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The Best Travel Pillows of 2024

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Materials Memory foam
Shape Neck pillow
Weight 13 oz.
Travel Bag Yes

Ergonomic design aligns the back of the pillow flush with seat
Best in class memory foam pillow is soft and supportive
Great lateral and chin support stabilizes the head in all directions
Some compression against the jugular when strapped down too tight
Foam closes around the neck entirely, which can trap heat and feel too warm for some

Memory foam is the ideal fluff for a supportive travel pillow. But even the best foam isn’t going to give you the support you need for long-haul comfort if it isn’t formed right. What elevates the Travelrest Nest ($40) above the rest isn’t in what they have added — it’s in what they took away.

Travelrest cut a wedge out from behind the neck of the Nest, allowing the pillow to lay flush against the seat. Slip-resistant rubber pads are printed on the underside, preventing the pillow from sliding off the headrest. Your head remains stable and motion-free without all the bulk behind the head.

Another notch is carved out behind the neck, allowing the back of the head to sit naturally into the pillow. The functional form lets you lean back and rest without having to tilt the chair back, which makes everyone else a little bit happier.

In our experience, many travel pillows don’t support the chin securely enough. We are happy to report the Travelrest Nest fastens around the neck with Velcro tabs, cradling the chin and preventing head nods while dozing off. The combination of form and foam gently secures the head in a neutral position and makes the Travelrest Nest pillow our top choice.

Out of our four testers, all agreed that the Travelrest Nest is by far the most comfortable travel pillow. And at just a penny under $40, it’s an easy product to recommend investing in for your next travel plans. For most travelers out there, this is the travel pillow to snag.

Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow

Materials Microbeads
Weight 7 oz.
Travel Bag No

Inexpensive option
Good for side sleepers
Dual-sided microfleece or spandex cover for temperature regulation
Large volume behind the neck requires you to rotate the pillow to the side to sleep.
No pillowcase or travel bag

Better than the stock pillow provided by the airline, and many sleeps beyond the sweatshirt stuffed behind your neck, the Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow ($16) is a small investment for better sleep on the go.

The top of the pillow is soft microfleece with soft, cooling spandex on the underside. Inside, the hemi donut-shaped pillow is filled with small foam microbeads. Think of it as a fleecy beanbag pillow for your neck.

This is a great starter pillow for those who are considering getting a travel pillow, but don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. You need to know it’s going to be a little limiting though.

The back of the pillow has a lot of fill, which is OK if you just want some support while reading or binging the latest inflight entertainment. But it’s too much pillow behind the neck if you want to get some sleep.

We found we had to rotate the pillow 90˚, shifting the bulk of the pillow to the side. This also turns the notch to the side, which does two things. It supports the chin better, and it supports the head pretty well for side sleepers. It does expose the other side to nodding off and down to the side, so choose your side wisely.

The microbead fill is louder than other synthetic lofts, and over time, the microbeads can collect dirt and grime. Since there is no pillowcase, you will have to either spot-clean this pillow or risk washing the entire pillow in a washing machine (on gentle and in a delicates bag). But for 16 bucks, the Microbead Travel Neck pillow gets a lot of things right and is our bargain pick for travel pillows.

TRLT Travel Pillow

Materials Fleece scarf with internal plastic frame
Weight 4.25 oz.

Small and compact pillow
Removable case
Supportive for head bobbers
Light weight
Looks like a neck brace
Caused some mid-back pain on longer flight

The TRTL Travel Pillow ($60) is a quirky-looking little pillow that caught our tester’s attention because they are a side sleeper, and a bit of a head bobber. If this describes you, it’s a familiar story: As soon as you start to fall asleep, your head drops and jolts you awake, beginning a rinse-and-repeat cycle of catching interrupted micro naps.

That’s all in the past with this pillow, which has an internal plastic frame that sits over the shoulder and wraps around the neck up toward the ear. You instinctively lean into the structure, and it cradles the head from the side.

A microfleece scarf fastens over the chin and around the neck, gently locking the head in place. It works so well that our tester realized their head began to gradually float off the chairback without dropping the chin. It’s an odd sensation, and you can fix this by tilting the seat back slightly, allowing gravity to do what it does best.

The TRLT is a small, compact pillow that is easy to maintain. The pillowcase unzips off the frame and can be thrown in the wash. The downside is it looks a bit like a neck brace, and we found the plastic scaffolding can push up against the ear. We also found that while it stabilizes the neck, the stabilizing force was oddly distributed down the chain to the middle of the back, causing some dull pain on longer flights.

Overall, the TRTL Travel Pillow offers a simple solution that’s easy to maintain. It’s a bit pricey, but we feel the simplicity and function warrant the price.

Blabok Inflatable Travel Pillow

Materials Vinyl with air
Shape Head pillow
Weight Unknown

Inexpensive
Incredibly comfortable
Easy to inflate and deflate
Comes with eye mask and ear plugs
Incurs funny looks

Our reviewer ordered the funky-looking Blabok Inflatable Travel Pillow ($25) as a last-minute addition to an international flight, where she knew she would be spending some serious sleep hours on the plane.

“In the past, I’ve quietly giggled to myself when seeing travelers dutifully blow into their airport comfort balloons, but I’m a convert. Through flight delays, layovers, and crazy long flights, I ended up singing the praises of this thing!”

It not only gives you multiple positions to support your head and neck during a flight, but during layovers, it is a solid napper in quiet terminal corners. Armholes allow comfortable positioning, and the open, airy internal chamber means you can breathe easily while face down in the pillow. And to our surprise, it’s shockingly easy to inflate. A few breaths, and you’re good to go.

The Blabok pillow deflates just as fast and rolls up tiny, making it our favorite inflatable travel pillow and our preferred travel pillow for long flights. Bonus tip: Because of its shape, if you have sore legs/hips from your adventures, it can be used as a knee support pillow. Funny looks be damned, we’re sleeping better than anyone else on the Blabok Inflatable Travel Pillow .

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

Materials Polyester fill
Shape Head and neck pillow
Weight 11 oz.

Great for side sleepers who lean against a wall
Chin support spots you from leaning forward
Soft microfleece cover
Only supports one side of the head
Doesn't compress down as well as memory foam

Not your traditionally shaped travel pillow, the J-Pillow Travel Pillow ($50-60) has three dimensions that cradle the head and neck in an X, Y, and Z axis. The head leans into the large flaps, with the ‘J’ tail wrapping under the chin. It gives the neck mild support and prevents the head from dropping forward.

As you would suspect from a pillow you lean into, the J-Pillow is ideal for those who have a window seat, where you can catch some winks against a wall. One side is completely unsupported, so if you are the type of sleeper who tosses a bit and occasionally leans the other way, your sleep might get disrupted.

We found this more of a problem when seated in the aisle or middle seat. Seated next to the window, we could lean into the pillow with the added confidence of uninterrupted sleep.

The J-Pillow is filled with a polyester loft. It’s not as firm as memory foam, and it doesn’t run as warm either. That’s partly because the structure only cradles half the head. The airflow is decent, and with the airplane vent aimed at us, this pillow keeps things cool.

No removable cover to be found here, and you toss the entire pillow in the wash — which isn’t a bad thing. It ensures the entire pillow is cleaned. The pillow crushes down to a small, travel-friendly size and carries in the provided stuff sack.

Despite the quirky design, the J-Pillow is a comfortable and supportive option — especially if you like to sit tucked away in a window seat.

Cabeau The Neck’s Evolution S3 Neck Pillow

Best in class memory foam comfort
High lateral walls for maximum head support
Seat straps holds pillow to the chair
Over-the-top elastic strap supports chin and keeps mouth closed
Raised side supports feel bulky and adds pressure around the neck
With straps, this is a more fidgety travel pillow and takes time to set up

No matter how good the pillow, it’s hard to prevent the dreaded head bob. Even Cabeau — the grandmaster of travel pillows — couldn’t get around this. This matters most when seated in the aisle or middle seat, where personal space is limited. To that end, Cabeau released The Neck’s Evolution S3 ($50). The secret sauce? Straps — lots of them.

A pair of vertical straps tack the pillow to the seat back, cutting the bobble off at the head. If the pillow doesn’t move, you don’t move. The third, elastic strap, wraps over the pillow’s horseshoe ends (not out in front), fastening to the opposite side. Wrapping over the pillow, the strap is, in essence, a hammock for your chin. It keeps the chin up and prevents the head from nodding forward.

What we love about this design is that it 1) immobilizes the chin just enough without feeling too rigid, and 2) leaves the front of the pillow exposed, allowing the neck to cool off. This is important because memory foam can really trap the heat. With the small gap, the pillow spills heat, keeping you feeling cooler. It’s kind of genius.

The memory foam is the softest we tested. It is even softer than the Travelrest Nest (which is made from very good, resilient foam). We did find the amount of foam significant and noticeable. The sidewalls ride up to just below the ears. If you end up slouching in your chair (or have a shorter neck), this is pronounced and you feel the foam pushing into the ears and around the neck. This can become uncomfortable over time.

The pillow rolls up tight and packs in a zippered pouch. And if all this isn’t enough, Cabeau threw in a pair of earplugs to help cancel out the noise. All in all, at just under $50, the Cabeau The Neck’s Evolution S3 is an excellent neck pillow and a good alternative to the Travelrest Nest .

Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Pillow

Shape Neck Pillow
Weight 10.5 oz.

Asymmetrical design rotates 360˚ to fit a variety of sleep positions while seated
Accommodates over the ear headphones
Small packed size and comes with a travel bag
Available in two different sizes
Low sides do not provide as much lateral support
Snug fit can be too tight

One of the best advantages you can give yourself while traveling is options. The asymmetrical shape of Cushion Lab’s Ergonomic Travel Pillow ($55), allows you to turn the pillow around your neck to match the seating requirements.

Flat on the underside, the top of the pillow rolls between 2.5 and 5 inches, with three different notches that you can position under the chin and behind the head. Window, middle seat, aisle … the variety allows you to find the best sleeping position for any seat.

The memory foam pillow is protected by a form-fitting pillow case with an elastic cord that keeps the pillow packed tight. It all packs away nicely in a small widemouth ditty bag that is easy to pack and unpack.

The extra-dense memory foam is stiffer and similar to what we found in the Ostrich Go Neck . While the Go Neck is perhaps more stylish, the third notch gives the Ergonomic Travel Pillow one more option to find the perfect position — and the upper edge between the two.

We also like Cushion Lab’s overall lower profile. It allows you to wear over-the-ear headphones and feels less restrictive without compromising head and neck support. The Ergonomic Travel Pillow lives up to the name and allows for fine-tuning your fit to match your travel circumstances perfectly.

Ostrich Go Neck Pillow

Asymmetrical sides allow you to rotate the pillow into multiple positions to match the seating
Crushes down small
Washable removable cover
Dense memory foam has excellent support
High sidewalls press into ears
Wrapping design holds heat

Another innovator in the travel pillow space, Ostrich brings disruptive designs that are both functional and fun. The Go Neck Pillow ($70) is a stylish memory foam “shawl” that secures around the neck with a hook-and-loop closure. The wave-like shape has a lower, plumper cushion that rises and narrows behind the neck before it crests to a taller, thinner pad. The asymmetrical cushions narrow and close together with a 5-inch Velcro tab.

You can rotate the Go Neck to match a variety of positions, but we really only found two that work — with the chin between the fold where the two flaps come together, or 180˚ backward, with the chin tucked in the other narrowing. The pillow feels more comfortable with the overlap in front, but the reverse is slightly taller and supports the chin well.

While ergonomic (and perhaps even beautifully designed) the foundation of the Go Neck is a stiffer memory foam. It isn’t as soft as either the Cabeau or Travelrest pillows. The firmness is supportive, but can feel more rigid and less forgiving over time. Plus it’s about $20-$30 more than our top pillows, which excludes it from what we feel are better bargain options.

BCOZZY Neck Pillow

Weight 8 oz.

Adaptive design rotates around the neck to give you support where you need it
Allows plenty of ear room for those who wear over-the-ear headphones
Fully machine washable
Four different size variations available
Takes a while to position it right
Snug wrapping design can get hot

Many travel pillows are available in a one-size-fits-all option, which means if it doesn’t fit you, it doesn’t work at all. So when a travel pillow comes in a variety of sizes that can be configured to match a variety of seating options, our interest is piqued.

Bcozzy’s Neck Pillow ($45-60) snakes around the neck, overlapping the ends with a long Velcro hook and loop closure. The long, skinny pillow undulates with alternating hourglass narrows and plump supportive pads. Available in four sizes (two youth, two adults) there’s a Bcozzy for everyone. And, you can rotate the pillow 360˚ around the neck to give you support where you need it.

Side leaner? Rotate the overlapping ends under the ear and lean into the pillow. Middle seat? Position the narrow section behind the neck and support the chin with the overlapping ends. Departing the plane? Just loosen up the Velcro tabs and wear it off the plane. Compared to other pillows, it wears relatively under the radar and is easy to use.

The Bcozzy doesn’t have a removable pillowcase. Instead, you toss the whole thing in the washing machine to wash the entire pillow. It is recommended that you put it inside a delicates bag or a tied-off pillowcase and wash it on a gentle cycle. This prevents the machine from breaking down the polyester fibers.

The Bcozzy Neck Pillow isn’t the cheapest pillow on our list, but with the right size, it is very easy to use and works in virtually any seated position, making this one of the more versatile travel pillows on our list.

Honeydew Sleep Company Scrumptious Travel Pillow

Materials Copper infused cooling memory foam
Weight 2 lbs., 8 oz.

You can add or remove fill to match your desired firmness
Hand-made in U.S.A.
Bulky to carry
Large size forces chin to drop even with the seat tilted all the way back

Take your favorite pillow from home, shrink it by 30%, and cut a wedge in it so it curves around the neck, and you’ve got Honeydew’s Scrumptious Travel Pillow ($130-220).

The memory foam fill is shredded into small pieces, giving it a soft and even fluff. Infused with copper, it’s antimicrobial and helps keep the body cool. The downside is that it doesn’t pack down as well.

Stuffed inside the provided cotton sack (included), the pillow carries around at a bulky 9 x 12 inches. That’s partly the foam, but there’s no getting around — it’s a lot of pillow. Unpacked, the Scrumptious is a whopping 12 x 21 inches.

A crescent-shaped notch lays behind the neck and over the shoulders, allowing you to lean back into the pillow. But it wasn’t enough to prevent our chins from dropping. Even with the seat pushed all the into the furthest position, the mass of the pillow pushed our heads forward. We found it hard to prevent the chin from dipping down as we dozed.

The Scrumptious is big and not all that comfortable while on the plane. But once we arrived at our destination, we stored the hotel pillow in the closet and used the Scrumptious instead. The soft and even proprietary fill is better than our pillows at home and gives us a better night’s rest while on the road.

You just need to be prepared to carry the extra baggage with you as a carry-on, or find room for the pillow in your bags. For the comfort the Honeydew Scrumptious Travel Pillow provides, however, it’s worth finding the space.

Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow

Materials 20-denier polyester face fabric, TPU air bladder
Weight 3 oz.
Travel Bag 3 x 4 x 2" soft-sided case

Truly lightweight and compact travel pillow
Three chin snaps fit multiple neck sizes
Narrows at the middle to accommodate for neck tilt
Expensive for an air pillow
Lacks support of a foam pillow
Little to no chin support

Sea to Summit has been making some of our favorite camp pillows for years. In fact, the Aeros Ultralight is our go-to pillow for most of our adventures where weight is critical. If an inflatable pillow can handle what the Rockies, Cascades, and all the associated climbing gear can throw at it, we feel confident it can handle the threats faced in coach.

Made specifically for traveling, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow ($45) is a crescent-shaped version of their inflatable camp pillow. The poles of the kidney-shaped pillow inflate out over the shoulders and snug up against the neck just below the ears, tapering behind the neck between the two poles.

The pillow snaps together securely under the chin with three snap options. We like how the snaps provide more security than Velcro. From kids to weightlifters, the options fits a variety of neck sizes. Unfortunately, the Aeros doesn’t support the neck as well as memory foam. Both side-to-side and chin support were less stable than the memory foam counterparts.

And at $45, you aren’t getting a better deal. You are buying a lack of space. The Aeros packs down to the size of a deck of cards or two and weighs in at a welterweight 3 ounces, which is how most ultralight investments work. You don’t buy comfort; you buy room in the pack.

This makes the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller an option for gram-counting travelers who feel strongly that comfort is a luxury. It also works as a good backup travel pillow or if you are carrying for two and need to carry a barebones backup pillow. If an airline weight limit is giving you the business, this is the pillow to grab.

Hest Travel Pillow

Materials Cut up memory foam, stretch-woven nylon cover
Weight 1 lb., 4 oz.

Stuffs and zips up into into itself with durable outer carrying case
Soft and incredibly comfortable foam fill
Mimics the feel of a full-size pillow
Soft pillow case is purchased after market
Some users find the cut up memory foam feels lumpy

The Hest Travel Pillow ($75) is billed as both a camping and travel pillow. It is a small, 10 x 15-inch rectangular pillow with some overbuilt upgrades that make it probably a better (read: heavy) option for traveling over camping.

The entire pillow is carried inside a water-resistant nylon shell, which reminds us of a hearty ski jacket denier. Unzip the outer shell and the pillow pulls inside out with a softer stretch woven material. Another zipper reveals the inner pillow — which you can remove and throw the case in the wash for cleaning.

The memory foam is doughy soft and a good upgrade from most camp pillows. But it’s also more expensive. At $75, it’s creeping into a serious sleep investment. While the stretch woven pillow liner is soft, Hest sells an even softer aftermarket pillowcase, but you will have to open the wallet a little more and pay an additional $20.

A rectangular memory foam pillow is the closest approximation to a pillow from home and it works great in a pinch catching a nap in the terminal or as a backup pillow at the hotel if the provided pillows look suspicious.

For overall comfort, we prefer the modified rectangular pillow from Honeydew . The brand’s Scrumptious Pillow is divine. But for overall packability and travel-friendly size, we prefer the Hest Travel Pillow , which crunches down to about 1.5 L (and costs half the price of the Scrumptious).

Travel Pillow Comparison Chart

How we tested travel pillows.

The GearJunkie staff gets around. At least one of us is in the air during any given week traveling on assignment — so we’ve logged the miles, all of them in coach, and many of these clocked across the Atlantic or Pacific. The redeye may be effective, but it also means if we don’t get our rest, we are up for a very long following day. To make it all work, the GearJunkie staff gets by on coffee… and travel pillows.

Like your pillow at home, a travel pillow should support the neck and be comfortable. Since it’s for use on the road, it should also pack up small so we can either wear it to our connecting flight or securely clip it to our carry-on luggage or travel backpack without whacking other travelers.

To test pillows, we evaluated fill materials and took note of how pillows supported the neck. Did it limit head bobble and keep the neck aligned? Or were we woken up nodding forward? We evaluated how soft the outer material is, and if we could remove and wash the case during or after our travels.

In our search, we aimed to find and test pillows that every person stuck in coach across the spectrum could enjoy — from window, aisle, to middle seat (be damned), we chose for travelers marching gate to gate with pillows around necks or strapped to our luggage.

We take testing seriously and the testing doesn’t stop here. As new travel pillows hit the market, we’ll be lining up with the rest of you and continue to test, ensuring that our lineup is as fresh as walking into customs at 7 a.m.

Steve Graepel has worked at GearJunkie as a contributing editor since 2009, testing everything from packrafts, to bike bags, cycling bibs, sleeping bags, winter boots, trail runners, and travel pants . Many of these stories require travel to meet with manufacturers and test gear in real-world conditions. Between testing, Steve is always striving for the perfect sleep score. His personal best is 87.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Travel Pillow for You

Travel pillow design and fill.

The overall goal of a travel pillow is to support the head for uninterrupted rest. Travel pillows get this done with designs that contour around the body’s shape and close the gaps by molding the pillow’s fill to the head and neck. Together, the shape and fill keep everything comfortably in alignment.

Not all pillows are created equal. That’s because not all seats are the same. While you can lean your head against the wall in a window seat, you are stuck sleeping upright in an aisle or middle seat. Bobblehead sleepers might give in and drop into the tray for uninterrupted sleep.

If you can select your seat in advance, you can better predict the best pillow to bring. But we’re not always that lucky (nor that good at planning) so it might be helpful to have a few pillows available to match your assigned seat, or pick a good all-rounder travel pillow that works in a variety of seating.

Most travel pillows are horseshoe-shaped and wrap around your neck. The semicircular shape keeps the head from wobbling too much and maintains neck alignment. This design works well in almost every seat, as long as you don’t mind sleeping upright.

Side sleepers might prefer some structure to support the neck or padding that accommodates leaning against a wall. The downside is your head can still slide off the unsupported side and nod forward.

The rectangular pillow is your traditional camp pillow. Tried and true, these down, synthetic, or even air-filled pillows can be a little bulky, but don’t rule them out. They are a great option for table sleepers and window leaners, and are miles ahead of your down jacket when trying to catch some zzz’s between flights on the terminal floor.

A more updated window seat option is the J-Pillow . Winner of the British Invention of the Year, the J-Pillow offers head, neck, and chin support, and can flip sides, making it a good option for windows.

Memory Foam

One of the many wonders that came out of NASA, memory foam was developed in the 1960s. It is a viscous polyurethane that crushes down small and bounces back with hearty resilience. Recently, memory foam has become the online mattress wonder-kid, bringing mattress stores to their knees by selling directly to consumers.

We also see a lot of memory foam used in the latest camp mattresses and camp pillows. The benefit is that it forms to the body, cradling the head and neck with support. It’s a durable and comfortable fill and is a good choice for people who take sleeping seriously.

The downside is that when crushed, the foam is constantly trying to expand. To keep the pillow packed down, you need to stuff it in the stuff sack (usually sold with the pillow). And even packed, it’s always going to take up some space. A good insulator, foam will also retain heat more than other insulations. If you are a hot sleeper, consider options with cooling covers and venting designs.

Some memory foams are shredded or cut into small pieces. The foam lofts evenly but doesn’t crush down as small as the solid memory foam pillows. Both Hest and Honeydew offer shredded memory foam pillows. Both brands are also traditional rectangular-shaped pillows that mimic your pillow from home.

As the name implies, microbeads are small, round beads that are used to loft the pillow. To clarify, we aren’t talking about the microspheres smaller than one millimeter that are banned in North America. These are the larger, beanbag fill that shift inside the pillow to fill in otherwise awkward spaces while distributing pressure on the head and neck.

If you’ve ever spent much time sitting in a bean bag chair, you already know the downside. A microbead pillow can be comfortable out of the gate, but over time the microbeads shift and feel more uncomfortable. You might find yourself waking up and readjusting the pillow during your flight.

A firmer, stuffed microbead pillow will provide more support, and microbead pillows are usually less expensive. The only microbead pillow on our list is the Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow . At $16, it’s a bargain and works better than other microbead pillows we’ve tested.

Down and Synthetic Fill

The rectangular synthetic (or down) fill pillow is your old-school camp pillow. While down compacts more, both synthetic and down rectangular pillows can be a little bulky, and since they typically don’t clip to your luggage or wrap around your neck, you inevitably need to carry them around in your hands.

But don’t rule them out — they are a great option for table sleepers, as they fill in the gaps against the window, and are miles ahead of your down jacket when trying to catch some zzz’s between flights on the terminal floor. Plus, you can use them camping or at the hotel if the provided linens look debatable.

Inflated Air

Pillows have come a long way, but some technology doesn’t need to be fixed. The inflatable pillow supports through design of the shell that wraps around the neck. An inflatable camp pillow is great for using on extended backcountry trips. They pack down small and disappear in the pack.

In general, inflatable pillows aren’t as comfortable. They tend to be firmer than foam pillows and don’t snug and support as well as their memory foam counterparts. And they can be prone to punctures, which makes them useless if that happens in flight.

Look for inflatable pillows that are made up of durable material, like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or one that comes with a rugged cover. Valves can also be a weak point on an inflatable pillow. Make sure the one you buy has a tough, well-built valve that isn’t prone to leaking. And ask around — fellow travelers and online reviews are your best resources for gauging a pillow’s durability over time.

All said, we found the inflatable travel pillow from Blablok one of the most comfortable pillows we’ve ever used. It’s massive but compresses down to a small package — one of the benefits of inflatable pillows.

With a travel pillow, a huge part of durability is inside the pillow. With proper care, a pillow filled with either microbeads, polyester fill, or memory foam can last for several years.

However, after repeated use, memory foam tends to be more durable and resilient than microbeads. It doesn’t flatten or get lumpy and is more resistant to collecting dust. So memory foam might be the better option if you want a long-term solution. We generally find memory foam to be more supportive, too.

In general, the more features a pillow has, the higher the price will be. We see this with well-established companies like Cabeau, which use high-quality memory foam and invest time in R&D to develop cooling vents and stabilization seat straps. While more expensive, these products are more dialed, durable, and comfortable designs.

When you shop for a pillow, determine your must-have features, weigh them against your style of sleep, look at your budget, and find a travel pillow that’s best for you. If you’re new to travel pillows and still trying to figure out what kind of pillow you want, consider what you don’t like with the complimentary pillow you get before takeoff. After all, it’s free and a great way to test a pillow with low commitment.

