Preparing For the Next Heat Wave? These Are The 10 Best Ways to Stay Cool This Summer
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Temperatures across the country (and world) are reaching record highs this summer, which means staying cool is more important than ever.
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Being exposed to constant heat, especially at night, can potentially cause health issues over time. Your body simply needs time to cool down every day. It’s impossible to change the weather, but we’ve found ways you can make your environment more comfortable when it gets hot.
We’ve focused on solutions that work regardless of whether you’re a homeowner or renter, and can keep you cool for long periods of time instead of short bursts. If you’ve already had enough of the heat this summer, the gear below can get you through the next few months as comfortably as possible.
1. GE Smart Window Air Conditioner
Amazon
The most effective way to cool down a room in your home is to install an air conditioner, and this model by GE is powerful enough for rooms up to 350 square feet. It has a digital screen that displays the temperature, and buttons that allow you to make single-degree changes. Entry-level air conditioners require you to choose a pre-determined coolness setting, but the fine controls here are welcome.
We’re also big fans of this air conditioner’s Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to turn it on and change the temperature with your phone. The ability to turn your air conditioner on before you get home, so you enter a comfortable home is a big deal. You can even set the AC on a schedule. If you set it to automatically turn to a lower setting at night, GE’s air conditioner could actually save you money on your utility bill compared to a similar, non-Wi-Fi option.
Buy: GE Smart Window Air Conditioner $350.03
2. hOmeLabs Evaporative Cooler
Amazon
Evaporative coolers use a fan to blow evaporated water from a tank in its base to cool down your room. This method of cooling can lower the temperature of an enclosed space (think bedroom) by up to 10 degrees.
This one from hOmelabs has a 10-liter water tank and can cool a room up to 200 square feet. It has an LED screen that displays the temperature, plus an array of fan settings that let you customize how it works. Because it doesn’t work as effectively as an air conditioner, we recommend using the “max” mode if you’re trying to cool down a room quickly.
Homelabs’ Evaporative Cooler doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities, but you can control it wirelessly using the included remote. If your bed is across the room from the cooler, this can be a big help. We recommend trying an evaporative cooler instead of an air conditioner if you only need to make minor adjustments to your room’s temperature, or want a cooling system that’s a lot more energy-efficient.
Buy: hOmeLabs Evaporative Cooler $99.97
3. Dreo Pilot Max
Amazon
A premium, oscillating fan is the perfect cooling system if you can’t install an air conditioner, but only need to cool down one room.
Dreo’s tower fan has a sleek design that will blend right into your space. Plus, it comes with a wireless remote to adjust its 12 speed settings and oscillation modes. It can quickly cool up your space too — I was able to feel the effects in under 30 minutes on a hot summer day.
There is even a smart auto mode, where this tower fan automatically adjusts its fan settings in response to the room’s ambient temperature, for smarter cooling. Set up was quick and easy too, and the fan’s operation is super quiet — 25dB according to the brand — so it won’t disturb you even if you have it on all night. There are auto-off features as well, just in case you’re worried about your new fan working overtime.
If you’re not looking to spring on an air conditioner, the Dreo Pilox can make a big difference in your comfort level in hot rooms — for a fraction of the price.
4.Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress
Cocoon by Sealy
As its name implies, the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress was designed specifically for people who run hot when they sleep.
The mattress is comprised of four foam layers, which contour to your body while still providing ample support. Sealy says its mattress is a six on the scale of soft to firm. These memory foam layers are wrapped in Sealy’s cooling cover, which is made out of a custom “phase change material,” that was designed to absorb and dispense heat.
One of our editors tested the mattress for themselves and found the mattress’s materials actually worked. If you run hot while you sleep, changing your mattress (especially if it’s old) can make a big difference.
Better still, Sealy is currently running a 35% off sale on this mattress and is including a pair of pillows and a set of sheets at no extra cost. This brings a queen-sized mattress down from $1,239 to $799.
5. MySheetsRock The Regulator Sheets
MySheetsRock
If you’re happy with your mattress, but do run hot at night, we recommend picking up a set of Regular Sheets from MySheetsRock.
They’re made of bamboo, which makes them naturally more breathable than cotton or polyester. The materials MySheetsRock uses also wick moisture, so you won’t wake up sweaty in the middle of the night.
We’ve had the chance to try the Regulator sheets out, and they’ve become our go-to bedding during the summer months. They’re soft, and we definitely noticed a comfort difference when using them in a warmer room. The feeling was especially stark when we woke up after a full night’s sleep. Instead of feeling sticky and gross, we felt fine.
6. Rutterllow Blackout Curtains
Amazon
One of the most effective ways to cool a room is to make sure it doesn’t get too hot in the first place.
We’ve been using blackout curtains as a temperature control measure, and it’s surprising how much of a difference it makes. This two-panel set from Rutterllow comes in two pieces that are 42-inches wide and 63-inches long. The company offers them in an assortment of sizes and colors, but their performance is the same.
As a bonus, using thick blackout curtains can also act as insulation to prevent cold air leaking from your window to enter your room.
Buy: Rutterllow Blackout Curtains $18.76
7. Intex Family Inflatable Pool
Amazon
If you have the luxury of a backyard, you can make the most of it by setting up an inflatable pool
This one from Intex is just large enough 120-inches long, 72-inches wide, and 22-inches deep. That’s enough room to accommodate you and a couple of friends. The pool has three air chambers and can hold about 264 gallons of water.
Spending time outdoors during a heatwave is always going to be slightly uncomfortable, but Intex’s inflatable pool gives you a comfortable place to hang out with friends, especially in the shade.
8. HyrdoFlask Wide Mouth Bottle
HydroFlask
Staying hydrated is critical during the summer, and having quick access to a beverage that’s actually cold is even more important.
HydroFlask’s Wide Mouth Bottle features the company’s custom TempShield™ technology, which allows it to keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours. That may seem like a bold claim, but it’s been accurate in our tests. We were equally impressed by the fact that HydroFlask’s bottles don’t impart a metallic taste into the water, even after several hours.
The bottle is available in three sizes: 20 oz., 32 oz., and 40 oz., and we’re recommending the smallest one because it’s the easiest to fit in a backpack or purse. If you have more space or plan on going on long summer hikes, the larger sizes may be a better pick.
9. Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding
The pillow you use can make a big impact on the quality of your sleep, and that’s doubly true if you tend to overheat at night. Brooklyn Bedding’s Luxury Cooling Pillow is made out of memory foam that promotes airflow through pinhole-sized openings. The pillow has also been treated with a cooling gel that can actually draw out heat from your head and neck.
This is a big departure from traditional pillows, which tend to insulate your head and neck, trapping heat. If you prefer memory foam bedding, Brooklyn Bedding’s Luxury Cooling Pillow is an excellent choice year-round. Its unique design simply makes it an even better choice when you’re hot.
10. Layla Sleep Gel Mattress Topper
Layla Sleep
Layla Sleep’s Gel Mattress Topper is infused with a copper gel, which the company says absorbs heat from your entire body. The topper is two inches thick and uses the same memory foam as Layla Sleep’s popular mattress.
While it’s designed to work best with a Layla Sleep mattress, you can use this mattress topper on any bed. We’re happy to report this mattress topper is available in sizes ranging from Twin to California King, which means you could even use it in a dorm room.
Layla Sleep’s Gel Mattress Topper is an excellent bedding accessory to help keep you cool this summer. That’s especially true if you pair it with a set of breathable sheets.
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