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Five budget buys to keep you cool this summer
If you're suffering with the heat right now, you're not alone. We've found the biggest and best bargains for keeping you cool without breaking the bank.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Jul 3, 2024
With temperatures soaring, it's essential to find effective solutions to keep cool and comfortable during the scorching summer months. However, many will understandably be reluctant to splash out hundreds on a top-of-the-range portable air conditioner or other seasonal buys during a cost of living crisis. That's why we've scoured the Mumsnet Talk forums for the best and cheapest products to help keep you cool this summer.
When it comes to keeping cool indoors, finding the right products can make a noticeable difference to your home. Firstly, a high-quality tower fan or pedestal fan can provide a refreshing breeze; just make sure you opt for powerful but energy-efficient models that won't skyrocket your electricity bill, and make sure you go for a quiet fan if it's for your bedroom. Also consider investing in window coverings like blackout curtains to block out the sun's rays and keep your living spaces cool and shaded - you'll certainly be thankful of them when a heatwave rolls around!
If you're spending time outdoors, there are budget-friendly accessories that can help you stay comfortable in the heat. Portable misting fans or cooling towels can provide instant relief when you're on the move, while lightweight and breathable clothing made from moisture-wicking fabrics can help you stay cool and dry during outdoor activities.
Whether you're out and about or seeking respite at home, these products offer practical and cost-effective ways to stay cool during the sweltering summer days, from as little as £6.
Plus, for more summer inspiration, we've rounded up Mumsnetters' best cooling boxes and favourite cooling pillows to beat the heat this year.
TriPole Handheld Water Misting Fan
Sprays a fine mist of water
3 fan speeds
Foldable
Water tank is a tiny 30ml
Price: £6 | Speeds: 3 | Power source: Rechargeable battery
For some serious cooling while you're in the labour ward or just out and about, a little handheld fan like this one from TriPole is a real godsend to keep in your bag. What's more, it doesn't just provide 3 fan speed settings of cooling air - hold the power button down to release a fine, refreshing mist of water.
The fan folds up to a compact 11 x 13 x 7cm, so it's convenient to keep in your bag or even pocket for use when temperatures rise. While spraying water on a busy train might not be appropriate, it can provide plenty of cooling as a standalone handheld fan.
ITHKY Neck Fan
Handsfree cooling on the go
Bargain price
Available in 3 colours
Looks like headphones
Can be noisy
Price: £14 | Speeds: 3 | Power source: Rechargeable battery
If you're commuting, travelling abroad or working in a hot environment, a wearable neck fan like this one is a great way to keep your neck and face cool and free from sweat. Providing targeted cooling via small openings in the headphone-shaped fan, it gently blows air upwards onto your neck and face.
Having a fan so close to your face does mean it can get noisy, especially on higher speed settings. But as a way to stay continuously cool while keeping your hands free, a neck fan is hard to beat.
YQXCC 2 Pack Cooling Towels
Instantly turn icy cold when wet
Long-lasting coolness
Great for during or after exercise
You do have to re-wet them regularly
Price: £7 for 2 | Size: 120 x 30cm | Fabric: Polyester
These Cooling Towels from YQXCC are designed for convenience and reusability, without the need for any chemicals. Made with a hyper-evaporative breathable mesh material, activating the cooling towel is as simple as soaking it, wringing it out, and snapping it. The unique cooling system draws moisture away from your skin, keeping you refreshed and comfortable without the use of harmful substances. This makes it an eco-friendly choice that can be used repeatedly.
The towel comes with a carrying pouch with a carabiner clip, so you can attach the towel to your sports bag or backpack and pop the damp towel in there without getting anything else wet.
Elegear Cooling Blanket for Night Sweats
Transform your bed for under £40
Made from high-tech fabric
Absorbs body heat
Gets bobbly after a few washes (but still works)
Price: £35 | Size: 3 sizes available | Colours: Grey, beige, blue, green, pink, gradient grey
Designed with advanced Japanese Arc-Chill cool technology fabric, this cooling blanket from Elegear is specially crafted to absorb body heat, instantly reducing skin temperature by 2 to 5°C. It's a great solution for those experiencing night sweats or struggling to sleep in hot conditions.
The blanket is double-sided, with one side made of a special blend of mica nylon and PE cool fabric, providing a cool and breathable surface that is ideal for summer use. The other side is made of 100% cotton, so it is suitable for year-round use.
While you could splash out on a cooling bedding set and mattress topper, these tend to be pricey. We think this cooling blanket is a bargainous way to turn your bed into a cooling oasis.
MIULEE Velvet Thermal Curtains
Useful insulation for both hot and cold weather
Blocks out 70-85% of light
Could help you sleep longer
17 colours to choose from
You need to keep them closed in the day for a cooling effect
Price: from £25 | Size: 12 sizes available | Colours: 17 colours available
With a 70-85% blackout effect, these curtains create a darkened environment that helps to keep the sun's rays at bay and maintain a cooler temperature indoors. They also have the added advantage of reducing noise, ensuring a peaceful and comfortable environment for your family. Whether you want to enjoy a restful night's sleep or create a cool sanctuary during the scorching summer days, these curtains are a great investment and are far cheaper than a lot of room fans.
Machine washable in cold water and suitable for tumble drying and ironing, these curtains are easy to care for as well as useful all year round.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing the products Mumsnetters swear by for 3 years, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.