With that baseline, swing back by our buyer’s guide and look at what pillows work best to meet those gaps in your needs. In the end, a travel pillow shouldn’t cost more than $60. It’s a drop in the bucket for a better travel experience.

Packed Size

The ‘packability’ of a travel pillow matters less than it does for a camping pillow. But it still matters, and this point will be salient when you are boarding and departing the plane. If it wraps around your neck, you can suck it up and try to stylishly pull it off (don’t worry, nobody can). If it has a stuff sack, you can compress it (or not) and buckle it to your luggage. As a last resort, you can carry it out by hand.

We recommend stuffing a travel pillow in its stuff sack before you land and snapping it to your carry-on’s side pocket. This keeps the pillow out of the way and allows you to move quickly in and out of the gate and through the terminal.

The most compact travel pillow is an inflatable pillow, like the Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow . In general, we prefer a compressible pillow that offers support. Memory foam compresses reasonably well and, in our experience, is more comfortable.

Plus, we’d rather not make our first impression with others by blowing up anything on a plane. That said, the inflatable travel pillow from Blablok inflates quicker than you would think and is very comfortable on long flights.

Travel Tricks: Get a Good Night’s Sleep on a Plane

It’s fair to say sleep quality is compromised while in transit. But you can take extra measures to get the best rest possible. Below are travel tips we’ve gained from GearJunkie staff and our traveling friends in the industry.

Bring an Eye Mask

Sure, you can buy these but you may not need to. We always travel with a Buff . Our founder, Stephen Regenold — someone who’s seen it all — gave the Buff one of his highest accolades in a podcast interview with GearJunkie. He shared that the Buff might be one of the most unique pieces of gear ever developed. We use it as a hat, a sweatband, and pull over the eyes on flights. It does a great job of blocking out the light.

Continuing with damping out the senses, earplugs are a cheap and easy purchase. We get them in bulk at the hardware store and bring a few with us on the road. You may have a pair of these kicking around the garage or you might have noise-canceling headphones. Those less sensitive to sounds might get away with streaming music or podcasts through earbuds.

If you use over-the-ear headphones, consider a lower-profile travel pillow. We liked how the Bcozzy Travel Pillow slides low around the neck while still providing chin support options.

The cabin temperature on flights is generally set between 71 to 75 degrees F. That’s not bad, but it’s well below our core temperature. Dozing off, you may start to feel the chill set in. We always pack a good flannel , hoodie, or puffy jacket on a flight. It’s what we bring everywhere, so we keep one (or both) in our carry-on. And a hoodie or hat does a lot to keep heat from escaping.

Before you bed down, have a warm cup of caffeine-free tea or eat some fatty food. The extra calories will turn on your metabolism and burn off as heat. Finally, if they offer it, take advantage of that free blanket and drape it over your legs. If you run cold, every little bit helps.

Keep the Essentials at Hand

There’s a strategy for staying organized during travel. For us, it starts with a good travel pant. Knowing everything has its place keeps us worry-free and able to rest up peacefully. The best travel pants have pockets for your device, ID, and plane-friendly EDC. Plus pants with legs are warmer on overnight flights.

Absolutely. Travel pillows add a bit of comfort and help you get a better night’s sleep on the plane than a wadded-up jacket. The minimal investment of money, space, and weight is nothing compared to the comfort and support a good pillow provides. It only takes one long flight of trying to keep your head upright while dozing off to realize the value that a good travel pillow provides.

Different pillows have different requirements when it comes to cleaning. Be sure to check your pillow’s packaging. If your travel pillow has a removable pillow case, generally these can be thrown in the wash. We recommend following the instructions on the pillow case.

If you are on the road, you can wash the pillow cover out in the sink. You don’t need any special soap for this. Laundry soap or bath soap will work fine. Knead the pillow case gently with your hands until it’s clean. Then rinse it with clean water to get the soap out and hang it out overnight to dry.

If your pillow doesn’t have a removable case, we recommend spot washing them with soap and water or a cleaning wipe.

Most pillows require a bit more delicacy, particularly inflatable pillows. If you’re handwashing an inflatable pillow, make sure the valve is closed so water doesn’t get inside, and then immerse the pillow in soapy water. And never tumble-dry inflatable pillows, as it can damage the air bladder.

The best pillow is the one that matches your sleep needs. Most travel pillows are a horse-shoe shape that wraps around your neck to support your head. If you only want to buy one travel pillow, this semicircular pillow design is a great option. We recommend the Travelrest Nest Travel Pillow . It supports the head and neck without requiring a window to lean against and keeps you from nodding into an adjacent stranger.

Specialized pillows, like the J-Pillow , are great options for window seats. Side sleepers might appreciate the TRLT Travel Pillow , as it supports the head with a stiffened brace and emulates the position you’re most used to sleeping in at home.

If you already have one, don’t rule out the traditional camp pillow. Filled with down or synthetic loft, it can fill the crack against the window and provide a little more comfort than the stock pillows you might be handed before takeoff. It’s also a good pillow to pull out in the terminal if you are stuck between flights and need to crash for a few hours.

Long flights mean lots of idle time in the seat. Whether passing the time watching in-flight entertainment or getting the best sleep you can, we prefer the inflatable Blablok or the Travelrest Nest . Cabeau’s The Neck’s Evolution S3 Neck Pillow is also a great choice. The straps lock it to the headrest and prevent your head from bobbling forward.

We liked the simplicity of the TRTL Pillow and used it on a flight to Mexico. But we found that the internal support structure moved any pain from the neck, down the back between our shoulders. In the end, we preferred using the TRTL on shorter flights.

The simplest and most compact travel pillow is inflated with air. It won’t be as supportive as a memory foam pillow and can feel a little hard, but the air chamber can fit around your neck and add reasonable support. Deflated, it folds up and stows away smaller than a T-shirt.

The Best Camping Pillows of 2023

A camping pillow is both a luxury and an easy, lightweight addition to your pack. Here are the best camping pillows currently on the market.

The Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

We found the best travel backpacks of 2024, including top picks from Peak Design, Osprey, Patagonia, and more.

Steve Graepel is a Contributing Editor and Gear Tester at GearJunkie. He has been writing about trail running, camping, skiing, and general dirtbagging for 10+ years. When not testing gear with GearJunkie, he is a Senior Medical Illustrator on the Neurosurgery Team at Mayo Clinic. Based in Boise, Idaho, Graepel is an avid trail runner, camper, angler, cyclist, skier, and loves to introduce his children to the Idaho outdoors.

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Best Travel Pillows of 2024

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

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

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

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

How we tested the best travel pillows

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

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

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

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

Best overall travel pillow

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

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam

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

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

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

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

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

Trtl Travel Pillow

Best adjustable travel pillow.

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

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

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

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

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

AirComfy Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow

Best affordable travel pillow.

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

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

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

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

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

Travelrest: All-In-One Ultimate Travel Pillow

Best inflatable travel pillow.

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

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

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

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

Ostrichpillow Original Napping Pillow

Best unique travel pillow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pluto Pod 2.0

Best premium travel pillow.

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

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

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

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

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

Cabeau Evolution Kids

Best travel pillow for kids.

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

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

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

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

Honorable mentions

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

Ostrichpillow Go Neck pillow

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

Cabeau Evolution S3 TNE Neck Pillow

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

Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam

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

Travel pillow FAQs

Why should i use a travel pillow.

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

How much should I spend on a travel pillow?

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

Are travel pillows machine washable?

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

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

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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.)

A pile of neck pillows on a wood table. We looked for the best neck pillow available.

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.

Our recommended best travel pillows: The Cabeau and Travelrest pillows are in stuff sacks; the Trtl and Bcozzy pillows are collapsed and lying flat on a table.

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 pillow, a firm donut-shaped neck pillow, resting on a blanket. The recommended best travel pillow.

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.

The best travel pillow, the Travelrest Ultimate, showing the grippy back side.

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.

The donut-shaped Cabeau neck pillow resting on a blanket.

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.

The Cabeau's cover comes off the foam core with a zipper.

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 is less a pillow and more a plush neck brace.

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 .

A closeup of a hand holding the Trtl's cover open to show the lightweight frame inside.

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 another donut-type pillow, but it's longer and thinner, enabling a more coiled configuration.

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's small fabric loop for fastening.

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.

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The best travel pillows that'll keep your relaxed — even in the middle seat

Tired businessman with neck pillow sleeping on passenger train

Between crowded seats, crying babies and limited legroom, traveling on long flights can be exhausting and uncomfortable. A perfect pillow makes the trek slightly easier to bear and can help you get some sleep during those travel periods. To help you narrow down which travel pillow is right for you, we consulted sleep and travel experts about what to know before shopping, plus we compiled highly rated options to consider.

SKIP AHEAD What are the benefits of travel pillows? | How we picked the best travel pillows | The best travel pillows to consider in 2024 | How to shop for travel pillows

Selected. Our top picks

select Minimize chaos on your next trip with these expert-approved accessories

The best travel pillows in 2024.

Below, we rounded up a selection of the best travel pillows based on NBC Select staff recommendations, ratings and expert advice.

Best overall travel pillow: Cabeau

Cabeau evolution s3 sleep pillow.

Straps allow for attachment to headrests
Adjustable drawstrings
Comes with carrying case
Large size may be uncomfortable to some

Former NBC Select editor Christina Colizza says she loves this travel pillow from Cabeau because it prevents slouching by attaching to the plane’s headrest. “As someone who is [very tall], I’ll take all the help I can in getting some sleep while flying, and this pillow makes a huge difference,” she says. “Plus, it compresses down into a small pouch, which makes it convenient enough to schlep around airports.” The headrest attachment also makes this an ideal option for long road trips. This travel pillow comes in five colors and patterns including indigo and galaxy.

Fill material : Memory foam | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Travel bag | Rating : 4.3-star average rating from 7,652 reviews on Amazon

Best splurge travel pillow: Ostrichpillow

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow.

Full 360-degree neck support
Compresses for easy packing
Fit around neck may vary

Ostrichpillow offers a variety of unique pillow alternatives, from a napping option to a mini hand pillow . This memory foam one has raised edges for neck support and comes with a velcro strap that allows you to customize its fit. The travel pillow can also compress down to snugly fit inside the included travel bag.

Fill material : Memory foam | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Travel bag | Rating : 4-star average rating from 1,876 reviews on Amazon

Best versatile travel pillow: Huzi

Huzi infinity travel pillow.

Very versatile
Bulky: can be hard to carry
May be difficult to store

If you’re looking for a pillow with versatility, this option from Huzi may be just what you need. It’s made from a soft, anti-bacterial nylon bamboo that keeps you cool and airy as you sleep, according to the brand. The best part, however, is its scarf-like, 360-degree design — you can move and adjust the pillow however you’d like to target specific areas like your neck, back, chin and more. It can also be wrapped around your head to help muffle noise, or used as support when resting against a plane or car window.

Fill material : Microfiber | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : None | Rating : 4.3-star average rating from 6,307 reviews on Amazon

Best travel pillow for chin support: Bcozzy

Bcozzy chin supporting travel pillow.

Stops your head from falling forward
Good value for price
Full wrap around can feel constrictive

Few things can jolt you awake faster than your head falling forward while you’re seated. This ergonomic neck pillow offers an adjustable front loop for chin support and a flat back to avoid pushing your head forward. It includes a snap strap that you can hook to your luggage or hang up in your car. The pillow comes in multiple colors and you can choose between various sizes ranging from kids small to extra-large .

Fill material : Polyester | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Snap closure | Rating : 4.2-star average rating from 29,016 reviews on Amazon

Best travel pillow for back support: SmartTravel

Smarttravel inflatable lumbar travel pillow.

Easily inflates and deflates
Can be used on back as well as neck
Hand-wash only

NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg says she likes a lumbar pillow for added back support during long flights. This inflatable pillow serves as both a neck and back pillow, and is designed to fit your body’s natural curves and reduce pressure on the spine and neck, according to the brand. It also comes with an expandable mounting band to easily fasten it to headrests.

Fill material : Inflatable | Machine-washable cover : No | Portable features : Travel bag | Rating : 4.3-star average rating from 1,262 reviews on Amazon

Best inflatable travel pillow: Sunany

Sunany inflatable neck pillow.

Comes with accessories
Quickly inflates and deflates
Not very soft

Designed to follow the natural curve of your neck and body, this travel pillow’s ergonomic shape can soothe discomfort and reduce pressure points around your head and neck, according to the brand. You can also place your arms and head inside one of the four holes to support a sleeping position that’s most comfortable for you. It comes with a pouch for storage, along with a matching eye mask and earplugs.

Fill material : Inflatable | Machine-washable cover : No | Portable features : Travel bag | Rating : 4.2-star average rating from 6,696 reviews on Amazon

Best travel pillow for single-side sleepers: Trtl

Trtl travel pillow.

Soft, cozy exterior
Lightweight and easy to pack
Only supports one side at a time

For those who don’t find enough support from traditional U-shaped travel pillows, this uniquely-shaped option comes with a hidden inner support that can hold your head and neck at any position that’s comfortable for you. You can adjust the support to contour your neck, shoulder or jaw, while the fleece exterior is soft and machine-washable.

Fill material: Mesh fabric | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Flat design for easy packing | Rating : 4.0-star average rating from 35,371 reviews on Amazon

Best budget travel pillow: Wolf Essentials

Wolf essentials microfiber neck pillow.

World's Best Feather Soft Microfiber Neck Pillow

Wolf Essentials Microfiber Travel Pillow

Very affordable option
Machine-washable
Thickness may cause fit issues

This neck pillow’s fleece cover provides soft, thermal comfort, which is perfect for when the plane or vehicle gets cold. It’s entirely machine-washable (not just the cover) and comes with a snap closure to keep it from sliding off of your neck or to connect it to your luggage.

Fill material : Polyester blend | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Snap closure | Rating : 4.4-star average rating from 10,911 reviews on Amazon

Other travel pillows we love

Crafty world travel neck pillow.

No on-neck fastener

This option comes with a removable and machine-washable cover, so you can easily wash it. It’s made with a memory foam interior and a velour fabric exterior for a soft and comfortable feel, according to the brand. The pillow also has an elastic strap to help you connect it to your suitcase for extra portability. It comes in four colors — black, blue, gray and purple.

Fill material : Memory foam | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Elastic strap | Rating : 4.3-star average rating from 5,558 reviews on Amazon

Mlvoc Travel Pillow

Includes eye masks, earplugs and carrying bag
Affordably priced
Bulky; may have issues with fit

With its ergonomic, curved design for neck and head support, this travel pillow comes wrapped in a cover that is both machine-washable and sweat-resistant. The travel pillow comes with a contoured eye mask and earplugs, and can fold down to half its size to fit neatly into the included travel bag. Plus, the built-in snap strap can also latch onto your suitcase for easy portability.

Fill material : Memory foam | Machine-washable cover : Yes | Portable features : Travel bag | Rating : 4.3-star average rating from 33,692 reviews on Amazon

select Whether you’re going away for a week or a weekend, there’s a highly-rated bag on Amazon for you.

How we picked the best travel pillows.

The best travel pillows are ones that are comfortable, supportive and easy to carry around, according to our experts. When shopping for a quality travel pillow, they recommend considering the following factors:

Inflatable vs. non-inflatable : You can adjust inflatable pillows to your desired firmness, and easily store them away when deflated. With non-inflatable pillows, on the other hand, you can fill them with more cushioned materials to promote comfort including memory foam and poly-fiber fill.
Portability : Look for features like straps (that you can attach to your luggage ) or an accompanying pouch (that you can pack it down into) for ease while on the go.

What are the benefits of travel pillows?

Whether your airplane seat is too small or your bus ride endures several bumps, it may be difficult to relax on a long trip. Add noisy conversations and frequent overhead announcements and you have multiple barriers in your way to getting a good nap.

One of the main reasons people struggle to sleep while traveling — especially on international flights with time changes — is because they’re trying to sleep at a time with “low circadian and homeostatic drive” (a time when they would not normally sleep, so they’re not as tired), says Dr. Andrew Varga, a board-certified physician at The Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center . The other factor, according to Varga, is the sleeping space, which is usually cramped and doesn’t let you lie recumbent or change positions, except in typically pricey business- and first-class cabins.

“Not everyone is an equally deep sleeper, and people with any sleep issues at baseline will often have a harder time sleeping in a louder and less comfortable environment — such as an airplane,” says board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Alex Dimitriu . He noted that posture plays a big role in the discomfort we feel — and as anyone who has slept on a plane knows, “the head tends to fall off to the side or forward, which is both uncomfortable and can cause neck pain, and [can] even make breathing less efficient.”

“Sleeping upright is not at all a natural position,” says Dr. Mayank Shukla , a board-certified pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist in New York City. “Our head weighs almost 10 pounds and flops around the neck when sleeping upright, leading to aches and pain with all that muscle strain.”

Experts noted that travel pillows can provide support for the neck and head, alleviating some pain and discomfort when combating an upright sleeping position while traveling. They’re typically portable, lightweight, ergonomically designed and come in different sizes to fit every type of person, plus some have additional high-tech features like temperature regulation. This is an ideal tool for frequent flyers who hope to maintain a semi-regular sleeping schedule.

How to shop for a travel pillow

The best travel pillow is one that you find the most comfortable to use for extended periods of time. Ideally, Dimitriu recommends testing out the pillow beforehand to see whether it’s comfortable and how it changes shape.

“The emphasis for most users should be to see how comfortably the pillow lets you rest with your back to the seat and without your head falling forward,” he says. And while larger pillows tend to provide more cushioning, he noted “airplane seats are tight, and there is such a thing as too much pillow.”

Below, we highlighted two of the most important considerations when shopping for travel pillows: inflatability and portability.

Inflatable vs. non-inflatable

When going on a long-haul trip, most travelers don’t want another thing to lug around. “Inflatable pillows may allow for more cushion and can fold to a smaller size,” Dimitriu says, adding that they won’t take up too much space in your luggage. They’re also typically more adjustable — you can change the amount of air to get more or less firmness, depending on your comfort level.

Non-inflatable travel pillows include various types of filling material including memory foam, polyester fiberfill and microbeads. While the different materials can make it easier to find a more comfortable fit, non-inflatable pillows tend to be bulkier than inflatable ones. When it comes to cleaning, both inflatable and non-inflatable pillows typically have removable covers that you can machine wash or spot clean.

Portability

If you’re on a multipart journey or backpacking through Europe, for example, the size and portability of your travel pillow may be just as important off a plane as it is on it. Some travel pillows have straps that you can attach to your luggage, while with others you can fold to fit inside a small bag.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Andrew Varga is a board-certified physician at The Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center .
Dr. Alex Dimitriu is a board-certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine specialist and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, California.
Dr. Mayank Shukla is a board-certified pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist in New York City.

Why trust NBC Select?

Mili Godio is an updates editor at Select and covers a range of sleep topics including weighted blankets , sunrise alarm clocks and blackout curtains . Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select covering skin care, lifestyle and more. For this story, Godio spoke to three sleep medicine experts to get their recommendations on how to shop for travel pillows and their benefits. She also researched dozens of travel pillows on the market that are in line with experts’ guidance.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Mili Godio is an updates editor for Select on NBC News.

The Best Travel Pillows for Long-Haul Flights

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

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

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

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

How we choose the best travel pillows

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

Our top picks:

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

Best travel pillow for: overall comfort

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

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

Best travel pillow for: neck support

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

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

Best travel pillow for: upper body support

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

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

Best travel pillow for: red-eye flights

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

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

Read a full review here .

Best travel pillow for: flexibility

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

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

Best travel pillow for: side sleepers

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

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

Best for: warmth

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

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

Best travel pillow for : Versatility

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

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

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

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The best travel pillows for taking on a long flight

Best travel pillows 2024 tested by our editors

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you travel regularly you’ve probably learnt to spot the difference between a frequent flyer and a rookie – the most obvious tell-tale sign being a bulky travel pillow, typically carried by an inexperienced flyer, hanging from a backpack or being worn 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 realise 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. Specialised brands like trtl and BCozzy have entered the market, while neck 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.

The best travel pillow to buy in 2024 at a glance

Best overall: Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
Best for neck support: Trtl travel pillow
Best for side sleepers: BCozzy neck pillow and Travelrest pillow
Best for price: Ecosafeter portable travel pillow
Best lie flat pillow: Mini Snoooze travel pillow

How we tested the best travel pillows

Every travel neck pillow on this list has been independently tested and reviewed in our office by our editors Charley Ward and Lauren Burvill . Each pillow is then passed on to a member of the wider team to take with them on a flight to further test when travelling. When testing, we look for quality, design features and value for money, as well as overall function and visual appeal.

What are the different types of travel pillow?

There’s a variety of shapes on offer, so think about your personal needs and preferences before making your choice. The main kinds are:

Memory foam travel pillows. These mould to your body in a way that’s far superior to the traditional beanbag styles on offer at the airport. Cabeau Evolution and Kierain do these very well, and Ecosafeter’s version also has a slight hump at the back to help relax your spine.
Body slings. These styles are great for side sleepers, offering full upper body support that you can lean against while you drift off. Travelrest’s inflatable travel pillow is our favourite, which can be worn cross-body or to your side to create a firmer separation between yourself and your neighbour. Dot & Dot does a similar version that can be twisted however suits, so you can use it around your neck, shoulders or even tucked below your lower back, helping to ease whichever area is most achey.
Wraparound neck pillows. These twist around the neck like a scarf, offering double the support of U-shaped designs. They also tend to be cosier as a result. Bcozzy’s has a flat back, to help you keep a better posture, while Huzi’s infinity neck pillow is comfy, soft and scrunchy, allowing you to bunch it up where it suits best.
Neck supports. Travel brand Trtl has been upping the ante lately. The brand's signature fleecy wraparound scarf cleverly hides an internal neck and chin support structure that keeps your neck in the optimum upright sleeping position, even in the middle seat or aisle seat. There’s now an adjustable version, as well, providing extra support for those on the taller side. They come with a carry bag that attaches to your rucksack.
Mini classic pillows . Perfect for adding a bit more comfort when sitting in first or business class seats – and when in your hotel room too. Snoooze does our favourite, which is 100% machine washable and rolls up into a carry bag just 30 by 11cm, so it’ll tuck nicely in your hand luggage when not in use.

See below for our full take on each of the best travel neck pillows available to buy now.

Cabeau Evolution's S3 travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: overall comfort

If you're looking for a basic does-the-job travel pillow, the one below from Kierain is the ideal buy. But if you're looking for a step above in terms of design and comfort, or suffer from neck or back pain, Cabeau's 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 though are the velcro straps at 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 like it: “I tested this pillow when I flew to Mexico City. The foam in it 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 luggage , you’d never even know there was a travel pillow inside." Sarah Allard, digital editor

Kierain’s travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: overall value

Kierain has one of the top-rated and best selling travel pillows on Amazon , and it’s easy to see why. A step above the standard microbead styles, this travel pillow is 100 per cent memory foam with a soft velour cover, plus has an easy-to-use snap closure, making it simple to secure and stay in place.

Why we like it: “The bag it comes in is surprisingly small (about the size of a small wash bag), so it hardly takes up any room in your carry on luggage , which is a real plus. The best part though is the plush and squidgy memory foam. I often find the traditional neck pillows too stiff and constricting, but this one was soft while still giving good support.” Sarah James, deputy digital editor

trtl's original pillow

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 148 grams. 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 like it: “I often feel like most typical travel pillows are too bulky and hard to get comfortable on, so I was keen to try this style when I flew to Vancouver. 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

Trtl Travel Pillow Plus

Best travel pillow for: customised support for your exact requirements

The underrated Irish city that's becoming one of the coolest spots in Europe

Trtl has revamped its clever wrap-style neck pillow to accommodate people of all heights more comfortably. The latest iteration is adjustable, to better suit your particular requirements, and the pillow section itself has been given a high-density foam makeover. Trtl’s offering is a lot smaller than standard U-shaped pillows, and weighs a petite 225 grams, so it won’t take up precious space in your hand luggage – or you could use the included clip to attach it to your rucksack .

Why we like it: “I tried both the original and the revamped Trtl pillows on a flight to Japan, and this one definitely proved a more comfortable fit. It does take a bit of fiddling to get it to sit properly, and the fleece wrap is certainly cosy – even a bit too warm at points. Reviews are mixed online, but I think it’s worth taking the time to adjust it correctly as, once I did, it made for a far more comfortable experience than using standard U-shaped neck pillows. For long haul flights in coach, it’s certainly worth a try; I had no neck pain at all when I finally disembarked from the plane.” Charley Ward, commerce writer

Travelrest pillow

Best travel pillow for: upper body support

This clever across-body-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

Our verdict: “This pillow came in handy on a flight to Australia. I really love the shape of this style, 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, commerce editor

Dot&Dot’s twist travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: flexibility

Why we like 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.” Lauren Burvill, commerce editor

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

Best travel pillow for: ergonomic design with a luxurious feel

Ostrichpillow has a number of interesting travel pillows (are you brave enough to try this napping aid ?), including a genius padded headband -come-eye mask that makes quickly grabbing some shut-eye while leaning against the window actually comfortable. The Go pillow, however, is the brand’s most traditional offering. It has a memory foam core with a velcro closure to ensure a snug fit, no matter the shape or size of your neck. It compresses down impressively small when stored in the included drawstring travel bag, making it easy to bring along in even the smallest cases. It has a removable and washable cover as well.

