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The 10 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Sleep and relax comfortably on the go with these top travel pillows

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Other Pillows We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Sitting upright for hours on end or sleeping on unfamiliar pillows can be incredibly uncomfortable, but a reliable travel pillow can make your trip a lot more tolerable. Whether embarking on a red-eye flight, hitting the road on a long car trip, or looking to get a good night's sleep in your hotel room, the best travel pillows will be comfy, supportive, and portable. 

We tested more than 40 travel pillows, looking at traits like comfort, durability, portability, and quality. We narrowed down the best options while using the accessory for road trips, long-haul flights, train rides, and even sleeping at home, making sure each option was comfortable for extended use. We also brought a few options into our Travel + Leisure lab to get a direct comparison, testing them out on our airplane set. After catching some of the best Z's, we rounded up pillow choices for different types of travelers who are looking to get more rest on their future trips.

Best Overall

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow.

The pillow has an asymmetrical design that can accommodate various neck, chin, and head support preferences.

It might warm your neck if you run hot while sleeping.

The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow feels like sleeping on a cloud. This travel pillow provided the perfect amount of neck support and comfort when we took it on a flight, allowing us to get more rest than usual. The plush memory foam filling and asymmetric design can be easily adjusted to support the neck, chin, or head with the taller or shorter sides. Although the memory foam is soft and compressible, it felt more supportive than any other pillow we tried. The materials appear high-quality and luxurious, and it is easy to roll the pillow up to fit inside its compact drawstring sack. We found it a little tricky to roll up at first, but once we nailed the technique, we were impressed with how small it became — ideal for those who don't want a pillow to take up too much luggage space.

The pillow held its shape after being in the bag for long periods of time, which leads us to believe that it will hold up well with prolonged use. The pillow cover is removable and machine washable, but we air dried it to ensure it didn’t shrink (and had no issues putting it back on the pillow). A must-have for those with higher budgets, this pillow allows for better sleep and more comfort on flights.

The Details: Viscosa, memory foam | 10.5 x 9.5 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Most Comfortable

Cabeau tne s3 travel pillow.

The cozy but firm material and innovative chin strap keep you from bobbing your head while sleeping.

It can feel stiff at first and takes some getting used to.

This soft and supportive travel pillow is the perfect accessory for long trips, whether you're in the car or in the air. The pillow itself can attach to any headrest with adjustable straps to prevent your head from sagging or falling into uncomfortable positions while sleeping. There's also an adjustable chin strap for added comfort and security — a feature that really sealed the deal for us during testing. The interior of the pillow feels like memory foam, which offers the ideal balance of support and coziness. The pillow's exterior fabric is soft yet breathable so you don't feel too hot or constricted, though it can take some time to find your perfect position.

We also love that the pillow cover is machine washable. We tested this pillow on a long international trip where it really got tossed around on planes, trains, and buses, so it felt great to wash the cover at the end of the trip, making it feel as good as new. Despite its fairly large size, the pillow is also quite portable as it rolls up into a compact carrying case that you can attach to a bag's exterior or slip into larger backpacks and totes.

The Details:  Polyester, microsuede, foam   | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Infinity-style

Infinity pillow travel pillow.

The modular design of the pillow makes it easy to use to support the neck, chin, or back while sitting.

The cushioning is fairly soft, so the support isn't as stiff as memory foam.

Most travel pillows come in one shape and size, so we love that you can contort this one in various ways to fit your needs. At nearly 40 inches long, the infinity design (yes, like the scarves worn in the early 2000s) can be wrapped once for less support or twice for the type of neck support found in traditional C-shaped pillows. We used the pillow during an all-day road trip and loved that we could wear it around the neck with a looser or tighter fit depending on how much neck support we wanted. We did find that it was still a little too big for us after looping it twice, so users with smaller necks may not get the support they're looking for. That being said, it can be used in many different ways to make sleeping on planes, trains, and cars more comfortable, so minimal support as a traditional neck pillow isn't necessarily a deal-breaker.

We also found that it's much easier to travel with the pillow since the closed ring shape makes it easy to wear around the neck instead of having to pack it away or risk it falling off. The bamboo fabric is extremely soft and breathable, so we never felt overheated or constricted, and the pillow is machine washable for easy upkeep after a trip. We should also note that it took up a lot of space in our luggage, but it may be worth packing a little lighter to be that much more comfortable while traveling. It also comes in a whopping 10 colors.

The Details: Bamboo, nylon | 39.3 x 6.6 inches | Machine washable

Travel + Leisure / Paige VandeWiele

Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow

It’s supportive and firm without feeling too stiff. 

This would be best for travelers who know they prefer a firm travel pillow.

We love the comfortable and supportive Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow for travelers who like a firmer neck pillow. The buckle strap adjusts accordingly to fit around your neck and offers 360-degree support on the chin, jaw, and back. We loved how you can lean back in the car or plane, and the back of the neck doesn't fall backward. In addition to having exceptional support, the Aeris travel pillow folds into a small ball and easily fits into the included circular carrying case that you can clip onto a backpack or suitcase without being a noticeable nuisance. The travel pillow also comes with earplugs and an eye mask, and features a frontal slip pocket that you can store them in. After a trip, you can unzip and remove the carrying case to machine wash it, although we recommend air drying it to prevent any possibility of shrinkage.

The Details: Velour, polyester, memory foam | 11.81 x 11.42 x 3.54 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Best Hooded

Pluto pillow pod.

It boasts a cozy hood and built-in eye mask for total darkness even on bright flights.

It's one of the pricer options on this list.

Like the black-out curtains of travel pillows, this option comes with a hood and an eye mask that shields your eyes from any light, which is incredibly useful when you're trying to get some shut-eye on a busy flight. It has a soft neck brace that wraps around the neck with light support, and the hood goes on like a regular hoodie with a drop-down eye mask. Once our head was fully cocooned in the hooded pillow, we found that it was a game changer for travelers who have a hard time falling asleep with light or ambient noise around since it muffles sounds and blocks rays.

While the space-helmet-like shape looks quite different from other travel pillows on the market, it's still easy to put on and offers excellent portability. Plus, this newer model features an easy way to clip the pillow to a backpack or luggage handle. One thing to note is that the price point is quite high compared to other pillows on the market, but the unique design and high-quality fabric and construction make it worth it for those with higher budgets.

The Details: Alcantara fabric, WPS mesh | 12 x 6 x 4 inches (folded) | Machine washable

Travel + Leisure / Dera Burreson

Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow

The silk material is gentle on skin and hair while traveling.

This pillow is 12 by 16 inches, so make sure you have plenty of room to pack it.

For those who love sleeping on silk pillowcases at home, this mini version for travel is an absolute must. Yes, it can be pricey to buy silk travel accessories, but it's also expensive to ruin a blowout and have to find a salon on vacation (and there's no price to be put on fresh, clean skin). This silk pillow is smaller than a standard pillow at 12 inches wide and 16 inches long, but you can still use it in a hotel bed, and it's perfect for trains, planes, and cars — just make sure you have the space in your personal item bag . After using this pillow for multiple long trips, it still shows no signs of loose stitches, fraying, or pilling. Rather, the pillow feels like it will last without ever going limp or flat.

The Details: Mulberry silk, cotton sateen, polyester | 12 x 6 inches

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

TripSavvy / Morgan Ashley Parker

Best Adjustability

Buyue travel neck pillow.

You can swivel it around to support any part of your head.

It comes with a drawstring bag to stuff it in, but the pillow still takes up a good chunk of space in a backpack.

With thick cushioning on one side of the pillow, the unique design of this travel pillow makes it easy to get comfortable in a small space where there isn't much wiggle room. No matter which way your head tilts when you sleep, you can adjust this pillow with the largest part of cushioning rotated to support the side or back of your head, or you can turn it to the front to prevent your chin from tipping forward or bobbing around. After testing the pillow on both road trips and long flights, we found that the fabric is breathable and soft for resting your head on, and we love that the cover comes off to toss it in the wash. Because of the thicker side of the pillow, it does take up a bit more space in a backpack, but it does come with a drawstring bag if you prefer to carry it outside of your luggage.

The Details: Polyester, spandex | 8 x 8 x 8 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Ava Wegner

Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow

It has a modular design to shift from a U-shape to a rectangular pillow, offering versatility at an affordable price.

The neck pillow might not offer enough support for some since it's on the softer side.

This microbead pillow from Samsonite can be used as a neck pillow if you're sitting upright or you can shift it into a rectangular pillow for leaning against a window or laying on a tray table. The handy two-in-one design already gets bonus points for versatility, but the budget-friendly price makes it all the more better. In testing, it was an effortless process to switch from the U-shape to the rectangle shape by flipping the pillow inside out. Made with polyester and microfiber beads, this pillow is shockingly lightweight and feels nearly weightless to carry around an airport. Because the pillow is on the softer side with the microfiber beads, we discovered it's not as supportive as a memory foam pillow, but it still offered enough support to prevent the neck from uncomfortably craning too far to one side.

The Details: Polyester | 12.25 x 11.75 x 4 inches | Hand wash

Travel + Leisure / Anita Rutz

Best Splurge

Purple harmony anywhere pillow.

This supportive pillow is comfortable enough to sleep on at night and would make any hotel stay feel more luxurious.

At over three pounds, it's quite heavy but feels weightless if you attach the strap to a backpack.

If you're looking for a travel pillow that is just as comfortable — if not more so — than your pillows at home, then this luxurious one from Purple is the one for you. It's a miniature version of the brand's best-selling Harmony pillow, and it boasts the same cooling gel and bouncy, neck-supporting feel as the larger version. During testing, we found this pillow to be noticeably cooling, breathable, and moisture-wicking, which can come in handy for camping. We wouldn't use this pillow during flights because of the plush, rectangular shape that wouldn't work well when sitting upright, but it would be ideal when you're laying flat, like in a hotel room.

It comes with a machine-washable pillow cover, and there is a travel case sold separately . Because this is one of the priciest pillows on this list, we do wish the travel case was included, but we do think it's worth adding on for its carrying straps and compression features. The pillow feels quite heavy on its own, but when you attach the strap to a backpack, it feels weightless to carry. You can also compress the pillow in half if you have the travel case, making it much more portable. Although this is a splurge for a travel pillow, we think it's worth the investment for travelers in search of a comfortable pillow with luxe features like a breathable honeycomb design, a moisure-wicking cover, and strong neck support.

The Details: Talalay latex, knit | 16 x 13 x 6 inches | Machine washable

Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Best Breathable

Sleep number travel pillow.

The memory foam filling and synthetic fiber exterior let air pass through for superior breathability.

The pillow is large and was cumbersome to carry, especially for light packers.

It can get hot and stuffy on an airplane, so we love that the synthetic materials used to create this Sleep Number travel pillow are light and airy. The memory foam filling is bouncy and lightweight, and the soft fabric pillowcase is cooling enough to prevent overheating while sleeping in a plane, car, or train. Along with an airplane footrest , it could make a flight more comfortable. We used the pillow on a long-haul flight to Ireland and found it was ideal for leaning your head against the window or on the tray table since the pillow is on the larger side. While the size offers extra cushioning and support like a regular pillow, it did make it slightly annoying to carry through crowded airports since it doesn't come with a compact carrying case. However, it does come with a drawstring bag to carry it separately or you can use the clasp to attach it to backpacks, suitcases, or other luggage.

The Details: Lyocell blend, memory foam | 17 x 12 inches | Machine-washable cover | Carrying case included

Travel + Leisure / Emily Johnson

Other Travel Pillows We Liked

Some travel pillows we tested almost made the cut but didn’t due to a few weaknesses, though they still might make suitable options for some travelers.

Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow : While the memory foam is the perfect balance of firm and soft, we found this pillow to be just a bit too bulky for frequent travel.

Travel + Leisure / Daniela Galvez

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow : If you’re not a fan of the typical U-shaped travel pillow, this one is a good alternative. But because of its design, it offers no neck support and isn't the most useful when traveling via plane or train.

Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow : The silk material is luxurious soft and cooling, but the pillow itself is extremely bulky to wear and difficult to travel with.

Snugl Neck Travel Pillow : Made with soft and supportive memory foam, the pillow is ultra-comfy to use in-flight, but we had a lot of trouble getting it back into the carrying case.

Cushion Lab Travel Deep Sleep Pillow : The comfort level with this pillow is so high that we started using it to sleep on nightly at home. However, it's not very portable, and we had a hard time rolling it up into the case.

Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow : This is a great pick for travelers who get warm quickly, as the pillow is designed to prevent heat from building up when you wear it. However, we didn't find it as comfortable or supportive as the Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow , so we would recommend that one instead, especially since they retail at similar prices.

Our T+L team tested more than 40 travel pillows to find the very best ones for every type of comfort-seekers. To thoughtfully curate this list, we researched and tested popular options, including pillows with the classic U-shape and rectangular ones, too.

Paying close attention to traits like comfort, quality, durability, and portability, we noted various features that stood out to us for both good and bad reasons. We looked for special features such as cooling designs, firmness, softness, or other claims by the manufacturer to check if they rang true. Our favorite pillows also kept their shape after being tucked away into a case and always sprang back into their original form with no signs of damage. 

After our real-world test, which involved trying the pillows on cross-country road trips and long-haul flights, we brought a few options into our lab to have one team member test them all against each other head-to-head. We then adjusted our results based on the direct comparison, and we will continue to capture testing notes every few months to update our articles accordingly.

Tips for Buying a Travel Pillow

Prioritize neck support.

When it comes to sleeping in planes, trains, or cars, you should focus on your neck and head support. When your head drops during sleep, it can leave you with a sore neck or even a headache. Your travel pillow should be supportive enough that your neck stays securely upright without feeling as though you're being squeezed.

Portability is key 

Whether you pack light or stuff your suitcase full, a compact travel pillow that fits into a small carrying case is ideal for bringing along on trips. Of course, some travel pillows don’t compress, but they should still be easy to clip onto a suitcase or backpack and not bump into too many things if you’re traversing an airport or train station. It's always more convenient when a carrying case is included, especially if it has a luggage trolley sleeve or straps.

Consider the filling material 

Travelers who like a firmer pillow should opt for a memory foam filling that can offer more support than an inflatable alternative. Microbead pillows can be just as supportive as memory foam ones, but they tend to be on the softer side and are more suited to travelers who like a little less structure while sleeping. 

Think about how you plan to use it

Travel pillows are a relatively broad category, so you'll want to narrow down your intended use and travel habits before purchasing since they come in all different shapes, styles, and sizes. For example, if you often find yourself in the middle seat while flying, you'll want a pillow with lots of head support like a memory foam, U-shape pillow or an infinity style that you can adjust. However, window-seaters might opt for a rectangular pillow for leaning against the plane wall.

Travel pillows aren't just for flights, either. There are also rectangular options that can help make you more comfortable while camping or staying in hotel rooms, rental properties, or even friend's houses that might not have great pillows. They are also a road trip essential for every adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can generally find washing instructions on the tag of the travel pillow when you buy it. Removable covers can usually go through a machine wash, but many of our team members opted to air dry the cover to prevent any shrinkage that could happen in a hot dryer. If a pillow doesn’t have a removable cover, you can spot clean the pillow by using a wet cloth dipped in soapy water.

Most standard travel pillows have a semicircular shape that you wrap around the neck to support your neck, head, and chin. These U-shaped pillows often have memory foam or microbead filling, but there are also inflatable neck pillows. There are unique J-shaped travel pillows that are perfect for supporting the neck and head of someone sitting in the middle or aisle seat. In addition, standard pillows make great travel pillows for certain situations, and plenty of rectangular-styled pillows compress down for better portability.

Most travel pillows will come with carrying cases to compress the pillow, making it more portable. If the carrying case doesn't have a handle, it should still pack down small enough to fit in a personal item such as a backpack or a tote bag. Some pillows have a luggage trolley pass-through sleeve, which you can slip over the handle of your suitcase, while others may have a strap or a clip that you can attach to a backpack to carry it hands-free.

Some pillows are specifically designed to be worn in multiple different ways, but in general, it depends on your comfort preferences. You can wear a travel pillow backward , forward, or you can lean on it in the window seat — the most important thing is finding the most comfortable position for you.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at T+L, where she writes most of the team's tested content. Anna participated in testing travel pillows and worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best ones on the market based on a series of tests completed during trips taken by plane, car, and train. We will continue to update this article as we test even more travel pillows.

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Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best travel neck pillows for 2024.

Avoid a literal pain in the neck with these expert-approved travel pillows.

The Best Travel Neck Pillows

Courtesy of Cabeau

Just like the pillow you use at home , the best neck pillow for travel is the one that makes you feel most comfortable, allowing you to relax, rest and ultimately fall asleep on the go. The difference, however, is that a travel pillow is typically used when sitting up, which means it needs to provide enough support to keep your head from bobbing.

Based on recommendations from travel experts and advice from physicians, these are the best neck pillows for travel.

• Best Overall: Cabeau Evolution S3 on Amazon
• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓
• Best Affordable: MVLOC Travel Pillow on Amazon
• Best for Long Flights: Trtl Travel Pillow on Amazon
• Best Multipurpose: Huzi Infinity Pillow on Amazon
• Best Inflatable: Sunany Inflatable Travel Pillow on Amazon
• Best for Backpacking: Marchway Ultralight Inflatable Camping Pillow on Amazon
• Best for Kids: BCOZZY Double Support Neck Pillow on Amazon

Best Overall: Cabeau Evolution S3

Frequent travelers praise the design of the Cabeau Evolution S3, which is made of a special dual-density memory foam. "I brought this neck pillow on 15-hour flights to and from New Zealand, and it proved to be a great investment," says Catriona Kendall , editor at U.S. News. "The pillow gave me enough support to sleep comfortably for hours, and I especially loved how I could roll it up into a small pouch and clip it to my personal item ."

Travelers also appreciate the patented seat strap system that attaches the pillow to a seat or chair headrest as well as the slim flattened back, both of which prevent the head from bobbing. The removable pillow cover, which comes in a variety of colors, is machine-washable.

Price: $39.99 or less

Best Affordable: MVLOC Travel Pillow

Travelers appreciate the support (and the price tag) of this memory foam travel pillow. An adjustable rope lock allows you to secure the pillow to your neck for maximum support and comfort. The breathable and machine-washable cloth exterior prevents overheating. This travel pillow also comes with earplugs and an eye mask for ultimate relaxation.

Price: $29.99 or less

Best for Long Flights: Trtl Travel Pillow

Courtesy of Trtl

The patented design of the Trtl Travel Pillow – with a hidden internal neck support surrounded by soft, hypoallergenic fleece – makes it a favorite among travelers, particularly for long flights. "Something about it just hits right in a travel accessory category where nothing previously worked for me," explains Meaghan Clawsie, luxury travel advisor at Elated Escapes . "I no longer have any back or neck pain when resting on long-haul flights." Simply wrap the pillow around your neck like a scarf, secure it in place with its built-in fastener and rest your head on the support.

If you tend to overheat easily, there's also the Trtl Pillow Cool , made with Tencel fibers to keep you at a comfortable temperature; a mesh panel makes the pillow particularly breathable as well. Both pillows are machine-washable.

Price: $64.99 or less

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Best Multipurpose: Huzi Infinity Pillow

Courtesy of Huzi Design

If you're not sold on the classic U-shaped neck pillows for travel, consider this snake-like option instead. Able to be twisted into a variety of positions, the versatile Huzi Infinity Pillow provides whatever support feels best – even if that means resting your head on the tray table for a bit. You can also wear it around your neck like a scarf for neck and back comfort (even when you're not snoozing), use it as an eye mask, or drape it over your head if you get cold or want to block out noise.

Travelers love the pillow's bamboo fabric, describing it as soft, smooth and cool. Since it's filled with polyester, the whole pillow can be tossed in the washing machine , unlike its memory foam counterparts. The Infinity Pillow is available in nearly a dozen different colors, including gray, navy and pink.

Price: $49.99 or less

Best Inflatable: Sunany Inflatable Travel Pillow

Courtesy of Sunany

Travelers love the H-shaped design of this inflatable pillow because it allows for use in multiple directions and supports both sides of the head and neck with a flat back. A removable hood on the pillow is a bonus: It encourages a cozy feel and prevents cold drafts from too much air conditioning. For optimal comfort, it is recommended to inflate the pillow about 80% to 90%.

A pocket for your earbud case on this travel pillow provides convenient access for listening to music, and the removable velour cover is machine-washable. The lightweight inflatable pillow can be stored in the included waterproof drawstring bag, which can also be attached to luggage. This travel neck pillow is available in black, gray and blue.

Price: $23.99 or less

Best for Backpacking: Marchway Ultralight Inflatable Camping Pillow

While you can often bring your pillow from home for tent camping, backpacking requires something more lightweight, such as this inflatable option by Marchway. "An inflatable pillow is a game-changer when it comes to backpacking, and an ultralight pillow can't be beat," says Leilani Osmundson , senior digital producer at U.S. News. "The Marchway pillow fits the bill: It's comfortable, packable and extremely lightweight." This pillow is designed for both back and side sleepers, and doubles as a lumbar support for everyday travels and needs. Once it's deflated, you can machine-wash the cover before folding the pillow into an included drawstring bag.

Price: $13.99 or less

Best for Kids: BCOZZY Double Support Neck Pillow

Courtesy of BCOZZY

The BCOZZY neck pillow is ideal for all travelers – including kids, with small sizes for youngsters between 3 and 7 years old, and medium options for ages 8 and 12. Travelers like the ergonomic design of the patented pillow, which supports the head and neck by propping the chin up. Overlapping pillow arms, which wrap around the neck and under the chin, can be tightened based on the level of support you need.

If you or your child is a side sleeper, fold the pillow in half, double up the sides and place it on your shoulder, leaning your head to the side. An elevated side option allows you to overlap the pillow arms on top of each other and rotate it 90 degrees to the side for double support for the neck and chin.

This travel pillow is available in a variety of colors and patterns, including light blue and pink hearts. A snap strap attaches the included travel bag to your child's luggage , and you can throw the pillow in the washing machine after your trip.

Price: $40.97 or less

Frequently Asked Questions

Experts agree a supportive pillow is essential for travel. "The biggest issue many travelers experience when sleeping on a plane is that the seats don't recline enough," explains Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a sleep/wake and performance specialist who is dual board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. "This often results in the head being just on the brink of tipping forward – which is not a comfortable sleeping position. Because of this insufficient recline, it is important to keep padding behind the head and neck minimal to reduce the tendency for the head to tip forward."

Most travel pillows are designed to be worn around the neck, providing enough support to prevent the head from tipping forward.

When shopping for a neck pillow for travel, experts recommend considering the following factors:

Proper head support:  What's most important is ensuring your head is supported in the right places by your travel pillow – and, in particular, not being pushed forward by excessive padding. "A good pillow would provide support for side sleeping, rather than a lot of padding behind the head, which just pushes the head forward too much," says Dimitriu.

Material: Consider both the external and internal material of the pillow:

External: Chiropractic physician Eric Smith advises to make sure the material of your travel pillow is breathable and won't subject you to an overheated sleep, since one of the main reasons for moving around a lot as you sleep is getting too hot. "When your face gets too hot on one side, even if you're sleeping, you're going to move from it because it's too warm," Smith explains.

There's no real consensus on which material is best for a cool, comfy sleep – and different people will have different preferences – so Smith's advice is to try before you fly (and don't hesitate to request a refund if your chosen pillow isn't working out).

• Internal: Memory foam pillows tend to offer more firm support – something Smith recommends for anyone, but especially older travelers. "The majority of patients I have that get older, we actually need a more firm pillow, we need a more firm bed, we need more support," Smith says. Pillows filled with microbeads mold more to the neck and head, while inflatable pillows can be adjusted to your preferences based on how much air you use to blow them up.

A travel pillow for your neck isn't considered a carry-on or personal item (and the same generally goes for small, loose items like packable jackets and umbrellas). That said, it's always best to review your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before traveling.

A good neck pillow for travel isn't the only key to achieving a decent sleep while in transit. "From the standpoint of evolution, we're kind of hardwired to be a little bit more on high alert in those situations," explains Rebecca Robbins, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and scientist at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We're a little bit more in fight or flight mode; our brain is subconsciously scanning the environment for threats and there are new sounds and new smells."

She recommends finding elements that are relaxing to you, which might include some of the following:

• Travel blanket: Look for something lightweight, such as the EverSnug Travel Blanket . This blanket comes with a carrying case, which can double as a pillow when the blanket is stored inside.
• Essential or aromatherapy oils: Scents like lavender and peppermint can be especially calming.
• Earplugs: You can buy traditional foam earplugs to block out some of the external noise, or invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones .
• White noise app: There are a variety of free apps, or you can try a paid option like Calm (which offers a free trial).
• Sleep mask: A sleep mask helps to block out the bright light on planes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Walking Shoes for Travel
• The Top Compression Socks for Travel
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seat Belt Extender?
• How to Get Wheelchair Assistance at the Airport

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Advertisement

The Best Travel Pillow

By Sabrina Imbler

Short of scoring a row of empty seats—dream on!—your best bet for getting at least a little sleep while flying is a travel pillow.

After asking 10 panelists to try on eight travel pillows and after taking four cross-country red-eyes in window, aisle, and middle seats, we think the comfortable and easy-to-pack  Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow is the best travel pillow for most people.

Everything we recommend

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

The best travel pillow.

Its tall memory-foam walls let it offer more support than any other pillow we tested. It’s also shaped to sit flush against a headrest, and it compresses to a manageable size.

Buying Options

Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow

A travel pillow available at airports.

This memory-foam neck-support pillow is highly adjustable, but without a contoured back, it can’t quite sit flush with the headrest. It’s available at many airport stores, though.

Trtl Pillow

A pillow for one-sided neck support only.

It’s a fleece scarf with a built-in plastic brace—like a one-sided neck brace, but softer and cozier. However, it’s not so great if you tend to shift position while you sleep, and it costs more than the other pillows we recommend.

Bcozzy Pillow

Great with large headphones.

Featuring an adjustable design that accommodates over-the-ear headphones, the Bcozzy is an excellent chin-support pillow for people who nod forward as they sleep.

The uniquely angled back on the Travelrest Ultimate sets it apart from other travel pillows because it can lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a rounded back, which pushes your head away from the headrest. The Travelrest also has rubber grip dots to prevent slipping while sleeping. This pillow’s spongy memory foam cushions the entire circumference of your neck, preventing your head from leaning far in any direction, and its adjustable Velcro strap ensures it can fit most necks. The pillow’s cozy velour exterior is removable and machine-washable. Although it doesn’t pack flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and compresses to a quarter of its size when rolled into its Velcro-strapped carrying case.

Our only complaint is that the Travelrest’s high walls, while supportive, can push over-ear headphones off of the ears of people with shorter necks. While the memory foam feels plush, it’s also quite firm; this offers excellent support, but not much give. It also doesn’t let you adjust the fit, like our two wrappable picks: the Turtl and the BCozzy . If the Travelrest fits your neck, it’s an excellent pillow. If your neck is much longer or shorter than this pillow’s 5-inch wall, though, you might prefer the fit of one of our other pillow picks.

If our top pick sells out, or if you find yourself pillowless past security, the Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow is almost as good a pillow. It lacks the Travelrest’s angled, lay-flat back, but its U-shape, contoured memory-foam core and machine-washable velour cover still provide comparable levels of comfort. Its adjustable string closure also means that you can fit the pillow much tighter around your neck than you can with the Travelrest, making it a good choice for people with smaller necks or people who prefer a more constricted fit. Additionally, it’s the only one of our picks that we’ve regularly seen in stores located behind the security checkpoint at many airports.

If you typically lean to the same side while sleeping, the Trtl Pillow’s fleece-covered plastic frame provides unshakeable support to one side of your neck while remaining comfortable to wear. It’s basically a one-sided neck brace. The pillow’s cozy wraparound fleece will also keep your neck warm, making it a good choice for anyone who gets cold while flying (and a poor choice for those who sleep hot). But the Trtl’s winning quality is its tiny, packable size. Unlike any of our other picks, the Trtl does not need to be compressed or stuffed into a carrying case. It will always take up about as much space as a PB&J sandwich. (It costs a lot more than one, though.)

The Bcozzy , a variation on the hemi-doughnut theme, is our pick for anyone who wears large over-the-ear headphones on a flight or tends to nod forward while they sleep. The pillow’s overlapping ends form a snug cushion that holds your chin in place far better than do the Trtl’s plastic frame or the Travelrest and Cabeau’s chin-facing gap. While the pillow does not provide great support to either side of your neck, if paired with a large pair of headphones, the Bcozzy holds a head in place perfectly. While not as compressible as our other picks, the pillow has a small loop that can be clipped to the outside of most bags so it doesn’t have to take up space inside your bag.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked our best travel pillow finalists, how we tested travel pillows, our pick for the best travel pillow: travelrest nest ultimate memory foam travel pillow, runner-up for the best travel pillow: cabeau evolution classic pillow, also great for portability: trtl pillow, also-great chin-support pillow for forward-nodders: bcozzy pillow, other good travel pillows, the competition.

I am a frequent flyer who often takes red-eyes from coast to coast—I now live in Brooklyn but fly home to San Francisco to visit my parents. I’m also an insomniac, so falling asleep on planes has never been easy for me. While writing this article, I tested eight travel pillows on two five-hour flights and slept with our four picks on two more cross-country flights. I also spoke with Rebecca Robbins, a postdoctoral fellow at the NYU Center for Healthful Behavior Change at the time of the interview, to see what she looks for in a travel pillow.

In addition, my Wirecutter colleagues as a whole are an exceptionally mobile group. We’ve worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica, so I asked some folks on staff which pillows they like and use regularly. (They’ve also since contributed some additional testing.)

Boarding a red-eye without a travel pillow in your bag is like choosing to sleep on the floor when there’s a perfectly good futon nearby. Sure, it’s no bed, but it’s a hell of a lot better than hardwood. In an interview she did in 2017 with The Atlantic reporter Kelly Conaboy, Dr. Mary O’Connor, then the director of Yale’s Center for Musculoskeletal Care, said that despite a lack of clinical studies that support the efficacy of travel pillows, “Many of us who travel have experienced falling asleep with our neck in a weird position and it bothering us thereafter. So, I think they can be helpful, but that depends on how they’re used and whether they support the neck.” In other words, using a supportive pillow may decrease the chances you wake up with an unwanted crick. It certainly has in our experience.

However, not all travel pillows are the same, and if you also happen to have a zealous hatred of your travel pillow, you probably have a bad one. So even if you have a generic pillow you picked up at some airport a few years ago, consider upgrading to one of our picks. And of course, these pillows work well on buses and trains, too.

So how can you tell if a pillow is likely to actually support your head? Rebecca Robbins, a postdoctoral fellow studying sleep at the time of our interview, says the best travel pillows will keep your head elevated and in alignment with your spine: “Look for something that would really be supportive. My one gripe with most travel pillows is that they’re too soft and not too full—you want something that will be supportive as you try to get comfortable in your limited space.” Robbins also recommends finding a pillow that can keep you cozy but not too hot, as she says it’s easier to sleep with a lower body temperature.

Robbins does her best to avoid one common travel situation. “My number one sleep tip is to not take a red-eye if you can avoid it,” she said. “If the flight is five hours, you’re going to only have three hours of true rest, because all the announcements—‘lower your window,’ ‘raise your window.’ Those can be significant distractions.”

We also looked at existing editorial reviews for guidance. Ethan Green , founder of the sleep resource blog No Sleepless Nights, compiled an extensive comparative review of popular travel pillows that we found helpful when deciding what models to test.

For people who want a travel pillow that will ease some of the discomfort of sleeping upright on a bumpy plane ride, we’ve identified the following key features:

• Comfort and support: The pillow should offer ample support for the weight of your neck and head but not restrict your movements or feel too tight.
• Portable (but not inflatable): You don’t want your travel pillow to take up so much space in your carry-on that you can’t bring other things you need, so it should compress to a smaller size. Barring that, there should at least be a way to clip it to the outside of your bag or luggage. Inflatable pillows are easy to pack but should be avoided. They inevitably spring a leak, often sooner rather than later.
• Soft: The material should feel plush against your skin but not trap so much heat that it’s uncomfortable to wear.
• Universal fit (or as close as possible): The pillow should allow space for people to sleep with a ponytail or accommodate bigger hair, as well as a whole variety of head shapes and sizes and neck lengths.
• Sleeping styles: It should also accommodate people who move their head in any direction while they sleep. It should also work in a window, a middle, or an aisle seat.
• Speed of compression/decompression: In case you need to quickly stow your pillow before exiting the plane, or if you want to catch some shut-eye in a moment’s notice, it shouldn’t take too long to stuff the pillow into its carrying case or unfold it to full size.
• Weight: Ideally, the pillow shouldn’t add undue burden to your carry-on. While inflatable pillows will always be the lightest option, memory-foam pillows don’t weigh much more and can offer significantly more comfort.
• Grip/traction: Your head will likely move around a bit while sleeping on a plane, especially if there’s turbulence. So any kind of grip or traction around the bottom of the pillow will help it stay in place and keep you snoozing.
• Machine washable: As you might expect from a vessel that ferries hundreds of people back and forth across the sky on a daily basis, planes can be filthy. So you’ll want to be able to wash the whole pillow—or at least its cover—before you take it on your next trip.

We researched more than 40 travel pillows—which ranged from variations on a hemi-doughnut to inscrutable crowdfunded designs—and after comparing hundreds of glowing and enraged Amazon reviews, we decided to test eight. We asked a panel of 10 people to try each of the pillows in a chair pushed against the wall of a conference room (the closest we could come to airline conditions in our office) and surveyed them on the fit, comfort, and support of each pillow. The panelists all had a variety of neck lengths and jaw sizes, and one even had a substantial beard. We also ran all of the pillows or their detachable pillowcases through a washing machine as instructed to see how well each stood up to a spin cycle and tumble dry.

And because simulations are rarely enough, I brought eight travel pillows on two cross-country flights to see how the pillows felt in the specific back design of an airplane seat. As I was lucky enough to have unnecessarily kind and understanding neighbors (thank you, Mike and Deborah!), I wore each of these pillows in a window, a middle, and an aisle seat to see if they felt comfortable in each configuration. I also tried on Deborah’s Muji travel pillow (as she offered), but determined it had much less support than our picks. I also carried all of our picks on two more cross-country flights on a different airline to ensure the pillows did just as well in different seat designs.

The Travelrest Ultimate remains our top pick after several years because its plush but firm memory-foam core offers more support to your neck than that of any other pillow. It’s also one of the few pillows we tested that felt specifically designed for an airline seat, with an angled, grippy back that aligns perfectly to both upright and reclined positions and ensures the pillow won’t slide down as you nod off. The velvety-soft pillow supports heads and necks of all sizes and can be fitted with an adjustable cord and clasp. In the tried-but-true shape of a hemi-doughnut—imagine a doughnut with a bite taken out—the Travelrest Ultimate may look like other pillows, but a number of thoughtful details make it a softer, more supportive pillow than all the rest.

The Travelrest offers better all-around support than any other pillow we tested. Its broad, marshmallowy walls hug the whole circumference of your neck. It feels supportive but not stifling. The easy-to-fasten Velcro strap means it can be adjusted to a snug fit for necks of many sizes. There’s even a small crevice for curlier hair or a ponytail.

In addition to fitting your neck, the Travelrest’s back tapers up to a point to fit flat against an airline seat back. Most neck pillows lack this tapering on the back and the excess padding can push your neck away from the headrest, causing your neck to droop forward. Additionally, the Travelrest has grippy dots on the back that prevent it from slipping.

In addition to its excellent support, the Travelrest is very comfortable and cozy to wear. Its memory-foam core is wrapped in velour, which kept my neck warm without overheating it. The Travelrest’s velour also felt softer and smoother against my skin than similar coverings on other pillows, such as the Cabeau Evolution. It’s also easy to clean: The Travelrest’s cover is easily unzipped and machine-washable. The velour retained its softness after going through a wash and dry cycle.

While the Travelrest isn’t inflatable, it packs down to the size of a roll of toilet paper in its carrying case. Once you fold it cinnamon-roll style and it’s small enough to fit inside the bag, a Velcro strap on the pouch helps you compress it even further. If there’s still not enough space for it in your bag, you can always clip its drawstring to any exterior loop.

All of these thoughtful details were not lost on our testing panel. They gave the Travelrest the highest marks of any pillow in comfort and neck support, and two-thirds of our testers picked it as their favorite pillow.

How the Travelrest has held up

After over a year of use, this pillow had lost none of its supportiveness. The memory foam was just as firm and springy as it was when we bought it. Its velcro strap was still easy to secure. If it fits you, this is a pillow that stays secure and comfortable on your neck for the duration of a long flight. However, we’ve also heard from multiple travelers that this pillow doesn’t fit them. The memory foam is quite firm, which offers excellent support, but not much give. If a pillow of up to 5 inches doesn’t fit comfortably on your neck, we think you’ll be happier trying one of our other picks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Travelrest Ultimate will never compress to the thin, flat size of a tiny pillow like the Trtl. But its unparalleled, cushiony support can still pack down to a reasonable size, and its 13 ounces won’t make your carry-on noticeably heavier. And if saving space is your highest concern, we think the Trtl provides space-conscious support without the spit-filled fuss of an inflatable pillow.

While the Travelrest’s voluminous plush can support all heads that lean left, back, or right, the pillow may not hold up the chins of people with smaller faces. When my head bobbed forward, my small face sank into the gap between the pillow closure and my neck. You can adjust the Velcro strap for a tighter fit, but the short strap cannot be pulled as tight as the Cabeau’s adjustable strings.

The Travelrest Ultimate’s unbeatable support is in part due to the height of its sides, designed to come up to the jaw of the wearer. This means the pillow may be incompatible with larger over-the-ear headphones for people with shorter necks. For instance, when I tried to wear the Travelrest Ultimate with my noise-cancelling Bose headphones , the pillow pushed the headset uncomfortably far up on my head, taking my earlobes with it. However, my editor, who has a longer neck, didn’t have this problem.

If you want a tighter, more adjustable fit, the Cabeau Evolution Classic  (which used to be called just the Evolution) is the way to go. Its contoured memory-foam design offers almost as much neck support as our main pick does, albeit without some of the Travelrest’s luxurious height. But the Cabeau’s adjustable clasp allows a far greater range of cinching than the Travelrest. In other words, the pillow can fit as tightly as you like.

Like the Travelrest, the Cabeau’s hemi-doughnut shape offers 360 degrees of support for anyone wearing it. It also boasts a cushioned memory-foam core and a contoured top that will keep your neck upright and head in place. But unlike the Travelrest’s gently arched bottom, the Cabeau’s flat bottom won’t sit as securely on your shoulders and may move around during your sleep. The Cabeau also lacks the Travelrest’s smartly tapered, grippy back that helps keep the pillow in place during flight. The Cabeau’s velour cover is also machine-washable, but it feels less soft than the Travelrest’s.

Although the Cabeau’s fit and shape aren’t quite as good as the Travelrest’s, this pillow is more adjustable. It can be tightened or loosened with two adjustable strings that clip together, which results in a far more adjustable range than the Travelrest’s short strip of Velcro. If you have a smaller neck and know you find a tighter grip on your neck comforting, the Cabeau may be the way to go.

Like the Travelrest, the Cabeau also packs down to a quarter of its size, thanks to an adjustable strap bisecting its carrying case. But at 15.2 ounces, it’s a bit heavier than the Travelrest.

Unlike any of our other picks, the Cabeau Evolution is sold in many of those ubiquitous news stores inside airports. So if you find yourself lacing up your shoes after security and wishing you had bought one of our picks before your flight, look for the Cabeau’s contoured shape among the novelty hemi-doughnuts dangling off the travel pillow racks. It’s the best pillow you can buy at an airport. But if you have the chance to order online, the Travelrest offers more support.

There is a newer model of the Evolution Classic, the S3 , which has straps to hook onto a seat’s headrest. We think it’s a good choice if the Classic version is out of stock or otherwise unavailable. It’s still supportive and comfortable, but not as thick or soft as the Classic.

The Trtl Pillow , though odd-looking and unconventional, won a contingent of ardent fans with its firm support and slim, packable size. But it’s not our top pick because it works on only one side, and its warmth-trapping fleece can cause your neck to overheat. It’s also the most expensive of our picks. The Trtl consists of an arched plastic skeleton inside of a soft, fleece scarf that wraps once around your neck and then closes with Velcro to hold the pillow in place. You just lean your head against the convex end of the bendy frame, wrap the pillow around your neck, and your head has a soft but firm pedestal on which to rest while you sleep. It sounds weird, but it’s not that different from a neck brace—only it’s one-sided and softer.

Because the Trtl Pillow is little more than a scarf with a plastic plate in it, it packs down to the size of a sandwich and can lay flat against the back of your bag. This is the smallest travel pillow we tested and also requires none of the squashing or awkward cinching it takes to stuff the Travelrest or Cabeau into their holding bags, which are also easy to lose. Unlike any of the other pillows we’ve seen, the Trtl is small enough to fit inside a briefcase or handbag, making it the best option for people who don’t normally travel with backpacks. And at a featherweight 5 ounces, the Trtl is the lightest pillow we tested.

Though the Trtl can support your head from only one side, the tall, bendy plastic frame inside offered more support on that one side than either the Travelrest or Cabeau. Yet even with its soft, wraparound design, it lacks the all-around support provided by our top and runner-up picks. If you are an asymmetrical sleeper (if you prefer sleeping with your head leaning to one side), the Trtl may be a good choice. However, it’s not a good choice for people who nod forward—the plastic insert is too stiff. If that’s you, we prefer the Bcozzy, which we talk more about below .

Some testers found the Trtl’s quasi-corseted-turtleneck design off-putting. But then again, no one looks cool wearing any travel pillow. And on that note, the Trtl’s cozy fleece will keep your neck toasty. So if you know you run hot, the Trtl may not be the pillow for you.

Wirecutter’s Ganda Suthivarakom swears by the Trtl: “It packs almost flat, weighs next to nothing, and can be helpful for sleeping even when you are stuck in a middle seat. As someone who is always cold on the plane, I don't mind the whole fleece scarf design, either.”

Trtl has a more padded version of the pillow that claims to be more adjustable; one of our longer-necked staffers tried it and reported that it is indeed more comfortable for him than the original Trtl was. However, the same limitations of the original apply to the new version.

The Bcozzy is a snakelike spin on the traditional hemi-doughnut that’s perfect for anyone traveling with large headphones or people who tend to nod forward while sleeping and wake themselves up. It lacks the tall, supportive sides of our other picks, but the overlapping front is the perfect height to keep your chin from nodding forward as you doze off. It’s not as supportive on the sides, but this leaves ample room for big headphones.

The Bcozzy’s best advantage is its overlapping circular design, which allows you to adjust the pillow to degrees of personal preference. You can place the overlapping ends of the pillow around any point of your neck (though it only really makes sense in the front or on the sides), and wear the pillow as loose or as tight as you’d like. We think it’s most comfortable when the ends meet right under your neck—and in that position, it cushions your chin better than any other pillow we tested.

The longer, leaner Bcozzy lacks the plush, ensconcing neck support of the Travelrest Ultimate or Cabeau Evolution. It lays so low on your shoulders that it might not even touch your jaw. But this makes the pillow perfect for anyone who likes to wear over-the-ear headphones along with a travel pillow while they sleep on the flight. I personally like to fall asleep to music and drown out the dull roar of an airplane, so the Bcozzy works perfectly for me.

We still think the Travelrest Ultimate is a superior overall hemi-doughnut pillow, but the Bcozzy is an excellent choice if you plan to wear big headphones or know the feeling of that sharp, waking drop when your head falls forward on a plane.

The Bcozzy is also one of the least packable pillows, as it doesn’t come with a carrying case and does not compress particularly well. But its 7.4 ounces is around half the weight of the Travelrest or Cabeau, and it does comes with a little loop that clips onto the outside of a backpack or duffel. And even when squished down at the bottom of a bag, it doesn’t take up that much more space than the Travelrest Ultimate or Cabeau.

If you’re a back sleeper who can fall sleep sitting upright in your seat, facing forward, and not need to curl up or lean your head on the airplane window: You may want to try the Posture+ Travel Pillow, which is a U-shaped neck cushion, padded with memory foam, that looks like the back half of a cervical collar. When testing it, we slept surprisingly well, but it won’t suit all (or even most) sleep styles. It’s also not machine-washable, and it is pricy.

If you have a shorter neck and tend to run hot on planes and would prefer a pillow designed to keep you cool: Consider the ventilated Cabeau Evolution Cool —the combination of a silky polyester cover (similar to spandex) and vented design did feel mildly cooler against our necks. And we liked the pillow’s silky feel, packable size, zippered carrying case. But it was significantly smaller than the standard Cabeau Evolution and the Travelrest Ultimate, and it left the chins of long-necked testers totally unsupported. It’s also more expensive—now about $20 more than the Travelrest.

If you always lean to the same side when sleeping: Consider Travelrest’s All-in-One , which has a novel across-the-shoulder design that could be comfortable in such a situation. It has a similar fabric to the company’s winning Ultimate Memory Foam Neck Pillow, but in our tests its bulky inflated tube offered no structured head support, which could pose a problem in bumpy conditions.

If you tend to be a forward-falling head bobber: Consider the Caldera Releaf , which is less travel pillow and more neck brace. It does offer superior neck support, but it constricted the throat too much for our comfort.

The Trtl Pillow Plus , a later addition to the Trtl lineup, is more height-adjustable and has more padding than its older sibling . Our self-described “giraffe-necked” tester said that it did indeed fit him better than the original Trtl had. However, it still supports your head from only one side, making it not a great choice for sleepers who nod forward. It’s also bulkier than the original and costs nearly twice as much.

The Cabeau Evolution S3 is a newer version of our runner-up pick , the Evolution Classic. We liked it, and we think it’s a solid choice if the original Evolution isn’t available. It has added straps that you can hook onto a headrest to keep your head from falling forward while you sleep, but our runner-up pick is softer and slightly thicker, which offers a bit more support. We did find the S3 to be easier to roll up into its carrying case, however.

Intrigued by one of the stranger innovations that we’ve seen in travel pillow design, we tested the Huzi Design Infinity , but we can’t recommend it. Instead of cinching or clasping at the front, it is designed to be looped several times around the wearer’s neck like an infinity scarf. But the pillow failed to support our testers’ necks. Regardless of who tried it, testers found that looping it twice was too loose and thrice was too tight. It was also the largest and least compressible pillow we tested.

The J-Pillow offered a singular, three-pronged design that proved impossible for anyone to figure out without instructions. After some explanation, our testers could wear the pillow correctly, but they still felt that its squishy stuffing offered insufficient support, and only to one side of the head. It’s also impossible to pack away efficiently due to its pyramidal shape. If you want a one-sided pillow, skip this and go for the Trtl instead.

We tested the inexpensive Travelrest Curl because we loved its plush and contoured big cousin, the Travelrest Ultimate. But while the Curl contains the same luxurious memory-foam filling as the Ultimate, the pillow is so small that many testers found that it didn’t even come up to their jaws when worn. It does have an attractive price, but its skimpy size and unsupportive design could support only the shortest of necks.

