Latest news with #SmartCool
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Sony REON Pocket Pro review: Can this wearable really beat Dubai heat?
Can a palm-sized gadget worn on your back actually make Dubai summers bearable? That's exactly what Sony promises with the REON Pocket Pro — a wearable 'smart' cooling and warming device designed to keep you comfortable year-round. But is it a gimmick, or the game-changer your sweat-drenched shirts have been praying for? I spent a week putting it to the test. What is the REON Pocket Pro? The REON Pocket Pro is Sony's latest take on personal climate control — a discreet, rechargeable device that nestles between your shoulder blades using a neckband. With two upgraded thermo-modules and built-in smart sensors, it claims to deliver instant cooling or warming at the press of a button or tap of an app. But let's get real: this isn't going to turn the streets of Dubai into an ice rink. It's a targeted cooling device, designed more for comfort than for battling midday desert heat. Out of the box, the REON Pocket Pro feels premium. The materials are smooth and sturdy, and the new curved design sits more naturally against your back than previous models. The updated neckband — now softer and more flexible — makes it far more wearable, even for longer periods. Weight-wise, it's between 194 to 252 grams depending on the band length, which sounds heavier than it feels. Once on, it disappears into the background, and under a shirt, it's surprisingly subtle. But like all accessories, this one will also take some getting used to. Real-world cooling: Does it work? Let's address the big question: Can this keep you cool in the UAE? Yes, but with caveats. Indoors or during commutes (think walking to the metro, waiting for a cab, or grocery runs), the cooling is immediate and noticeably effective. It genuinely feels like someone pressed a chilled steel plate to your back, which is exactly what it's doing. The Smart Cool Mode is particularly impressive. With sensors tracking your movement, body temperature, and humidity, the REON adapts in real time, offering relief only when needed. This not only improves comfort but also conserves battery life, which, by the way, is excellent. But step outside at 2pm at this time of the year? Even the REON knows its limits. It can't cool your whole body, and against Dubai's aggressive summer heat, it acts more like a band-aid than a body armour. Notable features Charging takes a little over 2 hours for 90 per cent juice, which is reasonable considering the battery performance. In a full workday test (Smart Cool), I used it on and off for 9 hours and still had 25 per cent battery left. A major upgrade is the noise reduction — Sony claims the fan is 50 per cent quieter, and in practice, it's barely audible. In an office or café, no one notices. Under a blazer or a polo, it's invisible. And when paired with the REON app (available on iOS/Android), the controls feel intuitive and responsive. There's also a handy manual mode, so you don't have to pull out your phone every time you want to switch settings. Just tap the on-device buttons. Warm mode? It may sound strange, but the warming feature actually makes sense for winter desert nights, mall chill, or office AC overkill. I tested it in an aggressively cold cinema and felt cosy within minutes. Come January, this might be more useful than you think. Is it worth Dh799? If you live in the UAE, work in a climate-controlled environment, commute regularly, and hate the sticky transition from A/C to street, the REON Pocket Pro could become your new favourite gadget. It won't solve the region's summer problem, but it will make it more manageable. Think of it like a personal air-conditioned seat in the heat. It's not a jackpot, but you'll be more comfortable than most. Would we recommend it? Yes — if you see it for what it is: a personal comfort enhancer, not a weather killer.
Tom's Guide
20-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I couldn't sleep in the heat until I made this simple pillow switch
Summer is a mixed blessing for my sleep. While brighter mornings help me wake up fresh, warm nights make drifting off in the first place a struggle. Overheating has been a particular issue this year and it didn't take long to identify the source of the problem: my marshmallow of a memory foam pillow. As a sleep writer I spend a lot of time extolling the virtues of finding the best mattress for your needs but I've realised I may have overlooked the importance of right pillow. However, choosing the best pillow is an significant part of your sleep comfort and that's doubly true on a hot night. Something I realized the hard way when my pillow became a stuffy cocoon. A quick pillow switch made all the difference and if you're a hot sleeper I think it can do the same for you. Here's why (and how to pick the right one...) In my Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow review I was full of praise for the soft-comfort of this memory foam pillow. And while I noticed some slight heat retention at the time, it wasn't a major problem... Until overnight temperatures began creeping up and that 'slight heat retention' was causing my sleep to suffer. I put up with it for a few nights (I really do like this pillow) but eventually had to admit defeat and go searching for a cooler solution. I ended up returning to the Levitex Sleep Posture pillow. While on the surface these pillows have a lot in common (all-foam with a flat build) both use their own brand foam (which is not memory foam) — and the Levitex is significantly cooler. The difference was immediate. While the Tempur-Cloud started to warm up within seconds, the Levitex remained pleasantly neutral. And it stayed neutral. I was flipping the Tempur-Cloud every few minutes in search of a non-existent cool side but on the Levitex I fell asleep cool and stayed asleep, no flipping needed. Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow: from $89 at Tempur-Pedic US | £149 at Tempur-Pedic UKDesigned for back and stomach sleepers, the Tempur-Cloud pillow has a soft build and a low loft to cradle the head in alignment with the spine. But for US shoppers, I recommend adding the cooling technology upgrade (from $20) to avoid night sweats (cooling is included in the UK SmartCool design, which is also for all sleep styles.) Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow: from $135 at Levitex US | £80 at Levitex UKUsing Levitex's own-brand foam, this medium-firm pillow is available in four heights to suit your build and sleep position. The foam is designed to breathable, making this a good choice for hot sleepers. A UK company, Levitex offers delivery worldwide but double-check shipping times and charges before making your purchase. Below I'm focusing on cooling properties when finding a new pillow to get you through the summer nights, but make sure to check out our guides to pillow loft and finding the right pillow for your sleep position, as well. A member of my sleep team has recently swapped to wool bedding to stay cool and when it comes to pillows, natural materials can provide some of the best heat wicking. Many natural materials are, well, naturally cooling. Down pillows have built-in temperature regulation, as do pillows made with latex foam. Kapok and cotton are other options with natural heat wicking. But these natural pillow fills also tend to be pricey, so you might want to consider a synthetic alternative. While they lack natural cooling, synthetic materials can still prioritize heat wicking — my Levitex pillow is a good example. One of the best things about my Tempur-Cloud pillow is its softness. It cradles my head and because I can sink into it, my neck and spine are kept aligned. But after a few overly warm nights it became obvious that sinking into the pillow was part of the problem. As soon as my warm breath left my body it hit the pillow and started circling my head. Firm pillows should still yield beneath you but for the most part, you'll be lying on top of the materials, not sinking in. Now it can circulate, the hot air will escape. After switching my soft pillow for something firmer I could immediately feel the difference, no longer trapped in a sauna caused by my own breathing. A firm pillow won't guarantee a cooler feel (some of the best firm mattresses we've tested have had only average temperature control) but it's a good starting point if your pillow is causing you to overheat. A pillow is more than just the fill and for hot sleepers the cover is another important part of the equation. And in my case, the plush quilting of my Tempur-Cloud pillow's cover definitely contributed to the stuffy feeling... as did the quilted pillow protector it was wrapped in. For very hot sleepers, I highly recommend investing in a pillow with a cool to the touch cover. This will mean you're greeted with a chilled feel as soon as your head touches the bed. Consider a breathable pillow protector alongside cooling pillowcases (natural materials are a good choice here.) These extras layers might seem counter to the cooling aim but the easy-cleaning additions are necessary to prevent sweat from ruining your pillow. I've focused on the pillow here because it was the source of my own overheating woes, but your entire bed can contribute to summer sweating. For those who frequently overheat — no matter the time of year — I recommend investing in one of the best cooling mattresses. These designs use cooling mattress materials to wick away sweat and maintain a chilled feel. If a new mattress isn't on the cards, or overheating is only an occasional issue, consider a cooling mattress topper. This adds a breathable layer to your bed for a fraction of the cost of a new mattress. And while you might not be wrapping yourself up in a blanket, your sheets can also trap heat. Our guide to cooling bedding can help you find a solution while our bedding expert recommends a cooling duvet. Yes, it sound weird but yes, it can cool you down. Warming up with a shower before bed causes your core temperature to drop when you step out of the bathroom, helping you achieve the right temperature for sleep. Plus, a quick wash after a warm day cleans away the pollen, sweat and sunscreen that can accumulate in the summer, preventing your pillow and mattress from getting gross, and helping to eliminate any allergens that might disrupt your sleep. It might sound counterintuitive but experts recommend closing your curtains on a hot day. Doing so blocks the sunlight, so your room stays a touch cooler. Also, be strategic with open windows. While many of us open windows hoping for a steady breeze this can actually introduce more hot air to the room. Keep windows (and curtains) closed until the evening and things cool down. Then you can open up and let fresh air in. Once your pillow / mattress / bedding has warmed up, it can feel impossible to escape the heat. I found the best solution was to leave the room and take a few minutes to cool down away from my bed (known as the 15 minute rule, this can help on any disturbed night.) Before stepping back into my (now slightly cooler) bed, I would run cold water onto my wrists. This cooled the pulse points and allowed me to fall asleep feeling slightly fresher. Your first choice might be to have your fan directly in front of your pillow but placing a fan so it's also near the window, if possible, might be the smarter solution. This allows the fan to pull in cold air and push out hot air, creating cross ventilation. And if your fan alone isn't working, add ice. Placing a bowl of ice in front of your fan creates make-shift air conditioning.
