Latest news with #ReonPocketPro
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Forget a fan, I tried a wearable air conditioner and it's a heatwave hero
The reon pocket pro works similarly to its predecessor: it sits in the base of your neck and uses thermoelectric cooling or heating to regulate your body temperature. Instead of blowing cold air or pumping heat, the plate gets cold or warm on contact with your skin. The idea is that by cooling or heating your upper spine – where blood flows close to the surface – the device helps your whole body feel more comfortable. It kind of feels like an ice pack moulded against your skin, or a warm compress. What sets the pro apart is the upgraded hardware. It's larger than the pocket 5 and has a new curved design with a better fit. It's still light at 194g, but the extra surface area means more of your skin stays in contact with the cooling plate to improve heat transfer. There are now two heating and cooling modules – what Sony calls 'dual thermo modules' – inside instead of one, which effectively doubles the surface area and makes the temperature changes more noticeable. Rather than simply running both at once, the modules alternate with varying intensity to maintain more consistent cooling over time. Interestingly, Sony says that the newly developed fan delivers roughly twice the airflow of the reon pocket 5, helping to dissipate heat more effectively while keeping noise levels low. The pro ships with a single adjustable neckband that bends to fit the contour of your neck, making it more comfortable and secure than before. Sony says it's added a flexible silicone extension at the tips and a thicker tube around the wire frame to improve comfort and support during longer wear. You also get two airflow covers in the box. There's a shorter one for T-shirts and a longer one for collared shirts to help direct heat and airflow, depending on what you're wearing. While there's no official IP rating, the device is splash-resistant, with a rubber cap covering the USB-C charging port. You can control it manually via the device itself or use the reon app. Both let you switch between cooling and warming modes, as well as choose your preferred intensity. But the pro also supports a smart auto mode that reacts to your body and environment. It comes bundled with the reon Ttg, a small wearable sensor that clips onto your shirt, feeding environmental data back to the app. Together, the system can adjust the temperature depending on the degrees outside, the humidity, and whether you're indoors or out. It even knows when you're wearing it, automatically switching on or off when it detects contact with your neck, like how wireless earbuds pause when you take them out of your ears. Sony's also tweaked the smart cool mode to react more smoothly to changes in temperature and humidity, so it feels less like a setting and more like something that's just quietly working in the background. Sony claims the pro can last up to 15 hours on smart mode and up to 34 hours at the first level of the cooling setting. In my limited time with the device so far, with use over a couple of days, the cooling kicks in fast within a few seconds of turning it on. The plate started to chill my upper back almost immediately, giving some cool relief to my body. The fan is quiet – Sony says it's 50 per cent quieter than the pocket 5. It was barely audible even in a silent room, and the curved design makes it feel more stable and natural than I expected. It's also surprisingly discreet. It sits flush under a shirt or T-shirt and stays put thanks to the malleable neckband that's included in the box. I pulled it out in the pictures just so you can easily see it, but it can be tucked under your shirt so it's not seen. It's not going to cool your whole body like a proper air conditioner, but for targeted comfort while commuting, working, or even just sitting around at home, it makes a noticeable difference, and is way more effective than a fan that just blew hot air at my face. This one actually cooled my body. I've got the new reon pocket pro to hand right now, and I'll be taking it on the sweaty Jubilee Line to test its effectiveness. Will it be better than one of those dorky wearable neck fans? My full review is coming soon.