We found the air-filled Sea to Summit Aeros Traveller Pillow to be similarly lacking. We liked how easy it was to fill—its dual-valve inflation mechanism means it won’t let air out between breaths—and we appreciated that it weighed only about a fifth as much as the Travelrest, but the Travelrest’s 360-degree support made it too hard to go back to an open-ring design that offers no support in the front. Also, one of our former freelance writers recently reported that when she pulled her pillow out of storage, after a few years of not using it, its internal bladder disintegrated in her hands.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Rebecca Robbins, postdoctoral fellow at the NYU Center for Healthful Behavior Change , phone interview , October 20, 2017

Meet your guide

Sabrina Imbler

Sabrina Imbler is a former staff writer for Wirecutter, where they covered kitchen tools and HVAC.

Further reading

Pluto Pod Travel Pillow: A First-Class Sleep Experience in Economy

by Dorie Chevlen

This travel pillow is so great you won’t even care if you look silly wearing it.

The Silly-Looking Trtl Travel Pillow Is the Only Way I Can Sleep on Flights

by Elissa Sanci

You might look funny while wearing the one-sided Trtl travel pillow in flight, but you won’t care when you land at your destination bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

The 36 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers

by Samantha Schoech

We’ve put together a selection of fun, useful and clever gifts for that person who always has a trip planned.

The Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

by Jackie Reeve

We recommend the Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow for most side-sleepers. If you prefer a smoother cover, get Nest Bedding's Easy Breather Pillow .

The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Get some quality shut-eye on the go

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Alessandra Amodio

Comfort is key when traveling, whether by car, train, bus, or airplane. And not just for your happiness—sitting or sleeping for hours on end can put your cervical spine (C-spine) in an unnatural position as your head bends downward to read, sways back to sleep on a headrest, or falls to the side to doze off against a window.

A travel pillow can help provide cushion to make falling asleep in transit easier, and the support may also help your C-spine and keep you comfortable during long flights and car rides. There are two main kinds of travel pillows: a donut or C-shape pillow and a rectangular pillow that mimics the type you use in bed.

All travel pillows should provide support and comfort, and you should be able to pack them down small enough to carry with you through an airport or on a train. To see what products were up to par, we tested 21 travel pillows over four weeks as we spent time in planes, trains, and cars. We looked for comfort, quality, portability, durability, and overall value.

Final Verdict

How we tested, other travel pillows we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cabeau evolution classic travel pillow.

• Comfort 5 /5
• Quality 4.5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

Highly supportive material

Helps maintain natural C-spine shape

Easy-to-clean cover

Attaches to carry-on

Not as supportive for taller people

Material runs warm

Doesn’t pack down

The Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Pillow has a responsive memory foam core, which we determined is what makes this neck pillow rise above the rest. Whether it's propping your head up while sleeping or supporting your neck while watching a movie, it feels like a cloud of softness and comfort that conforms to support your shape. 

The design is your traditional C-shape, but with raised sides to keep your neck up and a flattened rear to avoid pushing your C-spine forward. We thought the memory foam felt neither excessively firm nor too soft, but worked well to hold our head up comfortably when sleeping. Moreover, it bounced back to its original shape after we used it for over two hours.

The pillow doesn't deflate, but it has a clasp that keeps it from slipping around your neck and makes it easy to latch the pillow onto your bag when not in use. It comes with a soft cover that's removable and machine washable. Not only is it affordable, it's also better designed than most competitors at the same price point.

Dimensions: 9.5 x 10 x 5 inches | Weight: 11.6 ounces | Material: Polyurethane core, velour cover

TripSavvy / Daniela Galvez

Best Overall, Runner-Up

J-pillow chin-supporting neck pillow.

• Quality 5 /5

Super comfortable with a memory foam core

Packs down (carrying case included)

User-friendly

Doesn’t secure in place to prevent slippage

Less intuitive for the middle seat

This neck pillow has a unique J-shape design meant to support your head and neck while leaning against a window or seat in a car, bus, or plane. We found it super supportive while napping on a 19+ hour car trip and quite intuitive to use—one tester's 6-year-old cousin figured out immediately how to position this pillow.

The J-Pillow is lightweight, easy to move around, soft, and plush. It features memory foam, which is why it feels so supportive, and it has a machine-washable, cuddly, soft cover. The pillow is also quite durable and maintains its shape no matter the damage: We squished it under all the luggage in a trunk and it bounced right back to shape and didn't get any snags. 

Bonus: It comes with a stuff bag that you can tie around luggage, making the awkward shape much easier to travel with.

Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 13 inches | Weight: 8.16 ounces | Material: Memory foam core, polyester blend cover

TripSavvy / Jennifer May

Best Budget

Cloudz microbead travel neck pillow.

• Quality 4 /5

Great quality for the price

Easy to travel with

Two fabric options for hot/cold

Cover isn’t removable or washable

During testing, we found this classic donut-shaped neck pillow comfortable, supportive, lightweight, and soft but sturdy. The core has millions of tiny microbeads and is covered with super soft, plush fabric on one side and cooling spandex on the other, depending on what you need most during your travels. 

The pillow features a snap closure in front that helps keep your neck from falling forward and makes the pillow easy to attach to your bag for transport. During our tests, we specifically liked this pillow for neck support while switching between napping and reading or using a computer on long flights or train rides. And, despite being just $20, it also felt very high quality. 

While it didn't tear or snag during our travels, it’s worth noting that if you were to catch this on a door or snag it somehow, the millions of microbeads in the filling would come pouring out. 

Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 4 inches | Weight: 7 ounces | Material: Polyester, polyester blend

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

• Portability 4 /5

Recycled materials

Flat design like a bed pillow

Versatile use

Doesn't specifically contour to the neck

Not the most compact when stowed

The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is ideal if you value having something akin to an actual pillow, but small enough for traveling. The traditional rectangle is filled with upcycled chunks of foam from excess camping sleeping pad material, with a soft insulation layer on top to keep the surface from feeling lumpy. You can pull the drawcord string to cinch the pillow to your desired firmness.

We found this pillow incredibly comfortable, with a real pillow feel that was ideal for everything from flights and camping to sleeping at home. We liked the soft and breathable exterior, which was perfect for warm weather and hot plane rides. The pillow packs down into itself and you can use the drawcord to tie the pillow onto a suitcase or backpack.

Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 5 inches (small) | Weight: 7 ounces (small) | Material: Polyester fiber core, polyester cover

Best Splurge

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow.

Cool, minimalist design

Incredibly comfortable for long flights

Very compact when put away

Velcro might catch on clothes or hair

The Ostrich pillow is a simple and sleek design, with one sleeve of high-density memory foam that wraps around your neck with high sides to rest your cheek on and Velcro security in front. We found this design extremely comfortable, to the point that it felt like wrapping a marshmallow around our neck or sleeping on a cloud. We found it supportive for the neck, chin, and head while sitting in the middle seat on a flight, and it even kept our neck and back pain-free on a long international flight.

The memory foam is incredibly soft and plush, and the design is very accommodating among different-sized people who tested it. This pillow also has an appealing, modern design that looks more refined while wearing it than other options we've seen. One of us, who is already a hot sleeper, did report that the pillow was a little warm on a long international flight, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

What's more, it packs down super small, compressing to 60 percent of its size into an included stuff bag, which makes it easy to stash in your carry-on bag .

Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.7 x 2.7 inches | Weight: 14.8 ounces | Material: Memory foam core, viscose cover

Tripsavvy / Susan Brickell

Best Cooling

Cabeau evolution cool pillow.

Accommodates large headphones

Good balance between softness and support

Packs down small

May be too firm for some

The Cabeau Evolution Neck Pillow follows a C-shape design but with one significant difference: The top and bottom inch have memory foam for optimal neck support, while the middle is made with mesh vents to keep you cool.

Our testing found this design to be super supportive and firm without being too hard, and that the airy, cooling design worked as promised. The curved sections on each side are also designed to wear over-the-ear headphones comfortably. The pillow is lightweight and packs into a circular carrying case that's easy to attach to your luggage. Plus, the pillow maintains its shape even after being rolled and unrolled over and over. 

We found that even though this pillow runs nearly $60, it's worth it if you need firm support to sleep comfortably while traveling—especially in a middle seat.

Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 5 inches | Weight: 12.7 ounces | Material: Memory foam

Best Memory Foam

Aeris memory foam travel pillow.

• Comfort 4.5 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5

Super supportive

Compact when not in use

Comes with earplugs and eye mask

Requires effort to get into case

Made from ultra-supportive and contouring memory foam, it's no surprise that we found the Aeris Travel Pillow to be super firm and have excellent neck support. The memory foam is stiffer but still feels soft and comfortable to sink into. The sides come up high to provide an excellent chin rest when sleeping. We loved how we could lean back in the car or plane and the back of our neck wasn't against the headrest, which made for a comfortable nap. This neck pillow has a drawstring cord to secure it on any size neck.

The cotton cover is removable and machine washable. The whole pillow folds down small into a carrying case, which has the added feature of a side pocket to hold the included earplugs and eye mask.

Dimensions: 12.8 x 11.73 x 5.16 inches | Weight: 12.8 ounces | Material: Memory foam core; 80 percent velour, 20 percent polyester cover

TripSavvy / Anna Popp

Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow

• Portability 3 /5
• Value 3.5 /5

Keeps skin and hair looking great

Big enough to use as a normal pillow

Quality materials and construction

Matching laundry bag, eye mask, and neck pillow available

Carrying case sold separately

Not particularly compact 

Retailing for almost $100 more than our overall winner, there’s no doubt that the Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow is a splurge. However, it’s made from the finest mulberry silk, giving it an ultra-soft, smooth texture that helps to prevent wrinkles and protect your hair. We used ours on a five-hour Amtrak journey and loved that it kept a blowout looking sleek. The pillow may be expensive, but so is finding a salon on vacation (and there’s no price to be put on wrinkle-free skin!). 

The pillow is also made to last with high-quality materials and stitching. By the time we finished testing, it still looked brand new, and we felt that it would be a long time before it began to flatten. At 12 by 16 inches, this isn’t a full-size pillow, but neither is it the most portable option. This means you’ll need a significant amount of space in your carry-on or purse to tote it around, but on the flip side, being large enough to use for a regular night’s sleep at your destination adds to its overall value. Choose yours in sophisticated navy or pink and ivory stripes. 

Dimensions: 12 x 16 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Mulberry silk cover, silk and polyester core

Best Support

Cabeau evolution s3 travel pillow.

• Durability 4 /5

Unique chin strap for unrivaled support

Soft, washable cover

Folds compactly into included case 

Holds up well to intense travel 

Can feel a little restrictive at first 

Standing for “The Neck’s Evolution,” the TNE S3 from Cabeau features a patent-pending, totally unique chin strap designed to hold your head and neck firmly in place to prevent uncomfortable “bobblehead” syndrome. Other design features include raised side supports, a flattened back for greater comfort when leaning against your airplane seat, and an opening at the front of the neck for effective heat dispersal. Adjustable straps allow you to secure the pillow to any high-back seat. 

The interior is made from supportive memory foam, while the removable, washable cover features a soft, cozy fabric that held up well to our 12-day testing trip around Japan and South Korea . Despite using it almost constantly on different modes of transport, it looked good as new when we got home and only lost a slight degree of softness after washing. We especially liked that the pillow folds in half to fit inside a compact carry case, which has a clip for attaching it to your suitcase. There are seven bright colors to choose from. 

Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.3 x 11 inches | Weight: 14 ounces | Material: Memory foam core; polyester, microsuede, birdseye mesh cover

The Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Pillow is exceptionally supportive, conforms to the natural curvature of the neck, and features a removable cover that is easy to clean. Also tying for the top pick, the J-Pillow Chin-Supporting Neck Pillow features an innovative design that delivers comfort and comes with an easy-to-carry stuff bag.

To determine the best travel pillows, we considered how easy the pillow was to set up and use out of the box, how the material felt to touch, how durable the material was against wear and tear, and how easy it was to clean. We put each pillow through a series of tests on plane, train, bus, or car rides exceeding two hours . During travel, we considered how supportive and comfortable the pillow was, how the fabric felt, how it made our neck feel, how easy it was to pack or compress, and whether it had any exceptional features that made traveling more comfortable.

Here are some of the other travel pillows we tested that fell short of our favorites list.

Trtl Pillow : For the price, this travel pillow didn't provide nearly enough neck support and not only felt flimsy but actually caused us pain during a 3.5-hour flight. Putting the wrap on was incredibly awkward and the fleece felt too stuffy riding in a car.

BCozzy Neck Pillow : This pillow has a unique wraparound design intended to create a double layer of cushion. However, it was too thick during testing to double up comfortably. It was definitely durable and well made, but not comfortable enough to recommend purchasing.

Ostrich Pillow Light Versatile : This pillow has comfortable, T-shirt-like fabric outside and a supportive, memory foam feel when you press on it. But the circular nature of the design just didn't work in testing to support the neck and head in a way that was also comfortable to sleep.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Memory Foam Travel Pillow : This memory foam pillow is supportive and soft, and it features mesh around the neck to keep you cool, as well as suede around the face to keep you cozy. Overall, this pillow is well made, thoughtfully designed, and comfortable enough for us to nap with on an 11-hour flight. It didn't fit into any single best category, but we recommend it nonetheless.

TripSavvy / Erin Johnson

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow : This pillow's main selling point is that it rolls down super small for packability. But outside of that, we found little reason to buy it. It wasn't comfortable to sit or sleep with, caused us neck pain, the material was too plastic-y, and it's overall just confusing to use.

MLVOC Travel Neck Pillow Set : Our testing found this travel pillow too stiff to find a comfortable fit, not providing support to the head and neck, and allowing the head to bob from side to side. It also requires effort to stuff into the travel bag.

Samsonite Microbead 3-in-1 Neck Travel Pillow : This pillow features tiny beads, so it's not stiff like memory foam, but it didn't provide much support during testing unless our head was against a window. There isn't much support on the back of the neck, either. Overall, you can snag something more supportive for the price.

AirComfy Daydreamer Inflatable Neck Travel Pillow : This inflatable travel pillow isn't very comfortable once filled with air and was too small to fit in the crook of our neck comfortably. The surface gets dirty quickly and the plastic material was uncomfortable against the face. In short: Skip.

Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Travel Pillow : This pillow has a soft, velvety cover and feels very firm with its memory foam core. We thought it might be too firm for some, but personally found it comfortable around the neck or leaning on for a window. For the price, it's well-made and a solid choice.

Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow : Filled with memory foam, this pillow has certain joints that twist into different shapes for personalized comfort. We found it to be thick and comfortable, but the bending nature tends to straighten slowly over time, so you'll have to readjust the position regularly.

Hest Pillow : This pillow packs down super small and then unfolds to be filled with shredded memory foam and polyester. Zippered access lets you adjust the loft to what you prefer, and we found it to be super comfortable and plush to sleep on. It's great for car trips and excellent for a full-size pillow versus a neck pillow, but we wish it came with a way to attach to luggage for air travel and that it was a bit lighter.

What to Look For in a Travel Pillow

You can find a comfortable neck pillow for just $20, but depending on your physiology, needs, and preferences, a pillow in the $40 to $60 range might be more comfortable. The price should correlate with design and features: A more expensive pillow should have a more streamlined design and features that make it worth more money due to better comfort, packability, and durability.

Most travel pillows come in one of two styles: Some kind of donut- or C-shaped neck pillow and a rectangular, small pillow that looks like what you use on your bed. 

A well-designed donut- or C-shaped pillow is ideal for keeping your spine aligned and preventing your head from jutting forward or falling back as you sit and sleep for hours while traveling. It should have support on all sides to keep your head from bobbing or your chin from falling. This style of pillow is ideal if you spend most of your travel time sitting up, whether working on a computer or trying to sleep in a middle seat (versus a window).

A rectangular pillow is ideal if you’re lying down in a car, train, or airplane, or if your head will be resting against a window. It’s also ideal if you want one item to do double duty, as you can use this travel pillow at home for a lumbar pillow or toddler pillow, or while camping. A rectangular pillow should feature materials that support your head and neck, and ideally have a customizable loft so you can adjust how thick or thin it depends on your sleep style to maintain that spinal alignment between your head and neck.

As we’ve said, a travel pillow’s primary purpose is to keep you comfortable and pain-free while in transit, which means it needs to be able to keep your head and neck in spinal alignment. That means the best travel pillow will be adjustable since some people need it tighter, looser, thicker, or thinner.

Your travel pillow should have a machine-washable cover that you can remove and clean like any pillowcase. Let the cover air dry to prevent any shrinkage.

Travel pillows make sleeping more comfortable, usually making sleeping easier. A good travel pillow should provide support for your head and neck in a way that maintains cervical spinal alignment. Being out of alignment (with your head jutting forward, back, or to one side) is associated with the neck, shoulder, and back, and can make it very uncomfortable to sleep (not to mention not great for your musculature).

The most common way people wear these classic travel pillows is with the clasp in the front and the back of the "C" at the back of the neck. If you reverse this position, you may find it much more supportive and comfortable. Whichever orientation offers you the most comfort—and therefore facilitates rest—is the correct way.

Rachael Schultz is a fitness and outdoor product journalist based in Carbondale, Colorado. Growing up in and around cities on the East Coast, she wasn't taught how to backpack or ski as a kid, which means that as she moved West and her passion for the outdoors grew in adulthood, so did her research skills around what exactly one needed to buy to get outside. Now an avid mountain biker, skier, hiker, and camper, she's endlessly fascinated by and knowledgeable about the nuances of materials, performance, and convenience of outdoor gear. She's lucky enough to test everything from women's ski bibs to ultralight backpacking gear to camping cocktail kits. Rachael is passionate about making the outdoors just as accessible to those who haven't spent much time under the stars as those who grew up enjoying it, and that includes having the right gear to stay happy and motivated to head out again as soon as possible.

Journal of physical therapy science vol. 35,2 (2023): “ Changes in neck pain and somatic symptoms before and after the adjustment of the pillow height .” 106-113. doi:10.1589/jpts.35.106

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The Best Travel Pillows for Long-Haul Flights

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you travel regularly you’ve probably learnt to spot the difference between a frequent flier and a rookie—the most obvious tell-tale sign being a bulky travel pillow, typically carried by an inexperienced flier, hanging from a backpack or being worn (wrongly) around the back of their neck before they even get on the plane. Many of us are guilty of buying one of these beanbag worms from the airport duty-free shop, only to realize that they’re more trouble than they’re actually worth.

Do a little research though—as we’ve done for you here— and you might be pleasantly surprised to find that the humble travel pillow has upped its game recently. Specialized brands like  Trtl  and  BCozzy  have entered the market, while pillows that range in shape and materials have popped up on Amazon.

So which ones are actually worth taking on a flight ? We asked our frequent flying editors to test out the most reviewed styles.

How we choose the best travel pillows

Every pillow on this list has been independently tested and reviewed by our editors. When testing, we consider quality, price, unique design features, as well as overall function and visual appeal.

Our top picks:

• Best overall travel pillow: Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow
• Best for neck support: Trtl travel pillow
• Best for side sleepers: BCozzy neck pillow
• Best budget buy: Dot & Dot Twist memory foam travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: overall comfort

If you're looking for an upgrade to a basic does-the-job travel pillow or suffer from neck or back pain, Cabeau's Evolution S3 travel pillow is the best we've tested so far. The memory foam style has considered everything, from an adjustable toggle clasp to secure the pillow comfortably around your neck, to a handy side pocket—ideal for storing headphones or earplugs. What really sets this pillow apart from the rest are the velcro straps on the back, designed to loop around a plane seat's headrest, helping to keep your head upright and take any pressure off your neck.

Why we love it:  “The foam in this pillow is extremely comfortable, but what I love most is that the back of the pillow is flat, so you can sit right up against your seat, unlike the typical travel pillow styles which tend to be round and tilt your neck down slightly. The straps are a great idea, but if you're short it might not be possible to secure to the headrest, so keep that in mind. It also comes in a sleek cylindrical bag that, when clipped onto your carry-on , you’d never even know there was a travel pillow inside." — Sarah Allard , digital editor, Condè Nast Traveller UK

Best travel pillow for: neck support

Less a pillow and more a supportive wrap for your neck, this unique design from Trtl is ideal if you're short on space and weight in your carry-on luggage—it weighs only 4.5 ounces. The pillow is designed to look like a scarf and features a clever curved U-shaped neck support stand that sits under your jaw and is then secured in place by wrapping the fabric around your neck and connecting the velcro.

Why we love it:  “I often feel like most typical travel pillows are too bulky and hard to get comfortably on, so I was keen to try this style. It's perfect for keeping your neck upright and avoiding any of the nodding that can happen while asleep. I'll admit, it feels a little strange at first to put it on, but the hypoallergenic fleece is soft and warm. It's a great option not just for plane travel, but also long road trips or train journeys.” — Sarah James , deputy digital editor, Condè Nast Traveller UK

Best travel pillow for: upper body support

This clever crossbody-sling pillow offers neck and head support while allowing you to truly relax and lean to one side to fall asleep. The pillow comes with a cord at the top that can be secured in place by looping over your seat’s headrest. You can wear the pillow on either side across your body, or down one side, creating more of a barrier between you and the person next to you. The pillow is inflatable, too, so it takes up hardly any room in your luggage.

Why we love it:  “I really love the shape of this pillow, as it cradles not just your neck, but your whole upper body. Although I usually don’t like inflatable pillows, the rigidity of this style works to make you feel secure while sitting upright.” — Lauren Burvill , senior commerce editor, Condè Nast Traveller UK

Best travel pillow for: red-eye flights

More than just a neck pillow, the Pluto Pod boasts a lightly structured and padded hood, as well as a pull-down eye mask. Do you resemble a bobble-headed, 1950s-style alien when you wear it? Yes, you do. Is it, by far, one of the best travel pillows we've tested? Absolutely.

Why we love it : “The pillow has helped me cut down on my sleeping tools. With the Pod, I can eschew ear plugs and an eye mask because the padded hood dampens noise and the flip-down eye mask blocks almost all light. Sleeping with one is like being inside a mini sensory deprivation tank, except you don’t have to worry about getting wet.” — Juliet Izon , contributor

Read a full review here .

Best travel pillow for: flexibility

Made of memory foam, this twist style pillow can be bent and contoured to almost any shape. Its flexibility means it can be worn in several ways, from around the neck to under your head, shoulders, or even lower back.

Why we love it:  “I often toss and turn a lot when trying to get to sleep, so I find I’m particularly wriggly when trying to get comfortable on a flight. This kind of flexible twist style of the pillow was perfect for me, as I was able to shape it to exactly where I needed it to be. I ended up settling with it half behind my neck and half under my chin, so I could lie on my side and get a couple of hours of precious sleep.” —L.B.

Best travel pillow for: side sleepers

Similar to the Trtl pillow but padded with soft microfleece and covered with microsuede, BCozzy's wrap-around design offers plenty of flexibility in terms of how you wear it. The pillow comes in two sizes and when wrapped around the neck offers double the support for your head, neck, and chin. The real standout of this design is the flat back, which is not only great for maintaining a healthy posture, but also means you can fold the pillow in half and wear it on one side.

Why we love it:  “Even on a plane, I'm a side sleeper. My go-to way to snooze is angling the side headrest as far as it can go so I can rest my head in the corner. Headrests can be very hit-and-miss on planes though, so being able to fold the BCozzy pillow in half is ideal as it can prop my neck and chin up on one side without it feeling too suffocating.” —L.B.

Best for: warmth

This squishy infinity-style pillow is all about the soft and breathable bamboo fabric it’s made from. Coming in one large loop, the pillow is worn by wrapping around the neck twice and adjusting and scrunching accordingly depending on the level of comfort you’re looking for.

Why we love it:  “I’d say this pillow is less about neck support and more about soft and cozy scarf–meets–pillow hybrid. It feels like a sleeping bag for your neck—ideal if you get cold easily and are looking for something that’s more snuggly rather than stiff.” —L.B.

