Thailand in April is not a mild inconvenience. It’s a full-contact sport. 40°C heat with 80% humidity makes outdoor movement between air-conditioned spaces feel like a tactical operation. So when Sony reached out about their third-generation Reon Pocket Pro Plus, my initial skepticism gave way to genuine curiosity.

I’ve spent three weeks wearing it. The verdict: it’s the first wearable climate device that actually delivers on its promise.

What Is the Reon Pocket Pro Plus?

It’s a neck-worn thermoelectric device that uses the Peltier effect to cool or warm your body. The previous generation worked, but barely — about 3-4°C of cooling that dissipated within minutes of stepping outside.

The Pro Plus claims 20% better cooling and a larger thermal head that makes better contact with your neck. Sony also added “Smart Sense” — an array of sensors that adjust output based on ambient temperature, humidity, and your body movement.

The Tech

At its core: two semiconductor thermoelectric elements, a quiet fan, a 2,600mAh battery, and a body made of a magnesium alloy composite that keeps the unit light (about 190g) without feeling flimsy.

The cooling side: you drape it around your neck with the Peltier modules making contact on the left and right sides. The fan exhausts heat to the outside via small vents.

In Thai Summer Conditions

I tested this in actual Thai conditions — not a climate-controlled lab:

  • Walking from BTS Siam to the office (8 minutes, no shade): Previous Reon would give up within 3 minutes. Pro Plus kept my neck noticeably cooler through the entire walk.
  • Inside air-conditioned spaces: It adjusts and becomes nearly unnoticeable, which is exactly what you want.
  • Moped riding: This is where it matters. The airflow over the device at speed actually helps rather than hurts. I rode 20 minutes in 38°C traffic and arrived without the usual shower feeling.

Battery Life

34 hours claimed, about 28-30 hours in real-world use with mixed active/sleep use. It charges via USB-C in about 90 minutes.

Who Is This For

Not everyone. At 7,500 THB (~$210), it’s a luxury gadget. But if you’re someone who regularly moves between outdoor heat and indoor AC, rides a motorcycle in hot weather, or works in environments without consistent climate control — the math starts making sense.

There really isn’t a serious competitor in this category. Sony’s advantage is the manufacturing quality and the sensor-based smart features.

The Reon Pocket Pro Plus is a device that solves a real problem. It won’t replace an air conditioner. But it makes outdoor movement genuinely more bearable in ways that previous versions and competitors couldn’t.