{"id":779850,"date":"2026-07-04T13:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T13:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/779850\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T13:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T13:30:09","slug":"i-got-a-first-look-at-sonys-cooling-neck-device-just-in-time-for-the-heat-wave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/779850\/","title":{"rendered":"I Got a First Look at Sony\u2019s Cooling Neck Device, Just in Time for the Heat Wave"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Fourth of July could be the hottest on record in certain parts of the US, CBS News<\/a> reports, as a heat wave<\/a> continues to impact half the country. Just in time for these potentially dangerous temperatures, Sony Electronics will start shipping its Reon Pocket Pro Plus<\/a> in the US. Available in Japan since 2019, it’s a wearable heating and cooling device that looks like a space travel accessory. I got a first look at this technology and have been testing it for the past few days. This is everything you\u2019ll want to know about it, along with my thoughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The portable, 8.7-ounce Reon Pocket Pro Plus is designed to be worn around your neck and under clothing, making it more discreet than other wearable and handheld fans. Using a stainless steel plate that comes in contact with the skin, you can manually adjust the device’s cooling or warming temperature range from 41 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the accompanying Android, iOS or WatchOS app or on the device itself.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

You can switch between cooling, heating and smart modes.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNETSmart sensors adjust temperature so you don’t have to<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the option to use smart mode, which you can select both in the app and on the Reon Pocket Pro Plus. In the app, you set the temperature range and, using multiple temperature and humidity sensors on the device and the included Reon Pocket environmental sensor that can be attached to a bag or belt loop, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus\u2019s algorithm will automatically adjust the plate\u2019s temperature to your preference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the Reon Pocket sensor tag is separate from the device, it measures the temperature and humidity of your surroundings and displays this information in the app. Because of that, you\u2019ll want to ensure the sensor isn\u2019t covered. It comes with a carabiner for this purpose, so it\u2019s easy to attach to a purse or backpack.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Reon Pocket sensor tag measures your environment’s temperature and humidity. <\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

On the Reon Pocket Pro Plus unit, you can adjust settings without the app. There are start-stop, warm and cool mode, smart mode and plus and minus buttons, all with corresponding LED lights.<\/p>\n

How the Reon Pocket Pro Plus works<\/p>\n

The device\u2019s plate uses a Peltier element, which a Reon representative described as a semiconductor module. When an electric current is applied, it can cool on one side and heat on the other. To maximize cooling performance on the plate’s skin-contacting side, a high-volume fan, a vapor chamber and heat-dissipation fins are used to release the internal heat generated on the opposite side of the plate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When I first tried it, I was surprised by how quickly the Reon Pocket Pro Plus could adjust its temperature. When switching between cool and warm modes on the device and in its app, I immediately felt the difference on my upper back. While this technology isn\u2019t for full-body cooling, I found its effect on my upper back was enough to make a difference. I especially love the cool setting for a soothing effect.<\/p>\n

Yet, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus isn’t waterproof, so it wouldn’t be ideal for intense sweating, and it shouldn’t be used under the hot sun for long periods. As the device was designed for cooling, you’d reasonably want to use it when temperatures are high, making this a potentially significant downside. <\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

The “mode” button’s LED light changes color based on whether it’s heating, cooling or in smart mode.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNETDesigned to be discreet, depending on what you wear<\/p>\n

There is a neckband that holds the device in place, so the thermal plate can make contact with your upper back\u2019s skin. The neckband is adjustable and can be bent. There are also extension tips that can be removed to adjust the length.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The neckband protrudes from your clothing, with the most noticeable part of the device being the air vent that extends from the back of your shirt. It does come with a shorter air vent cover for clothing without a collar, like a T-shirt. When it’s in cool mode, warm air may be emitted from the vent, depending on the ambient temperature.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

From the front, and depending on your shirt, the neckband may be visible.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

I found the device fairly comfortable and lightweight, but I wish that the plastic neckband were covered in a softer material.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The device worked best when I was sitting down or not moving my upper back as much; otherwise, I had to adjust it to maintain contact with my skin during movement. So it makes sense to me that the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is intended for use while walking or hiking — not during rigorous exercise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

From the back, the device’s air vent does protrude.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNETSilence and battery life are golden<\/p>\n

What the Reon Pocket Pro Plus really has going for it is its silent operation, making it even more discreet. During my testing, I only heard a slight noise when the device turned on, but that was it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for battery life, on the cool setting in smart mode, you get up to 15 hours. When the 3,000-mAh lithium-ion battery is fully depleted, it takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes to charge. By comparison, the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool<\/a> handheld fan has up to 6 hours of battery life on low speed and charges in 3 hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Price is a drawback<\/p>\n

The main drawback for me is that the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is $260. While it doesn\u2019t offer the same discreet, quiet technology or heating, the most expensive handheld fan I\u2019ve tested is the three-in-one Shark ChillPill<\/a> at $150.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With an estimated delivery between July 27 and 28, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus includes free shipping, 30-day returns and a one-year warranty. You also get the Reon Pocket tag sensor, the short air vent for collarless tops and a USB-C charging cable.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

You also get the sensor tag and shorter air vent for collarless tops.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

I like Sony\u2019s Reon Pocket Pro Plus, as it opens the possibilities for how quiet, low-profile and adaptable heating and cooling technology can be. I just wish it were more affordable and didn\u2019t require as much adjustment during upper-back movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to stay cool this summer without breaking your budget, consider a handheld fan like Blueair\u2019s new AlwaysCool<\/a>, the ChillPill or HushJet Mini Cool<\/a>. But if silence and discretion are important to you, and you have the cash, then the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is a cool investment (literally).\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This Fourth of July could be the hottest on record in certain parts of the US, CBS News…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":779851,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[49,48,61],"class_list":["post-779850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/779850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=779850"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/779850\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/779851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=779850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=779850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=779850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}