Cool Gadgets for a Heatwave

We Brits are known for our obsession with the weather. From polite nods about the rain being "good for the garden" to groaning when it edges past 24°C, it's a national pastime. 

But this recent heatwave? Temperatures soaring past 30°C in June?! That’s justifiable grumble material, if ever there was such a thing.

Long-time readers will know I’m a certified gadget addict. Even my motorhome hasn’t been spared – it’s packing six 150Ah lithium batteries to power air conditioning, an ice machine, and even a film projector. And with another blazing summer seemingly on the way, I’ve been diving into the world of cooling gadgets – from the impressively effective to the borderline pointless.

Here are a few that caught my eye...

1. Shark FlexBreeze

The Shark FlexBreeze Pro and HydroGo are portable fans designed for versatility. Both run on rechargeable batteries, offer multiple speed settings, and can be used on a pedestal or placed on a tabletop.

What sets them apart – and nudges them gently into “gadget” territory – is their built-in misting function. They spray a fine vapour while running: subtle but effective, especially on still, muggy days when airflow alone isn’t quite enough.

Shark does note that the misting feature is for outdoor use only – so if you’ve ever wanted to feel like a plant at the Chelsea Flower Show, this might be your moment. Just resist the urge to ask someone to prune you!

2. Sony Reon Pocket 

The Sony Reon Pocket is a wearable cooling (or heating) device that sits at the back of your neck. It uses a semiconductor-based Peltier element – a smart bit of tech that cools one side and warms the other when electricity passes through. USB-powered and responsive to your surroundings, it promises personal climate control on the go.

So far, so cool. Except you look like you’re walking around with the coat hanger still in your shirt! 

As TechRadar’s Jamie Richards put it:

I think the core concept of the Reon Pocket Pro is pretty fantastic – the idea of personal climate control mixed with the device’s Star Wars-like appearance had me feeling like a cyborg when I tried it on for the first time [but] I don’t think I can personally recommend one until the device gets some ergonomic updates.

Innovative? Definitely. Subtle? Not so much. 

3. John Lewis Neck Cooler Fan

If full-on cyborg mode doesn’t quite appeal, neck fans offer a slightly more discreet alternative. John Lewis’s version – available in grey or white – could, at a squint, pass for a chunky pair of headphones. With mostly five-star reviews and a hands-free design, it might just be the small mercy needed when the heat becomes unbearable 

Reviewers highlight the decent battery life and three breeze settings – and let’s be honest, it’s a clear upgrade from tying a damp flannel to your forehead in quiet surrender.

4. Solar-Powered Fan Hats 

Yes, these exist: hats with a tiny solar panel on top and a small spinning fan embedded in the brim. When the sun hits just right, the fan kicks in, delivering a modest breeze directly to your forehead.

Functionally, it’s limited. You’ll need strong, direct sunlight for it to do anything at all – which, ironically, means it works best in the exact conditions you’re trying to avoid. Step into the shade, and you’re simply wearing a novelty hat with aspirations.

That said, for those who spend long hours outdoors – postmen, delivery drivers, gardeners – it could provide a small, welcome relief when the sun shows no mercy.

And as a summer statement piece? It delivers. Few accessories announce “function over fashion” quite so confidently. It may not adequately lower your core temperature, but it might raise a few eyebrows. Which, depending on your aims, could be part of the appeal.

5. Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker 

Now we’re talking. One of the main pros of summer is being able to gorge on iced treats with zero judgement. So it’s no surprise the Ninja Creami caught my attention.

It takes a different approach to homemade ice cream. Rather than churning as you go, you prepare your mix, freeze it solid in a special pint container for 24 hours, then pop it into the machine. The Creami spins a sharp blade through the block, shaving and blending it into creamy ice cream, sorbet, gelato, or even smoothie bowls – basically a high-tech woodchipper for dessert (yum).

It comes with a handful of presets designed for different textures, so you don’t need to be a culinary wizard to get good results. That said, you do need to plan ahead (hello, overnight freezing) and nail your recipes – or you risk ending up with something more “icy crunch” than “velvety smooth.”

It’s relatively pricey – around £199 – but it might just save you from a full-blown meltdown when the supermarkets run out of Magnums, or you're too slow to catch the ice cream van.

So, whether you prefer looking part-man, part-machine, a slightly damp houseplant, or just want to drown your sorrows in freshly blended ice cream, there’s a gadget here for every level of heat-induced desperation. When you can’t stand the heat, sometimes all that’s left is to reach for whatever tech might help – and yes, that includes solar-powered fan hats!