Earlier this year, the materials-testing organization ASTM International published the first-ever manufacturing standards on what constitutes a good face covering. Based on these guidelines, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health now recommends that if you're going into the office, you use a mask that meets the minimum ASTM guidelines.
The advent of ASTM standards mean that it's now very hard for me to recommend face coverings that aren't certified. But it will take time for every mask manufacturer to get their products tested. In the meantime, make sure your mask follows the recommended guidelines from the CDC, fits well, and is clean. A good reusable mask should completely cover your nose and mouth, use at least two fabric layers, and be washable. When I receive a mask, I first use the light and candle test—can I see light through the weave? Can I blow a candle out while wearing it? The mask's weave should be tight enough to prevent you doing either of those things. Then I wear them while grocery shopping or walking my dog.
We've included some tips on mask care and choosing the best kind of mask straps at the end of this list. Be sure to check out our guide to the Best Face Masks for Kids and How to Prevent and Treat Mascne.
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A KN95 Mask
KN95 Disposable Masks (60-Pack)
Earlier in the pandemic, the CDC recommended that most Americans leave N95s for health care workers due to supply chain issues. However, most health care workers now have an adequate supply. If you can find N95s, the CDC now recommends you wear them.
These are the masks I wear daily. Although they're disposable, you can hang them to air them out for up to three uses. These alphanumeric names denote foreign manufacturing standards, but they usually indicate masks similar in efficacy to an N95. Just make sure you don't get a fake one. You can check whether a mask manufacturer has gotten an Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC has a few tips on how to spot a counterfeit face mask. You can buy your masks through organizations like Project N95, which independently review manufacturer and product certifications, as well as pricing, availability, and lead times.

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Best Mask for the Office
AirPop Light SE Mask
If I had to work in an office every day, I would use the AirPop Light SE masks. As I noted in our Best Kid Masks roundup, they've been independently certified by several international product testing and quality assurance companies, and they are an ASTM-certified Level 2.
Most importantly, they have a peaked shape that holds the mask off my face to make it easier to breathe. I wear glasses, and these masks have a comfortable, cushioned seal around the nose that absorbs moisture and prevents my glasses from fogging. Although the packaging says they're machine-washable for up to 10 times, I think they're too delicate. I've been hand-washing ours and hanging them up to dry.
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Best Reusable Respirator
Castlegrade Respirator Mask
The American West has become something of a seasonal dystopian hellscape. After 2020's catastrophic wildfires, I bought respirator masks for my family and myself so that we could leave the house safely and walk the dog. (Don't worry. I bought my dog a mask, too.)
The CDC notes that elastomeric respirators provide at least as much protection as an N95 mask. I've also seen them being worn by several people whose jobs required them to be indoors with a lot of in-person contact. Castlegrade's masks do make you look a little bit like Miss Piggy, but the silicone is soft and shockingly comfortable. These masks are suitable for protecting against Covid-19, have no vents or valves, have replaceable filters, and were independently tested by Nelson Labs for filtration and particle penetration.
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