With much of the U.S. expected to see air temperatures reach or exceed 90F this week, you might be researching ways to stay cool and hydrated, like wearing lightweight clothing, chugging plenty of fluids and inventing in lifesaving gadgets that’ll cool you down quickly.In fact, experts have a phrase for surviving extreme heat: “Wetter is better.” Because heat escapes our bodies through our biggest organ — our skin — you cool down faster when your skin is wet. That’s why many cooling hacks and products out there are designed to wet your skin, like by using a misting fan, a cooling body spray or by the old classic: drenching your shirt with water.Of course, we know drenching yourself in water isn’t a solution for all situations — especially if you’re looking for ways to stay cool at work on while snoozing at night — which is why we’ve combed the depths of the internet to uncover some potentially lifesaving products to keep you cool when you need it most.From a frozen cooling towel that stays cold for hours, to the fan that you wear around your neck so you can keep your hands free, there are plenty of genius devices at there that’ll keep you cool during the extreme heat. We even found a cooling pet pad for your four-legged friend, because they especially can be susceptible to the heat. Take a look, and don’t forget to stay hydrated during the heat!AmazonThis chilling towel is made from high-quality Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) which absorbs water really well. Once absorbed, the water slowly evaporates to keep you for long stretches. “I play golf in Texas, where it is hotter than the devil’s breath,” wrote one of over 5,000 rave reviewers. “I got this … and it is my new favorite cooling towel. It stayed cool for at least a good two hours before I put some more ice water on it. Even just a little bit of water was able to make it nice and cold again and extremely helpful in the 104° weather. I think I have tried just about every single cooling cloth out there. This one … actually stays cool for hours.” $15 at AmazonAmazonThe Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan gives you that blast of cool air that you need — like when you get back in your car after shopping and it’s turned into a roaster. This handy number also boasts 21 hours of battery life, a backup charger and it’s a flashlight! Nearly 42,000 five-star Amazon shoppers agree this dynamo is one to toss in your tote ASAP. “People, when I tell you that this SAVED me…I’m not kidding!” raved this fan. “I particularly enjoyed that it’s also a flashlight (which I used on more than one occasion) and can charge your phone in a pinch! And it does, indeed, do both of these things really, really well!” $14 at AmazonLiquid I.V.The most important thing you can do on days with extreme heat — besides saying in cooler spaces as much as possible — is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. And staying hydrated is easy with Liquid I.V.’s hydration sachets, which you simply pour into a bottle of glass or water for an electrolyte-loaded drink. Liquid I.V. is formulated with eight vitamins and nutrients, from vitamin C to vitamin B12, that over 80,000 Amazon reviewers swear by to stay hydrated. “Not only are these great hydration packets that tastes good, they work quickly as well,” wrote one reviewer. “I had a situation where I was almost passed out, I put this packet in my water and I felt better within minutes. I prefer these packets over other soft drinks such as Gatorade.” $25 at AmazonThe Green Pet ShopAnimals get hot, overheated and dehydrated just like we do. We can’t forget about our furry friends during extreme heat, which is why this pet cooling pad is a genius idea to keep your best friends cool during the heat. The cooling gel is pressure activated, so no refrigeration or electricity required. Once they lay on the pad, it gets to work cooling them to the touch to provide immediate relief. The cooling gels automatically recharge after 20 minutes of non-use. “It is definitely not the cheapest option, but it is SO worth the money!” wrote a reviewer who owns a Bernese mountain dog. “I’ve laid on it to test it myself and it is incredibly cold for hours and then takes about 10 minutes of no one on it to “reset” and be cold again. If you have a large, hairy, always hot pup I would HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND this product!” Of course, don’t leave it in direct sunlight as it’ll affect the performance of the cooling pad. $60 at AmazonJISULIFEDesigned to be worn around the neck, this battery operated bladeless neck fan provides three speeds of cooling air directly where you need it most on a hot day. The air blasts the back of your neck along your hairline where sweat gathers, instantly cooling you down. The hands-free design means that you can wear it while doing other tasks — like working, cooking, doing yard work, at a ball game and much, much more. And because it’s designed with a low-noise feature, it means that it keeps you cool and free from distractions — you can even carry on a conversation while wearing it without problems. Plus, it’s made of a soft silicone material that won’t rub your skin after a long day of wearing it. At just 9 ounces, it’s lightweight enough to all day, no problem. The battery can last anywhere from 4 to 16 hours — depending on your speed setting, of course. $31 at WalmartEclipseEven if you’re able to stay inside, the heat can still make its way into your home. Whether or not you have an AC, some thermal temperature-regulating curtains like these ones from Eclipse will work to block noise, light and temperature changes throughout your home. Purchase them in white to layer behind your decorative curtains for added thermal regulation. Besides using them on windows, we recommend hanging these over doorways, double doors and French doors to block out as much heat as possible. Plus, for just $13 a panel it’s not hard to see why these curtains are best-sellers on Walmart and have garnered nearly 10,000 reviews. “The sturdy texture of the cutain panel insulates the room very well from the summer heat wave,” wrote one reviewer. “I appreciate the lower utilities!” Keep in mind that they’re sold as single panels, so if you’re hoping to have two you’ll need to purchase them separately. $13 at WalmartOars + AlpsIf you can’t avoid being out in the heat, it’s a good idea to stock up on a cooling body spray. This one from Oars + Alps is designed as an after-sun spray but can be used to hydrate, moisturize and cool down overheated skin. It’s formulated with niacinamide — a dermatologist-recommended ingredient for boosting skin’s complexion and reducing redness — as well as cooling aloe and calming green tea. “This