We have always heard the phrase ‘safety first’. Whether it is in the context of construction jobs, the medical field or just your day to day life, safety is indeed important. Respirator masks for that very reason are an essential tool to ensure that safety for many people who are in those types of jobs.
Not only are they useful for the employees, but they also are a point of interest from an employer’s point of view who have to maintain a certain level of safety standard at the worksite. There are very clear benefits of using respirator masks and can be used by many different types of people who are in various professions.
3 Best Respirator Masks – Comparison
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 3M Full Facepiece Reusable |
| Check Price |
 | Miller ML00895 Lpr-100 Respirator |
| Check Price |
 | 3M (TM) Half Facepiece Respirator |
| Check Price |
What are Respirator Masks?
Respirator masks as the name suggests are basically masks that help out filter out the air. They are designed to protect the wearer of the masks from harmful substances in the air, ranging from micro-organisms, fumes, gases, and even vapors.
There are generally two different types of masks:
- Full face masks
- Half face masks
Half face masks are suitable for when the air is not toxic or the eyes and face do not require protection. Whereas for situations where the whole face needs to be protected, a full-face mask is the best choice.
When looking into buying one, the sheer number of choices and the number of brands can get quite overwhelming. Because of that very reason, we have curated a list of the top respirator masks out there in the market, both full and half face masks, so you don’t have to scour the internet to find the perfect one.
Best Respirator Masks – Review
1. 3M Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6900
3M has been in the business of making respirator masks for quite a while now. More than a century to be exact and it is safe to say they know a thing or two about making good quality respirator masks. In fact, they are the highest selling manufacturer of these masks, making masks for people in various professions.
The 3M Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6900 is a full-face mask and is NIOSH approved. It provides protection from a variety of airborne contaminants while also giving the wearer pretty good visibility.
The weight is also very manageable, coming in at just less than 2 pounds and comes with 3M’s Cool Flow technology which does not allow for hot air to build up inside the mask when breathing out. You can be quite comfortable wearing it.
Is it best for use in for chemical clean up, handling chemicals, while cleaning the furnace and working in labs as well? It is also reusable as well and has the ability to be recharged with various 3M filters, gas and vapour cartridges as well.
Key Features:
- Light and easy to manage, which makes it usable for longer hours
- Usable in both negative and also positive air pressure systems
- Durable construction
- 3M Cool Flow technology
- Easy to breathe with due to the 3M Cool Flow technology
- Usable in a variety of different situations and effective for various gases
- Provides a wide field of vision
- Not the slickest looking mask available
2. 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece
Another great option from 3M themselves but this time it’s a half face mask. The 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator is built to be durable and also provide a comfortable fit. As you can tell by the name that it’s a half face mask which makes it suitable for situations where your full-face doesn’t need protection.
The mask incorporates a quick latch design which makes it quite easy to wear and take off. The materials the mask is made of is durable and also comfortable and it goes without question that the mask is approved by regulatory bodies as well.
You can use this in various conditions as well, from harsh environments where the air quality is sub-par to places where the air is filled with contaminants. It can provide protection at concentrations up to 10 times the permissible exposure limit when worn correctly and used with approved 3M filters and cartridges.
We also like the design and color scheme, with its grey and turquoise hue, it looks quite good. The mask also comes with 3M’s reputed Cool Flow technology which makes it easier to breathe while wearing the masks.
Key Features:
- Half Face masks, makes it suitable for light use and is more comfortable
- Cool Flow technology makes it comparatively easier to breathe while worn
- Protection against 10 times the PEL
- Can be used in various circumstances
- Light and durable design
- Good design
- Not suitable for places where the face and eye protection is needed
3. Miller ML00895 Lpr-100 Respirator W/Filters
A perfect fit for construction work. The Miller LPR – 100 is a comfortable and low-profile respirator mask which are best suited to be worn in places where there is no need for robust protection. Having said that, however, it does not mean this mask isn’t effective.
It is capable of filtering out 99.7% harmful dust particles and airborne contaminants and it also comes with pleated filters which are very easy to change. The understated and low-profile design also makes the mask quite comfortable to use and move around in. The comfort is further improved by the lightweight design of the mask as well, coming in at just 5 ounces.
Key Features:
- Filtration against 99.7% of air particles
- Versatile
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Low profile design makes it very usable
- The filters are pleated and easy to change
- Does not block the smell of fumes that effectively
- Not very durable
4. Safety Works SWX00320 Multi-Purpose
The Safety Works SWX00320 Multi-Purpose Respirator is another great option on our list and is a very versatile mask. The seal is very secure and also patented. It has been made with the wearer’s safety in mind and is thus capable of filtering out harmful airborne substances that can be life-threatening like lead, ammonia, acidic gases and even toxic dust.
The built quality and durability are also top-notch, however, we found that coming across replacements for this particular model is difficult. Having said that the Safety Works SWX00320 Multi-Purpose Respirator meets the standards set by OSHA and NIOSH.
The lightweight and portable design also make it one of the more comfortable masks out there, coming in at a weight of 1.5 pounds.
Key Features:
- Patented and is also OSHA and NIOSH approved
- Provides protection from various different airborne contaminants
- Portable and lightweight design
- Easy to maneuver while worn
- Easy to adjust straps
- Hard to get replacements
5. 3M (TM) Half Facepiece Respirator Assembly 6291
Yet another 3M product. We have included 3 3M products so far; this is to show that 3M has the perfect respirator for anyone out there. The 3M (TM) Half Facepiece Respirator Assembly 6291 is NIOSH approved so you can rest assured that this will get the job done in the safest way possible.
