The Quick Verdict
R-Pur and Airinum are the two most reputable premium anti-pollution mask brands in Europe, with a French technical option versus a Swedish design-focused option. R-Pur excels in filtration technology and French manufacturing, while Airinum leads in design variety and available sizes.
Winner: R-Pur Nano Light — patented nanofiber filtration captures particles down to 0.05 micron.
R-Pur vs Airinum at a glance
| Feature | R-Pur Nano Light | Airinum Urban Air Mask 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration | PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, pollen, bacteria, viruses (down to 0.05 micron) | PM2.5, PM10, allergens, bacteria, viruses (down to 0.3 micron) |
| Filter technology | 8-layer nanofiber (patented) | 5-layer electrostatic + activated carbon (KN95 certified) |
| Filter lifespan | 5 to 15 weeks depending on use | ~100 hours (~2 to 4 months) |
| Replacement filter price | €29 | ~€17-22 |
| Size options | One size | 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) |
| Materials | Neoprene + nanofibers | Mesh fabric + neoprene |
| Valve type | Double exhalation valve | Double exhalation valve (sealable) |
| Maintenance | Hand-washable shell | Machine-washable shell (30°) |
| Mask price | €119 | €69-89 |
| Made in | France 🇫🇷 | Outside Europe |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Ideal for | Cyclists, motorcyclists, allergy sufferers, performance-oriented users | Urban commuters, design-conscious buyers |
| Our rating | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
Why compare R-Pur and Airinum?
If you've been searching for a premium anti-pollution mask for more than ten minutes, you've certainly come across these two brands. R-Pur (French, founded in 2016) and Airinum (Swedish, founded in 2015) emerged at the same time from the same observation: urban pollution had surpassed the capabilities of masks available on the consumer market, and consumers were willing to pay for serious filtration in a non-medical-looking product. Both brands built their reputation on multi-layer filters, sporty designs, and lab-validated performance, and now occupy the high end of the European premium mask market.
The two brands then took different paths. Airinum focused on design and global reach — varied colors, fashion collaborations, four sizes, a clean visual identity. R-Pur deepened its technology, patenting a nanofiber filter, consolidating its French manufacturing, and targeting the performance end of the market. Choosing between them essentially comes down to deciding between a design approach and a technological approach. We compared the two on seven criteria, and R-Pur wins on five of them.
R-Pur in brief
R-Pur was founded in 2016 by Flavien Hello, a Parisian motorcyclist frustrated by the lack of consumer masks capable of filtering the fine particles he breathed daily. The Nano Light, the brand's flagship model, uses an 8-layer nanofiber filter — a patented design that captures particles down to 0.05 micron, well below the PM2.5 threshold of 2.5 microns. R-Pur is the technical choice: filtration performance, French manufacturing, motorcycling/cycling heritage, and an explicit focus on the ultra-fine particles that classic masks let through.
Airinum in brief
Airinum was founded in Stockholm in 2015 by Alexander Hjertström, Niclas Hägg, and Henrik Wikström, after the founders faced air pollution in Beijing. The Urban Air Mask 2.0 is the brand's signature mask: a 5-layer filter combining electrostatic microfiber and activated carbon, KN95 certified, capable of filtering particles down to 0.3 micron with a 98% protection rate, all within a sleekly designed shell available in several colors and four sizes. Airinum has cultivated the image of a global lifestyle brand, with partnerships and a presence in over 100 countries. It's the design choice for urban commuters who want solid filtration in a mask that also doubles as an accessory.
Filtration & Protection
Both masks use multi-layer filters with activated carbon, and both offer credible performance against PM2.5, PM10, and common urban pollutants. The technical difference lies in R-Pur's nanofiber layer, which filters particles down to 0.05 micron — thus capturing ultra-fine particles, NO₂, and a broader range of biological particles (pollen, bacteria, viruses) than Airinum's electrostatic filter, which is KN95 certified for particles from 0.3 micron. For most urban commuters, both filters are sufficiently effective that the difference remains theoretical. For motorcyclists in heavy traffic, cyclists riding behind diesel vehicles, or individuals with respiratory sensitivities, R-Pur's finer filtration offers a tangible advantage.
Advantage: R-Pur
Comfort & Fit
Both masks use neoprene shells with adjustable straps and double exhalation valves. Airinum's mesh fabric outer layer is slightly more breathable than R-Pur's all-neoprene shell, and the range of four sizes (XS-L) allows more people to find a perfectly fitting size.
