Plug in your fans and crank those AC units — the hottest days of the year are here. Because we sadly can't spend every one of them taking refuge at the beach, there are a few cooling essentials our editors have come to rely on to make it through our day-to-day.
To walk you through Amazon's very best cooling products, Shop TODAY contributor Makho Ndlovu stopped by Studio 1A with our favorite finds to beat the heat. From the "freezer dress" we've sworn by for years to discreet accessories that make a big difference, these fashion and beauty hacks will keep you cool all summer long.
Ready to turn the temperature down? Scroll on to shop all of our cooling must-haves.
Amazon cooling products seen on TODAY
Whether you’re gardening, working outside or just need a bit of extra cooling, this $6 accessory will do the trick. The slim, tie-on bandana fits under caps and even hard hats to keep you chill where you need it most. To activate up to four hours of cooling, just run it under water for one minute, the brand instructs.
From the office to errands, a breathable pair of pants is a must-have for summer days. Reviewers say these fashionably cropped ones are cool against the skin and super soft to the touch. Ndlovu suggests styling them with a simple t-shirt and sandals now and reaching for a pair of knee-high boots for extra versatility into the fall and winter.
Create a spa-like experience at home with this cooling gel face set, which you just pop into your fridge or freezer ahead of use. The kit comes with gels in the shape of a full face mask, an upper face mask, two under eye and two over eye pads as well as a case for storage. Ndlovu says the cold therapy can help with puffiness when used for up to 15 minutes at a time.
Don’t let the clever name fool you — you don’t actually need to store this editor-loved dress in the freezer. It’s called the “Freezer Dress” because it features Columbia’s “Omni-Freeze ZERO” fabric, which allows for sweat-activated cooling. It's also got built-in UPF 50 sun protection and is great for travel, since it stays wrinkle-free.
This may look like your average baseball cap, but it has a special cooling feature that you just need a bit of water to activate. The brand says to simply wet the hat, wring it out and wave it through the air to cool the hat by up to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under one minute. Plus, you can reactivate it over and over again to enjoy cold comfort all day.
Meet your new favorite top. These "instant cooling" shirts for men and women come in a number of colors and offer UPF protection.
"These shirts use something called HydroFreeze X technology to help you feel cooler while you’re sweating — like a built-in cooling system," Ndlovu explains. "The fabric is super light, and has a four way stretch so its super comfy to wear."
More cooling products to shop
This spray works double duty, cooling you down instantly and tackling odors for up to 72 hours. The brand says it dries instantly and can be used anywhere you want to freshen up, from pits to chest and beyond.
According to the brand, these wearable patches are made from a natural plant hydrogel ingredient that can stay cool for up to eight hours per use. Customers vouch that they've applied it to the back of the neck, back and forehead for noticeable relief.
These genius towels make the tough task of staying cool a little easier. Just soak a towel, wring it out and snap it in the air to activate. They'll stay chill for up to three hours, the brand vouches.
There's nothing worse than getting caught in a sweltering commute and arriving at your destination totally drenched. This hand-held fan can work for up to 37 hours, so you never have to worry about breaking a sweat on-the-go again.
Need a pick-me-up? Fake the look of eight hours of sleep with these cooling, editor-loved under-eye masks, which can even be popped into the fridge before use for a cold boost that'll leave you feeling more awake instantly.
Unlike some makeup products that can feel heavy on the skin, one Shop TODAY staffer says this 2-in-1 cooling water jelly tint feels refreshing upon application. It adds a hydrating pop of color to cheeks and lips and the brand says it'll deliver over 1,000 applications per stick.
Do you suffer from migraines or tension headaches? One former Shop TODAY intern swears by this cap for relief, which helps to block out sound and light, and can be used hot or cold.
Cooling sheets can make all the difference in getting better sleep, especially in the summer. This option is made from rayon that’s derived from bamboo, so it's breathable and moisture-wicking. Available in 25 colors, these sheets are great for hot sleepers, people in menopause or even kids.
This outdoor and indoor portable fan is tiny but mighty, providing up to 70 feet of quiet cooling coverage and an ultra-fine mist. Whether you use it corded or cordless, it's the ultimate cooling complement to any picnic, beach day, garage, backyard barbecue and more.
Since installing my own Windmill three summers ago, I've inspired countless friends to buy this quiet and aesthetically pleasing window AC unit. Since I can control it from my phone, I love to power it up on my commute home so I always arrive back to a cool apartment (without footing the bill for all-day AC if I'm not around)!
Meet the experts
- Makho Ndlovu is a Shop TODAY contributor and on-air expert.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more finds available on Amazon that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