Included in the package you will find a 3M 6000 series half facepiece respirator that is reusable along with 2 3M 2091 P100 particle filters. The respirator itself is quite comfortable to wear but does get slightly uncomfortable when used for longer periods of time.
Fortunately, it provides protection from a lot of various harmful contaminants out there. It will protect you from lead, arsenic, cadmium and even asbestos. The fit is also great, which makes it not slide around your face when you are moving about.
Key Features:
- NIOSH approved and comes from a reputed manufacturer
- Provides protection from various types of contaminants
- Light and portable
- The fit is very firm which avoids the mask sliding around
- Gets uncomfortable to wear when wearing it for longer periods of time
6. SAS Safety 7650-61 Opti-Fit Full-face APR
The SAS Safety 7650-61 is a NIOSH certified mask and is designed to be a full-face mask. The lens is made from polycarbonate and is further coated with an anti-scratch coating which further enhances the durability of the mask.
There is also a nose cup installed which helps it to prevent fogging. All in all, the SAS Safety 7650-61 is a durable and rugged option capable of keeping you safe from possible harmful contaminants in the air.
Key Features:
- Durable
- Anti-Scratch coating
- 5-point head strap
- Comfortable fit and prevent fogging
- Affordable
- one
7. GVS SPR457 Elipse P100 Half Mask Respirator
The GVS SPR457 Elipse P100 Half Mask Respirator mask comes with a P100 which makes it one of the highest rating a mask could get. It will protect you from harmful fumes and other contaminants in the air. The design is also great.
Another great thing we really liked with the GVS SPR457 Elipse P100 Half Mask Respirator is how securely it fits the wearer’s face. There are 4 positions, you can adjust the mask in the position you find is perfect for you and start working.
Due to the attention to detail the manufacturer has put into the mask, the mask also manages to avoid uncomfortable moisture build up when the mask is in use, which is a problem for many respiratory masks out there.
Key Features:
- Lightweight construction
- Versatile
- The strap is adjustable
- No moisture builds up inside the mask when in use
- the construction could be a bit better
8. Dräger X-plore 3500 Half-Face Respirator
A very comfortable and well-made mask that is easy to wear and also meets the safety standards as well. The mask has been developed by going through thorough tests which ensures the mask is capable of filtering out harmful chemicals and air contaminants from the air.
The mask is made from a special type of skin-friendly and silicon free DragerFlex material which makes it quite comfortable to wear. The harness is also very comfortable as you can adjust it in different positions to find the fit that best suits you.
The mask is rated for P100 which means you are safe from chlorine, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and other toxic and harmful contaminants as well. With its good construction and competent filtering ability, the Dräger X-plore 3500 Half-Face Respirator is a very good buy overall
Key Features:
- DragerFlex makes the mask very comfortable to wear
- P100 rated and is capable of filtering out harmful contaminants efficiently
- Multi-gas combination cartridge
- Durable
- Visibility while worn is excellent
- Replacements are difficult to find
9. MSA Millennium(TM) CBRN Mask
MSA is known for their high-performance respiratory masks and the MSA Millennium does not disappoint and is of military grade. The lens is made of durable polyurethane and has been bolstered with a reliable Hycar rubber facepiece. It will filter out various hazardous contaminants from the air and is overall a great option.
Key Features:
- Dual Canister mount
- Superior visibility
- Customer fit
- Durable
- Quality materials
- Bulky
10. 3M 8210 N95 Respirator, 20-Pack
The 3M N95 respirator mask Is one the best option for someone looking for something on the budget end. It works great for protection against non-oil based substances such as paints that are water-based and other chemicals.
The mask is also very comfortable to wear as well. The M shaped nose clip also ensures the mask stays firm on the wearer’s face and does not move about, making the product very comfortable to wear. Ease of use is the name of the game with this mask, the string is also manufactured in a way that ensures it does not get tangled up.
It also features 3M’s proprietary cool flow technology which reduces the heat buildup inside the mask when in use. The portability and the very lightweight design make it very easy to use the 3M N95 respirator mask for longer periods of time and are a great buy.
Key Feature:
- Comfortable fit due to the M shaped nose clip
- Cool Flow technology keeps the mask cooler
- Versatility
- Straps do not get tangled
- Not the most durable mask
What We Think About Respirators
Safety is indeed a thing you cannot skimp on. Many people, however, are still very negligent about this. Whether this was for they did not have the time to go and look at all the options available out there or they were overwhelmed with the sheer number of options out there.
However, now that you have a compilation of the best respirators out there, there really is no excuse for you to not take it more seriously. If you are in a line of work where you are constantly surrounded by harmful fumes or chemicals or you just happen to live at a place where the air pollution is very high, just pick the mask that best suits your needs.
They are easy to use and some are very lightweight and portable so no matter what situation you may be in, there is always an option just for you.
FAQs
Q What are the regulatory bodies involved with respiratory protection?
A: Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Q: Can respiratory Mask or Escape Respirator protect me from anything that might happen?
A: Respiratory masks are rated and designed for various use cases; it is best to buy a mask that is made for your use case
Q: When is respirator fit testing required?
A: Fit testing is required prior to the initial use of a respirator. In addition, when an additional facepiece is used, then fit testing is recommended.
A general guideline to follow is fit testing is to be done at least once annually.
Conclusion
Since it’s all about safety, do not take the word of mouth. It’s best to get to know the features and specifications well for yourself. To make things easier for you, we have rounded up some of the best brands on the market. Now, you can choose which one suits your needs the best with ease. We are quite certain that no matter which one you choose, you will be quite satisfied and more importantly be safer from harmful contaminants.