Why we like it: “It’s really, really soft, and satisfyingly squishy at the same time; the memory foam filling is clearly high-quality. In fact, out of all the travel pillows I’ve tried, this one feels the most luxurious when in use. It kept my neck at a good angle to avoid aches and pains – it was surprisingly supportive, in fact. It’s easy to adjust and I like that the cover can be slung straight in the washing machine, so it’s ready to go for your next trip.” Charley Ward, commerce writer

Ecosafeter’s portable travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: price

The Ecosafeter travel pillow is a memory foam style with a slight “hump” shape that’s designed to help relax the Cervical spine. The design is particularly great for sleeping upright, especially if you suffer from back or neck pain, with added neck support as well as a soft and flexible feel.

Why we like it: “I find it super difficult to sleep upright, which is why I loved the high back and firm cushioned support on this pillow. I took it with me on an overbooked flight with a 2am takeoff and did manage to get some sleep, admittedly in and out, but that’s better than my usual long haul wide-eyed experience.” Sophie Knight, visuals editor

BCozzy's neck pillow

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 like 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 feeling too suffocating." Lauren Burvill, commerce editor

Huzi infinity pillow

Best for: warmth

Our verdict: “I’d say this pillow is less about neck support and more about soft and cosy 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.” Lauren Burvill, commerce editor

Snoooze travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: lying flat

One for not just the plane but also the hotel, this flat pillow from Snoooze is particularly suited to business or first class passengers flying in a flatbed. Danish designer Ann Sjogreen Sanger worked with scientists, sleep experts and leading UK manufacturers to create the two travel pillows – a full size and mini option. Both are machine washable, come with a soft 100 per cent cotton pillow case and roll up into compact travel bags – the mini fits into a cylindrical bag that’s 30cm by 11cm.

Why we like it: “This pillow feels surprisingly full and thick compared to how compact it can be stored. I always struggle with hotel pillows (they’re often too big and fluffy), but the Snoooze feels firm yet squidgy and helped me get proper deep sleep during a hotel stay in Greece recently. I tested the full size, but think the mini can do the same job if you’re short on carry-on space or would prefer to use a flat pillow to get some sleep in economy.”

Lifeventure inflatable travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: space-saving

You won’t find any bells and whistles with Lifeventure’s inflatable travel pillow, but at £12.99, the price is hard to beat for your standard u-shaped travel pillow. It packs down into a remarkably bijou carrying case and weighs in at just 54 grams. A dual valve makes it easy to blow up very quickly – I inflated it by mouth in two minutes.

Why we like it: “I wasn’t convinced by the idea of an inflatable polyester travel pillow, especially not in comparison to some of the super-soft memory foam numbers I’ve tried (Ostrichpillow cinches it for me in the cosiness stakes). However, I was pleasantly surprised on test. The material is clearly good quality and it provides decent enough neck support when fully inflated. But really, the main plus point of this pillow is how compact and lightweight it is when deflated. It folds down smaller than your average purse. If you have back or neck issues, avoid this one. But if you’re off backpacking, or space in your bag is an especially hot commodity, then this pillow is the one to buy.” Charley Ward, commerce writer

Slip travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: fashionistas

Beauty aficionados will know that silk pillowcases are superior to cotton offerings for those seeking smoother, sleeker hair – studies have shown that its slippery, friction-free surface helps to both tackle frizz and reduce stress on delicate facial skin while you slumber. So why compromise when you’re on a plane? Luxury silk pillowcase brand Slip has used the same 22 momme long fibre mulberry silk for its travel pillow as it does its regular cases, along with a super-dense foam inner that secures around the neck with an adjustable strap for 360-degree support. It’s available to purchase separately or as a set with a matching silk eye mask for an extra cost (currently on sale ).

Why we like it: “This is another unusual option – its vivacious appearance generated some comments in the office upon unboxing. It’s not one for wallflowers; it’s very colourful and one of the largest pillows (if not the largest) we’ve ever seen. Nobody’s going to miss you while you’re wearing it – and if you’re especially petite, it likely won’t suit. Nonetheless, the silky finish feels both luxurious and cooling when around the neck, which doesn’t go amiss on a stuffy aeroplane. The traditional U shape doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but for those seeking a little luxury on long haul flights, this is a welcome treat. Be warned: this pillow isn’t going to squeeze into your suitcase, so bear that in mind, but it gives a high level of support and keeps your neck upright, so a good choice if this is the most comfortable position for you on a plane.” Charley Ward, commerce writer

Snugl travel pillow

Best travel pillow for: versatility

Snugl’s well-designed and thoughtful memory foam travel pillow is available in three sizes to ensure you get the best fit (taking a different approach to Trtl, with its adjustable number above). It’s made from quality, hypoallergenic memory foam with a removable washable cover. There are a selection of colours to choose from, and there’s a carabiner clip to attach the travel bag to your suitcase.

Why we like it: “Don’t be fooled by the chunky appearance – this Snugl pillow packs down into an impressively small bag. It toes the line well between portability and being robust enough to ensure a lack of neck ache when you disembark the plane; this really impressed. But what we like the most is how adjustable it is. There are two straps to secure it around your neck to your preferred tightness, and it’s been created to comfortably sit around your neck in either a conventional, reversed, forward facing or shoulder-facing arrangement to accommodate your sleeping style – a real plus for me as a side-sleeper.” Charley Ward, commerce writer

The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Get some quality shut-eye on the go

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

TripSavvy / Alessandra Amodio

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

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

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

Final Verdict

How we tested, other travel pillows we tested.

What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cabeau evolution classic travel pillow.

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

Highly supportive material

Helps maintain natural C-spine shape

Easy-to-clean cover

Attaches to carry-on

Not as supportive for taller people

Material runs warm

Doesn’t pack down

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

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

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

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

TripSavvy / Daniela Galvez

Best Overall, Runner-Up

J-pillow chin-supporting neck pillow.

Quality 5 /5

Super comfortable with a memory foam core

Packs down (carrying case included)

User-friendly

Doesn’t secure in place to prevent slippage

Less intuitive for the middle seat

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

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

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

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

TripSavvy / Jennifer May

Best Budget

Cloudz microbead travel neck pillow.

Quality 4 /5

Great quality for the price

Easy to travel with

Two fabric options for hot/cold

Cover isn’t removable or washable

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

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

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

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

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

Portability 4 /5

Recycled materials

Flat design like a bed pillow

Versatile use

Doesn't specifically contour to the neck

Not the most compact when stowed

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

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

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

Best Splurge

Ostrichpillow go neck pillow.

Cool, minimalist design

Incredibly comfortable for long flights

Very compact when put away

Velcro might catch on clothes or hair

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

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

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

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

Tripsavvy / Susan Brickell

Best Cooling

Cabeau evolution cool pillow.

Accommodates large headphones

Good balance between softness and support

Packs down small

May be too firm for some

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

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

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

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

Best Memory Foam

Aeris memory foam travel pillow.

Comfort 4.5 /5
Durability 4.5 /5

Super supportive

Compact when not in use

Comes with earplugs and eye mask

Requires effort to get into case

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

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

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

TripSavvy / Anna Popp

Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow

Portability 3 /5
Value 3.5 /5

Keeps skin and hair looking great

Big enough to use as a normal pillow

Quality materials and construction

Matching laundry bag, eye mask, and neck pillow available

Carrying case sold separately

Not particularly compact

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

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

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

Best Support

Cabeau evolution s3 travel pillow.

Durability 4 /5

Unique chin strap for unrivaled support

Soft, washable cover

Folds compactly into included case

Holds up well to intense travel

Can feel a little restrictive at first

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TripSavvy / Erin Johnson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to Look For in a Travel Pillow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Best Travel Pillows 2024 – In-Depth Review

At Mattress Clarity, we take sleep seriously and that’s why we scoured the web to find the best – and in some cases the weirdest, most eccentric – travel pillows out there. After hours of research , rigorous testing and plenty of resting in our car, we’ve put together our five favorite travel pillows!

Each pillow was handpicked for a specific reason – geared towards those who are on a budget, genuine fans of the window seat or those who are merely beginning to travel and need guidance – we’ve got everyone covered.

Check out our top picks below and scroll down to the bottom to find our detailed and significant tips for selecting the best travel pillows of 2024 . Safe travels!

The Best Travel Pillows: Video Review

Our Top Picks for the Best Travel Pillows

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow – Editor’s Pick
BCozzy Neck Pillow – Best Travel Pillow for Chin Support
trtl – Best Travel Pillow for Neck Support
Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow – Best Organic Travel Pillow
Brentwood Homes Crystal Cove Mini Charcoal Pillow – Best Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Pillow Cube – Best Travel Pillow for Side Sleepers
Huzi Infinity – Best Cooling Travel Pillow

Editor’s Pick- Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

Ostrichpillow original travel pillow.

Overall the unique design of the Ostrich Pillow allows you to find a comfortable position to nap in no matter where you are. The fabric is soft and the microbead filling is firm. However, it can't be machine washed and you may draw unwanted attention when wearing the pillow thanks to its special design.

Mattress Clarity Score

Who is it for.

A man sleeps with the Ostrichpillow Go Neck pillow.

A standout among travel pillows comes from Ostrichpillow. The company makes a variety of travel items, but the Go Neck pillow is one of the best travel pillows we’ve encountered.

This pillow has an ergonomic design and offers 360 degrees of both comfort and support for your neck. It’s made of a soft, slow-moving memory foam core that provides good support. And it features a removable, outer cover made from viscose that is machine-washable.

Ostrichpillow designed this pillow for travel, but even if you’re looking to use this at home to relax with, it goes above and beyond the typical U-shaped travel pillow.

Plus, this pillow can be compressed into the bag that it comes with, so it won’t take up too much space in your suitcase or carry-on bag!

What Makes the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow Stand Out?

It’s made of supportive, but soft memory foam.
The Go Neck pillow has an ergonomic design to give 360 support for both your neck and your chin.
It’s perfect for both travel and relaxing around the house.

Best for Chin Support – BCozzy Neck Pillow

Bcozzy neck pillow.

The BCOZZY Travel Pillow is a polyester covered and polyester fiber filled neck pillow. The extended arms of the pillow overlap to add enhanced support under your chin or wherever you may need it.

Traditional U-shaped travel pillows are great if you want to lean your head back on the plane. But for those who find their head falling forward, chin support is a must.

The BCozzy Neck pillow surrounds your neck, and can fit necks up to 16” thick. It connects in the middle, giving your chin something to rest on, meaning you don’t have to worry about your head dipping forward and waking you from your slumber.

This isn’t a compressible travel pillow, but it has a snap attachment that makes it easy to hook on to your luggage.

This pillow has easy, machine-washable care and comes in a variety of sizes, including a child size!

What Makes the BCozzy Neck Pillow Stand Out?

This pillow surrounds your neck, giving you exceptional chin support.
It’s an affordable travel pillow.
It comes in a variety of sizes and colors for just about any preference.

Best for Neck Support – trtl

Trtl pillow.

The Trtl Travel Pillow is uniquely designed and provides stable neck support. It is machine washable and dryer-friendly and can be packed easily due to its smaller size and light weight.

Who is it for?

The trtl (pronounced turtle) pillow is another innovation on the traditional U-shaped travel pillow. This travel pillow looks more like a scarf or a neck wrap than it does a pillow, but it still works to give your neck some of the best support while you’re traveling.

Trtl combines soft polyester fleece and an inner, plastic support to give your neck total 360 support. The inner plastic support is curved to fit the shape of your jaw, neck, and shoulder and is sturdy enough to rest your head’s weight on. And because it’s wrapped in that soft fleece, it still feels incredibly soft.

Trtl also sells the trtl Junior, which is the company’s travel pillow specifically for children. Whichever option you choose, you can remove the plastic support and throw the fleece cover into the washing machine for easy care.

What Makes the trtl Stand Out?

The trtl pillow comes in a variety of colors.
It’s designed to wrap around your neck to provide exceptional neck support.
It has easy care and is relatively affordable!

Best Organic – Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow

Avocado mini molded latex pillow.

$Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow$

The mini molded latex pillow is the company’s standard molded latex pillow, but just mini! It features a single slab of perforated latex foam to allow for easy air flow.

$A picture of the Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow on a bed.$

For those looking to travel with an organic, eco-friendly pillow, Look no further than Avocado. The company makes organic products through and through, and recently have introduced a mini pillow that’s perfect for travel.

The mini molded latex pillow is the company’s standard molded latex pillow, but just mini! It features a single slab of latex foam that has been perforated which will allow for air to flow through this pillow very easily.

This pillow isn’t designed to fit your head or neck in any way, but the smaller size makes it easy to fit in any of your travel luggage.

The materials used to make this pillow are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified. These certifications mean that the latex and cotton are grown and produced in environmentally safe and responsibly managed ways.

What Makes the Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow Stand Out?

The Mini latex pillow is a great option for eco-conscious shoppers.
It won’t trap heat thanks to its breathable materials.
It’s shaped like a regular pillow, but small enough to fit in your luggage.

Best Memory Foam – Brentwood Homes Crystal Cove Mini Charcoal Pillow

Brentwood homes crystal cove mini charcoal pillow.

Ultra-soft, breathable, and compact, the Crystal Cove Mini Charcoal Pillow is the ultimate travel companion. Almost 30% smaller than a standard pillow, it's made with CertiPUR-US Certified® charcoal-infused memory foam and a gel fiberfill.

A picture of the Brentwood Homes Crystal Coves Mini Charcoal Pillow on a bed.

If you love memory foam in your pillows at home, then you’re in luck! You can have it in your travel pillow, too. The Brentwood Homes mini charcoal pillow is the perfect memory foam pillow that is perfect for travel situations.

This pillow features shredded, charcoal-infused memory foam. This material has that classic slow-moving quality to it, but the presence of charcoal means it won’t trap heat and will be odor-resistant! Foam can trap heat, but this pillow maximizes breathability with shredded foam, and a breathable outer cover.

If you take off the outer, removable cover, you’ll find the inner pouch of foam. This also has a zipper on it, which means you can take out the fill to make it flatter, or make it easier to fit into your luggage.

What Makes the Brentwood Homes Mini Charcoal Pillow Stand Out?

It features shredded, charcoal-infused foam so it won’t trap heat.
It has an outer, removable cover that can be machine-washed.
You can take out fill from the inner pouch to accommodate your sleeping position.

Best for Side Sleepers -Pillow Cube

Pillow cube sidekick.

Side sleepers, are you looking for a pillow made just for you? Look no further than the Pillow Cube! This uniquely shaped pillow fits your "shoulder gap" (the space between your neck and your shoulder) perfectly! Get the best rest you can get with the Pillow Cube!

Pillow Cube - A man sleeps on his side while using the Pillow Cube

The makers of the Pillow Cube designed its pillow specifically for side sleepers . But the good news is, the original pillow – now called the Sidekick – is the perfect travel pillow for my fellow side sleepers out there.

This pillow is a solid piece of memory foam that fits your “shoulder gap,” or the space between your head, neck, and shoulder.

This makes the pillow really easy to prop your head up against the airplane, train, or car window, all while getting plush comfort from the thick memory foam.

Because of its cube shape, it’s nice and compact and will fit into your luggage fairly easily. And if you’re an especially hot sleeper, you can opt for this pillow with a cooling cover!

What Makes the Pillow Cube Stand Out?

Its cube shape makes it easy to prop your head up against a flat surface without craning your neck.
It is made of a thick, solid piece of memory foam that feels very soft, but supportive.
Pillow Cube offers a cooling cover for all you hot sleepers out there.

Read our full Pillow Cube review .

Best Cooling- Huzi Infinity

Huzi infinity pillow.

The Huzi Infinity Pillow has a circular shape, making it comfy and convenient for travelers on long journeys.

Sleep while traveling is already difficult, and you don’t need to add overheating or sweating into the mix. The Infinity travel pillow is an incredibly versatile pillow that will keep you from feeling hot and sweaty while you’re traveling.

It’s made of breathable and moisture-wicking bamboo viscose. This material is great for hot sleepers! You won’t feel hot and sweaty with this pillow around your neck.

Speaking of, this is another travel pillow that surrounds your neck entirely, giving you 360 support so both your neck and your chin will feel supported while you sleep. Better yet, the whole pillow is machine-washable for easy care!

What Makes the Huzi Infinity Stand Out?

It’s made from breathable and moisture-wicking bamboo viscose, so you won’t feel hot and sweaty.
This pillow has easy care instructions: throw the whole thing into the washing machine!
It comes in six different colors, is affordable, and a truly versatile pillow!

How to Pick the Best Travel Pillow

With a variety of travel pillows out on the market, each featuring different designs and materials, it can be hard to know what’s right for you. Let’s discuss some of the most important factors to keep in mind before hitting “check out.”

RELATED: Can You Bring a Pillow on a Plane?

Truth be told, size matters when it comes to your travel pillow. Not all bodies are made the same, and the same can be said for pillows.

No one wants their travel pillow to take up precious luggage space, and no one wants to lug around a massive pillow, either. And some necks are thicker than others.

Before hitting “check out” be sure to look at the dimensions provided!

Travel Distance

Many travel long distances often while others take quick trips once or twice a year. For long-haul flights, it’s crucial to find a pillow that can keep the head supported and the neck relaxed long enough to fall asleep for several hours.

Type of Travel

Gone are the days of neck pillows molded solely into an expected (and somewhat severe) U-shape. Now, travel pillows come in a plethora of shapes and sizes – with some styles better suited for planes and trains than for automobiles.

Selecting a seat on the plane in advance can be beneficial; passengers sequestered in middle seats can find a pillow that fits precisely on that airplane tray table.

RELATED: How to Sleep on a Plane

Surface Material

If there’s one thing we’re certain of, it’s that planes and other modes of public transportation are germ magnets.

Consider investing in a pillow that can be easily sterilized; travelers will welcome the myriad of options with removable covers, too.

RELATED: How to Clean Your Pillow

Travel pillows come stuffed with a diverse array of materials – from cotton and polyester to memory foam and inflatable options.

We always encourage travelers to think about their priorities and preferences when it comes to a travel pillow, things like the ability to compact the pillow in size for easy packing, the support level or added features like adjustability. These are all impacted by the type of filling in the travel pillow, and some are easier to manipulate than others.

Functionality

These days, travel pillows can provide more than just a comfy place to rest one’s head. We’ve reviewed pillows with pockets for media players and some that will help block out light and sound if desired. Fancy, right?

RELATED: Best Sleep Masks

Some of us just barely have enough cash to pay for the plane ticket or tank of gas, let alone the budget for a travel pillow. The good news is that people don’t have to break the piggy bank to find a great pillow – travel pillows can range from under $10 to nearly $100.

Final Thoughts

There are a plethora of terrific travel pillows out there just waiting to be scooped up for the next adventure! Check out our list and use our guide above to help narrow down the choices.

Leave a comment in the YouTube video for a personal recommendation as well!

Best Travel Pillows FAQs

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a travel pillow. It’s worth considering one’s own body size, the size of the space that a person is traveling in and the size of the travel pillow itself. Consider if this trip counts as a long-haul, and are there plans to sleep? Does the pillow need to serve a certain purpose, and does it work against a plane window or stay anchored to the neck?

Additionally, you’ll want to think about the type of travel (plane, bus, train or car, or something else, perhaps?). You’ll also want to think about the material you want your travel pillow to be made of, including the surface material and the filling. And, of course, you’ll want to consider your price range (there are some affordable options out there!).

Because travelers are more likely to sleep for extended periods on longer flights, the best travel pillows for long haul flights are ones that cover a couple of important factors. One, they need to complement the space one is seated in and they also need to support the person’s primary sleeping position.

It also doesn’t hurt if the travel pillow has the ability to stay anchored to one’s seat or body. The pillows on my list that I like the best for these flights are the Infinity pillow, the trtl Pillow Plus, and the Candy Cane Pillow. They’re versatile, stay anchored (for the most part) and are affordable options.

Yes, travel pillows are absolutely worth checking out. This is because travel pillows can help one sleep while traveling and sleep is so important! Sleep impacts every facet of our lives, our physical health, mental health, all that good stuff. So, yes, if the traveler desires to sleep on a trip we’d highly recommend picking up a travel pillow.

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Lay Your Head In The Clouds With These 11 Best Travel Pillows

Comfortable ZZZs on the go.

by Molly Wolfe Updated on June 6, 2024

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How many times have you looked on in envy while the person in the neighbouring seat enjoys an in-flight slumber? For a lucky few, the purr of the plane’s engines is enough to send them safely to dreamland. But, nine times out of ten, that peaceful nap is down to owning a comfy travel pillow.

Yes, the very same plane pillow that you bypassed in the departure lounge store thinking “ Sure, I’ll get one next time ”.

Well, intrepid ones, that time has come. Join the flocks of travellers who awaken at the end of a long journey, well-rested and miraculously lacking in that neck ache.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional globetrotter, investing in an airplane pillow could seriously change the way you travel. Forever.

Our guide to the best travel pillows will have you catching those precious forty winks. So, next time you take a road trip, fly, sail, or train, you can (smugly) reach for your neck pillow, close your eyes, and wake up at your destination feeling fresh.

The best travel pillows

Mlvoc travel pillow: best overall travel pillow.

Allow us to state the obvious for a second: We’re all different shapes and sizes , and a travel pillow is certainly not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ situation.

That’s where the MLVOC Travel Pillow comes in: the adjustable rope lock allows you to adjust the angle and size to suit your exact needs. So, you can let your head rest at the most optimally comfortable height and angle for a better chance of some shut-eye.

Aside from having a machine-washable cover for renewed freshness on every flight, the pillow itself is made from high-quality memory foam which relieves pressure points and encourages an ache-free journey. Plus, it squashes down to half its size when not in use.

Additionally, the sweat-resistant, breathable cover fabric on the MLVOC Travel Pillow should stay dry throughout your voyage whether you’re hopping on a short domestic flight or crossing the Atlantic.

Best for: Travellers seeking a high-performance, cushy-as-a-cloud travel pillow for both long and short flights.

Colours: Grey, Blue or Black.

Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow: Best high-end travel pillow

best travel pillows cabeau evolution s3 luxe digital

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow aims to identify and conquer all of the common ails of spending hours sitting on a plane.

The unique Seat Strap System prevents the dreaded ‘head-dropping’, which is awesome for you (not to mention your dignity), and definitely more pleasant for your neighbours.

Far superior to one-sided pillows, the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow comes with a doctor’s recommendation, no less: The flying pillow is crafted with a front-opening, which allows heat to escape and discourages sweating. Besides being super comfortable, there’s no risk of compression to the neck, which can be dangerous.

Featuring an adjustable strap, so all necks are catered for, it also has a washable cover stretched snugly over memory foam. So, you might just feel like this pillow was made especially for you.

Best for: Travellers who adore the finer things in life, and wish to arrive feeling gorgeously fresh and well-rested.

Colours: Steel, Cardinal, or Galaxy.

Classic Brands Travel Pillow: Best value travel pillow

best travel pillows classic brands luxe digital

If you’ve got an imminent upcoming flight, or you know you’re going to be stuck in the back of a car for longer than is comfortable, the Classic Brands Travel Pillow is an excellent choice.

Simple in design, this memory foam travel pillow conforms to your head and neck shape, so you can sink nicely into it for a little shut-eye. Plus, it regulates your temperature, so could go a long way in getting shot of that sweltering airplane vibe we all know too well!

It’s lightweight, and has a convenient strap that attaches to your luggage. So, you can reap the benefits of a travel pillow while hardly noticing the extra addition to your suitcase.

The removable cover can be machine-washed, so you can easily freshen up the Classic Brands Travel Pillow , even after it’s been well acquainted with the back of your seat.

Best for: Travellers who want to save some pennies but still rest their head on a supersoft sky pillow.

Colours: Blue.

Trtl Travel Pillow: Best packable pillow

With over a million of trtl’s Travel Pillows sold, that’s presumably one million happy travellers. With its super soft fleece fabric, this flying pillow provides a cosy, but firm place to rest your weary head when you’re traversing the skies.

This ultra-lightweight packable pillow is uniquely scarf-like in appearance. Plus it’s scientifically proven to hold your head in a pleasantly ergonomic position throughout your flight. So, it’ll keep your neck aligned and that head-nodding at bay!

With the trtl Travel Pillow , you won’t find yourself waking up to an irritated stranger whose shoulder you’ve unwittingly appropriated during the flight (unless you’re really trying). Seriously, the only difference between you and being that person, is a simple, unassuming travel pillow.

Plus, it’s machine-washable, so you can start and finish every flight nicely fresh and fragrant. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

Best for: Those who have total wanderlust – who travel heaps and want to enjoy every one of their many flights, and save a bunch of space in the process!

Colours: Black, Coral or Grey.

BCOZZY Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow: Best inflatable travel pillow

best travel pillows bcozzy inflatable travel neck pillow luxe digital

Ultra-compact and lightweight, the BCOZZY Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow is easy to inflate, with a handy valve which allows you to adjust the firmness of your pillow.

The innovative overlap design wraps snugly around in a 360° style, so your chin benefits from as much support as your head and neck.

The light velcro closure allows you to adjust the pillow to suit your individual preferences, and keeping your sleepy flight head nice and supported.

