When it comes to masks, there usually isn’t much that differentiates them overall. Sure, some are better than others, and some have unique features. But usually, they don’t differ all that much.
Afterall, how unique can you make a mask? This was a question that I have asked myself many times. I review a lot of masks, and while there are differences, they are largely the same overall.
However, when I was looking online for new masks to review I came across the Purely pollution mask by Xiaomi. This is the first mask that I had found in months that made me surprised. It quickly became something that I had to try.
What makes this mask so unique is that it features active circulation. That is to say, it features an electronic fan that assists in circulating the air in the mask. To put it more concisely, this is a mask with a fan on it.
In a market where masks are all relatively similar, something this unique really stands out. However, I still had my doubts. Is there really a point in having a fan on a mask? How does the mask work? Is it even as effective as a normal (non-fan) mask?
In this post I aim to answer all of these questions. I will go over both the positives and the negatives of the mask and answer the question of whether this mask is worth it or not. With that being said, this is my review of the Purely fine dust mask.
(19.9.2020 update) – looking for a fan-powered mask with more powerful fans that provide significantly more airflow? Check out my recent Koolmask review. This mask is capable of pushing 150 litres of air per minute!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please refer to my affiliate disclaimer. I was sent a product for review, but the article is not sponsored. All opinions expressed in this post are my honest thoughts. I only recommend products that I genuinely believe in.
Information on this blog is for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information herein with other sources. Furthermore, this information is not intended to replace medical advice from professionals. This website assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, and information is subject to change without notice. Devices mentioned on this website are not medical devices and do not guarantee protection.
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Xiaomi Purely KN95 Review
In this review I will be going over what I consider to be the most important aspects of any mask. These are the filtration capabilities (the filter), comfort/fit and design. In this review, due to the unique nature of the mask, I also have a look at the special fan.
Before I begin, I want to note that finding information on these masks is very difficult. Certificates of the filtration results are provided on the website, and while these seem trustworthy I can’t guarantee. This is mainly due to the language barrier – it’s extremely hard to find resources on any KN95 mask in English.
Therefore, please keep in mind that I am only stating what I have learnt from the website and my own personal experiences. Further, when purchasing replacement filters make sure to buy the official ones, as there are counterfeits out there.
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Filtration
Before discussing filtration at all I need to mention a few things. The Purely mask holds a KN rating, and the KN standard is globally recognised standard. However, while the KN has strict requirements, there are sometimes counterfeit and fake filters that claim to have achieved this standard.
Therefore, while the KN standard is, in theory, effective at filtering fine dust (relative to its rating – KN90 = 90%, KN95 = 95%, and KN100 = 99.97%), masks that advertise these ratings aren’t always accurate.
I mention this because I have no proof of the standards that the Purely filters adhere to other than what is provided on their website. Always purchase masks only after your own research, and make sure that you rely on official sources.
I can not guarantee the effectiveness of the Purely mask filters. However, the results do appear to be authentic and the specific ratings are given on their website. Furthermore, filters on the Purely mask are interchangeable, and you can replace them with others if needed.
Purely mask filtration results.
The mask claims to have 99% filtration of PM2.5 particles and it also has an anti-bacterial coating. From the testing certificate provided on the website, this claim appears to be slightly off.
The certificate indicates that while the mask does often provide >99% filtration, there are times when it drops as low as 97%. While 97% fine particle filtration is still a good result, it is less than the 99% that is advertised.
Therefore, following the data provided, the mask should adhere to the KN95 filtration requirements. Average filtration is between 98 and 99%.
This information is consistent with the labeling on the interior filter, which claims to meet the GB2626-2006 standard for KN95. Although this standard has recently been succeeded, the filters are likely to be updated in the future.
This standard is international recognised and the filters should provide effective PM2.5 filtration. However, while I do believe that the masks adhere to the KN95 standard, it is hard to verify the authenticity of the filter.
Purchase the Xiaomi Purely KN95 mask | Purchase replacement filters
Comfort
One aspect in which the Purely KN95 mask excels in is comfort. While it’s not perfect, it is far and away one of the most comfortable masks that I have ever had the chance of using.
When putting it on for the first time you will quickly realise that it is very weighty. This is due to the fact that the mask has a whole fan attached to the right-cheek. With this fan comes motors and other elements.
Despite this weight though, the Purely Mask provided a great fit to my face (and the other people that I asked to test it) and after fitting the mask I could feel it moving with my breathing.
While the mask achieves a good fit, as with most cloth mask designs the fit is limited. When adjusted correctly, a good seal can be formed. However, compared to silicone/plastic masks such as the Gill Mask, the seal leaves a lot to be desired.
The biggest factor that influences the masks comfort though is the fact that the mask comes with an included headband. I have often complained about ear bands in the past, and this is one of my biggest issues with the common standard of reusable masks today.
The vast majority of reusable masks such as Cambridge Mask and Vogmask use ear bands. These bands work, but they also create a lot of pressure on the ears of the wearer, and over time they can be very uncomfortable.
While both of these brands offer optional headband accessories, they aren’t included with the basic models, and this is important. Many people don’t want to spend extra on optional accessories and understandably so.
The Purely KN95 mask, however, comes with adjustable ear bands that also have a headband included. After experiencing many reusable respirators in the past, I am very happy with the addition of a headband.
Therefore, although the mask is significantly heavier than most others, it isn’t really noticeable in real world use. The fact that a headband is included alleviates a lot of the possible pain, and in the end I didn’t notice the extra weight.
The mask is comparable to other reusable respirators in terms of internal conditions. All masks suffer from increased humidity and temperature inside and the Purely model is no exception. I did test the fans however, and I will discuss that more later on in the article.
Check out Totobobo, a mask that provides 99% filtration and is easy to wash!
Design
The design of the Purely Mask is one that I really like. I am someone who appreciates simple masks that don’t stand out, and the Purely is one of these masks. However, that isn’t to say that it looks bad!
The exterior of the mask has a graphite look with blue stitching. While it looks simple from afar, it looks unique and accented from up close.
Of course, the biggest standout feature of the design is the fan module. The fan module is big, and it is heavy. It’s something that you will instantly realise, and something that is unavoidable. However, compared to some masks it is actually significantly smaller.
However, while the fan is big I don’t feel like it particularly stands out. As someone who lives in South Korea, I know what it’s like to live in a society where nearly everyone wears a mask. Here, I didn’t feel like I stood out at all.
The one exception was at night time. When you enable the fan, a blue light on the fan module will turn on. While this is usually fine at day time, it is something that can stand out at night time. The light is rather small, and it isn’t very obvious, but do expect a few extra looks when you walk past people in the dark.
As I have already mentioned, I love the ear-strap and headband combination. It alleviates a lot of pain on the ears and makes it far more comfortable than many other reusable respirators on the market.
Finally, while the mask does claim to be hand-stitched, it obviously isn’t. It is of a decent quality, and I do believe that it is a well made mask. However, it is not hand stitched.
If you are interested in fashionable dust masks that also provide fine dust protection, I recommend checking out the Idontcare mask. Another great option with many design choices is the Re-Mask Sports mask.
Purchase the Xiaomi Purely KN95 mask | Purchase replacement filters
Fan Module
When I first saw the mask, I assumed that the fan would function similarly to a valve. However, it’s actually implemented in a different way.
The intention of the fan is to draw external air into the mask so as to decrease the temperature and humidity within the mask. Anyone who has worn a respirator or mask for a long time will know how uncomfortable they can become over time!
Since the fan is actually intaking air, rather than expelling it, it is important that the air is filtered. Inside the fan, little filters can be placed that will allow all air entering the mask to be filtered before reaching the wearer.
The fan itself is quite small, but the fan module is quite big. It features three different speeds that also differ in sound levels. While the sound at the two lower levels is not noticeable by others while outdoors, the third level can be quite loud.
The wearer can always hear the fan, no matter what level. However, when there are other ambient sounds it’s hard for others to hear the fan even if they are less than one metre away.
The fan can also be taken apart. This allows you to change both the fan filters and the interior mask filter.
The fan can be charged with a micro-USB cable from a covered port in the top of the motor. Typical battery life is around 6 hours but can be a bit more or less depending on what speed you set the fan to.
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Cost
The price of the Xiaomi Purely mask differs over time, but the mask usually costs around $30 and has free shipping. This is about standard for reusable masks, with other reusable respirators such as Vogmask and Cambridge Mask also being around the $30 mark.
Compared to disposable respirators, this is a higher initial cost. However, it’s important to remember that the Purely KN95 mask also has interchangeable filters. This filters can be purchased and cost around $30 for 10 mask filters and 20 fan filters.
While there is no mention on the website, similar filters from other brands tend to last around 100 hours. While I need to do further testing, I would guess that these filters are similar. Therefore, over time, the Purely KN95 mask is a cheaper option that alternatives.
Purchase the Xiaomi Purely KN95 mask | Purchase replacement filters
Is the Xiaomi Purely Mask Worth it?
So, after all of this, is the Purely Mask actually worth it? Well, to begin with I want to address the biggest question that I personally had before trying the mask for myself.
Does the active fan cooling actually help? Well, yes. But there is a downside. The fan has three speeds, and at the first speed, I could hardly notice a difference. On the second speed, I did begin to notice a difference but not as much as I would have hoped.
However, at the third and final speed level, I did notice a difference. I could feel some cool air coming into the mask and circulation. The downside though, is that this speed is the loudest and is audible for others in quiet situations. Further, at this speed the battery life is the lowest.
