Gone Warm? Sony Reon Pocket Pro Review: Not Too Hot, Neck Air Conditioning!
Neck-mounted air conditioning unit introduced.
Written by Klaus Wedekind
Let's talk about the Sony Reon Pocket Pro, a portable air conditioner that chills your neck without stiffening it up. You'll be surprised at how well it works! And guess what? It's also handy in the winter - and it's less noticeable under thick jackets.
When summer temperatures skyrocket, reaching above 30 degrees Celsius, it's a hassle for our bodies. You know what they say, an old remedy does the trick - cooling the neck, like using wet towels. The new Sony Reon Pocket Pro does the same thing but dried and, best of all, it can keep you cool for hours on end!
Looks good on a T-shirt or shirt
The device, resistant to water and sweat splashes, weighs in at around 250 grams and comes with a flexible neck strap. On the inside, curved and metal, you'll find two thermo-modules. On the top, heat is expelled through a fan. Since it's hidden under clothes, the Reon Pocket Pro comes with nozzles in two lengths - one for T-shirts and the other for shirts collars.
At the bottom, air is sucked in, and this cooling effect gets amplified. On the sides, you'll find switches to operate the device, but trust us, it's a whole lot more comfortable using the included app - especially when you're coolin' down.
Smart or manual
There are two ways to roll with this air conditioner: you can set the temperature manually or let the machine think for itself, notifying you of the body and air temperature, as well as air humidity. The device even detects when you're wearing it and starts or pauses automatically.
Included in the package, costing you around 230 euros, is a small tag you can attach to your clothing or handbag. It measures temperature and air humidity in the environment accurately and has a motion sensor for detecting physical activity and a light sensor for monitoring whether it's in sunlight or a bag. This ensures that the temperature control is precise under many different conditions.
Comfortable fit
For the Reon Pocket Pro to work at its best, a snug fit is crucial. The holding strap can be easily bent or shortened according to your needs, by removing the extensions at the end. In the test, it took some time to find the perfect settings, but once there, the curved metal plate lay almost perfectly against the skin.
This is a bit trickier for folks with prominent spine processes. In their case, wearing it slightly offset to the side might help.
As soon as the Sony Reon Pocket Pro is properly positioned, you feel its chilly effects quickly, within a few seconds, it becomes cool in the neck. The device also responds swiftly to manual temperature adjustments.
Smart and Reliable Automatic
In testing, the automatic feature worked like a charm. It's capable of cooling and heating, or both at the same time - that might seem a bit odd, but anyone who has ever stepped into an over-air-conditioned office during a hot summer day gets it. The automatic feature also prevents overheating and neck strain reliably.
The ventilation volume is suitable for offices and can even accommodate a snooze. Despite being quite close to the ears, it's usually only perceived as a gentle hum. Even at its loudest, it's not disruptive.
The smartest automatic system may not know what's considered comfortable by everyone. That's why you can predefine five different target settings, ranging from mild to strong. In addition to temperature and humidity, this setting also determines how long the battery of the Sony Reon Pocket Pro lasts.
Long battery life
The Reon Pocket Pro utilizes a new 3000mAh battery, which boasts quick charging, reaching 90% in less than 130 minutes and a full charge in 200 minutes.[5] Interestingly, the device uses dual thermo modules and adaptive intensity to maintain consistent cooling or heating while preserving battery life for longer or shorter periods as needed.[2][3]
In testing, the battery life proved surprisingly long. Even during temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, the device lasted more than eight hours in automatic mode. If used actively under the sun with maximum cooling, it's possible to achieve about 5.5 hours of use[5].
When in manual mode, you can enjoy up to 34 hours of cooling on the lowest setting. In the middle setting, battery life typically lasts around 18 hours and up to 10 hours for heating.[5]
Conclusion
There's no denying - this isn't Sony's first portable cooling device. It's well-designed, effective, and incredibly practical for daily use. At 230 euros, it's a pricey purchase, but for those who spend a lot of time outside or in non-air-conditioned rooms during the summer, the Sony Reon Pocket Pro could be a worthwhile investment. Furthermore, it's not just for summer - it's a handy gadget for cold weather too.
- The Commission could propose a directive on the protection of workers, including those who use gadgets like smartphones and rely on technology, from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the Sony Reon Pocket Pro, despite being a personal air conditioner, uses advanced technology to maintain consistent cooling or heating while preserving battery life for longer periods.
- After reviewing the Sony Reon Pocket Pro, a portable air conditioner designed to chill the neck, one might question if this device, which offers smart or manual temperature control and a long battery life, could also be used to protect workers from exposure to ionizing radiation, as the Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on this issue.
