10 Essential Things to Help You Surviving Shanghai Winter
Shanghai might not get as cold as its northern neighbors, but in many ways we’re worse off because of it. Very few buildings here have central air or perfect insulation, which means winter is, well, cold as sh*t. If your AC isn’t quite enough to keep you warm, try some of these useful gadgets.
Heating Mat
What: Deli Heating Mat
How Much: RMB 82
Taobao Keyword: 加热桌垫
It keeps your hands warm when you are working or scrolling down your Facebook page for 3 hours in a row while pretending to work. It has 2 levels: high and low, and it's very easy to clean.
Heating Rug
What: Heating Rug
How Much: From RMB 69 – 1,600
Taobao Keyword: 加热脚垫
Heated floors are hard to find (and super expensive), but heated rugs are easy! These rugs come in different sizes, and you can even customize your own. Prices and sizes vary, the smallest and largest are both pictured above, which are RMB 69 and 1,600, respectively.
Heating Hanger
What: Heating Hanger
How Much: From RMB 138
Taobao Keyword: 烘干衣架
It’s always a pain in the ass to dry your laundry on cold rainy days. This heating hanger is foldable and easy to carry around. And it can hold up to 5KG weight.
Feet Warmer
What: Beurer Feet Warmer
How Much: RMB 520
Taobao Keyword: 博雅暖脚宝
Beurer is Germany’s biggest heated blanket company. This Beurer feet warmer has 3 levels of heating mode. For safety, it shuts down by itself every 90 minutes.
Blanket Heater
What: IRIS Blanket Heater
How Much: RMB 499
Taobao Keyword: 暖被机
Sleeping alone? Have no one to warm the bed for you? We can’t solve your relationship problems, but this heater can warm up your bed in 3 minutes, try finding someone who can do THAT.
Towel Warmer
What: Towel Warmer
How Much: RMB 2600
Taobao Keyword: 浴巾加热器
Nothing feels better than a warm, soft towel. To have that, all you need to do is drop your towel or robe in the warmer 10 minutes before you get out of the shower. It’s expensive, we don’t know why it’s so expensive, but it exists.
Cold / Warm Fan
What: Dyson Pure Hot+Cool
How Much: 4190RMB
Taobao Keyword: 戴森冷暖风扇
It’s not just a fan, it can also work as an air purifier. Dyson’s Air Amplifier technology can heat up your whole room quickly and evenly.
Electronic Heater
What: Balmuda SmartHeater
How Much: RMB 3200
Taobao Keyword: 电油汀
This smart heater can be controlled through WIFI on your cell phone. So even when you are not at home, you can turn it on before you arrive. There are also some cheaper options, search “电油汀” on Taobao.
Heating Blanket
What: Nanjiren Heating Blanket
How Much: From RMB 288
Taobao Keyword: 南极人电暖毯
Different from those heating blankets you put under your sheets, these blankets can be used as an actual blanket. You can even get a smaller one to put in the office.
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