All of this is to say that they fan does provide some benefit, but the benefit wasn’t as good as I had hoped. The motor adds a lot of weight to the mask too, but this is hard to notice (at least for me) due to the full head strap which removes pressure from the ears.
Pros
- Comfortable mask that comes with a headband.
- Comparable pricing to other similar masks.
- Stylish and clean look.
- Replaceable filters that can be changed without replacing the whole mask.
- High PM2.5 filtration.
Cons
- Heavier than most masks due to the fan.
- The fan has limited impact on the air flow within the mask.
- This mask may stand out too much for some people. Especially at night time when the light is more obvious.
All in all, I had a good experience with the Purely Mask. It is a decent mask and most definitely a unique one. However, I wouldn’t recommend it due to the fan, as the performance is lacklustre. Overall, though, this is a well-fitting mask that is comfortable and provides good filtration.
If you are looking for a good fine dust mask that has interchangeable filters, this is a good option. If you have decided that this isn’t the mask for you, make sure to check out my post on the best reusable respirators!
Purchase the Xiaomi Purely KN95 mask | Purchase replacement filters
Xiaomi Purely FAQ
What Filtration Does the Purely Mask Offer?
The mask is rated KN95, meaning that it filters >95% of particles at 0.3μm. However, in tests, the mask was shown to filter ≥97.5% of particles. Of course, this means it will filter both bigger and smaller particles more effectively.
Where Can I Purchase the Purely KN95 Mask?
The Xiaomi Purely can be purchased from Gearbest. You can also purchase replaceable filters from the same site.
Can I Replace the Purely Filter?
Yes. The mask offers replaceable filters and they are relatively easy to change.
Does the Motorised Fan Help?
I found that on the lowest speed, there was no noticeable difference between having the fan on or off. At the second and third speed levels I did notice slight airflow, however, the fan is also quiet loud at these speeds.
Is the Mask Heavy?
Yes, compared to other masks this is significantly heavier due to the fan module. However, this is largely offset by the fact that the mask comes with a headband included. This headband removes the weight that usually sits on the wearers ears.
Have Questions or Comments?
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I wear glasses.
It’s unclear how this is designed around nose area to prevent haze (on my glasses).
What do you think.
Thanks
Hello Kwansik,
Thank you for your comment! In regards to wearing glasses, I found this mask to be better than most (I also wear glasses often). There was still some haze, but I was able to achieve a better fit than I do with most masks. This is because the nosepiece of the mask also has some soft foam which helps with creating a seal.
Getting a perfect fit is very difficult, However. But I haven’t found many masks that fit me perfectly.
Confused on how it has 2 different filtration systems…one is KN95(the white mask )….the second is the blue filter which is rated at 2.5pm…
The air being used is a product of the pm2.5 filter!
This should not be marketed as such
Hello,
It’s really interesting that you point this out. I didn’t check the filtration of the filter in the fan, but obviously that is quite important. I will look into the fan filter more and see what I can find!
Thank you for pointing this out.
Is the black mask washable?
Hello,
Yes. As long as you remove the filter prior to washing, you can wash the outer (charcoal colored)layer!
I purchased one of these and found very little noticable airflow, even at the highest speed. Very humid and warm here in Florida (USA) and this mask did little to help with comfort. Not worth it for my purposes.
Hello Scott,
That’s interesting to hear. On the two higher speeds I did notice airflow (little on the second, but a bit of airflow at the third speed), however, I found the sound to be too loud for it to be worth it.
While the idea is interesting, I think that masks which solve the issue of humidity and breathing resistance other ways are better choices currently. I definitely agree that the airflow lacks.
is there latex in the mask
Hello Krista,
I am not sure currently. I have contacted the company/seller and I will reply here if they respond.
The fan is too slow as to actually get air into the mask… I regret buying it…but at least it’s not expensive…but I am sure not to buy it again…
I’ve had this mask for almost two years now, and I agree on the comfort side. As for the airflow, I think it was more to reduce the chances of fogging up glasses than actual ventilation, apart from maximizing battery life.
Note that there are two versions of this mask, the other is non-washable and made of plastic. I bought that one first, then got the reusable cloth one for my wife. She didn’t like it too much, so I ended up having both. I just removed the fan on the disposable version to serve as a spare for the reusable one.
One thing I don’t get are the two kinds of filters for the fan. One is blue and the other is green, and presumably the latter has a lower filtration rating. Can you tell us more about this?
Hi, my boss keep smoking in front of me when meeting and in the office, i couldn’t stand with the cigarrete smoke, wonder can this Xiaomi Purely KN95 helps to purify cigarrete smoke?
Hi Valerie,
If you’re looking to filter the smell (at least minimise it), you will want to look for a mask with an activated carbon filter. They will perform better than the Purely KN95.