45 cooling products that work wonders at keeping you cool — even when your AC won't

CNN

7 hours ago

Cooling products quick picks
Cooling towel: Mission Original Cooling Towel
Cooling beauty product: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist
Cooling neck fan: Gulaki Bladeless Portable Neck Fan
Cooling bedding: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
Window AC unit: LG 8,000-BTU LW8016ER Window Air Conditioner When the temperature starts to climb, the best cooling products help keep you comfortable both indoors and outdoors. From neck fans to cooling blankets, a variety of gadgets and home products can make all the difference in being a sweaty mess or staying cool.
We've crafted a list of our best-tested cooling fans, cooling apparel, cooling pillows and beyond for a much more tolerable summer. There are even some cooling beauty products that can help calm your skin after scorching-hot days.
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Mission Original Cooling Towel
Out of the 10 cooling towels we tested, this one delivered the most immediate relief. Beyond providing an unmatched cooling sensation, it also won points for its portability. Read our review
Mission Max Plus Cooling Towel
The Mission Max Plus is from the same company as our top pick, so it's no surprise that it shares many of the same features. Although we found the material a little too thick, it beat the Mission Original when it came to overall cooling time.Read our review
Chill Pal Mesh Cooling Towel
The Chill Pal kept cool for around 45 minutes, the longest of all the towels we tried. Even so, it wasn't great at providing instant relief, so ultimately did not nab our top spot.Read our review
Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
These sheets have made several CNN Underscored editors fall head over heels. Made with viscose from bamboo, these sheets are cool to the touch and even moisture-wicking.
Coop Sleep Goods The EdenCool+ Adjustable Pillow
After searching for the right pillow for years, senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus finally found the perfect match: The EdenCool+ Adjustable Pillow. Whereas most pillows were too lumpy or hot, Kraus said this one "feels like an AC" for her head. Read our review
Nest Cooling Mattress Topper
This cooling topper is not a mattress itself, but we wanted to highlight a product that one editor thinks can actually make any mattress feel like a cooling mattress. (Plus, mattresses are expensive, you know?) Made with cool-to-the-touch foam that you sink right into, this mattress topper has completely changed the way she sleeps.
Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Cooling pillows for hot sleepers come in a variety of materials like shredded foam, gels and cotton. Look for one that holds in coolness and wicks away moisture. This well-priced, high-rated foam pillow is infused with a temperature-regulating gel for a cool night's sleep.
Casper Foam Pillow
With cooling foam and a three-layer design meant to make it extra huggable (who doesn't want that?), this is one of our favorite pillows to sleep on night after night.
Leisure Town Cooling Mattress Pad
With more than 35,000 reviews, this highly rated cotton mattress topper is filled with a down alternative to deliver comfort that reviewers love without heat and sweat.
Columbia PFG Freezer III Dress
Walking outside in the summer can feel like going into a home sauna, but with this ingenious dress, you can feel more at ease. Our associate editor Rachel Dennis tested out this cooling dress, which lives up to its name. If you buy one dress this summer, it should be this one.Read our review
Free Fly Women's Bamboo Shade Hoodie II
UPF clothing can keep you from getting burned and from overheating. You can wear it hiking, fishing, walking — just about anywhere. This hoodie from Free Fly is no exception. Made of bamboo viscose fabric, it'll help keep you cool and comfortable. It also comes in men's sizing.
Cherrydew Short-Sleeve Button-Down Pajama Shorts Set
If you're a hot sleeper, a pair of cooling pajamas is essential (and not just in the summer). These ones are made with breathable bamboo viscose and are a steal compared to fancier brands.
Thigh Society The Cooling Shorts
Chafing and overheating are two of summer's biggest issues when it comes to clothing, and this pair of lightweight shorts addresses both of these conundrums. The performance fabric pulls heat and moisture away from the body, and the shorts come in a bunch of colors to coordinate with your outfits.
Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion
You spent the day in the sun but, unfortunately, ended up with a burn. That's where after-sun lotions come into play. They feel cooling and calming on the skin, and this dermatologist-recommended option is loaded with hydrating and soothing ingredients.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea
In our roundup of the best cooling beauty products, Dr. Corey L. Hartman of Skin Wellness Dermatology said this spray delivers 'a quick burst of cooling to your face.' He added that you can apply it 'during the day to help cool or spritz the face right before you apply moisturizer in the morning or evening.'
