Cooling on the hottest days: technology comes to the rescue
High-tech solutions to beat the heat that you can always carry with you
Suffocating heat, increasingly intense heatwaves, cities that turn into open-air ovens in summer. At home and at work, air conditioning – now an absolute necessity – saves us. But what about outside? Consumer electronics come to our rescue with gadgets designed to cope with what has become a real scourge, especially for those living in urban areas.
The simplest – and by far the most economical – solution is the portable mini fan: a gadget that has already won over millions of people around the world and which, in its most advanced versions, features silent brushless motors, temperature sensors and automatic airflow control systems. The premium model in this category is the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan: it weighs just 212 grams, offers up to six hours’ battery life and generates an airflow of up to 25 metres per second thanks to a motor that reaches 65,000 revolutions per minute. Behind it lies the result of 17 years of research into airflow, condensed into an extremely versatile 38-millimetre-diameter cylinder: it can be worn around the neck using the included Neck Dock, placed on a desk with the stand, or held in the hand.
One of the most interesting options is the Torras CooliFY iva, which combines ventilation with a semiconductor cooling system, providing an extra level of relief on the hottest days. There is also no shortage of models on Amazon that feature a water mist function to enhance the cooling effect.
Moving up a tier, both in terms of technology and price, we find wearable neck fans. There are numerous budget options on the market, but the risk of ending up with poor-quality products is high. It is better to opt for models that combine airflow with an active cooling element. This is the case with the Ranvoo Aice Lite Max, which incorporates a semiconductor plate based on the Peltier effect: positioned in direct contact with the neck and nape, it is capable of providing a perceived temperature reduction of up to 20 °C at the point of contact. There is also a rear fan that directs air upwards, creating a sort of cooling bubble around the upper body. The device is adjustable, weighs around 500 grams and promises to remain stable even during light physical activity.
The Torras Coolify Cyber Fold AI follows the same philosophy, featuring a foldable design that halves its footprint when not in use. The real technological breakthrough, however, is the integrated AI chip, which monitors ambient temperature, humidity and the user’s body temperature in real time. Based on these parameters, it automatically adjusts the cooling intensity and ventilation, maintaining a constant level of thermal comfort whilst optimising battery life.