Best travel pillow for : Versatility

Slip this microbead-filled cap over your head and you’ll completely redefine the experience of sleeping on the go. From the outside, the wacky-shaped headpiece may feel a tad like a Teletubbies costume, but once you pull your head through the 27.5-inch opening, any place you find yourself in—no matter how bright or how loud—can turn into a sleep zone.

Why we love it: “And there’s no right or wrong way to use it: On a plane, use it to lean against the wall of the window seat, lie head down on the tray table of the middle seat, or tilt backward on the headrest of the seat.” — Rachel Chang , contributor

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

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12 best travel pillows for long-haul flights and adventures in 2024

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Travel pillows are everywhere – slung around the necks of passengers waiting to check in, poking out of backpacks and dangling from cabin cases . But they’re not just designed for use on planes – they’re great for arduous journeys by car, bus or ferry, too, and can be a lifesaver when (god forbid) a delayed flight means you’re forced to spend the night on a cold airport floor.

Most importantly, they play a crucial role when it comes to body alignment, lightening the load on our neck, head and shoulders by preventing the dreading head bob and making sure that our head stays upright even when we’re out for the count.

The key thing to finding the best travel pillow is that it provides support for your head – if a pillow does this, your neck, back and shoulders will benefit, too. This doesn’t necessarily mean pillows that loop around the neck are the only option because different people sleep in different ways (something reflected in the wide range of options we’ve recommended).

Beyond the shape and filling, there are other, less important factors to consider. Is the lining removable? This isn’t the be-all and end-all, but bear in mind travel pillows are quick to acquire stains and signs of wear and tear, so if it’s not, consider a design that hides those pesky marks. How well does it fit around your headphones , if your go-tos are over-ear models ? This isn’t a problem with most pillows, although there are certainly some options in our round-up that score better than others in this regard.

Finally, in an era when airlines are rolling out increasingly restrictive regulations relating to cabin baggage, how does it do in the stash-ability stakes? If you’re prone to exceeding your size or weight allowance, an inflatable pillow in a carry sack which can be stuffed into a side pocket or dangled from your backpack’s carabiner attachment might be the best option.

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How we tested the best travel pillows

We tested these travel pillows in a whole host of scenarios – at our desks, on long flights, on painfully arduous train journeys and bus journeys across southeast Asia . And trust us – as keen travellers accustomed to long trips on planes, trains and automobiles, we’ve got through more travel pillows than we can count.

We considered multiple factors – were they suitable for trips on which space was at a premium? What did the outer lining and stuffing feel like? Were they as useful on trains and long car journeys as they were on planes (anything that means we get more bang for our buck can only be positive, after all)? In other words, you can rest assured you’re (well, your head, neck and shoulders specifically) in good hands.

The best travel pillows for 2024 are:

• Best travel pillow overall – Ostrichpillow go neck pillow: £55, Amazon.co.uk
• Best budget travel pillow – Lifeventure inflatable neck pillow: £12.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best luxury travel pillow – Slip jet setter travel pillow: £79.29, Beautybay.com
• Best breathable travel pillow – Trtl pillow cool: £29.99, Amazon.co.uk

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow

• Best : Travel pillow overall
• Material : Viscose
• Filling : Memory foam
• Weight : 350g
• Dimensions : 25cm x 17cm x 7cm
• Ultra-soft materials
• Brilliant ergonomic design

This fantastic memory foam pillow ticked all of the boxes – a removable, ultra-soft lining, a top-quality memory foam filling and generous patches of Velcro to keep it in place, which allows for more adjustability than we’re used to. It’s got a more ergonomic design than other pillows of this size, with a tapered shape which allows it to tuck neatly under our chin. The two-tone colourway also looks incredibly stylish, and we appreciated the tiny size of the label – all too often these are too large and attached to parts of travel pillows where they’re almost certainly going to rub against our skin.

Lifeventure inflatable neck pillow

• Best : Budget travel pillows
• Material : Polyester and TPU bonded fabric
• Filling : Inflatable
• Weight : 54g
• Dimensions : 33cm x 47cm x 12cm
• Very tough fabric on the pillow and stuff sack
• Great value
• No fastening to secure the ends at the neck

These days a growing number of travel pillows are made from memory foam. But as travellers who are perpetually short on space, we’ve got a major soft spot for inflatable ones, such as this piece of portable perfection. It inflated and deflated in seconds and the material – a combination of polyester and TPU-bonded fabric – didn’t chafe or rub, even on long flights. We also loved that it came in its very own bag  – an ultra-tough one made with ripstop fabric.

Snugpak butterfly neck pillow

• Best : For travellers short on space
• Material : Nylon
• Weight : 100g
• Dimensions : 37cm x 15cm x 8cm
• Stashes into the smallest of pockets and pouches
• Butterfly shape might not appeal to all

This pillow’s outer material was wonderfully soft, with a thickness that did a fantastic job of ramping up the comfort. It’s a great option for jet-setters who don’t gel with traditional travel pillows worn around the neck – we loved the way its butterfly shape meant it could be jammed into awkward corners and used as a headrest against airplane windows. It inflated and deflated incredibly quickly, and bonus points were awarded for its handy stuff sack, which can be dangled from buckles on backpacks.

Vango deep sleep ergo pillow

• Best : For frequent flyers
• Material : Knitted elastic
• Weight : 80g
• Dimensions : 41cm x 30cm x 11cm
• Incredibly soft fabric
• Supersized valve makes inflation and deflation a breeze
• Not the best option for those in need of neck (rather than head) support

The shape of this one is inspired by traditional pillows in that it doesn’t loop around the neck but acts as a headrest. Its small size makes it both wonderfully portable and versatile – it works just as well on planes as it does on long coach journeys and camping trips. The large valve means it takes just seconds to inflate and deflate, and the combination of the super soft fabric and a slightly sunken area in the centre did a great job of cushioning our head on a long-haul flight.

Slip jet setter travel pillow

• Best : Luxury travel pillow
• Material : Silk
• Filling : Foam
• Weight : Unspecified
• Dimensions : 25cm x 25cm x 12.5cm
• Soft outer cover
• The filling is not memory foam

Twenty years ago, when we were backpacking around the world using our wallet, socks or pants as pillows on bus journeys and flights, we’d have loved a pillow such as this one. Yes, it’s expensive but it’s also ridiculously comfortable – a thick curve of foam covered with top-quality mulberry silk (which didn’t just feel great on the skin but kept our hair frizz-free too). An integrated zip allows the cover to be removed and washed (because let’s face it, we’re all prone to the odd mid-snooze dribble). We’re not quite willing to award this a full five stars on account of the filling, which is standard foam. Yes, it’s top-quality stuff but we were hoping for memory foam given the use of the finest silk for the exterior.

Ostrichpillow light versatile pillow

• Best : Lightweight travel pillow
• Materials : Viscose
• Filling : Microbeads
• Weight : 110g
• Dimensions : 31.5cm x 16.5cm x 7cm
• Comfortable
• The toggle is great for adjusting the fit
• No washable lining

Yes, this particular pillow looks a little different to the average travel pillow – the suggested way of wearing it is to place it around your head, halo-style, so that it covers your ears and eyes while also cushioning your bonce in all the right places (we could use the toggle to adjust to fit).

We were initially a little nervous about the filling, which consisted of microbeads that felt similar to the ones inside bean bags, albeit slightly smaller. However, our concerns were unfounded – perhaps due to their small size, the result is a wonderful mouldability which provided high levels of comfort, boosted by the ultra-soft lining. The only reason we’re not giving this pillow five out of five is because there’s no removable outer covering should it get dirty, but trust us – this is a minor issue when comfort levels are this high.

Trtl pillow cool

• Best : Breathable travel pillow
• Material : Tencel
• Weight : 299g
• Dimensions : ‎25.4cm x 20.32cm x 10.16cm
• Innovative design
• Breathable material
• Not the most compact of travel pillows
• The fastening can be a little fiddly at first

We’ve not come across many travel pillows that come with instruction manuals and were somewhat sceptical about the slightly more complicated design of Trtl’s pillow. In summary, it’s got a built-in rigid section designed to offer firm support for the neck – you keep this section in place by wrapping the scarf-like section around your neck. It was much more comfortable than we imagined and did a great job eliminating the dreaded head-bob, although it only offers support on one side. Despite the built-in rigid section, it’s incredibly light, and the material is surprisingly breathable, too.

Vango Shangri-La memory foam pillow

• Best : For superior comfort
• Material : Brushed polyester
• Filling : Memory foam and an air pocket
• Weight : 450g
• Dimensions : 36cm x 11cm
• Superior comfort
• Soft fabric

We loved everything about this pillow, which has a precision-engineered ergonomic shape and is covered by some of the softest fabric we’ve come across. The memory foam provided the optimal amount of cushioning, and a colleague who borrowed it for a few moments described his experience as “similar to sleeping on a cloud”. What that actually feels like is anybody’s guess, but we reckon that’s a pretty good endorsement.

The secret to the superior comfort lies in its design, which comprises an outer layer of memory foam and a central air pocket. The result? The mouldability of memory foam and the support which comes courtesy of the air pocket – AKA the ultimate double act, we reckon.

Lifeventure inflatable pillow

• Best : For a traditional pillow option
• Material : Polyester and TPU fabric
• Weight : 77g
• Dimensions : 36cm x 51cm x 10cm
• Ergonomic shape provides support

An ergonomic shape provided just the right amount of support (including all-important lumbar support) and the deep grooves aided airflow during a particularly hot, sticky night on a cramped red-eye flight. It’s got enough flexibility to use on planes and trains, and the combination of polyester and TPU fabric makes for an extremely durable pillow. The carry case, made from ripstop fabric, is equally rugged.

Exped air pillow

• Best : For durability
• Material : Polyester and TPU polyether film laminate
• Weight : 60g
• Dimensions : 46cm x 30cm x 12 cm
• Easy to adjust rigidness
• Quick to inflate

Another pillow with an unusual shape – in this case, a semi-rectangular profile – the Exped air pillow isn’t the softest of travel accessories, but it’s ridiculously quick to inflate and wonderfully easy to adjust when it comes to rigidity. It took five short breaths to inflate it fully, and the presence of separate, dedicated inflation and deflation valves cranks up the efficiency. An internal flap in the intake valve means a minimal chance of leaks, too.

Go Travel memory dreamer travel pillow

• Best : For lumbar support
• Material : Polyester
• Weight : 355g
• Dimensions : 26cm x 25.5cm x 12.5cm
• Memory foam core provides great lumbar support
• Thick lining
• No hook to hang it off backpacks

A memory foam core provides great lumbar support along with cushioning for the head and shoulders, and the lining has a surprising thickness – one which suggests that the memory dreamer is more than capable of standing up to some serious wear and tear. There’s no hook to hang it off backpacks, but we loved the buckle-style clip, which meant we could quickly and easily tweak the fit (something which press studs don’t allow).

Outwell dream boat ergo pillow

• Best : Multipurpose travel pillow
• Materials : Polyester
• Weight : 300g
• Dimensions : 50cm x 29cm x 10cm
• Large makes it versatile
• Top-quality memory foam construction
• Provides great support

This pillow is one of the largest we’ve tested, but we can confirm it’s still perfectly suitable for plane journeys, thanks to its amazing squishiness. The upside to its supersized design is that it can be used for camping holidays too, and its versatility is ramped up due to a number of factors.

Firstly, the low-flat valves, which are easy to inflate but won’t snag when the pillow is squashed into small spaces or stashed into backpacks. Add a top-quality memory foam construction, super soft fabric and a shape designed to support not just the head but the back and shoulders too, and you’ve got a one-way ticket to the land of nod.

Travel pillow FAQs

What is the best travel pillow shape.

If you’re lucky enough to be one of those few people whose in-flight discomfort doesn’t come from head bobbing but the displeasure stemming from resting your head against hard surfaces, opt for a travel pillow with a traditional shape, rather than a looping design (another benefit of these is that they’re more versatile, and double as great camping pillows when space is at a premium).

What is the best travel pillow filling?

Don’t make the mistake of insisting on memory foam – although memory foam is usually best when it comes to fantastic support, there are plenty of other fillings (such as lightweight microbeads) which work just as well, while inflatable pillows are handy if you’re short on space.

The verdict: Travel pillows

What’s not to love about a cloud-like neck pillow filled with the finest quality memory foam and precision-engineered to support our head, neck and shoulders? Nothing – which is exactly why Ostrichpillow’s go neck pillow bags the top spot. Snugpak’s butterfly neck pillow comes second for its wonderful versatility while Lifeventure’s inflatable neck pillow earns a special mention for its hat trick of practicality, comfort and value for money.

Make travelling light work with one of these travel backpacks for hiking holidays and city breaks

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Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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The 11 Very Best Travel Pillows

Because in-flight sleep is possible, even in the middle seat..

In this article

Best travel pillow overall.

• Best less-expensive
• Best memory-foam
• Best inflatable
• Best for specific seats
• Best for sleeping on the tray table
• Best for traveling with kids

While buying a travel pillow at the airport is always an option, I’ve been sleeping much better on planes since I started planning my in-flight sleep routine ahead of time. A good travel pillow also suits your sleeping position, especially if you’re a side sleeper who tends to get stuck in the dreaded middle seat. It should pair well with a light-blocking eye mask as well as earplugs to drown out engine noise. And the best travel pillows are not only comfortable but also easy to pack — they shouldn’t be a nuisance once you arrive at your destination.

To find travel pillows for every kind of sleeper and traveler, my fellow Strategist travel writer, Rachael Griffiths, and I asked frequent fliers for their picks, then tested those out for ourselves on both long-haul and domestic flights. We also spoke to chiropractors about the science behind travel pillows. While you’re here, you may want to check out my guides to the best carry-on luggage and the best refillable toiletry bottles .

What we’re looking for

First, consider the type of travel pillow you’re interested in: U-shaped versions that go around the neck or traditional flat pillows that have been shrunken down for portability are most common. U-shaped pillows are designed to prevent lateral bending in the neck — “It’s that move to sort of pinch the cell phone between your shoulder and ear,” says Dr. Carla Fischer , the director of quality and patient safety at NYU Langone Spine Center. That bending to the side, she says, is the most important thing to prevent, but not everyone sleeps in the same position or has the same concerns, so I’ve included several styles in this story.

Below you’ll find pillows made with memory foam, filled with beads, or are inflatable — each of which has its own pros. Dr. Claire Fitzpatrick, founder of Bed-Stuy Chiropractic, believes that memory foam is the most “accommodating” when it comes to travel. When I asked her what she meant, she explained that “if you get a medium to medium-firm memory-foam sort of pillow, it accommodates you, but it doesn’t let you dig into it too much.”

When it comes to thickness “the sides should come up to the height of your earlobes,” says Wainani Arnold , founder of the Wainani Wellness Center and in-flight wellness expert for Hawaiian Airlines. “The back of the neck pillow should be flat or only as thick as the distance between the back of your neck to the back of your head (one to two inches). If it is too thick in the back, the pillow will push your neck forward from the chair too much and will potentially dump your head back, which is not ideal for your neck.”

Packability

Between a carry-on and a personal item, both stuffed to the brim, finding room for something as large as a pillow can be cumbersome. The most packable among travel pillows are the inflatable ones. Others filled with memory foam or cotton are a little trickier to deal with — but are likely more comfortable. This is a trade-off, depending on how long your flight is. And often, neck pillows often have a snap closure at the front that can easily be used to secure it to the handle of your suitcase.

Shape: Neck pillow | Fill: No fill | Thickness: Thin | Packability: Easy

This is the travel pillow I use when I journey from New York City to my hometown of Perth, Western Australia. That’s about 23 hours of flying, and I’ll spend at least half of that time sleeping peacefully thanks to the Trtl. This device is like a scarf crossed with an Elizabethan collar and achieves the main goal of a neck pillow — preventing lateral bending in the neck — thanks to the plastic brace stowed inside its padding. You can adjust this brace and choose which side you prefer nodding off toward.

Griffiths is also a Trtl fan. “The first time I tested out the Trtl, I was out like a light,” she says. “The brace’s angle hits just right: There is no sloping so much that your neck bends unnaturally, but it’s supportive enough for you to relax into a decent sleep.” Lauren Maternowski, editor at Pack Hacker, likes that it allows her to fully lean against the seat’s headrest, and former Strategist staffer Rosie Percy also found that with the adjustable Trtl she was “able to sleep through a flight for the first time in my adult life, touching down feeling refreshed and without a crick in my neck.” The Points Guy’s travel editor, Madison Blancaflor, says the Trtl is the only way to survive long-haul flights in economy. And Scott Keyes of Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights) also echoes all this praise: “What I like about it is its versatility. It lets you sleep decently even if you’re in the middle seat, and this one is small enough to easily tuck into your backpack.”

Best less-expensive travel pillow

Shape: Neck and lumbar pillow | Fill: Not listed | Thickness: 2 inches | Packability: Average

If you aren’t exactly sure if you’ll need neck support or lumbar support, a convertible pillow like this might be your best bet. This neck pillow folds up into a square-shaped pillow that can then be used on your lower back or up against a window. It can also be rolled up into the built-in pocket for storage — which is great for saving space and also shielding the pillow from any germs in the airport. Taryn White of The Trip Wish List tells me it has teeny pockets for earbuds, gum, and mints, a big pro if you usually find yourself rummaging around to find your essentials mid-flight. It has a less convenient hook (compared to a strap) to secure it to your luggage, but the snaps that close the front of the pillow provide another option for strapping it on. I couldn’t track down the fill used in this pillow, but the general consensus from reviewers is that it is “firm but not too hard for me and my aching neck” (according to one reviewer on the Bed,Bath & Beyond website).

Best memory-foam travel neck pillow

Shape: Neck pillow | Fill: Memory foam | Thickness: 5 inches | Packability: Easy

I’ll admit that sometimes I cheat on my Trtl with Cabeau’s more traditional-looking travel pillow, which is a vast improvement on the ones you can buy at the airport. It’s a U shape, but with slightly raised sides to stop your head from slumping (and supports your jaw to prevent open-mouth breathing, says travel blogger Carmen Sognovi ). It’s made from memory foam, and it has a flattened back, which allows it to be flush with the chair. This helps your spine align with the chair for more comfort (according to Fitzpatrick). But the best feature is the adjustable strap that fastens the travel pillow to a headrest — which prevents you from flopping forward once you’re sound asleep. Once I’m locked into my Cabeau, I have no choice but to sleep, and I’ve successfully snored away for countless hours while wearing it. I’ll also note that while it takes up more space than the Trtl, the Cabeau stuffs easily into a surprisingly chic circular bag that clips to the outside of my backpack or over the luggage handle of my suitcase.

Best inflatable travel neck pillow

Shape: Neck pillow | Fill: Inflatable | Thickness: Adjustable | Easy to pack

The same brand also makes an inflatable version of its travel pillow — and though I generally don’t like inflatable pillows, this one is a good option. It inflates to five inches thick but is just the size of a soda can when deflated. Just like the memory-foam pillow, this one has a flat back to help keep your neck in line with the seat, and it has a neck strap to keep your head super-stable. “They are a bit higher than most neck pillows and have a special toggle you can connect and tighten so the pillow doesn’t fall off,” says Jennifer Lachs of Digital Nomad Girls . Lachs admits that the memory-foam pillow above is “even more comfortable,” but the inflatable is better if you want to travel light. (Initially, I thought that inflatable was synonymous with adjustable — the more air you put in, the taller it will be, and less air will make it less firm — but Fischer said it’s a bad idea to not fill up these pillows all the way, as that’s not how they were designed to be used.)

Best inflatable travel lumbar pillow

Shape: Lumbar pillow | Fill: Inflatable | Thickness: 2 inches | Packability: Easy

Here’s a different type of travel pillow — it’s designed for lumbar (rather than neck) support. As a WFH-er who’s rather particular about ergonomic office chairs , I notice the lack of lumbar support on airport seats whether it’s long- or short-haul flights. “In a proper chair, the lumbar part should actually push out to support that curve in your low back, but they don’t do that on planes, because if they did, it would affect their seating, so a lot of them curve in,” says Dr. Jared Hoffman of Williamsburg Chiropractic . His recommended solution is this pillow that inflates to two inches thick and reduces stress on the joints and discs of your lower back by supporting that lower-back curve. Hoffman not only recommends it to patients but says “this I have used personally and I think it’s one of the best products I’ve come across.” And as it’s inflatable, it’s super-easy to travel with — just deflate and roll into your bag once you disembark.

Best travel pillow for the middle seat

Shape: Neck pillow | Fill: Inflatable | Thickness: 3.5 inches | Packability: Easy

This inflatable pillow is worn like a sash, and it gives you something to loll your head against (apart from the person sitting next to you). On a recent flight to Italy, Griffiths chose the dreaded middle seat on purpose to see how well the Travelrest really works. “I’m obsessed with this hideous inflatable golf club,” says travel writer Teddy Minford, who first told us about the unique travel pillow. “It creates something to lean against, even if you’re in the middle seat.” After testing it, Griffiths agrees with Minford that the pillow gives you something to rest your head against — and she successfully managed to get a few hours of sleep on her early flight. Though she felt herself sloping a little toward the side she was resting on, she was overall impressed with how much the pillow improved the usually uncomfortable experience of middle seating. It was also super-easy to transport: When deflated, it rolls up to the size of an iPhone.

Best travel pillow for the window seat

Shape: Head and neck pillow | Fill: Polyester filling | Thickness: 3 inches | Packability: Easy

The aptly named J-Pillow has a main body that supports the crook of your neck and a cushion extending below the chin to stop your head sliding forward. Mercedes Arielle is a window-seat person and says the J-Pillow is best at cradling her head, shoulder, and chin on flights. For Arielle, that three-pronged support is essential “because I rest my head against the window so I can maximize every inch of my window seat.” Griffiths tried one, too, and liked how the chin cushion didn’t extend too far around her neck and the main body of the pillow opened up in a V-shape so she could really wedge her head inside. The material felt more luxurious than the average travel pillow as well — it has a fleecy lining that you can nuzzle down into. It has become her go-to for train journeys, because it’s cushy enough to absorb the vibrations of the tracks. You can compress the pillow to half its size in a carry bag, then use its loops to attach it to your luggage.

Best travel pillow for tray-table sleeping

Shape: Head pillow  | Fill: Polystyrene microbeads | Thickness: Not listed | Packability: Challenging

Mid-overnight flight, the tray table can begin to look very tempting — but it’s far from a comfortable or stable surface. For some extra padding, Fitzpatrick likes this pillow that’s more like a helmet. It covers all sides, including the forehead, so it can be used in a number of situations. There is a hole for your mouth so you can breathe, but otherwise it’s a pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones all in one. Once out of the box, however, it could be cumbersome to travel with.

Best pillow for traveling with kids

Shape: Neck pillow | Fill: Polyester filling | Thickness: Not listed | Packability: Easy

The Huzi pillow, like an extremely plush scarf, can wrap around your neck or lower back — or even both at the same time — to create a highly customized, optimum sleeping position. Writer and mom-of-one Chantel Tattoli says that this pillow is her foolproof method for traveling with her child. She notes it has an almost mystical effect on her daughter on long flights. “Generally, she seems to accord a magical ‘fairy ring’ quality to this fluffy circle, as if once she’s thrown it over her, she’s staked some space in which things are pretty good,” says Tattoli. The Huzi’s design makes it a great pick for those with scoliosis, too. “Even mild scoliosis can affect your comfortable position in a tight seat,” says Fitzpatrick. “The adjustable lemniscate-type pillows can be good for this.” Wearing it through the airport like a scarf also makes it easy to carry, but if you’d rather throw it in your bag, it rolls up neatly into a little ball.

