Cooling products from £6.75 that actually make hot weather more bearable

‘I really love these. I assumed wearing less would be cooler during the heatwave, but Dagsmejan’s Stay Cool T-shirt and Shorts genuinely made me feel cooler in bed than my usual hot-weather fallback of a vest and briefs. The fabric felt light, soft and cool against the skin, and it didn’t cling when the room was hot. Dagsmejan says the Stay Cool collection uses "NATTCOOL" technology made with eucalyptus and other botanic fibres, designed to help regulate temperature and wick moisture away from the skin – which, in my experience, it did.

‘I also think they look genuinely stylish and flattering, come in a range of colours and are available in a more inclusive size range than many premium pyjama brands (up to a UK size 22). They stayed comfortable through the night and helped reduce that damp, sticky feeling you can get when temperatures remain high after dark.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

Shop the matching shorts here.

‘Most pillows that brand themselves "cooling" rely on breathability claims or special cold-touch materials, but Luff's Mayfair pillow has a thick layer of cooling gel – and I love that you can actually see it. It's a reassuring visual clue that there's something substantial doing the work. More importantly, it genuinely stays cool throughout the night. I didn't find myself constantly flipping the pillow in search of the cold side, and the cooling effect still came through a pillowcase – just be sure to use something light and breathable like cotton or bamboo to get the most from it.

‘It doesn't sacrifice support for the cooling sensation either. The memory foam is on the firmer side, and my head and neck felt really well supported. Plus it's naturally hypoallergenic, which is a welcome bonus if, like me, you spend summer battling hay fever.’

— Hattie Parish, Senior Health & Wellness Ecommerce Editor

‘If your summer duvet still leaves you feeling too warm, The Oodie Cooling Blanket is an easy swap. It felt instantly cool against my skin and stayed noticeably cooler through the night. The breathable, moisture-wicking fabric is designed to help disperse heat and draw sweat away from the skin, which helped reduce the hot, sticky feeling that can build up during warmer nights. The Oodie says it feels up to three times cooler than cotton, and I found the cooling sensation lasted well rather than disappearing after a few minutes. Despite this, it still feels soft and comfortable rather than slippery or overly synthetic. It also comes in far more colours and playful patterns than many cooling blankets. The only drawback is that it is very lightweight, so it may not suit anyone who prefers the heavier, cocooning feel of a traditional duvet. ’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

‘This Silentnight gel mat is best for delivering an intense burst of cooling when the heat feels unbearable. I found it felt almost freezing when I first placed it over my body, which gave immediate relief on a very hot night. You can also lie on it or place it beneath a thin sheet, although I found the gel sections slightly less comfortable underneath me than when I laid the mat over my body.

‘The mat gradually warms as it absorbs body heat, so the cooling effect is strongest at first, but that initial chill can be enough to help you settle and fall asleep. It is a particularly useful option during heatwaves or for hot sleepers who struggle to cool down at bedtime.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

‘I tested the full Mossva bedding set – the fitted sheet, duvet cover and pillowcases – and found it noticeably cooler than standard cotton bedding. I had also tested the M&S cooling fitted sheet, but did not notice any real cooling effect from it, whereas the difference with the Mossva set was much more obvious. The eucalyptus lyocell fabric feels cool as soon as you get into bed, while its breathable, moisture-wicking fibres help draw heat and sweat away from the body rather than trapping them under the duvet. It also has the smooth, luxurious feel of silk, but without the high silk price tag, and the lightweight fabric did not feel clingy or stuffy during warmer nights.

‘At £135 for a double bed set, I think it is good value, as you get a duvet cover, deep fitted sheet and four pillowcases. For hot sleepers or anyone struggling with night sweats, it is a practical way to make the entire bed feel cooler and more comfortable through summer.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

‘I first spotted this £22 ice wrap being used by England’s footballers during the World Cup and knew I had to give it a go. Sure, I may not be running around for 90 minutes, but my home office is sweltering, which felt like an endurance event in its own right. What impressed me most when I tested it was just how simple – and effective – it is. You fill it with water, freeze it and wrap it around your neck, shoulders or torso; no charging, batteries or complicated set-up required.

‘During some of the hottest spells this summer, I wore mine for up to six hours at a time while working from home and it stayed noticeably cold throughout. The optional cover is worth getting, too (pick up both the bottle and cover here): it softens the intensity of the ice, stops condensation getting onto your clothes or furniture and has ties that let you secure the wrap hands-free. It became one of the easiest ways I found to stay comfortable for hours without interrupting my day.’

— Hattie Parish, Senior Health & Wellness Ecommerce Editor

Read our full YUYU Ice Recovery Bottle review.

