5 ms·

The 3M Aura N95s are pretty comfortable and cost a couple dollars each at Home Depot. They're also pretty good about directing your breath away from the top so

by khuey 5y ago

The 3M Aura N95s are pretty comfortable and cost a couple dollars each at Home Depot. They're also pretty good about directing your breath away from the top so your glasses won't fog up when wearing them.

pacomerh 5y ago
That's the one I use and it covers really well. The only downside is that you can't put it on super quick.
BugsJustFindMe 5y ago
They cost a lot less if you buy them in larger quantities from a bulk distributor. I get them for 1.50 each.
- TylerE 5y ago
  Yep, and they've gone up... they were about $1.20/ea when I bought my last batch. I've been buying them from ISP: https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/3m-9210-aura-n95-particulate-respirator-niosh-approved/ https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/3m-9210-aura-n95-pa... (As a bonus, they have the 9210, which has better straps, retail you generally only see the 9205, which is ok too, but the straps are just rubber bands and they don't fit as securely.
  - hedgehog 5y ago
    The Auras are great to wear but the straps on the 9205s really are flimsy and often fail after only a couple uses. 9210 is worthwhile if you can get them.
    - dmix 5y ago
      I'm glad I found this thread!
    - TylerE 5y ago
      Yeah, I dunno why 3M even makes the 9205 TBH, the 9210 is just so much better, and while the 9210 are harder to find, when you can there doesn't seem to be a meaningful price difference.
Victerius 5y ago
I don't wear glasses, but an issue I've noticed while wearing N95 masks is that my eyes start crying. I've thought it could be caused by the warm breath being directed upward toward my eyes.
- dundarious 5y ago
  That sounds like you have a fit issue. At least that's my guess, since I can't relate. I've worn Auras and glasses to the cinema many times.
- whoisburbansky 5y ago
  I didn’t realize this happened to me until reading this comment. I think for me it was a combination of air flow redirection and just pinching from the metal bits high enough on my nose that maybe there’s some squeezing the tear ducts going on?
jdavis703 5y ago
I bought then for about $1 in a 240 pack on Amazon. Plus Amazon takes FSA debit cards, so it’s a hassle-free, tax-free purchase.
- BenFrantzDale 5y ago
  Do you trust Amazon’s supply chain?
  - jdavis703 5y ago
    For N-95s yes. For other types of masks that are easier to counterfeit, no. Same goes for electronics. I’m leery of USB-C cables, but I’m fine buying a high-end DSLR lens for the same reason.
linsomniac 5y ago
The Aura is, as other people have said in previous threads, the gold standard of N95 masks. I've been wearing them solely for the last 6 months or so, and they are great! They rarely fog my glasses, they are very comfortable, I'm not in any hurry to take them off when I'm done, especially if it's cold out. The only downside is the straps: they both go behind your head, one high and one low. They take a bit to get used to, but you can't put them on with a hat on. But the plus is that they are very comfortable for the long term. Sometimes, with glasses, I have to take the glasses off to get the mask off. The ones with the blue straps, the straps seem to deteriorate quickly if left in the sun, but I've only had a couple where the straps broke. You can get them small quantity on ebay, and ebay seems to police the sellers, for around $2 each. You can also buy them direct from 3M for $1 in quantity 440, or at least you were able to 6 months ago when we last looked.
- amluto 5y ago
  In my opinion, they also smell quite bad when new. If you air them out for a day after opening them, then they don’t smell any more.
AnonC 5y ago
One issue I’ve seen with the Aura N95 is that the straps are flimsy and snap after several days of occasional use. I wish they’d make the straps stronger.

by khuey 5y ago

pacomerh 5y ago

That's the one I use and it covers really well. The only downside is that you can't put it on super quick.

BugsJustFindMe 5y ago

They cost a lot less if you buy them in larger quantities from a bulk distributor. I get them for 1.50 each.

TylerE 5y ago
Yep, and they've gone up... they were about $1.20/ea when I bought my last batch. I've been buying them from ISP: https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/3m-9210-aura-n95-particulate-respirator-niosh-approved/ https://www.industrialsafetyproducts.com/3m-9210-aura-n95-pa... (As a bonus, they have the 9210, which has better straps, retail you generally only see the 9205, which is ok too, but the straps are just rubber bands and they don't fit as securely.
- hedgehog 5y ago
  The Auras are great to wear but the straps on the 9205s really are flimsy and often fail after only a couple uses. 9210 is worthwhile if you can get them.
  - dmix 5y ago
    I'm glad I found this thread!
  - TylerE 5y ago
    Yeah, I dunno why 3M even makes the 9205 TBH, the 9210 is just so much better, and while the 9210 are harder to find, when you can there doesn't seem to be a meaningful price difference.

Victerius 5y ago

I don't wear glasses, but an issue I've noticed while wearing N95 masks is that my eyes start crying. I've thought it could be caused by the warm breath being directed upward toward my eyes.

dundarious 5y ago
That sounds like you have a fit issue. At least that's my guess, since I can't relate. I've worn Auras and glasses to the cinema many times.
whoisburbansky 5y ago
I didn’t realize this happened to me until reading this comment. I think for me it was a combination of air flow redirection and just pinching from the metal bits high enough on my nose that maybe there’s some squeezing the tear ducts going on?

jdavis703 5y ago

I bought then for about $1 in a 240 pack on Amazon. Plus Amazon takes FSA debit cards, so it’s a hassle-free, tax-free purchase.

BenFrantzDale 5y ago
Do you trust Amazon’s supply chain?
- jdavis703 5y ago
  For N-95s yes. For other types of masks that are easier to counterfeit, no. Same goes for electronics. I’m leery of USB-C cables, but I’m fine buying a high-end DSLR lens for the same reason.

linsomniac 5y ago

The Aura is, as other people have said in previous threads, the gold standard of N95 masks. I've been wearing them solely for the last 6 months or so, and they are great! They rarely fog my glasses, they are very comfortable, I'm not in any hurry to take them off when I'm done, especially if it's cold out. The only downside is the straps: they both go behind your head, one high and one low. They take a bit to get used to, but you can't put them on with a hat on. But the plus is that they are very comfortable for the long term. Sometimes, with glasses, I have to take the glasses off to get the mask off. The ones with the blue straps, the straps seem to deteriorate quickly if left in the sun, but I've only had a couple where the straps broke. You can get them small quantity on ebay, and ebay seems to police the sellers, for around $2 each. You can also buy them direct from 3M for $1 in quantity 440, or at least you were able to 6 months ago when we last looked.

amluto 5y ago
In my opinion, they also smell quite bad when new. If you air them out for a day after opening them, then they don’t smell any more.

AnonC 5y ago

One issue I’ve seen with the Aura N95 is that the straps are flimsy and snap after several days of occasional use. I wish they’d make the straps stronger.