Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Travel opens up new horizons and shows you the beauties of the world, but the process itself can be quite stressful and uncomfortable. This is especially true if you’re stuck on a plane for six to eight hours. However, sleeping can help pass the time on a long journey.
Of course, sleeping upright on a plane isn’t ideal—but bringing along a great travel pillow could make things easier for you.
That’s where I come in. I’ll share some top travel pillow picks so you can find something to take on your next trip and sleep with ease.
The Best Travel Pillows: My Top 5 Picks
- Editor’s Pick – Cabeau Evolution S3
- Best Travel Pillow for Long Flights – BCOZZY Neck Pillow
- Best Travel Neck Pillow – trtl Travel Pillow
- Best Inflatable Travel Pillow – TRAVELREST Ultimate Travel Pillow
- Best Memory Foam Travel Pillow – TravelMate Memory Foam Neck Pillow
My Video Review of The Best Travel Pillows
The Best Travel Pillows, Reviewed
Editor’s Pick
Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
A fresh take on the classic wraparound travel pillow, the Cabeau Evolution S3 supports your head and neck from all sides.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.90 / 5
Why the Cabeau Evolution S3 Earned Editor’s Pick
The Cabeau Evolution S3 has an appropriate name, as this is a highly evolved neck pillow with all the right stuff for comfortable travel. At first blush, it has the same horseshoe shape that you’ve seen many times before. But it’s the subtle upgrades—like the raised side cushions, the headrest straps, and the sturdy feel of the foam—that earned it the title of best travel pillow overall.
What I Liked
- No lolling to the side – The Cabeau’s chunky design is intentional: it gives you 360-degree head support. When I tilted my head to the side, it didn’t lean very far at all. Instead, it was supported by the raised cushions on the left and right.
- Headrest straps – The straps on the back of this pillow enable you to attach it to the headrest of your seat, so it shouldn’t slip down as you snooze.
Potential Drawbacks
- Shrinks to half its size but no more – Because this is a memory foam travel pillow, it won’t shrink down for storage as much as an inflatable one. It compresses quite a bit to fit in a convenient carrying case, though.
Best Travel Pillow for Long Flights
BCOZZY Neck Pillow
A flexible travel pillow that can be wrapped and bent into cozy shapes that accommodate different sleeping positions.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.30 / 5
Why BCOZZY Neck Pillow Earned Best Travel Pillow for Long Flights
If you’re going to spend hours on a plane, you’ll want a travel pillow that can support your neck in a variety of positions. The BCOZZY is a super flexible option that looks almost like a warm scarf, but has lots of built-in support.
You can wrap it fully around your neck if you’re going to be leaning forward, or pile it on top of itself if you’d like to lean on it to your left or right. I had a lot of fun testing all the possible variations with this one!
What I Liked
- Flexible – You can modify the BCOZZY depending on where you need the most support (your chin, your neck, or the side of your head). This comes in handy if you’re a restless sleeper on planes, or if you have multiple flights with different kinds of seats on each.
- Lots of colors and sizes – There’s a full rainbow of colors to choose from with this travel pillow, as well as both kid and adult sizes to fit a wide range of necks.
Potential Drawbacks
- May need lots of adjusting – If you struggle to find just the right position when you sleep, you may need to work a bit to arrange the BCOZZY around your neck. The velcro that keeps it closed and stable also limits how tight or loose it can be.
Best Travel Neck Pillow
Why the trtl Travel Pillow Earned Best Travel Neck Pillow
A sore neck can definitely put a damper on your vacation. For awesome neck support during travel, I recommend the trtl—a travel pillow with some of the best neck support I’ve encountered so far. The support comes from a specially designed “flipper” inside the pillow’s fabric, which should hold your chin up and bolster your head, keeping your airway clear and your spinal alignment ideal.
What I Liked
- Really reliable neck support – Because this pillow has a more robust support system than most, it felt like it would hold my neck and head up securely for long periods of time.
- Extremely lightweight – The trtl is easy to fold up and store once you take the support flipper out of it, and it weighs next to nothing.
Potential Drawbacks
- A bit more costly – At around $60, this travel pillow is one of the more expensive options on this list. But its design is so different—and so effective—that I think it’s priced pretty fairly.