really does provide a nice cooling feeling for after sun days,” wrote one reviewer. “It is a nice moisture without feeling greasy.” Many reviewers say the fragrance is quite masculine and might be too strong for some. $14 at AmazonEmbr We’ll be the first to say that this technology isn’t going tyo get you through record-breaking heat warnings. But if you’re the type of person who suffers everyday from hot flashes and overheating, then this handy device might be a godsend. Have you ever been excessively hot but felt better as soon as you splashed your hands and wrists with cooler water? That’s sort of how the Embr Wave works. It rests against the inside of your wrist where you’re the most susceptible to temperature fluctuations and emits a series of either warm or cool sensations using a compact thermoelectric heat pump,. The waves can last from 5 minutes up to 9 hours to keep you comfortable. The device has a companion app that works on both Android and Apple devices where you can choose your settings and get personalized relief. “I highly recommend for anyone who feels the heat or cold a little too much during the specific seasons,” wrote one reviewer. “It works as advertised. I haven’t yet discovered all the programs as I am hooked on hitting the cool button as all of a sudden our days are getting hotter and hotter. It normalized the body temperature.” $259 at AmazonAllswellIf you’re a hot sleeper, bamboo is — hands down — the best fabric to snooze on for a good night’s sleep. I know because, once upon a time, I used to specialize in selling bedding and sheets at Bed Bath and Beyond. I learned that, because bamboo both a moisture-wicking and naturally breathable material, it makes a perfect bedding material for hot summer nights. These ones from Allswell, Walmart’s own in-house bedding brand, are made entirely of viscose bamboo materials that’s super silky and smooth to the touch, with a satin-like texture. “I loved this bed sheet set from the moment I felt the fabric,” said one five-star reviewer. “I used it as soon as I washed it and it feels great to sleep in. It also feels cool to the touch and as hot sleepers that is heaven.” Each set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillow cases. $62 at WalmartCOMLIFEExperts have one phrase that comes to mind to survive extreme heat: Wetter is better. That’s because heat escapes our bodies through our skin — our biggest organ — so the more skin you can cool down, the better. Using a cooling mist, drenching a shirt in water or using a misting fan like this one are easy ways to cool a lot of your skin down quickly. This misting fan is rechargeable battery operated and foldable, so you can set it up on a table or desk in front of you if and when you need. Though small, it comes with a 25ml water tank and provides up to 13 hours of cooling and 30 minutes of misting. It has three speeds to you can hit your ideal comfort level. Over 8,000 Amazon reviewers say they like it because it’s well made, compact and “keeps you cool.” “This little misting fan is a lifesaver when faced with blazing heat, whether in a delayed plane sitting the tarmac (when they refuse to turn on the AC), the doctor’s office waiting room, when getting in a car waiting for the AC to cool down the interior, or to cool you down when you first enter your hot home, to name a few,” wrote one particularly enthusiastic reviewer. $14 at AmazonAmazonThis little tube is filled with phase change material (PCM) which stays cold for long periods. It’s meant to be frozen and fits comfortably around your neck to give you fast relief from the heat. “Buy three or four — they are amazing for keeping you cooled off even in extreme heat,” urged a gushing fan. “I found that they last about 30 minutes here in Arizona, so I keep an extra couple in my cooler to rotate. They refreeze quickly and stay on your neck even while playing sports.” $22 at AmazonAmazonActivated with water, makers of the Mission Cooling Bucket Hat claim it can cool your body temperature in just 30 seconds. It’s crafted from lightweight fabric with a UPF of 50 in addition to featuring a wide brim to protect your skin from the sun. More than 16,000 Amazon shoppers have given it a five-star rating so far. “I bought this hat for my husband for Father’s Day,” wrote a generous shopper. “Due to the excess heat in our area, I gave it to him early. The cooling feature of this hat is phenomenal! After wetting down the band he can mow the lawn and do yard work while staying cool. I also like the sunscreen feature of the fabric. I would definitely recommend this hat to anyone wanting to stay cool and sun-protected this summer.” $20 at AmazonAmazonThe great outdoors can beckon you for summertime adventures. But sometimes we can overdo it, meaning our achy muscles need to chill, too. The Atsuwell Ice Pack is perfect for just such misadventures! This reviewer exclaimed, “I love this shoulder ice pack. You put it in the refrigerator and when you need it, it’s ready to go. It wraps around your shoulders. Great, I love it.” They love it! $26 at AmazonEvapolarFor those nights when it’s too hot to sleep, but the idea of paying for air conditioning also keeps you up at night, let the Evapolar Portable Air Conditioner chill you out and lull you into a deep sleep. It both cools and dehumidifies the air, has a light-free night mode, and sounds as loud as a whisper. “This little A/C has been a lifesaver!” reported a chill sleeper. “We have been battling a heat wave in Texas. It had been miserable until I bought this portable unit. It is strong enough to cool down a closed room. Quiet enough to sleep through. And it is small and compact enough to put on a nightstand. It can also work as a night light.” $80 at AmazonAmazonThe BedJet is a favorite for sleeping if you don’t have air conditioning. Basically, it’s a tiny, standalone air conditioner with a tube that connects to a special two-layer top sheet. When it’s on, it blows cool air into the sheet so your bed stays at the optimal temperature all night. There’s a remote control to adjust the temperature and airflow the way you like it. (Bonus: it has a heating function for the winter.) “How did I ever live without this?” asked a happy sleeper. “I had been stifled with night sweats for years until my friend told me about this and I finally pulled the trigger. Best money I could’ve spent. My Dr recommended one called esleep that was over $1000 but I didn’t want to spend that much. Seriously now my husband and I just fight over who gets to put their feet closest to the fan. We have a queen size bed and I can literally feel cool sheets all night even in our pillow area.” $489 at Amazon
15 products to help you stay cool in the extreme heat: ‘A li…
