In view of the persistently high number of corona infections, Warentest has again examined respiratory masks. Compared to the investigations in 2021, the masks have not improved. Three are still recommended.

Wearing FFP2 masks is again increasingly recommended to protect against corona viruses. Because unlike other mouth and nose covers, they are not only designed to protect others, but also to protect themselves. Stiftung Warentest has again examined respiratory masks – nine classic FFP2 masks and three models marked as reusable.

Result: Not all models protect equally well. Compared to the investigations in 2021, the masks have not improved. Three of the twelve models tested have a high level of breathing comfort, filter well, fit many face shapes and are sealed. Accordingly, the Stiftung Warentest classifies the masks “DK FFP2 NR D YSK-P2D” for 2.63 euros, “Jifa Siegmund FFP2 NR respirator mask JFM02” for 0.55 euros, the “3M Aura 9320” and “Uvex FFP2 NR D silv- Air 2200” for 2.45 euros as recommended for most people. However, the tapes contain soluble latex proteins that can cause skin rashes in people with allergies.

Warentest can still only recommend the four FFP2 masks that were tested in 2021 as “suitable”. There are: “3M Aura 9320” (2.74), “Lindenpartner FFP2 particle filtering half mask NR LP2” (0.50 euros), “Moldex FFP2 NR D 2400 Classic” (2.11 euros) and “Uvex FFP2 NR silv -Air lite 4200” (0.67 euros). All four protect very well against aerosols, offer enough breathing comfort, convince in terms of fit and tightness and perform unobtrusively in the pollutant test.

Some of the other masks in the test had significant weaknesses. Be it that they offered too little breathing comfort, did not always fit close enough to the face in the fit test or only had a low filter effect. The testers awarded the result “suitable with restrictions” to these four masks: “Hard FFP2 respiratory mask Spirit One 77017”, “Lindenpartner FFP2 particle-filtering half mask NR LP1”, “Opharm FFP2 protective mask” and “Thorey respiratory masks FFP2 NR Falt Basic Plus”. In the fit test, they were not always tight enough for the ten test subjects. Aerosol particles can penetrate where a mask does not fit properly on the face. Then it is of little use if it filters well.

For the first time, three reusable masks were also included in the test. Unlike classic FFP2 masks, they can be washed by hand and, according to the provider, reused. However, none of these were convincing. The tested model “Unica FFP2 R” for 19.80 euros performed particularly poorly. It failed the fit test, offered only a low filter effect and contained harmful substances in the rubber rings for adjusting the straps that are considered carcinogenic. The other two reusable masks showed poor breathing comfort.