Best Inflatable Travel Pillow
Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow
A long inflatable travel pillow that enables users to “side sleep” even when they don’t have a window seat or ledge to rest on.
Sleep Advisor Score
3.80 / 5
Why the TRAVELREST Ultimate Travel Pillow Earned Best Inflatable Travel Pillow
Compared to the other travel pillows on this list, the TRAVELREST Ultimate Travel Pillow looks quite unique. It has a long, tapering design that can go across or next to your entire upper body, allowing you to lean to one side even if you didn’t get the window seat on your flight. (You can also hug it for an extra feeling of security!)
What I Liked
- Lots of coverage – This pillow almost felt like it was holding me while it was also supporting my head and neck. It’s the only pillow I tried that extended all the way across my torso.
- Big when inflated, tiny when stored – Even though it inflates to an impressive height, when it’s deflated, this travel pillow rolls up neatly and discreetly.
Potential Drawbacks
- You have to inflate it yourself – Before you can use this travel pillow, you’ll have to inflate it. But I found that it only took a few hearty breaths before it was ready to go.
Best Memory Foam Travel Pillow
TravelMate Neck Support Travel Pillow
A memory foam travel pillow with a removable insert that adjusts its thickness and feel.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.40 / 5
Why the TravelMate Memory Foam Neck Pillow Earned Best Memory Foam Travel Pillow
If you like the luxurious feel of memory foam, TravelMate has a portable pillow that should feel indulgent while you’re on a plane or in the car. Although it looks like a classic travel pillow, it has a bonus customization feature: a removable foam insert that changes its thickness and feel. I enjoyed the soft feel of its washable cover almost as much my neck and head appreciated the plush foam inside.
What I Liked
- Budget-friendly for memory foam – This travel pillow is often on sale and costs a bit less than most of the others I tested for this roundup. That said, its foam still feels soft and luxurious.
- Elastic strap – A small elastic strap on the side of the pillow means it’s easy to clip it to your luggage or backpack.
Potential Drawbacks
- No bells and whistles – With the exception of its removable insert, this travel pillow doesn’t have any features that break the mold. If you’re looking for a more innovative model, revisit the travel pillows above.
Who Should Consider Buying a Travel Pillow?
A travel pillow is a small pillow you can take with you on trips to help you sleep during the journey. Travel pillows help support the head and neck for those times when you have to sleep upright. Because they’re designed specifically for traveling, they often have a unique shape or design that works for this purpose.
Travel pillows are excellent for those who travel often, as well as anyone who likes to sleep while en route to their destination.
How to Choose a Travel Pillow
An airplane pillow could make the difference between a relaxed sleep throughout your flight and an uncomfortable struggle that leaves you tired and with a strained neck.
If you’re unsure of what to look for in a travel pillow, I’ll guide you through specific features and qualities you need to know in the selection process.
Inflatable or Not?
Inflatable travel pillows tend to be far more convenient in terms of portability as they take up little to no space in your luggage or backpack. This is the main reason why a lot of people prefer them. At the same time, though, they tend to allow air to get out and flatten out quickly upon applying continuous pressure.
Noninflatable pillows, on the other hand, tend to be bulkier and more challenging to carry as they take up more space. However, the upside to these ones is that many of them are made of conforming memory foam, which is particularly comfortable and supportive.
In other words – it’s a trade-off based on your preferences. If you want to get something portable and you’re willing to sacrifice some of the stability, go for an inflated unit and vice versa.
Materials
This would depend on the neck pillow that you’d want to get. Inflatable travel pillows are usually made of polyurethane-based materials, which are easily folded and packaged. They are soft and very comfortable.
On the other hand, the wide majority of non-inflated airplane travel pillows are made out of conforming memory foam. They deliver better comfort and support to your neck, and most of them are going to capture the unintentional tilting of your head in every direction when you sleep in a sitting position.
Neck Support
This is the single, most important thing that you would have to take into account when you are purchasing an airplane pillow. Unless you have the luxury that comes with expensive first-class exclusive tickets to have a bed on board, you would have to sleep in a sitting position.
This is going to make your head tilt with the natural movements of the plane or any other type of transportation method. As such, the most pressure throughout your sleep would be forced on your neck. That’s why you should be looking for a pillow that’s going to deliver enhanced neck support.