Best travel knee pillow

Shape: Knee pillow | Fill: Inflatable | Thickness: Adjustable | Packability: Easy

Some people can’t fall asleep without a knee pillow — musician Waxahatchee is one of them, and this used to present a problem when she went on tour for months at a time. Because a plush pillow is hard to pack, she found this inflatable one that she says has been life-changing. It takes just three big breaths to blow up and is surprisingly soft. “I don’t overinflate it — I leave a little bit of air out of it so it has a bit of squish,” she says.

Best stuffable travel pillow

Shape: Neck pillow | Fill: User’s choice | Thickness: Adjustable | Packability: Average

If you’re flying on a budget airline and trying to pack light , you could opt for this stuffable travel pillow as a way of sneaking extra clothes onto the plane. Jasmine Anderson and Natasha Wilson (travel agents and co-hosts of the podcast Travel Fly Sexy ) both recommend it. “It’s a great hack because you can fit extra T-shirts, shorts, and swimwear into something that no one is looking at you sideways for because it’s a pillow,” says Wilson. And while there are numerous versions of this kind of pillow on the market, I especially like this one because it is covered in a plush fabric for extra comfort and clips at the front for extra neck support.

Some more travel pillows we’ve written about

Our experts

• Jasmine Anderson , co-host, Travel Fly Sexy • Mercedes Arielle, fashion and travel blogger at Calculated Opulence • Wainani Arnold, founder of the Wainani Wellness Center and in-flight wellness expert for Hawaiian Airlines • Katie Crutchfield, musician, Waxahatchee • Dr. Carla Fischer, director of quality and patient safety at NYU Langone Spine Center • Dr. Claire Fitzpatrick, founder of Bed-Stuy Chiropractic • Dr. Jared Hoffman, Williamsburg Chiropractic • Scott Keyes, Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) • Jennifer Lachs, founder of  Digital Nomad Girls • Kat Lopez, freelance writer • Lauren Maternowski, editor at Pack Hacker • Teddy Minford, travel writer • Rosie Percy, former Strategist associate director of e-commerce-audience-development strategy • Dr. Rebecca Robbins , sleep specialist and Harvard Medical School instructor • Stella Shon, writer at The Points Guy • Carmen Sognovi , travel blogger • Chantel Tattoli , freelance writer • Taryn White, founder of The Trip Wish List • Natasha Wilson , co-host, Travel Fly Sexy

Update on June 27, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

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Today’s Top Clicked

The 9 Best Travel Pillows for Sound Sleep On-the-Go

Say goodbye to that sore neck.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

What to Look for in a Travel Pillow

How we selected these travel pillows, pick the perfect travel pillow following these tips from expert chris meehan..

So, how to make the time in the air (or car or train) more relaxing? The right travel pillow may be the ticket the next time you take off somewhere. It's a basic travel accessory that ranks right up there with great luggage and noise-cancelling headphones .

In its U-shaped form, the travel pillow dates back to 1929 when the design was first patented. Its original intent was for use to recline in the bathtub. Since then, its look and feel has changed with modern versions configured in unique shapes to address all different kinds of travelers: long-haul fliers, restless sleepers, window-seat passengers, and more.

A decent travel pillow includes a soft cover using fabrics like brushed polyester, nylon, or microfiber, while the cushioning (or fill) inside should be supportive and comfortable yet structured enough for your head and neck. The fill types commonly used are assorted types of foam, microbeads, and polyester fiber, in addition to those kinds of pillows with an inflatable bladder

Whether you’re a side slumper, leaner on the seat-back, or nose-to-the sky snoozer, there is a pillow here for you. In our review and testing of travel pillows, we’ve found options in a variety of designs, weights, and shapes from under $20 to well over $60. Read on to find the best one for you!

Best Travel Pillows

• Best Overall Travel Pillow: Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow
• Best Hot-Sleeper Travel Pillow: Cabeau Evolution S3 Memory Foam
• Best Bargain Travel Pillow: Cloudz Dual Comfort Microbead Travel Neck Pillow
• Best Splurge Travel Pillow: Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
• Best Side-Sleeper Travel Pillow: Trtl Pillow Plus

The Expert: Taking multiple plane, train, and bus rides every year, I’m familiar with necessary on-the-go accessories like a travel pillow. For instance, I am based in Colorado and last year I flew to Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. My car travels included a road trip to Zion National Park with a buddy. My average trip takes about seven hours between the trains to and from the airport and the plane ride itself. After using quite a few travel pillows, I’ve found that I enjoy a side-sleeping pillow like the J-Pillow for plane rides since I tend to loll off to one side, and I like the traditionally shaped rectangular pillow, the NEMO Fillo, for other types of excursions like bus and car rides as well as car camping. Its combination of padding and inflate-ability make it versatile for many types of trips.

Many of the travel pillows below don’t look like the traditional U-shaped ones with microbeads—and for good reason. The U-shape doesn't work for everyone as it has a tendency to push the neck forward. Also, if the cushioning isn’t high enough on each side, it may cause your head to flop from left to right instead providing a stationary space. Any neck wobble may result in kinks, stiffness, and soreness.

Those designs that are squared or have flat cushioning behind the neck with more coverage under the chin help keep the head upright. Contoured areas to accommodate the shoulders and help keep the pillows properly aligned.

Depending on how you prefer to rest, the right pillows will ensure some shut-eye on the plane, in the car, or on the train. Here are some factors to consider.

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While many are compact, this will be a factor depending on how light you like to travel. The most compact of all neck pillows is one that’s inflatable. These can deflate to a size smaller than a baseball. Bulkier memory foam pillows, on the other hand, will compress down to about the size of a football.

Most travel pillows weigh under 1 pound, so they’re manageable enough to bring along and to use without putting downward pressure on your shoulders.

U-shape is most common, but it’s not the only form factor out there. Some travel pillows are mini-sized traditionally shaped pillows. Others are coil or donut-shaped to allow for better chin support for slumping sleepers, and at least a few, like the J-Pillow, are designed to offer extra head support for those of us who love to sleep with our head against the wall of a plane or train.

Just like your pillow at home, travel pillows have a range of different fills. Microbeads are likely the stiffest and least compressible while memory foam offers solid support and adjusts to the shape of your head. Inflatable pillows also offer customized cushioning but are sometimes cheaper in design.

Most travel pillows have a soft, fleecy fabric made of polyester, nylon or micro fleece that’s designed for comfort against the face. The fabric of the pillow can also go a long way to describe its washability. Some have covers that are easy to take off and wash. Even some with integrated covers are still machine washable.

The recommendations below are based on my own travel experiences in the air, car, bus, and train. I also looked at customer reviews to gauge what pillows have performed well for most people. Additionally, I considered the work of Paige Szmodis , who investigated pillow options for the previous version of this article.

Overall, these pillows made their way onto red-eye flights, along for road trips (in cars and buses), camping, and even lounging on the couch. Neck support and comfort were factored in as well as portability, durability, washability, and usage. I also considered if pillows came with a storage bag, how well each pillow retained its shape, and what the packed dimensions were versus overall size.

These pillows represent the top options for travelers who go by car, plane, bus, train, or even those who need a good lightweight pillow for laying horizontal in the airport while waiting for their next flight.

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

With limited space for a bulky pillow when on-the-go, packability is key. The Travelrest Nest packs an amazing amount of memory-foam cushioning into the smallest stuff sack. Even after being compressed in its bag for over a week, the pillow immediately puffed right back into its original shape.

While compact, it doesn’t compromise on support. With 5-inches of thermo-sensitive memory foam on all sides, it conforms to the shape of your neck and shoulders and keeps your head in place no matter if you tend to loll to the front, back, or sides. Unlike many U-shaped pillows, its angled back sits flush against any seat surface without pushing your head forward. Bonu: the nonslip panel helps prevent it from sliding off airplane seats.

At a reasonable price—Travelrest even throws in a travel bag and memory foam earplugs to sweeten the deal—its removable cover retains its velvety softness after cycles in the washer and dryer, though it’s a bit of a tight fit to pull the cover back on over the foam’s contours. The dense foam also makes it a little challenging to fold up into its bag, but once you get it in there, it can compress down to a quarter of its original size. On the down side, its high cushioning could pinch earrings or interfere with larger headphones.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Memory Foam

The Cabeau Evolution S3, which has many of the same top features as our Best Overall, is ideal if you sleep a bit on the hot side. Its breathable, moisture-wicking fabric helps to keep you cool and comfortable.

With its U-shaped design, this memory foam pillow prevents lateral movement—your head falling to either side—and features a slimmed flat back so it won’t push your head forward. While the back surface isn’t angled and grippy like the Travelrest, the Cabeau comes with straps to loop around your headrest to keep it in place. Note: These straps may not be compatible with all seat designs and might possibly disturb the person behind you on a flight. Also, with its thick cushioning, the Evolution's height may interfere with certain headphones.

The dense memory foam will take a few seconds to roll up into the travel case but it will hold its shape well after packing away many times. Plus, the polyester cover was easy to slip on and off to wash and dry. A bonus is the travel case which can easily be clipped onto the outside of your bags and luggage.

Cloudz Dual Comfort Microbead Travel Neck Pillow

One of the most well-known neck pillows out there, Cloudz is the one you’re most likely to find in an airport. It’s inexpensive and will do the trick for most flights and other travel, but isn’t as comfortable or as well designed as some of the other picks in our roundup.

The spandex fabric on one side allows the pillow to conform to your shoulders and keeps you cool, while the cozy plush on the other side helps you drift off to sleep. The snap in front keeps the pillow properly oriented while traveling. It’s not machine washable, and over time the small polystyrene beads will compress, ultimately reducing cushioning. As such, it’ll do in a pinch but won't have the durability as some of the other choices here.

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

The makers of the Ostrichpillow Go believe resting shouldn’t require any effort, which is why they pride themselves on designs that are minimalist and easy to use as well as sustainably made. The ergonomic and sleek Go neck pillow promotes 360-degree comfort with a memory foam core, yet it packs down into a stuff sack just over half of its original size. Even after being stored away for a week, it easily expanded back to its circular shape.

While other options may compress into slightly smaller packs, I like this pillow's dense memory foam padding and the Velcro fastener, which allows for a custom fit. Since its cushion height is higher on one side than the other, the taller side may interfere with headphones. For comfort, the cover is luxuriously soft and holds up after machine washing.

Trtl Pillow Plus

Trtl might have the most unconventional looking travel pillow—loop, wrap and nap, as the company says—but plenty of people—especially side sleepers—swear by it. Inside the fleece fabric that gets wrapped around your neck is a cushioned plastic brace that rests on one shoulder and props your head up. Some may find the fleece gets a little too warm, but if you’re always cold on the plane, this could work for you. The fleece wrap also detaches easily from the plastic brace for washing.

While the Trtl Plus is expensive (the costliest of the ones recommended here), it does offer a custom fit courtesy of two plastic knobs that adjust both sides of the plastic panel. It comes with a travel bag which is handy if you don’t want to lug it around on the outside of your bag when traveling.

If you’re still intrigued, but put off by the price, the original Trtl costs about $40 less and is a bit more subtle in styling than the Plus. It looks more like a fleece scarf than a neck brace. There’s no case but it folds almost flat with a Velcro latch, to about the size of a large book, so you can fit it in your bag.

Bcozzy Chin Supporting Travel Neck Pillow

If your head tends to fall forward when you try to sleep upright, the Bcozzy keeps your head up by curling around your whole neck with the ends overlapping under the chin. There are also a few more ways you can wear it, such as folded in half to elevate just one side of your head.

The Bcozzy, available in children's and extra-large sizing, doesn’t come with a removable cover, but the whole pillow is machine washable. A travel case is included.

Sunany Inflatable Neck Pillow

According to some studies, passengers shift positions on a plane every 15 minutes, so this travel pillow is ideal for anyone who changes it up frequently on a flight. It works for forward slumpers, side sleepers, and even couples who want to position it between themselves. It's also perfect for those who want to read or watch a program in privacy.

To make the most of this unique pillow, you'll need a tray table to rest it on. The Sunany pillow can be used at either 19.6- or 11.8-inches high depending on how it is oriented. One downside, considering its inflated size is so large, is that it can be cumbersome to reposition.

AirComfy Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow

This dog bone-shaped, inflatable travel pillow is as ideal for the skies as it is for the roads. Take it in the plane or the car since its adjustable strap easily fits around most headrests, and thanks to its basic shape and adjustability via inflation, you can customize how soft or firm it is depending on your needs.

The foam backed bladder helps reduce the balloon-like feel of some inflatable travel pillows. Use it behind the neck and shoulder or behind the lower back for lumbar support. Extra points for the plush cover that is machine washable.

With so many travel specific pillows and U-shaped design styles, why pick a traditional rectangle option as the most versatile? It’s simple—you can’t reinvent the wheel. With foam and an inflatable bladder, travelers can adjust its firmness, roll it up for neck support on a plane, press it against a wall or window, use it as a normal pillow, or take it along for car travel or camping.

This is the versatile pillow I bring on trips when I am doing multiple types of adventure and know I will need a pillow that can handle the travel itself and anything after. I appreciate the use of both the foam and the air bladder, which means I can adjust the cushioning and the support. With NEMO’s combination, it creates a pillow that doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping on a balloon like some inflatable pillows do. It also easily stuffs down into a sack—about the size of a big Chipotle burrito—that’s integrated into the removable, machine washable cover.

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

The J-Pillow diverges from the traditional U-shape, co-opting another letter for its design. The curve of the “J” cradles your chin while the rest of the pillow supports one side of your head.

While this design is best-suited for passengers at a window seat, I found the J-Pillow didn’t slip off my shoulder even when I wasn't leaning against a window. There is plenty of cushioning, so it's comfortable, but its biggest flaw is its slightly awkward and bulky shape.

Though it comes with a travel sack, it doesn’t compress nearly as much as other travel pillows. Because it didn’t fit into my backpack, I had to carry it separately—not exactly ideal for frequent fliers—though you could use its snap loop to attach to luggage or tie the bag’s drawstring to a gear loop.

What is typically the best way to clean a travel pillow? Should I look for one that is machine-washable?

Always follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. Many inflatable and foam pillows aren’t designed for machine washing and can get damaged in the process. Some of my favorite travel pillows have removable covers that are machine washable.

If given the choice of an inflatable, microbead, or memory foam travel pillow, what do you prefer and why?

If I'm not worried about packing space and my travel plans include a flight, I like memory foam since it cradles the head softly. If you’re traveling and doing multiple things while away, an inflatable pillow might be best since it takes up less space while packed and can be customized for different types of resting.

How do you know if a travel pillow is the right fit?

Think about how you rest while traveling and look for a pillow that fits those needs. You’ll want one with enough support to cradle your head as you nod off, whether that’s off to the side, straight back, or slumping forward.

Chris Meehan is an internationally published writer, author, and editor with more than two decades of professional experience. He has authored multiple adventure guidebooks with Falcon Guides and his work focusses primarily on the nexus between sustainability and outdoor adventure. He is an experienced gear reviewer, tester, and travel writer who has explored multiple continents. 

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8 Neck Pillows That Won’t Embarrass You on the Plane

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

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Unimpressed by some of the newest travel pillows to hit the market? Many are virtually unpackable or outright embarrassing, with armrest-mounted stands or bulky padding that makes them quite the spectacle . Luckily, over-engineered travel pillows aren’t the only way to sleep on the plane; some of the best neck pillows are also the most packable.

Best Neck Pillows for Plane Sleeping

Here are eight simple yet effective options that won’t embarrass you or take up unnecessary space, making them some of the best neck pillows out there.

Trtl Pillow

A new travel pillow that’s not bulky or embarrassing, the Trtl Pillow is a bestseller on Amazon thanks to its discreet ergonomic neck support. One of the best neck pillows for plane sleeping, its sturdy neck support is less bulky than a pillow and disguised by a scarf-like wrap, so no one will know you’re propping up your sleepy head. The Trtl Pillow also packs flat, making it convenient as well.

Therm-A-Rest Self-Inflating Neck Pillow

An inflatable neck pillow sounds like a smart, packable gadget–until you’re grappling with pressure changes that can deflate it mid-nap. For a less pressure-susceptible place to rest your head, try Therm-A-Rest’s Self-Inflating Pillow , which is part foam and part inflatable for adjustable firmness. Deflate it for packing or blow in some air mid-flight to better support your head: It’s a versatile neck pillow for plane sleepers.

A plush, J-shaped cushion to support your neck and head when you’re dozing off to one side, the J-Pillow is heralded by many travelers ( SmarterTravel editors included ) as one of the best neck pillows for plane sleeping, especially in the window seat. Named the 2013 British Invention of the Year, this travel pillow was one of the first to have successfully strayed from the typical U-shaped travel pillow norm. Wedge this strategically shaped cushion between your head and the plane cabin wall, or use its chin support as a solution to the dreaded middle seat.

FLEXi 4-in-1 Convertible Travel Pillow

A versatile neck pillow for plane sleeping that also offers lumbar, side, and tray-table support, FLEXi’s Convertible Travel Pillow is made of microbeads that give it adjustable comfort and make it easier to pack. An included carrying bag gives you the option to stash it on your luggage handle or toss it in a purse. It comes with a 10-year warranty, and the outer case is removable for washing.

Tumi Packable Travel Jackets

Not technically a travel pillow until you pack it away, Tumi’s Packable Travel Jacket fits inside a U-shaped bag so you can stop sloppily rolling up your jacket to use it as a make-shift neck pillow. This hack means you can wear it instead of packing it in your carry on, making it the best neck pillow for ultra-light packers.

BCOZZY Chin-Supporting Pillow

Fussy sleepers should look to adjustable options for the best neck pillow. BCOZZY’s Chin-Supporting Pillow offers multiple support options: The ends overlap for extra support wherever you need it, or you can fold it in half for a window-resting option. The pillow can stop your head from falling forward or sideways, or simply provide plenty of cushioning.

Nemo Fillo HQ Travel Pillow

If travel pillows never seem to fit your neck, try an adjustable, brace-like option that has extra support. Nemo’s Fillo HQ Travel Pillow adjusts to fit most neck sizes and has more padding than most neck pillow options. Still, it can roll-up into a small package.

SmarterTravel Editor Ashley Rossi swears by this option: “ NEMO’s Fillo HQ pillow rolls up well so it’s super packable, but still provides great support for long flights,” Rossi says. “I usually don’t sleep well on planes but was able to get a decent sleep on a recent transatlantic flight with this neck pillow. Plus, it’s adjustable and it has a machine-washable cover.”

Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow

Inflatable neck pillows tend to be plastic or rubber, and can therefore be embarrassingly squeaky, almost as if you’re sleeping on a pool floatie. Sea to Summit’s Aeros Pillow , however, inflates but stays silent thanks to its attached outer polyester. This grants you the ease of flat-packing support without the disruptive sound or smell of plastic. It also comes with a protective carrying case and is narrow at the neck so your head won’t tilt forward.

For more pillow options, see The Best Neck Pillows for Travelers from Tripadvisor, SmarterTravel’s parent company.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 9 Times You’ll Regret Being Cheap When You Travel
• Should Airlines Get Rid of Reclining Seats? This One Is
• 9 DIY Ways to Upgrade Economy Class

Associate Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on  Twitter   and  Instagram .

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Best Travel Pillows of 2024

Sleep better on your next adventure with one of the best travel pillows on the market, tested and reviewed by CNET's sleep experts.

Whether you're traveling by plane, car or train, using a travel pillow that fits your needs and preferences has many benefits. Seats on planes and public transportation are not designed for every body type and height, so your head may not rest comfortably, especially if you're in a middle seat. A travel pillow can support your neck and prevent your head from rolling around while trying to get some shut-eye on your journey. This is especially beneficial on longer trips to ensure proper posture and avoid neck strain or injury.

Travel pillows help prevent neck strain and they can improve your quality of sleep . Maintaining a proper sleep schedule is difficult while traveling, and avoiding jet lag is key if you're voyaging across lengthy distances. Having a travel pillow that keeps you comfortable can make it easier to stay well-rested -- which is essential for your overall health and well-being (and will make your trip more enjoyable). 

Picking the right travel pillow for you can be tricky, as there are many different shapes, sizes and functionalities to choose from. Don't lose sleep over it, though -- we're here to help. Buckle up as we dive into the best travel pillows on the market.

How we tested the best travel pillows

CNET sleep experts JD Christison and Aly Lopez tested over a dozen travel pillows.

CNET senior video producer and sleep expert JD Christison and I conducted hands-on -- and heads-on -- test of all the travel pillows in this best list, including our honorable mentions at the end. The characteristics we focused on included portability, adjustability, materials or construction, additional features (such as washability) and price . 

We unpacked the travel pillows, discussing our initial thoughts on each one. We then put them to the test by wearing them in the car while traveling on bumpy and windy roads to see if they were able to keep us comfortable and supported. We each took turns testing the pillows by sitting in various positions and wearing them in different ways as the pillow allowed.

After unpacking the pillows, forming our initial thoughts and opinions and testing them on a long car ride, JD and I also tested them individually over a few weeks while traveling in the car and on a few flights. Our sleep team will continue testing and reviewing these pillows and others in the next few months, so be sure to check back for updates.

Best overall travel pillow

After testing and reviewing over a dozen travel pillows, we chose Travelrest’s Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow as the best overall, thanks to its affordable pricing, quality materials and highly comfortable, traditional design. It has a machine-washable cover that's easy to put on and take off -- an important feature to look for if you want to keep your travel pillow fresh and clean.

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam

JD and I immediately enjoyed the feel and fit of Travelrest's Nest Ultimate Memory Foam, which offers a traditional travel pillow shape and design. Its high-quality memory foam molded nicely around our necks and shoulders, and the microfiber cover is super soft and cozy. It comfortably supported our heads without feeling overbearing.

This pillow's textured backing helps hold it in place, which worked well in our testing. The Travelrest Nest pillow easily squishes down to a quarter of its full size to fit in the small carrying pouch. It's easy to travel with and keep clean in the bag. The cover is completely removable and machine washable, another trait we recommend looking for in a travel pillow.

It has a velcro strap in the front, but this pillow is not as adjustable as some of the other pillows we tested. It's a one-size-fits-all pillow, so it may be a little big for individuals with smaller frames. At $40, this is an average price point for travel pillows of this quality.

• Comfortable contouring memory foam
• Machine washable microfiber cover
• Non-slip material on the back
• Only one size
• Not adjustable

Return policy: 30 days Warranty : One-year limited warranty Washability: Machine-washable cover

Trtl Travel Pillow

Best adjustable travel pillow.

The Trtl Travel Pillow wins as the best adjustable pillow thanks to its unique ergonomic design, which differs from all the other brands we tested. While testing the Trtl pillow during a long car ride, I eventually forgot I was wearing it because it was so comfortable -- which is saying a lot because I'm particular about anything that goes on or around my neck (you'll see me wearing Trtl, but never a turtleneck). My head felt entirely supported without that claustrophobic feeling I've experienced with bulkier travel pillows. 

This is not your typical U-shaped travel pillow. The Trtl has an internal support piece that you place against your neck and jaw on one side, wrap the soft, hypoallergenic fabric like a scarf and secure it with the velcro piece. The velcro is impressively sticky, which I look for to ensure that the product will be long-lasting. The materials are lightweight and thin, folding up small and packing nicely into the waterproof bag. It's also machine washable and fast-drying; all you have to do is remove the plastic insert first.

While JD and I are very different heights, he and I found the pillow adjustable enough to fit comfortably around our necks. However, Trtl also offers the Trtl Pillow Plus , which is height-adjustable with a twist toggle and designed specifically for various heights, from petite to tall. It also offers a cooling travel pillow with more breathable and thermoregulating materials for those who run hot. Retailing for $60, the Trtl Travel Pillows falls on the more expensive side, but we think it's worth it.

