The 3M Aura is the best-selling disposable respirator in the UK. Walk onto any construction site, hospital ward, or woodworking shop and you'll see the distinctive three-panel fold-flat design.
The problem? There are seven models in the range, and the numbering system is genuinely confusing. What's the difference between a 9320+ and a 9330+? Why is the 1863+ in a different number series? What does the "+" even mean?
This guide explains every model in plain English, tells you which one you actually need, and compares live prices across UK suppliers.
The Two Things You Need to Know First
Every 3M Aura model boils down to two choices:
- Protection level: FFP2 or FFP3? FFP2 filters 94% of airborne particles and is suitable for most general dust, mist, and fume hazards. FFP3 filters 99% and is required for more hazardous materials like hardwood dust, asbestos, lead, mould, and biological agents.
- Valve or no valve? The Cool Flow valve lets warm exhaled air escape, keeping you cooler during long shifts. Without the valve, the mask filters air in both directions — important when you need to protect others from your breath (healthcare, food production).
That's it. Once you know those two answers, picking the right Aura model takes about 10 seconds.
Quick Reference: Every 3M Aura Model at a Glance
| Model | FFP Class | Valve | Series | Best For | From (per unit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9320+ | FFP2 | No | Industrial | General dust, DIY, sanding | £1.38 |
| 9322+ | FFP2 | Yes | Industrial | Hot/humid conditions, extended wear | £1.85 |
| 9330+ | FFP3 | No | Industrial | Hardwood dust, mould, lead | £0.40 |
| 9332+ | FFP3 | Yes | Industrial | High-hazard, hot environments | £0.10 |
| 1863+ | FFP3 | No | Healthcare | Surgery, AGPs, clinical settings | £0.19 |
| 1873V+ | FFP3 | Yes | Healthcare | Healthcare (wearer protection only) | £7.96 |
Prices shown are per-unit costs from the cheapest UK supplier we track. Compare all prices live on our product pages.
The Industrial Range (9300+ Series)
The 9300+ series is what most people in construction, manufacturing, and trades will need. These are certified to EN 149:2001+A1:2009 — the European standard for filtering face piece respirators.
3M Aura 9320+ — FFP2, Unvalved
The entry-level Aura. FFP2 protection (94% filtration, up to 10x the workplace exposure limit) without a valve. This is the workhorse for general construction dust, sanding, painting, gardening, and DIY.
Because there's no valve, it's also suitable for situations where you need to protect others as well as yourself — useful if you're working near food or in shared spaces.
When to choose this: Your COSHH assessment says FFP2 is sufficient, you don't need a valve, and you want the lowest cost per mask.
Current prices: From £1.38/unit across 13 suppliers. Typically sold in boxes of 20. Compare all 9320+ prices →
3M Aura 9322+ — FFP2, Valved
Same FFP2 protection as the 9320+, but with 3M's Cool Flow Comfort Valve. The Gen3 valve opens 37% more easily than the previous generation, and 3M claims workers rate it 78% more comfortable.
The valve makes a noticeable difference if you're wearing the mask for extended periods or in hot environments. The trade-off: valved masks don't filter exhaled air, so they're not suitable where source control matters.
When to choose this: You need FFP2 and you're working long shifts, outdoors in summer, or in warm indoor environments. The valve comfort is worth the price premium.
Current prices: From £1.85/unit across 13 suppliers. Typically sold in boxes of 10. Compare all 9322+ prices →
3M Aura 9330+ — FFP3, Unvalved
This is where it gets serious. FFP3 means 99% filtration and up to 20x the workplace exposure limit. Required by most UK COSHH assessments for hardwood dust, insulation fibres (fibreglass, mineral wool), mould remediation, lead paint removal, pharmaceutical dust, and biological agents in risk groups 2-3.
The unvalved design means it's also appropriate where source control is needed alongside high-level protection.
When to choose this: Your COSHH assessment specifies FFP3, you don't need a valve, and you might need to protect others too.
Current prices: From £0.40/unit across 10 suppliers. Typically sold in boxes of 20. Compare all 9330+ prices →
3M Aura 9332+ — FFP3, Valved
The flagship. FFP3 protection with the Cool Flow Comfort Valve. This is the most-tracked product on Mask Directory — we compare prices from 25 UK suppliers for this model alone.
It's the go-to choice for the most demanding industrial environments: hand sanding, power tool sanding, masonry cutting, metalwork, and any hot environment where FFP3 is required.
When to choose this: You need FFP3 and you want maximum comfort during extended wear. The most popular choice for UK construction and manufacturing.
