8 practical products to keep you cool indoors this summer
All the essentials to slip you through a heat wave
When you make a purchase using links on our site, The Week may earn a commission. All reviews are written independently by our editorial team.
The heat is very on — but that doesn’t mean you have to sweat it out. When you don’t have an air conditioner or the temperatures are so high it feels like AC isn’t enough, turn to these eight items that will help you embrace reinvigoration.
Avène Thermal Spring Water
Spritz your way to coolness
One spray of this “soothing” mist on a hot day gives you a “quick refresh,” said Glamour. The pure thermal spring water contains postbiotic microflora, which can calm the skin and reduce redness. It’s also free of fragrance, paraben, alcohol, silicone, mineral oil, aluminum and sulfate, a mist ideal for most skin types and safe for use throughout the day. ($15, Ulta)
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cozy Earth Bamboo sheet set
Sleep well on Cozy Earth’s sheets that soften with every wash
These sheets are made from 100% bamboo viscose, which is temperature-regulating and “next-level soft,” said Architectural Digest. Snoozing on the fabric feels like “being draped in a luxuriously lightweight silk,” and because it is thin, air passes “easily through the layer,” keeping you cool and comfortable overnight. Choose from more than a dozen solid colors and limited edition patterns, from twin/twin XL to split king. (starting at $258, Cozy Earth)
Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad
Your pets need to stay cool too
As soon as your dog or cat sits on this pressure-activated gel mat, they’ll feel instant relief. It stays cool for up to three hours and recharges on its own after 20 minutes of nonuse, without the need for water or electricity. Mats comes in five sizes (extra small to extra large) and are portable for travel. Tip: Putting a mat inside the refrigerator first will “make it even more refreshing,” said Forbes. (starting at $25, Amazon)
Harbor House Cooling Reversible Tencel comforter blanket
Flip it over, and it’s a whole new comforter
If you need a blanket to sleep even on the hottest nights, this one’s for you. Harbor House’s comforter is filled with sustainable, eucalyptus-based Tencel fibers that are breathable and moisture-wicking. It adapts to your body temperature, helping to reduce overheating and ease you into a good night’s sleep. (starting at $160, Harbor House)
Hydro Flask 24oz Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap
Put ice in the bottle, and your water will stay cold all day
During a heat wave, staying hydrated should be at the top of your to do list. Having a water bottle within arm’s reach is a “helpful reminder to keep on chugging,” and Hydro Flask’s Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap allows for “spill-free sipping,” said Wirecutter. Its double-wall vacuum insulation makes this bottle “particularly adept” at keeping water cold for 24 hours, and the “slim spout” ensures a controlled flow. ($40, Amazon)
Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Pure & Gentle Arctic Wave Cooling Body Bar
Lather up, and get energized
Turn your shower into a frosty retreat with this cooling body bar. Refreshing ingredients like eucalyptus and hydrating spearmint wake up the skin, while coconut oil softens it. The bar is plant-based and cruelty-free, and one is the equivalent of 16 12-ounce bottles of liquid body wash. ($10, Pure & Gentle)
Purple DreamLayer pillow
The DreamLayer pillow is fully adjustable
The foam inside this supportive pillow is “firm, yet squishy enough” to mold to and cradle your head, said Real Simple. An outer gel grid layer promotes “great” airflow, so you won’t “wake up feeling sweaty.” You can also add or remove foam to “easily” adjust the pillow’s height. The price makes it “definitely a splurge,” but it’s a “worthy investment.” (starting at $209, Amazon)
Torras Coolify 2S Neck Air Conditioner
With one push of a button, you have personal AC
This “easy to use” neck air conditioner delivers an arctic blast whenever you need it, said Wirecutter. A “decadent” array of advanced semiconductor plates line the device, and when pressed against your skin feel like a refreshingly “cold can of soda.”
The Coolify has a dual-axis hinge design, expanding to accommodate most neck sizes. Don’t pack it up when summer’s over. The thermal chips can be used as heaters. ($199, Amazon)
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.