• Super soft and lightweight
• More discreet than other travel pillows
• Super supportive
• Have to take it off and move it around to switch sides

Return policy: 100-day trial period Warranty : N/A Washability: Machine-washable fabric

AirComfy Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow

Best affordable travel pillow.

AirComfy's Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow is small but mighty -- and it's even smaller in its carrying bag, complete with a convenient carabiner to clip onto your luggage. It has a unique bowtie shape with an elastic band that allows you to attach it to the headrest on your seat to keep it in place. You can also place it behind your back if you need lumbar support.

At $24, this is one of the most affordable travel pillows we've seen with this level of quality and functionality. The size isn't adjustable, but you can alter the firmness by adding more or less air as you blow it up, which only takes a few breaths to fill up completely. JD and I were surprised by how lightweight yet durable it felt, and we agreed that it seemed like it would hold up for many trips.

It's worth noting that you may be limited in where you can use it. For example, if you're in the middle seat on a flight, you'd only be able to put it behind you with your head upright (you wouldn't be able to rest your head to the side). The soft velvet pillowcase is removable and machine-washable, which is a nice touch.

• Budget-friendly
• Stays in place on the headrest
• Can also be used for lumbar support
• Won't hold your neck perfectly in place

Return policy: 30 days Warranty : N/A Washability: Machine-washable pillowcase

Travelrest: All-In-One Ultimate Travel Pillow

Best inflatable travel pillow.

The All-In-One Ultimate Travel Pillow by Travelrest was the best inflatable travel pillow we tested. Inflatable pillows have innate travel advantages, such as deflating and packing up super small. They're also great for adjusting the firmness by controlling how much air you put into them.

The Travelrest All-In-One pillow has memory foam inserts, giving it an extra oomph of comfort and support. Since it goes around your body like a sling or messenger bag and rests on a shoulder, you don't even need a seatback to use it. You can comfortably rest your head while sitting in the middle or aisle seats of an airplane without having anything to lean against.

One downside is having to blow it up on the plane while sitting in tight quarters with strangers and moving it around to the opposite shoulder if you want to rest your head the other way. On the plus side, it takes little effort to inflate -- we found that approximately three or four easy puffs will do the trick. Its luxury velour cover is soft and comfortable, removable and machine washable. For $40, we think this is a great value. Travelrest has a similar version without the velvet cover for $10 less.

• Deflates and packs small 
• Soft, velvety cover
• Allows you to rest your head to the side
• You have to blow it up manually
• Take out memory foam inserts to wash it

Ostrichpillow Original Napping Pillow

Best unique travel pillow.

Ostrichpillow's Original Napping Pillow quickly became JD's favorite. This unique pillow may make you look like an alien or a weird bug, but don't fret -- the sleep you get while wearing it is worth any strange looks you might receive in public. This fully encapsulating pillow blocks light and noise, creating a cozy cocoon for your whole head, unlike the other travel pillows we tested.

This pillow can be used to catch some Zzzs anytime and anywhere, not just while traveling. The materials are incredibly soft, and the inside has extra microbead filling -- it's truly the ideal environment for taking a nap. We did notice that it becomes a little warm after a while, so if you're a naturally hot sleeper, this may not be the best pick for you.

Because of its bulkier design, it's not as easily portable as other travel pillows. It's also one-size-fits-all, so it's not adjustable, but with the added hand and armholes at the top, you can comfortably wear this pillow while lying or sitting against any surface, from the airplane seat to napping on the airport floor. Some users even wear the Original Napping Pillow in bed at night to help them fall asleep faster.

Ostrichpillow offers various pillows and travel products, from the regular Go Neck Pillow (check it out in our honorable mentions below) to the Mini Handy Pillow to eye masks. It also offers a 100-day return period and a two-year warranty, some of the best company policies we've seen for travel pillows.

• Encompassing coziness for sleeping
• Great return and warranty policies
• Does not pack small
• Might get hot after a while

Return policy: 100 days Warranty : Two-year warranty Washability: Spot clean and air dry

Pluto Pod 2.0

Best premium travel pillow.

No travel pillow says "I need space" like the Pluto Pod 2.0 . You'll look like an astronaut, and it's worth it for the enhanced travel experience. Immediately, JD and I could tell it's made with high-quality and durable materials, yet it still feels lightweight. After wearing it for a while, we were impressed by how breathable it is, even with the hood and eyemask fully drawn. You can block out the world entirely without feeling constricted or claustrophobic, which makes it especially ideal for long flights and trips. It's like being inside a mini sensory deprivation tank, making sleeping easier while traveling. The hood is large and spacious enough to wear with over-the-ear headphones.

The neck pillow's design was initially inspired by a neck brace, which Pluto dialed back to make it feel supportive and cushioning. The velcro strap around the neck pillow has a strong stick, and makes the pillow comfortably adjustable.

Pluto thought of everything with the Pod 2.0, and it's obviously been constructed based on feedback from frequent flyers, flight attendants and sleep experts. It rolls up like a burrito and packs small. The outer surfaces are machine washable; all you have to do is remove the foam inside first. If you're concerned about people staring at you while wearing this travel pillow, don't be -- they're probably just jealous.

• Crafted with durable and breathable materials
• Completely blocks out the world 
• Great company policies  
• Currently sold out (shipping in July and September)

Return policy: 125 days Warranty : One-year warranty Washability: Machine-washable cover

Cabeau Evolution Kids

Best travel pillow for kids.

The Evolution Kids Neck Pillow from Cabeau is a cute and functional travel companion for kids. Whether your family is going on a short car ride or taking a long flight, this pillow can help your child feel cozy and comfortable while keeping their head and neck from bobbling or jostling around. The super-soft cover is made of RPET fabric, an eco-friendly recycled material that won't irritate sensitive skin.

We loved Cabeau's fun animal designs and color options, and it's evident from reading the reviews that children love them, too. These pillows are recommended for children ages 3 and up.

• Multiple designs and color choices
• Supportive yet breathable
• Soft fabric won't irritate skin
• Only comes in one size

Return policy: 30 days Warranty : One-year limited warranty Washability: Machine washable

Honorable mentions

The market is inundated with travel pillows of all shapes, sizes, functionalities and pricing, making it difficult to narrow down your options. We were strict with our testing and reviewing process to bring you a versatile list of the top travel pillows you can buy online. We want to shout out a handful of other travel pillows that impressed us while testing and deserve an honorable mention.

Ostrichpillow Go Neck pillow

If you're looking for another memory foam travel pillow option, check out the Ostrichpillow Go Neck pillow . JD has used this pillow on many trips, and its shape and density have held well over time. The dense memory foam molds to your chin and neck, and there's a velcro strap for adjusting and holding the pillow in place. It's surprisingly lightweight and compacts easily into the small carrying pouch.

Cabeau Evolution S3 TNE Neck Pillow

The Cabeau Evolution S3 TNE Neck Pillow has contouring memory foam and raised sides that fully support your neck, keeping your mouth closed and preventing your head from bobbling forward. If you're looking for a travel pillow that will keep your head and jaw feeling secure and locked in place, this is the one for you. It also comes in a variety of fun and bright colors.

Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam

The Twist Memory Foam pillow by Dot&Dot has a unique, twistable design that allows you to shape it to support any position for getting some sleep while traveling. The soft cotton cover is machine washable. JD and I both mentioned that we wished it was a little longer to make it even more versatile. But for $25, it's a great value.

Travel pillow FAQs

Why should i use a travel pillow.

A travel pillow can provide support and comfort for your head and neck, which is important for long car rides or flights to prevent straining, stiffness and soreness. Using a travel pillow to help you sleep comfortably can lessen the effects of jet lag and ultimately help you arrive at your destination in better shape.

How much should I spend on a travel pillow?

A quality travel pillow typically costs between $30 and $60, depending on the brand, materials and additional features such as adjustable straps or washability. If you travel frequently or have a big trip coming up, investing in a quality travel pillow can be worth it. There are plenty of great affordable travel pillows priced around $15-$20 and more premium options costing up to $150-$200. Ultimately, it comes down to your budget and the features you're looking for.

Are travel pillows machine washable?

Many travel pillows have removable, machine-washable covers, as brands recognize the importance of keeping your pillow fresh and clean for trips. Always check the company's care instructions before throwing your travel pillow in the washer or dryer (especially since most travel pillow covers require washing in cold water and air drying).

Have a trip coming up? Learn about the best headphones for traveling and tips for avoiding jet lag .

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10 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Feel comfy and supported whether you're sitting in a window, middle or aisle seat.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Travel Neck Pillow

Cabeau evolution s3.

Best Value Travel Pillow

Cabeau evolution classic.

Best Organic Travel Pillow

Avocado organic toddler pillow.

Depending on the airline and type of flight, you may be given a travel pillow. But these aren't always the best pillows to rest your head on while you close your eyes. If you are a frequent traveler, investing in your own travel pillow may be worth it, especially for flights when you are in the middle or aisle. That said, shopping for a new pillow isn't always the easiest, which is why we've rounded up the best pillows for travel , including organic pillows , neck pillows and budget-friendly options, based on extensive research and our own expert testing in the Good Housekeeping Institute .

After browsing our recommendations, we suggest checking out our favorite travel gear on Amazon and consulting our guide to washing pillows , just in case you spill your coffee or juice mid-flight.

This isn't your typical travel neck pillow, as its memory foam fill holds its shape better than similar neck pillow styles.

Our pros found that the pillow really does keep your neck from tilting too far to the side. You can attach the adjustable straps to any headrest, whether it's on an airplane or in the car. We appreciate its more substantial size compared to other options on the market, although this means it's a bit bulkier.

However, it comes with a travel bag the manufacturer claims compresses the pillow down to half its size. Plus, you can attach the bag to your suitcase so you can save room for souvenirs. Although this is our top-rated pick for a travel neck pillow, it isn't the most versatile.

Fill material: Memory foam | Machine washable cover: Yes | Features: Adjustable straps; travel bag

For a less expensive option also by popular brand Cabeau, try its Evolution Classic for under $30. Similar to the S3, this model has a memory foam fill — but doesn't have straps for attaching it to a headrest.

Adjustable front clasps, however, lend support to the head and neck. You'll appreciate the machine washable cover for quick cleaning, and a hidden storage compartment for earbuds or earplugs . The pillow has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon and over 1.9k online customer reviews praising how comfortable it is. Some comment they have bought it for other frequent travelers in their lives.

A few reviews note that the pillow can be too big depending on how tall you are. Still, for the price and support provided, it's a winner.

Fill materials: Memory foam, polyester, cotton | Machine washable cover: Yes | Features: Adjustable front clasps; hidden storage compartment

You may be surprised to learn that a toddler-sized pillow is typically the same size as a travel one. We tested Avocado's Toddler Pillow which is the same as their travel pillow. Avocado uses organic and high quality materials, which is one reason we love the brand and have included its Green Mattress in a roundup of the best organic mattresses .

Like its popular mattress, Avocado's travel pillow is GOTS certified organic . It's also made with latex rather than memory foam, a synthetic material often used in travel pillows. Latex is made from natural resources and tends to be more resilient than foam. The fill is a blend of latex and kapok fiber, a natural material that has a silky feel.

Bedding expert Lexie Sachs , the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, says this pillow is indeed super comfy, and an almost perfect five-star rating online suggests customers agree. Numerous reviews note the high quality; one customer writes, "this pillow is really nice, soft, comfortable and the perfect size for using as an extra pillow for legs or whatever is needed."

Fill material: Latex, kapok fiber | Machine washable cover: Yes | Features: GOTS certified organic material

Trtl Travel Pillow

The design of this travel pillow may give infinity scarf vibes, but its unique design is meant for neck support. Available in four colors and weighing the same as an apple , according to the brand, this pillow is made from soft fleece and has an internal support system that helps keep your head and neck in an upright position.

We appreciate how lightweight it is, as you can easily pack it in your carry-on luggage . To wash, simply remove the support system and toss the wrap in the wash — no need to remove the cover first like some u-shaped travel pillows.

It has over 32K Amazon reviews, including one customer writing they used it on a recent 22-hour flight and were able to fall asleep for the first time sitting up. They add that while the fleece material keeps you warm in oftentimes cold flights, it may be too warm for those who run hot.

Fill material: N/A | Machine washable: Yes | Features: Soft fleece material

Ostrich Original Travel Pillow

What sets this pillow apart from others is its light-blocking capability that proved to be effective in our testing . Its design may look kind of silly at a first glance, but the full-head structure with a mouth opening is meant to reduce ambient light and sound while letting you breath easy.

There are openings for your hands to rest on top of your head when leaning over. The pillow creates a cozy cocoon you can escape to whether you are at the office or on the plane in a middle seat. A caveat is the manufacturer recommends you spot clean the pillow with mild soap and water and then dry thoroughly, rather than tossing it in the washer and dryer.

It definitely has a strange design, but hundreds of online reviews say it does what it is meant to do. One happy reviewer writes, "I love pillows, and this does fall into that category. Although it's a bit awkward, it is very soft. For long car rides it would be a very good choice."

Fill material: Microbeads | Machine washable: No | Features: Blocks light; openings for hands

Honeydew Scrumptious Side Pillow

A GH Family Travel Awards winner in 2023, our testers raved about this pick, and even continued using the pillow after their travels.

It's substantial in size while still being compact enough to take on a trip, and comes with its own storage bag and pillowcase. The fill is a memory foam blend that is not only comfortable but also helps the pillow keep its shape.

Its curved shape maintains proper alignment while you snooze. It does come at a higher price but Sachs says that she uses her pillow at home too, not just while traveling, meaning the splurge may be worth it if you travel often for work and find hotel pillows to be uncomfortable.

Fill material: Memory foam blend | Machine washable cover: Yes| Features: Storage bag and pillowcase; curved shape

BCOZZY Kids Travel Pillow

If you have one or more little ones traveling with you, then you may be looking for a kid-friendly travel pillow to help them nap better on long car rides or flights.

This popular pillow by Bcozzy has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon and is available in five colors with adorable travel bags in the shape of animals. You can adjust the pillow using the velcro strips that attach to the overlapping arms, which combined with a flat back help keep your kid's head from falling forward.

Sachs owns these cute pillows for her kids and confirms they stay in place well and roll up nice and easy to fit inside the carrying kit. "We used them on a long road trip and bring them whenever we have a long car ride. They love them!" she notes. You can also machine wash this pillow, which is great for any spills in the car. The drawback? It's pricier than some of our travel pillow picks for adults.

Fill material: Polyester | Machine washable: Yes | Features: Animal-themed travel bag; adjustable Velcro arms

Tuft & Needle Anywhere Travel Pillow

Limited on space? Try this travel pillow by popular bedding brand Tuft & Needle. We've included the brand's Original Mattress in our roundup of best mattresses and GH editors who have brought this pillow on long-haul flights say it's a game changer.

It's made from the brand's adaptive foam, which is designed to be breathable. It comes with a pack you can stuff the pillow into — making the pillow even more compact. Its versatile shape lends itself to a variety of uses including long trips or even camping. There is also a metal carabiner for attaching it to your bag or suitcase.

Sachs adds that this pillow is a solid choice for adding some cushion between your neck and shoulder when snoozing or even using it as something to lean on up against a car window.

Fill material: Foam | Machine washable cover: Yes | Features: Stuff sack and carabiner; breathable

BCOZZY Neck Pillow for Travel

When you think of travel pillows, something like this classic U-shaped pillow may come to mind. This popular pick has over 27K Amazon reviews, with one customer saying they bought the pillow for a long flight but found it also helped with their sleeping at home: "My neck is supported and my head is propped in just the right position to sleep comfortably."

The pillow has a multi-purpose design for all sleeping positions. You can position the arms of the pillow to support your head whether it tends to fall forward or sideways. The soft fleece material makes it cozy to snuggle with and the pillow comes with a travel case for easy storage.

Fill material: Polyester | Machine washable cover: Yes | Features: Front and side positions; soft fleece material

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

J-Pillow's travel pillow features an innovative, patented three-way design that supports your head, neck and chin. You tuck the "trunk" of the pillow under your chin and then lean back into the pillow for a restful sleep. Even if you're buying it for a long flight, you can continue using it while relaxing on your sofa at home to lend support to your head and neck as you nap or read.

It also comes with a travel bag for easy transport and has a snap loop so you can hang it on a hook when not in use. You can pop this pillow into the washer and dryer for easy cleaning post-traveling.

One five-star reviewer says, "I love this travel pillow; it's very soft and very good for sitting next to window side of the airplane." Its unique design and setup does require some getting used to though.

Fill material: Foam | Machine washable: Yes | Features: Three-way design; snap loop

How we chose the best travel pillows

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our textiles experts test every kind of pillow, from the best cooling , down alternative , latex and buckwheat pillows to the best pillows for side sleepers and back sleepers . We also test useful travel gear and accessories from luggage brands to packing cubes .

When looking at travel pillows, we consider comfort and support, as well as ease of use from carrying to cleaning. We also consider durability and performance of materials, as well as packability and price. For this roundup we relied on tester and expert feedback as well as insights from online customer reviews and ratings.

What to look for when shopping for travel pillows

If you are looking for a travel pillow for your next trip, here are some things to consider:

✔️ Shape: U-shaped neck pillows are great for airplanes as they can stay put while you're sitting up in a middle or aisle seat. Small rectangle pillows are good for car rides as you can lean them against a window. You can also use a rectangular travel pillow at your final destination, whether that's a hotel room or camp site, and even at home after your trip. There are also unique shapes, like the Ostrich travel pillow that covers your eyes, or super compact pillows. Note: Travel-size pillows are the same as toddler-size pillows.

✔️ Fill: Foam keeps its shape under pressure, which is why it's a popular material for neck travel pillows. Other travel pillows will have a fiberfill or blend that makes them feel more similar to a regular pillow.

✔️ Portability: Almost all of our picks come with a travel case for easy packing. Sometimes the carrying bag will even compress the pillow down to a smaller size so you'll have more room in your suitcase. A bag will also protect the pillow and keep it clean when not in use. Other pillows will be super lightweight or have a clip.

✔️ Cleaning: Some pillows on this list are entirely machine washable, meaning you can toss the whole pillow in your washing machine . Others have machine washable covers or require you to remove a part of the pillow before washing. However, some can only be spot-cleaned. Since you are bringing your pillow on-the-go and it will be exposed to different germs, it's important to keep it clean.

✔️ Price: Our testing and research suggests you can find a great travel pillow for around $50, with some less expensive options that are just as good. There are also splurge-worthy travel pillows that can ring in at over $100.

Are travel pillows worth it?

Yes , especially if you are an avid traveler or find it hard to get comfortable on the plane. While there are some more expensive pillows on the market, there are also budget-friendly options that can improve your travel experience.

Even though airline pillows are free, they are not always the most comfortable. Plus, if you take the train to work or often go on road trips with the family (where pillows aren't handed out), buying a travel pillow will quickly pay off.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she ensures our product reviews reflect accurate pricing, information and product details. She is an avid traveler who is known to pop on under eye patches halfway through her flight and values comfort when it comes to traveling near and far.

To write this guide, she collaborated with Lexie Sachs , the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the GH Institute, where she leads research and testing of fabric-based products. Lexie always has her eye on new travel gear and is a huge fan of her Honeydew pillow.

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

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Try Before You Buy: The best neck pillows for travel

Everyone knows how uncomfortable long travel can be on a plane, train or in the car.

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If you are planning a trip this spring break, "Good Morning America" put some neck pillows to the test for Try Before You Buy.

"GMA" correspondent Becky Worley tried three different neck pillows that all can be purchased on Amazon for under $65.

Check out her suggestions below.

By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

BCOZZY Neck Pillow

BCOZZY Neck Pillow for Travel Provides Double Support to The Head, Neck, and Chin in Any Sleeping Position on Flights, Car, and at Home, Comfortable Airplane Travel Pillow, Large, Navy

Trtl travel and airplane pillow.

trtl Travel and Airplane Pillow - Real Sleeping Experience on Long Flights - Neck and Shoulder Support - Super-Soft, Lightweight, Easy-to-Carry, and Machine-Washable Flight Pillow

Cabeau the neck's evolution.

Cabeau The Neck's Evolution, TNE S3 Travel Neck Pillow Memory Foam Airplane Pillow - Neck Pillow with Attachment Straps - 360-Degree Support for Travel, Home, Office, and Gaming - (Berlin Grey)

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Best Travel Neck Pillow for Long Flights

Whether you’re flying private or economy, choosing the best travel neck pillow for you will ensure you’re well-rested when you reach your destination.

Whether you’re looking for your first-ever neck pillow or you’re a seasoned veteran, there’s something on this list for everyone. From blow-up models to memory foam, there’s a lot to choose from.

Before you decide on the best travel neck pillow for you, there are a few things to go over. What are you looking for in a pillow companion? Do you want structure or something squishy to lean on? Does packed size matter to you? Is there a material that makes you sweat or is uncomfortable on your skin? Once you’ve answered those questions, we’re ready to rock.

Whether riding in the middle seat on a budget airline or traveling by train across Europe, it’s time to get comfortable! Let’s dive in.

• Trtl Travel Pillow
• Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow
• J-Pillow Travel Pillow
• BCOZZY Travel Pillow
• Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow
• OSTRICHPILLOW GO Travel Pillow
• Vive Neck Brace
• Sunany Inflatable Neck Pillow
• bullbird BR2 Travel Pillow
• MLVOC Memory Travel Pillow
• Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow
• NapFun Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Why We Like It: Stiff insert adds a ton of support.

What You Should Know: It may be too stiff for some users.

If you’re looking for a lot of support that doesn’t take up much room, look no further than the trtl Travel Pillow. The internal support system is wrapped in a soft fleece material, so the strength doesn’t overshadow its comfort. The support is on one side of your neck, so it feels really great when we’re sleeping on one side. You can even move it to the front to add support under your chin. However, if you tend to bob your neck to the left and right in your sleep, your head may still hang to one side.

If you aren’t a fan of sturdy pillows, this might not be the one for you. However, you can adjust the trtl to work for almost any sleeping position, whether on a plane, train, or automobile. This is an excellent option for those looking for something that isn’t too bulky and offers a load of support.

Why We Like It: Folds up tiny when not in use.

What You Should Know: Doesn’t have that soft, squishy feel you get from foam pillows.

If packability is what you want from a travel neck pillow, then an inflatable one is pretty hard to beat. One of our biggest apprehensions, though, is how durable they are. Just one puncture, and they’re rendered practically useless. As such, this one being from Sea to Summit, a fairly reputable brand that offers a robust warranty, is quite reassuring.

The pillow itself inflates into a typical neck pillow shape that goes around your neck. It doesn’t look all that special, though the sides are wide while the nape area is pretty thin. This provides a lot of support at the sides without feeling intrusive at the back of the neck. There’s also a toggle at the front that holds the gap together, so you can be fairly confident that this will stay on as you sleep.

While this pillow is fairly easy to inflate and easy to adjust because of its valve, the inflatable design doesn’t quite deliver the same level of comfort foam-based pillows do. There’s just something about the squishy, breathable sensation that feels comfier than the rigid consistency of an inflatable pillow. Still, this pillow gets the job done if you’re just looking for relatively quick in-flight naps.

Why We Like It: Lots of support and hugs your face.

What You Should Know: Can fall off in your sleep.

Do you like to be comfortable on flights? Do you want an additional headrest for extra support? Do you want a travel neck pillow that has a passing resemblance to a walrus? If you answered yes to any of those questions, the J-Pillow Travel Pillow might be your best bet.

The unique design hugs your face, offering a ton of padded support. However, that structure only comes on one side of your head. If you move a lot in your sleep, it runs the risk of falling off since there’s no VELCRO or buckle to keep it in place. However, it’s a great shout for side sleepers and those who want extra support.

Compared to some models, the J-Pillow doesn’t pack down very small. In fact, its irregular T-shape might make it tricky to pack like that one Tetris shape everyone has trouble with. However, the extra support will be worth it to travelers who always wake up with a crick in their neck after a long flight.

