The Latest In Mosquito-Zapping Technology: This Upcoming $1,000 Device Zaps Them In Mid-Air

Mosquitoes may pollinate plants and serve as food for wildlife, but that doesn't mean people have to like having them around. They can bite humans and cause issues ranging from skin irritation to serious diseases. Consequently, you might be interested in deploying clever ways to keep mosquitoes away from your home or to eliminate them entirely. One recently unveiled option that may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie is the Photon Matrix Blue Laser Mosquito Air Defense. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: A machine that automatically tracks nearby mosquitos and shoots them with a laser. 

Photon Matrix is the company behind the new mosquito laser zapper, and it began mass production of the products in August 2026. Photon Matrix only sells the product through its official website or through its Indiegogo campaign page. Understand that this product is far costlier than most products designed to protect your patio from mosquitoes. The Blue Laser Mosquito Air Defense, which is made for "industrial" use and deploys a blue laser, costs $1,288 for the standard package and $1,328 for the outdoor package. Additionally, the Infrared Laser Mosquito Air Defense is available for pre-order for $988 (market price: $1,188) — the "home" version that uses an infrared laser. The company expects to fill product purchases in the order they're received within a 120-day timeframe.

The Photon Matrix system has at least 23 patents on the technologies used to develop the laser mosquito-killing device. The machine scans the area where it's operating for mosquitoes. It uses LiDAR spatial sensing to measure distance to objects and millimeter-wave radar detection to monitor movement. LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, deploys laser pulses to take highly accurate measurements. LiDAR is used in scanning systems and is a key technology in allowing autonomous cars to work. Millimeter-wave technology uses invisible radar waves to measure distance, speed, and angle of moving objects. When a mosquito is detected, the machine uses a galvanometer-controlled optical system to provide a targeted position for the laser. The unit then activates the laser. 

The machine has an associated smartphone app you can use to track the mosquitoes killed and to set the times of operation. You can run the machine by plugging it into an electrical outlet or by connecting it to a portable power bank. It has a base unit to support it on a table, or you can mount it to a wall or eave.

It's not known yet (through independent testing) how accurate the Photon Matrix laser machine will be. Even if you buy one of these, you may want to continue using tips for keeping mosquitoes out of your yard to limit your potential exposure.

Even though Photon Matrix designates its two machines as "home" and "industrial" versions, you can select either unit for your home or business. Both designs use the same technology and have the same specifications. The difference is the "industrial" version uses the blue laser, which is visible and causes a flash when it strikes the mosquito during operation, creating a visual effect that's more interesting for people to watch. The "home" version uses an invisible infrared laser, making it useful for night-time indoor deployment.

The Photon Matrix machine scans for mosquitoes up to 6 meters (or 19.7 feet) outward in a 90-degree fan-shaped area. If you select the blue laser device's outdoor package, it includes a rotating base for 360-degree coverage. It can track insects at a length of between 2 and 20 mm (0.08 and 0.8 inches) that are moving at a speed of less than 1 meter (or 3.3 feet) per second. Adult mosquitoes are usually between 0.25 and 0.5 inches in length, and these insects typically top out at 1.5 miles per hour (about 2.2 feet per second).

The machine operates at less than 30 decibels of noise, which is similar in volume to a whisper. The unit uses a IEC 60825-1 Class 4 internal diode to generate the laser. Normally, an unenclosed Class 4 laser has a high-risk level for eye and skin injuries. However, because this unit is fully enclosed, it has multiple layers of safety protection for people.