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The 8 best neck pillows for travel.

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

The Best Neck Pillows for Travel

Courtesy of Cabeau

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow is one of the best neck pillows for travel.

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

Best affordable: mvloc travel pillow, best for long flights: trtl travel pillow, best multipurpose: huzi infinity pillow, best inflatable: sunany inflatable travel pillow, best silk: slip jet setter travel pillow, best for backpacking: marchway ultralight inflatable camping pillow, best for kids: bcozzy double support neck pillow.

Frequent travelers praise the design of the Cabeau Evolution S3, which is made of a special dual-density memory foam. "My pillow at home is made with memory foam so it's like bringing a piece of home on my travels," says travel blogger Jasmine Cheng of The Wandering Girl . "The sides are also raised, which prevents my head from moving when I'm sleeping." 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.

A handy storage pouch on the side of the pillow allows you to keep your earbuds or other small items close by, and the pillow comes with a clasp that attaches to carry-on luggage . The removable pillow cover, which comes in a variety of colors, is machine-washable. What's more, this travel pillow can be stored in an included carry bag that condenses it to half its size.

Price: $39.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Cabeau

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 Shop now: Amazon

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: $59.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Trtl

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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: $45 or less Shop now: Amazon | Infinity Pillow

Read:  What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

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.

Courtesy of Slip

Travel pillows don't get softer than this luxurious new option by Slip. The Jet Setter Travel Pillow is made with the highest-grade long fiber mulberry silk, which helps to prevent skin creases and bedhead. It also comes with a carrying case with handles. The Jet Setter Travel Pillow is available in three prints and a pretty solid blush color.

Price: $99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Slip

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 , digital producer for travel 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 Shop now: Amazon

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: $44.97 or less Shop now: Amazon

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 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 on Amazon. 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: Choose headphones that block some or all external noise. The Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones are especially well rated.
• White noise app: There are a variety of free apps, or you can try a paid option like Calm (which offers a free trial).
• Eye mask: An eye mask like this cotton option on Amazon helps to block out the bright light on planes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Compression Socks for Travel
• The Top Walking Shoes for Travel
• The Top Carry-on Backpacks
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seat Belt Extender?
• The Best Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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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.

Air Travel Is Chaos. This Gear Will Help Get You Through the Exasperating Delays.

These things don’t make your flight take off any faster, but they can make the wait a little more tolerable.

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by Samantha Schoech and Dorie Chevlen

Here we present practical and whimsical finds to delight any intrepid traveler.

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The 12 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Other Pillows We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

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

Travel + Leisure / Emily Johnson

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, going camping, 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. 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

Infinity pillow travel pillow.

Infinity 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 this one can contort 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 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. Our only note is that it's not a firm neck pillow like memory foam options, so it's not the most supportive if that's what you're looking for, but it still offers sufficient cushioning for keeping the neck upright. It also comes in a whopping 10 colors.

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

Travel + Leisure / Paige VandeWiele

Best With Seat Strap

Cabeau tne s3 travel pillow.

The seat strap system keeps the pillow in place to prevent it from slipping around or falling off.

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. The pillow's exterior fabric is soft and cozy 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 case 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

Most Supportive

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow.

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

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

The Ostrich Pillow 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. The materials appear high-quality and luxurious, and it is easy to roll the pillow up to fit inside its compact drawstring sack. 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 / Susan Brickell

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 that 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

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Pluto Pillow Pod

Pluto Pillow

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

A silk pillow is the way to go to protect your hair and skin throughout your travels.

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 Cooling

Cabeau evolution cool pillow.

The mesh air vents make the pillow breathable to prevent overheating. 

It’s made of firm memory foam.

The Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow is a great pick for travelers who get warm quickly. The pillow is designed to prevent heat from building up when you wear it as mesh vents in between two layers of cushiony memory foam filter in the air. We liked the breathability feature and moisture-wicking fabric and noticed that we didn’t feel overheated while using it on an airplane or road trip. While it took a moment to get situated, once the pillow was in the most comfortable position, it was extremely supportive and firm without feeling too hard. We especially liked the portability of the already lightweight pillow (thanks to its durable carrying case), as well as the mesh pocket for storing small accessories. Even after being rolled up and stuffed into its carrying case, this pillow quickly unfolds back to its original shape.

The Details: Memory foam | 9 x 7 inches | Machine washable | Carrying case included

Best Adjustability

Buyue travel neck pillow.

One side of the pillow has extra cushioning, and 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.

