Reviewed Insider August 2021

It's August, and we all know what that means. It's still hot — maybe even hotter — and everyone is a little more desperate for relief. We're deep enough in the heat that an inflatable pool has upgraded in our minds from "fun but unnecessary" to "absolute necessity."

We'll get back to that pool in a minute, but first, some genuine necessities: breathable masks. Rules about masking are different everywhere and rapidly changing as both vaccination and delta variant infection rates rise. One thing we know for sure, though, is you still need to mask up on planes, trains and buses, at the very least. We recommend these 10 masks if you need to refresh your stash with something summer-friendly.

If you've spent a lot of time in your home a lot lately, maybe you've also spent a lot of sweaty time wondering, "Do I need fans or air conditioning?"  We're with you, so we spent some time weighing the pros and cons. It all comes down to energy usage, energy costs, temperatures and humidity. Here's what you need to know to make the call for yourself.

And while you're at it, you might as well turn your attention to your bedding. The right mattress, pillow or blanket can do a lot to keep you cool.

OK, now back to that pool. This backyard inflatable pool from Amazon can fit the whole family — and it's one sale. If the whole family includes a dog, though, you'll want something a little more claw-proof. These are our seven favorite dog pools (and one splash pad).

Now all you need to complete your home oasis is a great cooler that doesn't break the bank and maybe a high-waisted bathing suit, if you're feeling trendy.

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