18 Products to Help You Stay Cool All Summer Long, Inside and Outside

Everything Under $50 You Need to Stay Cool This Summer

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Unpopular opinion: Summer is the worst season. I loathe being hot and sweaty. I burn easily. I sleep hot, so I need at least two fans trained on me at night. I also live in a building without air-conditioning, and it’s often hotter inside than outside. But I refuse to be beaten: After much trial and error, I’ve created an elite cooling system made up of products that are all less than $50 each.

On a serious note, summer heat is no joke — 2024 was the hottest year on record, and 2025 started with the hottest January ever recorded.

Who knows what this year will bring, but in the United States alone, the rate of heat-related deaths has risen more than 50 percent over the past 20 years, from an average of 2,670 per year between 2000 and 2009 to more than 4,000 between 2010 and 2020.

“Heat has a tremendous impact on health,” says Allison Edwards, MD, a board-certified family physician, medical director at Sesame Care, and founder of Kansas City Direct Primary Care in Kansas City, Kansas. “Heat can cause relatively simple, short-lived problems like heat rash and irritability [or] more complex issues like worsening of heart and lung problems.”

It’s always a good idea to be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illness in yourself and others. “The signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness and sweating. [You] may have a headache, feel extremely thirsty and fatigued, and even experience a little confusion,” explains Lauren Hughes, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Bloom Pediatrics in Kansas City, Kansas.

Long before summer starts, I make a plan for super hot days and drag all my cooling doodads out of storage. Keep reading to see what budget-friendly products you can incorporate into your life, so that you can keep cool and carry on this summer.

Fans

Fans to keep cool with
If you don’t have window AC units or central air, your fan game has to be on point in the summertime. Here are a few different types of fans to get your indoor breeze going.
Jisulife portable neck fan

For a Personal Breeze

Jisulife Neck Fan Life 3

A neck fan is a must-have in the summer. This convenient hands-free fan sits around your neck and blows air up and around your neck and head. It’s lightweight, rechargeable, and features five fan speeds. When fully charged via USB-C, it can last up to 16 hours, depending on what speed you use. I wear mine when I’m running errands on hot days, or when I’m hiking and there’s no shade on the trail. I also wear it indoors when I’m cleaning, so that I don’t have to keep moving my box fan from room to room.
Hurricane floor box fan

For a Big Breeze

Hurricane Classic Floor Mount Box Fan

There are all kinds of fancy fans on the market with remote controls, apps, and other bells and whistles, but a simple box fan can still get the job done. Just plug it in and point it wherever you need a breeze. This one is lightweight and features a carry handle so you can move it from room to room. Interesting factoid: Fans don’t actually cool the air; they speed up sweat evaporation, which can help you feel cooler, even if the air temperature stays the same.

Vornado 2 speed personal fan

For Just a Wee Breeze

Vornado Flippi V6 Personal Air Circulator

If you work from home, a desk fan will help you keep cool while you’re pecking away at your computer in 80-degree heat. The Vornado Flippi V6 Personal Air Circulator isn’t too big or too small. It has two speeds, with an adjustable fan head that goes up and down. It has a pretty long cord, so you have quite a bit of leeway when it comes to placement. I run this on days when it’s warm but not hot enough to fire up my power-guzzling portable AC unit.
Momcozy usb rechargable portable cooling fan

For Keeping the Kiddos Cool Too

Momcozy USB Rechargeable Handheld Cooling Fan

This fun, versatile little fan will keep young children cool at home or on the go. It looks like an octopus, with the fan as the head and three flexible arms that you can wrap around anything — a stroller handle, the side of a crib — and you can detach the fan from the arms if you want to set it on a table or desk. You’ll definitely want this on hand in the summer when you’re out and about with a baby, toddler, or older adults who may not be able to communicate that they’re in distress. “Both young children and the elderly can have trouble with heat regulation and aren’t as easily able to compensate with sweating,” says Dr. Edwards.

Beat the Heat Outside

Cooling help for outdoor heat
Everyday Health
When the temperatures rise outside, that doesn’t mean you have to turn into a hermit. With a few choice picks, you can enjoy the sun safely — and stay (relatively) cool.
G4Free UV protection umbrella

The Sun? Don’t Know Her

G4Free UPF 50+ UV Protection Large Travel Umbrella

If you want full protection, then a sun umbrella is the way to go — and I’m not talking about a flimsy little parasol. The G4Free travel umbrella provides SPF 50+ UV protection, with a titanium silver coating on the outside to reflect the sun’s rays and a black interior to absorb the ones bouncing off the ground. It has a convenient auto-open/auto-close button, so you can pop it open and close it with one hand. It’s great to have if you’re watching your kid’s soccer game or sightseeing in the summer. (Oh, and it also works like a regular umbrella, making it a win-win all around.)
khaki-colored hat with drawstring

