TL;DR
Bladeless fans, cooling pillows, chilled neck wraps and evaporative coolers are among the products trending during UK heatwaves. Which? and the Energy Saving Trust publish performance and efficiency data. The right choice depends on room size, occupancy and budget.
Bladeless fans, cooling pillows, chilled neck wraps and evaporative coolers see a sales surge during UK heatwaves. Which? and the Energy Saving Trust both publish performance and efficiency comparisons that help households pick the right product for their room size and occupancy.
Bladeless fans and tower fans
Bladeless fans, including Dyson's Air Multiplier range, use a similar air-movement principle to bladed fans. They are easier to clean and tend to be quieter but cost more upfront. Energy use is comparable across both types.
Tower fans take less floor space than pedestal fans and are typically quieter, though they generally move less air per minute. Both types cost under £6 a month to run continuously on the new Ofgem cap.
Cooling pillows and mattress toppers
Cooling pillows use gel inserts or special breathable fabrics to wick heat away from the head. They can be effective for short periods but warm up to body temperature once in use, so they are not a magic solution.
Cooling mattress toppers work on the same principle. Phase-change materials offer the most effective short-term cooling but cost more than gel-only products. Which? testing typically rates models on cooling effect, comfort and durability.
Neck wraps and cooling towels
Chilled neck wraps and towels use evaporative cooling. Soak the wrap in cold water, wring out and place around the neck. Evaporation cools the skin and the blood passing through the neck cools the rest of the body.
Reusable products are available from outdoor and athletic retailers. Disposable cooling wipes work on the same principle for short-term cooling, useful when travelling or commuting in hot weather.
Portable air conditioning and evaporative coolers
Portable air conditioning units remove heat from the room and dump it outside through a hose. They are the most effective cooling option but cost significantly more to run, around £2.16 a day for a typical 1,000-watt unit on the new cap.
Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, use a water reservoir and a fan. They work best in dry heat and add humidity to the room. Their effectiveness drops in humid conditions, which limits use in many UK heatwaves.
What to avoid
Cooling sprays that claim to drop room temperature are essentially perfumed water. They have a brief evaporative effect on skin but no significant impact on room temperature.
Cheap fans without independent safety certification can pose a fire risk and may be poorly balanced, causing noise and early failure. The Office for Product Safety and Standards publishes safety alerts and a product recall register on gov.uk.
Key facts
- Bladeless and tower fans cost under £6 a month at heavy use.
- Cooling pillows use gel or phase-change materials.
- Evaporative coolers work best in dry heat.
- Portable AC costs about £2.16 a day on the new cap.
- Office for Product Safety and Standards lists product recalls.
FAQ
Is a bladeless fan worth the extra money?
Bladeless fans are easier to clean and tend to be quieter than bladed fans, though air movement and energy use are broadly comparable. The upgrade is worth it for households who value those features.
Do cooling pillows actually work?
Gel and phase-change cooling pillows can provide brief cooling effects but warm to body temperature once in use. They help with falling asleep on hot nights rather than maintaining cool temperatures all night.
Is portable air conditioning expensive to run?
Yes. A typical 1,000-watt unit costs about £2.16 a day at typical use, or around £65 over a month on the new Ofgem cap. Fans cost a small fraction of that figure.
Where can I check product safety?
The Office for Product Safety and Standards publishes safety alerts and a product recall register on gov.uk. Which? also publishes independent test data on cooling products.
