• Comfortable to wear
  • Improved cooling performance
  • Smart modes are handy
  • Adequate per-charge mileage
  • Can also handle heating

  • Fairly discrete kit

  • Not as effective as a blowing fan

  • Charging pace is sluggish
  • Hard to reach controls
  • A tad expensive for the job

Quick Summary

Wearable cooling devices aren’t exactly a common category in the U.S., which is why the Sony REON Pocket Pro Plus immediately caught my attention. Most people associate personal cooling with neck fans or cooling towels, but Sony has taken a very different approach. The REON Pocket Pro Plus uses thermoelectric cooling and heating technology, creating the sensation of cooling or warmth through direct contact with the back of your neck rather than constantly blowing air across your face.

After spending time with it, I realised this isn’t trying to cool your entire body or replace an air conditioner. It’s designed to make you feel more comfortable, and it does that in a way that’s much more subtle than I expected. The bigger question also isn’t whether the technology works. It’s whether something like this naturally fits into everyday life. By the end of my time with the REON Pocket Pro Plus, I had a much better sense of where it makes the most sense and the situations where I’d actually want to use it.

Sony REON Pocket Pro Plus specs

| Model Number | RNPK-P1PT (Main unit: RNP-P1, TAG: RNPT-2, Neckband: RNPB-NP1P) |
| Price | $259.99 |
| Battery Type | Integrated rechargeable Lithium-ion (3,000 mAh) |
| Cooling Battery Life | Level 1: ~34 hrs Level 2: ~27 hrs Level 3: ~16 hrs Level 4: ~10 hrs Level 5: ~5.5 hrs SMART COOL mode: Up to 15 hrs |
| Warming Battery Life | Level 1: ~10 hrs Level 2: ~8 hrs Level 3: ~6.5 hrs Level 4: ~5.5 hrs |
| Charging Time | Approx. 120 min (80%), 130 min (90%), 200 min (full charge) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | Main Unit: Approx. 83 × 21 × 43 mm (3.3 × 0.8 × 1.7 in) With Neckband & Air Vent Cover (Short): Approx. 120 × 58 × 170 mm (4.7 × 2.3 × 6.7 in) |
| Weight | Main Unit: Approx. 194 g (6.8 oz) With Neckband & Air Vent Cover (Short): Approx. 247 g (8.7 oz) |
| Operating Temperature | 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy |
| Supported OS | iOS 16 or later, Android 9 or later |
| Key Functions & Modes | COOL mode (Manual/Smart), WARM mode (Manual/Smart), SMART COOL ⇔ WARM auto-switching, AUTO START/STOP, USB-powered operation, Fan-less silent operation |
| Included in the Box | REON POCKET PRO Plus main unit (RNP-P1), Neckband PRO Plus (RNPB-NP1P), REON POCKET TAG 2 (RNPT-2), CR2032 coin cell battery, L-shaped USB-C to USB-C cable, Short adjustable air vent cover, Startup guide, Warranty |

How the REON Pocket Pro Plus works

The REON Pocket Pro Plus uses two thermal modules, or Peltier plates as Sony calls them. They rest against the back of your neck and, through direct contact with your skin, create the sensation of cooling or heating depending on what you need. It feels very different from wearing a traditional neck fan because you never have air constantly blowing across your face.

Sony has also built a surprising amount of intelligence into the device. Alongside the companion app, the REON Pocket Pro Plus includes a small sensor that clips onto a backpack or belt. It measures the surrounding temperature and humidity, allowing Smart mode to automatically adjust the cooling or heating level as your environment changes. During normal use, that means you don’t have to keep reaching for your phone every time you move between indoors and outdoors.

The automatic start and stop ended up being one of the biggest surprises. Put the REON Pocket Pro Plus around your neck and it immediately detects that it’s being worn before switching itself on. Take it off and place it on a desk, and it automatically powers down. It’s a small detail, but one that makes the device feel genuinely smart rather than simply app-connected.

Manual controls are available too. You can choose from five cooling levels, and the difference between them is immediately noticeable. Running the highest setting naturally uses more power, so Sony’s quoted battery life of up to 16 hours won’t apply if you spend the entire day at Cooling Level 5. Even so, a wearable device capable of lasting that long between charges is impressive.

Cooling, heating and everyday use

Cooling is likely to be the reason most people consider the REON Pocket Pro Plus, but Sony has also included a heating mode. I wasn’t able to test that because temperatures were around 85 degrees during my time with the device, although it’s easy to see how it could be just as useful once the weather turns colder.

Getting the best performance comes down to how the device is worn. Air is drawn in through a vent on the bottom before being exhausted through the top, so the upper vent needs to sit outside your shirt collar. I noticed the difference almost immediately after switching to the shorter vent extension while wearing a polo shirt. The cooling wasn’t quite as effective because the airflow couldn’t escape as easily.

The difference between Cooling Level 1 and Cooling Level 5 is more than just a number on the screen. Each step up delivers a noticeable increase in cooling performance, making it easy to adjust the device depending on both the weather and how much cooling you actually want.

Where the REON Pocket Pro Plus doesn’t fit

Sony is also very clear about where the REON Pocket Pro Plus shouldn’t be used. The company doesn’t recommend wearing it while exercising, and after spending time with the device, that advice makes perfect sense.