‘I tested lululemon’s Go Further Cooling Ice Neck Wrap when my living room was 30°C, and it gave me immediate relief while I was sitting on the sofa watching TV. It’s designed for runners, but it worked brilliantly at home when I just wanted to cool down without doing anything. You pack the pocket with ice, fasten it around your neck and get a direct cooling hit, which felt more effective than airflow from a fan alone.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

‘My feet get unbearably hot, and not just in summer – it happens all year round. These ice pack slippers help phenomenally when I need to cool them down. You put them in the freezer, then wear them while sitting or resting, so they work like ice packs for your feet. The flexible gel lining cools the toes, arches, instep and soles, making them ideal for overheated feet on the sofa. They’re certainly not glamorous, and you can’t walk around in them, but they work brilliantly.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

‘The YUYU Ice Pulse is a clever option for hot flushes, night sweats or those moments when you need instant cooling. You fill it with water, keep it in the freezer and then wear it around your wrist, where it provides a steady, controlled cooling sensation. I wore two at once, with one on each wrist, and found the relief genuinely noticeable during very hot weather. The cooling lasts for around an hour, but while it's working the effect is excellent, and it takes very little effort to place the bands back in the freezer ready to use again. On especially hot evenings, I used them alongside the YUYU cooling neck wrap and a fan for a stronger cooling effect.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

‘The Shark ChillPill is more than just a handheld fan. It combines airflow with an ultra-fine mist and an InstaChill cooling plate, so you can get a more direct cooling effect when you’re hot. Shark says the cooling plate can lower skin temperature on contact by up to 9°C, while the mist is designed to cool without leaving surfaces wet. It’s expensive at around £130, but if you want one portable product for hot commutes, desk use, sofa cooling or travel, it’s one of the more versatile options.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager

Read our full Shark ChillPill review.

‘This handheld fan has saved me during stuffy commutes, sweaty pub evenings watching the World Cup and long hikes in the sunshine. In terms of power, it rivals the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan (which I also have and is excellent) but sits at a far easier to stomach price point of £25 (compared to the Dyson's £99). There are four intensity levels and while the highest is quite loud, the concentrated jet of cooling air it provides makes it worth it. And it's a little quieter than the Dyson, too.

‘It does take a while to charge and comes with a wrist strap rather than a neck lanyard, but it's still an excellent buy and worth picking up while the brand's viral £12 fan is still sold out.’

— Hattie Parish, Senior Health & Wellness Ecommerce Editor

‘Are neck fans chic? No. But do they cool you down? Absolutely. One of those gadgets that looks more futuristic than fashionable, this neck fan is surprisingly practical. It sits around your neck like a pair of headphones and blows a steady stream of air towards your face, leaving your hands completely free – ideal for commuting, cooking or working at a desk.

‘I found it lightweight and secure enough to wear for long stretches, and the bladeless design meant I didn’t have to worry about my hair getting caught. The airflow isn’t as powerful as a good handheld fan, but because it’s directed so close to your face, it still made a noticeable difference. It’s also simple to operate, with multiple speed settings and a rechargeable battery, although you can’t adjust the direction of the airflow.’

— Hattie Parish, Senior Health & Wellness Ecommerce Editor

‘If you want a powerful fan that won’t keep you awake, this is the quietest I’ve tested. Even on higher settings, the sound faded into the background, while the 350-degree oscillation did a brilliant job of circulating air around my bedroom rather than blasting one spot.

‘I also liked that it doubles as an air purifier, automatically detecting and capturing pollutants – a reassuring extra when you live in a city. There are 10 fan speeds, plus a genuinely useful night mode and timer, and you can control everything via the remote or Dyson app. At £450, it’s undeniably an investment, but the combination of near-silent cooling, excellent coverage and air purification makes it feel far more versatile than a standard fan.’

— Jess O'Donnell, Ecommerce Editor

‘Yes, this is a ridiculous splurge, so feel free to scroll on by. But if you've decided a good night's sleep is priceless, I cannot recommend this portable air conditioner enough. Since using this in our bedroom, my partner and I now wake up rested and can face another sweltering day with energy. "Game-changing" is how my partner describes it, and I have to agree. It genuinely cools better than many hotel room air conditioners I've experienced and starts making our 4x5 metre west-facing bedroom feel igloo-like within minutes.

‘The lowest temperature it offers is 18°C, which is plenty cold enough, and there are three intensities, plus a quiet mode, which is excellent for sleeping. Speaking of which, the gentle hum it emits is really soothing and helps us stay asleep. At 1.25 metres the hose isn't particularly long (so check it will reach a window where you plan to use it), and annoyingly there isn't a night mode to dim the display, which seems like an odd oversight. That said, I'm still completely in love with it and would buy it all over again.’

— Hattie Parish, Senior Health & Wellness Ecommerce Editor

‘I spray this over my feet and legs when I’m hot, then sit with the fan on me, and it gives a lovely cooling sensation. It’s not as intense as putting on ice slippers or a neck cooling wrap, but it is much quicker and easier when you want a fast refresh. The peppermint scent makes feet feel fresher too, and because it absorbs quickly, it doesn’t leave legs feeling sticky.’

— Anouska Bertram, SEO Manager