Stuff.tv
18-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
A temperature torture test revealed the Sony Reon Pocket Pro's limits – this is what I found
Stuff Verdict Wearable climate control is a quirky concept that doesn't quite live up to the promise – but the Sony Reon Pocket Pro does provide a bit of welcome relief when the sun is out to get you. Pros Fast cooling provides quick relief from the heat Lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day Battery life a big improvement over the last Reon Cons Localised chilling won't stop you sweating Only stays stealthy under a shirt with perfect posture A lot pricier than a portable fan Introduction Are sweaty warm weather commutes are your idea of hell? Sony's latest quirky wearable aims to prevent work shirt 'pit stains – and wants to keep you warm in winter too. The Reon Pocket Pro climate control neckband keeps your hands free, unlike a portable fan, and is smart enough not to keep chilling when you get somewhere with effective air conditioning. At least, that's the theory. Can cooling a single spot really stop you from feeling the heat, to the extent that justifies the £199 asking price? (There's currently no US launch planned, with Sony using this Reon generation to slowly expand from Asia into Europe.) I wore one for a worst-case-scenario test: a packed press event in a Parisian townhouse sans air conditioning, on the hottest day of the year so far. Design & build: ice to meet you Side-by-side with 2024's Reon Pocket 5, you can't miss how much the Pro has grown. It's significantly taller and chunkier now, to make space for even more cooling hardware and a much bigger battery. The basic design blueprint hasn't changed all that much: cooling plates at the rear, air vent up top, neckband to keep it in position. You still get two vents in the box – a short one for t-shirts and a longer one for more formal collared shirts. They clip on and off with minimal fuss. The light grey finish is meant to let it go incognito when wearing white office shirts (which never look properly white after they've been through the wash a couple of times), while the neckband is a darker hue. It's more flexible than the previous model, with rubber tips that both help with comfort and keep the Reon in place at the top of your spinal column. Of course the whole thing is splash resistant, so your sweat isn't going to cause it any grief. Flip the Reon over and you'll see its cooling pad has a much larger surface area than before. It's also angled, to cover the natural curve of your spine. I found it surprisingly comfortable to wear, given the weight has also grown to a considerable 247g, and a lot of it is spread over your collarbones. Inevitably the larger dimensions mean it's not as invisible in use as the last Reon; it protruded out no matter what style of shirt I wore, and was particularly noticeable if I slouched or leant forward. That's some encouragement to work on improving your posture, I guess. Features & battery life: cool runnings Sony hasn't tweaked the Reon's temperatures compared to last year, but doubling the TEC plate surface area means the cooling effect has also increased. The two peltier elements swap – one on, one off – every few seconds, stopping you from getting used to the sensation and feeling less refreshed over time. The internal fan is noticeably quieter than before, too. I only noticed it spin up temporarily when first turning the cooling on; even at the maximum setting, it was barely audible in my home office. In louder public spaces those around you will be none the wiser. I appreciate Sony adding physical controls to the Pocket Pro, meaning you don't need to pair your phone if you just want the basics. It defaults to smart mode, but you can swap to cooling or heating before popping it around your neck. The recessed buttons make it easy enough to recognise the mode switch and cooling increase/decrease settings by feel alone. You'll want to pair with a handset for fine-grain control over temps, though. Sony reckons the Reon Pocket Pro lasts up to 15 hours in the Smart cooling mode at an ambient 30 degrees celsius, which is double what the previous-gen model could do. I found that a little ambitious, because the cooling settings erred a little too mild for what I was wanting on warm days; upping the chilling effect to max will see it drained in just over five hours. Dropping to level four out of five reaches closer to ten, and was the sweet spot I found when out and about. It needs over two hours to recharge once the battery is drained, which isn't great if you're caught short when the weather turns. It's smart enough to power down when you take it off, at least, so you can't accidentally drain it in a bag or backpack. Interface: cold as ice Aside from a behind-the-scenes update that added support for the Reon Pocket Pro, Sony's smartphone companion app hasn't changed at all between generations. It still shows you the ambient temperature and humidity, what cooling mode is currently active, and offers a choice of cooling or heating levels when you're in manual mode. This is also where you'll get a clearer picture of battery life, and toggle the auto start/stop function on or off. Clipping on the included Pocket Tag sensor can provide a more accurate temperature reading than the Reon can manage from underneath your shirt, which is useful when moving between locations with wildly different conditions – say, a sweltering sidewalk to an air conditioned store. The coin cell battery should last years before it'll need swapping out, and the keyring makes it easy to hook on a bag instead of your clothes. I like that you can customise the crossover points at which you'll be cooled or heated in the app, or set a more general target temperature if you don't think in degrees. They'll be largely lost on you if you only reach for the Reon when noticeably feeling the heat, though. The changeover is more subtle, rather than blasting you with a frosty neck from the off. Cooling performance: the big chill When you put it on, the Reon Pocket Pro makes quite the initial impression. It takes just a few seconds to get properly chilly (or toasty warm) and the way the cooling slowly phases between the two TEC elements means your brain never filters it out. The sensation is pleasant, never getting uncomfortably cold, and I'd rather have it on my my neck in warm weather than nothing at all. While the concentration of coolness on a single spot can't entirely make you forget about how warm you're feeling everywhere else, the psychological effect is still strong. It's a bit like how a portable fan offers some relief through wind chill, even