The cooling plate needs direct contact with your skin to work properly. Sweat creates a barrier between your skin and the thermal module, reducing its effectiveness. Going for a walk on a warm day is one thing. Exercising in the heat is another, and that’s where the REON Pocket Pro Plus starts working against the conditions it’s designed for.

Sony also points to another consideration. Feeling cooler doesn’t necessarily mean your body is cooler. In very hot conditions, the cooling sensation could make it more difficult to recognise how much heat your body is actually retaining, potentially increasing the risk of overheating. That’s why the REON Pocket Pro Plus is intended for everyday comfort rather than workouts or strenuous outdoor activity.

The moments where it makes the most sense

The more I used the REON Pocket Pro Plus, the more I appreciated how understated the experience felt. Traditional neck fans constantly remind you they’re there. You hear the fan, you feel the airflow and everyone around you knows exactly what you’re wearing. The REON Pocket Pro feels much more discreet. There’s still a small internal fan inside the device, but it’s cooling the thermal modules rather than blowing air onto your face, so the experience is noticeably quieter and less intrusive.

Comfort was another pleasant surprise. The adjustable neckband made it easy to find a secure fit, and while you’ll always know you’re wearing it, I never found it uncomfortable during my time with the device. Sony also includes different vent extensions, allowing you to adapt the fit depending on what you’re wearing.

Using it on an airplane was the first situation that came to mind. Cabin temperatures always seem to fluctuate, and I’m constantly putting on or taking off another layer depending on how warm or cold the flight feels. Having something that quietly cools or warms you without affecting anyone else seems like exactly the kind of environment the REON Pocket Pro Plus was designed for. I can see it being just as useful in an office, where the air conditioning often feels too cold for one person and perfectly comfortable for someone else.

Living with the REON Pocket Pro Plus

After spending time with the REON Pocket Pro Plus, I came away liking it more than I expected. It’s one of those products that looks a little unusual at first, but the more I used it, the easier it became to picture it fitting into everyday life. I found myself looking forward to wearing it throughout the summer, and I can already think of situations where it would be genuinely useful, whether that’s on a flight, in the office, or simply walking around on a warm day.

Sony rates the battery for up to 16 hours depending on the cooling level you’re using, and charging happens over USB-C. The REON Pocket Pro Plus isn’t especially light, but I never found it uncomfortable enough to stop wearing it, even over longer periods. Those are the kinds of details that matter if you’re planning to wear it throughout the workday or while travelling.

The only thing I really missed was a carrying case. Sony doesn’t include one in the box, and while the REON Pocket Pro Plus doesn’t feel fragile, the removable neck positioners are something I’d probably take off before tossing everything into a backpack or suitcase. A dedicated case would have made travelling with it a little easier.

Should you buy?

The REON Pocket Pro Plus costs $260, so the bigger question isn’t whether the technology works. It’s whether you’re willing to spend that much on a device designed to make you more comfortable throughout the day. After spending time with it, I found myself looking forward to using it throughout the summer, and I can already think of situations where I’d happily wear it. If you’re looking for that kind of everyday comfort, the REON Pocket Pro offers a very different experience from the wearable cooling devices I’ve tried before.

How I tested

I worked with the Sony Reon Pocket Pro Plus on a daily basis for a spell of over two weeks, wearing it in the warm outdoors while the ambient temperatures usually hovered around the 85-degree Fahrenheit mark. To test the efficiency of the thermoelectric cooling plates, I evaluated them across all five levels in the same weather condition. The clip-on environmental sensor, on the other hand, was assessed for sensitivity in outdoor and indoor surroundings.

For testing the daily fit and comfort of the adjustable neckband and interchangeable vent extensions, I tried them while wearing a variety of clothes with different collar styles and neck designs, including round-neck tees, polo t-shirts, and regular shirts. Other aspects that were tested during multi-hour daily work sessions include wear detection, per-charge battery mileage, and smart mode’s response to changing ambient weather conditions.

Why not try

TORRAS COOLiFY 2026 Cyber Fold AI Neck Air Conditioner

This one costs roughly the same as the Sony option, but relies on more efficient active airflow cooling with eight vents and sits comfortably around the neck, while offering full surround cooling for the neck and upper back area. It’s much quicker at lowering the temperature and can also be used while connected to a power bank.

JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan Life9

If you want a heavy gadget hanging around your neck, JISULIFE’s portable fan can save you over two hundred dollars, and then some. It also delivers direct airflow using fans that whir at 4,0000 RPM. Most importantly, the cooling is not limited to the neck or upper back area. As a handheld device, it can be used anywhere you want. It’s also portable and can be easily slipped into a backpack, while the built-in battery is good enough for over 18 hours of use.

TORRAS COOLiFY Air 2026

If your budget is tight, but a neckband is the preferred format, the TORRAS COOLiFY Air 2026 strikes the middle ground between performance and affordability. It costs half as much as Sony’s wearable, but combines plate-based cooling with active cooling using built-in fans. Moreover, it blasts cool air in both directions, lasts 24 hours per charge in fan-only mode, and six hours with dual-mode cooling enabled.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How long does the battery last on the Sony REON Pocket Pro Plus?

The integrated 3,000mAh lithium-ion battery lasts up to 15 hours in smart cool mode.

Can it also help with heating?

Yes, it supports four adjustable warming modes.

How is the cooling behavior controlled?

There are physical buttons on the neckband, and for deeper control over cooling modes and profiles, there’s a companion app available for Android and iOS.

How much noise does it produce?

It’s a fanless device, so it runs virtually silent while cooling.