Why We Like It: Can customize it to fit your needs.

What You Should Know: Might not be big enough for some.

No matter what seat you end up with on your budget flight from Delhi to Mumbai, the bcozzy Travel Pillow will adapt to keep you comfortable. The design is longer than most models, so you can wrap it to meet your needs, whether they’re on your left, right, in front, or behind your head.

The soft exterior makes it easy to find comfort, even when we’re sitting in a relatively cramped economy class seat. If you want more support, just tighten the pillow’s grip. However, this might not be the best travel neck pillow for you if you have a more oversized neck, as you won’t be able to tighten it as much.

Why We Like It: Attaches to your seat, so it won’t move.

What You Should Know: May not work for shorter users.

If you tend to toss and turn while sleeping on an airplane, the Cabeau Evolution S3 Airplane Travel Neck Pillow may be the best pillow for you. One of the highlights is the seat attachment strap, so you can’t slouch or bend over so long as you have it secured. This may feel slightly claustrophobic for some users; however, we’ve found it’s easy to get used to.

On the front, a strap tightens the pillow’s grip around your neck so you don’t fall forward, either. If you’re short, you may find the whole apparatus is too high for you to use. However, there’s usually an attachment point somewhere on the seat to make the mechanism work.

It comes with a carrying case, but the whole deal is a little larger than we’d like. That said, its size is a small price for a pillow that keeps you in place, no matter where the destination is.

Why We Like It: Feels like a comfortable sweater.

What You Should Know: Takes up a lot of space.

For travelers searching for the best travel neck pillow with boisterous 360-degree support, the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is a great shout. It isn’t the smallest offering on this list; however, when you wear it, it feels like you’re sporting a warm sweater in your bed at home.

The design wraps all the way around your neck for support that has you covered no matter which way your head leans. We’re also digging the hook-and-loop patch that feels very secure and simple to latch, not requiring you to fiddle with snaps or hooks. The included bag helps keep it clean in your travel backpack , but it doesn’t compress, so it will take up a large amount of space if you’re traveling with a daypack . However, the comfort supplied by this neck pillow will help you wake up refreshed and ready to go.

Why We Like It: Great for balling on a budget.

What You Should Know: Not comfortable for long trips.

Okay, we know what you might be thinking. A neck brace? For travel? Has the Pack Hacker Team gone mad? Here us out—one of the worst things on a flight is getting comfortable and cozy, nearly falling asleep, only for you to be shocked away by the sensation of falling you get when your head drops an inch. With a neck brace, your head isn’t going anywhere. It simply wraps around your neck and fastens securely for a nice, relatively cozy feel.

Plus, this thing is extraordinarily budget-friendly. It isn’t the most comfortable option on the market, but if your primary concern is head bobbing, there might be no better option than the Vive Neck Brace on your journey to find the best travel neck pillow for you.

Why We Like It: Sits on the tray table infront of you.

What You Should Know: Inflatable, so it can puncture.

Okay, but what if you want a pillow that offers a lot of support but takes up nearly no room when packed? We’ve got you covered. The Sunany Inflatable Neck Pillow blows up, so it can slide into small spaces in your pack and even fit into a large sling. Once inflated, it rests on the tray table in front of you so you can lean forward on it for support. There’s a hole for your face and a place to rest your arms. Yes, this one’s for those who would rather lean forward than lean back on what’s likely super straight and stiff economy seats.

Its size does come at a cost. You’ll have to blow it up when you get to your seat, which may take a while or attract a lot of attention. Plus, more surface area means more places for it to get a puncture. However, the materials are durable, and the comfort offered by this thing makes the hassle of blowing it up worth it. You may just need to get used to a few weird looks from fellow passengers.

Why We Like It: Excellent back and neck support.

What You Should Know: Won’t stop your head from bobbing forward.

The bullbird BR2 Travel Pillow doesn’t just support your neck; it’s ergonomically designed to align your spine and neck, so you’ll have a comfortable flight and be well-aligned when you arrive at your destination. It’s much smaller than many of the options on this list, so you’ll have more room to pack souvenirs on the way home.

This model feels supportive enough to stop your neck from bobbing left and right. However, it struggles to stop us from falling forward when we’re sitting in an upright position (most economy class seats are steeply upright, after all). However, it’s designed to fit most adults, is hand washable, and features memory foam to ensure you’re comfortable from point A to point B.

If you are looking for an option that will keep you aligned and ready to take on any adventure, this might be the best travel neck pillow for you.

Why We Like It: Comes with earplugs, an eye mask, and a case.

What You Should Know: It’s difficult to stow in the case.

If you need more than the standard pillow design, the MLVOC Travel Pillow 100% Pure Memory Foam Neck Pillow has you covered. This model comes with an eye mask, ear plugs, and a case to ensure you’re ready to sleep no matter where you are. The phrase out of sight, out of mind gains a whole new meaning when you’re at cruising altitude and you can’t see or hear the baby crying a few rows behind you. Ah, so comfortable!

We have a really hard time putting this pillow back in its case; however, the memory foam is very comfortable and offers enough support to get you through the day, night, or afternoon. Plus, the whole set is budget-friendly for all travelers.

If you want the whole package, this might be the best travel neck pillow for you!

Why We Like It: Memory foam is extremely comfortable.

What You Should Know: It’s a bit heavy.

The Travelrest Nest Memory Foam Travel Pillow is a fancy-feeling offering that compresses down small enough to fit into your hand so you don’t have to compromise size or comfort. Plus, it comes with a complimentary set of earplugs.

Even though this neck pillow compresses relatively small, it’s still quite heavy. This isn’t a huge deal, but ultralight packers should be wary of that. However, because it’s crafted from memory foam, the materials form to your back and shoulders to create a fitted feel that will allow you to relax. The pillow has a cover, so you can remove that and wash it should it get dirty.

For the comforts of home that fit into the palm of your hand, look no further than the Travelrest Nest Memory Foam Travel Pillow.

Why We Like It: The cloth cover can be washed separately.

What You Should Know: Comes with its own pouch, but it doesn’t compress all that well

The shape of a neck pillow is as important as any of its aspects. After all, all the soft foam padding in the world won’t help if it's nowhere near the part of your head that needs support. Thus, the NapFun Memory Foam Travel Pillow looks very promising to us, with its many contours and tall side walls. As expected, its rather unique shape is supportive, particularly when you lean onto corners. The sides have a bit more leeway in letting your head move about, but it’s overall still neckbrace-like in terms of constraints.

On the other hand, this neck pillow is rather bulky. They say that the pouch helps with compressing it into a more travel-friendly size. However, while that may be technically true, the difference is quite minimal versus if you simply crushed it yourself. Otherwise, you may want to wear this for the duration of your trip if you’re a bit short on packing space—but it’ll at least be very comfortable doing so.

Lastly, we like that this travel neck pillow’s cover is separately washable. Yes, if you drool on your neck pillow, chances are it’ll seep into the pillow itself anyway. However, for light stains like the oils on your face or makeup, cleaning the cover is more than enough, and it’ll be easier to dry out without the use of a dryer (you might not have access to that kind of amenity every time, after all).

So there you have it! Some of the best travel neck pillow models to ensure you get to your destination well-rested. No matter where you’re going, being prepared when you arrive is half the battle! Happy snoozing.

April 18, 2023

Author: Eric Hergenreder

Eric has been across the globe, but his favorite place to explore is his home state of Michigan. His love for photography has taken him all around the Great Lake State, often writing about his travels so that others can enjoy them, too. Eric loves messing around with analog photography, watching soccer, and searching for the world’s best burger in his spare time.

clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

We tested 4 travel pillows for your return to sleeping on planes. There was one winner.

Sleeping comfortably in economy can feel impossible, but the right pillow can help

If you have flown in economy, you may feel like airlines are doing everything they can to make the experience uncomfortable. The seats are the opposite of ergonomic. The legroom is minuscule. Given that setup, sleeping on a flight is usually a nightmare.

That has been my experience before the pandemic — and even more so now. Since the complicated return of travel, I have had a tougher time feeling comfortable on planes, let alone sleeping on them. Despite knowing a travel pillow can help with the misery, I chose to skip packing one to have more room in my carry-on bag on my first few pandemic-era flights . That repeat decision led to a painfully craned neck, numb hands and little — if any — sleep.

If I’m going to start taking up precious luggage space for a travel pillow again, it has to be worth it. Travel pillows, like many you see at the airport, can be useless, so not just any option will do.

To see what deserves packing, I tested four pillows over four flights between D.C. and California. Here are my findings.

The illustrated encyclopedia of sleeping positions on a plane

Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Neck Pillow, $55

According to the Cushion Lab website , Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop called this pillow “The Tesla of travel pillows.” While I don’t consider myself a Goop person, the claim caught my attention. The company promised an asymmetrical design by an in-house ergonomist that fits under your chin and around your face so you can lean and sleep comfortably with “360° zero pressure neck protection.” It was also the priciest of the bunch at $55, which is more than what I would like to pay for a travel pillow (or a regular pillow, for that matter).

When I unfurled it from its carrying pouch, my first thought was “Ooh this is gooey” — in a good way. The pillow’s fabric felt silky and smooth, encasing something that felt like a hard gel. Apparently that’s the “Hyperfoam,” an “extra dense, dynamically rebounding, proprietary memory foam.”

The case for cutting your airport arrival time dangerously close

I loved the texture of the Cushion Lab contender — and that it squished up smaller than the rest so it took up less space — but I was left wanting more support. Throughout my tests, unless I was leaning back in a specific rigid way (not how I usually fall asleep), I didn’t feel the strong embrace I was looking for in an airplane-friendly neck pillow. Lastly, it fought with my KN95 mask, pushing it up and requiring regular adjusting, but it didn’t really upset a cloth mask.

On the bright side, it looked normal, as far as neck pillows go — unlike my next choice.

Happy Headrest Travel Pillow, $24.99

The Happy Headrest Travel Pillow feels like an option for people who love science fairs. It’s for the infomercial enthusiasts, and the optimists who support crowdfunded inventions on the Internet. It’s a U-shaped contraption that hooks onto a passenger’s tray table, providing a soft ledge for resting face down.

Defying societal norms for a kooky innovation, I set up and leaned onto my bright blue device. Despite looking ridiculous to my fellow passengers, it was surprisingly comfortable. Sinking into the big, juicy pad was a great alternative to crunching my body backward into my seat. This felt like a guilt-free alternative to the controversial recline .

My complaint: You can only really use it to sleep on one side of your head, the side facing the window. After a while, my neck was feeling kinked and uncomfortable, but turning over felt impossible. Unless I’m traveling with the person seated next to me , there’s no way on God’s green earth I would rotate to turn toward a stranger. You’re way too close to your economy-row neighbor to face them; it would be intimate and weird.

How do you actually get those $49 flights? There’s always a catch to airline sales.

It also fit awkwardly in my backpack. It’s 10 ounces and carry-on-friendly, but it can’t fold up so you’ll have to schlep the bulky frame throughout your travels. It does come with a snap-on clip if you want to have it dangle from your luggage.

SeatDreamzzz Wall Pillow, $39.99

If I know I’ll be attempting to sleep on a flight, I always pick a window seat so I can curl up in my little nook without the interruption of my row-mates getting up for the lavatory. The SeatDreamzzz Wall Pillow seemed like the perfect accompaniment.

The pillow is an inflatable L-shape device that looks like a tiny suede couch. According to the company, it’s the first of its kind, designed to rest against a wall to provide support “in one of the most frequently slept-in positions outside of your bed.”

In the era of mask mandates and contagious airborne diseases, I did feel guilty and unsure about removing my mask to inflate the pillow. I figured it was no worse than eating or drinking on the plane and pumped up my accessory. You can make it super firm or keep it a little squishy so you can nestle into it.

Once it was in shape, the challenge was figuring out how to position the pillow against my wall (or window). There wasn’t an “ah ha” moment where I felt like I got it right. Nonetheless, it did provide great support not only for my head, but also for my arm. It’s versatile and has the potential to facilitate some snoozing, plus it deflates into the size of a soda can — allegedly. I just shoved it into my backpack without folding it up tightly.

Cabeau Evolution Classic Neck Pillow, $29.99

I have long stood by Cabeau’s Evolution Classic neck pillow. It was my go-to pick when I traveled constantly. I’d leave it behind in a cab, hotel lobby, Airbnb and inevitably buy a replacement. Breaking it out for this experiment felt like reuniting with an old friend.

As I had remembered, it is very plush, so there’s not much room for your neck to flop over. There’s an adjustable clamp in the front to make it even more secure, like a more-forgiving neck brace. You can roll it up to make it smaller to pack, although I lost the carrying sack long ago.

What I hate about the Evolution Classic is the fabric. It reminds me of a Greyhound bus seat. Cabeau makes another model, the Evolution Cool, that addresses overheating, but it’s $60. For someone prone to losing travel pillows, I am less inclined to splurge on the upgraded version.

After testing all of the travel pillows, I ultimately returned to the Evolution Classic for napping purposes. It’s not perfect, but it’s a safe and easy bet — no setting it up, no breaking it down. You just whip it out and snooze whether you’re stuck in economy, a train, the bus or a long, long car ride.

The harsh reality is that flying economy is unforgiving on the body, whether you are trying to sleep or not. You can alleviate some of the pain with accessories like a neck pillow. You just have to find the right one for you.

Video editing by Allie Caren.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

Best travel pillows to keep your neck supported and comfy

As a full-time travel journalist who’s been to over 50 countries, I definitely understand the importance of making economy feel like first class with the proper travel gear. In addition to my trusty foot hammock and Manta Sound sleep mask, a comfortable travel pillow that supports my posture is essential to getting a good night's sleep.

“Choosing a travel pillow that gives the proper support for your own needs is very important when trying to sleep while traveling,” agrees Julia Forbes, a certified sleep science coach at Sleep Advisor. “Finding a supportive travel pillow can make sleeping under circumstances that are not ideal better and help one wake up with fewer aches and pains.”

If you need something for the next long-haul flight, we’ve got you covered! Here are my picks for the best travel pillows on the market.

What to consider when buying travel pillows

When shopping for travel pillows, it’s important to think about the following factors.

Body type and personal preferences

“When looking for a travel pillow, what’s best for you depends on your body type and comfort preferences,” says Forbes . “You should also consider whether you’re looking for something to just rest your head on, or if you want a pillow with more features, such as pockets or the ability to block out light.”

For the most part, you’re probably not going to want a travel pillow that takes up a ton of space in your carry-on or one you have to lug around. “Travel pillows come in all different shapes and sizes, so you should not only choose one that fits your head and neck well, but you should also look for a pillow that does not take up too much space in your luggage,” says Forbes.

Travel distance

For shorter trips, a packable inflatable pillow that breaks down might be best, whereas if you’re traveling on a long-haul flight, you might want something with memory foam. “Travel distance and type of travel are also important to consider,” suggests Forbes. “Some people travel long distances often, and others only sometimes. If you tend to travel more often, it’s more important to find a pillow that can keep your head and neck supported so you can sleep for several hours while traveling.”

Type of travel

Think about the type of travel that you’re doing and what might be best for the situation.

“Some travel pillows are designed for sleeping on planes while others are better for traveling in cars, so it’s also important to consider the type of travel you will be doing,” instructs Forbes. “You should also take note of what the pillow is made of, because public transportation like planes and trains can be filled with germs, so you should try to purchase a pillow that can be easily washed.”

Pay close attention to what the filling is before purchasing your pillow. “Travel pillows also come with various types of fillings,” explains Forbes. “It’s important to set your priorities, such as if you want something that can easily compact for easy packing, the support level, or if you want something with adjustability.”

Consider the features that are important to you. There are pretty basic travel pillows, but there are also specifically made travel pillows to support sleepers who tend to lean forward or to the side or who even need 360-degree support, especially if you’re an aisle seat-lover.

Our top picks for the best travel pillows

Best travel pillow for chin support: j-pillow chin supporting travel pillow.

J-Pillow Travel Pillow - British Invention of The Year Winner - Chin Supporting Travel Pillows for Sleeping Airplane - Flight Pillow Supports Your Head, Neck & Chin (Blue)

If you tend to lean forward when you drift off in a plane, train or car, you need a pillow with good chin support to keep your neck from kinking. The J-Pillow Chin Support Travel Pillow is perfect for this, with its three-way support for your head, neck and chin. This is a great way to avoid stiff necks and get some good sleep. As a bonus, it’s even machine washable.

Specifications:

• Size: 10 inches x 6 inches x 8 inches.
• Type: J-Shape.
• Fill: Polyester.
• Weight: 8.16 ounces.
• Color: Dark blue.
• Price on publish: $47.95.

What we like:

• Provides essential three-way support.

What we don’t like:

• Some reviews mention that it’s not that convenient to walk around with.

The AP Buyline takeaway:

For a neck pillow with good chin support, go for the J-Pillow Chin Support Travel Pillow.

Get it here: J-Pillow Chin Supporting Travel Pillow

Best travel pillow for neck support: Cabeau Evolution S3

Evolution S3® Neck Pillow

This memory foam travel pillow offers essential neck support for sleeping while sitting up, and is even recommended by one of our experts. "My favorite travel pillow is the Cabeau Evolution S3. It has a horseshoe shape like many travel pillows; however, it has raised side cushions that give your head 360-degree support,” explains Forbes. “This support prevents your head from leaning too far, which makes sleeping much more comfortable. It also has headrest straps which keep the pillow in place, so you should not have any problems while you’re sleeping.”

• Size: 10 inches x 9.5 inches x 5 inches.
• Fill: Memory foam.
• Weight: 11.6 ounces.
• Color: Steel.
• Price on publish: $39.99.
• Provides ample neck support.
• Great price.
• Memory foam.
• Some reviews mentioned that wearing headphones with it is a little bit difficult and slightly uncomfortable.

For a travel pillow that offers crucial neck support, the Cabeau Evolution S3 is a great option for your next long-haul flight or road trip.

Get it here: Cabeau Evolution S3

Best travel pillow for long flights: Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

When you’re on a long-haul flight, it’s survival mode to stay comfortable, and that starts with good neck support. The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is a great solution for whichever way your head tends to lean. Its 360-degree design offers support to your neck and is built to maintain proper posture. It comes in a variety of colors like gray, teal blue, navy blue, black, forest green and deep purple.

• Size: 9.8 inches x 6.7 inches x 2.7 inches.
• Type: Compresses down, 360-degree support.
• Fill: BASF memory foam core.
• Weight: 12 ounces.
• Color: Six.
• Price on publish: $69.
• 360-degree support.
• Several colors available.
• Washable sleeve.
• Some reviews briefly mention that it was a little short for them, so pay close attention to the measurements.

For a stylish, colorful pillow filled with quality memory foam and a 360-degree design to support your neck during long flights, choose the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow.

Get it here: Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

Best inflatable travel pillow: FlowZoom Inflatable Travel Pillow

FLOWZOOM AIR Inflatable Travel Pillow - Hooded Neck Pillow Airplane - Travel Neck Pillow - Car & Plane Pillow - Airplane Pillow for Long Flight - Inflatable Neck Pillow for Traveling on Plane - Black

Inflatable travel pillows are a great space saver and perfect for adjusting the firmness. You don’t have to worry about hanging on to anything clunky; you can just inflate it when you’re ready to fall asleep. This FlowZoom model is a solid option when it comes to inflatable travel pillows, and you can adjust it to the amount of support you need.

• Size: 11.5 inches x 8.78 inches x 2 inches.
• Type: Semicircular.
• Fill: Inflatable.
• Weight: 15.2 ounces.
• Color: Black.
• Price on publish: $31.95.
• Inexpensive.
• Adjustable and inflatable.
• Some reviews mention that because this travel pillow has a hood connected to it, it could potentially make it a little too warm.

For an inflatable option that you can store in your bag until you need it, go with the FlowZoom Inflatable Travel Pillow.

Get it here: FlowZoom Inflatable Travel Pillow

Best travel pillow for car trips: Huzi Infinity Pillow

Huzi Infinity Pillow

For long-haul car rides, add the Huzi Infinity Pillow to your list of road trip essentials. It has 360-degree support and will keep you rested for when it’s your turn to drive (that is, unless you’re a permanent passenger). It’s bendable and versatile and can adjust to your body and various sleep positions.

• Size: 10 inches x 6.5 inches x 6.5 inches.
• Type: 360-degree support.
• Fill: 60% nylon, 40% rayon made from bamboo.
• Weight: 1 pound.
• Color: 8 colors.
• Price on publish: $49.99.
• Adjustable.
• Available in many colors.
• Be careful when washing it because some reviews mention some pilling after.

For a versatile option that’s good for long car rides, go with the Huzi Infinity Pillow.

Get it here: Huzi Infinity Pillow

Best lightweight travel pillow: TRTL Travel Pillow

TRTL Travel Pillow

Some neck pillows can feel kind of suffocating, being big, bulky and even a little tight. The Trtl Travel Pillow is thin and secure, doing its job to keep your neck in a good position and support your head while you try to get some rest. It’s lightweight at just 4.5 ounces and easy to stuff in your tote bag.

• Size: 7 inches x 7 inches x 3.5 inches.
• Type: Fleece.
• Weight: 4.5 ounces.
• Color: Black, black/gray, coral, gray and red.
• Price on publish: $64.99.
• Lightweight.
• Machine washable.
• Supportive.
• Some reviews say that you have to wrap it pretty tight to get the support you need.
• A little pricey.

If you’re looking for a highly-rated neck pillow that will support you while you’re trying to get some shut-eye, the Trtl Travel Pillow is a great option.

Get it here: TRTL Travel Pillow

Best travel pillow for lumbar support: Cushion Lab Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow

Back Relief Lumbar Pillow - Azure

When it comes to travel pillows, it’s not all about the neck support: Some people sleep just fine and don’t even need a pillow for their neck, but their back might be another story. Specifically designed to relieve back pain, the Cushion Lab Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow is built to relieve pressure in the lower back and can travel around the world with you. It’s made with comfortable Hyperfoam so that it supports your natural posture while remaining comfy.

• Size: 16 inches x 16 inches x 4.5 inches.
• Type: Firm.
• Weight: 1.37 pounds.
• Color: Wellness green.
• Price on publish: $65.99.
• Provides back support.
• Some reviews mention that it might be a bit too big for people who are shorter.

If you’re looking for essential back support as you travel, the Cushion Lab Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow can relieve pressure on your lower back and help you have a more comfortable travel day.

Get it here: Cushion Lab Extra Dense Lumbar Pillow

Best compact travel pillow: Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Memory Foam Travel Pillow

If you tend to overpack as it is, the last thing you want to do is drag around another bulky item. Looking for a compact option that can fit nicely within your carry-on luggage while still providing the support you need with less of the hassle is essential. The Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Memory Foam Travel Pillow can help you feel comforted on those long-haul travel days.

• Size: 11.5 inches x 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches.
• Type: Peanut shape.
• Weight: 8 ounces.
• Color: Navy.
• Small, compact option.
• Some of the reviews mention that it’s firmer than they thought it would be, so just keep that in mind when purchasing.

For a firm travel pillow that will keep you comforted on the go, choose the Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Memory Foam Travel Pillow.

Get it here: Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Best travel pillow for kids: TRTL Pillow Junior

TRTL Pillow Junior

Making sure your kids are comfortable and well-rested can make for a much easier travel day for you, as well. The highly rated TRTL pillow comes in a junior version for little kids aged 8 and up. The TRTL Pillow Junior is not too clunky, and weighs under 4 ounces, offering crucial support to their neck, regardless of which way they fall asleep.

• Size: Not listed.
• Type: Wrap.
• Weight: Less than 4 ounces.
• Color: Zebra, aqua and camo.
• Comes in fun patterns and colors.
• A little pricey for something they may grow out of before too long.