Current prices: From £0.10/unit across 19 suppliers — the widest supplier coverage of any Aura model. Compare all 9332+ prices →
The Healthcare Range (1800+ Series)
The 1800+ series looks identical to the 9300+ but has a critical difference: it's dual-certified as both a respirator (EN 149) and a surgical mask (EN 14683 Type IIR). That means splash/fluid resistance at 120 mmHg and bacterial filtration efficiency above 98%. These are approved as medical devices.
3M Aura 1863+ — FFP3, Healthcare, Unvalved
The standard healthcare FFP3. Dual-certified as a Type IIR surgical mask, meaning it provides splash resistance for procedures where exposure to blood or body fluids is possible. Used across NHS hospitals, dental surgeries, and for aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs).
When to choose this: Clinical settings requiring both FFP3 respiratory protection and Type IIR fluid resistance. The default choice for most UK healthcare workers.
Current prices: From £0.19/unit across 6 suppliers. Compare all 1863+ prices →
3M Aura 1873V+ — FFP3, Healthcare, Valved
Here's an important distinction many people miss: the 1873V+ is NOT classified as a Type IIR surgical mask. The open Cool Flow valve means exhaled air exits unfiltered, so it cannot provide source control or splash resistance.
It protects the wearer at FFP3 level, but it does not protect patients or sterile fields from the wearer's exhalation. For surgical or sterile field use, choose the unvalved 1863+ instead.
When to choose this: Healthcare settings where only wearer protection is required (not source control), and comfort during long procedures is a priority.
Current prices: From £7.96/unit. Compare 1873V+ prices →
What Does the "+" Mean?
The "+" suffix indicates the Gen3 (third generation) of the Aura range. The main improvement is the redesigned Cool Flow Comfort Valve on valved models, which opens more easily and allows significantly more exhaled air through. Gen3 also introduced improved chin tabs and grip features for easier donning.
If you see a 3M Aura without the "+" suffix, it's an older generation. All current production is Gen3 (+).
What About the 9320D+?
You might come across the 9320D+. The "D" stands for Deutschland (Germany) — it's manufactured at 3M's facility in Juchen rather than in the UK. Specifications are identical to the standard 9320+. The German-made variant is sometimes sold in smaller retail packs of 3 rather than boxes of 20.
Don't confuse this "D" with the "D" in "FFP2 NR D". In the classification, the D means the filter passed the dolomite clogging test — a completely unrelated thing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Choosing FFP2 when you need FFP3
FFP2 is cheaper, but if your COSHH assessment specifies FFP3, there are no shortcuts. Hardwood dust, asbestos awareness tasks, lead, mould, and biological hazards in risk groups 2-3 all require FFP3 as a minimum. Getting this wrong is a prosecutable offence — the HSE convicted at a 96% rate last year.
2. Using a valved mask where source control matters
Valved masks (9322+, 9332+, 1873V+) only filter inhaled air. Your exhaled breath exits unfiltered through the valve. Don't use them in healthcare settings where you could be infectious, in food production, or anywhere you need to protect others. Choose the unvalved equivalent instead.
3. Assuming the 1873V+ is a surgical mask
It's in the healthcare series but the open valve disqualifies it from Type IIR surgical mask classification. Only the unvalved 1863+ qualifies. This is probably the most common mistake with the Aura range.
4. Skipping face-fit testing
Every tight-fitting respirator — including all Aura models — must be face-fit tested to the wearer. A mask that doesn't seal properly provides degraded protection regardless of its FFP rating. This should be repeated when there are changes to facial shape (weight change, dental work) and at regular intervals. It's a legal requirement under the HSE's INDG479 guidance.
5. Mixing up headband colours
Blue headbands = FFP2. Red headbands = FFP3. If you're stocking both levels, keep them clearly separated. Grabbing the wrong colour from a mixed box could mean inadequate protection for the hazard.
Which Aura Should You Buy? A Quick Decision Tree
Is your hazard listed as requiring FFP3? (hardwood dust, asbestos, lead, mould, biological agents)
- Yes → Do you need source control or fluid resistance?
- No → FFP2 is sufficient.
Compare Prices Across UK Suppliers
We track prices for every 3M Aura model across 25+ UK suppliers, updated daily. Click any product below to see the full price comparison:
- 3M Aura 9320+ (FFP2, unvalved) — from £1.38/unit
- 3M Aura 9322+ (FFP2, valved) — from £1.85/unit
- 3M Aura 9330+ (FFP3, unvalved) — from £0.40/unit
- 3M Aura 9332+ (FFP3, valved) — from £0.10/unit
- 3M Aura 1863+ (FFP3, healthcare) — from £0.19/unit
- 3M Aura 1873V+ (FFP3, healthcare, valved) — from £7.96/unit
