Anti-pollution and PM2.5 masks for high AQI city, smog and haze — real user reviews from residents, expats and families in Beijing, Salt Lake City, Manila, Jakarta and beyond
Anti-pollution and PM2.5 masks for city smog and haze are what these residents, expats and families reached for when urban air pollution turned hazardous. Here’s what they said — in their own words, grouped by region.
Urban air pollution isn’t one problem. It’s smog trapped in a mountain valley, haze drifting across a region in burning season, desert dust on a “clear” day, and the fine PM2.5 particles that slip past ordinary masks. The people below chose a reusable Totobobo mask to cut what they breathe on the worst-air days.
North America smog: Los Angeles basin and Salt Lake City inversions
From the Los Angeles basin to Salt Lake City’s winter temperature inversions, Western US cities trap smog and PM2.5 against the mountains — sometimes for months at a time.
Because of the mountains that surround our city, every winter pollution is trapped in the valleys — a temperature inversion that lasts about 3 months and now shows up in summer too. I am very active outdoors year-round and this mask has become part of my kit.
I first heard about the Totobobo mask after telling a friend that I hardly go outside because I have asthma, and the wildfire smoke has made the air around the Chicago area really bad. He mentioned that some of his friends who cycle use Totobobo, so I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did, and I’ve already recommended it to a few other friends!
Compared with my previous fabric mask, Totobobo is much cooler to wear. It covers only a small part of my face, doesn’t trap heat around my neck, and is far more comfortable during summer hot climate.
I was worried condensation and rain would make the mask uncomfortable, but it wipes dry in seconds and dries much faster than any fabric mask I’ve used.
I first discovered Totobobo while living in China in 2010. Years later, I tracked the company down again because wildfire smoke has become a real concern for my daily bike commute in Wisconsin, especially when taking my child to school. I want to keep cycling safely instead of reverting to driving on smoky days. I also appreciate how the used filters visibly show what they’ve captured, making them a valuable tool for teaching science and raising public awareness about air pollution.
We first used Totobobo masks while living in China in 2012, when the air pollution was terrible. They worked great then, so when wildfire smoke started affecting us here, I was happy to see Totobobo was still around.
Southeast Asia haze: Singapore, Jakarta and the burning season
Every dry season, agricultural burning sends haze across Southeast Asia, pushing PM2.5 to hazardous levels in Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur — and disposable masks sell out fast.
The N95 masks last only several hours before losing efficacy, and are hard to acquire during the haze. I need a mask that’s cheaper and easier to get in the long run — I can’t possibly buy hundreds of masks each time the haze comes in.
I bought the Totobobo mask for my daily cycle commute in Jakarta. Since using it, the chest congestion and regular sore throat I used to get have completely disappeared.
I was already wearing a fabric mask before, but it didn’t stop the pollution. Totobobo made a noticeable difference, and I even noticed my sore throat returning when I delayed changing the filters.
Although the initial cost was higher, the replaceable filters make it very economical. Spread over a year, it works out to only about US$6 a month, including international shipping.
My experience has been excellent. The mask is so comfortable that once it’s on, I tend to forget I’m wearing it, and I’ve recommended it to many other people.
China’s airpocalypse days in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities
China’s northern winters are the reason many people first go looking for a serious pollution mask. When Beijing’s PM2.5 passed 800 in January 2013, Totobobo sold out across the city.
Beijing’s air is simply unbreathable sometimes. I searched most of the anti-pollution masks available locally but couldn’t find anything to my liking. TOTOBOBO is recommended on the US Embassy in Beijing’s webpages — the same website giving hourly pollution updates.
Since 2006 I live in Beijing; choosing a Totobobo mask is one of the few options I’ve found comfortable enough to breathe in this city. It is very comfortable, and most importantly it suits my child too. We are a real Totobobo family. I lost mine in a cab yesterday and directly purchased a new one.
I started wearing 3M carbon masks nearly 2 years ago — heavy, hard to breathe out, and not washable. After I tried Totobobo, I simply can’t go back. It is so light and breathable. I also help my friends buy them online because in China it is simply sold out!
Last week we had PM2.5 values of above 800. Crazy!
It stops the fine PM2.5 particles and can be reused rather than thrown away — a must-have if you want to get through Beijing’s worst days.
Pollution has been bad lately. I researched and saw doctors’ recommendations for Totobobo. I got one locally and wanted more — but the next day they were sold out everywhere.
A friend and I did some research and found Totobobo to be the best option for us — and we’re not the only ones who think so. When we tried to buy locally, they were sold out everywhere. Glad we secured some at the HK store.
PM2.5 in Beijing is very high and the sky is always gray. Local shops were way more expensive than online, so I bought from totobobo.com. Everybody living in Beijing should pay attention to their health.
I bought 6 for the entire family. I wish there were products for my toddler too, but the Totobobo ones work for ages 5 and up.
I have selected Totobobo masks because they have replaceable filters — and I really like the clear communication about when to replace them. At least I know what I pay for. Today in Shanghai pollution got really bad, above 500!
High AQI and terrible fog in Shanghai. I care about my parents’ health, and the 3M 6200 is too large and strange for the old. Totobobo has a nice look, is convenient to take, and looks like a common mask.
With air pollution at historical highs, we needed a high-quality mask to maintain health. Numerous people in our school community recommended Totobobo, and after web research we determined this was the best choice for our family. Customer service was very helpful too.
I live in a Chinese city with heavy air pollution. I bought this mask because it’s light and the face seal is more effective than many other masks.
Two years in a large Chinese city often left me with a cough that lasts for months — constant demolition and construction. Looking forward to masks for my husband and me. Now can you make one for my dog???
Middle East dust and high-exposure relocations: Dubai, India and beyond
Beyond the smog capitals, year-round Gulf dust keeps PM levels high in Dubai and Doha, and people relocating to high-pollution cities often buy a mask before they arrive.
I’m moving to India for a few years and pollution levels are sky-high there. Totobobo gives us hope to keep ourselves pollution free.
In Saudi Arabia, dust used to trigger my bronchiectasis, and I couldn’t tolerate high-resistance masks like the N95. The Totobobo PRO filters are so easy to breathe through that my symptoms have dropped drastically.
Quick note—my pulmonologist told me to get the Totobobo mask for my allergic asthma. Honestly so glad I did. Even on the bad sandstorm days here in Dubai I can actually breathe. Works great, highly recommend!
I’m driving a moto every day for 20km in one of the most polluted cities in the world. The condition of the cars here is so poor and the air is really deplorable. I think Totobobo is the best option for me.
Ready for your city’s worst-air days?
Totobobo is reusable, with replaceable PM2.5 filters and a clear, trim-to-fit body you can seal to an adult or a child’s face (ages 5+). It’s silicone-free and latex-free. See which mask and filter grade suits your city’s air.
Living somewhere with hard air — from Los Angeles to Dubai to Jakarta? Tell us how Totobobo performs in your city in the comments below.