20 things you need to keep you cool in the summer heat
For when it's way too hot outside.
Credit:
Gravity / Yeti / Handfan / Ninja
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We love summer for beach trips, lots of sunshine, and an excuse to drink a lot of frozen margaritas. But what I don't love is all the days when the temperature is over 100+ degrees.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to supplement your air conditioning. (Or, in a pinch, to keep cool without AC for a little while.) If you're tired of constantly sweating, these products can help you beat the heat and that summer heatwave.
1. A cooling blanket
The ideal temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 67 degrees—but cranking your thermostat down that low can be costly. Instead, a cooling blanket can help regulate your body temperature while you rest.
We’ve tested and love the Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket, a 15 pound weighted blanket that won’t overheat you. This is the best weighted blanket for hot sleepers since it's made with lightweight, thermoregulating Lyocell made from eucalyptus.
These eco-friendly fabrics maximize breathability and airflow while glass beads evenly disperse weight for a more relaxing experience. What's more, is that unlike other weighted blankets, the Gravity comes with a removable cover that's machine washable.
2. This super soothing face mask
The PerfeCore mask has a funny lining so it is comfortable on the skin.
We love a good gel cooling mask like the PerfeCore Facial Mask for all sorts of reasons. They can even alleviate tension and headaches. According to dermatologists, they can also help reduce inflammation.
The PerfeCore is comfortable, reusable, and lined so that your face isn’t directly exposed to intense cold.
3. A misting fan that you can carry with you
There are regular fans—and then there are portable fans like the Handfan that spray you while they cool you. Users are big fans of the speed options, and consistently impressed by what a dramatic difference the mister makes in dispatching hot air.
4. Our experts' top-rated water bottle
When testing different water bottles, the Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle came out on top due to its ability to keep drinks cold for over 24-hours and versatile drinking options.
While there aren’t any fancy filtration systems, this BPA-free bottle has a nicely designed leakproof lid featuring a unique two-part lock system so you can toss it in your bag without worrying about damp items later on.
5. This fan that keeps your bed cool
The BedJet works on any size mattress.
Anyone who wakes up soaked in sweat may want to snag the latest BedJet, a Bluetooth-controlled fan that lets you personalize the temperature of your mattress. Reviewers say it has greatly improved the quality of their sleep, and those who share the bed with a partner love the fact that you can control each side individually so no one feels left out in the cold.
6. A Ninja Creami
There’s nothing like a sweet treat and a summer ritual all in one. Making homemade ice cream or sorbet is a delicious way to cool off when the weather’s hot. When we tested the Ninja Creami it quickly became one of our favorite kitchen appliances. Not only is it easy to use, but it also churns out creamy treats in about 2 minutes, so you can reward yourself for a hard days’ work whenever you want!
7. This athlete-approved cooling towel
Wear the Chill Pal whether you're working out, walking around an amusement park, or lounging on the beach.
In truth, our own experience with cooling towels has been a little mixed. They can provide a nice chill, but they may not be great for high-intensity workouts like running, compared to just keeping a gym towel handy to dab away sweat and wick away moisture.
But since our original review, Chill Pal has released a revamped version made of a material that's said to feel less plasticky, and dries softer. While we haven’t tried them, Amazon shoppers love them, leaving glowing reviews. The double-weave mesh of the Chill Pal is described by users as breathable and it also holds the water better than the average towel, so you'll stay cooler for longer. Just be sure you take it off to let your skin breathe from time to time.
8. This freezer-ready shoulder wrap
If you want a little more oomph to cool your neck, another great option is the Calming Comfort Weighted Shoulder Wrap. This wrap can easily go into the refrigerator or freezer before use for longer-term, lower-temperature comfort. Later in the year, you can also heat it in the microwave to use as a neck warmer.
9. The best cooler we’ve tested
It’s no secret that Yeti’s are high-quality, high-end coolers. Having tested coolers countless times over the years we can attest to the fact that Yeti coolers are, in fact, some of the best out there.
With cooling temperatures of below 40°F for around 97 hours, the bear-proof Yeti Tundra 45 tops our list of best coolers due to its fantastic temperature retention and easy carry handles that make it easy to transport solo.
