By Jonty Dixon
Winter is coming and with that the inevitable pollution that arrives in a couple of months. November is the perfect month to start thinking about which facemask to purchase. But with some many models of facemask on the market, it can be hard to decide which mask to invest in.
When choosing a mask, there are lots of factors to bear in mind. First, we would suggest that you stay away from the cheap, disposable masks from the convenience stores. These rudimentary masks do very little keep out the toxins in the air and are barely better no mask at all. Second, you have to pay attention to how the mask fits you. If you choose a mask with a filter and air leaks in at the side the filter is made redundant. Third, if the mask filters out the PM2.5 particles then it's a good mask. The PM2.5 microparticles are the smallest and can enter into the bloodstream via the lungs. Long term exposure can cause health problems in the future.
Here are our suggestions on which facemasks you should be investing in for you and your family:3M are probably is probably the best disposable masks on the market. With a range of respirators which filter to varying degrees on cleanliness for the price, you really can't go wrong. A single mask from Taobao will only set you back RMB12.5 and will give you suitable protection for the commute. If you don't mind looking like you've just come out of a disaster zone, you can't go wrong with that price point which is significantly lower than many competitors. We recommend the N95 model, which filters out 95 percent of airborne particulates.For those fashion conscience, the Vogmask could be for you. Designed with aesthetics in mind as well as safety, Vogmask will set you back slightly more than 3M and won't filter out as much, but you'll look great. The price of looking great will start at RMB200 if you buy via their website. Vogmask claim that their mask will filter out all particles bigger than three micrometers, but this claim is yet to be tested independently.This Singapore-based company offers their reusable mask for RMB200. While the mask is reusable, it comes with changeable filters which need to be switched out on a regular basis. The filters come in three levels of filtration with the lowest level still filtering 92 percent of the molecules. With the highest level filter equipped (96 percent), you'll certainly be safe from the most dangerous of particles during heavy pollution. The 96 percent filters costs RMB236 for 20.These masks combine military-grade filters with a wide range of patterns and colors. This British company uses a three-layered technology on their masks, with the final layer being a military grade carbon filter. Cambridge masks filter 99.77 percent of microparticles and 99.6 percent of viruses. The mask comes in various sizes from kids to adults and will cost you RMB215 from Taobao. At RMB215 and with the safety features and suitably fashionable designs, the Cambridge ticks all the boxes and would be our recommendation.Another British company which offers a high level of protection. Originally designed for cyclists, the Respro offers the user easier breathing and is perfect for outdoor sports with its two way breathing system. While the protection may not be as high as the Totobobo or the Cambridge, the specially designed sports filter offers a unique selling point for the company. However, these masks cost RMB399 on Taobao and will make you look like a Mad Max character, but the price may be worth it for jogging and cycling enthusiasts.Similar to the Cambridge with a high quality carbon filter. Moldex claims that the mask filters out 99.97 percent of all particles. This American company has designed its face mask to be comfortable and hold its shape in humid and hot conditions. They're also reusable and disposable. It's definitely worth checking out the Modlex masks if you want a change from 3M. At RMB60 the Modlex is cheaper than most high quality masks but doesn't have the best look, and only offers white and black versions. However, with the high quality of the filter, the looks are only minor sticking point.ID is another mid-range mask which provides good protection. Claiming to filter out 95 percent of particles, the mask has a two separate filters on each side which makes breathing easier. At RMB60 for a single mask, ID is cheaper than many of the premium masks, yet is more expensive than the slightly superior Moldex. On the other hand, the ID comes in a range of colors. If color coordination is important to you and you can't stretch to the Cambridge or Vogmask, then the ID could be for you.Like the 3M mask the Gangkai is cheap, cheerful and disposable. At RMB2.5 on Taobao it is a steal but it doesn’t offer the same quality of protection as the 3M. Like the 3M, the Gangkai looks a bit too industrial but is a perfect mask for light pollution if you have allergies and are quite sensitive. We wouldn’t recommend this one for heavy pollution.
> To find out the complete facemask list online, click 'read more' at the bottom.
