Sony’s Reon Pocket Pro Plus is a personal cooling and warming device, but its useful role is narrower than the phrase “wearable air conditioner” suggests. The unit sits at the base of the neck and changes the temperature of a contact plate against the wearer’s skin. That can make a commute or an office feel more comfortable without cooling the surrounding room.

The distinction matters because the device is designed around a small contact area. Sony says the flagship model uses a revised thermal design and an updated cooling algorithm. In Smart Cool mode, the company says the cooling plate can reach a surface temperature up to 2 degrees Celsius lower than the previous model’s result under its stated test conditions. The company also claims up to 20 percent higher cooling performance than the earlier Reon Pocket Pro.

Those figures describe the plate and Sony’s comparison method. They do not mean the wearer’s core temperature drops by the same amount, and they are not a substitute for shade, water or medical care in dangerous heat. Sony’s own support guidance says warm air can come from the exhaust during cooling, depending on the surrounding temperature. The company advises using suitable clothing, changing the cooling level or stopping use when that becomes a concern.

Fit is another part of the product’s performance. The included Adaptive Hold Design neckband is intended to keep the unit against the body while the wearer walks. Sony says its holding force is about 40 percent higher than the conventional neckband in the company’s internal measurement. The package also includes adjustable vent covers, so the exhaust can be positioned for different collars and shirts.

Control is split between the hardware and a phone. The device has buttons for power, mode and temperature, while the Reon Pocket app provides remote control and automatic settings. Sony’s Smart Cool mode uses sensors and the optional Reon Pocket Tag 2 to estimate the user’s situation and the temperature and humidity around them. The tag can be attached to a bag or belt instead of sitting on the neck unit.

Battery life changes with the selected level. Sony lists about 34 hours at Cool level 1, 10 hours at level 4 and 5.5 hours at level 5. Its product page lists about 200 minutes for a full charge, with roughly 120 minutes reaching 80 percent. Tom’s Guide also found that high settings and warming use reduce the practical runtime, a reminder that the longest figure is not the number every user will see.

The device supports both cooling and warming, Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy and phones running iOS 16 or later or Android 9 or later. Sony lists an operating range of 5 to 40 degrees Celsius. The company’s US support page says continuous operation can pause after eight hours in cooling mode and one hour in warming mode, so users should check the behavior of their specific region and software version.

Sony launched the Reon Pocket Pro Plus in the UK and Europe at a suggested price of £199 or €229. Tom’s Guide reported planned US availability for summer 2026, and Sony’s US support material now covers the model. Availability, warranty terms and app support can differ by market. The product makes the most sense for people who want targeted, hands-free comfort and understand the limits of a small thermal plate; it is not a whole-room climate system.