Hornet F-16 mask review: Might as well go full cyberpunk

In the beginning, none of us really cared what mask we got a hold of, just as long as our general mouth/nose area was covered. As the pandemic continued, humans realised the need for more robust, comfortable, protective masks. That’s where the Hornet F-16 comes in.

That’s when things started getting… far more personalised and hand-made — a mask trend we increasingly saw pop up in South Africa. Tannies donning shweshwe-style masks and people supporting their favourite sports teams or musicians on their masks became the norm. But fairly soon, safety became the major concern. 

Especially following the announcement of the second, more aggressive strain of COVID-19. Masks have become part of our daily lives, let’s invest in improved mask tech, like the Hornet F-16. 

Bee’s turning heads

Since receiving the Hornet F16 for review, we’ve had multiple (probably in the high 20s) people take the time to ask where we got it. It’s become a kind of statement piece. And it definitely helps that it faintly resembles a cyberpunk aesthetic. 

Designed with a honeycomb-shaped detail up front, the Hornet F-16 is moulded out of soft silicone, making it comfortably hug the front face-area at any given moment. It comes in two sizes: small and medium. Make sure to get the correct size, so it seals all the way around the edges. 

Opt for the colour accessory pack, and you’ll get four different colours of grille and side tags to choose from (pink, blue, yellow, grey). There’s an optional headband, but we preferred the rubber bands that loop around the ears. 

Hornet’s got legs

Initially, when you talk about the Hornet F-16, your friends will probs think you’ve invested in a jet aeroplane or something. Then, turns out, it’s just a mask. Thing is, this isn’t ‘just a mask’. 

The Hornet F-16 works well in many different scenarios, based on many different lifestyles. They’re perfect for fitness fans, featuring increased breathability and comfort. They’re perfect for people who wear glasses, forcing air in-and-out of the front of the mask, which removes any potential for fogging up. 

Another added benefit is that, unlike most masks that hinder your audibility, people around you will immediately know what you’re saying when you open your mouth. This is especially useful during board meetings or when dealing with staff in a shop. 

Every part of the Hornet F-16 is completely reusable and easy to sanitise. When you purchase a Hornet mask, you’ll receive the Hornet sanitisation station. It’s basically a chamber that allows you to sterilise the mask and its components easily in a microwave. Just drop the mask’s bits into the chamber, add a bit of water, and pop it in the microwave for 5 minutes. 

In addition to this, the air filters up front can easily be washed up to five times and replaced after that. In the base package, you’ll receive 10 filters with your order, but you can easily stock up on these. 

One of our favourite features, that’s not officially listed but became clear over weeks of testing, is the fact that the Hornet doesn’t sit against your face. For anyone who’s been struggling with mask-induced skin issues, the Hornet requires minimal skin contact to seal properly, and that’s a massive win. 

Hornet F-16 mask Verdict

We haven’t reviewed many masks in the past, so this one’s been particularly interesting to analyse. The Hornet F-16 hits every single point of comfort, no matter what lifestyle you like to adhere to. If you’re optically challenged, the Hornet is perfect for any type/size of eyewear you need to wear. If you’re a freak who likes to run long distances, the Hornet won’t add additional pressure to your lungs by pushing CO2 back in there. 

The best part, though? The Hornet F-16 is manufactured right here in South Africa, and only retails for R150 for the complete bundle, right here on the SaniChoice website.