Gaming in the Pandemic: Breathing Fresh Air

A small, dimly-lit room.

People huddle together, gambling for hours. The temperature is a comfortable 25 °C, but only the PCs or consoles get ventilated.

The air is filled with the aromas of kebabs or pizza. There are snacks, drinks, and a mix of smoking, vaping, and occasional farts.

There’s shouting, swearing, laughing, coughing, and high-fives.

Every gamer knows this scene and loves it!

But then, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, making these cozy, close-quarters gatherings feel kind of gross. We’ve become super aware of hygiene and aerosols, to the point where we can almost feel the stale air on our skin.

So, I thought of a solution…

Air purifiers have been popping up everywhere, from restaurants to public buildings. Now there are also great options for home use.

Why not keep up the fun game nights but stay mindful of hygiene?

I decided to try out the Hama air purifier to see how it performs during gaming sessions, especially in the scenario I just described.

Testing the Hama air purifier
This sleek device for clean gaming air fits unobtrusively in any room corner. Standing about 54 cm tall with a diameter of about 25 cm, it’s very space-efficient.

It comes with Wi-Fi, supports smart home systems like Alexa and Google Home, and can be controlled via a mobile app. For detailed specs, you can check out their website.

What’s amazing about these devices is they don’t just filter out viruses, bacteria, pollen, etc. They also neutralize odors and “off-gassing.” Perfect for gaming sessions!

And yes, it really does work!

Once a week, my three friends and I meet up for what we call the “regulars’ table.” We chat, game, drink, vape, and eat—it’s a full experience. The room is 20 m², and we all cram around a small table. Usually, after 30 minutes, we have to ventilate. So, it’s an ideal setup to test the Hama air purifier!

The device has an LED ring that shows air quality, which you can also monitor through the app. If the room’s air quality drops, the fan kicks into high gear in auto mode, though you can set it to run quietly at the lowest level.

That evening, we were all impressed by how well it worked. You can really tell the difference when you leave the room and come back. The improvement in air quality with the purifier running is immediately clear.

My verdict on clean air while gaming
Air purifiers are a great invention, even beyond pandemic times. The Hama air purifier made a strong impression on me and is reasonably priced.

I haven’t had to change the filter yet, so it’s been very efficient.

I rate its handling, weight, size, smart home connectivity, and performance as good.

You really can’t go wrong with this device. Sure, there are various price ranges and qualities out there, but for starters, the Hama air purifier is definitely worth it!