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist
This cooling face mist contains selenium, a potent antioxidant that is free of fragrance and preservatives, making it great for sensitive skin. Updates writer Ellen McAlpine keeps it on hand to cool and calm down her skin post-workout.
Sofie Pavitt Face Nice Ice Toner Pods
Packed with soothing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, green tea extract and ashwagandha, this is essentially a popsicle for your face. Fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw recommends rubbing it across your face until it has melted.
Coola Refreshing Water Mist Organic Face Sunscreen SPF 18
This cooling mist doesn't just cool your face with organic aloe, coconut water and hyaluronic acid; it also protects it from the sun with SPF 18.
Ole Henriksen Balance Cold Plunge Pore Mask
With eucalyptus, green tea, algae and Irish moss extracts, this mask can help soothe inflamed or acne-prone skin. Salicylic and lactic acid also work to loosen dead skin and help to unclog pores.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask
If you've got dry skin, this one's for you. Hyaluronic acid adds hydration to the skin while the cucumber, thyme and olive oil extracts in this mask soothe skin to help it feel cooler.
Esarora Ice Roller
If you're not into ice itself, an ice roller is a solid second option. This gel and water roller is a CNN Underscored favorite and also has a number of celebrity devotees.Read our review
Milk Makeup Cooling Water
This hydrating gel stick, made with caffeine and seawater, can be kept in the fridge for an extra-cooling sensation.
Gulaki Bladeless Portable Neck Fan
After we tested five neck fans in the Southern California sun, this one came out on top. In addition to having the most powerful fan, it also boasts an impressive five hours of battery life on its highest setting.Read our review
Amacool Neck Fan
Of course you want to keep your neck cool, but this best-tested adjustable fan can cool your face and other areas too. It has three speed settings and can be folded up and tossed in your bag.Read our review
Comlife Bladeless Neck Fan
Our editorial director wears this neck fan to keep cool while riding the New York City subway. Thanks to its 5W of power, it should make the muggiest months of the year bearable.
Brooklinen Washed European Linen Core Sheet Set
These Brooklinen sheets are soft and light, wicking away heat effectively for people who sleep warm but still regulating heat nicely in cooler climates. Simultaneously high-end and already perfectly worn in, these were delightful from the first touch.Read our review
Parachute Linen Sheet Set
Among the most luxe feeling we tested, the Parachute linen sheets have a pleasant weight in hand and a unique texture. The Parachute sheets come in a broad range of colors and sizes, and each different piece of the bedding set is available individually for replacements or to mix and match with other fabrics.Read our review
Simple & Opulence 100% Pure Linen Sheet Set
The Simple & Opulence sheets held their own in comfort and design, with a soft feel out of the box and lovely satin-stitched piping along the edge of the top sheet. The Simple & Opulence set has the weight and hand of much more expensive sheets, but they come at nearly half the cost.Read our review
The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set
These light and gauzy but durable Citizenry linen sheets are a master class in stylish rest. Woven in a mill in Portugal from French flax, these have deep pockets and an amply sized top sheet to fit on any depth of bed.Read our review
Cultiver Linen Sheet Set
Offering the best of all worlds, the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set feels elegant straight out of the box. The sheets fit on the bed impeccably and they only got softer with repeated washings. Available in more colors than any other linen sheets we tested, these sheets will satisfy nearly any taste or style.Read our review
Bearaby Tree Napper
Especially cooling, Bearaby's Tree Napper is made from moisture-wicking Tencel that uses eucalyptus fiber, a material that's naturally even cooler than linen and super soft to the touch.Read our review
Brooklinen Linen Quilt
Mix and match this irresistibly soft linen quilt with your favorite cooling sheets for a chic, laid-back layered look.
Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket
If you're looking for a heavily weighted cooling comforter option, the Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket comes with a beautifully soft hotel-quality cover too.
Bedsure Cooling Blanket
If you're looking for a cooling blanket to carry around the house with you all the time, this is the one for you. Cool to the touch on one side with a snugglier cotton on the other, it's thin enough that it can roll up really, really small, so it's great for smaller apartments and storage.
