AirPop Mask Review

Masks are very much a part of our daily lives now, whether you wear them or have a legitimate reason to not do so. Speaking personally, I plan to continue wearing masks for the foreseeable future, because even ignoring the science I’ve noticed a drop in the number of illnesses. I have four school-age kids, after all.

That’s where AirPop comes in. I was sent a selection of AirPop masks to check out, because I don’t plan on attending any gaming events without one. E3, gamescom, visits to publisher offices… Even if you’ve never been to such a place, you’ll be aware that “con flu” is a thing. You pack hundreds of people in close proximity, you get an outbreak of - well, it’s 2021, you know what happens.

AirPop masks come in a few different types. We were sent the Pocket, the Light SE and Kids. However, all of the masks have 4-layer material, rated for up-to 40 hours of use, with no filters to change. The material is fluid-resistant, meaning that you can wash it without worrying about damaging the filters inside.

The AirPop Pocket has the feel of a single-use medical mask, with the comfort of a cloth mask. There is foam that goes over the bridge of your nose, and two non-adjustable elastic straps. It also folds for easy storage, ideal for using with the optional storage case. I got the most use out of this mask, mainly because it was more comfortable. However, that might have been due to the shape of my nose.

The AirPop Light SE feels similar to the Pocket, and has adjustable elastic straps. Instead of foam, the Light has a polymer “ergo-flex” seal which I could never quite get to sit as close against my nose as the enclosed leaflet implied. My nose isn’t straight, though, so that may have contributed to it. While it isn’t foldable, I did find it easier to breathe in. Whether that’s due to the slightly different design or not, I couldn’t say.

The AirPop Kids mask is for pre-teens (I checked it on one of my teenagers) and designed like a small version of the Pocket. My eight-year-old said that it’s the best mask she’s had. It’s quick to put on, fits well, and is easy to breathe in. She did report that it feels wet inside if she wears it for a long time, but she does talk a lot more than I do.

If you’re looking for a new mask, then I can definitely recommend AirPop as a brand to check out. You can even wear them with a VR headset on.