Beat the Heat: Is Sony’s Wearable Air Conditioner Finally Ready for Prime Time?
As climate change continues to push summer temperatures to record-breaking highs, residents in temperate regions like London are finding themselves woefully unprepared. With central air conditioning remaining a luxury in the UK—found in just 4.3 percent of homes compared to over 90 percent in the US—sweltering heatwaves have become an increasingly oppressive reality. Amid this climate shift, Sony’s latest attempt to bring personal climate control to the masses, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus, offers a high-tech solution to staying cool on the go.
Cooling the Blood, Not Just the Skin
Unlike portable handheld fans that merely push around hot air, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus utilizes the Peltier effect. The device features a metallic plate that sits against the back of your neck, strategically targeting the area where major blood vessels pass close to the skin. By cooling this point, the device essentially acts as a personal radiator, chilling the blood as it circulates through the body.
The latest generation delivers a significant performance jump, offering 20 percent more cooling power than its predecessor. During testing, the device proved surprisingly effective, providing a palpable relief from the heat that standard fans simply cannot match.
Design Improvements and Smart Features
Sony has refined the user experience for the Pro Plus, addressing common gripes from earlier models. The device now includes physical controls, allowing users to toggle modes and adjust temperature settings without fumbling for a smartphone app. Furthermore, the accompanying Y-frame neckband has been engineered with 40 percent more clamping force, ensuring the device stays securely in place during a commute or a brisk walk.
The Pro Plus also arrives with improved exhaust management. Because the device expels hot air, users wearing collared shirts or structured jackets can utilize an included attachment to extend the vent, ensuring that hot air is diverted away from the clothing rather than getting trapped against the skin.
The Reality of Wearable Tech
Despite these advancements, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is not without its compromises. While Sony includes a “smart tag” to monitor ambient humidity and temperature for automated adjustments, the tag proved somewhat unreliable, frequently unpairing or being left behind. Moreover, the device’s aesthetic remains functional rather than fashionable; when worn under a simple t-shirt, the unit creates a noticeable silhouette, often drawing curious stares or questions about whether it is a medical device.
Battery life is another factor that depends heavily on the intensity of the heat. While Sony claims up to 10 hours of cooling on manual settings or 15 hours in smart mode, real-world usage during extreme heatwaves resulted in about four to five hours of runtime. However, for those willing to deal with a cable, the device can be powered via a USB-C battery pack while being worn.
The Verdict
The Reon Pocket Pro Plus is a polished evolution of a product that once seemed like a niche experiment. While it won’t replace home air conditioning, it serves as a highly effective personal tool for navigating the “new normal” of scorching summers. For urban commuters trapped on uncooled trains or those spending time in heat-stricken public spaces, the ability to turn on a personal chill at the touch of a button may well be worth the $260 investment.