Tranquility Cooling Weighted Blanket
We've tried this weighted blanket for several months now, and we absolutely adore it. Cool on one side and plush on the other, it's available in 12-, 15- and 20-pound versions.
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Fan
A combo mister and fan, this small device has a battery life of up to 12 hours and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It's great for staying cool while lounging on your patio or getting a workout in at your home gym.
Jisulife Handheld Fan
To stay cool while you're on the go, reach for this handheld fan, which we named the best portable fan, that will help keep you comfortable. It has three power settings and easily fits in a bag, since it's just 8 inches tall. Read our review
Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool Formaldehyde PH04 Fan, Humidifier and Air Purifier
With a striking design and impressive features, the Dyson is unlike any other fan we tested — and is far more expensive — but it combines a fan, heater and air purifier, potentially replacing three appliances.Read our review
Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
The Honeywell tower fan has a small footprint and sleek design, a sturdy base and eight speed settings. Plus, it's quiet and affordable.Read our review
Rowenta Turbo Silence Standing Fan
This cooling fan had the sturdiest base and rod of the pedestal fans we tested, a clearly labeled control panel and easy-to-assemble and maintain metal grilles.Read our review
Vornado 660AE Large Air Circulator Fan
Sit this fan on the ground and let it cool down your space. It's lightweight, easy to move around the house and even connects to Alexa for hands-free control. It was our favorite cooling floor fan in our testing.Read our review
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)
The Nest Learning Thermostat studies your habits and controls the temperature in your home automatically. These smarts, along with the simple interface, make it best in class.Read our review
Google Nest Thermostat
The inexpensive Nest Thermostat has the same simple interface and straightforward remote control options as its bigger sibling, but it can't learn your routines.Read our review
Amazon Smart Thermostat
If you're on a budget and live in an Alexa household, the Amazon Smart Thermostat delivers excellent performance for its low price.Read our review
LG 8,000-BTU LW8016ER Window Air Conditioner
In our testing, we found that this classic and easy-to-use window AC can cool your space just as well as pricier units. Read our review The best products to keep you cool depend on the activity or situation at hand. Heading out on a hike? A cooling dress and a neck fan will keep you comfortable while you're spending time outdoors. If you're just trying to stay cool at home, then swapping out your seasonal bedding can make a huge difference in how you sleep throughout the night.
It all depends on what you're looking to buy, but for each category we've covered in this article, there are key things to consider. If you're shopping for anything that's made of fabric, like cooling towels, sheets or clothing, it's smart to look for breathable materials like linen, cotton and other natural fiber blends. You can also keep an eye out for sweat- and moisture-wicking materials, especially for clothes and pajamas.
For fans, air conditioners and other cooling devices, most of these products will list the size of the space they're effective at cooling. So, whether you're looking to cool down an entire apartment or a smaller room, you can find something that's a proper fit for your needs.
The following FAQs were answered by the CEO of Mission, Jocelyn Thornton, and include reporting done by our editorial team.
Do cooling fabrics actually work?
Do cooling fabrics actually work?
Cooling fabrics can make a difference in keeping you comfortable during warmer months. 'Opt for lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics with built-in UPF protection,' Thornton said. 'These materials help sweat evaporate faster, improve airflow and shield your skin from harmful UV rays—keeping you cool and comfortable in the heat.'
How can you cool a room without AC?
How can you cool a room without AC?
If you're looking to cool down a room without an air-conditioning unit, you can opt for a standalone fan. Fans circulate air in your space and create a steady breeze that can help keep you comfortable while bringing down indoor temperatures.
How do cooling blankets work?
How do cooling blankets work?
Most cooling blankets are crafted with fabrics that allow air to flow through, giving you the comfort of a blanket without overheating. These fabrics are moisture-wicking to remove perspiration away from the body, which helps keep you cool.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on cooling products.
Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist, and found and director of Skin Wellness Dermatology
Jocelyn Thornton, CEO and founder of Mission
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Here, associate editor Jillian Tracy, associate writer Maxwell Shukuya and writer Ellen McAlpine drew on our large library of hands-on reviews and expert roundups to surface the best cooling products, from window ACs to cooling fans and other stellar home products.