Just like the pillow you use at home, the best travel pillows is the one that makes you feel the most relaxed and lets you relax, rest, and eventually fall asleep on the go. You also want to make sure you don’t fall asleep in the air, on a train, or in a car and wake up with a real pain in the neck.
You’ve tried to slouch against the window, which didn’t feel good. You are hunched over the tray table. You’ve even sneakily looked at the shoulder of your friend as a possible headrest. Let’s face it: unless you’re in first class, it’s never easy to sleep on a long trip. Below we have mentioned the best travel pillows.
Best Travel Pillows Comparison Table
| Pillow Model | Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam | Cabeau Evolution Classic | Trtl Pillow | Bcozzy Pillow | Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Neck Pillow | Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pillow Type | Memory Foam | Memory Foam | Wrap | Wrap | Memory Foam | Microbeads |
| Support | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Portability | Bulky | Bulky | Compact | Compact | Compact | Bulky |
| Durability | Durable | Durable | Average | Average | Durable | Average |
| Maintenance | Machine Washable | Machine Washable | Machine Washable | Machine Washable | Machine Washable | Spot Clean |
| Price | Expensive | Expensive | Moderate | Moderate | Expensive | Inexpensive |
Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow
| Product Title | Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow |
|---|---|
| Type | Memory Foam |
| Shape | U-Shape |
| Cover Material | Plush Velour |
| Dimensions | 9 x 10 x 5 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Features | Washable Cover, Adjustable Strap, Twistable Memory Foam |
The Travelrest Ultimate is different from other travel pillows because its back is curved in a way that lets it lay flat against the seat back. Most other pillows have a round back that keeps your head from resting against the headrest. There are also rubber grip dots on the Travelrest to keep you from slipping while you sleep. Overall, it is one of the best travel pillows that you can buy.
The soft memory foam in this pillow supports your whole neck and keeps your head from moving too far in any direction. The pillow’s Velcro strap can be adjusted to fit most necks. The soft velvet covering on the pillow can be taken off and washed in a machine. Even though it doesn’t pack flat, the Travelrest weighs less than a pound and rolls up into its Velcro-strapped carrying case to be a quarter of its size. The only thing we don’t like about the Travelrest is that its high walls can push over-ear headphones off the ears of people with shorter necks, which isn’t ideal.
Even though the memory foam feels soft, it is also very hard. This makes it great for support, but it doesn’t give much. It also doesn’t let you change how it fits, unlike the Turtl and the BCozzy, which can be wrapped. The Travelrest is a great pillow if it fits your neck. But if your neck is much longer or shorter than the 5-inch wall of this pillow, you might find that one of our other pillow choices fits you better.
Pros
- The adjustable strap keeps the pillow securely in place.
- The cover is machine washable.
Cons
- It is relatively expensive compared to other travel pillows.
Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow
| Product Title | Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow |
|---|---|
| Type | Memory Foam |
| Shape | U-Shape |
| Cover Material | Velour |
| Dimensions | 9.5 x 10 x 5 inches |
| Weight | 0.8 pounds |
| Features | Washable Cover, Adjustable Strap, 360° Support |
If our top choice is sold out or you find yourself without a pillow after security, the Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow is almost as good but costs a little more. It doesn’t have the curved, lay-flat back of the Travelrest, but its U-shaped, contoured memory-foam core and machine-washable velour cover make it just as comfortable.
Its adjustable string closing also lets you tie the pillow around your neck much tighter than you can with the Travelrest. This makes it a good choice for people with smaller necks or who like a tighter fit. Also, it’s the only one of our choices that we’ve often seen in airport shops behind the security checkpoint. Currently, it is one of the best travel pillows that you can buy.
Pros
- Provides excellent support for the neck and chin.
- Has a compact design that makes it easy to pack.
- Has a washable cover.
Cons
- May not be suitable for people with larger necks.
- The pillow is relatively bulky compared to other travel pillows.
Trtl Pillow
| Product Title | Trtl Pillow |
|---|---|
| Type | Neck Support |
| Shape | Soft Neck Brace |
| Cover Material | Fleece |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 7.5 x 3 inches |
| Weight | 0.24 pounds |
| Features | Lightweight, Adjustable, Washable |
If you tend to sleep on the same side, the fleece-covered plastic frame of the Trtl Pillow gives solid support to one side of your neck while still being easy to wear. It’s basically a neck brace with only one side. The cozy fleece that goes all the way around the pillow will also keep your neck warm. This makes it a good choice for people who get cold when they fly, but not for people who sleep hot.
