New to BreatheSafeAir – Need Help Getting Started with Masks & Air Quality Gear

General
1

Hi everyone,

I am new to the BreatheSafeAir Forum and just starting to take air quality more seriously both indoors and outdoors. I have been reading up on masks, air purifiers and filtration systems but I still feel a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there.

I do love some guidance from those more experienced here. Specifically:

  • What are the best masks right now for both pollution and virus protection?
  • Are there any reliable air quality monitors you recommend for home or travel?
  • Is a portable air purifier actually worth it, or should I invest in something larger for home use?

I have come across brands like Airthings, IQAir, 3M Aura, Cambridge Mask and Airthereal but I am not sure what is truly effective or just marketing hype.

Any advice or product suggestions would really help as I try to build my setup. Looking forward to learning from this community

2

Hi @gumalay56,

Thanks for joining! It’s great to have you here and to hear about your dedication to improving the quality of the air you breathe.

Unfortunately, this question has different answers for everyone, as it really comes down to fit. If you’re looking for a place to start, I would recommend trying the 3M Aura (any model that is easily available in your location) or 3M VFlex. These respirators tend to fit a wide variety of people, and they are both N95 (or better).

I tend to recommend one of the following monitors for use at home:

(Please note that I now work with AirGradient, but did not at the time of this review.)

For a portable monitor, this remains my favourite:

This really depends on your use case. How would you primarily intend to use the purifier?