To Protect Your Whole Head From the Sun

Columbia Bora Bora Booney Sun Hat

When I’m outside, I’m definitely a hat gal. When I’m not wearing ball caps, I’m in a sun hat, because my face burns easily and because my eye doctor told me to. The brim of this hat is 3 inches wide to protect my entire face and neck. The Omni-Shade material features UPF 50 sun protection, which is perfect whether I’m hiking or spending all day at the beach. It has mesh panels to let the breeze in, plus a built-in sweatband. If I’m wearing it on the high seas or on windy days, there’s a chin cord to keep it from flying away.
lululemon fast and free running hat

For the All-Weather Runners

Lululemon Fast and Free Running Hat

I’m definitely not a runner, but I do love wearing running hats when I’m outside in the summer, no matter what I’m doing. The fabric is lightweight, stretchy, and moisture wicking, and there’s a built-in sweatband to keep my forehead dry while I’m walking my dog (and dodging actual runners). The Fast and Free Running Hat comes in six colors and two sizes (S/M and L/XL). It has an adjustable closure in the back, which is ideal if your noggin is between sizes like mine.

For all the real runners out there, check out our guide to warm-weather running gear.

Quince linin short sleeve shirt

For Keepin’ It Breezy

Quince 100% European Linen Short Sleeve Shirt

Quince has a wide range of elegant, expensive-looking linen apparel for women and men, including shorts, pants, and shirts. My favorite top to wear when it’s hot outside is this 100 percent linen short-sleeve shirt. It’s slightly cropped, with a boxy shape that you can dress up or down. I have it in three colors, and I can’t promise I’m not going to get more. It’s lightweight, airy, and goes with everything from cutoff jean shorts to skirts. It comes in 14 colors, including some patterns, in size XS to XL.

Not a fan of linen? That’s cool — just make sure to wear loose, light-colored clothing to help prevent overheating.

Alphacool evaporative cooling vest

For Hard-Core Wearable Cooling

AlphaCool Evaporative Cooling Vest

Does this cooling vest make you look cute? Absolutely not. Will it help keep you cool when you’re outside? Heck, yeah. Sometimes it’s better to be cool than cute, especially if you work outdoors. You activate it the same way you do the Mission headband and towels (described below): Run it under cold water. It’s supposed to keep you cool for 5 to 10 hours, but some users have said that you have to soak it more often for it to last that long. Others popped it in the freezer for a few hours before wearing for an extra cooling effect.
Owala Freesips bottle

The Car Water Bottle

Owala FreeSip 32 oz

Water bottles are like lip balm — you need an inside water bottle, a car water bottle, a hiking water bottle, etc. I like the BruMate Straw Tumbler (see more on that below) for my inside water bottle because it has a handle. For my car, I prefer the Owala FreeSip. It’s insulated stainless steel, with a top handle that folds down when you’re not drinking, an attached pop-up cover (no danger of losing bottle caps with this one), and dual drinking options. You can sip from the built-in straw or chug from the wide mouth. It comes in 24-, 32- and 40-ounce versions — the 24-ouncer is the perfect size for my car’s drink holder. It also comes in 30 (yes, 30!) bright, fun color combos or solids.
The Nobleman cooling cleansing face wipes

For a Post-Workout Cooling Cleanse

The Nobleman Cooling Face + Body Cleansing Wipes

While these cooling wipes are marketed as men’s wipes, they’ll work for anyone. On sweltering days, they do double duty as a cooling and cleansing wipe. The cooling sensation comes from menthol and alcohol, while aloe and eucalyptus help soothe and cleanse your skin after a run or tough workout at the gym.

I keep a packet in my car to wipe my face and neck after an exercise class or when I’m running around town. It’s a great backup to have if you’re out all day and don’t have time to go home and take a cold shower.
Mission cooling tapered headband

When a Hat Is Not Enough

Mission Cooling Headband

The Mission company makes cooling products and apparel for both athletes and regular people, from sun hats and neck gaiters to sunsleeves and underwear. (Fun fact: The company was cofounded by professional athletes Dwyane Wade and Serena Williams.) I love the Mission Cooling Headband because it keeps my hair out of my face and keeps me cool when it’s “activated” by sweat or water. All you have to do is run it under cold water and snap it a few times, and the fabric stays cool for up to two hours. I also have the cooling towel, which comes in 12 colors and patterns.

