Sony’s Reon Pocket Pro Plus Wearable AC Arrives for Summer

Sony’s latest innovation in personal climate control is here just in time for the sweltering summer months. The Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus is a wearable air conditioner designed to be discreetly worn under clothing, making it a unique solution for staying cool without bulky fans or portable units. As heatwaves intensify across the U.K., this new model offers a compelling alternative to traditional cooling methods.

The Reon Pocket Pro Plus operates with a stainless-steel cooling panel that presses against the skin, delivering targeted lower temperatures to the body. An adaptable neckband secures the device at the front, while the main unit sits at the back of the neck, applying the cold panel directly to your skin. While physical buttons allow for manual adjustment, they can be tricky to reach when the device is positioned behind you under clothing. For more precise control, a dedicated smartphone app is available. Since it rests against your back, it is not recommended for nighttime use if you sleep on your back. Sony has integrated skin temperature sensors to ensure safe and comfortable operation. A separate Pocket Tag, now in its second generation, monitors ambient temperature and humidity. This tag wirelessly communicates with the Reon to adjust cooling based on the environment, offering more accurate readings than the device could achieve from beneath your clothing.

The cooling effect, while focused on the upper back, is felt more broadly by the wearer. According to Tom’s Guide, “It helped to regulate my entire body temperature despite just being at the top of my back.” The review added that temperature adjustments were felt instantly, much faster than using a handheld fan. However, this doesn’t diminish the value of traditional fans; Dyson recently released the powerful and portable Hushjet Mini Cool Fan, which serves a different purpose. The Reon unit is thick enough to be visible under a T-shirt, with an air vent peeking out from the clothing. An extension vent is available for collared shirts, meaning the device is never completely invisible but never dominates your appearance either. The vent is designed to dissipate heat away from the skin, and for the first time, it can be adjusted to prevent air from being trapped against your clothes. This model is the third of its kind to reach Western markets, following predecessors that were initially sold only in Asia. As reported by Stuff, the device was “originally conceived by an engineer from Sony’s Alpha camera division.”

Key upgrades distinguish the Reon Pocket Pro Plus from its predecessor. It delivers up to 20% higher cooling performance, allowing the cooling plate to drop an additional 2 degrees Celsius colder than last year’s model. The neckband has been redesigned with a larger diameter flexible tubing, providing a more secure fit during walking or light activity. Battery life remains at up to ten hours, matching the previous model’s performance despite the increased cooling capacity. Notably, this figure is achieved on the second-highest setting, not the maximum frosty level. Safety is addressed with an automatic shutdown system that prevents the device from overheating while it works to keep you cool.