Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus
Sony
May 23 update: this post, first published on May 22, was updated on May 23 with further details of the Reon Pocket Pro Plus and how it works.
The Sony Reon series of thermos devices (think personal air conditioner) has a new member, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus. If you haven’t seen a Reon, that’s not surprising: it’s designed to be worn under clothing. The new model has arrived in time for summer heatwaves — the U.K. is just beginning to experience one right now.
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It’s a way of keeping cool in summer without the need for a hand-held fan, for instance. It has a stainless-steel cooling panel which presses against the body and delivers lower temperatures to the body.
An adaptable neckband holds it in place at the front, while the main section sits at the back of the neck where it presses the cold panel against your skin.
Though there are buttons on board to adjust exactly how much cooling you feel, these can be hard to use when the device is behind your back, under your clothes. There’s also a smartphone app for granular control.
Because it’s behind you, it’s not suitable for wearing at night if you sleep on your back. Sensors monitor the skin temperature to keep the experience safe and comfortable, Sony has said. The Reon monitors the ambient temperature with a supplied tag which you can attach to a belt or bag. It wirelessly connects to the Reon to regulate the temperature based on the environment.
How The Wearable Air Conditioner Works
Although the cold is focused on the top of the back, the cooling effect is felt more widely by the wearer. Reactions include this from Tom’s Guide: “It helped to regulate my entire body temperature despite just being at the top of my back,” it said. “Obviously, everyone’s body is different when regulating temperature, but I could feel the temperature adjustments I was making instantly. This was a lot faster than using a handheld portable fan.”
The unit is thick enough to be visible under the wearer’s T-shirt, say, and an air vent peeps out of the clothing. There’s also an extension vent for wearing under a collared shirt.
The vent is designed to dissipate the heat and the air is angled away from the user’s body to take the hot air away from the skin.
Key Upgrades: Better Cooling And Design
Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus under clothing
Sony
The new model offers up to 20% higher cooling performance compared to last year’s release, which means the cooling plate can go an extra 2 degrees Celsius (X degrees Fahrenheit) colder than before.
The neckband has also been changed so that the flexible tubing now has a larger diameter, meaning it holds the device in place more firmly than before while the user is walking or engaging in what Sony calls light activity.
Year-Round Versatility, Pricing And Availability
In winter, the device can be used to warm you up instead of cooling you down, which adds to its versatility.
The Reon Pocket Pro Plus is available now and is priced at £199 in the U.K., where it’s about to be needed in the sudden super-hot weather, and €229 in Europe. When it comes to the U.S., expect a price around the $270 mark.
And in the meantime, if you’re in the U.K., stay cool.
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