Of course, by keeping your head secure and comfortable, you’re also 100% reducing the risk of any inappropriate personal space invasion of your unsuspecting neighbouring passenger.

Once deflated, you can throw the BCOZZY Inflatable Travel Pillow in the washing with your crumpled flight clothes. When it’s nice and clean, you can simply roll it up and pack it away in its impossibly tiny bag.

Best for: Travellers who love to catch up beauty sleep on their flights, but hate sacrificing precious luggage space.

Colours: Grey, Navy or Purple.

AILUKI Travel Pillow: Best cooling travel pillow

More than simply a memory foam travel pillow, the AILUKI Travel Pillow seems to offer more innovative technologies than the airplane you’ll be flying in.

The anti-sweat magnetic therapy cloth is soft and comfortable, offering an itch-free experience while keeping your neck and head cool as a cucumber throughout your flight.

Plus, the U-shape and flat back design are crafted to deliver ultimate support to the back of your neck while preventing accidental head-rolling when you’re out for the count.

This same ergonomic design promises to relieve the burden on the shoulders by matching the natural curves of the spine. So, just what the doctor ordered for that multi-layover!

While we like to pretend that airports and planes are totally hygienic, deep down, we know the less stomachable truth. The AILUKI Travel Pillow helps to minimise germ contact by having a machine-washable pillowcase, so you can always feel safe and clean.

Best for: Those for whom ‘hot and sweaty’ feels are the absolute worst, and like to keep totally chill in-flight.

Colours: Grey.

Huzi Infinity Pillow: Best warming travel pillow

best travel pillows huzi infinity pillow luxe digital

Unlike many travel pillows, the Infinity Pillow by Huzi is crafted with bamboo fabric, which aside from being breathable, is gorgeously comfortable to snuggle into on a long flight.

The true beauty of this top rated travel pillow is that it’s infinitely soft and pliable. Essentially, whichever position you choose to lay your head, this sky pillow will acquiesce to your needs– simply adjust it to how you like it.

The Infinity Travel Pillow possesses thousands of layers of microfibres, so its comfort could truly rival even your most luxurious home bed sheets , providing support the whole time.

With several strings to its bow, this fluffy-cloud travel pillow can function as both an eye mask, and a noise-cancelling pillow. You can literally wrap it right around your head and neck, and pretend you’re in a floatation tank.

Simply put the entire Huzi Infinity Pillow in your washing machine for a squeaky clean feel on every flight.

Best for: Those who love to tune out completely, while getting down and restful in a soft, fluffy dreamworld, however they’re traveling.

Colours: Pink, Navy, or Burgundy.

J-Pillow Travel Pillow: Best window seat travel pillow

best travel pillows j pillow luxe digital

The award-winning travel pillow by J-Pillow is one of a kind: it caters specifically for the heads and necks of those who prefer a window seat (um, most of us, then!).

The innovative shape features a three-way support system that fills the gap between your head and shoulders, including chin support to stop your head from rolling forward. Because besides being bad for your neck, it’s not a good look.

So, you can nestle snugly into its cushiony softness while you snooze, while benefiting from the proper amount of support.

In fact, this pillow was designed by a former flight attendant , who had spent endless flights observing distressed passengers fail to find the sweet spot for their flight nap.

Both the pillow and cover can be put through the washing machine, and the snap-loop fastener allows you to fix the J-Pillow Travel Pillow easily on to your luggage when you land.

Best for: Travellers who are always fighting for that coveted window seat, and want a super comfy corner to sit back and enjoy the journey.

Colours: Grey, Dark Blue, or Black and Grey.

BCOZZY Kids Travel Pillow: Best travel pillow for kids

best travel pillows bcozzy kids pillow luxe digital

How great is it when you find time to take the kids away for a nice, relaxing holiday? Well, that’s what you keep telling yourself as your little ones are restless and uncomfortable during the flight or in the car. So, start enjoying your holiday a little earlier with the BCOZZY Kids Travel Pillow.

Perfectly sized for your tiny travellers, this travel pillow features overlapping arms which allow you to adjust it to the ideal fit for your child.

The ergonomic design provides comfort for the small people of your household, with support for their necks, heads and chins.

The BCOZZY Kids Travel Pillow is 100% lump-free and machine-washable, so whether your child is a little prone to travel sickness, a less-than-immaculate eater, or it’s simply gotten a little worse for wear, you can simply throw the whole thing in the wash.

Best for: Parents who’d love to maximise their chances of a stress-free journey, and keep their little ones calm and dreamy in the process.

Colours : Blue Navy, Cherry Pink, or Grey.

SAIREIDER Travel Pillow: Best budget travel pillow

best travel pillows saireider budget travel pillow luxe digital

Perhaps you don’t fly too often, or you’ve already splashed your budget on a fancy hotel or villa. Either way, you don’t have to go without a good quality travel pillow to help keep you comfortable along the way.

The SAIREIDER Travel Pillow ticks all the boxes of a premium travel pillow, without the expense. The 360° support is bolstered by memory foam, so you benefit from the support no matter what angle you prefer to rest in.

The contoured design allows adequate space for headphones , and the flat-cut back means your head will still rest comfortably against the back of your seat. In fact, this travel pillow comes with an eye mask, earplugs, and a storage bag , so you can tune out and find your happy place before you even land !

Obviously, not all necks are created equal; so, the SAIREIDER Travel Pillow offers a handy buckle so you can fully adjust the size to suit you.

Best for: Travellers who always watch their purse-strings, but who don’t want to miss out on a super comfy travel pillow

Colours: Black, Navy, or Grey.

Loro Piana Travel Pillow: Most expensive travel pillow

best travel pillows loro piana luxe digital

Imagine if you could fly First Class, without actually flying First Class (or paying the price of the ticket). Good news: with the Loro Piana Travel Pillow, you totally can. Of course, if you treat yourself to both this luxury travel neck pillow, and a First Class ticket, you probably won’t ever want to get off the plane.

The extra-soft cashmere blend and ample padding promise to supply exceptional comfort and support, whether you’re binging on blockbusters or putting your head down for a nap.

The suede piping and Loro Piana emblem embroidered tastefully on the pillow both contribute to the feeling of ultimate luxury , while the protective cover will see you through when you get a little over-excited with the duty-free champagne .

The light grey colour of the Loro Piana Travel Pillow is totally versatile and should complement your chosen flight outfit, while subtly emanating an air of sophistication and luxury.

Best for: Those who infuse a little First Class into everything they own, and desire a gorgeously luxe travel pillow.

Colour : Grey.

Buyers guide: Find the best travel pillow for you

So, you’ve decided to take the simple step in making all of your journeys (apart from when you’re the driver, of course) much, much more relaxing! Well done, you won’t regret it. A good travel pillow will free you from the aches and pains we so often associate with travelling. So, you can start enjoying your trip before you even arrive.

Here are just a few little things to look out for when you’re scouring the market for the best plane pillow:

To inflate, or not to inflate?

For many, that is the question. Inflatable pillows are a saviour when it comes to saving luggage space. And, typically, once you’ve gotten shot of that plane, you may not need to use your pillow until you’re back in the sky.

So, inflatable pillows will take up extremely little space in your luggage, allowing space for more important items (and yes, we mean shoes).

However, what the inflatable travel pillow offers in packing convenience, it seriously lacks in comfort and ergonomics. Of course, an air-filled pillow will gradually flatten with pressure , which on a long flight could get seriously annoying.

On the other hand, non-inflatable travel pillows (typically made from memory foam) are vastly superior to their inflatable contemporaries when it comes to support and general comfort. But of course, they’re a pain to transport when not in use.

Essentially, it’s a case of deciding what is more important to you– portability or in-flight comfort and support, because unfortunately, you can’t have both! Boo.

best travel pillows comfortable sleep luxe digital

What’s your sleeping position?

On an airplane, you’re free to sleep in any position you like, so long as it’s upright.

However, there is some freedom of choice (thankfully) if you’re a little creative with your limited seat space:

Leaning to the side

If you prefer resting by tilting your head to the side , keeping close to your seat, a classic U shaped travel pillow will most likely be sufficient for your needs. Pick a good, memory foam, contoured pillow, and you’ll be able to lean your head painlessly on to its comforting snugness.

Leaning forward

Others like to utilise their pull-down table for a more forward-leaning nap . If this is you, it may be wise to select a slightly more versatile travel pillow that can wrap in a multitude of ways.

Some of these are styled a little like scarves, so you’re free to alter and arrange them to suit your desired position.

best travel pillows window seat luxe digital

Window seats

If you’re always fighting for the window seat (because OMG, those views), then you’re best seeking out a J shaped travel pillow. Like the J-Pillow , this design is crafted to fit neatly in the corner of your seat and the sidewall of the plane, with chin support to prevent any dreamland head rolling.

Must-have features of a good travel pillow

Once you’ve decided on your personal preferences, make sure your new travel pillow possesses these two features, no excuses:

Make sure your travel pillow allows you to adjust the size to fit your neck. There’ll be nothing worse than settling down to realise your new pillow is either too large or stiflingly small.

Machine-washable

When you travel, you eat, drink, and fidget, just as in your normal life. The best plane pillow is washable (ideally machine-washable) so you can freshen it up in between flights.

Frequently asked questions about travel pillows

If you’re embarking on a long haul flight, it’s important to pick a non-inflatable, memory foam travel pillow with appropriate neck support. The J-Pillow ranks extremely well in travel pillow reviews and was created by an ex airline attendant who was familiar with the comfort issues travellers experience when flying.

Whether you fly regularly or just once in a blue moon, a good travel pillow can be invaluable in contributing to a positive flight experience. If you are a frequent flyer, you’ll certainly benefit from the ability to enjoy a proper nap in-flight, thereby reducing the need for recovery upon landing.

The best neck pillow for you depends on how much you’d like to spend, how long you spend travelling, and whether you have any particular physiological needs. The best overall travel pillow is the MLVOC Travel Pillow , which is reasonably priced and ticks all the boxes in terms of comfort and support.

About the author

Molly Wolfe

Style & travel editor.

Molly is a luxury travel and fashion writer who has a passion for all things unique, boutique, and design-centric. She loves nothing more than exploring new destinations, shopping in luxury boutiques in the world’s fashion capitals and finding quirky vegetarian restaurants to sample. And writing all about her fabulous finds for Luxa Terra and Luxe Digital .

Learn more about Molly Wolfe

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The 7 Very Best Adjustable Pillows

Finding the perfect pillow can be challenging — especially if you are struggling to find the right mix of comfort and support for your usual sleep position, your personal firmness and material preferences, and your body size. That’s where adjustable pillows come in handy, since they are designed to let you fine-tune how firm or lofty they are. “This customization helps to alleviate pressure points and prevent awkward angles that can lead to discomfort or strain,” says physical therapist John Galluci Jr. I often recommend adjustable pillows to people who aren’t sure what they want, to help inform their future pillow shopping (because yes, you will eventually have to replace your pillow !).

To write this guide, I rounded up the best adjustable pillows that I’ve tested in my career as a sleep writer, while also polling the Strategist staff for their favorites. I made sure to include pillows with a variety of fill types to suit different types of sleepers. I only recommended pillows that aren’t a huge pain to adjust and that I feel are worth the price. Like other pillow styles, adjustable pillows vary in cost, but they tend to be a bit more expensive, likely because they are more complicated to produce. For an adjustable pillow to be worth that extra expense, the adjustability has to be effective enough to address your specific sleep needs in a way that you might not be able to achieve with a nonadjustable pillow. “I need to figure out the best firmness and loft for me” is a great reason to try an adjustable pillow. The same goes if you’re a real princess-and-the-pea type and you want to be able to tinker. But if you don’t care (or have a need) to bother, we’ve still got you covered with guides to memory-foam pillows , latex pillows , and down pillows for all kinds of sleepers.

What we’re looking for

Adjustable feature.

The most important aspect of an adjustable pillow is how the adjusting actually works; if it’s too annoying — or too messy — to adjust, it may not be worth the effort. There are two main types: adjustable-fill pillows and adjustable-layer pillows.

With adjustable-fill pillows, you can remove or add filling to alter the loft and firmness of the pillow. Some brands will provide an additional bag of filling so you can add more in, and some sell extra fill separately as well. Some brands don’t provide any extra filling, but a lot of adjustable pillows are overstuffed initially with the expectation that you’ll remove some. Unless you prefer a firmer pillow, you’ll likely end up with extra filling, which you’ll have to store, repurpose, or throw away.

Adjustable-layer pillows are usually more modular with multiple layers of foam or mini-pillows filled with down, down alternative, or shredded foam that you can remove or rearrange to change the loft and firmness of the pillow.

A less common style, but one I’ve also included on this list, is a pillow with zippers on the sides that can be zipped or unzipped to make the pillow firmer or softer, respectively.

Because adjustable pillows aren’t limited to one specific fill material, I’ve included pillows made from a variety of materials to suit different sleeping styles and preferences. Lots of adjustable pillows feature memory foam or latex foam, but you can find down and down-alternative options, and some pillows mix multiple fill types together. Memory foam tends to be cushioning and supportive with a slow response to pressure. Latex foam is generally more buoyant and springy than memory foam with a quicker response to pressure. Down is fluffy, soft, and cushy. Down alternatives are a broad group of materials meant to mimic the feeling of down and are usually some kind of polyester fiberfill or other synthetic material.

Finishing details

I’ve also noted what each pillow’s cover is made of and any other notable details, like if it comes with extra fill or a bag to store extra fill. I’ve also noted the initial firmness of the pillow as it arrives, prior to any adjustments.

Best adjustable pillow overall

Adjustable feature: Add or remove handfuls of fill | Fill: Cross-cut memory foam and microfiber blend | Finishing details: Polyester/bamboo blend cover, arrives medium-firm with an extra bag of fill

The Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable pillow earned the top spot on our main guide to the best pillows in part because it’s adjustable, making it a good pillow for a wide variety of sleepers. And as I was researching and testing adjustable pillows for this list, I couldn’t find one that is quite as easy to recommend for its combination of comfort, adjustability, and price. The Coop Original is filled with a mixture of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber, which gives it a supportive but still squishable feel. It arrives pretty well stuffed with filling, and comes with an extra half-pound of fill. This allows for a high degree of customization, and you can really experiment with it until you find the right level for your particular needs. I also like the cross-cut foam and fiberfill mix because it allows room for airflow within the pillow. (Though if you run warm and want a pillow that will help you stay as cool as possible, Coop now sells cooling versions of its pillows, called EdenCool+, which I plan to test soon.)

When I tried the Coop, it arrived with too much filling for me, as a back and side sleeper who likes a softer, medium-loft pillow. To adjust the pillow, I unzipped the outer cover and inner lining to find the chunks of foam mixed with tufts of microfiber. The foam bits are like a mini-version of a gymnastics foam pit, connected with wispy fluff. Though the included extra fill comes in a plastic bag, I recommend storing that plus any fill you remove in a plastic storage box with a lid , which will make it easier to add or remove fill without wrestling the floppy edges of a bag.

I think the Coop is especially comfortable for side sleeping because it strikes a nice balance of support and comfort — it has the classic squish and contouring of memory foam but a more pliant and moldable feel. And thanks to its adjustability, it can be made softer and given a lower loft for back and stomach sleepers, or firmer with a higher loft as desired. For further customization, Coop sells extra fill in medium-firm and firm densities, as well as extra microfiber if you want to add more softness. If you are looking for a softer pillow overall, though, you might be better off with one of the adjustable down, latex, or fiberfill pillows below.

Best (less expensive) adjustable pillow

Adjustable feature: Zippers | Fill: Shredded memory foam and polyester fiber | Finishing details: Cotton cover with polyester gussets

Similar to the Coop, the Marlow is filled with a mix of shredded memory foam and polyester fiber fill. However, instead of reaching into the pillow and removing/adding fill, the Marlow has zippers on both long edges of the pillow that you can zip closed to compress the fill or unzip to decompress it. When both are zipped, the pillow will be slightly firmer and feel more dense. When both are unzipped, the pillow will be slightly fluffier, softer, and easier to sink into. Or you can go halfsies by zipping one and leaving the other unzipped. I’ve tested this pillow, as has senior editor Jen Trolio, and we both found the zipper adjustment to be way simpler than the Coop’s style of adjustment — you don’t have to touch any pillow guts, and you don’t have to worry about what to do with any extra fill. But the Marlow is ultimately much less customizable. You can basically choose between three settings, whereas with the Coop, you can make incremental or major adjustments. Compared to the Coop, the Marlow feels a little more dense and less squishy, but I found it very comfortable for both back and side sleeping (it’s a little lofty for stomach sleeping for me). With both sides zipped up, I definitely felt more neck support, whereas with both unzipped, I could sink in a little more for a slightly more “plush” feel. Marlow also offers a bulk discount for this pillow — you can save a few bucks per pillow if you buy a two-pack or a four-pack.

Best adjustable latex pillow

Adjustable feature: Add or remove handfuls of fill | Fill: Shredded organic latex and kapok fill | Finishing details: Organic cotton cover; arrives medium-firm with an extra bag of fill

This adjustable pillow from Avocado is one of my favorite cooling pillows and one of my favorite latex pillows — it’s filled with a mix of shredded organic latex and kapok fiber (a natural seed-pod fiber that feels similar to cotton), which can be removed or added by the handful, as with the Coop Original. Latex foam is similar to memory foam, but generally feels springier and cooler. The mix of latex and kapok in this pillow means it’s supportive but still somewhat plush. It arrived with a high loft and medium firmness, and since I don’t love a super-tall pillow, I removed some fill to find a level that kept my neck aligned with my spine while lying on my back. But if you want to go loftier, Avocado does also provide a bag of additional fill. As with the Coop pillow, I’d recommend having a container on hand to store any extra fill.

Inside the pillow, the fill is contained in an organic cotton-jersey liner, and the mix of latex and kapok looks very “natural,” as it’s almost all beige. The ratio of kapok to latex chunks seems high, compared to the fiber-to-foam ratio in the Coop; this gives the Avocado a slightly fluffier, more downlike feel than the Coop or Marlow with the fiber in the Avocado pillow playing a more substantial role. The pieces of latex aren’t cut in consistent shapes, so the mix of larger and smaller latex pieces blends very easily with the kapok.

Additionally, Avocado recently released a “side sleeper” version of this pillow — it’s crescent-shaped, a common style for side-sleeper pillows . I haven’t tested it yet, but if you like that style of pillow with a cutout for your shoulder, it could be a good bet.

Best adjustable down pillow

Adjustable feature: Add or remove three layers | Material: 650-fill power down fill | Finishing details: Cotton cover with gusset

Sleep Number sells a variety of adjustable pillows with modular layers — basically, slabs that you can add or remove or rearrange to change the loft and firmness of the pillow. This one holds three identical lower-loft pillows inside a zipped cover, each one stuffed with 650- fill power down. With all three layers in the cover, the pillow has a medium-firm feel and is quite lofty: about nine inches at its tallest point. Though it does compress beneath weight, Trolio — a back and side sleeper who typically prefers softer, airier down and down-alternative pillows over denser and firmer memory-foam ones — liked this pillow best when sleeping on two of the three layers because it was easier to sink into. With all three layers inside the pillow, the filling is more compressed and supportive overall, a similar effect to having both zippers closed on the Marlow pillow above. Trolio noticed that whether she used two or three layers, however, this pillow was nicely responsive and supportive, compressing under her head and neck when she laid down and then quickly “reinflating” and springing back into shape when she sat up.

While this adjustable layer style doesn’t allow for as much customization as the adjustable fill style, it is much more convenient — Trolio said it took just 15 seconds for her to add or remove a layer. She also appreciated that if she decided to remove a layer, she could use it as an additional low-loft down pillow. However, if you think you might end up taking out two of the three layers, this pillow probably isn’t worth the cost — just buy a softer or lower-loft down pillow in the first place.

Best adjustable down-alternative pillow

Adjustable feature: Add or remove handfuls of fill | Fill: “Ultra soft” microfiber | Finishing details: Bamboo/polyester cover; arrives medium-soft with no extra fill

The Chinchilla pillow from Lagoon is one of the few adjustable down-alternative pillows I’ve come across. It’s filled with cotton-ball-like microfiber fill, which you can remove to adjust the loft and firmness, though firm-pillow devotees should keep scrolling: When I tested it, the pillow was really soft and compressive. It’s very comfortable for back and stomach sleeping, as it provides just a little bit of support without pushing my neck into an awkward position. Because it’s not super-lofty to begin with, if you really want a minimal pillow, you can easily adjust this one to be quite low. I think it could be an especially good match for fans of fiberfill pillows who need a low or flat pillow, like stomach sleepers. As with the Coop and the Avocado pillows above, the filling is contained in an inner lining, so there’s an outer case to unzip and an inner one. The fill isn’t quite as messy, since it clings to itself easily and has to be pulled apart more to remove some. The pillow arrived rolled up and compressed in a small bag, which I then repurposed to store extra fill as I tested removing some. However, because it started out low and soft, I ended up not needing to remove any fill to sleep comfortably. The main caveat of this pillow is the price: If you like a low-loft pillow and you’re pretty easy to please, I would actually recommend choosing a cheaper down-alternative pillow, such as the Buffy Cloud . But if you really want the ability to adjust your pillow to get it just right, and you’re committed to down-alternative fill, I think this is a decent option.

Best adjustable pillow for neck support

Adjustable feature: Add or remove handfuls of fill | Fill: Cut memory foam and fiber; GelFlex gel pad | Finishing details: Polyester cover, adjustable bolsters for neck support, arrives medium-firm with no extra fill, comes with a small zipped throw pillow case to hold removed fill

Purple’s Freeform pillow is filled with cut memory foam and fiber fill, like several other pillows on this list — though adorably, the foam pieces are cut into crescent moons. As with any other adjustable-fill pillow, you can remove fill by the handful to lower the loft and make the pillow softer, or overstuff it for a higher loft and firmer feel. What’s unique about the Freeform, however, is that there are two bolster tubes inside the pillow that that you can stuff with fill for targeted neck support. This means you can take out lots of fill for a softer feel and lower loft overall, but still have more firmness under your neck.

Like many other Purple pillows, the Freeform also has a layer of the brand’s signature GelFlex grid sewn into the cover, which helps you stay cool and provides a zingy cushion on top of the more sinky memory-foam-and-fiber fill. Trolio tested this pillow alongside two other pillows from Purple: my personal favorite pillow, the Purple Harmony , and a slab-adjustable pillow called the DreamLayer . Compared to other adjustable pillows on this list, the Freeform is by far the most well-designed and thought-out: Purple provides instructions on how much fill to remove to achieve your desired firmness, along with a plastic bag to “measure” with and a small zippered throw-pillow-size case to store any extra fill (and which you could actually use as a lumbar-support pillow, or even a decorative throw pillow if you add a nicer-looking case).

Actually adjusting the fill is quite similar to adjusting the fill in the Coop pillow (which Trolio has also tried), though the fiberfill that’s blended with the memory-foam moons is a little more prone to escaping and floating around the room. And depending on how you adjust it, the pillow might end up with a wavier or lumpier look, especially if you take advantage of the bolster tubes. But the feel is overall uniform and supportive. Since Trolio likes a softer pillow generally, she ultimately preferred the Purple Freeform over the Coop Original because the gel grid put some extra cushion between her head and the denser memory foam in the fill. And while overstuffing the bolsters made the edges of the Freeform feel a bit too firm for her liking, if you are specifically looking for a pillow for neck pain , the design of the Freeform is pretty genius; though it may take some trial and error to get the right balance of fill in the bolsters, it’s such a great option to have.

Best adjustable crescent pillow

Eli & Elm Organic-Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow

Adjustable feature: Add or remove handfuls of fill | Fill: Latex noodles and polyester fiber | Finishing details: Polyester/cotton blend cover, arrives medium-firm with no extra fill

Our all-around favorite pillow for side sleepers is this adjustable crescent pillow from Eli & Elm. Its crescent shape allows room for your shoulder to snuggle right up to the pillow when laying on your side, so that your neck can get maximum support. I’ve tried this pillow, as has Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen, and we both describe the fill as supportive but cushioning and not too firm. The fill is a 75-to-25 ratio of latex noodles and polyester fiber, so it is squishable but responsive. The latex pieces are called “noodles” because that’s exactly what they look like — almost like extra-long pieces of macaroni in a fluffy, fiberfill sauce. The polyester fiber looks similar to the fill in the down-alternative Lagoon pillow, above, and I would say there’s a more substantial proportion of the fiber in the mix than there is for the Coop ( which has more foam ) . When I tested it, I didn’t end up removing any fill, because I liked the way it shipped: very well-stuffed and medium-firm. It felt supportive, but I could still sink into it a bit. If you decide to remove fill to lower the loft and soften the pillow, you’ll want to have a container to store it in on hand. And if you want to add more, Eli & Elm does sell packages of additional fill .

