Sony has just launched its most advanced wearable air conditioner yet—the Reon Pocket Pro Plus—a device designed to regulate body temperature without the bulk of handheld fans or traditional cooling systems. Available in the U.K. for £199 and set to arrive in the U.S. this summer, the Pro Plus marks a significant upgrade to Sony’s 2019 original, offering 20% more cooling power and a 40% stronger neckband grip to keep it securely in place. With heatwaves already gripping parts of Europe, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
How the Reon Pocket Pro Plus Works—And Why It Feels Different
The Reon Pocket Pro Plus isn’t a fan or a heater—it’s a thermoregulation system that tricks your body’s internal thermostat. A stainless-steel plate at the top of your back, paired with a Peltier effect cooling mechanism, adjusts skin temperature by several degrees. When your blood vessels detect the change, your brain perceives you as cooler or warmer, even if your core temperature hasn’t shifted. According to Tom’s Guide, one tester noted the effect was “instant” and regulated their entire body temperature despite the device sitting at the top of their back: “It helped to regulate my entire body temperature despite just being at the top of my back,” they said. This isn’t just about cooling—the Pro Plus can also heat, making it versatile for offices with erratic HVAC or outdoor work in unpredictable climates.
Unlike earlier models, the Pro Plus features an adaptive neckband that improves holding force by 40%, ensuring the cooling plate stays flush against your skin even when you’re moving. The airflow exhaust is now adjustable, so it works under high-collar shirts—a design tweak that addresses a common complaint from the original 2019 model. Sony also introduced a second-generation Pocket Tag, an 18% smaller environmental sensor that clips to your bag or belt, monitoring ambient temperature and humidity to auto-adjust the device. New Atlas reports the Pro Plus can run for up to 34 hours on its lowest setting, with a full two-hour charge delivering 5.5 hours of cooling at maximum power.
Performance Upgrades: 20% More Cooling, But Does It Matter?
The most significant leap isn’t just in battery life or fit—it’s in cooling efficiency. Sony claims the Pro Plus delivers 20% more cooling power than its predecessor, thanks to a redesigned thermal system and a new cooling algorithm that can drop temperatures by an additional 2°C. The Independent highlights that earlier versions cooled only the upper back, but the Pro Plus aims to chill your entire body more evenly. Tom’s Guide’s review calls it “a silent assassin” for heat—discreet enough to wear under clothes, yet powerful enough to replace handheld fans for many users.
But is it actually better than a $99 Dyson HushJet Mini Cool or a $149 Shark ChillPill? The answer depends on your needs. Fans like the Dyson provide immediate airflow but don’t regulate temperature—they just accelerate sweat evaporation. The Reon, by contrast, actively adjusts your skin temperature, which can be more effective in extreme heat or for people prone to overheating. Forbes notes that the device’s stainless-steel plate feels like pressing an ice pack against your back, but the real magic is in how quickly your body responds to the temperature shift. One tester compared it to a handheld fan but faster: “Obviously, everyone’s body is different when regulating temperature, but I could feel the temperature adjustments I was making instantly.”
Who’s It For? The Limits of Wearable Climate Control
The Reon Pocket Pro Plus isn’t for everyone. At £199 (or $269 when it hits the U.S. this summer), it’s three times the price of a Dyson fan and more expensive than even premium portable coolers like the Shark ChillPill. But for professionals who spend hours in offices with poor ventilation, outdoor workers, or anyone with heat sensitivity, it could be a game-changer. The Independent points out that the device isn’t ideal for high-intensity activities—it’s designed for walking, sitting, or lounging, not workouts.
There’s also the question of effectiveness variability. New Atlas warns that personal results can differ widely—some users may find it underwhelming, especially if they’re skeptical of wearable tech. The comparison to the Embr Wave, a wrist-based thermoregulator tested in 2018, is telling: that device was criticized for being too subtle to notice. Sony’s bet here is that targeting the neck and upper back, where major blood vessels run close to the skin, delivers more noticeable results. But as with any wearable, your mileage may vary.
The Bigger Picture: Is This the Future of Personal Cooling?
Sony isn’t the only company chasing the wearable climate-control market. Shark’s ChillPill and Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool are competing for the same niche, but they’re fundamentally different products. Fans and handheld coolers are reactive—they respond to heat after it’s already there. The Reon, by contrast, is proactive: it preemptively adjusts your body’s perceived temperature before you start sweating. This aligns with a broader trend in tech—personalized, on-demand climate control—that could reshape how we think about comfort in public spaces.
Climate change is making extreme heat more common, and traditional air conditioning isn’t always practical. Wearable solutions like the Reon Pocket Pro Plus could fill a gap, especially in urban areas where buildings lack efficient cooling. Forbes frames it as part of Sony’s broader push into health-focused wearables, alongside its headphones and audio tech. But for now, the Pro Plus remains a niche product—one that’s best suited for those who can afford £199 and don’t mind wearing a device under their clothes all day.
What’s Next? Availability, Alternatives, and the Heat Ahead
The Reon Pocket Pro Plus is now available in the U.K., but U.S. buyers will have to wait until summer 2026—likely around July, based on Sony’s past release patterns. Tom’s Guide reports that previous models (like the Reon Pocket 5 at £149) are still on the market, but the Pro Plus’s upgrades make it the clear choice for serious users. If you’re on a budget, the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool ($99) or Shark ChillPill ($149) offer more immediate relief, though without the same level of temperature precision.
Looking ahead, the bigger question is whether wearable climate control will go mainstream. Right now, it’s a luxury item—one that requires a high tolerance for tech under your clothes. But as heatwaves become more frequent, even $200 might seem like a steal for a device that could make summer survivable. Sony’s bet is that comfort is worth the price, and if the Pro Plus lives up to its claims, it could redefine how we think about staying cool in an overheating world.
For now, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is the gold standard in personal cooling—but whether it’s worth the premium depends on how much you value silent, discreet, and precise temperature control over a handheld fan’s brute-force approach.
