Buying guide for Best cloth masks for kids
Wearing masks in public spaces helps keep the wearer and others safe, whether from COVID-19 or from colds, flu, and other viruses. It's vital to choose the right cloth mask for a child so they'll be comfortable wearing it. This is especially important if your child's school district has recommended the use of masks in the classroom, as the child could be wearing the mask for very long stretches of time.
There's plenty to think about when choosing a cloth mask for a child. It should fit well and be made from comfortable, breathable materials so your child will tolerate wearing it. Check that your chosen mask has enough layers of fabric to hinder virus transmission and consider whether you'd like a built-in filter or a filter pocket.
In this guide, we provide the information you need to choose a suitable mask for your child.
Key considerations
Layers of fabric
It's vital that a cloth face mask has enough layers of fabric to adequately trap viruses and prevent their spread. Cloth masks for kids need a minimum of two layers of fabric to do any good — a single-layer mask just won't cut it. However, studies have shown that masks with three layers do a significantly better job of preventing the spread of COVID-19 than those with two layers. The trade-off is that they feel hotter to wear and are less easy to breathe through. As such, you may prefer to put a two-layer mask on your child on hot days or for extended use and a three-layer mask on your child on cool days or for shorter periods of use.
Expert tip
Clean masks daily after each use. You can buy multiple to cycle through clean and dirty masks.
BestReviews Medical Expert
Filters
Some kids' cloth masks come with replaceable filters or at least a pocket in which to insert a filter. As we mentioned, three-layer masks are more effective than two-layer masks, and that's because the middle layer acts as a filter. With a removable filter, however, you can take it out and replace it when it becomes saturated, which is great when your child needs to wear a mask for a long period. Dedicated filters are generally more effective at trapping and keeping out viruses than just an extra layer of cotton or polyester, so they offer more protection.
Straps
The straps on a cloth face mask keep it in place. The majority of cloth masks have elastic straps that rest behind the ears, but some have cloth straps that tie at the back of the head. Masks with elastic straps are easier for children to put on and take off by themselves, so they're the best option for use when you won't be around to help — at school, for instance. Tie straps are great for kids who find straps behind the ears irritating. Some elastic straps feature toggles to make them adjustable, which helps create a better fit.
Materials
Natural materials are more breathable than synthetics and therefore more comfortable. Cotton is probably the most common natural mask material, but you can also find some bamboo masks, which are soft and more environmentally friendly than cotton. Cotton jersey is a super-soft option to consider if your child finds standard cotton too scratchy, but it does feel warmer to wear. Synthetics and blends like polyester and polycotton aren't as breathable and therefore can feel warmer, but some people find them perfectly comfortable.
We consider the number of layers in cloth masks for kids in our research process.
Cloth masks for kids should be comfortable enough for wear in any indoor and outdoor setting, whether at play or at rest. We take comfort into account when researching these products.
If your child will be wearing their mask in hot temperatures, natural materials such as cotton and bamboo can help them feel cooler. We study materials and their breathability in our research process.
Some cloth kids’ masks have elastic straps; others have straps that tie around the head. Your child might prefer one style over another. We take note of strap style in our research.
With some school districts recommending or requiring masks, kids have to wear them for hours. We consider factors like fit, material, and strap comfort to determine which cloth masks kids wouldn’t mind wearing.
Cloth masks for kids are sized differently than those made for adults. This is the reason why you should always pay attention to dimensions ― and we do the same.
While patterns don’t affect the functionality of a mask, they can improve their appeal to children. We research masks with a large variety of kid-friendly patterns.
The more snugly a mask fits your child’s face, the better equipped it is to protect them. This critical detail is one we take seriously when conducting our research.
Some retailers sell cloth masks for kids in packs of two to eight. We investigate multipacks when shortlisting products, as it’s a good idea to keep a rotation of clean masks at home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, cloth masks filter infectious respiratory droplets, reducing the wearer’s exposure. We account for all factors that make masks effective.