Sleep Number

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. 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

Best for Camping

Therm-a-rest compressible pillow.

This mini pillow is ultra-durable and fit for rustic adventuring.

It doesn’t offer neck support like a regular travel pillow.

If you’re not a fan of the typical U-shaped travel pillow, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is a great alternative. It resembles the rectangular style of a traditional pillow, and you can compress it down to easily transport it to the great outdoors, making sleeping in a tent more comfortable than ever. The recycled polyester fabric is light and breathable, and the foam filling — made from extra polyurethane foam left over after producing REI’s sleeping pads — provides a soft cushion for your head. We also loved how durable it is, especially for various uses like camping, flying, or taking a nap at home. While the pillow doesn’t come with a carrying bag, it has a toggle strap that you can use to compress it into a smaller size and a built-in cover that you fold the pillow into for protection while traveling.

The Details: Recycled polyester, polyurethane foam fill | 15 x 11 x 5 inches | Machine washable

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.

Hest Pillow : This standard pillow is on the softer side yet still provides support and comfort while laying on it, but the fabric is slightly itchy, and it’s bulky to carry around, even when compressed.

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

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.

Our Travel + Leisure 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 testing the pillows on journeys like cross-country road trips and long-haul flights, we 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 that 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.

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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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

The best travel pillows and foot rest pillows for guaranteed comfort on the go

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Summer has finally arrived and it’s likely many of us will be jet-setting off somewhere nice over the coming months, now restrictions are out the picture.

But is there anything worse that not being able to sleep on your outbound flight? Especially if you’ve had an early start at the airport, or if you’re on a long-haul journey.

No one wants to arrive at their destination tired and grumpy due to lack of sleep, so investing in a good travel pillow is a great idea.

There are so many to choose from on the market, so it can feel a little overwhelming.

As a result, we’ve rounded up some of the best – along with foot rest pillows to go with them.

So you can sit back and relax on the plane, knowing you won’t be fidgeting to find a better position.

We’ve broken them down into cheaper and more expensive ones and have specified some of the key features they offer – so you don’t have to spend time researching online.

Best travel pillows under £35:

Simba travel pillow.

Dimensions: 40 x 24 x 4cm

You may be familiar with Simba mattresses but the brand does a travel pillow too.

It can also be easily rolled up into a compact carry bag, so no need to put it down as excess baggage. 

Buy it now for £30 (reduced from £60) at Simba.

Trtl Travel Pillow

Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 9.5cm

It might not look like your traditional travel pillow, but this clever design offers support to keep your head upright while you snooze.

A supportive structure is hidden in a super-soft fleece – so you won’t even notice – and is designed to fit any neck shape, jaw, and shoulder.

Buy it now for £34.99 at TRTL.

Best travel pillows under £65:

Huzi infinity pillow.

Dimensions: 35 x 14 x 20cm

Essentially like a big, cosy scarf, this travel pillow is 35 x 14 x 20 cm and is great for all kinds of resting positions, with neck, chin and lumbar support.

In bamboo fabric to wick away moisture, it’s available in a range of colours to match your airport ‘fit.

Buy it now for £36.99 at Amazon.

Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam Pillow

Dimensions: 61.3 x 64.5 x 32.3 cm

This memory foam pillow ties at the front – to keep it in place and ensure maximum comfort.

The wrap-around style also offers 360 degree comfort, whether you leans forward or to the side, and is approved by doctors due to the flattened rear cushion that keeps the head in alignment.

Buy it now for £63 from Amazon.

Best travel foot rest pillows for under £30:

Sunany inflatable foot rest pillow.

Dimensions: Up to 17.7 inches x15 inches x9 inches inflated

This nifty foot rest, made of washable and soft PVC, can be adjusted depending on the need.

It weighs just 0.8 pounds, and can be compressed to 7 inches by 4.2 inches and put into a drawstring bag to carry around.

Alternatively, it can be inflated to 17.7 x15 x 9 inches, which is great for long car journeys where you need extra support.

Buy it now £26.99 from Amazon.

HOMCA Travel Foot Rest Pillow

Dimensions: up to 16 x 10 x18 inches inflated

This foot rest pillow has three different heights to choose from. It’s been designed to elevate the feet to help reduce the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and relieve back pain.

It can be inflated by mouth and stretches to 16 x 10 x18 inches in total, or 6 x 4 inches when deflated.

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Buy it now for £19.99 at Amazon.

This article contains affiliate links. We will earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.

