CDC overrules mask advisers and its own research finding 'no difference' between N95, surgical Greg Piper / justthenews.com Feb 7, 2024 Updated Feb 8, 2024 Angus Mordant/Bloomberg/Getty Images ...

The particles smaller than 0.3 wander into a N95 mask and wind up moving in a zigzag pattern to get trapped on the fibers. Plus, the masks use electrostatic absorption, which helps trap the particles.

Keep reading for more on where to buy real KN95, N95 and KF94 masks, how to spot fake ones and more. What’s the Difference Between Face Masks and Respirators?

Because KN95 masks aren’t overseen and vetted by NIOSH, they aren’t considered as effective as the U.S.-certified N95 masks. Another big difference between N95 and KN95 masks is the price point.

Another big difference between N95 and KN95 masks is the price point. Since KN95 aren’t actually certified by NIOSH, they usually come at a lower financial cost than high-grade N95 masks.

Do N95 masks work better than surgical masks? A draft proposal from the CDC suggests the two are equivalent in certain hospital settings.

A CDC draft controversially concludes that N95 face masks are equivalent to looser, surgical face masks in certain settings.

What's the difference between N95s and KN95s? The difference between N95 and KN95 masks is where each is certified, according to Oklahoma's state health department.

“People already have their masks. They know how to use it, they’re used to it, they’ve heard people [explain] the difference between a surgical mask and an N95 mask,” Dailey says.

Another big difference between N95 and KN95 masks is the price point. Since KN95 aren’t actually certified by NIOSH, they usually come at a lower financial cost than high-grade N95 masks.