I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who sleep on planes and wake up at their destination feeling rested, but it’s never come naturally. I’ve tried neck pillows in the past, usually the flimsy ones you grab from an airport gift shop, but they’ve never done much except give me something else to carry. Ahead of a recent trip to New York I decided to invest in something that would help make the seven hour flight more comfortable.
I only wanted to spend around £20, seeing as I wouldn’t be using it that often, but was looking for something with good reviews. After falling down a late-night rabbit hole of TikToks, reviews and Amazon bestsellers, I finally landed on the Flowzoom Dream, which — at the time of writing — is on offer for £17.99 (down from £25.99) on Amazon.
It had thousands of positive reviews and while it was a typical U-shape, it looked to have firmer, raised ergonomic padding than many I’ve seen. It also claims its flat back can help to maintain a healthy spine posture and give neck & chin support.
When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. It was very compact in its case but when unrolled it was really chunky and very firm. The sides are higher than other neck pillows I looked at and once on and with the chin strap tightened, my head felt very supported. It felt soft to the touch, but firm, flexible, and actually quite smart-looking. The memory foam moulded nicely around my neck without feeling too tight, and the adjustable strap made it feel secure without being restrictive.
Fast forward to the flight and by some miracle we got upgraded to Premium Economy (hello, free drinks), and while the chairs and space around them were definitely more deluxe, I was still pleased I’d brought my neck pillow. The fabric was softer than expected, and it stayed cool even after wearing it for an hour or two at a time. One reviewer said they used it on a 10-hour flight to Singapore and slept “like a baby” — and while I wouldn’t go quite that far, I did manage a solid two hour’s nap somewhere over the Atlantic. And what’s more, I didn’t wake up with a crick in my neck as the strap kept my neck straight and didn’t let it roll forward.
The pillow was also incredibly easy to carry. It squashes down into its pouch and easily fits inside a tote or backpack, meaning I didn’t have to wear it around my neck. Some users online did mention that it’s not the firmest option, especially if you like to lean hard against the window, but for anyone who just needs decent support it was great.
I’d say this pillow is best suited to casual travellers, commuters, or anyone flying in economy who wants something light and functional that won’t take up much space. If you’re after hardcore structural support or something for daily use on long coach journeys, you might want to look at higher-end options.