this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
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I feel like I'm paying at least twice as much for an N95 mask as I see people in COVID-conscious communities mentioning ๐Ÿฅฒ

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[โ€“] darkcalling@hexbear.net 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Right now, I don't know how legitimate it is and it is Amazon but there is this listing from one of Amazon's deal companies (an acquisition called woot):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J1THV9G

$27 for 440 n95 aura masks.

Doubt this lasts, seems like a mistake or maybe there's something going on there. Probably don't have a distant expiration date. Also might want to consider the elastic on them may have been subjected to stresses from bad storage but even if they only last one wear they're so cheap you're still saving money. And you can always buy covered elastic and staple it yourself to the masks in place of the ones they come with. For this price it would be worth it I think.

So hypothetically this should probably be more reliable than the third party sellers on amazon. Probably surplus from somewhere, probably not brand new but hopefully still good.

[โ€“] Demifriend@hexbear.net 7 points 1 day ago

I've had success buying them in bulk from resellers, whether you trust that or not is up to you but it's worked out well for us so far. Another good option is buying an elastomeric respirator, it's much cheaper in the long run and usually provide better protection. Downside is that they often have exhalation valves and thus don't provide source control (though most people aren't protecting themselves anyways so tbh it's kind of hard for me to care about them at this point) and, frankly, you'll probably be harassed wearing one. There's more low-key options like the envo but they tend to not fit great in my experience and are more expensive (though probably still less expensive than buying disposable respirators).

[โ€“] solrize@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I've been getting 3M Aura 9205 from Home Depot at around $2.20/pc in boxes of 10. Expensive but I re-use them for a while, and fix them with a stapler if the rubber band snaps (that happens a lot). I've used various cheaper masks and not liked them as much.

[โ€“] Cricket@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I love the 3M Aura masks too, but have had issues with the elastic snapping too. That is, until I discovered that 3M makes the same mask with braided elastics (9210+), which so far seems much more durable. I was able to get boxes of 20 of those for $30 (not including shipping, etc.) from Stauffer Safety.

[โ€“] solrize@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Wow, thanks, I'll look for those. I've only seen braided elastic bands stuck on with glue though, and that breaks loose as well. I fix those with a hot melt gun.

[โ€“] Cricket@lemmy.zip 5 points 1 day ago

You're welcome! The braided bands come stapled on this one! :)

[โ€“] Chana@hexbear.net 6 points 1 day ago

Directly from the manufacturer in bulk or from bulk deals I see on social media. I can't mention the brands without having bad opsec sorry. I have my cost down to around $1 per mask and wear them for around 20-40 hours before using a new one (I go by appearance, the fibers start to get soft).

Mask blocs are great and do this kind of thing all the time. Get involved with your local one!

[โ€“] xeroxguts@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Aside from specific mask brands/websites, this is how I keep mask-wearing affordable (for me, I aim for <$2/mask overall)

-Shop sales/subscriptions -Buy in bulk when possible -utilize local mask blocs!! -started a group chat on signal where me and friends alert each other to sales or pool resources for group-buys -I re-wear my masks. Probably close to 25-30hrs each. I leave them to dry for a few days to a week in between depending on my stock and schedule and toss them when the straps wear out or they begin to look dirty/lose shape.

Ok for brands- I can't remember the N95 I usually wear, but that's my most expensive mask and I save that for longer term wear and higher risk like work. I'll try to remember to link but I always wait for the sale. Then Wellbefore and Bonafide (bonafide lowers price the more you buy, and usually has a 25% coupon code). Wellbefore is a little pricey but they have a subscription price thay helps.

[โ€“] solrize@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

Here are some really cheap N95's that I haven't tried ($33/box of 50):

https://www.safetyemporium.com/11192

I might order some to try out.

https://linktr.ee/buymasks Not mine!! But great resource for coupon codes and they also have a mask fit guide and link to the mask bloc directory iirc

And these are the N95s I buy when they are 50% Off (happens infrequently, and a friend and I usually split the 50 box. With the sale it's like $1.60/mask -- not as bad as I had remembered.

I believe you can find 3M Auras at similar or even cheaper cost, and they seem to always be available from the mask blocs near me. (Pretty universal fit, but the red strap ones are a bit better for smaller faces)

[โ€“] Clippy@hexbear.net 6 points 1 day ago

government surplus sites

some will give them free or really dirt cheap