Razer's Zephyr Smart Face Mask Is Getting A Pro Upgrade
Razer's Zephyr is getting a long-awaited feature one year after it was announced as Project Hazel, a concept smart face mask. The original concept included a microphone and speaker that was designed to amplify the voice of the wearer. When the Zephyr went to market — and subsequently sold out — the feature was nowhere to be found because of the weight and power concerns that came with voice amplification.
The original Zephyr face mask was made available for purchase late in 2021 with great demand. The mask offered flare and a unique take on the chore of wearing a face covering, which is recommended in most areas of the United States and required in some. It filled a practical need as well, with N95-grade filters on each of the mask's intake fans that make it easier to breathe. The problem with the standard model is that the two fan modes operated at 4200 rpm and 6200 rpm speeds, creating audible sounds that obstructed nearby voices.
A new Zephyr Pro version will now add voice amplification sometime in 2022. The Verge reports that Razer plans to produce the Zephyr Pro at nearly the same weight as the standard version, which is 206.1 grams. By creating the speaker grills at the lower portion of the mask, the company expects the loss of mass to nearly equal the addition of voice amplification technology. The inclusion of a microphone and speakers inside the mask can project the wearer's voice up to a meter away at around 60 decibels. Razer says that it is targeting the same 5-6 hours of battery life as the standard Zephyr, with those calculations based on the presumption that people will remember to turn of the amplifier when they are finished speaking. In all likelihood, the battery life of the Zephyr Pro will be worse than the standard model.
The Zephyr Pro, thanks to the amplification technology inside the mask, will make an already niche face mask more expensive. When the product hits the shelves sometime in 2022, it will be priced at $149.99. That's 50 dollars m0re than the original mask that started at $99.99 last fall. Even though the masks are marketed as reusable, the real cost comes in the way of replaceable filters. The circle-shaped N95-grade filters are only usable for three days, according to the company, and $30 replacement packs are good for about a month. If someone wants to daily drive the Zephyr line of smart masks, they can expect to pay about $360 per year on refill packs.
The concept of a tech-centric face covering, tried and tested by companies and musicians alike, is an intriguing idea that turns out to be better as a fashion accessory than a practical health device. In that regard, the Zephyr Pro looks exactly like the original model, with a futuristic look laden with dark plastics, translucent mouth windows, and customizable RGB lighting. For current users that love the gamer look of the Zephyr but can't quite speak over the speedy intake fans, Razer's Zephyr Pro could be the perfect smart face mask.