Heat Wave Essentials: What to Buy to Stay Cool
15 Editor-Loved Ways to Beat a Heat Wave, From Ice Cream Makers to Portable Fans
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
I don't want to be dramatic, but this heat? It's really really testing me — and everyone I know. After what felt like endless gray days and unpredictable weather, it seems we've skipped warm summer temperatures and gone straight into a full-blown heat wave. The air feels thick, the streets are sizzling, and whatever cooling systems are supposed to be working . . . aren't doing nearly enough.
If you're lucky enough to be cooling off at the beach or hiding out somewhere with central air, congrats. But for the rest of us walking to work, commuting on stuffy public transit, or simply trying not to melt on the sidewalk, I see you. I am you.
While we can't control the temperature, we've tested our fair share of heat survival products and rounded up the ones that are actually helping us power through these sweaty days. From at-home ice cream makers to handheld fans that don't just blow hot air back in your face, keep reading for our heat-wave must haves.
Our Heat-Wave Must Haves
- To create your own breeze on the go: TriPole Mini Handheld Fan at $8, originally $10
- Protecting your blowout all summer long: Batiste Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo at $10
- No thigh chaffing here: Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick at $10
- When it's too hot to walk to the gym: Popsugar Dual-Sided Sliding Core Exercise Discs at $12
- Sun protection that feels like luxury skin care: Haruharu Centella Calm Cloud Face Sunscreen at $15, originally $18
- The best way to lock in hydration: Laneige Lip Glowy Balm at $15, originally $19
- For binging TV shows in air conditioning: Philo Subscription at $25
- A quick body reset for extra sweaty days: Nécessaire The Body Wipe at $25
- For prioritizing health even in a heat wave: Bloom Nutrition Colostrum & Collagen Peptides at $27, originally $30
- Staying hydrated has never been so easy: Hydro Flask 32 Oz Wide Mouth Bottle With Flex Straw Cap at $38, originally $45
- To maintain your seasonal hair removal: Milan Laser at $45+ per month
- To level up your water: Magna Electrolyte Powder Drink Mix at $50
- To DIY summer sweet treats: Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream Maker at $250
- Night sweats? Never heard of them: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set at $308
- The ultimate cooling and contouring mattress: Glacier Apex Hybrid Euro Pillowtop Mattress at $1,199, originally $1,599
TriPole Mini Handheld Fan ($8, originally $10)
This rechargeable handheld fan has the same capabilities as a traditional freestanding fan (think: adjustable fan speeds and quick cooling capabilities), all condensed into a portable device that you can easily take on the go. Read our TriPole Mini Handheld Fan review for more.
Editor Quote: "Small but mighty, this portable handheld fan packs a seriously powerful punch. The handheld tech gadget works exactly like a normal fan, with different cooling speeds that you can adjust depending on the outside temperature. It boasts a cone-like handle that's easy and comfortable to hold onto, plus an objectively quiet motor that allows you to hold the fan over your face and still easily carry on a conversation without any interference." – Kyley Warren, former assistant shopping editor
Batiste Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo ($10)
Don't let extreme heat ruin your blowout. Instead, prep your hair with this sweat-activated dry shampoo to preserve your style on high-temperature days. Section your strands, spray a heathy layer, and massage the product into the roots for maximum protection.
Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick ($10)
This anti-friction stick has the ability to shield thighs from chafing without greasiness or stickiness. It has a subtle citrusy scent and contains soothing ingredients like aloe, ginger root extract, and chamomile flower extract.
Popsugar Dual-Sided Sliding Core Exercise Discs ($12)
On days where making the walk to the gym seems unimaginable, it might be best to do a quick workout at home. These sliding discs are the perfect tool to help level up basic movements for low-impact strength or core exercises. Plus, they are designed to move on carpet or wood floors, meaning you can turn any room in your house into a mini studio.
Haruharu Centella Calm Cloud Face Sunscreen ($15, originally $18)
Sunscreen should be part of your everyday routine, but it becomes a nonnegotiable at the peak of summer. This face sunscreen delivers SPF 60 protection but feels like a luxurious lightweight serum (aka the skin-care dream), so chances are you might even look forward to applying it on the daily.
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm ($15, originally $19)
This is one of my personal favorite lip balms to use in both hot and cold weather. It keeps my lips hydrated thanks to its formula packed with murumuru and shea butters. It comes in five scents and is free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, which is definitely a plus. Read our Laneige Lip Glowy Balm review for more.
Editor Quote: "What's nice about the lip balm is that it has a similar consistency to the fan-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask — the brand's creamy overnight lip treatment — but slightly thinner and therefore better suited to wear throughout the day. Plus, the tube applicator makes it easy to swipe on when on the go, and it fits easily inside a purse or a pocket." – Kelsey Garcia, lifestyle director
Philo Subscription ($25)
Sometimes it gets so hot outside that the only option is to stay inside and binge your favorite shows in the comfort of air conditioning. Philo offers a large selection of free channels, and for the month of August — literally, $0 for the whole month! — that will include episodes from my personal favorite reality TV shows. If you want to level up your selection after enjoying the month of August free, you can opt for a subscription for just $25, which includes over 70 live channels and thousands of movies.
