Written by Loren Bullock, Lead Product Tester
I’ve tested many neck pillows, but the Cabeau Evolution S3 is definitely among the tallest models. It’s a neck pillow, so I didn’t really expect it to look cute, but the bigger question was whether it was comfortable for sleeping while traveling, right?
The Cabeau Evolution S3 has some cool features that I appreciated while traveling. Some things didn’t work out so nicely, but I wouldn’t necessarily call them drawbacks; they’re just a few things I didn’t enjoy so much. In this article, I will tell you more about my first-hand experience with this unique pillow, including its features, specifications, pros, and cons.
Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
A fresh take on the classic wraparound travel pillow, the Cabeau Evolution S3 supports your head and neck from all sides.
Cabeau Score
4.90 / 5
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, we test pillows first-hand to provide our readers with a genuine understanding of who we think would like the product. We look at different features such as support, comfort, and more. I was fortunate enough to take the Cabeau Evolution S3 on a trip, having the chance to test this while actually traveling for a more authentic review.
For more on our testing methodology, visit our product review process page.
Who Is the Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow Best for?
Pros: Who Might Like the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow:
- People with a taller neck – This is one of the tallest neck pillows out there, so it should provide excellent support for those with a taller neck.
- Frequent travelers – The Cabeau Evolution S3 is a convenient neck pillow with a few useful features. As such, it’s a good opinion for those who travel a lot.
- Budget shoppers – This travel pillow is an affordable model, which is excellent for budget shoppers and those looking for the best value for money.
Cons: Who Might Not Like the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow:
- Those who use headphones – Because this pillow is as tall as it is, I think it might be a little tricky to use with headphones and earbuds. It comes all the way to your ears, so it could be uncomfortable to pair with earbuds.
- Petite sleepers – Petite people, such as myself, might find this neck pillow a little too tall.
- Claustrophobic people – When I first put this neck pillow on, I felt it was really tight and tall. It feels a little too “in my face,” which can be a problem if you’re claustrophobic.
What Is the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow Made Of?
Cover
The Cabeau Evolution S3 neck pillow comes with a 100 percent polyester cover. You can choose between a few colors, which is always a nice quality.
The cover is removable and washable, but make sure to wash on cool settings only. If you’re going to tumble dry it, do so on low as well. It’s important not to bleach or iron the fabric.
Core
The core of this pillow is filled with 100 percent polyurethane memory foam. We often see this material in neck pillows as it offers excellent support and conforms well. It’s unlikely to dent, so you should be able to sleep for hours without having to fluff the filling as you would with loose memory foam cubes.
The filling is not washable, but you can vent it a little to freshen it up after a trip.
Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow Firmness & Feel
Firmness
Like many similar travel pillows, the Cabeau Evolution S3 is on the firmer side. In my experience, neck pillows are typically firmer than regular pillows because they have to support your neck and head upright. Nonetheless, this firmness is rather universal, and I can see it working out for many people.
Feel
Even with the firmer feel, this neck pillow is pretty comfortable. It felt nice around the neck, considering it might have been a little too tall for me. The taller construction gives you more support, that’s for sure. I noticed it does a good job of keeping my head in place since it goes all the way up to my jaw.
Loft
As I pointed out several times, this is a taller pillow. It’s 5 inches tall, and although that might not seem like a lot, you should think about how tall your neck is. I don’t have the longest neck since I’m pretty petite, so this pillow was really on the edge of being too tall for me. That said, the loft size can really do its job, supporting both the neck and head.
Weight (Density of the Pillow)
The Cabeau Evolution S3 neck pillow weighs 11.6 ounces. This might be a little heavier than your regular neck pillow. The memory foam inside is dense and firm, which explains the extra weight.
However, keep in mind that 11 ounces is still lightweight, generally speaking, so carrying this pillow around shouldn’t be an issue.
Sleeping on the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow
This is a comfortable neck pillow that does a good job of keeping your neck and head supported. It’s meant for flying, but I can see it working out in car rides as well. I tested it out for a few hours and was able to get a good sleep, which means it passed the ultimate test.
How comfortable it will be for you depends on how its loft size fits your neck. What I also liked was being able to anchor it to the headrest, so I didn’t have to hold it.
Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow Sizing Options & Pricing
| Size | Dimensions | Price w/o Discount |
| Standard | 9.5″ x 10″ x 5” | $39.99 |
Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
A fresh take on the classic wraparound travel pillow, the Cabeau Evolution S3 supports your head and neck from all sides.
