The Shark gadget celebrities are carrying at Wimbledon to stay cool in the heatwave - and how you can buy
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Rachel Stevens has been spotted using Shark’s ChillPill at Wimbledon, and after testing it through holidays and UK heatwaves, I can see why it’s become this summer’s must-have cooling gadget.
With temperatures climbing again, celebrity guests including Rachel Stevens have been spotted at Wimbledon carrying Shark’s bestselling ChillPill, the portable cooling gadget quickly becoming this summer’s most talked-about accessory.
Designed as a 3-in-1 personal cooling system, the Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 fan combines a high-speed fan, evaporative mist and Shark’s InstaChill cooling technology into one compact handheld device. It can be worn around the neck, carried in-hand or clipped for hands-free use, making it ideal for long days in the sun.
And it’s not just celebrity spectators getting on board. Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka was also seen using the ChillPill during the French Open earlier this summer, helping cement its status as one of the season’s hottest cooling buys.
I’m also among the fans of the device. I tried out the ChillPill shortly afer it launched earlier this year. With the brand’s strong reputation for practical gadgets, I was excited to try and it didn’t let me down.
Earlier this year, before UK temperatures spiked and we started experiencing heatwaves, I packed it for a week in Crete, where daily temperatures hit 30°C. After seven days of frequent use, I can say that the Shark ChillPill felt like a genuine upgrade from any of the personal fans I’d used before. It became one of those products I didn’t leave my hotel room without, whether I was simply relaxing by the pool for the day or going out on an excursion for the day.
The thing that stood out to me is this isn’t a standard handheld fan. It combines a fan, a misting feature and an InstaChill cooling plate in one compact device, giving you a few different ways to cool down.
Shark says it can be used indoors and outdoors, and can provide up to 11 hours of runtime on lower settings. Personally, I found the battery life lasted just fine throughout the day, but I still charged it every evening to ensure that there was maximum power available for the day simply because I knew I wouldn’t have access to a charge point easily.
I rarely found I had to use the fan at its full power of 10, and often used it somewhere between 5 and 7 - but I know I speak as a person who prefers to be warmer rather than cooler so others may prefer to have it on full blast. This wasn’t needed, however, to feel the effects and benefits from my point of view.
The cooling plate was probably the biggest surprise for me because it actually felt noticeably cold against my skin, especially around my neck or wrists, even when it has had been buried in my bag all day. It gave me that quick blast of relief that I needed at times, for example when I was in a tight crowd of other tourists during excurisions and didn’t want to activate my fan at that time. Shark says the cooling plate can reduce skin temperature by up to 9°C on contact and I could definitely feel the difference.
The misting feature is another nice addition. Rather than spraying heavy droplets everywhere, it created a finer mist that felt refreshing without leaving my face or body wet. It reminded me of the large misting fans you sometimes come across abroad outside cafes which provide a very welcoming cooling sensation. But, this one is personal just for you and you can have it whenever you want it.
What I liked most is that the Shark ChillPill like a premium gadget that’s built to last year-after-year rather than an impulse last-minute buy that might only get you through one holiday. The design looks sleek, the controls are simple and it’s easy to carry around with you, but it still feels robust.
Since I returned home it’s certainly been put through its paces with the two heatwaves we have experienced in the UK - and it seems like it’s set to be used frequently over the next few days too as temperatures are soaring for a third time in a matter of weeks. The Shark ChillPill continues to impress.
The only slight drawback I found was that the fan could be a little noisy, especially on the higher settings. It was distracting at times, and I found it drowned out the sound of music I was listening to, for example, but I suppose this is the compromise you must make for high power.
One thing I did find to be slightly disappointing was that the Shark ChillPill doesn’t come with a travel bag. It comes with a pouch to hold the two attachments that are not currently in use and the charge cable, but there’s no bag actually big enough for the fan included. Instead, you can purchase one separately. I do think that an item at this price point which is designed for transportation should come with a travel bag included as I do think it’s necessary not just a nice little addition. However, given the quality of the product I wouldn’t let it put you off buying the Shark ChillPill, it’s just something to be aware of.
If you’re going to a sporting event soon like the famous faces, struggling through heatwaves, going on holiday soon, or you regularly have hot commutes, the Shark ChillPill is one of those gadgets that actually earns space in your bag.
Shop it here on Amazon, with the price starting at £129. Various colours available and price varies according to colour chosen.
* Please note that delivery charges may apply.