When the temperature starts creeping up, you quickly find out which summer products are actually worth having around. From keeping drinks cold and getting through a sticky night to stopping your plants from drying out, we’ve rounded up some of the best gadgets to survive a heatwave and make hot weather that little bit easier.
Electrolytes for Hot Weather Hydration
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things to think about during a heatwave, particularly if you’re exercising, travelling or spending long periods outdoors. Drinking plenty of water is essential, while electrolyte products can be useful for replacing minerals lost through sweating.
Revitalise is an isotonic electrolyte drink mix formulated specifically for women who train. It contains potassium, calcium and magnesium to replace electrolytes lost through sweat, alongside vitamin B12 to help reduce tiredness and fatigue and vitamin B6 to support normal energy-yielding metabolism.
Pure Energy is another isotonic formula, designed to be absorbed at the same rate as the body’s own fluids. It contains sodium, potassium and magnesium to replace electrolytes lost through sweating while providing energy and hydration.
For something more portable, Electro-Lite comes in effervescent tablet form. It contains sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium, alongside zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D and B12. The tablets can be kept in a handbag, gym bag or suitcase and added to water when needed.
With several formats available, these products can be useful for anyone exercising in hot weather, travelling during a heatwave or spending a long day outdoors. Electrolytes should complement regular fluid intake rather than replace drinking enough water.
Available from: Bio Synergy
Splitflask: A Two-Chamber Bottle for Keeping Drinks Cold on the Go
Keeping hydrated is much easier when you have a cold drink readily available, but carrying multiple bottles can be inconvenient when you’re commuting, travelling or spending a day outdoors. Splitflask offers a practical solution with a dual-chamber bottle designed to carry two drinks at the same time.
During a heatwave, one chamber could hold cold water while the other contains an electrolyte drink. Alternatively, you could use one side for water and the other for iced coffee, squash or another chilled drink.
The bottle is particularly suited to summer activities where staying hydrated is important but bag space is limited. It can be used for commuting, gym sessions, travel, festivals, picnics, beach days and long periods spent outside.
Having two drinks in one bottle also means there’s less need to carry several separate containers. That can be useful when you’re heading out for the day and want to keep different drinks available without filling your bag with bottles.
For anyone putting together a heatwave essentials kit, Splitflask is a simple but practical addition. It is particularly useful for people who want to make staying hydrated easier while still having a choice of drinks available throughout the day.
Available from: Splitflask
Bedsure Reversible Cooling Blanket: A Lightweight Alternative for Hot Sleepers
Getting comfortable at night can be one of the biggest problems during a heatwave. Heavy duvets and thick bedding can quickly become too warm, making lightweight and breathable alternatives an appealing choice for hot summer nights.
The Bedsure Reversible Cooling Blanket is designed to provide a cooler sleeping surface when temperatures rise. It uses Bedsure’s advanced cooling fabric, which has a Q-Max rating above 0.4. According to the brand, the material can feel up to 2°C cooler and is up to 10 times more breathable than cotton.
The fabric is designed to help regulate temperature and wick away moisture, making it particularly suited to people who tend to overheat in bed. Its reversible construction also makes it useful in different conditions. One side features the cooling fabric for warmer nights, while the reverse incorporates breathable bamboo fibres for a softer and more temperate feel.
Made from ultra-fine fibres, the blanket is designed to feel smooth and gentle against the skin. Its lightweight construction also makes it practical beyond the bedroom. Use it on the sofa, take it camping or pack it for a summer trip.
For anyone searching for how to sleep during a heatwave, switching to lighter, breathable bedding can be a straightforward way to improve comfort.
Available from: Amazon UK
Levitex Posture Pillow: A Temperature-Friendly Option for Cooler Summer Nights
A hot bedroom can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, particularly if your pillow feels warm and uncomfortable. The Levitex Posture Pillow is made from 100% Levitex foam, an alternative to traditional memory foam that is designed to remain unaffected by changes in temperature.
Memory foam is temperature sensitive, meaning it responds to the temperature of its surroundings and can create a warmer or cooler sensation when you get into bed. Levitex foam is designed differently, making it suitable for use throughout the year and particularly appealing during warmer weather.
The pillow is also designed to support good sleeping posture by helping to keep the head, neck and spine properly aligned throughout the night. It is particularly suited to side and back sleepers and comes in four thicknesses, allowing users to choose a pillow that comfortably fills the space between the ear and shoulder.
Levitex says its foam has been researched by scientists at the University of Salford and the University of Central Lancashire. Its pillows have also been recognised by The Telegraph, Ideal Home and The Independent.
For anyone searching for cooling pillows for hot weather or looking for a more comfortable way to sleep during a heatwave, the Levitex Posture Pillow offers a temperature-friendly alternative to conventional memory foam.
Available from: Levitex
Lechuza Balconera Cottage: A Self-Watering Planter for Hot Weather
A heatwave can be tough on plants, particularly those growing in containers. Balcony planters, window boxes and pots can dry out quickly in hot weather, meaning they often need more frequent watering just when you may have less time to spend on plant care.
Lechuza’s Balconera range is designed to make looking after plants easier with a self-watering system that reduces the need for constant attention. The Balconera Cottage 50 can be attached to a balcony railing, positioned on a windowsill or used as a standalone trough, making it particularly useful for urban gardeners and anyone with limited outdoor space.
The planter features a removable liner and water-level indicator, while a drainage screw helps prevent water from accumulating around the roots. It is UV and frost resistant, so it can remain outside throughout the year. Depending on conditions and the plants being grown, the self-watering system can provide up to 12 weeks between watering.
The planter also comes with Lechuza’s PON mineral potting mix, which provides a drainage layer and helps anchor plants securely.
For anyone heading away during a hot spell, or simply looking for easier plant care, a self-watering planter can help reduce the daily maintenance required to keep balcony plants healthy.
Available from: Lechuza UK
Barbequick Smart BBQ & Oven Thermometer: Taking the Guesswork Out of Summer Barbecues
A heatwave is often the perfect opportunity to get the barbecue going, but cooking outdoors can become tricky when you’re trying to judge whether food is properly cooked while also keeping an eye on the grill. The Barbequick Smart BBQ & Oven Thermometer is designed to make temperature monitoring easier.
The thermometer can monitor the internal temperature of the barbecue while tracking up to four different cuts of meat simultaneously. Two probes are included, with additional probes available separately. The waterproof probe base can remain attached to the barbecue, while the Smart Meter can be detached once cooking is complete.
It can also be used indoors for roasts, bakes and slow cooking. Connecting the thermometer to the ToGrill app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi provides access to guided cooking, preset programmes, real-time alerts and notifications.
There are 12 preset food types and five doneness levels, while cooking history can be exported by email. This means you can monitor the temperature of your food without constantly lifting the barbecue lid or standing over the grill.
For anyone looking for summer barbecue gadgets, the Barbequick Smart BBQ & Oven Thermometer is a useful addition that combines temperature monitoring with app-based controls and alerts.
Available from: Barbequick
Lutec Poppy Solar Bluetooth Speaker & Light Post: Solar Lighting and Audio for Summer Evenings
When temperatures remain high during the day, the garden can become a more appealing place to spend time once the sun goes down. The Lutec Poppy Solar Bluetooth Speaker & Solar Light Post combines outdoor lighting and audio in one product, making it suited to gardens, balconies and outdoor entertaining areas.
The Poppy uses solar and battery technology to provide outdoor lighting without requiring a permanent power connection. Its contemporary design is intended to work across a range of outdoor spaces, while integrated speakers allow users to stream music and radio.
The light can be controlled through the Lutec app, giving users control while relaxing outside. Combining lighting and audio also means less need for separate outdoor gadgets, speakers and cables.
It is designed for use beyond particularly hot days, making it a useful addition to an outdoor space throughout the summer. It could provide background music and lighting for a garden dinner, drinks with friends or a quiet evening outside once temperatures begin to fall.
For anyone looking for summer garden gadgets or ways to make better use of their outdoor space during warm weather, the Lutec Poppy combines two useful features in one product: lighting and music.
Available from: Dusk Lights
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