Our experts

• John Galluci Jr., physical therapist and CEO at JAG Physical Therapy • Brenley Goertzen , Strategist writer • Jen Trolio , Strategist senior editor

The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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Today’s Top Clicked

The best pillow 2024: Comfort for all sleeping positions

This year’s best pillows, with top picks from Casper, Coop Home Goods and Purple

The best pillow: The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow for sleeping, placed on a yellow background

Best overall
For all positions
For side sleepers
Best cooling
Back and front sleepers
Best on Amazon
Adjustable foam
For neck pain
Best options
Best organic

1. Best overall 2. For all positions 3. For side sleepers 4. Best cooling 5. Best cheap 6. Back and front sleepers 7. Best on Amazon 8. Adjustable foam 9. Best down 10. For neck pain 11. Best options 12. Best organic

The best pillow is more than just a comfortable place to rest your head after a busy day; it should also provide neck, back, and shoulder support as you sleep. Like shopping for the best mattress , there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best pillow. A good pillow suits your body type and sleep position, as well as your sleep needs, such as providing cooling if you suffer from night sweats, or having an adjustable fill to help with aches and pains.

To help you sleep comfortably, we’ve found the best pillows for every kind of sleeper, based on extensive research into verified online reviews and consumer reports – as well as the testing and review experience of our expert sleep team.

Our top pick for best pillow right now is the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow, which allows you to change the feel to suit your needs and comes at a reasonable price. We’ve rounded up pillow picks to suit every budget, from bargain to luxury, and if you're after a deal, we've noticed some sleep accessories, including pillows, discounted in the 4th of July mattress sales . Read on to discover the best pillow for every sleep position, need, and budget you can buy right now.

The best pillows you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Best pillow overall

Best pillow: the Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow

1. Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is the best choice for anyone who wants to create a custom pillow without spending much money. It's packed with CertiPUR-US certified, non-toxic memory foam and microfiber, and you can add as much or as little fill as you need to achieve the perfect loft for your sleeping position (an extra half-pound bag of fill is included).

The pillow also has a removable cover made from a naturally cooling, bamboo-derived viscose rayon material called Lulltra. Coop Home Goods recommends this pillow as the best choice for side sleepers because it can be made deep and plump, but because it's adjustable you can tailor it to suit any sleep position. You can also buy it in queen size (20x30") or king size (20x36") to better suit your bed.

In terms of reviews, The Original Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, generated from over 48,000 Amazon customer user reviews, and 4.6 out of 5 stars on the brand's own website. Customer praise its ability to hold shape well, though some said the washable cover bobbles after a while.

For added peace of mind, the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow comes with a five-year warranty, plus a 100-night trial, so you'll have plenty of time to make sure that this really is the best choice for you.

Read our full Coop Home Goods Original Pillow review .

Coop Home Goods The Original Adjustable Pillow: $75 at Coop Home Goods

Coop Home Goods The Original Adjustable Pillow: from $75 at Coop Home Goods While you can't save on a single pillow, Coop Home Goods is offering 10% off if you buy two pillows, and 15% off if you buy four pillows. That's two pillows for $135, and four pillows for $255. Great news for bed sharers who don't want their partner to be a pain in the neck – sorry, that's meant to be who don't want them to have a pain in the neck.

Best pillow for sleeping in any position

Best pillow: The Casper Original Pillow on a light blue background

2. Casper Original Sleep Pillow

If you want to enjoy the plushness of a down pillow but without the allergies and animal-sourced fill, try the Casper Original Sleep Down Alternative Pillow. It's filled with hypoallergenic microfibers that make it as soft as authentic down pillows, but with synthetic materials instead.

Much like its best-selling mattresses, Casper's down alternative pillow is designed for people who shift positions in their sleep (combi sleepers). The soft outer layer and adaptive inner layer work together to keep you comfortable and supported no matter the sleep position you move into. Oh, and both layers can be machine washed and dried, so you can easily keep them in good shape.

Meanwhile, the two-inch gusset on the Casper Original Sleep Down Alternative Pillow simultaneously provides stable neck alignment and keeps the fill evenly distributed. We also like its 100% cotton outer cover, created with a breathable percale weave to help you sleep cool, even in warm weather.

The Casper pillow is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 6,600 Amazon reviews, and a 4 out of 5 star rating on the brand's own website. Satisfied sleepers find it comfortable, and several customers credited it for relieving their neck pain.

Before you buy, check our Casper promo codes page for the latest discounts and offers.

Original Casper Pillow$65 $58.50 at Casper

Original Casper Pillow : from $65 $58.50 at Casper There's currently 10% off the Casper Original Pillow, reducing a standard single pack to $58.50 and a king single pack to $76.50. The same discount applies on the double pack, making two standard pillows just $117, and you can pick up a pillowcase set for just $35.10, to complete your purchase.

Best pillow for side sleepers

3. Purple Harmony Pillow

Purple's top-of-the-line Harmony Pillow may not fit the conventional description of the best luxury pillow, but we say it's deserving of the distinction. Like the company's top-rated Purple Mattress , the Purple Harmony pillow features the company's signature Purple Grid to provide tailored support for your head and neck.

At the core of the pillow is ventilated Talalay latex to enhance airflow, and all of that is encased by a moisture-wicking breeze mesh cover. You can choose between three different heights too: low, medium and tall. From our testing, the low is suitable for back and stomach, the medium for side sleepers with smaller frames, and the tall for average to large-framed side sleepers.

Purple customers rate the Harmony pillow at 4.4 out of 5 stars, with more than 8,600 of the 12,200 reviews boasting 5 stars. Customers say it’s cooling and offers an equal amount of plushness and support. If that doesn't sound luxurious, we don't know what does.

Read our full Purple Harmony Pillow review and look at our Purple promo codes

Purple Harmony Pillow: $199$179 at Purple

Purple Harmony Pillow: from $199 $179 at Purple There's 10% off all sizes and heights of the Purple Harmony Pillow in the Memorial Day sale, taking a standard size down to $179 and a king size to $215. This is still an expensive pillow but the discount is pretty decent, especially from Purple, which isn't known for being generous with sales.

Best pillow for hot sleepers

Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology on bed

4. Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology

The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology easily achieves its one goal of keeping your head cool while you sleep.

Choose from two sizes: Standard, measuring 16x24 inches, and King, measuring 16x32 inches; the 1.25-inch gusset is the same on each. You don’t have the option of selecting different loft sizes; this truly is a one-size-fits-all purchase. This new pillow from mattress-by-mail pioneer Casper is almost identical to the company’s previous Foam Pillow in shape and general design: A zippered cover conceals three layers of memory foam (both low and high density, regular and viscoelastic polyurethane), which have been dotted with hundreds of perforations to help wick away heat while you sleep. The foam ensures that the pillow both supports your head and neck in any sleep position and that the pillow maintains its shape, all with no fluffing required.

The big difference between the first Foam Pillow and this Snow Technology version is the Snow Technology. This consists of a “cool-touch outer layer,” where the fabric is infused with phase-change material and HeatDelete Bands — or graphite strips positioned between the layers of foam to dial back their natural insulative properties.

If you can overlook the steep $139 price tag, the Casper Foam Pillow offers a generally better cooling than the equivalently priced Purple Harmony Pillow and a firmer, and a more consistent experience than the far less expensive Coop Home Goods Original Pillow.

Read more: Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology review

Foam Pillow with Snow Technology™$139$125.10 at Casper

Foam Pillow with Snow Technology™ : from $139 $125.10 at Casper Casper is offering 10% off its popular cooling pillow, with a standard single pack down to $125.10 (was $139) and a king single pack reduced from $169 to $152.10. You'll also get free shipping and a 30-day returns period to see if the pillow is right for you.

Best pillow under $30

Best pillows: the Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillows duo in white with a thick blue band around the middle of the pillow

5. Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillow Duo

The Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillows prove that you don't have to sacrifice quality when buying on a budget. For less than $30 you can bring home a pair of these plush, down alternative pillows stuffed with 950 to 1,250 grams of poly fiber fill. They feature a poly-cotton outer fabric and a two-inch quilted gusset edge in your choice of six different colors.

The Gusseted Pillow duo comes vacuum-sealed and take up to 72 hours to fully expand, which is much longer than other pillows we have tested. However once they fully puff up, they're a far cry from the flattened shape they initially arrive in and hold their shape well night after night.

Utopia Bedding's pillows are best sellers on Amazon, with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating generated from over 42,000 user reviews. Sleepers of all styles praise the support, comfort and longevity they offer. Between the stellar reviews and the affordable price tag, if you want the best pillows for less, the Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillow Duo should be top of your list.

Best cooling for back and stomach sleepers

Best pillows: Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud Pillow on a white background

6. Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud Pillow

Tempur-Pedic pillows are just as supportive as the brand’s popular mattresses and that’s down to the use of its NASA-developed Tempur material. The Tempur Cloud Pillow is contouring and cushioning, so your head will be perfectly cradled.

Because it’s softer than other pillows in our guide, we’d recommend the Cloud as one of the best choices for back and side sleepers. Although do prepare yourself for this not being quite as soft as Tempur says – user reviews back this up too, saying that it’s more soft-medium than extra-soft.

Still, like any good back and stomach sleeper pillow, the Tempur Cloud offers the right loft to support your head without pushing your neck forwards (and out of alignment). It’s designed with a removable and washable cover too, so you can more easily keep it in good condition. Some users did find the cover tricky to remove during the first wash, but after that they reported how it was easier to take off.

Tempur-Pedic recommends the Cloud as one of the best pillows for sleeping well when on holiday too, as it can be compressed and rolled for travel use. In terms of size and fit, it will slip inside a standard or queen size pillow case, so it’s pretty versatile. There are over 4,900 user reviews on the Tempur-Pedic site alone for this pillow, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

If you're thinking about purchasing this pillow, make sure to check our Tempur Pedic promo codes to see if we can help you save on the price.

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow: $89 at Tempur-Pedic

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow: from $89 at Tempur-Pedic You'll have to double up to get a saving on the Tempur-Cloud Pillow, but if you're dressing a queen size mattress, this is a good deal. Buy two pillows together and you can save $59, for a total cost of just $119. This is a real bargain for a pillow of this quality.

Best pillow for hotel luxury on Amazon

Best pillow: The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows in striped white

7. Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow

The best-selling pillow on Amazon right now is the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow. It boasts over 166,000 customer reviews, with over 70,000 of those user reviews rating it a full 5 out of 5 stars. What's so special about the Beckham Hotel Collection pillow? It features a gel fiber fill that feels as plush as genuine down, but at a fraction of the price.

A minor caveat is that you can only buy this pillow in pairs, but you can always reserve the second pillow for a guest room or a replacement down the line if you only sleep on one and it isn't the right pillow for your partner. Another drawback is the lack of a warranty, but a 30-day money-back guarantee still applies.

Given the thick and plush build of the Beckham Hotel Collection gel pillow, we aren't surprised to see that many of its 5-star Amazon reviews come from side sleepers who find it supportive and comfortable. Considering how affordable it is, it holds its shape well, even with regular use.

Best memory foam pillow for hot sleepers

Best pillow: the Layla Kapok pillow in white and gray

8. Layla Kapok Pillow

Copper bedding is designed to wick away body heat and stop the growth of bacteria on your skin, among other benefits. If you're keen to try a copper-infused pillow to help keep you comfortable and fresh, then the best pillow for you is the very popular Layla Kapok Pillow.

The outer cover of Layla's pillow features a polyester/viscose blend with copper fibers woven in for cooling and antimicrobial properties. The inner fill is a blend of reactive memory foam and lightweight Kapok fibers. It yields a high loft that's ideal for most side sleepers, but you can remove and adjust the fill to your liking.

The Layla Kapok Pillow comes with a five-year warranty, but that's not all. Layla also includes a longer-than-average 120-night trial with a 100% money-back guarantee. However, with 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 reviews at Layla, you may not need to worry about making returns. Customers say the Layla Kapok pillow provides excellent neck support. Plus, its copper-woven outer cover is soft to the touch and adept at keeping allergens away and odors under control.

Save on the usual price of this pillow with our Layla Sleep coupon codes .

Layla Kapok Pillow: from $109 at Layla Sleep Buy one Kapok pillow at Layla Sleep and you can get the second for half price, saving you up to $65.50. A single queen Layla Kapok Pillow will cost you $109, but two together is just $163.50, which is a big price cut.

Best ethically sourced down pillow

Best pillows: the Boll and Branch Down Pillow on a white background

9. Boll & Branch Down Pillow

Billed by Boll & Branch as “the internet’s best down pillow”, the firm version is strictly for those of you who can only sleep comfortably on a very plump and firm bed pillow. If not, pick the soft or medium versions, or move further up this product guide to the fully adjustable Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow (No 1), or the fluffy Casper Original Sleep Pillow (No 2).

The Boll & Branch Down Pillow is stuffed with sustainably and ethically sourced goose down from US farms. The down is triple washed for maximum hygienic, then placed inside a ‘down-proof’ organic cotton shell. That means you shouldn’t feel anything poking through the cover when you’re resting your head and face on this sumptuous pillow.

The design includes a three-chamber construction, which helps the pillow to keep its shape throughout the time you use it (on average, most bed pillows need to be changed every two years to ensure you remain properly supported). The Boll & Branch Down Pillow is machine washable too, but you’ll need to quickly re-fluff it after drying so that it maintains its shape and firm feel.

Choose from standard size or king size to suit the size of your bed, and take your pick from either soft, medium or firm feel.

Best contoured pillow for neck pain

Best pillow: the EPABO Contoured Memory Foam Pillow in all white

10. EPABO Contoured Memory Foam Pillow

If you suffer from sleep-related neck pain, then the ideal pillow for you is an orthopedic style. The EPABO Contoured Memory Foam Pillow is an Amazon best-seller among cervical pillows, with thousands of positive user reviews.

Unlike traditional shapes, this contoured pillow features a dip in the center to better cradle your head and to keep your neck, shoulders and back aligned. While the EPABO Contoured Memory Foam Pillow is densely-packed with memory foam, it also includes a removable foam insert should the loft be too high for you. This bed pillow is also ensconced in a hypoallergenic rayon and polyester case.

The standard pillow measures 21 inches with a 3.9-inch loft. You can also choose from two queen-size pillows with either a 4.6 or 4.8-inch height. The EPABO pillow has a 4.1 out of 5 rating generated from over 25,000 Amazon user reviews. Happy sleepers say that after a brief adjustment period this pillow has helped reduce neck pain. Best of all, it won't put a dent in your wallet like most orthopedic pillows do.

Best down pillow for a variety of firmness levels

Best pillow: the Brooklinen Down Pillows in white

11. Brooklinen Down Pillow

The Brooklinen Down Pillow is the company's softest and fluffiest option for sleeping. That's because this best-seller has been constructed to provide support and plush comfort across a range of sleeping positions.

Choose from two sizes (standard or king) and three firmness levels: plus, mid-plush, and firm. The plush pillow is completely filled with down clusters and is the best choice for stomach sleepers. Meanwhile, side sleepers can either opt for the mid-plush pillow with equal parts feathers and down, or the firm pillow with a higher ratio of feathers to down.

Brooklinen offers an impressive 365-day return window on this Down Pillow, with shipping fees included plus a full refund. And if that's not enough, the brand tacks on an additional one-year warranty beyond that.

The Brooklinen Down Pillow is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,900 customers. Many sleepers find it so comfortable that they boldly declare it's the only pillow they'll ever need. Of course, with three levels of firmness, it's easy for shoppers to find the best pillow for their needs here.

The Brooklinen Down Pillow$109 $92.65 at Brooklinen

The Brooklinen Down Pillow : from $109 $92.65 at Brooklinen The Brooklinen Down Pillow is currently 15% off all sizes, bringing a firm king-size pack of two down to $126.65 from $149. Please be aware that all returns are subject to a $9.95 return fee deducted from your refund amount (but that price stays the same whether you order a single pack, double pack, or four-pack).

Best organic pillow

12. Avocado Green Pillow

Avocado is known for its line of eco-friendly mattresses, yet it also makes a stunning range of pillows, including the Avocado Green Pillow. Made in California, this organic pillow is crafted from certified-organic and vegan materials.

It's filled with latex shreds (upcycled from the brand's mattresses) and Kapok fibers that can be adjusted to suit your preferences. The fill is then housed in a cotton jersey liner, enveloped by a machine-washable quilted cotton cover.

The pillow comes in three sizes: standard, queen and king. Every Avocado Green pillow comes with a 100-night trial, a one year warranty, and a spare bag of organic fill. More than 4,000 Avocado customers have rated the Avocado Green Pillow, generating a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Sleepers who suffer from allergies also sing the Avocado pillow's praises as a comfortable, sustainable solution to achieving a good night's rest.

If you feel like this pillow is the one for you, check our Avocado Mattress promo codes to save on your order.

Avocado Green Pillow: $109$98 at Avocado

Avocado Green Pillow: from $109 $98 at Avocado You can save 10% on the Avocado Green Pillow right now, with a standard single size down to $98, and a queen size just $116 (was $129). You'll also get a 100-night trial, which is impressive for a pillow.

How to choose the best pillow

There is no one single best pillow for every person as our bodies are different, but you can narrow down the list by pinpointing your sleep style. Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side, or a combination of all three? Knowing this will help you choose a pillow easily. With that in mind, here are three key criteria to be aware of:

Pillow loft – This refers to the height of a bed pillow. Side sleepers receive the most support from a high loft (because it better plugs the gap between your head and shoulders). Back and stomach sleepers are usually fine with a low loft.
Firmness – This describes a pillow's ‘give’ when weight (as in, your head) is placed on it. Soft pillows are usually best for stomach sleepers. Side sleepers often feel better supported by a firm pillow that keeps their neck and back in alignment. Back and combo sleepers do well with a medium-firm pillow.
Fill – This dictates the loft and firmness, but there are health issues to consider here too. For instance, if you suffer from allergies, stay away from feather fills and choose a down alternative pillow instead.

How to pick the best pillow for side sleeping

Side sleeper pillows have a medium to high loft than back and stomach sleeper pillows. That’s because they need more material to plug the natural gap that forms between your head and shoulders when you sleep on your side. How far your sink into your mattress also determines how much loft you need from your pillow when sleeping on your side. Why? Because if you sink into your mattress, you may need a low-loft pillow even in a side sleeping position.

For people who switch between side sleeping and other positions (so combination sleepers), we’d advise choosing an adjustable pillow so that you can customize the loft to suit your body better. Customizing the loft means removing or adding as much ‘fill’ (the pillow’s inner material) as needed to best plug the gap between your head and shoulders. Generally speaking, the broader your shoulders, the more loft you need. An adjustable pillow will help you create the perfect loft.

If you struggle to sleep in the heat, be sure to check out how to stay cool to get a better night’s sleep .

Two women sleep on their sides on a white pillow while cuddling in bed

How to choose the best pillow for neck pain

Neck and shoulder pain pillows are normally on the firmer side. They are designed to hold your head in a healthy position while relieving pressure on your neck, shoulders and spine. So what you don’t want is a super-firm pillow that creates new pressure points. Again, adjustable pillows come to the rescue here, as you can customize their fill to make them as close to perfect as possible for the support and comfort your neck needs.

The best pillow materials for neck pain includes memory foam, which offers a cradling, contouring feel. Buckwheat is another good choice because it naturally holds its shape well, so it won’t spread out too much inside the pillow during sleep. That means it will hold its shape well throughout the night to keep your neck properly supported.

Best pillows: Two Saatva Latex Pillows placed on a white mattress

How we chose the best pillow

Our guide for the best pillows were based on extensive, consumer report research and online reviews. We rated things like material type, shape and comfort for various sleeping positions. In addition, we looked at how practical it was to use and its durability.

What are the different types of pillows?

Pillows aren’t that complicated really, and come in just a few different types. These include the following:

Memory foam pillows This is probably the most popular type of pillow as, just like the best memory foam mattresses , these are designed to cradle your head. Most pillows for neck pain support are made using memory foam, but this material does retain heat more than other types. So if you’re a hot sleeper, choose a cooling memory foam pillow, or go for one with naturally cooling latex.

Down pillows Look away now if you have allergies, as these are not the best pillows for you. For everyone else craving a soft place to lay their head at night, you’re in for a treat here as down pillows are comfy and plush. They’re commonly made with the soft fibers found under the exterior of a duck, goose or swan, and are often mixed with feathers for extra fluffiness. They best suit stomach and back sleepers, as most aren’t firm enough for side sleepers.

Latex pillows These are among the best cooling pillows you can buy. That’s because latex is naturally cooling, so heat won’t build up as much inside compared to some synthetic materials. Latex is an allergen for some though. Plus, they’re expensive, so be prepared to pay a higher price. But if you want a non-toxic, organic pillow for healthier sleep, we’d start with latex.

How often should you change your pillow?

Every one to two years at least. Surprised? The National Sleep Foundation recommends that you replace your pillow every 18-24 months. We’re not judging if you’re sleeping on a pillow that’s much older than this, but there are good reasons why you should change your pillow every couple of years. The filling can become flat and unresponsive, so you won’t be supported during sleep. That can cause neck and back pain down the line. This is just one of the 7 signs that it’s time to replace your pillow .

Changes in your body weight also impact how well a pillow supports you, and every person’s pillow requirements change the older they get; we simply need more support and comfort as we age.

Older pillows get pretty dirty too, even with regular washing. That’s because some materials act as a mecca for dust mites, odors and sweat, with a build-up of moisture leading to bacteria growth in some instances.

We’d recommend choosing a hypoallergenic pillow that can either be machine washed (the best option), or one that comes with a removable, antimicrobial cover that’s suitable for machine washing. You can learn more about this in our feature on how to wash a pillow .

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As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

Frances Daniels Sleep Staff Writer
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Best overall

Best budget, best down-alternative, best memory foam, best organic, best for neck pain, best for combination sleepers, best body pillow.

What to look for
How we tested

The best cooling pillows in 2024: Sweet dreams for hot sleepers

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For those who tend to run hot at night, a cooling pillow can make all the difference between a night of tossing and turning or rejuvenating rest. As with any of the best pillows , you'd want to prioritize your sleep position and consider breathable materials with advanced cooling features that can help regulate sleep temperature. The best cooling pillows offer much-needed relief from nighttime overheating and sleep disruptions.

We tested over a dozen top-rated pillows and consulted with sleep experts to find the very best cooling pillows available. Our top choice, the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Cool+ Pillow , met every criterion for the best cooling pillow — not only is it specially designed for hot sleepers, but its advanced Cool+ technology provides exceptional comfort, plus, it's fully adjustable, making it stand out as the best solution for those seeking relief from nighttime heat. The latex Purple Harmony Pillow has exceptional airflow with its unique cooling technology, complemented by a range of lofts to accommodate any type of sleeper.

Our picks of the best cooling pillows

Best overall: Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Cool+ Adjustable Pillow - See at Amazon

Best budget: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow - See at Amazon

Best down alternative: Slumber Cloud Ultra Cool Pillow - See at Slumber Cloud

Best latex: Purple Harmony Pillow - See at Amazon

Best memory foam: Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow - See at Brooklyn Bedding

Best organic: Birch Organic Pillow - See at Birch

Best silk: Cozy Earth Silk Pillow - See at Cozy Earth

Best for neck pain: TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow - See at Amazon

Best combination sleepers: Nest Easy Breather Pillow - See at Nest Bedding

Best body pillow: Pluto Puff Body Pillow - See at Pluto

The Coop Eden Cool+ Pillow keeps you cool with its gel-infused foam, offers two sides for different feels, and adjusts to your liking.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Infused with cooling gel designed to regulate temperature effectively
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Dual-sided design features one side with a cooling and plush feel and a firmer side phase change gel
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Adjustable for personalized support
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Adjusting the fill can lead to lightweight microfibers floating around and sticking to nearby surfaces
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Sleek pillow surface may cause it to slide around in pillowcase
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only pillow cover is machine-washable

The Eden Cool+ Pillow has become my ultimate choice for achieving a refreshing and restful night's sleep. From the moment I first laid my head on it, I could feel the difference that Coop's innovative Cool+ foam fill makes. Crafted specifically for individuals who sleep hot, this pillow blends cooling gel-infused memory foam and recycled polyester fibers to create a heavenly combination of comfort and breathability.

What I love most about this pillow is its dual-sided design. One side features a cooling and firmer phase change gel layer, perfect for those warm nights, while the other side offers a softer, plush feel for when I need a little extra coziness. During testing, I didn't notice any significant heat build-up, and any warmth dissipated quickly, I also found myself experiencing unparalleled support and maintaining ideal spinal alignment, waking up each morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, without any hint of shoulder tension or headaches.

While this pillow is mostly perfect, there is one minor inconvenience I encountered: adjusting the fill can sometimes lead to a bit of a mess, with lightweight microfibers floating around and sticking to nearby surfaces. However, this is a small price to pay for the overall comfort and quality that this pillow provides.

Coop offers various ergonomic options, like the Cool+ Cut-Out Pillow, which I also tested and loved. It is made with the same cooling technology and designed specifically for side sleepers. As someone who has long trusted Coop's products for a good night's sleep, I appreciate their dedication to crafting pillows that not only meet but exceed expectations.

The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow is a budget-friendly option with a plush, premium feel and breathable cotton fabric.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Sleeps relatively cool
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Soft and stackable
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good for stomach and back sleepers
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 30-day return window
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Machine washable
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Hypoallergenic, breathable, gel fiber down alternative fill
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Side sleepers will likely need two or more of these pillows
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pillows are not adjustable

The best cooling pillows often come with a higher price tag, finding options under $60 can be a challenge due to the cost of cooling materials. However, the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow offers a budget-friendly alternative. Despite the "Gel pillow" label, these pillows don't contain liquid or cooling gel; instead, they're filled with hypoallergenic polyester gel fiber, similar to down alternative in feel and performance.

