I’ve tried inflatable pillows that went flat by the time I woke up, U-shaped pillows that took up half my carry-on, and rolled-up jumpers that left me with a stiff neck. The portable memory foam pillow sits somewhere in the middle – it’s not perfect, but it works better than most alternatives for economy-class sleeping.
This is a standard U-shaped neck pillow with memory foam filling instead of microbeads or air. The cover is removable and washable. It compresses into a travel bag for packing.
How It Performs
Comfort
Memory foam moulds to your neck shape, which sounds like marketing speak until you compare it to cheaper pillows that don’t. The support is firmer than an inflatable but softer than rigid neck pillows. After about 10 minutes, the foam warms up and conforms to your neck position.
The velvet cover is soft against skin. Important if you’re sleeping against it for hours.
Support
The pillow prevents your head from flopping sideways when you doze off. That’s its main job, and it does it reasonably well. It won’t stop your head from dropping forward if you sleep deeply – no U-shaped pillow does – but it reduces the sideways loll that causes neck pain.
If you’re a side sleeper who leans against the window, this works better than leaning without support.
Packability
Here’s the trade-off with memory foam: it’s bulkier than inflatable options. The included bag compresses it to about 1/3 size, but you’re still looking at something roughly the size of a small cantaloupe. Not huge, but not pocket-sized either.
It clips to a bag strap, which helps.
Durability
Memory foam holds up well over time. The pillow I’ve been using for 18 months still returns to shape after compression. The cover has survived multiple machine washes without issues.
Pros
- Genuinely supportive memory foam (not the cheap imitation)
- Removable, washable cover
- Good temperature regulation (velvet doesn’t get too hot)
- Clips to luggage
- Reasonably priced (£15-25)
Cons
- Bulkier than inflatable options
- Takes a minute to expand fully after unpacking
- Not adjustable (the firmness is what it is)
- Doesn’t prevent forward head drop
Who Should Buy It
This pillow works well for:
- Economy flyers on long-haul routes
- People who wake up with neck pain after flights
- Those who find inflatables uncomfortable or unreliable
- Window-seat sleepers who lean sideways
It’s less suitable for:
- Minimalist packers (an inflatable is smaller)
- Those who prefer very soft or very firm support
- Business class passengers (you have better pillows already)
Compared to Alternatives
vs Inflatable pillows: More comfortable and supportive, but bulkier. Inflatables pack smaller but often deflate during sleep or feel too firm.
vs The Trtl Pillow: The Trtl is smaller and supports the head differently (from underneath). Better for upright sleeping; this traditional pillow is better for window-leaning.
vs The SNUGL: Similar memory foam design. The SNUGL has a slightly different shape. Try both if you can – fit varies by neck size.
vs Rolled-up clothing: Clothing is free and packs into itself, but doesn’t provide actual neck support. A proper pillow is worth the space.
Verdict
The portable memory foam pillow does what it promises: provides comfortable neck support that’s more reliable than inflatable alternatives. It’s not revolutionary, and it takes up more space than I’d like, but it’s earned a permanent place in my carry-on bag.
For the price point (£15-25), it’s worth trying. If you’ve struggled with neck pain after flights, this is a straightforward fix.