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The 10 Best Neck Pillows For Travel, According To Experts

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Flying can be a painful process, and we don’t mean that figuratively. Many of us have experienced the struggle of restlessly twisting and turning through a long flight, unable to get comfortable enough to fall sleep. One great solution? A comfortable neck pillow. The best neck pillows for travel can make a big difference when it comes to catching shut-eye on grueling flights—especially when you’re flying economy. “When sleeping supine is not an option, having the head and neck supported is crucial,” says Dr. Nilong Vyas, MD, Board-Certified Sleep Expert at sleep consulting service Sleepless in NOLA and Medical Review Expert at Sleep Foundation.

The best neck pillows for travel can be a lifesaver when it comes to catching sleep on grueling ... [+] flights, especially ones with layovers.

Achieving a restful night’s sleep while sitting up and surrounded by other people is no easy feat, and securing the right neck pillow will allow you to keep your head in alignment with your spine to help you wake up feeling refreshed rather than stiff and groggy. When selecting the best neck pillow for you, keep in mind that your neck pillow should be large enough to support your head and neck, but shouldn’t take up excess space in your carry-on luggage . Below, we asked top sleep experts for their advice on the best pillows to get you to sleep on any type of flight. Read on for the best neck pillows for travel that will help you fall asleep and stay asleep, no matter where your journey takes you.

• Best Neck Pillow For Travel Overall: Ostrich Go Luxury Travel Pillow
• Best Neck Pillow For Travel For Window Seats: Trtl Travel Pillow
• Best All-In-One Neck Pillow For Travel: Pluto POD
• Best Cooling Neck Pillow For Travel: Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow
• Best Traditional Neck Pillow For Travel: Duxiana Travel Pillow
• Best Nontraditional Neck Pillow For Travel: Trtl Travel Pillow
• Best Inflatable Neck Pillow For Travel: Blabok Inflatable Neck Pillow
• Best Neck Pillow For Travel With Chin Support: J-Pillow Travel Pillow
• Best Firm Neck Pillow For Travel : TravelRest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow
• Best Soft Neck Pillow For Travel : BCozzy Neck Pillow

Best Overall Neck Pillow For Travel

Asymmetrical design with 360 degrees of comfort, ostrich go luxury travel pillow.

Weight : 0.5 pounds | Cover material : OEKO-TEX® Viscose and elastomer | Fill material : Memory foam | Care : Sleeve is machine washable

This versatile pillow is designed in a wrap style that allows users to easily control how tightly or loosely it fits around the neck. Filled with forgiving memory foam, it molds to the shape of your neck, shoulders and chin, providing 360 degrees of optimal comfort and support that’s secured by easy-to-use velcro. While the soft and plush pillow feels luxurious when in use, the memory foam core allows for generous compression, which makes it considerably more portable than some others. Simply roll the pillow up and slide it into the included travel bag—it will compress to 60% of its original size for easier travel on a place or train. If you’re someone who shifts around frequently in their sleep, you’ll love the complete coverage of this pillow. Whether you sleep with your head back, to the side or straight in the middle, the Ostrich Go supports it from all angles. “When shopping for a neck pillow, look for one that supports the neck and the head,” says Dr. Vyas. She adds that a pillow with padding in the back—in addition to the neck and sides—is a better way to support the head during sleep. Made of soft viscose, the outer shell can be removed and thrown straight in the washing machine for easy clean-up.

Although this is a high-quality and supportive pillow, keep in mind that it is on the pricier side. Additionally, the velcro portion is short, so there isn’t a ton of size variability if you want to secure it extra tight.

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Best Neck Pillow For Travel For Window Seats

Soft support for one side of your neck, trtl travel pillow.

Weight : 0.28 pounds | Cover material : Fleece | Fill material : Foam, plastic | Care : Outer wrap is machine washable

When it comes to lightweight portability, the Trtl pillow can’t be beat. This option works more likea padded neck brace that’s wrapped in soft fleece, rather than a traditional pillow. When not in use it conveniently wraps into a surprisingly small package that weighs less than half a pound. It’s easy to shove in a purse, but it’s easy to wrap around the handlebar of your carry-on suitcase, too.

The firm and sturdy inner support system holds your neck, chin and jaw in place while the soft, scarf-like exterior wraps around your neck. Thanks to the velcro enclosure, the fit can be completely personalized, so you can wrap it as tightly or loosely as you like. Don’t let the fleece fool you, it’s surprisingly breathable and lightweight while perfectly warm and cozy at the same time. The brace system sits on one side, which means it can only support one side of your neck at a time. If you’re someone who twists and turns a lot in your sleep, you’ll likely need to remove and reposition it each time you adjust your head.

