LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier Makes Breathing a Little Easier

Wearing a mask in public is a civic-minded act that helps protect the most vulnerable from infection. But wearing a mask can become both uncomfortable and ineffective if improperly fit and/or when the filtering material impedes breathing. The LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier announced at IFA 2020 addresses both issues with an auto-powered air purification solution.

The PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier is fitted with two H13 HEPA filters, similar to the filters used in the company’s home air purifier products. LG has yet to certify whether the mask’s filtration operates while exhaling as it does with every inhale.

The PuriCare Wearable is in essence a miniaturized and wearable air purifier. Equipped with a Respiratory Sensor, the mask’s filtration system kicks in automatically in response to the wearer’s breathing using dual three-speed fans; the two fans automatically speed up to assist air intake and slow down to reduce resistance when exhaling. In theory, this filtration alongside the ergonomic face-hugging design should make wearing a mask a noticeably more comfortable affair while also improving the efficacy of filtration.

The mask is powered by a lightweight 820mAh battery offering up to eight hours of operation in low flow mode, but this rating drops down to just two hours when set to its maximum fan setting.

The filters and ear straps are both replaceable and recyclable, but pricing for the mask and its accessories is currently unavailable.

The mask also includes its own charging case equipped with integrated UV-LED lights engineered to destroy harmful germs between uses. The case can be tethered to the LG ThinQ mobile app to send notifications when the filters need to be replaced.

Currently pricing and exact availability has yet to be announced at IFA 2020, but LG representatives note a 4th quarter release in “select markets” is likely.