Sitting in front of an open fridge might bring temporary relief, but for serious heat waves, it’s hardly a long-term solution.
As temperatures soar around the world, people are turning to all kinds of cooling gadgets — from compact personal fans and chilled neck wraps to high-tech vests and breezy headgear — for comfort in the sweltering heat.
While these devices can help, they’re most effective when combined with basic heat safety: staying hydrated, resting in the shade, and avoiding extreme heat when possible. Always know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Still, these innovative tools can bring much-needed relief — and while they may look unusual, they can become essentials when the AC can't keep up and the pavement feels like a frying pan.
At-Home Cooling Solutions
To keep cool indoors, consider switching to breathable, lightweight sheets or those with a silky texture. Bed fans — which circulate air under your blankets — or gel-filled cooling pillows and pads can also help. Popular sleep brands offering these include Serta, Casper, Sealy, Pluto, and Threshold.
Cooling pads come in sizes for both people and pets, while mattress options from brands like Chilipad, BedJet, and 8Sleep offer full-body cooling.
Outdoor Wearables
Clare Epstein, a workplace safety expert at Vector Solutions in Tampa, recommends wearable gear such as cooling vests and scarves, especially for workers in high-heat industries like agriculture and construction. These items are activated by soaking in cold water and slowly release a cooling effect throughout the day.
Some garments use “phase change materials” (PCMs) — gel-filled components that help regulate body temperature. Uline, for example, offers vests that stay below 60°F for hours, and AlphaCool has a kid-safe neck wrap that doesn’t get too cold.
Warmies also makes a freezer-friendly line of plush animal toys — ideal for kids on hot days out.
Fan-powered wearables, thermoelectric cooling devices, and hydration vests that carry water or electrolyte solutions are other great options. “They help people take more water breaks and stay properly hydrated,” Epstein says.
Cooling accessories come in many forms — headbands, wristbands, socks, scarves, wide-brimmed hats, and baseball caps — with brands like Mission, Ergodyne, and Sunday Afternoons leading the way.
Prefer a breeze? Try a handheld or wearable fan with a USB-rechargeable battery.
Expert Tips for Staying Cool
Lynn Campbell, co-founder of 10Adventures in Calgary, and her husband Richard, have developed some tried-and-true methods for beating the heat on hiking and cycling trips.
They start activities early in the morning and rest during the hottest parts of the day, ideally by water or in shade. Their key advice: wear breathable, light-colored clothing and carry a compact umbrella. “That’s been a game-changer,” Lynn says.
They also freeze water bottles and use them to douse themselves with icy water or place them on key cooling points — like under the arms, on the neck, or in the groin — for fast relief.
For those struggling to sleep in the heat, Apartment Therapy writer Annita Katee suggests freezing your bedsheets. She folds them into a plastic bag, flattens it, and places it in the freezer a few hours before bed.
“The result,” she says, “is a bed that feels like a refreshing oasis.”