What our editors say: Emmy Favilla, managing editor at Forbes Vetted, swears by the Trtl and has been using it exclusively for years on both domestic and long-haul flights. “I’ve found it’s ideal no matter which seat I’m in,” she says. Since switching from more traditional neck pillows to the Trtl, “I don’t wind up feeling any residual neck or shoulder pain whatsoever after dozing off on a long flight. Plus, because you can adjust it to your liking, it's easy to get a personalized fit. It may sort of look like you're wearing a neck brace, but it works, and she's standing by it forever.”

Best All-In-One Neck Pillow For Travel

Boasts a hood, eye mask and neck support.

Pluto Pillow

Weight: Less than 1 pound | Cover material: Alcantara and WPS mesh blend; Spandura | Fill material: Foam, recycled fill | Care: Cover is machine washable

The Pluto team was thinking way outside of the box when they brainstormed this combination sleep hood, eye mask and neck pillow . The patent-pending design is engineered to address common travel woes, from too much light and noise to bobbing heads, and it’s completely up to the task. It resembles the hooded part of a hooded sweatshirt, with a wide, supportive band that uses Velcro to secure it around the neck. Those features muffle sound and offer comfortable neck support all the way around. There’s also a blackout eye mask that can be folded down to effectively block out light. All together, this delivers about as much sensory deprivation you can hope for when you’re on a crowded plane 10,000 feet in the air.

The POD snaps into itself for a tidy bundle, but fair warning that it is on the larger side. Fortunately, the Velcro band means you can also secure it to retractable luggage handles. Not sure whether the Pluto Pod is what you’re after? The company offers a 110-night trial so you can put it to the test.

What our editors say: Lindsey Vickers , a former mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted, loves the Pluto POD for travel. She found it addressed each of her travel-nap woes, from an unsupported neck to a bobbing chin to excessive light.

Best Cooling Neck Pillow For Travel

Moisture-wicking material keeps you cool and dry, cabeau evolution cool pillow.

Weight : 12.7 ounces | Cover Material : Polyester | Fill Material : Memory foam, plastic | Care : Cover is machine washable

With mesh side vents that let hot, stale air escape, this cooling pillow will keep you free from sweat, even on the stuffiest flights. The adjustable front clasp makes it easy to pull the pillow tightly around your neck or loosen it as needed, and the dual memory foam construction provides firm support that’s comfortable and soft. The high sides keep your head pleasantly in line with your spine, so you won’t bobble around or wake up feeling sore and stiff. While the pillow provides ample cushioning, it’s purposely flat in the back, so you can sit comfortably against your head rest without being pushed forward. The moisture-wicking material helps keep you dry and cool throughout the flight.While this is extra-comfortable thanks to the thick memory foam, it doesn’t compress tightly and can be a bit cumbersome to carry around.

Best Inflatable Neck Pillow For Travel

A classic u-shape with raised sides, blabok inflatable neck pillow.

Weight : 11.3 ounces | Cover material : Faux velvet | Fill material : Plastic, air | Care : Cover is machine washable

Most inflatable neck pillows are known for having sharp edges or a rough, unforgiving surface. That’s not the case with this versatile pillow. The elongated “U”-shaped pillow is coated in faux velvet, which means it’s soft and cozy to the touch and won’t irritate your skin. To use, simply turn the valve to inflate, then wrap it around yourself. The pillow offers extra neck support on both the left and right side, so it’s a great choice if you’re sitting in the aisle, window or middle seat. An elastic strap is the key to tightening or loosening it, which means it’s completely customizable and there’s no need to worry about itchy velcro scratching your neck or chin. When ready to deflate, simply turn the valve, roll it up and pack it into the included travel bag.

Best Neck Pillow For Travel With Chin Support

Features a unique "j" shape, j-pillow travel pillow.

Weight : 0.5 pounds | Cover material : Fleece | Fill material : Polyester | Care : Cover is machine washable

This innovative pillow features a unique shape that’s unlike any other option on this list. It features a “J” shape rather than the traditional “U” shape, which means it fully supports your chin at the proper angle to keep it in alignment with your spine. No hunching, no drooping, no waking up with a sore neck and jaw. The top of the pillow fans out to support your head and neck as well, so you can rest in an optimal position to sleep soundly even while sitting up.