though it's actually blasting warm air at you. Keeping you fresh when the temperature is fairly mild is one thing; doing it in scorching conditions is another. The Reon Pocket Pro's concentrated block of cold below your neck definitely does help you feel cooler than the ambient conditions, but its effect dips the further out of your usual comfort zone you get. In my home office at an indicated 26 degrees celsius, cooling level three was enough to maintain a pleasant working environment. However, a rammed product launch in Paris, where the Pocket Tag sensor was reading 34 degrees celsius indoors? Even at full blast, it couldn't quite take my mind off the heat. With no way to wick away sweat, the metal making contact with your skin can also get uncomfortably sticky. Someone more acclimatised to that temperature might fare better than I did. Sony Reon Pocket Pro verdict As long as you aren't expecting the Reon Pocket Pro to make standing in the summer heat feel more like you're in an Arctic snow drift, you'll appreciate its ability to take your mind off rising temperatures. Sony's thermal chiller can get properly cold when you need it to, and absolutely makes hot weather more bearable. Even more so than the last-gen model. It won't stop you turning into a sweaty puddle when you're truly out of your climate comfort zone, though – or save you from wrapping up in the winter months when using its warming mode. There's something here if you spend a lot of time in very humid countries, but everyone else can probably stick with their handheld fans, or a hats and scarfs. Stuff Says… Score: 3/5 Wearable climate control is a quirky concept that doesn't quite live up to the promise – but the Sony Reon Pocket Pro does provide a bit of welcome relief when the sun is out to get you. Pros Fast cooling provides quick relief from the heat Lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day Battery life a big improvement over the last Reon Cons Localised chilling won't stop you sweating Only stays stealthy under a shirt with perfect posture A lot pricier than a portable fan Sony Reon Pocket Pro technical specifications Cooling/warming hardware TEC heat conductive pad Compatibility iOS/Android Connectivity Bluetooth Battery 5.5hrs (maximum cooling) / 24 hours (lowest setting) Dimensions 130x58x170mm, 247g
The Independent
16-06-2025
- The Independent
I tried a wearable air conditioner and it's a heatwave hero
The reon pocket pro works similarly to its predecessor: it sits in the base of your neck and uses thermoelectric cooling or heating to regulate your body temperature. Instead of blowing cold air or pumping heat, the plate gets cold or warm on contact with your skin. The idea is that by cooling or heating your upper spine – where blood flows close to the surface – the device helps your whole body feel more comfortable. It kind of feels like an ice pack moulded against your skin, or a warm compress. What sets the pro apart is the upgraded hardware. It's larger than the pocket 5 and has a new curved design with a better fit. It's still light at 194g, but the extra surface area means more of your skin stays in contact with the cooling plate to improve heat transfer. There are now two heating and cooling modules – what Sony calls 'dual thermo modules' – inside instead of one, which effectively doubles the surface area and makes the temperature changes more noticeable. Rather than simply running both at once, the modules alternate with varying intensity to maintain more consistent cooling over time. Interestingly, Sony says that the newly developed fan delivers roughly twice the airflow of the reon pocket 5, helping to dissipate heat more effectively while keeping noise levels low. The pro ships with a single adjustable neckband that bends to fit the contour of your neck, making it more comfortable and secure than before. Sony says it's added a flexible silicone extension at the tips and a thicker tube around the wire frame to improve comfort and support during longer wear. You also get two airflow covers in the box. There's a shorter one for T-shirts and a longer one for collared shirts to help direct heat and airflow, depending on what you're wearing. While there's no official IP rating, the device is splash-resistant, with a rubber cap covering the USB-C charging port. You can control it manually via the device itself or use the reon app. Both let you switch between cooling and warming modes, as well as choose your preferred intensity. But the pro also supports a smart auto mode that reacts to your body and environment. It comes bundled with the reon Ttg, a small wearable sensor that clips onto your shirt, feeding environmental data back to the app. Together, the system can adjust the temperature depending on the degrees outside, the humidity, and whether you're indoors or out. It even knows when you're wearing it, automatically switching on or off when it detects contact with your neck, like how wireless earbuds pause when you take them out of your ears. Sony's also tweaked the smart cool mode to react more smoothly to changes in temperature and humidity, so it feels less like a setting and more like something that's just quietly working in the background. Sony claims the pro can last up to 15 hours on smart mode and up to 34 hours at the first level of the cooling setting. In my limited time with the device so far, with use over a couple of days, the cooling kicks in fast within a few seconds of turning it on. The plate started to chill my upper back almost immediately, giving some cool relief to my body. The fan is quiet – Sony says it's 50 per cent quieter than the pocket 5. It was barely audible even in a silent room, and the curved design makes it feel more stable and natural than I expected. It's also surprisingly discreet. It sits flush under a shirt or T-shirt and stays put thanks to the malleable neckband that's included in the box. I pulled it out in the pictures just so you can easily see it, but it can be tucked under your shirt so it's not seen. It's not going to cool your whole body like a proper air conditioner, but for targeted comfort while commuting, working, or even just sitting around at home, it makes a noticeable difference, and is way more effective than a fan that just blew hot air at my face. This one actually cooled my body. I've got the new reon pocket pro to hand right now, and I'll be taking it on the sweaty Jubilee Line to test its effectiveness. Will it be better than one of those dorky wearable neck fans? My full review is coming soon.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
I tried Sony's new wearable air conditioner – does it really work?
