•Environmental control should address thermal comfort and energy efficiency simultaneously•Optimization algorithm with user sensitivity and PCS effect can save energy•Thermal preference is recommended for personal models and PCS performance evaluation•New technologies minimize user interaction demand to monitor personal variables•New types of PCS maximize mobility through wearable solutions Personal conditioning systems (PCS) enable increased thermal comfort and acceptability conditions in a wider temperature range, resulting in energy savings. Many studies analysed the thermal effect and energy efficiency of these systems, although the association between these two goals in practice is not that simple. In order to identify possible answers to understand what remains to be discussed on this subject, a review of recent publications on PCS was carried out, mainly focused on its implementation in shared office spaces. The reviewed publications shed some light on the use of personal comfort models associated with environmental control for system automation, as well as the development of new technologies that facilitate data acquisition and the proposition of new personal conditioning systems. The application and proposition of wearable systems and the development of textiles for smart clothing is an identified trend seeking greater mobility and flexibility of PCS use, although its integration to environmental management systems is challenging. Thus, this review discloses some questions that should be considered for the implementation of PCS and personal comfort models in real environments, including some insights based on current publications on the subject.