Wearing a mask when you go out in public has basically become a given for most of us ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began a couple of years ago. And, while you probably have your lineup of go-to face masks you’ve been wearing for a while now, the rapid spread of the new and highly contagious Omicron variant and a massive jump in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has more than a few people taking a closer look at the quality of their masks.
One type of mask that’s gotten a lot of attention lately is the FFP2 mask. An FFP2—the FFP stands for “filtering facepiece respirator”—is a type of respirator that is in the same performance category as N95 masks, according to the World Health Organization. (It’s a European standard, similar to how China has the KN95 and Korea has the KF94.) FFP2 masks filter out at least 94 percent of aerosols, giving you a lot of protection from airborne germs while you’re out and about.
Interested in FFP2s but prefer to stick with American standards? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has softened its recommendation on N95 masks, which filter out at least 95 percent of aerosols and used to be restricted for healthcare workers. The CDC now says that anyone can use an N95 mask “when supplies are available,” opening this up to the general public, too.
Of course, everyone and their mom want highly protective masks right now, making FFP2s, N95s, and similar, higher-protection face masks somewhat tricky to find. Here are a few options that are currently in stock—grab them while you can.
Scouted selects products independently and prices reflect what was available at the time of publish. Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change. Sign up for our newsletter for more recommendations and deals. If you buy something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.