Razer has changed the characteristics of its Zephyr goggle. While promising N95 grade filters (FFP2 equivalent), the company has significantly changed its mind.
This is called a 180 ° turn. In March 2021, Razer formalized the launch of a smart mask supposed to protect against viruses and harmful particles in the air. At the time, the company specializing in the marketing of gaming accessories promised N95 / FFP2 protection: a grade that offers a high level of protection against covid, both to the wearer and to its surroundings. This promise, however, has been thrown into oblivion, reports PC Mag in an article published on January 10. Because, today, Razer no longer mentions protection with the N95 standard.
This means that Razer’s goggle, however smart it may be, will protect you a lot less than an FFP2 type goggle, even if it costs a lot (a lot) more – the price of the Zephyr is set at 99.99. $ in the United States. In a tweet posted on January 8, the firm confirms the change in posture. ” The Razer Zephyr and Razer Zephyr Pro are not N95 certified masks, medical devices, respirators, surgical masks, or personal protective equipment, and are not intended for use in a medical setting. », She says now. We are therefore far from the initial promise.
Razer’s mask turns to fiasco
The point is, Razer played a bit too much on words when it presented its Zephyr goggle. The company claimed that its replaceable filters were N95 level without any certification from a competent body. This posture has been confusing, which is quite unwelcome when it comes to health. The Razer fiasco was predictable: the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is responsible for certifying N95 masks, has never placed the product on its list.
Razer overestimated the quality of protection of its masks, putting the ‘N95’ label whenever it could to legitimize its product – and justify its exorbitant price tag. This archive page clearly mentions “N95 type filters”. Today they have become simple “air purification filters”, which is not at all the same in terms of protection against viruses. Razer nevertheless continues to assert that the Zephyr ” protects better than standard disposable and cloth masks “. In the absence of a certification, one can doubt it.
In a page titled “The Science Behind the Razer Zephyr,” Razer nonetheless referred to collaborations with mask experts, healthcare professionals and engineers to develop the Zephyr. A third-party laboratory would have confirmed the following performances: an efficiency of 95% in filtering particles and an efficiency of 99% in that of bacteria – according to established standards (corresponding to type 2 masks, i.e. surgical masks).
However, these elements have not enabled the company to obtain certification for the time being. Until Razer gets it (assuming it does get it someday), so don’t buy the Zephyr if you’re looking for a real medical accessory.