Deputy editor, Lauren Savoie, spent months sleeping with these pillows, consistently noting the breathable cotton and down alt fill's ability to maintain a comfortable temperature. The plush, premium feel of these pillows, combined with their soft and breathable fabric, ensures a cool and restful night's sleep, even on warmer nights. While they may not deliver the most intense cooling sensation, they excel in breathability and offer exceptional value. Unlike denser materials like memory foam, these pillows provide a cool sleeping experience without stretching your budget.

That said, side sleepers may find that they'll need two or more of these pillows for optimal comfort, it's also worth noting that they are not adjustable. Even though these pillows aren't necessarily actively cooling, their relatively cool nature makes them a comfortable and budget-friendly choice.

The Slumber Cloud Ultra Cool pillow offers a soft, down-like fill wrapped in cool-to-the-touch Outlast® fabric designed to resist heat build-up.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Down-like, soft and flexible interior
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Comes in 2 firmness levels
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent cooling technology
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Can become lumpy after washing, requiring frequent fluffing
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Might not provide sufficient loft for larger frames who prefer to sleep on their back or side
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. The texture of the outer shell is not as soft as others

The Slumber Cloud Ultra Cool features a soft and flexible interior reminiscent of down, offering just the right level of comfort, available in soft/medium and medium/firm firmnesses. Meanwhile, the outer shell boasts a cool-to-the-touch sensation, courtesy of its NASA-engineered Outlast® fabric. I must admit that the pillow shell's texture isn't as smooth as I'd hoped; it has a slight grittiness that requires a well-fitted pillowcase to prevent slipping. Even with a pillowcase, its technology consistently maintained a refreshing coolness throughout the night, preventing any moisture buildup. It kept me cool during testing, maintaining a consistently comfortable feel without ever getting hot.

With its medium loft, the pillow perfectly suited my needs as a side sleeper, offering optimal support for my head and neck. Yet, my taller and heavier husband found the loft insufficient, especially as a back and side sleeper. It appears best suited for individuals with smaller to medium frames or larger-framed stomach sleepers who don't require as much loft.

One downside worth noting is the maintenance. After machine washing, the pillow tends to become lumpy and needs reshaping, which could be a hassle, especially considering the recommended wash frequency. Overall, the combination of its down-like interior feel, cooling technology, and customizable firmness levels makes the Slumber Cloud Ultra Cool pillow a standout option for those seeking a high-quality alternative to traditional down pillows.

The innovative Purple Harmony incorporates a honeycomb-patterned Grid (the same material as in its mattresses) that surrounds a supportive inner core of hypoallergenic ventilated latex for an extremely comfortable and supportive pillow that sleeps cool.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Exceptionally cooling and breathable
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Durable and supportive
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offered in three loft heights: low (5.5") , medium (6.5"), high (7.5"
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not a traditional pillow feel
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Heavy
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Washing can be time-consuming

The Purple Harmony Pillow is a great choice for hot sleepers seeking a latex option. Its exceptional airflow kept me cool all night long, eliminating the need to constantly flip it over. The temperature-neutral, airy honeycomb grid and ventilated Talalay latex with aerated structures work wonders in drawing away heat, while the moisture-wicking mesh cover adds to its cooling effect. Plus, the fact that it features a machine washable cover is a huge convenience. What's more, the pillow comes in various lofts and sizes, offering options in both standard and king, as well as preferred loft levels of low, medium, or tall.

My husband has quickly become a fan of the Purple Harmony. He loves its soft, bouncy, and airy feel, finding it perfectly supportive for his head and neck as a side and back sleeper. Its relatively heavy weight ensures it stays in place all night, and its high-quality build and durable materials will prevent it from going flat or lumpy over time.

That said, I don't recommend this pillow to individuals seeking a plush feel, as it lacks the flexibility and moldability of a traditional pillow. Overall, the Purple Harmony Pillow offers unparalleled cooling and support, making it a top choice for hot sleepers.

Though memory foam can often feel stifling for hot sleepers, the Luxury Cooling Pillow from Brooklyn Bedding is designed to give you the best of both worlds: a silly cool-to-the-touch shell and copper-infused foam for contouring support.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Naturally cooling properties such as copper-infused foam
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can choose between two lofts: low or high
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No need to fluff
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Slick cover, pillow cases can slide off easily
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Initial odor that dissipated within 2-3 days days

I was excited to test out the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, especially since we love the latex pillow that we tested for our guide to the best pillows for side sleepers for its bouncy and responsive design, with airways that dissipate heat, enhancing temperature regulation even more. I received the king-size, high-loft version with a shell that is silky, smooth, and cool-to-the-touch. Sleeping on this pillow was incredibly satisfying; it kept me cool even during warmer nights. The naturally copper-infused memory foam enhances breathability and comfort. The cooling effect also comes from the infusion of cooling gel that pulls excess body heat away from the surface.

The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling pillow provided excellent support for my head and kept my spine aligned as a side sleeper. It adapts well to the head and neck and is very responsive. It's great that it comes in low or high profiles to accommodate all sleeping positions.

The pillow is medium-firm, a bit thick, but balances softness well. Thanks to its memory foam construction, it retained its shape during and after testing, and knowing Brooklyn Bedding products, I expect it will hold its shape long-term. My husband and I found it equally comfortable despite our different shapes and sizes. This pillow is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking cooling comfort and reliable support with solid memory foam.

The Birch Organic pillow combines premium organic materials like wool and cotton for a comfortable, temperature-balanced sleep experience, featuring GREENGUARD Gold & GOTS certifications for eco-friendly assurance.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Made with premium organic and naturally breathable materials
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Effective temperature-regulating properties GREENGUARD Gold, Eco-Institut, and GOTS-certified
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Requires frequent fluffing and kneading
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Requires frequent fluffing and kneading
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. May not be suitable for stomach sleepers

The Birch Organic pillow proved to be a great choice for those seeking natural materials and eco-friendly options. It maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the night, striking a balance between warmth and coolness. Despite not being cool-to-the-touch or as cold as other pillows I tested, I never experienced any significant heat buildup or discomfort during testing. The pillow is made with premium organic and naturally breathable wool and cotton, and is also GREENGUARD Gold & GOTS-certified, ensuring peace of mind by avoiding polyurethane-based foams and adhering to sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices.

The pillow offers substantial support for back and side sleepers, though some may find it too firm for stomach sleeping due to its medium loft. While not machine washable, the super soft 100% organic cotton pillow case can be easily removed and washed.

Over time, I noticed that the pillow tends to decompress and bunch, requiring frequent fluffing and kneading. Despite this minor challenge, I recommend this organic pillow for environmentally conscious individuals seeking a comfortable, breathable sleep solution with the assurance of eco-friendly and ethical environmental values.

For those seeking a pillow that’s exceptionally soft, breathable, and promises a fresh start every morning, the Cozy Earth Silk pillow is definitely worth considering.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Made with luxurious 100% long-strand mulberry silk
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Naturally breathable silk helps maintain a comfortable temperature
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Exceptionally soft, comfortable, and supportive
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not come with a removable pillowcase
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Requires constant fluffing
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the most expensive options

The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow has been an absolute luxury to sleep on. From the moment it arrived in its beautifully designed reusable packaging; an elegant canvas bag with leather-like straps, I knew it was going to be a remarkable sleep experience. Filled with 100% long-strand mulberry silk and encased in premium bamboo viscose, it is as sumptuous as it sounds. The natural breathability of silk and bamboo viscose made it ideal for maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the night, leaving me feeling refreshed every morning during my testing period. It truly stands out as one of the best, softest pillows I've tested.

Currently, in my first few weeks of testing, I am happy with the luxurious, high-quality materials and the undeniable comfort it provides.

There are a couple of things to consider before purchasing, the pillow doesn't come with a removable case, so using a protective cover is a must. It also requires frequent fluffing to maintain its plush feel. Jaclyn Turner, our senior home editor, has been regularly sleeping with the Cozy Earth Silk pillow and expressed concerns to me about its longevity, noting that the outer cover started pilling, which is not ideal given the price point, but admittedly still continues to reach for it despite this pain point because of the comfort, appreciating its breathable, soft, and moldable design. Pilling is also covered under Cozy Earth's lengthy 10-year warranty. We both love this pillow but we will have to test it further to see how durable it proves to be long-term.

The cool-to-the-touch TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze pillow is perfect for hot summer nights, offering substantial support that effectively relieves neck and shoulder tension

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Dual gel layers provide effective temperature regulation
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent support for neck pain
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Durable and resilient
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not suitable for stomach sleepers
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Initial off-gassing odor that dissipates within 2-3 days
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No trial period and not returnable

The TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow quickly became my go-to choice, especially during hot summer days when its cooling properties shine. Featuring dual gel layers and a cool-to-the-touch quilted cover, it effectively regulates temperature throughout the night, ensuring a consistently cool sleep experience that also helps alleviate discomfort. Throughout testing, I never experienced significant heat buildup, and any warmth dissipated quickly.

As a medium-firm pillow, it offers substantial support for side and back sleepers, ideal for maintaining proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure points around the neck. This pillow's density and somewhat heavy composition ensure that my head stays securely in place through the night, providing relief and comfort where needed the most.

Despite being made of dense TEMPUR material, it maintains a soft and plush feel. The high-quality construction ensures durability without clumping or flattening over time; even after a year of use, it still bounces back like new.

Personally, I'm not usually a fan of foam pillows, there are only a handful that I like, but I find the TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze very comfortable, especially in alleviating neck pain and keeping me cool. However, its thickness, firmness, and weight may not suit everyone's needs. One downside to this pillow is that TEMPUR does not offer any trial period, and it cannot be returned once purchased. However, they do offer a 5-year warranty.

The Easy Breather Pillow’s luxurious feel and durable construction, combined with its cooling properties, make it a great option for anyone seeking personalized comfort and reliable temperature regulation.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Adjustable loft and firmness
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Effective temperature regulation with unique cooling properties
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Slightly denser than other options
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Requires regular fluffing

I've been using the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow on and off for about a year now, and I've really enjoyed it. The pillow's cover is luxuriously silky and cool-to-the-touch, specifically crafted with Nest Bedding's Icecore material to actively regulate temperature throughout the night. It is filled with breathable shredded gel foam, and I found the cooling fabric to be great at dissipating heat and wicking away moisture.

One stand-out feature of this pillow is its adjustability to accommodate any sleeping position. I was able to easily customize the firmness and loft by adding or removing filling, making it perfect for combination sleepers who need versatility from time to time. However, the pillow's density does make it slightly heavier compared to others, which may be something to consider for those who prefer a lighter pillow. Nest recommends regularly kneading the pillow to maintain its shape and loft over time, which I've found to be helpful in preventing lumps or clumps from forming. After using this pillow for about a year, I'm impressed by how well it has retained its shape.

Pluto Puff is built with side sleepers in mind, it’s flexible, soft, and durable.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Extremely supportive for side and back sleepers
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Soft and comforting feel
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Stays cool
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Might be too big for someone with limited space
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Shorter warranty

I've been pretty impressed with the Pluto Puff Body Pillow ever since I tested it for our best body pillows guide. Not only is it our top recommendation for side sleepers, but it has quickly become a personal favorite because of its cool-to-the-touch and silky quilted microfiber case that I personally love for its soft and smooth feel. The quilted cover is also removable for those who prefer the feel of smooth 300-thread count cotton feel.

The breathable quilted cover keeps me feeling refreshed throughout the night, while the fiber fill, which mimics the plushness of 600-fill European down, adds to its overall comfort. Despite its size, the Pluto Puff maintains exceptional temperature regulation, ensuring it stays cool without overheating, which is perfect for warm sleepers. It provides robust support ideal for both side and back sleepers, and it has retained its loft well over time.

The COOP body pillow has been my favorite for years, but Pluto Puff is a strong contender. While not adjustable like the COOP, which might be a downside for those who prefer a customizable option, its consistent performance and luxurious, cool feel make the Pluto Puff a standout choice among cooling body pillows.

What to look for in a cooling pillow

With many cooling pillow options on the market, selecting the right one depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are some important factors to consider during your search for the best cooling pillow:

Sleeping Position and Loft: Look for a pillow that fits your sleeping style:

Side Sleepers: Opt for medium to high loft for neck support.
Back Sleepers: Choose a medium loft for spinal alignment.
Stomach Sleepers: Prefer lower loft to prevent neck strain.

Materials and Fill: Avoid heat-retaining materials like down or wool; choose cooling options like latex, silk, or memory foam pillows with ventilated designs that allow for better airflow. Opt for hypoallergenic fills and check for CertiPUR-US certification for foam quality. Use covers made with breathable materials such as cotton, linen, bamboo, and tencel.

Cooling Technologies: Look for pillows with innovative cooling features like Gel-infused fills, breathable covers, and moisture-wicking materials that enhance heat dissipation.

Return Policy and Trial Period: Prioritize pillows with flexible return and trial periods to ensure you can exchange or return them if they don't meet expectations. Allow time to adjust to your pillow as well.

Ease of Cleaning: Consider maintenance needs, especially for hot sleepers. Look for designs with removable, washable covers, and we recommend using a pillowcase that is washed regularly.

How we tested cooling pillows

As a certified sleep science consultant with extensive experience in sleep research and product reviews, I understand the importance of a well-equipped bedroom for a comfortable and healthy night's sleep. To identify the best cooling pillows, I consulted experts like Nishi Bhopal , MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and sleep specialist, and Alex Dimitriu , MD, dual board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. With their guidance, I conducted a thorough assessment by testing over 12 top-rated pillows on the market, focusing on the following critical factors:

Sleep Quality Testing: I personally slept on each pillow for seven consecutive nights, evaluating factors such as comfort, support, and, most importantly, temperature regulation and breathability in a climate ranging from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. To broaden our perspective, I also enlisted my husband, who has a larger frame, experiences sleep apnea, and primarily sleeps on his back and side to provide additional insights into each pillow's performance from his perspective.
Materials and Certifications: I scrutinized each pillow's cooling properties, looking for features like breathability, CertiPUR-US certifications for foam quality, innovative cooling technologies, and specific maintenance requirements.
Cleaning: Recognizing the accumulation of body oils and sweat, especially for hot sleepers, I followed cleaning instructions for each pillow. I assessed ease of washing and drying, durability, and noted which pillows came with removable and washable covers.
Shape Retention: I examined post-use pillows for any signs of lumps or clumping, noting how well they maintained their shape and loft over time and how frequently they required fluffing.
Return Policy/Trial Period: I thoroughly investigated the return policies and warranties for each pillow, understanding that individual preferences vary and ensuring flexibility in exchange or return options.

Cooling pillow FAQs

What are the best pillows for hot sleepers.

Hot sleepers benefit most from pillows equipped with advanced cooling technologies or materials that effectively regulate temperature and dissipate heat. These include cooling gel foam fills, latex, and silk, which are known for maintaining a cool sensation throughout the night.

What makes a pillow cooling? Or How do cooling pillows work?

According to Dr. Dimitriu, depending on the materials, cooling pillows can improve comfort. Cooling pillows work to help manage temperature and promote a cooler sleeping environment. They generally use materials to absorb and pull away heat from the body, like a gel layer or memory foam.

Can cooling pillows help with night sweats?

Dr. Nishi emphasizes that while cooling pillows may not entirely prevent night sweats or hot flashes, they can offer a soothing cool-to-the-touch sensation that promotes easier falling asleep and staying asleep.

Are cooling pillows machine washable?

Most cooling pillows in this guide come with a machine-washable cover, although the pillow itself should not be washed as the fill or cooling technology could be damaged. It's important to follow the care instructions carefully. Using an extra protective pillowcase can also help keep the pillow clean and extend its lifespan.

Can I use a pillowcase with a cooling pillow?

Yes, you should always use a pillowcase to keep your cooling pillow in top shape. Most cooling technologies work effectively even with a pillowcase, but it's important to choose the right materials. According to Dr. Nishi, natural fibers such as cotton, linen, bamboo, and Tencel make up the best cooling fabrics for sheets , and are excellent choices due to their breathability and cooling properties. These materials offer a comfortable, cool-to-the-touch experience while maintaining the pillow's cooling benefits.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Travel Products
Travel Accessories

The 13 Best Travel Blankets to Help You Get Cozy Just About Anywhere

Goodbye sad little airline blankets, hello comfort and style.

In This Article

Our Top Picks
Other Blankets We Liked

Our Testing Process

Tips For Buying
Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

If you are tired of freezing on airplanes, chilly train rides, or breezy outdoor excursions, then we’ve got you covered (literally). Whether you're embarking on a long-haul flight, hitting the road for a cross-country adventure, or heading out on a camping adventure, a high-quality travel blanket can make all the difference. From lightweight and compact options ideal for cramped airplane seats to larger, more insulated blankets perfect for sleeping under the stars, we've rounded up the best blankets to suit every traveler's needs.

Our Travel + Leisure team tested 19 travel blankets for comfort, ease of use, durability, and valuel. We evaluated and compared each option based on overall construction, fabric choice, design features, warmth, and packability. (Read more about our comprehensive testing process below). We will continue testing our picks for six more months to ensure each option’s reliability and durability, and we will update this article if anything should change. Scroll down below to find your next travel blanket guaranteed to make others jealous of how cozy you'll be on your next trip.

Best Overall

Kashwere travel blanket.

This blanket delivers the perfect combination of comfort, durability, and versatility.

The carrying bag is made of the same chenille fabric as the blanket, so it takes some effort to fit the blanket back inside the fuzzy bag.

If you’re a frequent traveler who values comfort, this travel blanket is worth every penny. We gave this Kashwere option a perfect score for being super cozy and comfortable, versatile, and durable. The blanket itself is made of a soft chenille yarn that feels like being wrapped in a cloud, providing a chef’s kiss balance between being warm but not heavy or too breezy. Size-wise, it might not be big enough to wrap you head to toe, but it covers all the important bits when you're sitting down — perfect for planes, cars, or just chilling at home. The fabric held up well after machine-washing and drying, and we thought the zipper on the carrying bag was sturdy. Bonus points: this blanket comes with its own carrying bag made of the same material, so you can double up the use for the packed blanket as a pillow, although it might not always be the easiest to tuck the blanket back inside the bag.

The Details: 32 x 48 inches | Chenille

Travel + Leisure / Elise Wang

Best for Flights

Travelrest 4-in-1 travel blanket.

We love the wearability and portability of this Travelrest option.

We wish it came with a pillow, but it’s not a total dealbreaker.

This blanket feels just like that favorite throw blanket you'd fight your friends over at an Airbnb — soft, plush, and just right for keeping warm on chilly flights. Its standout feature is the poncho style with plenty of room in the sleeves, and it’s made from plush fleece that covered us from neck to ankles. Perfect for car rides, train trips, and flights, or even just lounging at home or at a sports event, this blanket was a breeze to unpack and repack thanks to its laptop case-like zip around and additional drawstring bag. When we rolled it and placed it inside, we were impressed that it packed down to the size of a water bottle. Snag this blanket if you're a busy traveler who hates lugging around bulky blankets!

The Details: 38 x 72 inches | 14 ounces | Plush microfiber

Travel + Leisure / Chantia Murphy

Best for Camping

Yeti lowlands blanket.

From its waterproof material to its sturdy build, it doesn't get any more durable than this blanket.

This is way too large to use on a plane and is better suited for outdoor scenarios like camping trips, picnics, or beach outings.

First off, let's talk size: this blanket is massive, clocking in at about 6.5 by 4.5 feet and weighing nearly six pounds. While it might be a bit too big and heavy for squeezing onto your luggage for a plane trip, it's perfect for car rides or any outdoor adventure — especially camping. The blanket comes with its own carrying case, making it easy to throw with your other travel items.

One side of the blanket is soft to the touch, while the other is built for toughing it out on the ground. We love that it has a waterproof layer, making it so convenient against spills and soggy ground. We also noticed how durable it is, and we definitely think it will stand up well to pebbled surfaces while camping while still feeling soft and warm. While the price might seem steep at $200, it's worth the investment for its versatility and durability.

The Details: 78 x 55 inches | 5.8 pounds | 65 percent polyester/35 percent rayon (comfort side), 100 percent polyester (utility side)

Travel + Leisure / Stella Yu

Best Portable

Bluehills travel blanket pillow.

Priced at approximately $30, this is one of the best budget-friendly options on our list.

If you tend to run cold, this blanket might be too lightweight for you.

Why use a sad airline blanket when you can bring your own? While some of the other blankets on this list are too large to comfortably use on a plane, this one is the perfect portable size. We thought it was super soft and lightweight, but a tad thin — it’s ideal for keeping cozy on a plane or car ride, but maybe not quite warm enough for those who easily get chilly. We appreciated the stress-free packability when it’s time to deplane (no wrestling with a stubborn blanket here!). When you’re ready to pack it up, it folds neatly back into its plush carrying case, which doubles as a cozy pillow after you zip it up. It also features a luggage strap and a clip to attach it to a backpack that makes it convenient to carry.

The Details: 70 x 48 inches | 1.28 pounds | Plush microfiber

Travel + Leisure / Anya Bayerle

Best Versatile

Away the travel blanket.

Featuring thermoregulating technology, this blanket keeps you comfy in any temperature while remaining lightweight.

Folding a blanket that's almost 6 by 4 feet into itself on a plane is not the easiest task, but once it's packed, it's super lightweight and compact.

Away’s The Travel Blanket is the Goldilocks of travel blankets on our list — it's never too hot, never too cold, and always just right. Made of lightweight nylon, we thought it was like snuggling up in a sleeping bag . It might not be the comfiest material out there, but its size (it stretches across three airplane seats!), breathability, and versatility for any occasion makes up for it. The blanket also has a foot pocket, but we noticed we couldn’t reach it comfortably without being overwhelmed by fabric while we tried it out on a plane because of how large the blanket is, so we think this blanket is better suited for car rides, Airbnb stays when you need extra blankets, or outdoor activities like picnics or camping trips.

The blanket features 37.5 thermoregulating technology to personalize climate control, and we did notice that we never felt chilly or overheated when using it. “If you get hot, 37.5 active particles help to cool you down. If you get cold, these same particles work to warm you up,” according to the product listing on the Away website . Plus, it has some pretty unique features like snaps to attach it to a travel pillow and a strap to hook onto a bag. We also love that the blanket folds into itself, so there isn’t an extra bag you have to carry around.

The Details: 69.5 x 44.5 inches | 1.05 pounds | 100 percent Cocona 37.5 Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Maggie Andrew

Best Cashmere Set

Naked cashmere 4-piece travel set.

This travel set also comes with a pair of cashmere socks, a sleep mask, and a silk pillowcase.

It’s definitely a splurge as the priciest option on this list.

Look no further if you want to travel in style: this set is a luxury sleep kit in a pouch. It comes with cashmere socks and a silk sleep mask, and the silk pouch transforms into a pillowcase when the blanket's inside. Our T+L team member who tested this set was instantly sold when they slipped on the socks, wrapped up in the oversized blanket, and got comfy on a cross-country flight. They even continued to use it at their destination when they got chilly. This blanket feels like a dream — it’s so soft, it's like wrapping yourself in a designer sweater. Priced at $450, it is an investment, but we deem it worth the splurge (and it makes a luxurious gift for the traveler who has everything).

The Details: 82 x 50 inches | Cashmere

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Most Durable

Eddie bauer packable synthetic throw.

Not only is this blanket highly packable and portable, but it also withstands all sorts of activities, from camping trips to sports events.

The color and style options are loud and bold.

What to Consider: The color and style options are loud and bold.

This travel blanket is the ultimate all-in-one travel companion. What sets this blanket apart is its perfect balance between puffiness and smoothness; it's soft to the touch, but when it's time to hit the road again, it rolls up effortlessly into its carry bag. It’s so lightweight that we forgot we were even carrying it! It is also clear that this blanket is built to last. Despite our rigorous testing, it stood up to everyday use — including cat claws, car rides, and wash cycles — while staying soft and cozy. It's the perfect blend of lightweight portability and maximum warmth, making it a top choice for travelers.

The Details: 70 x 50 inches | Polyester

Travel + Leisure / Lisa Pezzuto

PAVILIA Travel Blanket and Pillow

With its velvety feel, portability, and budget-friendly price tag, this is a solid choice for anyone looking for bang for their buck.

This travel blanket lacks certain premium features compared to others on the market.

This travel blanket is wallet-friendly without compromising on comfort. Made from microfleece polyester, it's soft, lightweight, and velvety, perfect for covering up whether you're sitting or laying down. Its compact size makes it easy to wear on a train or a plane when you don’t want to encroach on the person sitting next to you, but it’s still large enough to cover you and keep you warm. To pack it up, simply fold it a couple of times, zip it into its carrying pouch, and voila — you've got yourself a pillow. Plus, the pouch has a strap for easy carrying, which you can buckle onto a backpack strap or luggage handle. While it might not be the fanciest blanket out there, it holds up well in the wash and should last a few years. And at its price, it's a steal for the comfort and convenience it offers.

The Details: 60 x 43 inches | Microfleece

Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Best Puffer

L.l.bean puffer blanket.

