Sony REON POCKET PRO review: Is the invisible wearable air conditioner just a waste of money?

Since Sony first released the REON POCKET, a wearable heating and cooling device, in 2019, it has attracted considerable attention from those seeking a "personalized miniature air conditioner." After several generations of improvements, this year, in addition to the REON POCKET 5, Sony also released the higher-end REON POCKET PRO, which significantly enhances cooling efficiency, intelligent adjustments, and durable design. During a summer trip to Penghu, I personally experienced this invisible wearable air conditioner to see if it could combat the irritability caused by hot weather.

The design principle comes from a wet towel draped around the neck

The REON POCKET product originated from First Flight, an internal entrepreneurial project initiated by Sony in 2019 when Kazuo Hirai was still the CEO. The idea at the time was not to directly lower body surface temperature through airflow like common fan products, but to directly cool the back of the neck, where the human body is most sensitive to temperature changes, allowing users to reduce the feeling of heat in high temperatures and achieve the effect of "calmness and natural coolness."

In a similar situation, many people choose to drape a wet towel around their necks under the scorching sun to further reduce their perceived temperature. The design of REON POCKET products is based on the same idea. The REON POCKET PRO we experienced this time even has a heating function added to the temperature control panel, allowing users to keep their bodies warm in colder weather.

As for the operating principle of the temperature control panel, it is actually the same as an air conditioner, cooling through air exchange. The advantage is that it will not easily soak the clothes due to temperature changes like a wet towel (but some condensation will still occur due to temperature differences). However, the disadvantage is that it needs to discharge waste heat, so when wearing it, you must ensure that the exhaust holes of the device are unobstructed, otherwise it will affect the actual cooling effect.

The contact area and cooling efficiency are significantly improved, but it is still not recommended for outdoor strenuous activities.

The biggest difference between the REON POCKET PRO and the standard version lies in its dual independent heating and cooling modules. The increased metal heat dissipation area in contact with the body allows for more efficient heat dissipation or cooling. When worn, it feels faster than the REON POCKET 5, significantly reducing perceived temperature in less than a minute in hot outdoor environments.

According to Sony, the cooling efficiency of REON POCKET PRO is about twice that of the standard version, which means that it can not only bring a cool feeling faster, but also maintain the body's comfort longer.

However, Sony still does not recommend using the REON POCKET PRO for outdoor activities. This is mainly because its cooling purpose is to reduce the body's perceived temperature. Unlike common outdoor cooling products designed for direct air blowing, it must be placed close to the back of the user's neck. Therefore, it is more suitable for indoor activities with relatively small movements. Otherwise, the cooling effect may be greatly reduced.

In addition, the design of the wearing method itself is actually more like "placing" the device behind the neck. Therefore, there may be a risk of it falling when worn during outdoor sports, hiking, and other extensive physical activities. However, it should still be quite suitable for watching outdoor sports games, concerts, and other activities.

Smarter temperature control experience

In addition to its hardware enhancements, the REON POCKET PRO also incorporates an additional REON POCKET TAG sensor and Sony's proprietary algorithm, automatically switching between cooling and heating modes based on body temperature, ambient climate, and even the user's activity level. This is very intuitive in actual use, especially when the temperature difference between morning and evening is significant. There's no need to frequently manually switch modes; the device automatically adjusts to the optimal output.

At the same time, Sony has also added a physical button design to the REON POCKET PRO. Although mobile app operation is still the core of the complete experience, the addition of physical buttons allows users to switch modes or adjust the temperature control intensity more intuitively and quickly, making it convenient to change settings instantly without having to use a phone.

Quietness and durability have evolved

Another key to long-term wear is whether the device operates quietly.

The REON POCKET PRO further reduces operating noise through a high-airflow fan and a new blade structure. Compared to the already reduced wind noise of the REON POCKET 5, the REON POCKET PRO is even more pronounced, being virtually unnoticeable in offices or quiet places, further fulfilling its "invisible air conditioner" positioning.

In terms of durability, Sony has designed the REON POCKET PRO to be more suitable for prolonged wear. Besides being sweat- and dust-resistant, it can also withstand prolonged use attached to clothing. This makes it more than just a summer lifesaver for office workers, but also suitable for a wider range of long-term wear scenarios.

Breakthrough in battery life, truly capable of lasting all day

For wearable devices like these, battery life is often the ultimate barrier to user experience. The REON POCKET PRO boasts up to 34 hours of battery life in low-power mode, and high-power mode is more than enough to sustain most outdoor activities. Paired with a charging device like a power bank, it allows for uninterrupted use around the clock. While the standard version also boasts approximately 20 hours of battery life, the REON POCKET PRO's endurance better meets the expectations of those with demanding needs when it comes to extended wear.

Positioned at a higher level, but not just "more expensive"

In terms of Taiwan market pricing, the suggested retail price of REON POCKET 5 is NT$4490, while that of REON POCKET PRO is NT$6990. After actual experience, you will find that REON POCKET PRO is not just a simple stack of hardware specifications, but also focuses on "long-term comfort, intelligent adjustment, outdoor adaptability" and other aspects, making up for the shortcomings of the standard version.

For those who just want to get a moment of coolness while commuting, REON POCKET 5 is basically enough, but if you need a device that can accompany you all day and remain stable and comfortable in different environments, then REON POCKET PRO may be a worthy investment.

• If it is mainly daily commuting, office or light use → REON POCKET 5 is sufficient.

• If you need to wear it for a long time, or often spend time outdoors or in high-temperature environments → REON POCKET PRO is more suitable, especially because of its battery life, smart adjustment, and sweat and dust resistance.

Conclusion

From its humble beginnings as a small, experimental gadget to its current maturity as a wearable device, Sony's REON POCKET series has undergone five generations of updates, gradually establishing its unique product positioning as a "personalized invisible air conditioner." The REON POCKET PRO marks the first time this type of product has evolved from an "emergency" device to an "all-weather" wearable.

For people who often work in hot or changing environments, REON POCKET PRO will be a convenient portable cooling tool. Although it cannot replace the comprehensive cooling feeling brought by air conditioning, it can allow users to get just the right comfort when they need it.

There are many similar products on the market, many of which achieve cooling by directly generating air to blow away body surface temperature. At the same time, many products also have additional cooling plates, such as the REON POCKET series, which is designed to reduce the perceived temperature behind the neck. However, how to avoid direct hot air blowing in hot weather and insufficient operating time of the cooling system obviously depends on the skills of each manufacturer.

Sony's REON POCKET PRO not only provides long-lasting cooling, but also offers a warming effect for cold weather. It can even automatically adjust the temperature in conjunction with the portable sensor REON POCKET TAG, allowing users to maintain a more comfortable body temperature.

But seriously, if you're looking for a more affordable and noticeable way to cool down, I actually recommend soaking a towel or handkerchief and draping it behind your neck. This will help you feel the cool down faster. The only downside is that it will definitely make your clothes wet, and as the temperature continues to rise, the temperature of the towel will quickly rise. However, it is easier to feel the cool down during outdoor activities. For example, I basically wore a hat and a towel as a means of cooling down during the next few days in Penghu.

The positioning of REON POCKET PRO is obviously to allow users to elegantly feel the cooling sensation behind their neck under normal circumstances.

Comparison between Sony REON POCKET 5 and REON POCKET PRO: