Born and raised in sweltering California, I’ve spent over 20 years in the self-proclaimed sunshine state — which has gotten even hotter in recent years as global warming takes its toll. Amid the desert heat, I’ve learned a thing or two about staying cool in hot weather, especially while outdoors away from the cool comfort of a fan or AC.
One hack, I’ll never forget. I was having dinner at a friend’s home even farther inland from my own, and thus even hotter. She had set up our meal outside, to my weariness.
But then: Wrapped around the wooden columns surrounding us was an understated nozzle, which began to lightly spray mist towards us. I immediately began to cool off. It was utterly refreshing, like the feeling of leaning into the produce aisle at the grocery store to steal some of the cool, fine mist from the vegetables.
It made my time in her backyard not just bearable, but actually enjoyable. Reviewers of this popular cooling mister, which has over 4,500 5-star ratings on Amazon, agree, calling it an “essential purchase for summer” and “a godsend.”
“This simple and inexpensive product delighted us,” wrote a reviewer named Karen, who reported using the mister on her deck. “It cools the space down and I cannot imagine not having it.”
“This thing has been a life saver in the horrible heat waves we are dealing with,” wrote another reviewer. It “allowed me to enjoy being outside without roasting to death.” The mister is also impressively sturdy and flexible, they added: “It really does stand up on its own, which I was shocked by, and it can be positioned however you want.” It measures 30 inches fully extended, so there’s ample room to bend and wrap it wherever you like.
Folks noted that their animals love it, too; reviewers reported using it to cool down dogs, horses, cows, chickens, parrots and more. (And, of course, kids!)
The mister comes with two interchangeable heads, each with three nozzles, so you can choose which mist pattern you’re in the mood for. It’s designed to attach to a standard garden hose, and you don’t need to turn your hose up much for results: “All you need is a very tiny, tiny trickle from the faucet to make them mist,” one person recommended.
This single mister is likely best for individual use; it’s also available in packs of two, three and five.
We also rounded up some more cooling mister options to make backyard time more bearable. Check out these picks, below.
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Amazon
A bestselling outdoor misting system with over 8,700 5-star ratings
This home misting system stretches 26 feet and boasts seven mist nozzles, making it ideal for front porches, backyards and more. It comes preassembled and includes a faucet adaptor designed to fit standard hoses.
It’s also available in two larger sizes that stretch 59 feet and 75 feet.
Promising review: “I bought these to line my chicken enclosure for my girls when it gets super hot here in Southern California. We are in the middle of a heat wave and I installed them and turn them on and they were truly incredible. I was really worried that it was going to come out too strong, but it is a really fine mist and even though the girls still freaked out lol it was soft enough for them to not really know where it was coming from. But even better than this, the temperature in the enclosure went down about 6 to 8 degrees immediately when I turned them on. It felt so amazing. I just wanted to stand in the Enclosure all day lol. Just imagine when you’re at a theme park and it’s really hot and you’re in line and you get to the part where the mister is misting you and it feels so amazing?.. Yeah, this is what I’m talking about. I was so impressed that I got another one to line my outdoor patio on Pool days when it’s hot and we want to eat outside but don’t want to bake in the sun. Incredible product!” — J. Valenti
Amazon
A misting kit for fans
Add cooling mist to your fans with this handy kit, which can deliver refreshing mist at a range of 10 feet.
It includes a 16.4 inch misting line with five brass nozzles for dispensing fine, cool mist, plus a galvanized brass adaptor.
Promising review: “This was the most simply install on my fan. It’s offered such a relief for the summer heat and allowed us to sit in the backyard throughout the entire day. Perfect solution and excellent quality!” — Amazon Customer
Amazon
A two-pack of handheld misting fans
Take advantage of cool air and refreshing mist wherever you go with these portable misting fans.
Their blades are designed to be soft and safe for little hands. They each hold seven fluid ounces of water and require two AA batteries (not included). You can even add ice to its container for extra chill.
They’re available in five colors.
Promising review: “So happy I bought these fans. We visited Walt Disney World during a historic heatwave in May. These fans were a life saver. I filled them in our resort kitchen sink and kept them in the fridge until we left for the parks. The cool water and fan helped keep us comfortable even in 106 degree heat. They stored perfectly in the sides of my backpack made for water bottles.” — Lindsay B
Amazon
Or a single-pack foldable electric option
This handheld electric mister powerfully circulates air with its six sturdy blades while delivering refreshing nano mist. You can toggle between three fan speeds and it has a clip-on feature so you can attach it to a desk, treadmill, golf cart, stroller and more.
The fan includes two AA batteries and is also rechargeable. It’s available in various colors and styles.
Note: Clip the 10% off coupon for an added discount at checkout. Save 5% if you purchase two or more.
Promising review: “I work in a warehouse without any ac and in a store with no ac it gets very hot and sweaty. This fan blows so cold and has 3 speeds and the cool mist feature is so good. It’s not enough to get you wet it’s just the right amount of comfortable mist. I couldn’t recommend this more for anyone needing a good blowing fan I’ll be getting some for my coworkers its a lifesaver” — Shea
Amazon
A powerful portable misting fan
This misting fan offers three speeds and two cooling mist modes, plus two light modes that’ll prove useful for nighttime activities. It has a nonslip base for stable sitting and can also be hung from its built-in hook. It’s rechargeable or can be used with battery power.
The fan comes in three colors.
Promising review: “This lightweight rechargeable fan is a life saver for super hot days at the pool. It can be hung from umbrella stays or placed on a table to provide close range ‘air conditioning’. The mister option really puts it on top feature-wise for the price. It has made watching the kids swim meets bearable this summer!” — CHR49
Amazon
A durable outdoor mister
This weatherproof misting fan from Lasko creates especially wide-spread misted airflow thanks to its internal louvers and pivoting head.
It features a built-in handle for easy transport and offers three speeds.
Promising reviews: “Great fan! Powerful. Oscillates! And add the hose for mist! Forget it! It’s over! The best. And portable!!” — Kristine Gutierrez
“I don’t often submit product reviews, but this is a really useful product and thought I should say so. Keeping us cool on our deck in the middle of a heat wave. Quiet for the amount of power it’s putting out, and quiet enough at the top setting not to interfere with conversations. As others have said, it will leave your deck wet. I have it positioned about 15 feet from the sectional sofa area that I’m cooling. The Mist is perfect by the time it gets to the sofa, but the area between the fan and the sofa is wet. Definitely worth it though — cools down the whole area.” — Matthew
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]