This do-it-all camp blanket is perfect for sitting around the fire, sleepovers, movie night, picnics, and more.

The available patterns might not fit everyone’s taste.

Wrapping yourself in this blanket is like snuggling up with a puffer coat: slick and water-resistant but still comfy to the touch. Despite being lightweight, we found that this option kept us nice and toasty without making us feel overheated. Its flexibility made it easy to fold down this blanket into its travel bag, compact enough to match the size of a 40-ounce water bottle. It also features elastic bands on each corner to turn this blanket into a makeshift cape or coat. We love that this blanket is tougher than it looks, holding up all our testing with no signs of wear and tear.

The Details: 75 x 54 inches | 1.7 pounds | Polyester

Travel + Leisure / Ciara Grovert

White+Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap

Suitable for either a flight or a fancy dinner, we love how practical, chic, and versatile this wrap is for several occasions.

Its material is cashmere, so you have to dry clean it.

This White + Warren wrap may just be our new favorite go-to accessory for chilly airplanes. What sets it apart is its versatility, doubling as a cozy blanket for travel or a shawl that you can wear over your shoulders. It's well over five feet in length and though it's not the widest when compared to more traditional blankets, it’s wider than a standard scarf so you can wear it draped over your body or lap to keep warm in transit. The wrap's premium cashmere material adds to its luxe appeal, and that means you can even wear it out to dinner while looking stylish — and you can’t do that with a regular airplane blanket. Bonus points for making it out of a 14-hour travel day packed into a personal item without any wrinkles!

The Details: 81 x 36 inches | Cashmere

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket

This massive blanket offers ample warmth and coverage, and there’s a huge selection of color options.

It’s not the easiest to stuff back into its carrying case, and it’s too large to use on a plane.

We found your next camping companion with the Rumpl The Original Puff. The generous size of this blanket provides lots of cozy comfort whether you’re covering yourself to sleep or laying or sitting on top of it. With 30 color options to choose from, this travel blanket is great for anyone looking for an airy, breathable, and versatile blanket for outdoor use. The included stuff sack adds convenience, though packing it back up requires some effort akin to rolling and tucking a sleeping bag or camping air mattress back into its case. At $125, it's a worthwhile investment for warm camping trips or outdoor activities but may not be practical for frequent air travel due to its large size.

The Details: 75 x 52 inches | 2.1 pounds | Recycled polyester

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Best Insulated

The north face wawona blanket.

This lightweight blanket delivers on warmth and packability.

We found that this blanket is not the most cozy option.

We recommend this water-resistant North Face blanket specifically for outdoor activities and events, making it ideal for travelers seeking a lightweight, packable option that will keep you warm without taking up much space in your bag. The blanket features recycled synthetic insulation that provides warmth but lacks the soft feel of fleece or yarn. Packing and unpacking the blanket were straightforward, and though it took us a little bit of effort to fold the blanket neatly back into the attached carrying bag, once you get it back inside, the bag helps compress the blanket to a compact size that you can stow away in a backpack. The blanket showed no signs of wear or tear after multiple uses and washes, but we do think it has the potential to get snagged or tear if faced with anything sharp.

The Details: 72 x 55.9 inches | 1.5 pounds | Recycled polyester

Travel + Leisure / Henry Yung

Unhide Lil' Marsh Traveler

It feels expensive for how comfortable and soft it is but is super affordable.

It only comes in a few neutral shades of beige, and it does not include any straps or carrying cases.

Cuddly, comfortable, convenient, and cozy — and those are only the adjectives beginning with “C” when describing this blanket. Despite its ability to roll up small, the Unhide Lil’ Marsh Traveler proved to be a large blanket, providing ample coverage with plenty of extra room while sitting or lying down. This would make a great option for a plane or car ride for how thin and soft it is without any excessive bulk to bog you down or get in your neighbor’s way. We found that this blanket maintained its softness and durability throughout testing, remaining in pristine condition even after frequent use and washes. It can also easily fit into a tote bag or carry-on due to its thin material, making it easy to travel with when you have limited space but want something soft and snuggly to cover yourself with.

The Details: 60 x 50 inches | 1.7 pounds | Polyester

Travel + Leisure / Tatiana Kennedy

Travel + Leisure. /Tatiana Kennedy

Other Travel Blankets We Liked

Four additional travel blankets we tested couldn’t quite earn a spot on our list due to minor issues but still had notable features that may meet the needs of some travelers.

Forestfish Fleece Throw Blanket : Priced at under $20, this blanket offers a good value for those seeking a smaller, lightweight travel blanket, especially suitable for shorter road trips. While it was adequate for drives, it may not offer enough insulation for plane or train rides with less temperature control.

Therm-a-rest Honcho Poncho Wearable Hoodie Blanket : This blanket maintains warmth without overheating, making it suitable for various outdoor activities. While its wearability adds convenience, it does not offer much coverage in poncho mode.

Sagefinds Soft Travel Blanket with Bag : Although deceivingly thin, this option offers a step up from airline blankets, providing warmth and breathability without being overly luxurious. It's deemed best for budget-conscious travelers seeking portability.

Eversnug Travel Blanket and Pillow : We like the versatility of being able to use this item as both a blanket and a pillow. However, it’s not the best choice for taller people because it’s on the smaller size.

Our T+L team tested 19 travel blankets in everyday travel scenarios to assess comfort, ease of use, durability, and value. We followed a comprehensive examination to evaluate each option, including overall construction, fabric choice, design features, warmth, and packability. We used the blankets in a variety of practical scenarios including traveling by plane, train, and car; during outdoor events; and even while lounging at home to determine comfort, functionality, versatility, and durability.

We took notes on how heavy or lightweight the blankets felt, how warm or breathable they were, how large or compact they were, how easy it was to pack or fold them, and any unique features they had to make them more portable or comfortable. For the blankets that were machine-washable, we washed them at least once during the initial testing period to see how they held up and if the materials changed at all.

Our long-term plan includes testing for an additional six months to monitor each blanket’s performance and durability in different travel scenarios. As we continue to test the blankets in various real-world settings, we will continue to take notes on portability, practicality, and any wear and tear, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each travel blankets’ reliability. We will update these results if our findings should change.

Tips for Buying Travel Blankets

Think of your intended use.

When buying a travel blanket, consider your intended use carefully. If you're primarily using it for flights, prioritize coziness and a compact size — you won’t want something too large or too bulky that will take up too much space in your personal item or spill into the neighboring seat. Look for blankets made from soft materials that provide warmth without being too heavy to carry. Opt for lightweight options that can easily fit into your bag and keep you comfortable during long flights.

On the other hand, if you're planning to use the blanket for camping or outdoor activities, prioritize warmth and durability. Consider blankets that are larger, thicker, and possibly waterproof (or at least water-resistant) to withstand various weather conditions. Look for materials like fleece or wool that provide insulation and keep you warm even in chilly outdoor settings.

Additionally, pay attention to the dimensions of the blanket. Some blankets are designed for one person, while others are larger and suitable for two. Choose the size that best fits your needs, whether you prefer individual coverage or sharing with a travel companion.

Keep portability in mind

When you're on the hunt for a travel blanket, don't forget about portability. Look out for ones that come with a handy carrying case, especially those with luggage sleeves or clips that you can easily attach to your backpack or suitcase. Having a dedicated carrying case helps keep the blanket compact and protected when not in use, preventing it from taking up too much space in your luggage or personal bag. Some blankets can even double as pillows when you fold them up into their cases. Additionally, it helps to not carry one more additional item (look ma, no hands!) and makes it effortless to bring along during travel.

Look at special features

Traveling is hard enough, so when shopping for a travel blanket, consider special features that enhance functionality and comfort. Look for blankets with built-in footrest pockets, which provide extra warmth and coziness during long journeys. Zippered compartments are handy for storing small items like headphones or travel documents, keeping them within easy reach.

You can also opt for blankets that can fold into a pillow, offering versatility and saving space in your luggage. Waterproof blankets are ideal for outdoor adventures, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable in unpredictable weather conditions. Thermoregulating blankets help maintain a comfortable temperature, keeping you warm without overheating. Blankets with sleeves and hoods allow you to wear them like a garment, providing maximum coverage and warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ultimately, the size of your optimal travel blanket depends on your personal preferences, intended use, and travel requirements. Determine if you'll be using the blanket alone or sharing it with a travel companion. Look for a blanket that provides adequate coverage for your body lengthwise and widthwise, and think about whether you’ll be using the blanket draped over your lap or shoulders on an airplane or to snuggle your entire body under while sleeping in a tent. Check the dimensions to ensure it will fully cover you while sitting or lying down, especially if you're tall or prefer extra room.

It’s also best to consider how you'll be using the blanket. If it's primarily for air travel, a smaller size that fits comfortably in your carry-on bag may be ideal. For camping or outdoor activities, a larger size for added warmth and comfort may be more suitable.

Packing a travel blanket is relatively simple and depends on its design and size. If the blanket comes with a carrying case or pouch, fold or roll it neatly and tuck it into the case. Some blankets are designed to fold into themselves, transforming into a compact pillow or storage bag, making them easy to pack. If there's no specific carrying case, fold the blanket into a manageable size and place it in your luggage or travel bag like you would do for a sweatshirt or pair of pants. Consider using compression packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags to further reduce bulk and save space if it’s a bulkier blanket.

Washing a travel blanket typically depends on the material and care instructions provided by the manufacturer. In general, most travel blankets made of synthetic materials like polyester or fleece are machine-washable in cold water on a gentle cycle. After washing, air drying is usually recommended to maintain the integrity of the fabric and prevent shrinking or damage from high heat. There are also some cashmere blankets on this list that are dry-clean only. Be sure to check the care label on the blanket for specific instructions and any additional precautions.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

An expert on shopping trends and a frequent traveler, Maddie Michalik has been professionally reviewing products since 2014. For this story, she combed through T+L’s detailed testing insights for various travel blankets, reading through testing feedback for each blanket, then referenced product descriptions and additional research to create a comprehensive roundup of the best travel blankets today.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

5 travel pillows to take with you on your next flight

Sleep comfortably on your next plane journey with these travel pillows

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

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

1. Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow

The best travel pillow overall

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

2. Trtl Travel Neck Pillow

The best travel pillow for neck support

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

3. Ostrichpillow Original Travel Pillow

Travel pillows: Ostrichpillow Original Travel Pillow

The best travel pillow for blocking out everything

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

4. BCOZZY Neck Pillow

The best travel pillow for head support

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

5. flintronic Inflatable Travel Pillow

Travel pillows: flintronic Inflatable Travel Pillow

The best inflatable travel pillow

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

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

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

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PILLOWS BY PURPLE

10% off pillows.

Cooling, adjustable + conforming — save 10% on our dynamic pillow collection during the 4th of July.

10% Off Pillows, Bedding + More

Complete your sleep sanctuary with comfort essentials our customers can’t live without.

Includes pillows, sheets, bedding, and seating.

*Excludes Bed Frames, Bearaby Weighted Blanket, Purple Pillow Booster, Kids Purple Pillow, Freeform Extra Fill, and Purple Squishy. *10% off Accessories cannot be combined with Bundle offers. Select Bedding Bundles

25% off Purple Complete Comfort Sheets + Mattress Protector
25% off Purple Cloud Pillow + Complete Comfort Sheets
25% off Purple Cloud Pillow + Complete Comfort Sheets + Mattress Protector
25% off Purple SoftStretch Sheets + Mattress Protector
25% off Purple Harmony Pillow + SoftStretch Sheets
25% off Purple Harmony Pillow + SoftStretch Sheets + Mattress Protector

Additional Featured Pairings

25% off Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillow + Travel Size SoftStretch Pillowcase + Anywhere Travel Case
10% off Purple TempBalance Duvet + PerfectStay Duvet Cover Set
10% off Ultimate Seat Cushion + Back Cushion
10% off Double Seat Cushion + Back Cushion
10% off Purple Harmony Pillow + Bearaby Weighted Blanket
Discounts automatically applied at checkout.
Offer valid while supplies last.
Offer not valid on previous purchases or pending orders.
To qualify, all items must be purchased as part of the same order.
Offer good for orders placed directly from Purple on this website, in Purple authorized retail locations, or from direct-order telephone sales.
Offer not valid for purchases made at third-party retail stores.
Additional restrictions may apply.
Previously purchased items currently under the one hundred (100) night trial cannot be returned and redeemed with this coupon.
Cannot be combined with other offers.

No Risk. No Pressure.

100-Night Trial

Your 100-night trial begins the day your pillow is delivered to your doorstep.

1-Year Warranty

If there's something wrong with your pillow, we'll replace it for up to 1 year, starting from the date of original purchase.

Free Shipping & Returns

Get your mattress shipped straight to you at no extra cost – with complimentary white-glove delivery available on select mattresses. If you don’t love your mattress, just contact a Sleep Genius to confirm eligibility and arrange a free return.

To be eligible for a return, you must be within the 100-night trial period and have had the mattress for at least 21 days; the mattress must also be clean and undamaged. You will be refunded the full mattress price minus the value of any discount, interest accrued, and/or shipping charges.

For questions about products purchased at a retail location, please contact the store directly.

Our 100% nontoxic GelFlex Grid material is CleanAir GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified.

Your 100-night trial begins the day your pillow is delivered to your doorstep. If you decide it isn't a perfect fit for you within the first 100 nights, we'll help you process a return and issue a full refund. (Awesome, right?)

If there's something wrong with your pillow, we'll replace it for up to 1 year, starting from the date of original purchase. This warranty is valid only if the purchaser uses the product for personal consumer use. The warranty no longer applies after any resale, whether new or used. Original, dated proof of purchase by the original purchaser; official warranty document; and law tags are required to make a warranty claim.

For questions about products purchased at a retail location, please contact the store directly.

Our 100% nontoxic GelFlex Grid material is CleanAir GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified. The top GOLD rating from Intertek, a third-party quality assurance company, confirms that certified products will reduce health risks related to chemical exposure and meet the standards of other agencies promoting minimal VOC exposure.

GelFlex™ Grid Pillows

Purple Harmony™ Pillow

Instantly responsive + doesn’t fall flat

Blissfully cool, airy + bouncy

Medium firmness – cradles + supports

3 height options for all sleep positions

Purple Freeform™ Pillow

Adjustable design for personalized comfort

Removeable fill + targeted neck support

Shapeable, moldable feel – adjustable firmness

Customize height for all sleep positions

Purple DreamLayer™ Pillow

Melt into conforming support

Stays cool unlike memory foam

Medium-soft firmness

2 booster layers to adjust height

Purple Harmony Anywhere™ Pillow

Our bestseller made compact for on-the-go

Compresses + bounces back during travel

Cooling, breathable + instantly responsive

Purple Pillow®

Firm support aligns head + neck

100% GelFlex® Grid instantly flexes

Firm, no-fluff feel

Kids Purple Pillow®

A smaller Purple Pillow for smaller sleepers

Lighter, 100% GelFlex® Grid design

Medium-soft, adaptive support

Designed for younger sleepers

Down-Alternative Pillows

Purple TwinCloud™ Pillow

Two pillows in one — soft + firm settings

Extra-fluffy down-alternative

Two height settings ideal for all positions

Purple Cloud™ Pillow

Breathable + soft with down-like comfort

Fluffy, down-alternative

Soft, cloud-like feel

Wake up refreshed with financing options as low as 0% APR.

Not sure which to choose?

Purple has a pillow for every preference — answer a few quick Qs or read our comprehensive guide to find the pillow of your dreams.

Pillow Accessories

Harmony Anywhere Travel Case

Conveniently compress, pack and carry your Purple Harmony™ Anywhere Pillow to fit easily in a backpack or attached to your bag with a toggle clip.

Freeform™ Extra Fill

Add even more support and adjustability with an extra helping of silky MicroFlex™ Moon Foam designed specifically for the Freeform™ Pillow.

Purple SoftStretch Pillowcase Set

Upgrade your pillow experience with the softest, most luxurious pillowcases Purple has ever created.

Purple Complete Comfort Pillowcase Set

Love a more classic feel? Opt for 100% cotton woven pillowcases and enjoy complete comfort.

Purple Pillow Boosters

Achieve your ideal pillow height with a set of boosters designed specifically for the Purple Pillow.

Pillow Bundles

Harmony Anywhere™ Travel Bundle

Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillow + Travel Size SoftStretch Pillowcase + Anywhere Travel Case

Restore Sleep Plus Bundle

Purple Harmony™ Pillow + SoftStretch® Sheet Set

Essential Comfort Plus Bundle

Purple Cloud™ Pillow + Complete Comfort Sheet Set

Restore Sleep Max Bundle

Purple Harmony™ Pillow + SoftStretch® Sheet Set + Mattress Protector

Essential Comfort Complete Bundle

Purple Cloud™ Pillow + Complete Comfort Sheet Set + Mattress Protector

The best sleep ever, according to 114k+ 5-star reviews

People love Purple — read why 98% of Purple customers would shop with us again

These are the best pillows we have ever tried to date. They keep us cool and don’t loose their shape so you don’t have to continually fluff them back up.

This pillow has revolutionized my sleep routine. Its innovative filling blends support and comfort seamlessly, offering a personalized experience.

I love the DreamLayer pillow. It is very supportive and feels like I am sleeping on a gel cloud. My head has not been getting hot, so the temperature control has been great.

Exactly what you need

Find the pillow best suited to provide what you want and need — here are our picks.

From $199 $179

Best for Neck Pain

Moldable premium fill + customizable neck chambers deliver just-right support.

Best for Cooling

Keep cool with springy, bounce-back air channels.

Best for Side Sleepers

Melt into conforming support — better than memory foam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honeycomb GelFlex® Grid is a layer of temperature-neutral Hyper-Elastic Polymer. It’s engineered to provide a cool, breathable surface and pressure relief that’s gentle on facial features. The soft, hexagon-shaped grid contours to the face, head and neck providing support where you need it and pressure relief where you want it, and the air channels optimize the dynamic response and airflow for unbelievable comfort.

Featured in the Purple Harmony Pillow , Purple Freeform Pillow , and Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillow .

Purple’s down-alternative pillows include the Purple Cloud® and Purple TwinCloud® Pillows, which are made with breathable, hypoallergenic silky fibers that create the traditional cloud-like fluff of a down-alternative pillow. They do not contain a GelFlex® Grid component which is found in the Purple Harmony™, Purple Harmony™ Anywhere, Freeform™, and Purple Pillows®. The proprietary innovation found within Purple’s GelFlex® Grid pillows balances temperature, cradles head and neck with conforming comfort, and delivers adaptive support.

The Purple TwinCloud® and the Purple Cloud® Pillows are filled with premium, hypoallergenic silky fibers that provide the plush, cloud-like comfort of traditional down. This ultra-fine, silky-soft fill is made of crimped fibers that never fall flat and never clump.

The Purple Pillow

Interior Grid Material: Remove from the cover and wash in warm water with gentle soap, then let air dry.
Pillow Cover: Machine wash the cover with like colors in cold water, tumble dry low.

The Purple Cloud & TwinCloud Pillows

Correctly washing and drying the TwinCloud will actually help refluff your pillow and give it new life!
Machine wash in warm water on a gentle cycle. Unzip to tumble dry on low heat and delicate cycle.
Do not iron.
Non-chlorine bleach only.

The Purple Harmony Pillow and Purple Harmony Anywhere Pillows

Cover: Machine wash cold, separately. Lay flat to dry.
Latex Core: Spot clean only. Do not wash the pillow core in the washing machine.

The Purple Freeform Pillow

Outer Cover: Remove liner filled with MicroFlex™ Moon Foam and turn cover inside out, with GelFlex Grid® facing out. Machine wash separately in cold water on gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry.

Liner filled with MicroFlex™ Moon Foam: Spot clean only.

Foam/Fiber Fill: Do not wash.

Throw Pillow Case: Cover must be emptied of fill. Machine wash separately in cold water on gentle cycle. Tumble dry on low. Iron on reverse side with medium temperature.

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Exotic, Colorful, and Unique: Meet the Rare Guppy Breeds You Never Knew Existed

As an avid fish enthusiast, I have spent years studying and breeding guppies of all types. Through my extensive experience, I have come across some truly rare and unique guppy breeds that I am excited to share with you. In this blog post, I will showcase some of the most elusive and beautiful guppies that you may have never seen before. With detailed descriptions and high-quality pictures, I aim to provide you with all the information you need to know about these rare guppy breeds. Whether you are a seasoned fishkeeper or a beginner, I am confident that this post will leave you in awe and inspire you to add these stunning fish to your collection.

Among the rare guppy breeds are the Albino Full Red Guppy, Blonde Tuxedo Guppy, Cobra Guppy, Electric Blue Guppy, Metal Lace Guppy, Half-Black Green Guppy, Dumbo Ear Guppy, Real Red Eye Guppy, Purple Moscow Guppy, each with their distinct coloration and patterns. These rare guppy breeds are highly sought after by collectors and hobbyists alike, and their beauty and rarity make them a fascinating addition to any aquarium.

If you’re interested in learning more about rare guppy breeds, you’re in luck! In the following paragraphs, I will provide in-depth information on each of these rare guppy breeds, including their origins, unique characteristics, and tips on how to care for them. Additionally, I will highlight some lesser-known rare guppy breeds that are equally as beautiful and captivating. So, whether you’re a seasoned guppy enthusiast or simply curious about these rare breeds, keep reading to discover some of the most exquisite guppies that you may have never seen before.

The Blonde Tuxedo Guppy: A Golden Gem of the Guppy World

The Blonde Tuxedo Guppy is a rare and unique guppy breed with a striking golden body and black tail. This beautiful guppy is a variation of the Tuxedo Guppy, a popular guppy breed known for its contrasting body and tail coloration. The Blonde Tuxedo Guppy is highly sought after by guppy enthusiasts and collectors due to its rare and beautiful appearance.

One of the most striking features of the Blonde Tuxedo Guppy is its golden body color. This coloration is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the pigments responsible for producing color in the guppy’s scales. This mutation causes the guppy’s scales to appear gold rather than the typical silver or gray coloration seen in other guppies. The black tail of the Blonde Tuxedo Guppy provides a beautiful contrast to the golden body, making this guppy breed a true gem in the guppy world.

In addition to its unique appearance, the Blonde Tuxedo Guppy is also known for its hardiness and ease of care. This guppy breed is adaptable to a wide range of water conditions and can thrive in a variety of aquarium setups. However, like all guppies, the Blonde Tuxedo Guppy requires a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain its health and vibrant coloration.

If you’re interested in adding a rare and beautiful guppy to your aquarium collection, the Blonde Tuxedo Guppy is definitely worth considering. Not only is this guppy visually stunning, but it is also easy to care for and adaptable to a range of environments. With its unique golden body and black tail, the Blonde Tuxedo Guppy is sure to be a standout addition to any aquarium.

Electric Blue Guppy: A Striking and Rare Variety

How to Care For Guppies – A Complete Guide

The Electric Blue Guppy is a stunning and rare variety of guppy known for its vibrant blue coloration. This guppy breed is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to its striking appearance and relative rarity. In this section, we’ll delve deeper into the characteristics and care requirements of the Electric Blue Guppy.

One of the most notable features of the Electric Blue Guppy is its stunning blue coloration. The body and fins of this guppy are a deep and vibrant shade of blue, which makes it a popular choice for those looking to add a splash of color to their aquariums. The Electric Blue Guppy is also known for its large dorsal fin, which adds to its visual appeal.

While the Electric Blue Guppy is a relatively rare breed, it can be found in some specialty fish stores and online retailers. Due to its popularity, however, it can sometimes be difficult to find Electric Blue Guppies for sale. If you are interested in adding this striking guppy to your collection, it is important to do your research and ensure that you are purchasing from a reputable seller.

In terms of care requirements, the Electric Blue Guppy is similar to other guppy breeds. These fish require a well-maintained aquarium with a balanced and nutritious diet. They also prefer water that is slightly alkaline and a temperature range of 72-82°F. A filtration system and regular water changes are also important for maintaining the health and wellbeing of the Electric Blue Guppy.

Breeding Electric Blue Guppies can be challenging, as this is a relatively rare variety and obtaining breeding stock can be difficult. However, with patience and dedication, it is possible to successfully breed these guppies. It is important to note that inbreeding should be avoided, as this can lead to genetic defects and health issues.

A uncommon and eye-catching kind of guppy, the Electric Blue Guppy will undoubtedly offer aesthetic appeal to any aquarium, to sum up. This particular guppy breed is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts because to its vivid blue coloring and huge dorsal fin. Make sure to complete your homework and give the unusual and uncommon guppy the attention it need to thrive if you’re interested in adding it to your collection.

Metal Lace Guppy: An Elegant and Unique Guppy Breed

The Metal Lace Guppy is a stunning and unique variety of guppy that is known for its distinctive metallic scales and lace-like patterns. This guppy breed is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to its elegant appearance and relative rarity. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the characteristics and care requirements of the Metal Lace Guppy.

One of the most striking features of the Metal Lace Guppy is its metallic scales, which give it a shimmering and iridescent appearance. These scales can range from gold and silver to copper and bronze, depending on the specific strain of Metal Lace Guppy. In addition to its metallic scales, this guppy breed is also known for its lace-like patterns, which can vary in color and intensity.

