Review: Can This Wearable Air-Con Really Cool You Down? We Tried The Sony Reon Pocket 5 & Here’s How It Went

Sony Reon Pocket 5 features at a glance:

Pros: 

• Two cooling modes – cool (five levels), fan (three fan modes) 
• Warm mode (four levels) – Can be used as a warmer in cold weather too
• Panel cools and heats very quickly for immediate relief 
• Long battery life – about 4 hours at maximum cooling level 5, or 7.5 hours at level 4
• Controlled via an app
• Safety: Auto start stop function 

Cons:

• Cools only a small area
• Not waterproof – not suitable for use in certain weather conditions 
• Have to ensure that clothes or hair do not block air vent

8days review: Does the Reon Pocket 5 really feel like a wearable aircon or just a neck fan? 

Setting up was a mixed bag. While it takes a while to figure out what’s what in the box, it’s a breeze, literally, once you’ve downloaded the app and follow the onscreen instructions. 

Of the three modes available (cool, fan and warm), I reckon most of us in Singapore would be using the first two, while the warm mode will be useful on a holiday.

The fan mode on the highest setting is enough to feel the breeze on the back of my neck and subsequently cooler in general. Wind speeds are not as strong as regular portable or neck fans. But Reon Pocket 5’s winning quality is that its panel stays cool on your neck, which means the air that it circulates, albeit moderately, is cool air. This is unlike regular cheaper fans that may have stronger wind, but is circulating the existing hot air. 

My favourite, however, is the cool mode, which has manual and auto functions that adjust the temperature according to temps in your clothes. On the highest setting in cool mode, the panel feels like you have a small ice cube on the base of your neck where it sits — and one that doesn’t melt at that. Clearly this is most favourable on super hot days for immediate relief. But the sensation is isolated where the panel is in contact with your neck, although over time, you do feel generally cooler. 

Another plus point: its long battery life.  A full charge takes about 170 minutes (90 per cent charge is 100 minutes). Once fully charged, we’re told that the battery life is as long as seven hours. 

However, one issue I had to get around was having to ensure that the air vent at the top of the device is not blocked by clothes or hair – the device may heat up otherwise. There is an air vent cover provided to redirect the air away so circumvent this issue, though it may feel slightly bulky when it’s attached. 

Look and feel 

Will other people know if you have it on? The Reon Pocket 5 comes with a thin neck band. It’s visible with a T-shirt or a tank top, though it’s nothing too conspicuous. Under a collared shirt, it’s almost fully hidden. It also comes with an extra nozzle/exhaust to direct airflow, though I preferred to use it without either.

It’s fairly silent when in use. The only exception is fan mode on its highest setting where the device is at its loudest— even then, it sounds like a very soft white noise machine. Hardly audible if you’re out and about, we think. 

Also acts as a wearable heater for colder climates 
I did not extensively test out the warm mode since since we’re in Singapore and it would not give an accurate representation. I did, however, turn on the air conditioner at home at a chilly 18 degrees Celsius to try it, and the Reon Pocket 5 did warm me up almost instantly. You’ll feel the warmth first on the area of your neck which is in direct contact with the device (don’t worry, it never gets uncomfortably hot), but you do feel warmer and toastier in general after a few seconds. Now, this would come in handy at a winter holiday.

Does the Reon Pocket 5 really cool you down in the heat? 
The short answer: Yes and no. 

The longer answer: Outdoors, the cooling effect is apparent. But I tried it out indoors as well, on a particularly hot day when I’d normally turn on the aircon for about an hour or so to cool down, might I add. Instead of doing that, I used this and it was enough for me to skip using the home aircon. Will this help me save on electricity bills? Only time will tell. But it does serve its purpose, albeit cooling you down in different ways than you’d expect from a conventinal neck fan.

Final verdict: Should you get the Reon Pocket 5?

Yes, it's a splurge, but it may just work for certain folks. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind device, quite unlike other cooling devices such as portable fans or neck fans. It was designed with Japanese salarymen in suits in mind, so on that front, it does the job of cooling you down and reducing sweat from soaking your clothes in sweltering weather. But don’t expect the same cooling effect as you would walking into an aircon room on a hot day. Plus, the warming function is an added bonus for those who travel often between cold and hot countries. Sony Reon Pocket 5. $249 on Shopee and the Sony store.

READ MORE: Best Standing Fans to Keep You Cool in The Singapore Heat – Prices Start From Under $50

On a budget? Scroll on for more cooling devices that will help beat the heat

More ways to beat the heat 

JISULIFE handheld turbo fan (16h max cooling time), $21.90. Buy it here

Handheld fan with adjustable speeds, $21.99. Buy here