Masking the Facts

Posted on Jul 8, 2025 by

While doing some spring cleaning, I came across a freezer bag containing all of my face masks from the pandemic. Not content with the boring blue ones, I had several Stars Wars, Packers, Brewers and other stylish masks. While I was fond of them, I was extremely happy they were in storage.

Like me, many people wanted individualized masks to reflect their personality. So, Razer, a company known for making flashing computer gaming accessories, such as keyboards, mice and chairs, got into the face mask business. In 2021, the company released the Zephyr “wearable air purifier” mask, which looked like a futuristic twist on a World War II gas mask but without the goggles.

According to Razer, the Zephyr mask was “FDA-registered and lab-tested for 99 percent BFE [Bacteria Filtration Efficiency]” and offered “greater protection compared to standard disposable/cloth masks” thanks to its “replaceable N95 grade filters for maximum protection.” A mask and three sets of filters sold for $99.99. A mask and 33 sets of filters sold for $149.99, while a pack of 10 sets without filters sold for $29.99.

The only problem is that Razer never actually submitted the Zephyr masks to the Food and Drug Administration nor the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for testing, and they were never certified as N95 grade. Instead, the company conducted tests through a third-party contractor, but even those results showed the masks were not certifiable.

To qualify as N95 grade, the mask must achieve 95% or greater particulate filtration efficiency. The third-party tests revealed the Zephyr mask capped out at 86.3% in an area with fans on, and “frequently tested much lower.”

Razer pulled the mask after they came under scrutiny in 2022. While the company then did inform buyers that the Zephyr was “not a medical device nor certified as an N95 mask,” it did not inform them that refunds were available. So, the Federal Trade Commission began an investigation into the matter.

The agency determined that “these businesses falsely claimed, in the midst of a global pandemic, that their face mask was the equivalent of an N95 certified respirator,” according to Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will continue to hold accountable businesses that use false and unsubstantiated claims to target consumers who are making decisions about their health and safety.”

The FTC found less than 6% of Zephyr purchasers got their money back. So, the FTC reached a settlement with Razer whereby the company agreed to set aside $1 million to reimburse people who purchased the Zephyr. Checks or PayPal payments of roughly $150 each are being sent to 6,764 consumers who purchased the mask. The FTC will be sending out the payments based on records received from Razer and does not require consumers to file a claim.

The agency advises consumers who receive the refunds to cash their check within 90 days or redeem their PayPal payment within 30 days. Purchasers of the mask with questions about their payments can visit the FTC’s website to see a list of frequently asked questions about the refund process. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund, the agency noted.

After receiving a refund for a mask that didn’t live up to its claim, hopefully Zephyr purchasers will be able to breathe easier.



The following two tabs change content below.
mm
My LinkedIn profile

Reg P. Wydeven

Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney at McCarty Law LLP
Hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps from a young age, Reg’s practice primarily consists of advising individuals on estate planning, estate settlement and elder law matters. As Reg represents clients in matters like guardianship proceedings and long-term care admissions, he feels grateful to be able to offer families thorough legal help in their time of need.
mm
My LinkedIn profile

Latest posts by Reg P. Wydeven (see all)