If you also need this at home, check out our top-quality pillows for neck pain.
Airplane Sleep Position
Your sleeping position is going to be determined by the type of travel pillow you decide on. Some people prefer to rest their head on the back headrest, and they would benefit the most from a regular, u-shaped neck pillow.
Others tend to tilt their head quite a lot and could be better off with a pillow that’s capable of capturing forward tilting motions as well.
Long or Short Flight?
If you’re going on a longer flight, you might benefit more from an inflated neck travel pillow as it would take little to no space in your baggage. The assumption is that you’d have to take quite a lot of personal items, and the last thing you’d want is to get half of your suitcase filled with a pillow.
On the other hand, if the flight’s shorter and you can afford to take less luggage, you might consider a non-inflated and bulkier neck pillow.
Some people also opt to wear their noninflatable pillow around their neck to save space in their luggage.
Feel & Comfort
Comfort is always important when traveling, especially if you plan on sleeping during the ride. If you need a firm pillow for optimal comfort, then you want to make sure your pillow has this quality.
Along with overall comfort, you should also consider the pillow’s feel. Do you usually prefer softer pillows with more sinkage or firmer models that offer more support? Think about the materials and how they might feel on the skin.
Budget
Having a set budget helps narrow down the options because there are many travel pillows out there. Some are more expensive than others, so having an idea of how much you’re willing to spend can make it easier to choose. Luckily, the market is also packed with affordable options, so you don’t have to break the bank to have a comfortable travel pillow for your traveling.
Trial, Warranty, & Return Policy
Many travel pillows come with a trial, allowing you to test how they fit your needs and preferences for a certain period. This can be anywhere between 30 and 90 days, depending on the particular pillow and brand.
However, you should also read the fine print in case you need to return the item. Some companies allow free returns, while others require you to pay a return fee.
Generally, travel pillows come with a warranty that usually lasts at least a year. Again, you should verify this before purchasing anything in the event of a product defect.
Cleaning & Care
How you’ll clean your new travel pillow depends on the particular pillow you buy. In other words, not all travel pillows require the same cleaning and care because they’re not made from the same materials.
Some models have a removable, machine-washable cover, while others allow spot-cleaning only. Nonetheless, most models are easy to clean.
Types of Pillows for Travel
- Inflatable pillow – This pillow is available in various shapes, but the fact that it’s inflatable makes it extra convenient. You can inflate it within minutes, and it takes up minimal space when deflated.
- U-shaped pillow – U-shaped pillows are the traditional, most commonly used option. This is a versatile pillow that works for leaning against the window or sleeping on the tray table.
- Foam pillow – This pillow comes in various shapes but has a foam filling that makes it firmer and gives you more support for those bumpy rides.
- Bead pillow – A bead pillow has microbeads that give it a softer structure. It’s available in many shapes, including a U shape.
- Ergonomic pillow – An ergonomic pillow is designed for maximum support and comfort, especially around the neck area. These are excellent for long trips.
Best Travel Pillow FAQs
Are travel pillows a good idea for kids?
Yes, travel pillows can be helpful for kids, who should get great neck support from them to prevent strain or injury. There are even some travel pillows specially designed for kids.
What seating position is the best for airplane sleeping?
People who sit next to the window have the advantage of something to lean their head on, even though the window isn’t exactly the most comfortable choice. However, if you’re in the middle or aisle seat, you should definitely get a pillow to support your neck since the head has nothing else to lean on.
Can airplane travel pillows cause neck pain?
Yes, you could experience neck pain if you purchase an inappropriate or low-quality travel pillow for your flight. Ideally, whichever pillow you choose should at least give you adequate neck support.
My Final Thoughts
Failing to get the most appropriate travel pillow for you might result in strain and stiffness. With this in mind, if you pay attention to what’s been mentioned above, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Most importantly, your travel pillow should be able to support your head enough to prevent neck strain, but it’s also helpful to look at other qualities, such as whether or not it’s inflatable and the materials it’s made of.
A great travel pillow can be a lifesaver for those long flights when you have nothing to rest your head against, and it gives you a better shot of actually sleeping through the trip.
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper
Sources & References:
- How To Travel the World Without Jet lag – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov