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It's a real scorcher, isn't it? A record-breaking heat wave hit millions this week. Many cities, such as Chicago, experienced temperatures in excess of 100 degrees for back-to-back days. It doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon either—it’s been reported by scientists that heat waves are likely becoming more frequent and dire due to climate change.

While there were heat advisory warnings in the Central U.S. earlier this week, the heat continues to make its way over to the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic coast. If you’re in an area with a heat advisory warning, it’s important to stay cool as such a warning means many people are impacted by illness and other serious conditions if they don’t take proper precautions.

You're no doubt desperately searching for ways to keep yourself from melting into a miserable puddle of sweat and shorts. Lucky for you, we're experts at finding ways to beat the heat. So read on if you're looking for ways to have a summer that's cool instead of cruel.

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Sometimes, the best solution is a simple one. Enter: fans. They’re inexpensive and effective.  If you're going with a ceiling fan, we recommend the Honeywell Carnegie Industrial Farmhouse ceiling fan, which is remote-controlled and has beautiful LED lights. Honeywell also has a great tower fan in the HYF290B Quietset, which is affordable and offers great wind speed up close. Finally, the Vornado Pivot Personal air fan is a portable, stylish, and quiet fan with a lot of power for its small size. 

There are times when a fan just won't cut it. When temperatures rise to above 95° F, a fan stops being able to effectively cool you. Worse yet, fans typically don't alleviate humidity. Sometimes it's best to leave the fan in the closet and turn on the A/C.

In terms of window air conditioners, we recommend the GE Profile PHC08LY. The PHC08LY quickly and efficiently lowers a room's temperature and humidity, giving you much-needed relief from the heat. If that wasn't good enough, it's also remarkably quiet.

Get the GE Profile PHC08LY from Amazon for $348

With our bodies being comprised of about 60% water, it's really no surprise that making sure we stay hydrated with a steady supply of H2O is of the utmost importance. It's handy to have a reusable water bottle. We’ve tested many and found the Brita B11 keeps your water cool for up to 24 hours thanks to the stainless steel make and filters out unpleasant tastes.

Get the Brita B11 Premium Filter Water Bottle from Amazon for $53.98

Speaking of water, another great way to cool off is by partaking in the quintessential summer activity—taking a dip in a pool. Many don't have the space nor funds to install a pool in their backyard, but the next best thing is buying an inflatable pool. While inflatable pools get a bad rap as being only for children, there are inflatable pools on the bigger side. Take, for example, the OEVES inflatable pool. While it's not big enough to practice for the Olympics, it is big enough for at least four adults to lounge around in.

If you are looking to invest in a full-time pool, you'll have to choose between an above-ground and an in-ground pool. Already have one? You'll want to clean it before diving in.

Get the OEVES Inflatable Pool from Amazon for $47.99

Breathable clothes are not clothes that have functional lungs (thank goodness), instead referring to clothing in which air flows more easily through the fabric. This helps sweat evaporate and lowers the rate of sweat forming in the first place.

If you're looking for breathable leggings, then we recommend Lululemon’s popular Align leggings. Aligns come in a variety of stylish colors and the brand's Nulu fabric feels wonderfully soft. Paired with Athleta’s Foothill tank top, notable for being able to wear it either long or tied back, you'll be able to exercise without feeling too uncomfortable in the heat.

Perhaps the most fun way to beat the heat is by eating a nice, cold serving of ice cream. Whether you're four or 40, it's hard not to love ice cream (lactose intolerance notwithstanding). You can make ice cream right at home with an ice cream maker on a hot day. The best ice cream maker we've tested was the Cuisinart ICE-21 which is easy to use, affordable and makes enough ice cream for three people at a time.

Get the Cuisinart ICE-21 from Amazon for $69.95

If you have a pet, you'll no doubt be worried about how to best keep them cool in the heat, especially with all that fur. Fortunately, the GreenPetShop Cooling Mat will be able to help your favorite furry friend stay comfortable as temperatures climb. The cooling mat is filled with gel that's activated by pressure, so it's as easy as having your pet lounge on the mat to cool them off. The mats are currently available in three sizes, ranging from small enough for a cat to big enough for a medium-sized dog.

Get the GreenPetShop Cooling Mat from Amazon starting at $29.98

Many of us prefer to have a bit of weight on us when we climb into bed at night—even sheets tend to be too light while foregoing covering completely is out of the question. The issue in the summer is figuring out how to get that weight we love without waking up drenched in sweat. We've researched many ways to stay cool under the sheets and we recommend the Utopia Bedding Premium Summer Cotton Blanket—it’s heavier than a sheet, but remains cool due to its breathable cotton.

Get the Utopia bedding blanket from Amazon starting at $20.99

Speaking of sleep, raise your hand if you've ever woken up in the middle of the night in a sweat to flip your pillow to its cool side...only to repeat the process a few hours later. With Cool Care Technologies' gel pillow pad, you won't have to worry about that again. Powered by the same technology as the pet cooling pad, this is the best reviewed pillow pad on Amazon. Many buyers who haven’t ever been able to get a cool night’s rest love the cooling pad which brings relief from the weather and hot flashes. With the Utopia blanket and Cool Care's pillow pad, we're almost worried you'll be too cool when you go to sleep. Almost.

Get Cool Care Technologies Pillow Cooling Pad from Amazon for $34.98

Many runners swear by the benefits of a cooling towel, which are towels made from synthetic material designed to lower your temperature. While some aren't a fan of the sensation of wet plastic, others appreciate the feel and the relief it brings. Besides, during a hot day, would you rather be wet with cool water or damp with hot sweat?

Get the Chill Pal PVA Cooling Towel from Amazon for $9.98

With temperatures above 100 degrees, it's understandable that you're not too thrilled at the prospect of turning on the oven to make a meal. Fortunately, there are several other appliances you can use to get your grub on without turning the heat up. Some of your best options include air fryers, microwave ovens, and slow cookers. If you’re looking for recipes, then we have seven meal kits that have got you covered.

Need to go outside for work? You might find that the weather is serving as an unwanted oven for your meals. That is, of course, unless you buy a cooler to put them in. We've tested several coolers and found the Stanley Adventure Cooler to be one of the best around, especially when it comes to temperature control. It's durable and keeps your food under 40 degrees for 24 hours.

Get the Stanley Adventure Cooler from Amazon starting at $79.95

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.