Beat the Heat Inside

Cooling help for indoor heat
Everyday Health
My charming non-air-conditioned apartment has a distinctly uncharming ability to absorb all the sun’s heat during the day. That’s why in addition to multiple fans, I also have a few tricks up my sleeve to help me cool down when I’m at home.
Mellanni king sheet set

For Hot Summer Nights

Mellanni King Sheets Set

As a hot sleeper, I can say with certainty that there’s nothing worse than tossing and turning on hot bedsheets. While you can buy pricey cooling sheet sets, these breathable and moisture-wicking bedsheets from Mellanni are a great budget option. The set comes with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. They’re available in a wide array of sizes, from twin XL through split king, with extra-deep pocket options. They also come in a whopping 24-plus color options, so you’re sure to find a shade that you like.

Got a bigger budget? Check out the best cooling sheets and cooling pillows for sweaty sleepers.

Brumate Era straw tumbler

For When You Actually Want a Head Freeze

BruMate Era 30 oz Straw Tumbler

Daily hydration is important even when it’s not 1,000 degrees outside. How much water you should drink every day varies, depending on your gender, activity levels, and more, so there’s no universal amount for everyone.

As a baseline, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends 11.5 cups for women and 15.5 for men.

When it’s hot in my apartment, chugging room temperature water from a glass isn’t my jam, so my BruMate Era Straw Tumbler is my partner in hydration. The Era tumbler comes in three sizes: 20, 30, or 40 ounces, and in 24 fun, saturated colors (which vary depending on where you buy it). Having a pretty, eye-catching water bottle sitting on my desk reminds me to drink water throughout the day, and it keeps that water refreshingly ice cold. If you want to know more about how much water to drink, use this hydration calculator.


Pro tip: Check out the 23 best water bottles we tested and recommend.

Floral Dreams pajama set

For Keeping Cool in the Sheets

Uncommon Goods Floral Dreams Pajama Short Set

When it comes to jammies, I prefer sets made from lightweight, breathable materials like cotton. This adorable 100 percent cotton pajama set keeps me cool on balmy summer nights. The shorts (with pockets!) have an elastic waistband and adjustable drawstring for the perfect fit, while the short-sleeve top buttons up the front. They come in three beautiful floral patterns, in sizes S to XXL.

Cooling Tools

Cooling devices to help reduce heat
Everyday Health
When I need immediate heat relief, I reach for my collection of cooling tools that I keep in my freezer all summer long.
SkinGym ice cool cyrogel roller

For a Quick Cooldown

Skin Gym Cryogel Ice Roller

This is a fun one. Ice rollers are beauty tools to help depuff and soothe redness on your face. I keep this Skin Gym Cryogel Ice Roller in the freezer and roll it over all my face, neck, and wrists. It’s immediately cooling and a lot easier than sticking my head in the freezer. The bonus is that you can roll it directly on your skin, because it doesn’t get so cold that it stings or burns on contact. It’s also less messy than ice; there’s no condensation as it warms up, and it actually stays cool for quite awhile.
Sharper Image neck and shoulder heat/cool therapy

For When You Need a Hug, But It’s Too Hot

Sharper Image Neck & Shoulder Aromatherapy Wrap

If you’re a fan of aromatherapy, add this cooling neck and shoulder wrap filled with soothing lavender, chamomile, lemongrass, and peppermint to your cart. This is actually a weighted hot and cold neck and shoulder wrap: You can heat it in the microwave on chilly days or chill it in the freezer for an hour or two when you need to cool down. It features a plush fleece cover, so there’s no risk of freezer burn. It’s basically a cool hug.

Core Products Flex Therapy Pack

When You Need to Get Cool, STAT

Core Products Vinyl Intense Cold Pack

This vinyl cold pack lets you get right to the intense cooling. It’s meant for pain relief from sprains and other minor injuries, but there’s no law saying you can’t use this for relief from summer heat. The exterior is vinyl, so you’ll need to wrap it in a dish towel or other covering to protect your skin. It also stays soft and flexible even when it’s frozen, so you can wrap it around your neck for that sweet, sweet cooling effect.

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Lili Ladaga

Lili Ladaga

Author
Lili Ladaga is a freelance editor on the Marketplace Team at Everyday Health.
Sabrina Rojas Weiss

Sabrina Rojas Weiss

Editor

Sabrina Rojas Weiss has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years, 12 of which she's spent in the health and parenting space. Her work has appeared in Parents, Verywell, Yaho...

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  5. Gillis D et al. The influence of menthol dose on human temperature regulation and perception. Journal of Thermal Biology. August 2020.
  6. Shiekh RA et al. Therapeutic applications of eucalyptus essential oils. Inflammopharmacology. November 2024.
  7. How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day. Cleveland Clinic. October 3, 2024.
  8. Gordon B et al. How Much Water Do You Need? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. June 23, 2022.