But the Trtl’s best feature is that it is small and easy to carry. Unlike any of our other picks, the Trtl doesn’t need to be packed into a travel case or compressed. It will always take up about the same amount of room as a PB&J. Overall, it is one of the best travel pillows that you can buy.
Pros
- Has a unique design that provides excellent neck support.
- Lightweight and easy to pack.
- Can be worn like a scarf, which makes it discreet.
Cons
- May not be suitable for people with larger necks.
Bcozzy Pillow
| Product Title | Bcozzy Pillow |
|---|---|
| Type | Chin Supporting |
| Shape | Double-Sided |
| Cover Material | Cotton |
| Dimensions | 9.6 x 7.2 x 3.6 inches |
| Weight | 0.5 pounds |
| Features | Machine Washable, Multiple Sizes, Multiple Colors |
The Bcozzy, a twist on the hemi-donut design, is our top pick for people who wear big headphones on planes or tend to sleep with their heads tilted forward. The pillow’s ends meet to make a tight cushion that keeps your chin in place much better than the Trtl’s plastic frame or the chin-facing gap on the Travelrest and Cabeau. Still, it is one of the best travel pillows that you can buy.
Even though the pillow doesn’t give much support to either side of your neck, when used with a big pair of headphones, the Bcozzy does a great job of keeping your head in place. Even though the pillow isn’t as small as our other picks, it has a small loop that lets you clip it to the outside of most bags so it doesn’t take up room inside your bag.
Pros
- Adjustable strap allows for a customized fit.
- Can be worn in different positions for added comfort.
Cons
- May not be suitable for people with larger necks.
- The filling may compress over time, reducing its effectiveness.
Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Neck Pillow
| Product Title | Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Neck Pillow |
|---|---|
| Type | Memory Foam |
| Shape | U-Shape |
| Cover Material | Velour |
| Dimensions | 10.5 x 10.5 x 4.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Features | Adjustable Strap, Removable/Washable Cover, Orthopedic Design |
Whether you’re in the middle seat of an airplane or a car, the Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Neck Pillow can make your trip much more comfy. With a natural design, one side of the pillow is bigger than the other to support the chin if your head tilts while you sleep, and the back has a cushion that is shaped to keep the head in an upright position.
During testing, our testers’ chins rested well on the neck pillow, and they didn’t feel too hot while wearing it. Even though the cushion fits snugly around the neck, our tester said it didn’t take long to get used to it, and they could nap easily on a train or car ride. The buckled strap was easy to adjust, and our tester liked that the pillow could be turned around to use the uneven sides and back to find the most comfy position for sleeping in the window and middle seats.
The outside of the travel pillow is made of soft recycled polyester, and the inside is made of extra-dense memory foam from Cushion Lab. The pillow can be folded into a small ball to fit inside a carrying bag that can be clipped onto a backpack or trunk. For now, it is one of the best travel pillows that you can buy.
Pros
- Has a contoured design that provides excellent neck support.
- The cover is machine washable.
Cons
- May not be suitable for people with larger necks.
- The pillow is relatively bulky compared to other travel pillows.
Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow
| Product Title | Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow |
|---|---|
| Type | Microbead |
| Shape | U-Shape |
| Cover Material | Fleece |
| Dimensions | 11 x 12 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 0.56 pounds |
| Features | Snap Closure, Machine Washable, Available in Multiple Colors |
The Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow is a simple choice that gives your neck a lot of support at an affordable price. It is full of tiny microbeads that quickly mold to the shape of your neck and keep your head from moving around while you sleep. Our tester liked how light but strong it felt and how there were no signs of damage after using it or clipping it to a suitcase to carry it.
Even though the cover can’t be taken off, this tester said that the fabric is easy to fix and that it comes with steps for spot cleaning if needed. The travel pillow was soft and airy, and it did a good job of keeping our tester’s neck warm when the plane was cold and cool when it was hot. Thus, it is one of the best travel pillows that you can buy.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to pack.
- Can be used in different positions for added comfort.
Cons
- May not be suitable for people with larger necks.
- The microbead filling can compress over time, reducing its effectiveness.
FAQs
A travel pillow is a small cushion or pillow designed to provide comfort and support to your neck and head during long journeys.
A travel pillow can help prevent neck pain and discomfort caused by long periods of sitting in a cramped airplane or car seat. It can also help you sleep better and arrive at your destination feeling more refreshed.
There are several types of travel pillows, including neck pillows, U-shaped pillows, inflatable pillows, and compressible pillows. Neck pillows wrap around your neck and provide support, while U-shaped pillows fit around the back of your neck and provide support to your chin and jaw.