This pillow is made with a soft fleece cover that’s machine washable for easy clean-up. When not in use, the pillow can be compressed to about half its size, placed in an included storage bag, and clipped to your purse or suitcase. It’s a portable option that provides optimal comfort to anyone who sleeps with their head slumped down on an airplane. Keep in mind that this pillow can only support one side of your head and neck at a time, so if you squirm a lot in your sleep you’ll need to reposition it accordingly.

Best Firm Neck Pillow For Travel

Firm support to all sides of your head, travelrest nest ultimate memory foam travel pillow.

Weight : 0.8 pounds | Cover material : Polyester | Fill material : Memory foam | Care : Cover is machine washable

This memory foam pillow features extra-tall sides that help keep your head in a naturally upright position throughout your entire flight. Whether you sleep with your head to the right side, left side or front, you’ll be supported on all angles by firm yet soft padding encased in a soft fleece cover. Most importantly, the pillow is designed with a flat back so it sits flush against your seat. That means you won’t be jutting forward, so your head and neck can stay appropriately in line with your spine to allow for maximum comfort. The pillow is also lined with non-slip rubber grip dots to prevent it from slipping out of place while you sleep.

This pillow provides firm support to all sides of your head and neck, and it comes at an affordable price. It’s perfectly portable, too—the pillow compresses and slips easily into an included travel bag that can clip onto your luggage.

Best Soft Neck Pillow For Travel

Feels like sleeping on a down pillow, bcozzy neck pillow.

Weight : 7.4 ounces | Cover material : Microfleece and microsuede | Fill material : Polyester | Care : Cover is machine washable

This super-plush travel pillow comes in a completely customizable design, so the pillow itself can be wrapped in a number of ways depending on your preference. Depending on which way you wrap it, the pillow can support your head and neck whether you’re sitting in the aisle seat, the window seat or the middle seat. The soft cover is made from microfleece and microsuede soit’s soft against your skin and won’t cause irritation or itching. The arms of the pillow can be doubled up to provide extra support to your neck and chin, or you can leave it in a single layer for more gentle, soft support.

The filling feels like you’re sleeping on a down pillow rather than stiff, firm memory foam. If this pillow wasn’t already versatile enough to begin with, the soft filling makes it even more adaptable. “Soft support is my preference when shopping for a neck pillow,” says Dr. Vyas. “It allows one to lean on a window or side of the plane if needed.”

Most Versatile Neck Pillow For Travel

Lets you hold your head comfortably, ostrich mini travel pillow.

Weight : 0.4 pounds | Cover material : Viscose and Elastomer | Fill material : Polyester | Care : Machine washable

Whether you’re on an airplane, commuting on a train, driving across the country or simply lounging in a reading chair, this do-it-all pillow is the perfect alternative to the traditional “U” shaped option. The innovative product slips onto your hand—it’s suitable for lefties and righties—and lets you hold your head comfortably and securely with soft, gentle padding. Made from super-soft viscose, the pillow can be slipped onto your palm or all the way up your forearm if you’re someone who likes to cross your arms and lay the tray table in front of you. It’s a completely versatile option for anyone looking to get more out of their neck pillow. Thanks to the smaller size and unique shape, this is also one of the most portable and compact neck pillows on our list.

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For this story, we spoke with two doctors who specialize in sleep health—Dr. Nilong Vyas, Board-Certified Sleep Expert at Sleepless in NOLA and Medical Review Expert at Sleep Foundation , and Dr. Abhinav Singh MD, Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center , Author of Sleep to Heal: 7 Simple Steps To A Better Sleep , and Medical Review Expert at Sleep Foundation. The Forbes Vetted team also consists of many travel enthusiasts, which is why in addition to our sleep experts, we tapped multiple Vetted editors to share their recommendations for their favorite neck pillows for travel. Finally, this story is overseen by senior travel editor Astrid Taran , a globetrotter who has visited over 30 countries and attempted sleep on hundreds of planes. To keep you up-to-date on the best neck pillows for travel, we refresh this round-up regularly. It was last updated in September 2023.

What To Look For In A Neck Pillow For Travel

Support and comfort.