Last year, Sony quietly launched one of the strangest gadgets it's ever made. It wasn't a new pair of headphones or a new TV (though it did launch those too), but a wearable air conditioner, giving the Dyson Zone a run for its money as one of the kookiest gadgets in tech. This portable fan, the Sony Reon Pocket 5, sat at the base of your neck and kept you cool (or warm) via a temperature-controlled plate that chilled or heated the skin on contact. Now, Sony's back with a follow-up that's arriving just in time for the summer. The Reon Pocket Pro is a bigger, more powerful, smarter wearable cooling device that promises faster cooling and a more streamlined fit thanks to its new curved design. It also comes bundled with the Reon Tag – a small external sensor that helps the device automatically adjust the temperature based on your surroundings. While I've only spent a couple of days with the Reon Pocket Pro so far, I can already tell it's going to be a heatwave hero. But will it actually replace my trusty tower fan? Here's everything you need to know about Sony's wearable air conditioner, plus my first impressions. The Reon Pocket Pro works similarly to its predecessor: it sits in the base of your neck and uses thermoelectric cooling or heating to regulate your body temperature. Instead of blowing cold air or pumping heat, the plate gets cold or warm on contact with your skin. The idea is that by cooling or heating your upper spine – where blood flows close to the surface – the device helps your whole body feel more comfortable. It kind of feels like an ice pack moulded against your skin, or a warm compress. What sets the Pro apart is the upgraded hardware. It's larger than the Pocket 5 and has a new curved design with a better fit. It's still light at 85g, but the extra surface area means more of your skin stays in contact with the cooling plate to improve heat transfer. There are now two heating and cooling modules – what Sony calls 'dual thermo modules' – inside instead of one, which effectively doubles the surface area and makes the temperature changes more noticeable. Rather than simply running both at once, the modules alternate with varying intensity to maintain more consistent cooling over time. Interestingly, Sony says that the newly developed fan delivers roughly twice the airflow of the Reon Pocket 5, helping to dissipate heat more effectively while keeping noise levels low. The Pro ships with a single adjustable neckband that bends to fit the contour of your neck, making it more comfortable and secure than before. Sony says it's added a flexible silicone extension at the tips and a thicker tube around the wire frame to improve comfort and support during longer wear. You also get two airflow covers in the box. There's a shorter one for t-shirts and a longer one for collared shirts to help direct heat and airflow, depending on what you're wearing. While there's no official IP rating, the device is splash-resistant, with a rubber cap covering the USB-C charging port. You can control it manually via the device itself or use the Reon app. Both let you switch between cooling and warming modes, as well as choose your preferred intensity. But the Pro also supports a smart auto mode that reacts to your body and environment. It comes bundled with the Reon Tag, a small wearable sensor that clips onto your shirt, feeding environmental data back to the app. Together, the system can adjust the temperature depending on the degrees outside, the humidity, and whether you're indoors or out. It even knows when you're wearing it, automatically switching on or off when it detects contact with your neck, like how wireless earbuds pause when you take them out of your ears. Sony's also tweaked the Smart Cool mode to react more smoothly to changes in temperature and humidity, so it feels less like a setting and more like something that's just quietly working in the background. Sony claims the Pro can last up to 15 hours on smart mode and up to 34 hours at the first level of the cooling setting. In my limited time with the device so far, with use over a couple of days, the cooling kicks in fast within a few seconds of turning it on. The plate started to chill my upper back almost immediately, giving some cool relief to my body. The fan is quiet – Sony says it's 50 per cent quieter than the Pocket 5. It was barely audible even in a silent room, and the curved design makes it feel more stable and natural than I expected. It's also surprisingly discreet. It sits flush under a shirt or t-shirt and stays put thanks to the malleable neckband that's included in the box. I pulled it out in the pictures just so you can easily see it, but it can be tucked under your shirt so it's not seen. It's not going to cool your whole body like a proper air conditioner, but for targeted comfort while commuting, working, or even just sitting around at home, it makes a noticeable difference, and was way more effective than a fan that just blew hot air at my face. This one actually cooled my body. I've got the new Reon Pocket Pro to hand right now, and I'll be taking it on the sweaty Jubilee Line to test its effectiveness. Will it be better than one of those dorky wearable neck fans? My full review is coming soon.
