With coronavirus cases holding steady in many states across the country, it’s clear that wearing face masks and coverings around others and in public will remain necessary until further notice. And while masks and other personal protective supplies, like hand sanitizer, were in short supply earlier in the year, they are now, for the most part, much easier to find. In fact, if you look on Amazon’s regularly updated best sellers pages, you’ll find lots of available face coverings that can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
So we sorted through the list and found some of the best-reviewed and most attractive options. You can keep things simple and understated with a solid color, or add some flair to your look with a fun pattern or print. You can still opt for a neck gaiter, which does work as a face covering and is also great for use while fishing, boating, skiing or working outside. And of course you can find quality disposable face masks that are great to have on hand for visitors to your home or customers at your business.
Whichever face mask you choose, just remember to wear and use it properly. That means securing it snugly to completely cover your nose and mouth, washing cloth versions after each use (and washing your hands after handling a used mask) and actually disposing of disposable face masks.
Perry Ellis Reusable Pleated Woven Fabric Face Masks
Available in a variety of handsome patterns, these cotton masks from clothier Perry Ellis are highly rated among reviewers. Good quality, comfortable and secure, these reusable masks (which come in a pack of six) are exceedingly breathable and feature adjustable elastic ear bands and a compartment opening for an added filter.
Reusable Multilayer Reversible Fabric Face Masks by Badger Smith
If you prefer masks with elastic ear loops versus ties, these reversible ones are a good option. Made of 100% cotton, they’re lightweight and offer ample space in the nose area for easy breathing. They come in packs of three in a number of patterns and prints.
Kids Reusable Face Masks
Suitable for children ages 2-9, this cotton-spandex blend mask is extra soft and extra stretchy so it’s comfortable and secure on little faces. The pack of five features cute, kid-friendly patterns, like bear face, butterfly and dog tongue.
Sunsturm Reusable Cotton Face Mask
This printed cotton mask features replaceable nose clips and tiny rubber rings to adjust the ear loops for an extra secure fit. And users love that it’s layered without being too heavy or hot. Each mask comes with four filters and extra rubber rings.
Gildan Reusable Tie-On Triple Layer Masks
At a bit less than a dollar per mask, you might think at first that these simple, white face masks are disposable, when in fact they can be reused many times over. The machine-washable masks are made with a soft cotton interior layer and a durable polyester shell, and the straps secure by tying, so you can create a good fit for any sized head. If you want to have a large stock of affordable masks on hand, this is a good way to do it.
Yiiza Cute Heart Face Cover
These face masks are perfect for the person who doesn’t want to call extra attention to themself, but also wants to share a little happiness with anyone who happens to look closely. A little red heart punctuates one side of the black mask, sure to bring a smile to those who see it, not that you’ll necessarily be able to tell. Soft and comfortable, the cotton masks can be worn and washed over and over again.
Unisex Washable and Reusable Cotton Warm Face Protection
These cotton masks are beloved by customers for their comfortable fit that’s secure on adults and children alike. They’re also favored for their soft feel, breathability and attractive floral pattern.
Doerix Washable Neck Gaiter Face Mask
Available in 30 different colors and patterns, this gaiter option is great for outdoor activities, like running, fishing or hiking, while also taking necessary social distancing measures. Its stretchy elastic fabric fits snugly on all sizes of heads, but it also features an adjustable elastic band around the top to ensure that it really stays put.
Weddingstar Washable Cloth Face Masks
If bold patterns are more your thing, this simple cotton-rayon face mask from Weddingstar comes in dozens of fun and poppy prints, including blue sharks, cacti and oranges (seen above). A flexible nose band and adjustable ear straps give it an extra secure fit.
Allett Face Mask
In an assortment of subtle colors, these comfortable cotton masks feature a polypropylene filter, a flex wire across the top to cinch at the nose and a fitted chin piece to decrease any gapping.
OAXYGEN Cotton Kids Face Mask
These charming kid-sized face masks are on the pricey side, but they’re also quite well designed, so worth the extra bucks. Adjustable ear loops ensure a snug fit even on a smaller head, a removable filter adds enhanced protection and a one-way valve allows for easy exhalation without sacrificing safety on the inhale. Kid-friendly colors, sizing and the fact that the valve is shaped to look like an animal all make it a great choice.
EasyEast Disposable Face Mask
As disposable face masks go, these are well-priced and reliable, earning a stellar 4.9-star rating with hundreds of reviews. The masks are lightweight and breathable yet feature a triple-layered design that reliably protects your nose and mouth and will catch any droplets you exhale. A flexible nose band allows for a close fit, while the ear loops are pliant enough for comfortable wear by most users.
KastKing Sol Armis Neck Gaiter
Neck gaiters can serve as acceptable face masks provided they are taut across the bridge of your nose and don’t hang loosely away from your chin. Thanks to the high stretch of this poly-spandex gaiter, it can easily serve that purpose and it can also be worn in a dozen other ways, literally. Even after the days of COVID-19 face masks, your gaiter can be worn as a headband when you jog, to block the sun from your neck as you fish or paddle or to keep you warmer as you ski or hike.
3 X 1 Water Repellent Breathable Pleated Cloth Mask
This three pack of simple cotton-polyester masks features a water repellent outer layer that’s washable up to 30 times. They’re sized well for most adults and teens and expand to cover the nose and mouth comfortably and snugly, and their muted colors go well with most outfits without being too splashy.
TIAMAT+ Unisex Anti-Haze Face Shield
These thin, flexible face masks should fit just about any adult thanks to their high stretch material and ear loops. Their thin fabric also allows for easy exhalation, less fogging of glasses and more release of warm air, so they’re an especially good choice for when you’re out for a walk or jog. If you need an option for hours of indoor safety, keep shopping, but for comfortable outdoor protection while also social distancing, these are a fine, affordable option.
Meakeize Kids Neck Gaiter
As with gaiters designed for adults, this gaiter can be used in more than a dozen ways, with one of them being as a face mask. Sized for kids, the gaiter measures a little more than a foot in length and about 7.5-inches across. The high-stretch (and UPF 50+) fabric is pliant enough for a secure but comfortable fit on most kids ages four to 12.
AstroAI Reusable Dust Face Mask
If your work or hobbies require a good deal of physical activity, this admittedly intense-looking mask is a smart choice. It features one-way valves that open as you exhale, allowing for easier release of heavy breaths and then closing on the inhale so the air you breathe in remains filtered. The fit can be adjusted with a band that goes around the back of the neck and a removable nose clip creates a more snug seal.