When shopping for the best neck pillow for travel, the most important thing is to find a pillow that supports your head, neck and spine. Sleeping comfortably while sitting up can be challenging, but having a firm pillow that keeps your neck in proper alignment with your spine is essential in making sure you don’t wake up feeling stiff and sore. “Sleeping in an upright position without theuse of a pillow may result in neck strain and disturbances in the sleep cycle,” said Dr. Vyas. “The forward bobbing of the head can lead to wakefulness, leading to a less restful sleep experience,” she added. When selecting the best pillow for you, consider how you normally sleep—do you like to sleep on your side? Do you sleep flat on your back? Do you turn around a lot? Answering these questions will help you find a pillow that supports your specific needs. For example, the Trtl Travel Pillow is a fantastic option for sleeping on a plane, but it only supports one side of your neck at a time. That means if you’re someone who switches sides frequently, you’ll need to take it off and reposition it completely each time you squirm around. The best neck pillows for travel should be supportive and comfortable, but they should allow for ample movement without being restrictive.

Portability

If you’re the type of traveler who finds themselves sitting on top of your carry-on to cram it shut, chances are you don’t have the extra space to tote around a cumbersome pillow. Portability is key when shopping for a travel pillow—you’ll need to carry it with you through security, to the gate and on to the plane, so you’ll want to select one that’s either easy to carry or easy to pack in a carry-on. That’s where an inflatable pillow, like the Blabok Inflatable Neck Pillow , comes in handy. It can be packed flat and blown up to its appropriate size once you board, which saves space in your bag while providing comfort and support on the plane. If you’re looking for a bit more plush comfort, consider bringing a larger pillow that has some sort of clip or hook that lets it hang from your bag, eliminating the need to carry or pack it.

The best neck pillows for travel are made from soft, breathable material that won’t irritate your skin. Airplanes can get stuffy—especially if you’re in the middle seat—so having a pillow made from a light, airy material will help keep you cool. Cotton or viscose are both great materials for the outer sleeve, while memory foam can be a super supportive material for the filling.

Are Neck Pillows Good For Use On Planes?

Neck pillows can make air travel much more comfortable. Targeted neck support can help relieve strain and make it possible to rest comfortably, even in an upright position. Just be mindful of the pillow’s size and portability. While most airlines don’t count neck pillows as a carry-on item, it’s always a good idea to find one that packs down well.

Should I Get A Memory Foam Neck Pillow?

If you’re looking for a supportive neck pillow that will mold to your shoulders and neck, memory foam can be a good option. “The amount of desirable cushion can vary person to person, but something that holds its shape well works best to keep you in a comfortable position,” says Matoska. Features like adjustable straps and breathable fabrics can help ensure a personalized fit and better airflow to keep you comfortable, since memory foam is prone to retaining heat.

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Travel pillows have become an important aspect of a comfortable trip. Whether you’re taking a flight or simply hitting the road, you’ll find them handy for catching some sleep in otherwise awkward positions.

But with so many travel pillows on the market, finding the perfect one for you can be cumbersome. Because not all travel pillows are created equally – there are many different designs created to suit the needs of different travelers, and they come in many different shapes, sizes, weights, and filling.

With so many things to consider when choosing a travel pillow, we’ve put together five tips to help you find the best one for you.

5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Travel Pillow

Choose the type of travel pillow you want.

When choosing a travel pillow, it’s important to figure out which type you want. There are three main types of travel pillow, as follows:

Inflatable travel pillows are usually u-shaped. Inflate them to a desired firmness or deflate and fold them to a small, compact and lightweight size for light packing when going for long road trips or flights. Inflatable pillows offer convenience and support budget travelers.

Microbead travel pillows  are filled with tiny polystyrene beads, are u-shaped and lightweight. The pillows change shape to provide comfort and neck support, though they generally provide the least amount of comfort and aren’t ideal for light packers because they’re the least portable.

Memory foam travel pillows are the firmest on the market, and offer the most consistent support for the neck. They can be compressed and clipped for compact packing, and are generally recommended as the most comfortable travel pillow as they mould to your neck’s shape. Although the most expensive, memory foam is one of the best travel pillows for frequent flyers .

You’ll also find neck braces in the form of wrap-around scarves and designs for travelers who tend to lean forward while sleeping.

Neck Support

How do you sleep while traveling? Do you lean forward or backwards while sleeping? Have you ever woken up on a car ride or flight and found your neck was aching ?

One of the most important considerations when choosing a travel pillow should be neck support. An inflatable pillow or memory foam is ideal for neck support. If you tend to lean forward while sleeping during your travels, neck braces can provide the kind of support you need.

Consider how you usually sleep , and the type of pillow which will offer the best neck support for your most common neck positions.

