Where are the flying cars? We already live in the “future” that many ’80s and ’90s movies predicted, and while some of their prophecies have come true, others remain science fiction. Of course, it is somewhat worrying that stories presented as warnings of what will happen if humanity does not change course are being fulfilled.
If I’m honest, in my childhood mind I always wanted to live in Rick Deckard’s dystopian future, with neon lights, multiculturalism and a Vangelis soundtrack; and yes, also flying cars. I’d be lying if I said that my adult mind isn’t lost in that world sometimes, or that I didn’t feel a chill when I looked in the mirror wearing Razer’s new Zephyr mask.
The Razer Zephyr is the most impressive technological product of 2021, the best reflection of what we have experienced this year. On paper, it is a very simple product and, in perspective, many of us would have liked to have in the second half of last year: it is an individual air purifier with fans to improve breathing even using the best filters on the market.
In practice, it’s much more than a breathing aid: the Zephyr is a public statement, fashion accessory, and gaming product all in one. It’s weird, it’s original, and it grabs the attention of anyone within a 50-meter radius.
The most desired product of the moment
The Zephyr was born as the Project Hazel, a prototype presented by Razer at the beginning of the year aimed at gamers. Like all prototypes, there was really no guarantee that it would go into production, which is understandable; At that time, neither Razer nor anyone else knew for sure how long the global pandemic would last, and especially how long it would be necessary to wear a mask.
But even in a country where indoor masks are still mandatory, the Zephyr doesn’t make much sense on its own. I fully understand Razer’s reluctance to spend on a product that could have ended up on sale for a tenth of its starting price, as regular masks have.
But let no one say that Razer does not take risks. The Zephyr is real, it was released last week, and in just a few minutes. It turns out that Razer has one of the most desired products of the year on its hands; Although I suspect that the initial ‘stock’ was initially small, Razer has already promised a new batch, which we can find out about if we sign up.
More than just a mask
The Razer Zephyr is a black and clear plastic accessory that houses two fans, RGB lighting, and a silicone cover; The idea is that it replaces traditional masks, thanks to the use of 95% particle filtration efficiency filters (according to Razer tests), capable of trapping all kinds of small particles, including the famous coronavirus.
It is not the first time that we see something similar, but not with this design. The Zephyr manages to turn us into the bad guy in the movie just by putting it on; ironically, the more functional parts are to blame. For example, most of the device is made of transparent plastic, which allows us to see our mouth and lips; for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can be a great help, although I have not been able to verify it. In addition, it allows us to recover the expressiveness that we lost with normal masks, allowing the other person to know if we are angry or smiling.
Except that the lighting achieves the opposite. How could it be otherwise in a Razer product, the Zephyr has RGB lighting in two different areas. The mouth area is illuminated by two internal LEDs, and the effect is more sinister than useful. I have managed to hit more than one scare just by showing up with the mask on. The transparent ‘window’ highlights the mouth and lips, and can actually create a bit of a complex for you; while the ventilation should prevent fogging, Razer includes a spray of product if it becomes an issue.
The second RGB zone surrounds the vents, one on each side of the device, which hide both the filters and the fans. These will be of great help for athletes, or for people with respiratory problems, due to the greater flow of air that will reach our nose and mouth; although it must be clarified that they are not especially powerful, just enough to pass the air through the filter. The good thing about this is that I have not felt much colder in the face by having the fans active, and that they do not make much noise; at the highest speed, you’ll notice it and it can be annoying during long periods of use, but at the lowest speed they’re practically unnoticeable. There is a third filter zone, on the chin, but we don’t have active ventilation there.
All aspects of the purifier are customizable using the official app for iOS and Android. We can change the color of both the interior and exterior lighting, and even activate different lighting effects such as ‘breathing’, go through various colors, or simply maintain a fixed color. I was surprised that we cannot associate our Razer account, to use the same Razer Chroma settings as on other devices such as keyboards or mice like the new . As we have said, from here the fans can also be set to two speeds, high and low.
Comfort is one of the most difficult aspects to quantify in this product. We have two bands that hug our head, but we can only adjust one; the idea is to tighten it enough so that the silicone cover closes around our mouth and nose, thus forcing air through the filters. Depending on the shape of your nose, that can cause some pain after a few minutes of use; but it reminds me a lot of when we all started wearing a mask: each person found the appropriate way to put it on depending on their features.
And while the Zephyr is very light at just 206 grams, it’s still extra weight to consider if you’re going to be working out or wearing it for a long time. It is a necessary weight for the internal battery, which allows it to be used for up to 8 hours with fans at low speed and the lighting deactivated; but don’t expect more than 3 hours of use with everything on and maxed out. Charging is done through a hidden USB-C port.
Mark the difference
But all that is forgotten in the face of the real attraction of this individual air purifier: design and originality. I have walked down the street with this mask on, and I am not exaggerating when I say that I have attracted the gaze of absolutely all the strangers who have passed me. Sometimes they are looks of confusion, other times they are of interest, but you will always get a reaction. Among the youngest, that reaction is sometimes more evident, and I have even heard a “how handsome”.
With the Razer Zephyr it is possible to be a little scary
It doesn’t surprise me in the least that the Razer Zephyr has completely sold out, because we shouldn’t interpret it as a simple mask, nor as a medical product; protecting us against viruses and particles is only its secondary functionality, and the real reason to buy it is another. It is a differentiating article, and I anticipate that we will see it in future events, not necessarily gaming, as a way to stand out and make a difference.
That has a price, of course. The Razer Zephyr costs 109.99 euros, but where we will really invest more is in the filters adapted to the holes in the mask; the pack of 10 units costs 34.99 euros, and Razer recommends changing them every three days (with 8 hours of use each day). The mask package with three filter packs costs 159.99 euros. It sounds expensive, but if you are interested, I do not recommend waiting, because you can end up without one.
Now that I have one, I’ll keep waiting for the flying cars.
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