Reusable HEPA Filter Face Mask | Injection Molded Plastic and Silicone | Tight Sealing Filtering Mask with Valve Hole Filters

Until recently this mask's replaceable HEPA filters each had a large hole in them (roughly the size of a dime), positioned at about mouth level. Common sense suggests that this could lead to leakage of unfiltered air, both upon breathing in and upon breathing out. A silicon disc attached to the inner frame is larger than the hole and presses against it, but nothing actually seals the perimeter of the hole to the disc so leakage both ways still seems possible. Several reviewers on amazon have expressed this concern, and indeed the company admits that some leakage occurs upon breathing out and, if you want to fully protect those around you, recommends cutting out a piece of filter to place between the hole and the outer face of the mask, as a backup to the silicon disc. The implication is that this is not necessary to prevent leakage upon breathing in, so that the wearer is fully protected whether or not the extra piece of filter is used. I find this hard to believe, and find the company statements evasive on this point.BUT, the filter has been changed. Replacement filters now sold on amazon have no hole, which suggests to me that the company has decided that its explanation of the hole was just not plausible. It's not clear whether filters with the hole will also continue to be sold. Probably the filters with no hole will make the mask less breathable, which is a shame because the ease of breathing is one of the great things about the mask.Reviewers have also questioned whether the inner half of the mask forms an effective seal with the outer half when the mask is assembled and have suggested there is potential for leakage there. I just can't tell about that.One seal that unquestionably is effective is that of the mask against the wearer's face. This is superb, and alone makes the mask a huge improvement over most masks In common use, for the wearer and for bystanders, both for covid prevention and because there is no eyeglass fogging. Despite the tight seal, I find the mask very comfortable to wear.I have given this product five stars on the assumption that it really is as effective as an N95 mask at protecting the wearer from inhaling virus-infected droplets. Even if that is untruthful hype, this mask still seems to me a big (if expensive) improvement over cloth and "surgical" masks. I can't wear an N95 mask for more than a half hour, whereas I can wear this mask for two or three hours, and longer with occasional breaks.ADDENDUM: In one of its comments below, NXTGEN says: "Those indoors have always been encouraged to seal the valve and our website has always shown how to do this." Put aside whether it's true that they have "always encouraged" sealing the valve for indoor use, they clearly now do, and this is crucial. If you are using this mask indoors and want it to protect both you and those around you, you must either "plug" the hole with a separate piece of filter in the prescribed manner, or use a no hole filter. Only if you are outdoors should you use filters with an unplugged hole.FURTHER ADDENDUM: Today I wore the mask outdoors with a no-hole filter during a 3.5 mile strenuous walk with temperatures in the mid-70s and low humidity. The no-hole filter was quite breathable under these conditions, better than I expected.

I hate giving one star reviews.But, in its current rendition, this mask should be avoided. My wife is a healthcare worker and we are older, this seemed like a great idea and we bought 2. Real costly mistake.1) The exhaust valve does not seal and leaks air on breathing in. We tried the standard inhalation test of the valve and air freely moved in. In a pathogen rich environment, it would be dangerous. We tried reseating the valve but no improvement.The manufacturer suggests using a second filter to cover the valve, but this would need to be sealed. I tried but air continued to leak around the valve and filters. Double filters were too bulky and doubles the expense.2) The internal half of the mask does not seal the openings, so much so, that one can look directly through the grid and valve hole, which allows contaminated air uninhibited access to your lungs. As bad as no mask at all.3) The filter fits fine around the exhaust hole but just normal wearing the mask dislodges the filter. It moves around, opening up other breaches in the system.4) As others have noted, it pushes against your nose, which over time would be more than uncomfortable.5) Even if it worked, the replacement filters are too expensive. One can buy yards of the material on Amazon for the same price as 5 masks.Bottom line: it doesn't provide much protection, and very expensive.Find something else if you can and let us know what really is worth the cost.

I was excited to get the NxtGen face mask. My work requires that I wear a N95 respirator mask or higher all day and communicate effectively with patients. I thought this mask might be the answer I was looking for as a low-profile, respirator mask comfortable, enough for all-day wear and cleanable for repeat use.I love the concept of this mask but found it to be just too small for my face. I am a taller, slim individual, certainly within the normal spectrum of people you see everyday. First, I found the mask too short - top to bottom - for me so it was not possible to get a consistent seal against my nose or around my chin, especially when I moved my mouth to speak. Basically, I could either cover my nose or my chin, but I could not cover both effectively at the same time.As well, the depth of the mask was an issue for me. The distance from the silicone face seal anteriorly toward where the filter is housed lacked enough space for me, so that my lips were smooshed up against the front wall of the mask. Again, this prevented from speaking clearly in this mask.Love the concept, but the execution needs tweaking. If there were to be a larger version of this mask and/ or a selection of silicone sealing inserts (like you get with ear buds) to fit variable face shapes I'd consider giving it another try.

Everything I wanted. Durable yet light weight. Affordable high quality filter inserts. Silicone seal. Head straps and NOT ear loops.The fit is pretty good for one size fits all. It needs to sit high on the bridge of nose for my face or it hurts. If the chin area was half inch lower it would fit me perfectly (if you guys make different sized inner portions such as small medium and large I would be ecstatic). Adjusting it throughout the day is worth it for the HEPA filtration and no hurt ears or fogged glasses.This mask is probably the easiest you can breathe while still being well protected from corona virus.