Travelers have a tendency to overlook fabric when choosing a neck pillow, but this is an important factor for ensuring your comfort. Many people find that plastic inflatable pillows irritate their skin, so it’s important to choose a fabric that is comfortable even in hot weather.

Consider whether your travels often take you into hot or cold climates. Cotton and smooth plastic are ideal for hot climates while fleece is perfect for cold climates or flights.

If you’re going for winter adventures or traveling in a chilly flight, you won’t go wrong with travel pillows made from fleece.

Size & Weight

Travel pillows range in size and weight, so it’s important to chose one which fits with your travel style.

Opt for small, lightweight pillows if you want to travel light. Memory foam and inflatable pillows are also ideal for light travel as you can size them down.

However, microbead pillows can be bulky, so it’s important to make sure there is enough space in your carryon if you decide to go this route. Most travel pillows are made light anyway, but it’s still an important consideration.

It’s also important to find a durable travel pillow, especially if you’re a frequent traveler. This ensures that you don’t have to buy a new pillow each time you travel.

There are many different cost points on the market, so it’s important to decide what you’re willing to pay, with durability and value for money in mind. If you do travel frequently, it may be a better investment to spend more on one you won’t have to constantly replace.

Finding a pillow with a washable zip cover is a great idea in this sense, and obviously, make sure you read reviews of various pillows online before opting for one.

Pro Tip:  Now that you’ve found the best travel pillow, time to find the cheapest flights! Sign up for free emails from Cheap Fly Club for the cheapest possible flights this summer. 

➡   Cheapflyclub.com  is for anyone who wants free notifications on stupidly cheap flights.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind  Waking Up Wild ; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.

28 Comments

I finally found one that works Meg! A memory travel pillow did the trick, finding my neck and head contours, doing a smash up job.

All prior pillows made me feel stiff after a long flight, literally pulling my shoulders and neck into my head it seemed. Not good. Memory is the way to go for me. Fab experience using it short term during recent trips. I am just so shocked it works because I usually hate using pillows.

Awesome Ryan! I’ve also found memory foam to be the best. Like you, I have tried a lot of inflatable, cheap pillows in the past but nothing’s been great, then we discovered the Tempur travel pillow and it’s been incredible. Can actually sleep!

Awesome to hear that memory foam has been a success :)

I have a blowup pillow with a nice velour coating that doesn’t irritate. I cannot understand people who seem to pride themselves on packing light and then who cart a huge pillow through the airport because of one long flight. Alternatively, I roll my pashmina and wrap it around my neck. Usually I’m so cold on planes that the pashmina is wrapped around me. The point of the pillows is mostly to keep your head from lolling over so far that it wakes you up (or you slide onto your seatmate).

Haha I know, I see a lot of people in airport carrying their carry-on in one hand, and their pillow in the other. I’ve got the Tempur travel pillow, and while it’s larger than others on the market, it still fits inside my backpack.

Rolling up a pashmina is a great idea, I get pretty cold on flights too. Love that this has a dual purpose :)

Pillows that also provide neck support but do not totally encompass the neck are shoulder wedge pillows, and pillows that look like a seat-belt, crossing over the cheek, chest, neck, and hip area. These also provide all-over body support, as they keep you in place in your seat.

Interesting – I haven’t come across pillows that look like a seat-belt before. Thanks for the tips Alejandro – going to look into it!

Haha I’ve seen travelers waiting in line to board with their full scale pillows from home. I can’t help but laugh every time. Surely that would be a tremendous pain to have to transit with!!

Haha I do understand the comfort factor of traveling with your own pillow – I used to work at a hotel, and people would often come in with their pillows from home because they knew they could get a good nights sleep with it. I agree that it would surely be frustrating to have to make your way through airports with that thing though!!

A tip I would add is to not leave purchasing it to the last minute – airport shop prices are ridiculously expensive, so buy online before you travel or from a special travel store. If you buy before you fly too, you’ll also know how much space it takes up in your luggage.

Great tip Finn – with that too you benefit from being able to compare, read reviews and make a well informed decision :)

Fabric is SO important. I had an inflatable one, it had some advantages, it wasn’t going to take up much space, and it only cost about £5, but I absolutely hated the feel of the material on my skin, in fact it made my skin crawl it felt so bad.

Absolutely Norene – cheaper is not always better! I hope you found a more comfortable pillow better suited for you :)

I have one that blows up…. Have been given others as gifts, but they felt like they were strangling me….the one I like is 20+ years old from the Lilian Vernon catalog! My goal is to always travel in carry on luggage – no way would I schlep one of those huge neck pillows that doesnt fold….especially if I’m not staying in one place.

