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Starting school can be one of the most stressful times of year for parents — do you have everything you need? Most back-to-school lists include school clothes, supplies, a lunchbox, a backpack, and now, a mask.

The highly contagious delta and delta plus variants of the coronavirus continuing to spread across the US likely have you paying special attention to which mask you should use to protect your child and others when they return to school and social activities. Masking rules are designed to protect little ones below the age of 12 who aren’t yet eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. While breakthrough infections rarely result in hospitalization, wearing masks if you’re vaccinated adds an extra layer of protection — and will help prevent you from possibly spreading COVID-19 to more vulnerable members of your family or the community.

The guidance has evolved over the past months as to the type of masks for kids that will best protect against COVID-19’s spread. And even if your child’s school doesn’t require mask wearing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all students and staff wear a mask, even if they’re fully vaccinated.

While CNET has not formally reviewed and tested face masks, we spoke to medical experts for the most up-to-date face mask guidance and drew from CDC recommendations to formulate our informed choices of the best kids’ face masks, including disposable KN95 mask models for smaller faces. Plus, we’re including some models that our staff have used in their own family environments, such as reusable face masks with adjustable nose wire bridges and elastic ear loop straps for a secure fit and greater comfort during all-day wear, and water-resistant reusable masks that are good for sports.

Read more: My toddler got COVID-19. It turned our lives upside down

New CDC face mask guidance

With breakthrough COVID-19 cases on the rise, CDC face mask guidance has shifted. It once said that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks, but now recommends wearing a face mask indoors — especially in areas of high transmission — due to the delta variant.

The recommendation hasn’t changed for those who are unvaccinated. Anyone who can get vaccinated should do so. For those who can’t — such as those under 12 — the CDC still says they should continue wearing a mask in all public indoor settings, even if it’s not an area of high transmission. That goes for kids 2 years old and up.

Key terms for mask shopping: N95, KN95, KF94, NIOSH and more

At the top of your shopping list should be N95, KN95 or KF94 masks. That’s the US, China and South Korea standards, respectively, designed to filter out 95% (N95, KN95) or 94% (KF94) of external particles.
In the US, an N95 mask must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in order to qualify for medical use. Because the KN95 and KF94 aren’t regulated by US authorities, it’s a bit trickier to know you’re getting the real deal and counterfeit masks have abounded throughout the pandemic. The FDA approved certain KN95s under an Emergency Use Authorization in 2020, and while that authorization has expired, the list of FDA-approved manufacturers is still a helpful resource. The CDC also maintains a list of non-NIOSH-approved masks that have gone through filtration testing. However, even if they don’t meet NIOSH standards for filtration efficacy, KN95 masks are still probably more likely to provide better protection than a cloth mask. Ignore the term “FDA registered” when shopping for masks. As the FDA notes on its website, facilities “involved in the production and distribution of medical devices intended for use in the United States are generally required to register annually with the FDA.” But, importantly, the “FDA’s registration and listing database does not denote approval, clearance or authorization of that facility or its medical devices.”

Important things to know when buying face masks for kids

If your child is unvaccinated, immunocompromised or at a higher risk for COVID-19, we recommend double-masking with a disposable mask underneath for extra protection if a N95, KN95 or KF94 isn’t available. If your child wears glasses, consider styles that go around the back of the head or neck, instead of ear loops. Also, a contoured face mask shape may work best with glasses.If your child has breathing problems, such as asthma that is well-controlled, the American Lung Association says they should be able to wear a face covering without affecting their oxygen levels, but “parents should purchase or identify a facial covering that is comfortable for their children to wear.”We recommend buying several face masks for your child to rotate out throughout the day.The doctors we spoke to said that cloth face masks alone are no longer recommended and suggested them only when double-masking. (See below for more.) Is your kid active? Some companies are using a lightweight, moisture-wicking cloth face mask fabric, like cotton, which is better suited for the summer heat. (Again, this is suggested as part of a double-masking regimen, at least when indoors.)

N95, KN95 and KF94 face masks

Other disposable face masks

Cloth masks

Dr. Bob Lahita, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Disease at St. Joseph Health, told CNET that he’s steering people away from cloth masks versus the N95, KN95 and KF94 masks listed above. But there’s an outer-layer loophole, says Dr. Bob Bollinger, professor of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and founder of Emocha Health: double-masking. If you can’t find an N95, KN95 or KF94, “a good quality disposable mask under a cloth mask is a reasonable alternative, as long as the fit on the face, nose and mouth is tight.”

This story has been completely updated and revised to reflect new advice and recommendations as of August 2021.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.