Nécessaire The Body Wipe ($25)
There's nothing more humbling than leaving your house feeling fresh and arriving at your destination dripping in sweat (with the smelly B.O. to show for it). Stash these single-packet body wipes in your bag for a quick reset on the go. Thanks to power ingredients like eucalyptus and niacinamide, it will help eliminate odor and grime on the spot.
Bloom Nutrition Colostrum & Collagen Peptides ($27, originally $30)
This unflavored powder supports gut health, immunity, and skin from the inside out, making it a great addition to your daily routine during the hotter months. With colostrum, collagen, and probiotics, it mixes easily into drinks and gives your body an extra boost when it needs it most.
Hydro Flask 32 Oz Wide Mouth Bottle With Flex Straw Cap ($38, originally $45)
During hot weeks, we all need to make an extra effort to drink more water, and this Hydro Flask water bottle is the way to go. Since I got this water bottle, for the first time in my life, I feel motivated to drink water. The second I notice the water level getting low, I want to fill it up again. Maybe it's the size (I have the 32 fluid ounce) or maybe it's the cute design, but either way, it's working. Read our Hydro Flask 32 Oz Wide Mouth Bottle With Flex Straw Cap review for more.
Editor Quote: "It keeps my water cold — like, really cold. Hydro Flask promises 24-hour insulation, and I was honestly impressed. No weird metallic taste either (which I hate). I know it sounds dramatic, but I'll die on the hill that every water tastes different, and I'm not drinking out of anything that ruins that." – Balim Tezel, PS contributor
Milan Laser ($45 and up per month)
Laser hair removal is widely loved for its longterm effects and little upkeep, which is perfect for the summer when we're wearing less clothing. However, many people assume that they have to pause their treatments in the summer when in reality all it takes is a little planning. Simply make sure to wear SPF and cover any treatment areas from direct sunlight before and after an appointment. Looking for a new treatment pack? Milan Laser is known for having one of the best Ultimate Packages, including a lifetime guarantee and free touch-ups for life.
Magna Electrolyte Powder Drink Mix ($50)
In this kind of heat, staying hydrated takes more than just water. This electrolyte mix infused with sodium and potassium helps your body retain hydration, whether you're starting your morning or recovering after a long day.
Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream Maker ($250)
If you need a little midday snack to help you cool down, this ice cream maker might become your best friend. This machine comes with a total of seven features designed for ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, light ice cream, mix-ins, gelato, and smoothie bowls. Plus, all of the machine's accompanying parts are dishwasher-safe. Read our Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream Maker review for more.
Editor Quote: "Not to be overly dramatic, but I couldn't stop smiling after diving into this ice cream. While I believed this ice cream maker would meet my expectations based on the five-star ratings, it truly exceeded them — and I'm convinced it will do the same for you, too." – Marisa Petrarca, former contributing shopping editor
Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set ($308)
Thanks to how good these feel — both from a cooling and softness perspective — they are absolutely our favorite to sleep in. Read our Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set review for more.
Editor Quote: "First off, these sheets are unbelievably soft. They have a silky sheen and a smooth, cozy, and feather-light feel all at once. They're made from 100 percent premium viscose from bamboo fabric, which is a naturally breathable and moisture-wicking material, and you can feel the difference. I've slept in crisp cotton percale sheets from luxury bedding brands that have certainly felt cool but lack the buttery softness of these sheets. They almost feel like a synthetic material, but without the heat-trapping, sweat-inducing qualities of those fabrics." – Angela Elias, former contributing shopping editor
Glacier Apex Hybrid Euro Pillowtop Mattress ($1,199, originally $1,599)
This mattress promises enhanced cooling thanks to copper foam and cooling fibers that draw heat away from the body. It's a bit of a splurge, but it's currently discounted, so if you're looking to sleep cooler, now might be the time to invest. Read our Glacier Apex Hybrid Euro Pillowtop Mattress review for more.
Editor Quote: "First things first, the cooling technology actually worked to keep me from sweating through my sheets. It's made with breathable materials — like the gTECH® Elite Cooling Cover — that regulate your temperature throughout the night. Imagine my surprise when I didn't wake up in the wee hours with the urgent need to turn on my AC, open my window a crack, or throw all my bedding on the floor." – Jessica Andrews, senior style director
— Additional reporting by Adelaide Giesey
Balim Tezel (she/her) is a PS contributor and the founder of Maison des Nus, a New York-based affordable luxury brand. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Adelaide Giesey (she/her) is a shopping writer at Popsugar. With over seven years of industry experience, she is an expert in all things beauty and enjoys writing across fashion and lifestyle categories. Prior to PS, she helped shape the beauty verticals at Byrdie, Coveteur, and InStyle.