10. A dehumidifier for crisper air indoors
A dehumidifier can be a powerful tool for interior spaces, and it’s great for people trying to keep their garage cool in the summer. By removing excess moisture from the air, a dehumidifier can help remove that damp, sticky feeling from a living space. It can be used on its own, or supplement an air conditioner.
One of our favorite dehumidifiers we’ve tested is the GE Smart Dehumidifier (AWYR50LC). With a helpful app and intuitive controls, this dehumidifier is easy to use, and it has a sturdy build too.
11. The portable sun umbrella with a cult following
Shade when you want it.
Umbrellas aren't just for rainy weather—they can be great shade for hot weather, too. Weighing just 1.8 pounds, the Versa-Brella is popular with thousands of fans because it's lightweight and easy to use. The Versa-Brella even includes a protective UPF 50+ lining to block out the sun’s harmful rays, so you can lounge knowing that you’re protected.
12. This mug that makes drinks cold instantly
You can use this cup for anything from coffee to wine.
An ice cold drink in less than 60 seconds sounds too good to be true. But according to happy customers (and our own Izzy Kagan), the Hyper Chiller works exactly as it claims to without changing the flavor of your beverage.
13. This wildly popular ice roller
Sure, the Esarora ice roller might be intended to reduce puffiness, but many reviewers say they also use it simply to cool off when it’s hot outside. They gave it high marks for being easy to use, comfortable to grip, and a great value. Bonus: It also stays icy cold for a good amount of time.
14. These blackout curtains that will block the sun
AmazonBasics blackout curtains performed well in our light-measuring lab tests.
Even if you have the absolute best air conditioner, it can be a struggle to keep your home cool when the blazing hot sun is beating through your windows. These popular blackout curtains from AmazonBasics may not be the most gorgeous option, but they were our best overall pick for effectively blocking sunlight when we tested blackout curtains.
15. This hotel-quality cooling pillow
When the temperature soars outside (and inside if you don't have AC), swap out your regular pillow for this memory foam one, which has thousands of five-star reviews and was designed to meet the highest hospitality standards. According to customers, it stays cool all night long and is the perfect balance of firm and soft.
16. Our favorite cold brew coffee maker
The hotter the weather, the colder your coffee should be. Over the years, we keep testing the most popular cold brew coffee makers. Time and again, our experts come back to this Takeya because of its usability, delicious brew, and affordable price.
17. A sunshade for your car
Trying to keep your car cool in the summer is a big task. Parking strategically under shade can help, and so can leaving your windows slightly cracked. Another key piece of the puzzle is finding a good windshield sun shade.
This Magnelex model is widely loved by Amazon reviewers for its effectiveness. It can be on the large side, but that size means it provides great coverage, helping keep a hot car cooler than it otherwise would be.
18. These sheets that keep you cool
Linen Home's percale sheets are crisp, breathable, and budget-friendly.
Of all the bedding options out there, percale is one of the best for keeping cool. It’s stiffer than sateen weave, but with a crisp breathability that’s great for coping with hot weather. It’s cool to the touch, and softens with time and washing.
One of our favorite percale sheet sets from Saatva kept our tester comfortable throughout the night. With a thread count of 200 and a substantial feel, this sheet set is named our best value percale sheets. In addition to comfort and a reasonable price, we were also impressed with the attention to detail on the hems and reinforced seams.
19. This cooling mat for your dog or cat
Simply put: This pet cooling mat really works.
If you’ve got furry friends running around the house, it’s important to keep them safe from the heat. Frozen treats, and adding small amounts of ice to a water bowl can be great for dogs, in particular. Another way to keep a dog cool in summer is with this cooling mat.
Filled with a non-toxic cooling gel, thousands of enthused reviewers say their dogs and cats love it, and so do we.
20. This seat cover that every hot car needs
Meet the summer equivalent of heated car seats. These cushion covers received positive reviews for being easy to install (they sit over your seat and plug into the USB port) and for preventing the dreaded sweaty back when you're driving. If your car has leather seats that overheat, this is a great workaround.