# 3M 8511 N95 mask or 3M 8210V N95 mask **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 27, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036 "2020-10-27T16:09:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/1 "2020-10-27T16:09:17Z")
What is the difference between these two types of masks? Which is best for an adult with a thin face? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/2 "2020-10-27T16:16:27Z")
What do you need the masks for? Because Googling, both have respirator valves. I don’t think that type is suitable for COVID purposes. ---
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/3 "2020-10-27T16:19:07Z")
Hmmm… I think you are right… didn’t consider closely ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/4 "2020-10-27T16:55:49Z")
Valved N95s should be OK if you wear another mask over it. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/5 "2020-10-27T18:58:41Z")
Or tape over the inside of the valve. That’s what I’ve done with my valved N95s. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/6 "2020-10-27T22:31:32Z")
to me (an on-looker) you would appear to be wearing a mask that protects you but not me. I’d suggest putting tape over the exterior valve as well for clarity sake. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/7 "2020-10-27T22:36:12Z")
True, although I haven’t had any comments. The button valve would be very difficult to tape over on the outside. Inside is a cinch. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/8 "2020-10-27T22:36:50Z")
But if you’re buying them new, non-valved is the way to go–cheaper, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/9 "2020-10-27T22:39:00Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > to me (an on-looker) you would appear to be wearing a mask that protects you but not me. I’d suggest putting tape over the exterior valve as well for clarity sake. I agree. My local Trader Joe’s, for one has a sign outside that masks with valves are not allowed. I don’t think it would help to say that you have the inside of the valve taped off. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/10 "2020-10-27T23:35:32Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > The button valve would be very difficult to tape over on the outside. Inside is a cinch. Thank you for wearing one. I don’t comment on masks where I live cause it could get you punched in the nose or worse. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-8511-n95-mask-or-3m-8210v-n95-mask/924036/11 "2020-10-27T23:36:42Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > But if you’re buying them new, non-valved is the way to go–cheaper, too. You got that right! I applaud you-plus big twinkly-eyed smiles from behind my mask.