We tested popular face masks—these are the 10 best

Over the past couple of months, wearing a cloth face mask has become the new normal. Not only does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend wearing one in public to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but many states and cities mandate it.     

A number of retailers have since started selling masks, with more stores and designers announcing new cloth face mask offerings each week. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are actually worth the money. This is why we decided to test face masks.

After four weeks spent testing 13 of the most popular face masks currently available, we found our favorite ones. Wearing each for a minimum of two hours, we scored them on comfort, fit, effectiveness, quality, and the overall experience of wearing the mask. Without further ado, here are the 10 best cloth face masks you can buy online, ranked.

1. Athleta Non Medical Face Masks

Adjustable nose wire: Yes

Ear loops or ties: Ear loops

Filter: No

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash, lay flat to dry

The Athleta mask was the best cloth face mask we tested. With summer heat and humidity on the rise, it strikes a nice balance between providing protection and breathability. Not to mention, the masks are quite comfortable to wear for long periods at a time and the adjustable ear loops and nose wire provide a quality fit.

2. Tom Bihn V1 Reusable Cloth Face Mask

Adjustable nose wire: Yes

Ear loops or ties: Ear loops

Filter: No

Different sizes: S/M, M/L

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

We love Tom Bihn's carry-on under seat luggage and standard carry-on bags, so it’s no surprise we are fans of the brand’s masks too. We love these masks due to their adjustable and replaceable nose wires, soft ear loops, and the fact they come in multiple sizes. The material is densely woven for more protection, but not too thick to breathe, and the nose piece is made from twist ties, which significantly lengthens the long-term wearability of the mask.

3. Summersalt Face Coverings

Adjustable nose wire: Yes

Ear loops or ties: Adjustable ear loops

Filter: No

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and lay flat to dry

Summersalt's face coverings come in a 3-pack that includes two cute patterned masks (which feature the same material as their trendy swimsuits!) and a solid black one. Each cloth mask is triple-layered, and the inner two layers are thick woven cotton. This mask is “cone” shaped to give a snug fit around the border of the mask, providing protection while leaving some space between your face and the material. The ear loops and nose piece on each mask are adjustable, but we found that the nose piece did not work very well and required constant adjustments.

4. Plover Organic Cotton Face Masks

Adjustable nose wire: Yes

Ear loops or ties: Ear loops

Filter: No

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

Plover, an organic cotton bedding company, offers face masks that are made of 100% organic cotton bedding material. This mask was one of the softest materials out of the ones we tested. The ear loops were not extremely tight around the ears, and the bendable nose piece kept our glasses from fogging up. Although the mask fit well, it didn't offer as much protection as other more fitted masks.

5. Vistaprint Face Mask

Adjustable nose wire: Yes

Ear loops or ties: Ear loops

Filter: Yes—Filter pocket; One filter included

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

Vistaprint, a custom print company, has face coverings with soft seams, adjustable nose pieces, and ear loops—making them very comfortable to wear. However, they may not offer as much protection, as the outer layer is made of stretchy knitted material and the inner layer is made of thin cotton. The cloth masks do come with their own filter, though, which can help make up for the weaker material. The problem: the filters are not reusable, meaning when you need more, you’ll either have to make your own or buy more from their website.   

6. TakeCare Supply Mask Bundle

Adjustable nose wire: No

Ear loops or ties: Ties

Filter: Yes—Filter pocket; no filters included

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

The Take Care mask is good for someone who prefers to tie their mask around their head. The ties are soft, stretchy, and comfortable, although they can be prone to slipping and may need some adjustment. The mask provides decent protection, as the outer layer is a thicker fabric while the inner layer is softer with a pocket for a filter. One downside to them is that the sizing seems to be inconsistent, although they claim to only sell and make one size. Additionally, they ship from Canada which can delay the delivery, and you may have to pay a foreign transaction fee if you are ordering from the U.S.

7. Áplat Cotton Face Mask

Adjustable nose wire: No

Ear loops or ties: Ties

Filter: No

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

Out of all the masks we tested, the Áplat Cotton Face Mask has the thickest material and the snuggest fit, making it one of the best cloth masks in terms of protection. However, due to the material thickness, it is difficult to breathe in this mask during the summer heat and humidity. Another downside is that the ties which secure the mask to your face can slip leading to constant re-adjustments.

8. ShiitakeCreek Double Layer Cotton Face Mask

Adjustable nose wire: No

Ear loops or ties: Ties

Filter: Yes—Filter pocket; no filters included

Different sizes: XS, S/M, L

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

This homemade mask on Etsy (by Shiitake Creek) is made of good quality fabric, has a pocket to place your own filter, and offers a very snug fit to your face. One drawback is that the elastic used to secure the mask on the face is short, making it complicated to tie around the head. Also, due to the thickness of the fabric, it can be hard to breathe in high heat and humidity, making it is a better mask for cooler temperatures.

9. MaskClub Face Mask

Adjustable nose wire: No

Ear loops or ties: Ear loops

Filter: Yes—Filter pocket; no filters included

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

The MaskClub face mask is pretty basic; it has two layers of material and is pleated with a pocket for your own filter. Even though the mask has double layers, it’s on the thinner side, making it less protective. Although we thought the thin material would make the mask more breathable, it actually felt a bit suffocating to wear. It also does not have an adjustable nose wire or ear loops.

10. Alice+Olivia Staceface Protective Face Mask

Adjustable nose wire: No

Ear loops or ties: Ear loops

Filter: No

Different sizes: One size

How to wash: Machine wash and dry

We wanted to love this mask because the fashion brand's adorable and iconic Staceface print covers it. However, even though the mask is double-layered, its knit material offers less protection. The fit of this mask also wasn’t ideal, as it left gaps around our noses and cheeks.