Stuff.tv
20-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
Wearing Sony's latest wacky wearable sent a chill down my spine (for all the right reasons)
There's a fine line between today's wearable tech and cyberpunk sci-fi; Sony's new Reon Pocket Pro personal temperature regulator sits right on the crossroads. The sixth iteration of the neckband cooler isn't ready to repurpose your lost fluids like a Dune Stillsuit, but has seen some significant changes to better help stop you getting hot under the collar. Unless that's what you're wanting, of course. As with last year's Reon Pocket 5, it's a hands-free alternative to a portable electric fan (or, perish the thought, a paper one you wave yourself) or hand warmer. Aimed at commuters, office workers and travellers, it sits out of sight under your shirt, where a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) plate makes contact with your skin; it cools down or heats up based on built-in humidity and temperature sensors. This new version doesn't get any hotter or colder than before (Sony reckons pushing too far in either direction would be uncomfortable) but the TEC plate surface area has more than doubled. The cooling effect is twice that of the old model, with two separate peltier elements that take turns to chill you. Swapping between plates every ten or so seconds stops your brain from getting used to the sensation. It helps that the unit has a more pronounced curve, to more naturally follow the contours of your neck and spine. The neck band is way more adjustable this time around, too; the flexible arms and rubber end tips make it easier to find a comfortable fit while still giving the exhaust fin enough room to vent hot air up past your collar. The whole thing has grown to accommodate the extra cooling hardware, so Sony has taken the opportunity to add a bigger battery. The Reon Pocket Pro should now last up to 15 hours in the Smart cooling mode at an ambient 30 degrees celsius, or double what the previous-gen model could manage. The more powerful internal fan is also 50% quieter than the old version, and the cooling algorithms have been tweaked so it's twice as fast to react to changing external temperatures. It's still finished in light grey – because, let's be honest, no-one's office shirts are truly white after a few wash cycles – and includes vents for t-shirts and long-collared shirts in the box. The whole thing is splash and sweat resistant, including a covered USB-C charging port and sealed control buttons. That's right, buttons. While you can still pair the Reon Pocket Pro to a smartphone to adjust its temperature remotely, there are now dedicated buttons on the device to change cooling mode, and increase or decrease temperature. It still turns on and off automatically as you pull it on or remove it from your neck, to save battery. The companion app and Pocket Tag sensor haven't changed between generations. The former still shows you the ambient temperature and humidity, the current cooling mode, and the multiple levels of cooling or heating if using the manual mode. You can pick a specific crossover at which you'll be cooled or heated (say, 18 degrees celsius). The latter still clips onto a short pocket and monitors the temperature outside of your shirt, for better reaction to changing temperatures – like going from an air conditioned office to a stuffy train carriage. It still takes just a couple of seconds to get properly chilly or toasty warm, with the effect lingering for however long you wear the Reon for. The fan really is whisper quiet now, and while the larger size does mean it bulges a little more prominently out from underneath a t-shirt, it's still fairly subtle. The feeling of coolness in one spot doesn't override how warm you might be feeling elsewhere, but it genuinely did help me feel less flustered in my AC-less home office. The Reon Pocket Pro is launching in seven EU countries – an expanded reach from the Reon Pocket 5 – as well as Hong Kong and Sony's native Japan. It's set to cost £199 in the UK, which is a considerable hike from the Pocket 5's £139 starting point. Sony is opening up pre-orders today through its online store; customers hoping to save themselves from sweaty commutes should get their units in the coming weeks.