Features
Patterns
Many cloth masks for kids feature patterns designed to appeal to children, such as space scenes, animals, stars, and rainbows. Of course, color and pattern make no difference in how the mask works, but it can be important to kids. Children are more likely to wear their masks without fuss if they love the print. You might decide to let your kids choose the fabric of their mask from a few options so that they feel like they had a say in the matter.
Fit
The fit of a kids' cloth mask is hugely important. The snugger the fit, the more effectively it will work. It should fit snugly under the chin and over the nose with as few gaps as possible. Some masks are contoured to help get a good fit. These tend to have fewer gaps than masks that are simply rectangular in shape.
Nose wire
A built-in nose wire helps create a snug fit around the nose. While a good fit is important to make the mask effective, a tight fit on the nose can make a huge difference to kids who wear glasses. By using the nose wire to avoid gaps around the nose, their glasses are significantly less likely to steam up, which solves a big problem with some cloth masks
Expert tip
Make sure the mask covers both the mouth and nose.
BestReviews Medical Expert
Cloth masks for kids: prices
Cloth masks for kids range in price depending on various factors, including the number to a pack (it usually costs less per mask to buy in bulk), the fabric used, and the overall quality.
Budget
Inexpensive cloth masks for kids cost between $2 and $5 per mask. These are often part of large multi-packs and are made from simple, plain materials.
Mid-range
Mid-priced cloth masks for kids cost roughly $5 to $10 per mask. You will find masks with fun patterns and high-quality construction here.
High-end
The priciest cloth masks for kids cost from $10 to $15 per mask. At this price point, you can expect top-notch masks made from the best materials. They're usually sold individually, as single masks cost more per piece than multi-packs.
Expert tip
Kids are robust and usually have no trouble breathing through masks; however, if they do, seek alternative materials if they suffer from allergies.
BestReviews Medical Expert
Tips
- Check how many masks you get in a pack. Although some cloth masks are sold individually, others are sold in packs of two to eight. You'll generally need at least a few in rotation because they must be washed immediately after each use.
- Look at the dimensions of any cloth mask you're considering. Kids' masks are generally designed to fit younger kids. Teens tend to need adult-size masks. Some parents of late-elementary kids (ages 8 to 10) find their kids are large enough to need an adult size, too.
- Make wearing a mask fun. To encourage young kids to wear their masks, try turning it into a game, or at least make it seem like a fun new experience. With kids who are old enough to understand, you can talk about how it's our responsibility to wear masks to help keep others and ourselves safe.
FAQ
Q. Do cloth masks for kids really help prevent the spread of viruses?
A. Yes, absolutely. However, there needs to be adequate adherence to mask-wearing by the majority in order for them to work. A cloth mask serves as a barrier, catching droplets as the wearer breathes, coughs, and sneezes. As such, it mainly protects others around the wearer rather than the wearer themself. Of course, if everyone who can wear a mask does wear a mask, you and your child will also be protected since the people around you will be wearing masks, too.
Even though kids don't tend to get serious symptoms of COVID-19, they can still spread the virus and are more likely to do so with few or no symptoms because parents may not realize they're carrying it.
Q. Why choose cloth face masks over disposable masks?
A. In times of limited supply, experts may advise that medical-grade disposable masks be saved for healthcare professionals and others who urgently need them. You could buy lower-grade disposable masks that aren't suitable for medical use, but cloth masks offer several advantages. They are washable and reusable, which can save you money over time. Reusing cloth masks is also more friendly to the environment. Many people also find cloth masks more comfortable with a better fit.
Q. When and where should my child wear a cloth face mask?
A. In an epidemic or pandemic situation your child should wear a cloth mask anywhere that it's difficult to maintain a reasonable distance from others. This includes indoor spaces such as grocery stores or libraries. It may also include outdoor spaces, especially when multiple children play together.
Since viruses transmit much more easily indoors than outdoors, you may want your kid to wear a mask in indoor public spaces even when it is possible to maintain social distancing.
