10 Best Disposable Face Masks 2021 - Best Medical Masks for Double-Masking

Oct 31, 2024

Here's how to find masks that meet industry standards for fit and construction.

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Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to recommend masking for unvaccinated individuals as well as fully vaccinated Americans in indoor spaces that may be poorly ventilated. And because COVID-19 continues to spread and cause breakthrough cases due to the viral Delta variant, upgrading your collection of masks for maximized protection while in public is more crucial now than ever before.

Earlier this year, a recommendation for double masking was made by federal health officials to help Americans create a more secure mask fit — something that a disposable surgical mask is perfect for on its own when you shorten its ear loops. "Fit is important, and there are some hacks to make these masks fit better, like adding a new parallel wire to the nose band," says Steven Rogak, PhD, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of British Columbia who has conducted field tests on face masks' fabrics efficacy. "The ear loops can also be knotted close to the mask attachment. These things don't universally work, but it's crucial for every individual to find a way to make masks fit better."

CDC-published research suggests that a tight-fitting disposable medical mask (also sometimes referred to as surgical masks!) can greatly reduce the spread of COVID-19 via airborne particles and infectious respiratory droplets. It also provides more protection: The study's lab results suggest that tight-fitting masks could lower transmission risks by up to 96% if everyone in public wore them. For medical masks in particular, though, data suggests a plain disposable option alone provided more protection over cloth-based sewn masks — and when knotted for a tight fit, efficacy in reducing spread increased an additional 25%.

If you're looking for a disposable face mask that's been tested and made to provide you similar protection as outlined in CDC-sponsored research, you'll need to look for labeling that shows it conforms to certain criteria, explains Lexie Sachs, Textiles Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Those guidelines come from ASTM, a group of industry professionals that develop testing standards for a myriad of products (including face masks as a whole!). The criteria for disposable masks are outlined in ASTM F2100-20, a set of standards that guide manufacturers in their design, creating top-notch medical masks as it relates to construction and fit. Sachs explains that ASTM standards dictate a need for a filtration efficiency test as well as a test for protection against any fluids in a medical setting. Manufacturers submit disposable medical masks to labs that follow ASTM protocol for testing, and based on the results brands can use one of three levels of certification; levels one through three, indicating how rigorously it was tested (3 is the most protective!).

In addition, the standards focus on:

Sachs advises you should look for language from the retailer that says "Meets ASTM F2100" on any mask page you come across. Manufacturers should also clearly state which level of certification it has, with Level 3 being the most protective. While the standard isn’t required for medical face masks to be sold, it’s the easiest way for shoppers to know which ones have actually been tested independently.

Below, we're sharing disposable medical masks that are labeled to meet ASTM standards and have earned top marks from shoppers. These make for great options if you're interested in inserting a filtering layer beneath your favorite cloth-based face masks. Here are 10 well-made disposable face masks to shop now:

Hygenix's mask construction allows for a standard fit across the board, allowing you to knot ear loops if necessary — or expand the folds of the mask to fit a larger face. Because of their near-flawless design, these masks can be worn effectively on their own or beneath a cloth-based mask of your choice. While bulk options aren't available, these 50 packs can be useful for smaller offices or spaces where individuals will need to mask up on a regular basis.

Manufactured in North Carolina, these 3-ply face masks have been designed to satisfy customer feedback while maintaining ASTM classification, according to the manufacturer. You can see the masks' classification results by scanning a QR code on the box, as well. The 50-pack comes sealed in a reusable bag, which may prove useful for those who are outside and need to swap out wet masks throughout the day. They're made in a few different colors, including this light lilac shade, for those who are looking for a bit of flare when masking up.

Despite being designed with 4 layers in its construction, almost all of the top reviews left by shoppers mention how breathable this face mask is. The price point makes these a great option for any setting where people are coming and going frequently, from businesses to offices and beyond. These masks can be worn beneath another cloth-based option or on their own entirely. "The ear loops are very securely bonded to the mask, and there's no chemical smell," one review shares.

Having been both burn and static-charge tested, these surgical masks make use of 3 layers of non-woven fabric to create a very sturdy option. The outer layer is specially manufactured to repel moisture or liquids while the masks' opposite skin-facing side is engineered to be soft and comforting. The elastic ear loops on the mask can be shortened if needed and works well with an additional cloth-based mask on its front. "Tested under the kitchen faucet and they seem to work as advertised," a shopper shares.

It's tough to find a disposable mask made for children exclusively; this competing option may or may not be ASTM certified. But Vaxxen Labs' makes their disposable masks in various sizes for a true fit. The small nature of this mask, per reviewers, makes it a better fit for school-aged children and teens, especially.

If you have a larger head or face, this disposable medical mask may be best for you. Shoppers indicate that the 4-ply mask front is larger than other models and the masks' loops are generous to avoid ear fatigue. There's a moldable plastic clip that can be secured above the bridge of your nose, which can anchor a cloth-based top mask if you chose to wear two.

This 3-ply disposable medical-style face mask comes in over 10 different colors that are sure to thrill any little one. The bulk option make it easy to stick these into any backpack or sports bag for afternoon activities; they're made with an absorbent non-woven inner layer that makes them comfortable for physical activities as well. "Perfect fit for my 2 and 4-year-old toddler," shares one reviewer.

Manufactured in North Carolina, these dark-colored disposable masks are designed with a 3-ply scheme in mind, blending non-woven exterior fabrics with softer face-facing liners. The nylon-spandex ear loops are designed to fit over a wide range of shapes and sizes of faces, especially for those that may have trouble sourcing comfortable options. "There's no big gap on the sides of the mask, and they don't have any odor, like all of the other masks I've tried," one reviewer shares.

Made by manufacturers that design PPE for dental professionals, these vibrant disposable masks are designed to feel as soft and comfortable as possible. The mask is designed to fit comprehensively against the top of your nose and beneath your chin. It's equipped with a nose clip to keep the mask secure against your face.

Surgical masks are technically designed to be tied around your crown, but these masks can be tied anywhere along the nape of your neck to ensure a tight fit. The added bonus of a surgical-style mask is that it relieves the pressure you may feel due to ear loops, especially if you're in a space where you need to wear masks all day. The manufacturer places 10 masks each into three separate sealed packs for ease of use.

Zee Krstic is a content strategy manager for Hearst Magazines, focusing on SEO optimization and other editorial strategies for four brands, including Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously served as Health Editor for Good Housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering health news, diet and fitness trends as well as executing wellness product reviews in conjunction with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee fostered a strong background in women's lifestyle media with eight plus years of editorial experience, including as a site-wide editor at Martha Stewart Living after developing a nutrition background as an assistant editor at Cooking Light. Zee produces service-based health coverage, as well as design and travel content, for Hearst brands on a contributor basis; he has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.

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