Advantage: Airinum
Design & Aesthetics
Airinum is clearly the winner in design if you're looking for variety — more colors, regular limited editions, fashion collaborations, and a clean Scandinavian look. R-Pur leans more towards technical and sporty, with a more limited color range and fewer special editions. If you consider the mask a fashion accessory in its own right, Airinum wins. If you prefer sober technical gear, R-Pur is more suitable. This is a real advantage for Airinum, and one of the main reasons users choose it.
Advantage: Airinum
Filter Lifespan & Long-Term Cost
This is where the comparison gets complicated. The R-Pur Nano Light filter costs €29 and lasts between 5 and 15 weeks depending on intensity of use — a wide range that depends on pollution levels, daily wear time, and physical exertion. For a daily urban commuter, expect an average of 8 to 10 weeks per filter, meaning approximately 4 to 6 filters per year, at an annual cost of around €116 to €174. The Airinum filter lasts approximately 100 hours of use (2 to 4 months for typical daily use), at a price of €17 to €22, for an annual cost of approximately €50 to €90. In terms of pure operating cost, Airinum is cheaper to run — a point that should be weighed against R-Pur's higher initial purchase price and its technical superiority.
Advantage: Airinum
Warranty & Customer Service
R-Pur offers a two-year warranty on the mask shell, double Airinum's one-year warranty. Both brands have responsive customer service. R-Pur's longer warranty demonstrates the brand's confidence in the manufacturing quality of its product, and represents a significant advantage if you plan intensive use over several years.
Advantage: R-Pur
Who should buy R-Pur?
Choose the R-Pur Nano Light if you commute or train daily, if you ride a motorcycle or bicycle year-round, if you suffer from allergies or respiratory sensitivities, or if you simply want the best filtration technology available in a consumer mask. The patented nanofiber filter, French manufacturing, and two-year warranty justify the premium for serious users. However, factor the cost of filters into your budget, as their variable lifespan can make usage more expensive than it seems.
Who should buy Airinum?
Choose the Airinum Urban Air Mask 2.0 if you prioritize design variety and want a mask that doubles as an accessory, if you have a small face and need the XS size that R-Pur doesn't currently offer, or if you're looking for a more predictable and lower cost for replacement filters. The Airinum is a solid mask with credible KN95 certified filtration — it loses this comparison on ultimate filtration technology and local manufacturing, not on overall quality.
The Verdict: R-Pur Wins
R-Pur takes the lead on four of the seven criteria: filtration, durability/French manufacturing, warranty, and technical protection level. Airinum wins on design variety, available sizes, and the annual cost of filters. The determining factor remains the combination of patented nanofiber technology and filtration down to 0.1 micron: R-Pur protects against a wider range of particles, including ultra-fine ones that Airinum's KN95 filter is not designed to target. For anyone seriously wearing a mask — daily commuters, cyclists, motorcyclists, allergy sufferers — the R-Pur Nano Light remains the technically superior choice, provided you anticipate the filter budget associated with its intensive use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is R-Pur better than Airinum? For filtration performance and technical protection, yes. The R-Pur Nano Light uses patented nanofiber technology filtering down to 0.1 micron, compared to 0.3 micron for Airinum's KN95 filter. However, Airinum wins on design variety, available sizes, and the annual cost of replacement filters.
Are R-Pur and Airinum filters interchangeable? No. Each brand uses proprietary filter cartridges adapted to its own shell. R-Pur filters only fit R-Pur masks; Airinum filters only fit Airinum masks.
Which mask lasts longer? R-Pur filters last between 5 and 15 weeks depending on intensity of use. Airinum filters last approximately 100 hours (2 to 4 months for typical daily use). Both mask shells have a comparable lifespan with proper maintenance.
Is R-Pur worth its higher price compared to Airinum? It depends on your usage profile. If you use it intensively in highly polluted environments, R-Pur's superior filtration justifies the investment. If you use it moderately, Airinum's more economical filters may make that option more financially relevant.
Can I wear the R-Pur for cycling? Yes, the R-Pur was originally designed for motorcyclists and then adapted for cyclists. The double exhalation valve and seal integrity are specifically designed for the more intense breathing associated with cycling.
Is Airinum made in Sweden? No. Airinum is a Swedish brand designed in Stockholm, but its masks are manufactured outside of Europe. R-Pur, on the other hand, is designed and manufactured in France.
Which is better for allergies? R-Pur. Its nanofiber filter captures pollen, dust, and biological particles down to 0.1 micron, which is below the 0.3 micron threshold targeted by Airinum's KN95 filter. Allergy sufferers regularly report better results with R-Pur.