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上海的冬天转眼就来了，这意味着雾霾天也快到了。刚入11月，是时候可以考虑把口罩买起来了。但市场上这么多口罩，的确有点无从下手。
在买口罩的时候需要记住几点，首先，最好不要选择超市里面的那种便宜的一次性口罩。这种基本款在过滤有害颗粒方面收效甚微，和不带口罩的效果其实差不多。其次，一定要选择适贴合你脸型的口罩。如果有缝隙可以漏空气进来的话，即便是带过滤层的口罩也起不了效果。第三，如果口罩是有过滤PM2.5颗粒功效的，那么推荐购买。因为PM2.5颗粒是最小可以通过肺部进入血液的颗粒，长期接触会影响身体健康。
小编为读者整理了8个可以放心购买的口罩品牌，供你和家人选择：3M大概是市面上最好的一次性口罩了。口罩的过滤功效不同，价格也有所不同，消费者可以根据自己的需求做出选择。淘宝上的零售价在12块5一只，适合通勤时用。如果你不介意看起来像刚从疫区走出来的话，这个牌子的口罩相较其他还是便宜很多的。最值得推荐的是N95型号的口罩。想要呼吸健康还要时尚漂亮，Vogmask比较适合你。这个牌子兼顾时尚和健康理念的设计，价格比3M稍贵一些，功能稍低一些，但保证了造型感。官网上的售价大约在200元一只。Vogmask称他们的口罩可过滤任何大于3微米的颗粒，但目前尚未有单项测试证明。这家设立在新加坡的公司推出售价200元的非一次性口罩。虽然口罩可以长期使用，但是他们也会提供需定期更换的过滤器。过滤器共有三个级别，最基本的级别也可过滤92%的微颗粒。可能外观上不会非常时尚，但是有最高功效（配置可过滤96%颗粒的过滤器）的安全保障，即便污染加重你也不用太过担心。最高功效的过滤器，即可过滤96%微颗粒，售价在236元购买20个。
军用过滤级别配上多种图案和色彩造型，这家英国公司在口罩上使用了三层技术，其中最后一层为军用级别活性炭过滤器。剑桥口罩可过滤空气中99.77%的微颗粒以及预防99.6%的病毒。尺寸方面，小孩和成人均有，淘宝零售价在215元一只。这个价格可以兼顾时尚和健康保障，剑桥口罩满足了所有需求。
这是另一家英国公司推出的高防护性口罩。Respro口罩本是为户外骑车人士设计的，它的透气性非常好，而它的双重呼吸系统设计非常适合户外运动者。虽然它的过滤功能稍逊于Totobobo和剑桥口罩，毕竟他家的最大卖点就在针对户外运动人士。价格而言，淘宝上的售价为399元一只；造型来说，佩戴上以后很像《疯狂麦克斯》里的人物。但是对于慢跑和骑车爱好者来说，这个价格还是可以考虑一下的。
和剑桥口罩一样高性能，这个牌子的口罩也是用了活性炭过滤器。莫仕称他家的口罩可过滤99.97%的颗粒。这家美国公司非常重视口罩佩戴的舒适度，在潮湿和高温的环境下都不会变形。他们提供非一次性类型，但是如果你想试试3M以外的牌子，他们家也有一次性口罩。和同类别高性能的口罩比起来，莫仕口罩60元一个的价格算是便宜的，虽然外观也仅仅是比3M好一些。但是考虑到过滤器的原因，其实整体也只是稍显棱角分明些。
作为另一个中等级别的口罩推荐，ID值得考虑。据称可以过滤空气中95%的颗粒，ID口罩在两侧有分别有一个过滤系统，这样的设计也很方便呼吸。他们的市场零售价在60元一个，虽然比起同量级的竞争者算是便宜的，但是还是要比莫仕稍贵一些。另一方面，莫仕只有黑白两种颜色可以选择，而ID的颜色选择相对丰富一些。如果你对颜色比较挑剔，又没有买剑桥和Vogmask的预算，那么ID还是不错的选择。
和3M一样，港凯口罩一次性口罩也是便宜好用类型的。淘宝上的售价是2块5一个，低价虽然非常诱惑，但是就功效来说并不如3M。就外观而言，港凯口罩和3M一样有工业化即视感，但是如果你对轻度污染都比较敏感的话，这款还是很合适的。当然，污染再重一些的话，这款就不合适了。
> 在线查看完整的口罩推荐指南，请点击下方“阅读原文”。
This article was originally published by our sister magazine Urban Family (WeChat ID: urbanfamilyshanghai). For more articles like this, visit the Urban Family website by clicking "Read More" below or follow the bilingual Urban Family WeChat account by scanning the QR code below.