in fuel costs this year, and fuel prices could still be headed higher.
Soaring energy costs are driving the price hikes, while the Ukraine war is expected to drive inflation even higher.
Although public pressure is building on major corporations to exit the country, a number of prominent players carry on.
The tax agency says it wants to hire thousands of workers on the spot at hiring events on March 16, 23 and 30.
Aluminum, nickel and palladium have all seen dramatic price hikes in March, driven by the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Word of the plan emerged as the White House warned Moscow may seize the assets of U.S. and international companies that are pulling out of or suspending operations in Russia.
Russia "has a track record of falsely accusing the West of the very violations that Russia itself is perpetrating," a U.S. spokesperson said.
Colombia would join more than a dozen countries on the major non-NATO ally list.
A new study of "excess deaths" estimates the pandemic's true toll has already surpassed 1 million in the U.S.
A Ukrainian mother and her children fleeing the Russian invasion were turned back at the U.S. border by officials who cited a Trump-era restriction, according to the family's lawyer.
As Luis, Delgado, a Mexican American, got to play an ordinary, non-stereotypical Latino character at a time when such depictions were few and far between on TV, for adults or children.
The agreement comes after weeks of stalemate delayed games and threatened to upend the season.
Just like her brother, X Æ A-12, this baby has a unique name.
"Blue Bloods" actors Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg join "CBS Mornings" to celebrate the show filming its 250th episode. They discuss what the milestone means and their friendship after playing father and son for over a decade.
Award-winning chef and Milk Bar owner Christina Tosi joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss her new book, "Dessert Can Save the World: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes for a Stubbornly Joyful Experience." She discusses her path to success and life lessons she's learned through baking.
But the company says calls for violence against Russian civilians will not be allowed.
Web exclusive: David Pogue's extended conversation with Inna Sovsun, a professor and Ukrainian Parliament member who's now active in the social-media resistance.
Misinformation has been spreading in the nearly two weeks since Russian troops invaded Ukraine. CBS News' Tanya Rivero and Nancy Chen talked with Emily Dalton Smith, the vice president of social impact at Meta, about steps the social media company is taking to battle inaccurate or unsubstantiated posts as well as provide support for Ukrainians.
House panel accuses Amazon executives of making "false and misleading statements" about the company's practices.
Third-generation iPhone SE marks the first upgrade to the bare-bones version of Apple's most popular product.
Scientists used brown rats as the modern reference species, and found they could reconstruct 95 percent of the Christmas Island rat genome.
Underwater drones helped searchers spot the wreck, described as remarkably intact, 108 years after ship went down in icy waters.
Millions of the spiders spun three-dimensional golden webs in Georgia in 2021 and a new study says they could spread "throughout most of the Eastern seaboard."
Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla joins “CBS Mornings” to discuss vaccine hesitancy and talk about his new book "Moonshot," which chronicles the company's remarkable push to create a COVID-19 vaccine.
The United Nations released an alarming climate report on Monday detailing how the world is not doing enough to fight climate change. CBS News' senior national and environmental correspondent Ben Tracy joins Jericka Duncan to discuss.
Jussie Smollett issued a forceful statement after he was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett again proclaimed his innocence, and told the courtroom that if anything happens to him in jail, he did not do it himself. Watch his remarks here.
Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett, best known for his role in the TV show "Empire," was convicted in December of five counts of lying to police about the attack but has maintained throughout his extensive legal battles that it was real. Watch part of the judge's statement and Smollett's reaction here.
Police logged 56 suspected antisemitic hate crimes citywide in February, up from 11 in February 2021.
The prosecutor said Ray used "violence, fear, sex and manipulation" to gain sex, power and money.
Camacho and a friend were shot while they sat in a Ford Mustang outside a bar in November 2012.
SpaceX has sent Starlink terminals to Ukraine to help keep the embattled nation connected to the western world
Retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly hit a nerve with Russian space chief Dmitry Rogozin in wake of Ukraine invasion.
The director of the Russian space program severs commercial ties with the West; space station operations continue normally for now.
Scientists expect the object to carve out a hole up to 66 feet across and send moon dust flying hundreds of miles across the barren surface.
The third of four upgraded GOES satellites will help monitor weather affecting the entire United States.
These colleges come with a hefty price tag
After a millionaire is poisoned with eye drops, his death is ruled a homicide. Did this inspire a copycat crime?
These images paint a startling picture of the environmental changes afoot across the globe as temperatures rise.
Russia's invasion has spawned the biggest movement of people in Europe in decades. They're just the latest of millions of others who have been displaced by conflict, violence or insecurity.
Ally Kostial loved attending the University of Mississippi. Her life was cut short on July 20, 2019, when she was shot dead by a fellow student at a desolate fishing camp about 30 miles from campus.
Growing toll of Russian invasion of Ukraine; U.S. intel officials testify on biggest threats
A New Jersey boy goes surfing every day – no matter the weather – for a good reason. A bride wore a special tactile wedding dress for her groom, who is blind. And the unique way moms are letting out their pent-up frustrations. Plus, in honor of Women's History Month, we shine a light on a woman bonding with her community.
Hundreds of U.S. and international companies have withdrawn from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Now the White House says it has reports the Russians are considering seizing the assets of those companies. This comes as shelling intensifies around Ukraine's port cities. CSB News foreign correspondent Ian Lee has the latest.
Jussie Smollett issued a forceful statement after he was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett again proclaimed his innocence, and told the courtroom that if anything happens to him in jail, he did not do it himself. Watch his remarks here.
Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 30 months felony probation, which will include 150 days in jail, for lying to police about an alleged hate crime in 2019. Smollett, best known for his role in the TV show "Empire," was convicted in December of five counts of lying to police about the attack but has maintained throughout his extensive legal battles that it was real. Watch part of the judge's statement and Smollett's reaction here.
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