If you’re looking for a travel pillow to make your kid’s travel day as comfortable as can be, the TRTL Pillow Junior is a great option.

Get it here: TRTL Pillow Junior

Best silk travel pillow: THXSILK Silk Neck Pillow

THXSILK Silk Neck Pillow

If you like the feel of a silk neck pillow, the THXSILK Silk Neck Pillow is the ideal pillow to take on your next trip. It provides the support you need to get hours of relaxation on the go and is built to help you avoid any neck pain. It’s portable, lightweight and breathable, offering you a comfortable rest on the go.

• Size: 10.5 inches x 10 inches x 7 inches.
• Type: Adjustable, square shape.
• Weight: 14 ounces.
• Color: Black, charcoal, pink and gray.
• Price on publish: $32.99.
• Comes in multiple colors.
• Some reviews mentioned that it was softer than they expected it to be.

If you’re looking for a silk neck pillow to cozy up with on your next trip, go with the THXSILK Silk Neck Pillow.

Get it here: THXSILK Silk Neck Pillow

Best memory foam travel pillow: Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Neck, Chin, Lumbar and Leg Support - Neck Pillows for Sleeping Travel Airplane for Side, Stomach and Back Sleepers - Adjustable, Bendable Roll Pillow

There are quite a few amazing memory foam pillows on the market, but this Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow is easily one of the best. Its twistable, foldable design provides support to your back, shoulders, head and spine to keep you comfortable during your travels. It has a machine-washable cotton cover, making it easy to wash the germs from planes off of your pillow and get it ready for your next trip.

• Size: 26 inches x 3.8 inches x 3.8 inches.
• Type: Adjustable and bendable.
• Fill: Cotton and memory foam.
• Color: Gray, green, pink and purple.
• Price on publish: $24.99.
• Adjustable and bendable.
• Some reviews say that the pillow is a little bit bulky around the neck.

If you’re looking for a pillow that you can twist and mold to your body while getting the support that you need, the Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow is the ideal option.

Get it here: Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Best travel pillow for side sleepers: TravelRest Ultimate Travel Neck & Body Pillow

TravelRest Ultimate Travel Neck & Body Pillow

If you tend to lean to the side when you fall asleep on the plane or sitting up in a car, the TravelRest Ultimate Travel Neck & Body Pillow folds up nicely and packs in your carry-on while providing a lot of support with its unique design. You can deflate the pillow when you’re done using it, roll it up and store it back in your bag for easy navigation through the airport.

• Size: 10 inches x 3 inches (rolled up).
• Type: Across the body.
• Weight: 5.5 ounces.
• Color: Blue, gray, navy and red.
• Price on publish: $29.99.
• Inflatable and adjustable.
• Multiple colors are available.
• Some reviews mention that it doesn’t provide as strong support as other tighter, wrap-around neck pillows do.

The AP Buyline Takeaway:

If you’re looking for a good side sleeper pillow, the TravelRest Ultimate Travel Neck & Body Pillow is the ideal travel companion.

Get it here: TravelRest Ultimate Travel Neck & Body Pillow

How we selected the best travel pillows

I am a full-time travel journalist and have tried out quite a few travel pillows to make my long-haul flights more comfortable. In addition to my experience, I also spoke with experts like Dr. April Spencer , owner and chief operating surgeon at Dr. Spencer’s Global Breast Health & Wellness Center and Julia Forbes , a certified sleep science coach at Sleep Advisor, to come up with the best topics to consider when choosing a travel pillow that supports your posture and neck.

One of the most important aspects is that it provides the proper amount of support to your neck and the rest of your body. “Opt for pillows that offer adequate neck and head support, especially if you're prone to neck, shoulder or back pain,” says Spencer.

Before purchasing a pillow, be sure to look at the filling. “Choose a pillow made from comfortable materials, such as memory foam or soft fabric,” says Spencer.

Portability

Of course, as a travel product, you’ll want to make sure it’s nice and portable, not big and clunky. “Pick a pillow that is lightweight and easy to pack, preferably one that compresses or folds down for storage,” says Spencer.

Adjustability

Getting a pillow that adjusts a bit can help you find the right comfort level and firmness that match your preferences. “Consider pillows with adjustable features to customize the fit to your unique neck and body shape,” says Spencer.

When you invest in a travel pillow, you want it to last, especially because some are a bit pricier than you’d expect. “Look for pillows made from high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting, ideally those that can withstand frequent washing and usage,” advises Spencer.

What types of travel pillows are available?

There are a wide variety of adjustable, firm, memory foam travel pillows on the market. You just have to think about your personal needs and preferences before looking for the one that’s best for you.

How to maintain and clean travel pillows

Some travel pillows might need to be spot-cleaned, while others have a protective sleeve that can go right into the wash. It all depends on the individual product, so be sure to read the instructions to see the proper way to clean the travel pillow you choose.

Best travel pillow shopping tips

When you’re shopping for the right travel pillow, Spencer recommends avoiding the following:

Too bulky or heavy

You don’t want to go with anything that’s too bulky because it might actually put stress on your neck or shoulders. “Large pillows can be cumbersome to carry and may not fit well in your travel bag,” says Spencer.

Lack support

It’s extremely important to have the proper support for your posture. “Pillows that are too soft or flimsy may not provide adequate support for your neck and head,” says Spencer.

Uncomfortable materials

Stay away from any materials that might cause you discomfort. “Avoid pillows made from scratchy or uncomfortable materials that may irritate your skin during use,” Spencer instructs.

Difficult to clean

When you travel on planes, trains and in cars with your travel pillow, you want something that’s easy to clean because it’s obviously going to be exposed to plenty of dirt and germs. Try to “choose pillows with removable and washable covers for easy cleaning, avoiding those with fabrics that are hard to clean or maintain,” says Spencer.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft pillow for neck pain.

According to OrthoUnited , when you’re choosing between a firm or soft pillow for the best travel pillow or the best pillow for neck pain , you’ll want to consider your sleep position. Side sleepers might want something firm to keep their head and neck supported, while stomach sleepers may want something on the softer side.

Which travel pillow is better: inflatable or foam?

It all really depends on your preference and what support you need. However, Spencer says that “memory foam pillows tend to offer the best support and comfort for travel.” She adds that “it's essential to choose one that provides proper support to prevent neck strain and ensure a comfortable journey, especially during long trips. Improper neck support can lead to discomfort, stiffness and even pain, which can negatively affect your travel experience.”

Related article: How to wash pillows (and how often you should wash them)

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The 15+ Best Sleep Travel Products for Flights, From Ergonomic Pillows to Comfy Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.

Flying is often an uncomfortable, crowded experience. When you’ve got the sounds of the plane, the noise from other passengers and staff, the blasting cold air, light streaming in from the windows and a cramped economy seat, sleeping seems near-impossible. While the wisdom of the internet mostly suggests weed gummies or a prescription from your doctor to help you sleep on long-haul flights, those options aren’t always available. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best sleep products for travel you can shop now.

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We’ve found top-rated neck pillows, blankets, and other in-flight essentials make flying not only tolerable but, dare we say, comfortable. Plenty of these products — including nourishing skincare items, highly-rated eye masks and noise-canceling headphones — are also useful once you land, too. You never know when you’ll find yourself needing to tune out the sounds of neighboring hotel rooms, or block out the light when it comes shining into the window at 5:30 a.m.

We’ve scoured tons of reviews to bring you these highly-rated finds that make any flight, vacation or visit to your parents’ house more enjoyable. Here are our picks for the best sleep products any frequent flyer should have on hand before their next long-haul flight .

BEST TRAVEL PILLOW

Travelrest Ultimate Travel, Neck & Body Pillow

$29.95 $39.99 25% off

Buy at Amazon

This unique pillow was recently featured in a TikTok from The Bachelor ’s Matt James , who shared a video of his girlfriend Rachael Kirkconnell inflating and using this unusually shaped pillow on an airplane. Once inflated, it tucks in between your shoulder and neck to provide support, even if you’re in the dreaded middle seat. Amazon reviews suggest there’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you’ve found the arrangement that works for you, you’ll be able to sleep peacefully. Plus, it rolls up compactly once deflated and can be tossed in a bag, unlike bulkier pillows that can be annoying to carry during travel.

BEST SLEEP MASK

3D Sleep Mask for Side Sleepers

$13.99 $19.99 30% off

Some airlines pass out sleep masks, but they’re often flimsy and don’t block out all the light. A mask with contoured eye cups solves that problem. This 3D sleep mask from Amazon is made with soft memory foam and has an adjustable strap. According to reviewers, it really does block out 100 percent of the light and is well worth the money. Some reviewers also mention that this doesn’t press on your eyelashes, so you don’t have to worry about your mask ruining your lash extensions or eye makeup while you snooze. As far as travel sleep products go, this is one of the more inexpensive ones to try out.

BEST NOISE-CANCELLING EARBUDS

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

$179.00 $279.00 36% off

THR has previously recommended these Bose QuietComfort II earbuds as some of the best ones for everyday use. They’re also some of the best noise-canceling earbuds for traveling because they’re comfortable to wear and have a long battery life. Several reviews on Amazon also note that the noise-canceling feature does an impressive job of blocking out airplane noise. If you’re the type that needs even more silence, consider Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra earbuds that customizes and adapts noise cancellation for your ears.

BEST HEADPHONES

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

$429 at Amazon

If you find over-ear headphones more comfortable, consider Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones . They offer up to 24 hours of battery life, spatial audio and personalized sound tuned specifically for your ears. Reviewers also affirm that the noise-canceling capabilities on these headphones are top-tier, with several glowing reviews specifically mentioning how well they block the noise of jet engines.

MOST COMFORTABLE EARPLUGS

Loop Switch Multi-Mode Noise-Reducing Earplugs

$65 at Amazon

If you want to block out the hum of the plane or the passenger next to you chewing pretzels, but you don’t want to shell out for expensive noise-canceling headphones, consider these earplugs by Loop . We like the three-in-one design that lets you choose your level of noise reduction by 11 to 16 decibels. Whether you want to keep a quiet bubble while traveling or studying, soak up live music while protecting your ears or simply turn down the volume in social settings, there’s a comfortable mode for everyone.

BEST MEMORY FOAM NECK PILLOW

MLVOC Travel Pillow with 3D Contour Eye Mask and Ear Plugs

$23.99 $29.99 20% off

When a product has nearly 20,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and a price tag this low, it’s worth considering. The unique contours of this memory foam pillow are designed to support your neck while you sleep. One reviewer shared that this is a must-have for flying. “I’m still amazed at how comfortable it is and how well it keeps my head in position so I can sleep,” they wrote. The set also comes with an eye mask, earplugs, and a carrying case for all of it.

BEST PANTS FOR TRAVEL

Quince Flowknit Wide Leg Pants

$40 at quince

Comfy clothing is also essential for getting good sleep (no distracting waistbands here!) Quince’s super-soft Flowknit wide leg pants are made of moisture-wicking recycled polyester and spandex and feature a drawstring band. (The direct-to-consumer brand’s four-way-stretch Flowkit pieces are also available in men’s styles and sizes .) Related: The Best Women’s Pants for Traveling

BEST TRAVEL BLANKET

EverSnug 2-in-1 Travel Blanket and Pillow

$29.95 $34.45 13% off

This blanket and pillow combo should make it easier to catch some sleep on your next flight. It’s lightweight and made with a soft fleece fabric that’s sure to keep you cozy. Use it within the soft case as a pillow, or unfurl it to use as a blanket. One especially handy feature is the luggage sleeve, which attaches it to the handle of your carry-on when it’s in the pillowcase. Plus, if you get to your destination and find an undesirable pillow or blanket situation, you’re already prepared with this set.

OLLY Sleep Gummy, Occasional Sleep Support

$12.88 $14.99 14% off

If you need some extra help getting to snoozeland, you might want to mix melatonin — a hormone produced by the brain to regulate circadian rhythm — into your approach. We’re fans of Olly’s blackberry-flavored Sleep gummies , which boast nearly 31,000 five-star ratings. They contain three milligrams of melatonin, plus L-theanine, chamomile and other natural sleep aids. (For those who need a bit more, Olly offers the 5mg Extra Strength and 10mg Ultra Strength options.) We’d recommend only using these on long flights since the effects can last several hours. Talk to your doctor before taking melatonin, as it isn’t recommended for people with health concerns including pregnancy, auto-immune conditions, seizure disorders and other conditions. If you’re cleared, you should give these a test drive at home before popping one pre-flight, since some people experience nightmares while taking melatonin.

BEST COMPRESSION SOCKS

Comrad Set of 2 Cozy Knee-High Compression Socks

$15 $42 64% off

$28 at Amazon

Buy at Comrad $21

While compression socks aren’t necessarily a sleep product, they can make you more comfortable, which might help you catch some sleep on your flight. In addition to reducing uncomfortable swelling around your feet and legs, Comrad’s comfy knee-high compression socks can also reduce the likelihood of a blood clot . They’re also great for post-workout recovery and the contoured design and stretch make them easy to put on and take off. (Brie Larson and Karlie Kloss have reportedly worn the brand.)

BEST FOOT SLING FOR TRAVEL

Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock

$13.85 $14.99 8% off

Basic Concepts’ memory foam foot hammock can make your legs and feet more comfortable when you’re on a long flight. The straps attach around your tray table and allow your feet to rest in the sling, which can help reduce stiffness upon landing. Reviews suggest that this is more useful for short people than tall ones, and it may not work on every plane — but we’d still say it’s worth a shot if you often find yourself suffering from lower back pain on flights.

BEST INFLATABLE TRAVEL PILLOW

Sunany Travel Pillow

$23.99 $28.99 17% off

Sunany’s inflatable neck pillow might earn you a sideways glance from the passenger next to you, but you should try this out anyway — especially if you’re a person who leans over the tray table to sleep. This unique design supports your neck at different angles while you lean forward, plus it has holes for your arms to go through.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rose Water

$12.95 $14.00 8% off

Buy Now On Amazon

$8 at Sephora

There’s very little humidity in the air inside a plane cabin, meaning you might wake up from your peaceful sleep with your skin feeling dry and dull. Luckily, there’s a solution. Spritz a little bit of Mario Badescu’s cult-favorite facial spray on your visage before you doze off and wake up with skin that still feels nice and dewy.

Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask

$72 at Amazon

Even if you don’t manage to sleep on the plane, Shiseido’s Benefiance WrinkleResist24 smoothing eye masks will help you fake being well-rested when you arrive. One reviewer on Sephora shares, “I take these with me on every long flight! Not only do they make you look awake and refreshed, but the benefits last for a day or two until your jet-lag goes! Worth every penny.”

BEST SLEEP TEA

Traditional Medicinals Organic Nighty Night Extra, 16 Tea Bags

$5 at Amazon

Skip the glass of wine, since alcohol can actually interfere with your sleep. Instead, ask a flight attendant for some hot water so you can sip on Traditional Medicinals Organic Nighty Night tea while you settle in. It’s made with an herbal blend to help you relax, and tons of reviewers on Amazon say this helps them sleep, even when they’re traveling.

BEST GEL TRAVEL PILLOW

Honeydew Scrumptious Travel Pillow

$150 at Amazon

If you prefer to recreate your bed on the plane, try Honeydew’s ergonomic travel pillow that features a curved shape that supports your neck and shoulders. It’s made with a copper-infused gel fill that stays cool all night, and all of the materials are Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified.

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5 travel pillows to take with you on your next flight

Sleep comfortably on your next plane journey with these travel pillows

If you’ve ever woken up during a flight and found your neck lolling to the side at an uncomfortable angle, then you need to invest in a travel pillow.

Sleeping on a plane isn’t particularly comfortable, and while they’re perfect for your bed, the best pillows don’t make the best travel companions. The last thing you want when you arrive at your holiday destination is to have a sore neck and head from sleeping in an unsupported position, so before you board a plane this summer, here are five travel pillows you should take with you on your next flight.

1. Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow

The best travel pillow overall

The best travel pillow you can buy today is the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow (£39.99). Made from ergonomic memory foam, the Cabeau Evolution S3 provides comfortable 360° support that protects and aligns your neck and back while reducing any strains and kinks. What makes the Cabeau Evolution S3 perfect for plane or train travel is its many different straps, including a chinstrap for supporting your head and seat traps to attach to your chair.

2. Trtl Travel Neck Pillow

The best travel pillow for neck support

If you prefer a travel pillow that’s less inflated or poofy, the Trtl Travel Neck Pillow (£49.99) is the best choice for neck support while travelling. It looks more like a scarf than a pillow, but the Trtl Travel Neck Pillow offers complete head and neck support in the form of a soft and breathable fabric. Available in a range of colours, the Trtl Travel Neck Pillow is great for people sitting in the middle seat, and it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to tuck away into your best carry-on luggage .

3. Ostrichpillow Original Travel Pillow

The best travel pillow for blocking out everything

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The Ostrichpillow Original Travel Pillow (£99) is probably the weirdest looking pillow on the market, but it blocks out absolutely everything so you can have a long sleep or a quick power nap from anyone. It fits completely over your head to block out light and noise, and it has two holes at the top for you to fit your arms through. You might get some strange looks when you wear it but you’ll be blissfully asleep by then and probably won’t care!

4. BCOZZY Neck Pillow

The best travel pillow for head support

The BCOZZY Neck Pillow (£39.97) is a super cosy pillow that offers double support to the head, neck and chin. It can be used in multiple ways by placing the overlapping pillow arms in different positions around the neck for front, side and front-and-side support. It’s great for side sleepers and helps prevent your head from hanging and lolling while you sleep upright in a seat.

5. flintronic Inflatable Travel Pillow

The best inflatable travel pillow

Designed for travelling and camping, the flintronic Inflatable Travel Pillow (£8.99) has a curved ergonomic design that fits to the curves of your head and neck for extra support. It’s ideal for all types of sleepers, and as it can inflate and deflate, it takes up hardly any space in your luggage – it’s even smaller than a water bottle when deflated. At £8.99, the flintronic Inflatable Travel Pillow is incredibly affordable and the cheapest option in this guide.

Beth is Home Editor for T3, looking after style, living and wellness. From the comfiest mattresses to what strange things you can cook in an air fryer, Beth covers sleep, yoga, smart home, coffee machines, grooming tools, fragrances, gardening and much more. If it's something that goes in your house, chances are Beth knows about it and has the latest reviews and recommendations! She's also in the know about the latest deals and discount codes from top brands and retailers.

Having always been passionate about writing, she’s written for websites, newspapers and magazines on a variety of topics, from jewellery and culture, to food and telecoms. You can find her work across numerous sites, including Wedding Ideas Magazine, Health & Wellbeing, The Bristol Post, Fashion & Style Directory, TechRadar, CreativeBloq and more. In her spare time, Beth enjoys running, reading, baking and attempting craft projects that will probably end in disaster!

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Round-Up: Travel Neck Pillows For Better Sleep and a More Comfortable Flight

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I once received a great question from a reader named Debbie asking: "Can you recommend a travel neck pillow that is actually comfortable? I hated the one I used on our trip to Africa and looking to upgrade for an upcoming trip. Thanks for any recommendations you may have.” RELATED: My Favorite Travel Eye Mask of All Time

As I told Debbie, there are a lot of choices and variables when it comes to neck pillows. You’ve probably seen some of them in airports and I’m not talking about the ones in the stores. I’m referring to the ones around people’s necks, which you see plenty of.

Speaking of airports, you probably don’t want to wait to buy a neck pillow in an airport store since they’re likely basic, way overpriced or worse, sold out.

A great neck pillow really can make the difference between getting a good night’s sleep and not, and rest is imperative on long-haul or redeye flights. It’s also a safety issue, especially if you’re planning on renting a car when you land.

Fortunately these days, there are so many options, travelers really need to figure out what's comfortable for them. My advice is to go find a solid travel store in your area or airport that has a variety of neck pillows. It’s worth taking the time to try some on (if they allow it) and then pricing them out on Amazon.com . If you find one that feels good and it’s not that much more money compared to online, then grab it.

But before you do go spending money, read this post because there’s a chance you’ve been using your standard neck pillow wrong.

TIP: How to sleep on a plane

Pre-pandemic, I used to fly over 150,000 miles a year and I’ve seen all kinds of methods and contraptions that passengers use to try and sleep better on airplanes. Everyone is different but flying as much as I do, I know what works. Here are 10 ways to help you sleep better on a plane .

So, when it comes to travel neck pillows, here are some choices:

Feather Soft Microfiber Neck Pillow

If you're looking for a standard option that's pretty tried and true and won't cost a lot, check out the . It's made with hypoallergenic materials for both the shell and the lining and is washable. Buy here .

Tempur-Pedic All-Purpose Pillow

Unlike your typical travel neck pillow, this one has a peanut shape making it less cumbersome to carry and use. You can use it as a travel pillow, neck roll, lumbar cushion, leg spacer, or curling up with a book. Buy here .

Evolution Pillow

The Evolution Pillow by Cabeau has a patented ergonomic design and exclusive vertical side panel. It’s made with responsive memory foam and supports your neck without awkward positioning or discomfort. It also has 360-degree support, which is perfect for sleeping since it won’t matter if your head leans left/right or falls forward. And it has a flattened rear cushion so it fits all seats. Airline, bus and train travelers will love that it includes a removable and washable cover, making cleaning a breeze and eliminating all those nasty germs easily. Buy here .

Evolution Cool

Cabeau’s other award-winning travel pillow, the Evolution Cool, is crafted from dual-density memory foam, offers superior head and neck support, and features innovative air vent technology that keeps the neck and head cool to ensure a unique cooling comfort. It’s available in four colorful shades. It too has a removable cover making it easy to wash and keep clean for your next vacation. Buy here .

Trtl NapScarf

The Trtl NapScarf might be the most unique one yet. The Trtl NapScarf is billed as a next generation travel pillow as it’s less than half the size of a traditional travel pillow and weighs just 5.2 ounces (148 grams). It supposedly holds the head in a better ergonomic position than a traditional memory foam U-shaped travel pillow does, and it’s soft, comfortable and designed for economy class long-haul flyers. It’s made in the United Kingdom. Buy here .

I’ve seen a lot of unique travel pillows but the FaceCradle may take the cake. It started out as a Kickstarter where, at the time, it became the biggest-selling travel accessory in Kickstarter’s history. It raised more than $1 million! After that, the Australian company behind it opened a U.S. headquarters for marketing and faster order fulfillment. I haven’t seen a FaceCradle on a plane yet but I did test it out at the Travel Goods Show in Las Vegas once. If you can overlook the fact that your seatmates will definitely get a chuckle when you bust it out, you might just get better sleep while traveling. Buy here .

Ostrich Pillow

If this is not one of the craziest travel contraptions then I don’t know what is. The Ostrich Pillow will make you look like a new Muppett character, but it could be worth it if it does what’s it’s billed to do, which is “offer a micro environment in which to take a warm and comfortable power nap at ease. It is neither a pillow, nor cushion, bed or garment, but a bit of each all at the same time. It’s soothing cave-like interior shelters and isolates both your head and hands, perfect for a power nap. You can use the Ostrich Pillow at your desk, on a bench, on the train or while you wait at the airport.” Buy here .

Ostrich Pillow Go

Also by Ostrich is this unique but not so ridiculous looking one. It’s a luxury travel pillow with memory foam. Buy here .

And for one final option, The New York Times just ran a story titled, Pluto Pod Travel Pillow: A First-Class Sleep Experience in Economy. The pillow is a whopping $150 and looks ridiculous but I bet it is indeed incredibly comfortable.

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Want more travel news, tips and deals? Sign up to  Johnny Jet’s free newsletter  and check out these popular posts:  The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without and  12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees . Follow Johnny Jet on MSN ,  Facebook, Instagram ,  Pinterest , and  YouTube  for all of my travel posts.

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