Face masks become a lifesaving piece of equipment when dealing with anything from airborne pathogens to procedures with the potential for high fluid contact. Deciding which mask is right for you can be difficult with so many choices out there, but here at Tiger Medical we've set out to make it as simple as can be.

The first, and easiest, choice to make is what purpose the mask will be serving: general purpose, respirator or surgery.

Despite very similar appearances, each style of mask offers very different functionality that must be considered carefully when purchasing. Each style offers further variation in filtration efficiency, fluid protection, mask type and tie type. 

A wide variety of face masks fall under the "general purpose" banner. Basic paper face masks designed to be economical, antiviral isolation masks and colorfully printed masks to wear around children are just some of the choices available. General purpose masks tend to run the gamut as far as tie types are concerned, and for the most part tie type is a matter of personal preference. Whether it's ear loops, head straps or standard ties, you'll achieve a secure fit.

Respirator masks prioritize protection against airborne allergens, pathogens, dust, vapors and gases. They typically feature a molded design and offer some degree of fluid protection as well. Most use elastic headstraps and some respirator masks feature one-way valve for easier respiration. 

Surgical masks are generally graded on the degree of fluid protection they provide (and here at Tiger Medical we offer a helpful fluid protection filter, so you can view which masks provide low, moderate or high fluid protection). Filtration efficiency is also a major consideration. Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) and Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) are the two major designations you'll see when shopping for surgical masks. Guarding against the risks you can't see is essential when working in the health industry. 

Sifting through the myriad styles and sizes of face masks can be daunting. Between our product filters on the left side of the page, and our on-call support staff (available via online chat or by phone), Tiger Medical is here to make the experience hassle-free and as simple as clicking "add to cart."