Masks have become ubiquitous in our lives during the pandemic, and at CES 2021, AirPop introduced the Active+ Smart Mask. The built-in Halo sensor is connected to an app that monitors breathing behavior, respiratory cycles, and even the amount of contaminants blocked by the mask.

Airpop's new mask comes with specially designed, replaceable disposable filters that block more than 99% of particulates, including dust, allergens, and microbial particles. The app also notifies the user when the filter needs to be replaced.

And while the COVID-19 pandemic has made masks an essential accessory to prevent the spread of infection, founder Chris Hosmer told Tom's Guide that they are here to stay.

"I think masks will continue to be part of our reality, if not as severely. People will keep masks on hand the same way they keep wipes in their purses."

Hosmer founded AirPop in 2015 and began developing his first mask while living in China. He watched his daughter struggle to breathe polluted air. 'Not a single generation of masks had been innovated,' he noted. Billions of people need better solutions."

The new Airpop Active Plus is the culmination of his team's R&D efforts. They took design cues from footwear and outerwear: the 3D knit outer shell is one-piece and seamless. It is flexible, moisture-wicking, and has "performance pores" that create airflow.

Soft silicone edges surround the inner filter and form a continuous seal on the face. The mask has a unique aerodome shape that "pulls the mask away from the face, creating an air canopy between the mask and the face," Hosmer explains.

Hosmer claims that its sensors are new in the facemask category: what looks like a valve on the outside of the AirPop Active+ is actually a Halo sensor that connects to an app on an Android or iOS device and allows passive mode and active modes to capture respiration data. Metrics include respiratory rate and respiratory volume.

The app can capture local air quality information and see which pollutants are blocked by the mask. The data can also be shared via Apple HealthKit so that respiratory health can be tracked along with other metrics.

To collect metrics, all that is needed is to scan the QR code on the AirPop Active+ filter, which can monitor usage and notify when it is time to replace it. Authentication of the filters was an important feature, Hosmer said.

The filters last 40 hours, and AirPop sells replacements. The Halo sensor is easily removed, and the outer shell of the mask can be washed by hand or in a washing machine.

The AirPop Active+ mask retails for $149.99 and will be available on AirPop's website and Amazon beginning in February; AirPop's line also includes a face mask without the Halo sensor.