From Gadget Curiosity to Serious Wearable Air Conditioner
Sony’s Reon Pocket line began as a niche wearable air conditioner in 2019, but the new Reon Pocket Pro Plus signals a move into more serious thermal engineering. Instead of behaving like a simple portable fan, the device sits discreetly under your clothing at the back of your neck, where blood-rich skin can influence overall body temperature regulation. Sony claims this latest iteration runs 20% cooler than previous models and can cut body temperature by about 2 degrees Celsius under the right conditions. That may not sound dramatic, but for commuters, office workers, and people in light outdoor activities, a small drop in core temperature can feel like stepping into the shade on a hot day. This positions Sony’s Reon series as a premium portable cooling device, designed less for novelty and more as a daily-use thermal companion.
Inside the 20% Cooling Boost: Algorithms and Airflow
The headline upgrade of the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is its stronger cooling performance. Sony says a newly designed algorithm now targets a surface temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius, making the unit about 2 degrees cooler than the previous wearable air conditioner. Instead of simply blasting cold, the device uses SMART COOL and SMART WARM modes to automatically adjust output based on ambient conditions and user activity. An improved exhaust vent lets users angle hot air away from the body, which helps when wearing high-collared shirts that could otherwise trap warmth. Crucially, Sony manages this without sacrificing endurance: the Reon Pocket Pro Plus can still run for up to ten hours, though not at maximum cooling. This combination of algorithmic control and refined airflow shows Sony leaning on its consumer electronics expertise to squeeze more efficiency out of a very small thermal system.
Design, Comfort, and On-Device Control
Beyond raw cooling, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus focuses heavily on comfort and usability. The flexible neckband drapes over your shoulders and down the top of your spine, with upgraded arms that keep the unit more securely in place during walking or other light activity. The compact body is engineered to cling to the neck without warping a shirt collar, helping it stay discreet under office-appropriate outfits. On-device controls allow quick switching between modes, useful when you don’t want to reach for your phone. Sony also includes detachable airflow vents for ergonomic tweaking, plus a bundled wireless remote and carabiner for pocket-friendly control on the go. Charging is handled via USB-C, with the device reaching about 90% charge in 130 minutes and a full charge in roughly 200 minutes, balancing mobility with enough capacity for a workday’s worth of cooling or warming.
Cooling and Warming in One Wearable Thermal Device
While much of the attention focuses on cooling, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus is also a wearable thermal device capable of warming. Sony’s SMART WARM mode automatically adapts its output to keep users comfortable when temperatures drop, effectively turning the same hardware into a compact, body-hugging heater. Visual materials from Sony suggest warm spots reaching around 42 degrees Celsius, which is more than sufficient for taking the edge off chilly indoor environments or cool evenings outdoors. The device’s dual-season pitch—“Perfect for any season. A smart wearable thermal device that both cools and warms”—underscores its role as a year-round body temperature regulation tool rather than a summer-only gadget. The included Reon Pocket Tag 2, a small sensor that clips to a bag or belt, tracks ambient temperature and humidity, enabling smarter, context-aware adjustments via the companion app and helping users understand how their environment affects comfort.
Positioning Against Portable Fans and High-End Rivals
Sony is clearly framing the Reon Pocket Pro Plus as a premium alternative to basic portable fans. Instead of blowing air at your face, the wearable air conditioner targets a thermally sensitive area of the body and automates cooling and warming for hands-free comfort. This aligns it with a growing category of high-end portable cooling devices, where brands like Dyson are also experimenting with next-generation designs. Compared with visible neck fans or bulky accessories, Sony’s design emphasizes discretion, clothing integration, and smart control via app, on-device buttons, and a remote. The Reon Pocket Pro Plus is already on sale in several markets, priced around R4,500 in one listed region, with other regions seeing figures like £199 and €229. These numbers underscore Sony’s premium strategy: rather than competing on price, the company is betting that better engineering, comfort, and year-round usability will justify the investment.