Cabeau Score
4.90 / 5
Sleep Advisor’s Performance Ratings for the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow
Temperature
3/5
I wouldn’t say the Cabeau Evolution S3 feels hot, but it’s also not designed for cooling, which might be an issue if you’re a particularly hot sleeper traveling during hot weather. Memory foam does have a reputation for overheating, though. Luckily, Cabeau has a cooling version of the Evolution neck pillow for those who sleep hot.
Support
5/5
Support is unmatched here, mostly thanks to the taller loft. I really felt it kept my neck and head in place, which is great to avoid hitting your head on the window. The memory foam filling is dense and firm, further promoting good support for the neck and head.
Durability
5/5
I can see this neck pillow lasting a long time, but this also depends on how frequently you use it. The foam filling is unlikely to develop any dents since it keeps coming back into shape after you remove the pillow. The polyester cover looks equally durable, but again, I only tested this pillow for a few hours. That said, I’d still give it a 5 out of 5 here since the foam and cover feel and look quite durable.
Comfort
4/5
I can say the Cabeau Evolution S3 is a comfortable neck pillow, but its height might not work for everyone. As mentioned, it has a taller loft that could be uncomfortable for those with a shorter neck. For me, it felt a little suffocating, which I didn’t love. Nonetheless, I was able to sleep nicely, and that’s what counts.
Off-Gassing
4/5
The Cabeau Evolution S3 might have an odor when you first unpack it. This is because it has memory foam, a material that’s known to off-gas a little. If you notice any odors, don’t worry because those should dissipate within a few hours.
Allergens
1/5
Unless you’re allergic to polyester or memory foam, you shouldn’t have any allergic reactions when sleeping on the Cabeau Evolution S3 neck pillow. However, this pillow has no certifications for the foam in it, which is why I only gave it a 1 out of 5 here.
Cleaning & Care
5/5
Cleaning the Cabeau Evolution S3 neck pillow is easy and quick. The cover is washable, so just throw it in the washing machine on cool settings. You can tumble-dry the cover or leave it outside to dry.
Sleep Trial & Warranty
2/5
This pillow comes with a 1-year warranty and no sleep trial. Since there’s no sleep trial, I gave it a 2 out of 5 here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do travel neck pillows actually work?
Travel pillows can be amazing when you want to nap during your trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re flying or traveling in a train, bus, or car, a travel pillow can make the experience much more comfortable by keeping your head and neck well-supported.
Can you wash the Cabeau neck pillow?
The neck pillow itself is not washable, but the cover is. You can easily remove and wash it in the washing machine, but I would advise against washing the memory foam core.
How do you store a Cabeau neck pillow?
This pillow is easy to fold and pack into a small travel bag. This makes it convenient to carry around when you’re not actually sleeping on it.
How Does the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow Compare to Other Pillows?
Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow vs. Trtl Travel Pillow
Who Should Get the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow?
- Frequent travelers
- People with a taller neck
- Those who want a memory foam travel pillow
Who Should Get the Trtl Travel Pillow?
- Those after a lightweight pillow
- Sleepers who need robust neck support
- Sleepers who want a compact pillow
Check our full review of the Trtl neck pillow review if you think it might be a better choice for you.
Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow vs. BCOZZY Neck Pillow
BCOZZY Neck Pillow
A flexible travel pillow that can be wrapped and bent into cozy shapes that accommodate different sleeping positions.
BCOZZY Score
4.30 / 5
Who Should Get the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow?
- Budget shoppers
- People with neck pain
- Those who want a washable cover
Who Should Get the BCOZZY Neck Pillow?
- Those traveling on long flights
- People interested in a flexible pillow
- People who want color options
Check out our BCOZZY neck pillow review to learn more about this product.
My Final Thoughts on the Cabeau Evolution S3 Pillow
Although I didn’t love the tall design, I can’t complain about its comfort. It felt more comfortable than it looked, I’ll give it that.
There’s plenty to like about this neck pillow, though, starting with anchor straps to attach it to the seat and then the adjustable strap to tighten the pillow around your neck. Oh, and did I mention it has a little pocket for your earphones or a small snack?
The temperature might be a drawback for you if you’re a particularly hot sleeper. I can see it being too much to wear when the weather is hot, in which case it might help to have a few cooling features. Overall, it earned a score of 3.6 out of 5.
Loren Bullock
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Loren is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor. She has prioritized sleeping for as long as she can remember, rarely deviating from seven to nine hours each night.
Combination Sleeper