Then again its all a matter of priorities – I do schlep the noise cancelling headphones in their large case, but they’re still 1/2 the size of one of those Buckies.

Glad you’ve found one which works for you Noah – yes, a travel pillow is such a personal thing that I think it would be difficult giving one a a gift.

Definitely about priorities :) Happy travels!

Fly business class. Problem solved ;)

Haha there is that solution. Granted, an expensive travel pillow is probably more affordable than a ticket upgrade :D But I do long after those business class beds!

Check out the Trtl pillow – it looks nothing like a pillow, it’s more like a scarf or blanket, and in some ways, that’s actually what it is. It’s a super soft, lightweight fleece wrap that hides and cushions a plastic neck support on one side, which rests on either shoulder or your chest to keep your head in a comfortable position.

It’s actually pretty ingenious, and, despite the weird design, surprisingly comfortable. The strengthened ribs almost look like one of those emergency neck braces, but since they only rest on one side, instead of both, it’s more comfortable and less restrictive.

Sounds interesting, thanks fro the tip Carline. First time I’m hearing of Trtl; might be time for some online shopping :D

I actually use a wedge pillow for my lower back – really helps fill the gap between the lower back and the seat-back.

Great idea Mckenzie – I do often find I need something to fill that gap, I usually throw a sweater down, but love the idea of using a wedge pillow :)

The most important thing for me is something that’s washable. Some don’t come with a removable cover, so it’s important to make sure that it can be washed in a laundry machine or dry-cleaned. Otherwise … :S Picks up so much bacteria – I don’t trust that airlines properly clean each seat.

Great tip Loise, and I heard the other day that airlines don’t even wash their pillows, apparently after each flight they just get thrown back in new plastic. So definitely worth taking your own, and for sure, making sure it’s washable :)

I love my arc4life twist pillow. It is memory foam as was mentioned is good. I don’t like inflatables, and I don’t want something hard to carry and complex…

Thanks for the tip Matt, I’ll have to check out the arc4life too :)

Which fabric is good for health?

Hi Maria :) Fabrics for your health will really vary from person to person based on your individual allergies and sensitivities. You can find travel pillows in almost any fabric, and where you can’t, if you find the one you’ve chosen has irritating fabric, you can always create covers which work really well and can be tailored specifically to what you need.

Thanks for reading :)

The magniflex travel cushion is one of the best travel pillows I’ve ever used. It’s been a couple of years since I bought it, and it still looks brand new. The material is amazing, and it’s a delight to sleep on.

Great to hear Rahmihp, thanks for sharing, I haven’t tried magniflex before so will check it out :)

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The Best Travel Pillows for Long-Haul Flights

By Lauren Burvill

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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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Travel Neck Pillows

Do you look forward to long bus, train or plane journeys? We believe you should. And why not – with our supportive travel pillows, tiredness and stiff necks will be a thing of the past. Sit back, relax and learn to love every journey with a travel neck pillow from Trespass.

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Make the most of your next long journey with one of our travel pillows. Sit back and relax as you let the soft fabric ease your weary neck, and enjoy a blissful pain-free trip to your destination.

Whether it's a family trip or a flight across the globe, a Trespass travel neck pillow will add some much-needed comfort to your journey. Our lightweight travel cushions are designed to relieve both shoulder and neck pain, so you can rest assured that you're in for a comfortable dreamy journey.

Travel Pillow FAQs

What are the best travel pillows.

The best travel pillow for you is dependent on personal need. For example, the U-bend style is by far the most supportive, but an inflatable travel pillow might be best for those lacking in luggage space. Shop the best of both with our Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow here .

What is the best travel pillow for long flights?

As long flights provide little room and few spaces to rest a weary head, we suggest a U-bend style travel neck pillow as this won't require something to lean on. A micro-bead filling allows for customised support as the pillow moulds to your head and neck for instant relaxation, which is particularly beneficial when used for longer durations. Our Fleece Travel Pillows offer both these features and more.

Are travel neck pillows good for neck pain?

Memory foam travel pillows, in particular, have been proven to relieve upper back, shoulder and neck pain. They also offer enhanced support, comfort and reduced pressure sores. A U-bend travel neck pillow also allows you to maintain proper neck and head alignment, so you won’t wake up feeling stiff and painful. Why not take a look at our Memory Foam U-Bend Travel Neck Pillow here ?

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