The Metal Lace Guppy is a relatively rare breed, and obtaining breeding stock can be challenging. However, with patience and dedication, it is possible to successfully breed these guppies. It is important to note that inbreeding should be avoided, as this can lead to genetic defects and health issues.

In terms of care requirements, the Metal Lace Guppy is similar to other guppy breeds. These fish require a well-maintained aquarium with a balanced and nutritious diet. They also prefer water that is slightly alkaline and a temperature range of 72-82°F. A filtration system and regular water changes are also important for maintaining the health and wellbeing of the Metal Lace Guppy.

It is worth noting that the Metal Lace Guppy can be more sensitive to water conditions than some other guppy breeds, and may be more prone to stress and disease if the water quality is not carefully maintained. It is important to monitor the water chemistry regularly and make adjustments as needed to ensure that the Metal Lace Guppy remains healthy and happy.

In short, the Metal Lace Guppy is a distinct and gorgeous guppy breed that will stand out in any aquarium. This guppy breed is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to its sparkling metallic scales and lace-like patterns. If you want to add this unusual and special guppy to your collection, do your research and offer it all the care it need to flourish.

Bronze Guppy: A Timeless Classic

The Bronze Guppy is a classic and timeless variety of guppy that has been popular among aquarium enthusiasts for many years. As its name suggests, this guppy breed is characterized by its bronze-colored scales, which give it a warm and inviting appearance. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the characteristics and care requirements of the Bronze Guppy.

One of the most notable features of the Bronze Guppy is its bronze-colored scales, which can range in shade from light to dark depending on the specific strain of guppy. These scales are typically accented by iridescent highlights, which add depth and dimension to the guppy’s appearance. In addition to its bronze scales, the Bronze Guppy is also known for its long, flowing fins, which can be transparent or colored.

The Bronze Guppy is a hardy and resilient breed that is relatively easy to care for. These fish prefer water that is slightly alkaline and a temperature range of 72-82°F. A well-maintained aquarium with a balanced and nutritious diet is also important for maintaining the health and wellbeing of the Bronze Guppy.

Breeding the Bronze Guppy is relatively straightforward, and this guppy breed is known for its prolific breeding habits. However, it is important to avoid inbreeding, as this can lead to genetic defects and health issues. Additionally, it is important to provide the fry with plenty of hiding places and vegetation to help them survive.

In terms of temperament, the Bronze Guppy is generally peaceful and gets along well with other fish of similar size and temperament. However, it is important to keep in mind that male guppies can be aggressive towards each other, especially when competing for females. Providing plenty of hiding places and breaking up the line of sight within the aquarium can help to reduce aggression among male guppies.

In summary, the Bronze Guppy is a classic and timeless variety of guppy that is sure to make a beautiful addition to any aquarium. With its warm and inviting bronze-colored scales and long, flowing fins, this guppy breed is a popular choice among collectors and enthusiasts. If you are interested in adding the Bronze Guppy to your collection, be sure to provide it with a well-maintained aquarium, a balanced and nutritious diet, and plenty of hiding places to help it thrive.

Albino Full Red Guppy: A Rare Beauty with Unique Genetics

The Albino Full Red Guppy is a truly stunning fish with a striking coloration that sets it apart from other guppy breeds. As the name suggests, this guppy is an albino variation with a full red color that covers its entire body. This unique coloration is due to a combination of recessive genes that create an impressive visual display.

Unlike other guppies that have black or dark-colored eyes, Albino Full Red Guppies have bright red eyes, adding to their beauty and allure. Interestingly, the Albino Full Red Guppy is the result of a genetic mutation that occurred naturally in the wild, and the selective breeding of these fish has led to the creation of more stable and predictable strains.

One of the most fascinating things about Albino Full Red Guppies is their genetics. The red coloration of these guppies is created by a combination of two recessive genes, which means that both parents must carry these genes to produce offspring with this coloration. This can make breeding Albino Full Red Guppies a bit tricky, as both parents need to have the correct genetics to produce offspring with the desired traits.

If you’re lucky enough to breed Albino Full Red Guppies successfully, you can expect to have a beautiful and rare addition to your aquarium. These guppies are highly sought after by collectors and hobbyists due to their unique coloration and rarity. However, it’s important to note that Albino Full Red Guppies require the same care as other guppy breeds, including a balanced diet, clean water, and a suitable environment.

In conclusion, the Albino Full Red Guppy is a fascinating and beautiful fish that is sure to capture the attention of any aquarium enthusiast. With their unique coloration and genetics, these rare guppies are a testament to the diversity and beauty of the guppy world.

The Cobra Guppy: A Striking and Distinctive Breed

The Cobra Guppy is a unique and striking guppy breed known for its distinctive coloration and pattern. This guppy breed is named for its resemblance to a cobra snake, with its dark and bold markings that run along the body and fins. The Cobra Guppy is a popular choice among guppy enthusiasts due to its bold appearance and ease of care.

One of the most notable features of the Cobra Guppy is its distinct coloration and pattern. The body of the Cobra Guppy is typically a light color, such as silver or gold, with dark and bold markings that run along the length of the body and fins. These markings resemble the stripes of a cobra snake and give the Cobra Guppy its unique and striking appearance.

The Cobra Guppy is also known for its ease of care and hardiness. This guppy breed is adaptable to a range of water conditions and can thrive in a variety of aquarium setups. The Cobra Guppy is also relatively easy to breed, making it a popular choice for both beginner and experienced guppy breeders.

Like all guppies, the Cobra Guppy requires a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain its health and vibrant coloration. A diet that includes high-quality flake food, as well as live and frozen foods, is recommended to keep these guppies in top condition. Additionally, regular water changes and proper filtration are important for maintaining the health and wellbeing of the Cobra Guppy.

As you have learned, the Cobra Guppy is a distinctive and striking guppy breed that is sure to add visual interest to any aquarium. With its bold markings and ease of care, this guppy breed is a popular choice among guppy enthusiasts and collectors. If you’re looking to add a unique and visually stunning guppy to your aquarium collection, the Cobra Guppy is definitely worth considering.

Half-Black Green Guppy

The Half-Black Green Guppy is a beautiful and unique breed that is highly sought after by fish enthusiasts. This breed is so named because of its half-black and half-green coloring. The half-black color is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the melanin pigment in the fish’s body, while the green color is produced by iridophores in the skin.

Half-Black Green Guppies are relatively easy to care for and can be kept in a variety of tank sizes. They prefer slightly alkaline water with a pH of around 7.2 and a temperature range of 72-82°F. These fish are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods.

One of the unique features of Half-Black Green Guppies is their ability to change color based on their environment. For example, if they are kept in a tank with a dark substrate, their black coloration may become more prominent. If they are kept in a tank with green plants, their green coloration may become more vibrant.

When breeding Half-Black Green Guppies, it is important to select healthy, high-quality fish with desirable traits. Males are typically more colorful than females and will display their fins and tails to attract mates. Females can give birth to up to 50 fry at a time and will often hide their offspring in plants or other hiding places to protect them from other fish.

Overall, the Half-Black Green Guppy is a unique and beautiful addition to any aquarium. With proper care and attention, these fish can thrive and provide hours of enjoyment for their owners.

Grass Tail Guppy: An Uncommon Beauty with Delicate Fins

If you’re looking for an uncommon guppy breed that’s both visually stunning and delicate, the Grass Tail Guppy might be the perfect addition to your aquarium. This breed, also known as the Fan Tail Guppy or the Grassfin Guppy, is characterized by its unique tail that appears as a delicate fan-like structure, reminiscent of blades of grass. The tail is usually green or yellow, with a metallic sheen, and can be transparent or opaque.

The Grass Tail Guppy is not as commonly found in pet stores or aquarium shops as some of the other guppy breeds, making it a more exclusive and sought-after addition to any aquarium. Their beauty and rarity make them highly prized by guppy enthusiasts, who enjoy breeding and exhibiting these unique fish.

One of the most striking features of the Grass Tail Guppy is their intricate fins, which are long, flowing, and highly sensitive. These fins can be easily damaged, so it’s important to keep the water quality in the aquarium high and avoid any sharp objects that could harm the fins. In addition, because of their delicate fins, the Grass Tail Guppy is not recommended for aquariums with aggressive fish species that could nip at their tails.

The Grass Tail Guppy is a peaceful and social fish that enjoys swimming in schools, so it’s best to keep them in groups of at least four or more. They are also relatively easy to care for and can thrive in a range of water conditions. They prefer a pH level between 7.0 and 8.5 and a water temperature between 75°F and 82°F. A well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and open swimming areas is ideal for the Grass Tail Guppy.

In terms of breeding, the Grass Tail Guppy is an oviparous species, which means they lay eggs that hatch after a few days. Breeding can be done in a separate breeding tank or within the community aquarium, as long as there are enough hiding places for the fry to avoid being eaten by other fish. The fry can be fed with a variety of small foods, including crushed flakes or pellets, and should be kept in a separate tank until they are large enough to join the community aquarium.

You see, the Grass Tail Guppy is a unique and beautiful fish that adds a touch of elegance to any aquarium. If you’re looking for a guppy breed that’s uncommon, visually stunning, and relatively easy to care for, the Grass Tail Guppy is an excellent choice. Just be sure to provide them with a safe and peaceful environment, and they’ll thrive and bring joy to your aquarium for years to come.

Dragon Mosaic Guppy

The Dragon Mosaic Guppy is another rare and stunning guppy breed that is highly sought after by hobbyists. This guppy stands out from others due to its unique mosaic pattern, which looks like scales on the fish’s body. The mosaic pattern is created by a genetic mutation that results in dark pigment being deposited in a random pattern on the fish’s body. This creates a unique and striking appearance that is difficult to find in other fish breeds. The Dragon Mosaic Guppy can be found in a variety of colors, including blue, green, and red.

When selecting Dragon Mosaic Guppies, it is essential to choose healthy and active fish. Look for fish with bright, vibrant colors and avoid any fish that appear sluggish or show signs of disease. Males are typically more brightly colored than females, and their dorsal fins are more pronounced. When properly cared for, Dragon Mosaic Guppies can thrive in a community tank and coexist with other peaceful fish species.

One of the advantages of keeping Dragon Mosaic Guppies is that they are relatively easy to care for. They do well in a tank with a temperature range of 72-82°F and a pH range of 6.8-7.8. They are also not picky eaters and will accept a variety of foods, including flake, pellet, and live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. However, it’s important to avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to health issues like obesity and swim bladder problems.

When it comes to breeding Dragon Mosaic Guppies, it’s essential to select the right breeding pairs to ensure the continuation of the mosaic pattern. Breeding should be done in a separate breeding tank to prevent aggression from other fish and ensure optimal conditions for the fry. The female will give birth to live fry, which can be raised in a separate fry tank until they reach maturity.

As you see, the Dragon Mosaic Guppy is a rare and unique fish breed that is highly prized by hobbyists. Its distinctive mosaic pattern and vibrant colors make it a standout addition to any aquarium. With proper care and attention, these fish can thrive in a community tank and provide endless enjoyment for their keepers.

Dumbo Ear Guppy

Dumbo Ear Guppies, also known as Elephant Ear Guppies, are a unique and fascinating breed of guppies that are known for their large, oversized pectoral fins that resemble the ears of an elephant. This trait is due to a genetic mutation that causes the fins to grow larger than normal, giving the guppy a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other guppy breeds.

In addition to their unique appearance, Dumbo Ear Guppies are also known for their peaceful nature and ease of care, making them an ideal choice for both beginner and experienced aquarium hobbyists. They are typically hardy and adaptable to a variety of water conditions, as long as the water is clean and well-maintained.

One of the challenges of breeding Dumbo Ear Guppies is that the large fins can sometimes make swimming and movement difficult for the fish, particularly for males. Therefore, it is important to select breeding pairs carefully and monitor their offspring to ensure that they are healthy and able to swim properly.

Dumbo Ear Guppies are a fascinating and unique addition to any aquarium, and their distinctive appearance and peaceful nature make them a popular choice among aquarium hobbyists. With proper care and attention, these guppies can thrive and provide years of enjoyment for their owners.

What is the rarest guppy in the world?

One of the most common questions that guppy enthusiasts ask is what is the rarest guppy in the world. The answer is not so simple, as there are different ways to define rarity. Some guppies are rare by species classification, meaning they belong to a different species than the common guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Others are rare by strain or breed, meaning they have uncommon or distinctive features that result from selective breeding by hobbyists or researchers.

By species classification, the rarest guppy is probably the swamp guppy (Poecilia wingei). This species was first discovered in 1937 in Venezuela and is closely related to the common guppy. However, it has some unique characteristics that distinguish it from its cousin. For example, it is much smaller (typically less than an inch in size), has a shorter lifespan (about 6 months), and has highly specific water requirements (soft and acidic water with low conductivity). The swamp guppy is also known as the Endler’s livebearer , after John Endler who studied its natural color patterns and behavior.

By strain or breed, the rarest guppy is harder to determine, as there are hundreds of different varieties that have been created by selective breeding over many generations. Some of these strains are highly prized and sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts, while others are endangered or extinct in the wild. Some examples of rare guppy breeds are:

The Moscow guppy : This breed has a solid color body that can range from blue to purple to black. It also has large fins with contrasting colors or patterns. The Moscow guppy was developed in Russia and is one of the most expensive guppies in the world.
The Dumbo guppy : This breed has big pectoral fins that resemble the ears of an elephant. It also has a fluid tail with various colors and patterns. The Dumbo guppy was named after Dumbo, the elephant character from Disney’s animated film.
The Platinum guppy : This breed has a metallic silver body that reflects light like a mirror. It also has bright colored fins that contrast with its body. The Platinum guppy was developed in Japan and is one of the most beautiful guppies in the world.

These are just some examples of rare guppy breeds that have been created by selective breeding over many years. There are many more varieties that have unique features such as color patterns, fin shapes, body sizes or genetic mutations.

Rare guppies are fascinating and attractive fish that can add beauty and diversity to any aquarium. However, they also require more care and attention than common guppies due to their special needs and sensitivities. If you want to keep rare guppies, you should do your research beforehand and make sure you can provide them with optimal conditions for their health and happiness.

Real Red Eye Guppy: An Unusual and Rare Beauty

Real Red Eye Guppies are one of the rarest guppy breeds due to their unique and stunning appearance. These fish have a distinct red iris that contrasts sharply with their metallic-colored bodies, making them stand out in any aquarium. They are also known as “Albino Red Eye” Guppies and are popular with hobbyists and collectors alike. In this section, we will explore the history, characteristics, and care requirements of Real Red Eye Guppies.

The Real Red Eye Guppy was first bred in Germany in the early 20th century. It is believed that these guppies were created by crossing Albino Guppies with other red-colored guppy strains. The resulting offspring displayed a stunning red iris, making them a popular choice among hobbyists.

Characteristics

Real Red Eye Guppies have a metallic-colored body, ranging from silver to dark blue, with a distinct red iris. The males are generally smaller than females and have more vibrant coloration. They have a rounded tail fin and a slightly upturned mouth, giving them a distinctive appearance. These fish are typically peaceful and can be kept in community tanks with other non-aggressive species.

Care Requirements

Real Red Eye Guppies are relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginners. They require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons and prefer a heavily planted aquarium with plenty of hiding places. They are tropical fish and require a water temperature of 72-82°F and a pH range of 7.0-8.0. These guppies are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods.

Real Red Eye Guppies are prolific breeders and can breed in both freshwater and brackish water. Males will typically display courtship behavior, including flaring their fins and chasing females. Females can give birth to up to 50 fry per month and will typically eat their young, so a breeding box or separate tank is recommended.

Real Red Eye Guppies are a stunning and unique addition to any aquarium. Their striking red iris and metallic-colored bodies make them stand out among other guppy breeds. With proper care and attention, these fish can thrive and breed in a home aquarium.

Purple Moscow Guppy

Purple Moscow Guppies are a unique and striking variation of the Moscow guppy. This breed has a purple hue to its body and fins, which is caused by a specific genetic mutation. The purple coloration is most prominent in males, who also display a distinctive and elaborate tail fin. Females are less colorful, but still possess the signature purple hue.

The origin of the Purple Moscow Guppy is unclear, but they are believed to have been developed through selective breeding. It is likely that breeders first noticed the purple mutation in their Moscow guppies and began selectively breeding for this trait to create the distinct Purple Moscow Guppy breed.

The cost of Purple Moscow guppies can vary depending on a number of factors such as their availability, the breeder, and the quality of the strain. On average, you can expect to pay between $10 to $50 for a pair of Purple Moscow guppies. However, some breeders may charge more for high-quality strains that have been selectively bred for specific traits such as deeper coloration or larger fins. It’s also worth noting that shipping costs may be an additional expense if you’re purchasing Purple Moscow guppies from a breeder located in a different region or country.

Breeding Purple Moscow Guppies can be challenging, as the purple coloration is recessive and can be easily lost if not carefully maintained. Breeders must also pay close attention to water quality, nutrition, and other environmental factors to ensure the health and vitality of their guppies.

Despite the challenges, many hobbyists are drawn to the unique beauty of the Purple Moscow Guppy. These guppies make a colorful and eye-catching addition to any aquarium, and their distinctive traits and genetic mutation make them a fascinating subject for breeders and enthusiasts alike.

Lesser-Known Rare Guppy Breeds You Need to See

While the above-mentioned guppy breeds are some of the most popular and widely known among aquarium enthusiasts, there are many other rare and unique guppy breeds that deserve attention as well. Here are some lesser-known rare guppy breeds that you need to see:

Black Samurai Guppy

This guppy breed is named after its unique coloring, which consists of a black body and red fins. The black coloration is the result of a genetic mutation that causes an excess of black pigment in the skin. Black Samurai Guppies are relatively rare, but their striking appearance makes them a sought-after addition to any aquarium.

Full Platinum White Guppy

This guppy breed is a pure white color with a metallic sheen. They are bred for their white color, which is difficult to achieve due to the presence of other pigments in most guppy strains. Full Platinum White Guppies are known for their delicate and elegant appearance.

Blue Green Moscow Guppy

This guppy breed is a hybrid of the Moscow and Blue Green Guppy strains, resulting in a stunning blend of blue and green coloring. Blue Green Moscow Guppies are relatively rare, and their unique coloring makes them a popular choice among hobbyists.

Gold Cobra Guppy

This guppy breed is a variation of the Cobra Guppy, with a yellow body and black markings resembling a cobra’s hood. The Gold Cobra Guppy is a relatively new strain, but it has quickly gained popularity due to its striking appearance.

Galaxy Guppy

This guppy breed is known for its shimmering metallic scales, which resemble a galaxy of stars. Galaxy Guppies are a new strain, but they have gained popularity due to their unique appearance.

Sunset Fire Tail Guppies

This guppy breed is a variation of the Fire Tail Guppy, with orange and red coloring that creates a sunset-like effect. Sunset Fire Tail Guppies are a relatively rare strain, but their stunning coloring makes them a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts.

In conclusion, while the Albino Full Red Guppy, Blonde Tuxedo Guppy, Cobra Guppy, Electric Blue Guppy, Metal Lace Guppy, Half-Black Green Guppy, Dumbo Ear Guppy, Real Red Eye Guppy, Purple Moscow Guppy are all popular and widely-known guppy breeds, there are many other rare and unique guppy strains that are just as fascinating and beautiful. Whether you’re an experienced aquarium enthusiast or a beginner, exploring the world of guppy breeding can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Caring for Rare Guppy Breeds: Tips and Considerations

If you’ve decided to take on the responsibility of caring for rare guppy breeds, it’s important to understand the specific needs and considerations for these unique fish. Here are some tips and considerations for properly caring for rare guppy breeds:

Tank Size : Depending on the breed, rare guppies may require a larger tank than traditional guppies. Some breeds, like the Grass Tail Guppy or the Dumbo Ear Guppy, may require more swimming space due to their longer tails or larger bodies. It’s important to research the specific needs of each breed and provide an appropriate tank size.
Water Quality : Like all fish, guppies require clean water to thrive. It’s important to regularly test the water parameters and perform water changes as needed. Different breeds may have different preferences for water hardness and pH levels, so it’s important to research the specific needs of each breed.
Diet : While all guppies are omnivores, different breeds may have different dietary requirements. Some rare breeds may require a more specialized diet, such as live or frozen foods. It’s important to research the specific dietary needs of each breed and provide a varied and balanced diet.
Breeding : If you plan on breeding rare guppy breeds, it’s important to have a good understanding of genetics and breeding practices. Some rare breeds may require specific breeding practices, such as line breeding or inbreeding, to maintain their unique characteristics.
Tank Mates : When selecting tank mates for your rare guppies, it’s important to consider their temperament and compatibility with other fish. Some breeds may be more aggressive or territorial than others and may require specific tank mates or tank setups.
Disease Prevention : Like all fish, guppies are susceptible to various diseases and illnesses. It’s important to practice good hygiene and quarantine new fish to prevent the spread of disease. Regular water changes and maintenance can also help prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and parasites.
Research : Ultimately, the most important tip for caring for rare guppy breeds is to do your research. Each breed has its own unique characteristics, needs, and considerations. By taking the time to learn about the specific needs of each breed, you can provide the best possible care for your fish and ensure their health and well-being.

Hi, I'm Wendy. I love fish, especially guppies. I created guppyplanet.com to share information about guppies. I will occasionally write about other fish too.

I hope you will find the content on my website helpful!

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.

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Purple Moscow Guppy Guide | Breeding, Tank Setup, Best Places To Buy

A Purple Moscow Guppy is a specific color variant of the Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) . Guppies are popular freshwater aquarium fish known for their vibrant colors and ease of care. The Purple Moscow Guppy is named for its striking purple coloration.

The Purple Moscow Guppy is characterized by a deep, solid purple hue on its body and fins. The coloration is usually intense and uniform, giving the fish a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. This color variant is highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts and breeders, and is one of the rarest varieties of Guppies.

In this Purple Moscow Guppy Guide we will cover how to breed, how to set up a tank and the best places to buy Purple Moscow guppies

Key Characteristics

Appearance: Purple Moscow Guppy has a deep and solid purple coloration on both the body and fins. The purple hue can vary in intensity but is generally rich and uniform, creating a striking and eye-catching appearance.
Size: Purple Moscow Guppies are small fish , with males typically reaching around 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4-6 cm) in length, while females are slightly larger, ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches (5-6 cm).
Care Requirements: Purple Moscow Guppies are hardy and easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners in the aquarium hobby..
Diet: They are omnivorous and accept a wide range of foods. Their diet should include high-quality flake or pellet food, supplemented with live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
Origin: Selective Tank Bred – The exact origin of the Purple Moscow Guppy is not well-documented, but it’s a selectively bred color variant of the common Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) thought to originate from Russia. Guppies are native to various regions in South America, particularly in countries like Venezuela, Trinidad, and parts of Brazil.
Lifespan: Purple Moscow Guppies have a relatively short lifespan compared to some other aquarium fish, typically living for around 2 to 3 years. Proper care, nutrition, and a stress-free environment can contribute to a longer lifespan.
Social Behavior: Community fish that is suitable for a community freshwater fish tank. Typically swims in the top half of the aquarium.

Purple Moscow Guppy Guide

Maintaining a healthy and thriving aquarium for Purple Moscow Guppies, or any Guppy variety, requires careful attention to tank setup, feeding, and disease prevention. Here’s a comprehensive care guide to help you create the ideal environment for your Guppies:

Tank Setup:

Tank Size: A suitable tank size for a small group of Guppies is at least 10 gallons (38 liters). A larger tank provides more stability and room for these active fish.
Filtration: Install a reliable aquarium filter to maintain water quality. Guppies are sensitive to poor water conditions, so efficient filtration is crucial to remove waste and toxins.
Heating: Guppies are tropical fish and thrive in water temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C). Use a submersible heater with a thermostat to maintain a stable temperature.
Substrate and Decor: Choose a fine-gravel or sand substrate and add live or artificial plants for aesthetics and as hiding spots. Guppies appreciate places to seek shelter.
Lighting: Provide adequate lighting to support the growth of live plants. A timer can help simulate a natural day-night cycle for your fish.
Water Parameters: Guppies prefer slightly alkaline water with a pH level of around 7.0-7.2. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels should be regularly monitored and kept within safe limits through water changes.
Aquascape: Create a well-structured and balanced aquascape, taking care not to overcrowd the tank, as Guppies need swimming space. Adding a cover or lid is advisable to prevent them from jumping out.
High-Quality Diet: Guppies are omnivores and require a balanced diet. Provide them with a high-quality flake or pellet food as their staple diet. Look for products specifically formulated for tropical fish.
Variety: Guppies thrive when offered a varied diet. Supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. This variety enhances their color and overall health.
Feeding Schedule: Feed your Guppies 2-3 times a day, giving them only what they can consume in a few minutes. Overfeeding can lead to water quality issues.

Disease Prevention:

Quarantine New Fish: Before introducing new fish to your tank, quarantine them in a separate tank for a few weeks to observe for any signs of illness. This prevents the spread of diseases to your established community.
Water Quality: Maintain excellent water quality by performing regular water changes and avoiding overfeeding. Clean water is the first line of defense against many diseases.
Stress Reduction: Minimize stress factors such as sudden temperature changes, overcrowding, and aggressive tank mates. Stressed fish are more susceptible to diseases.
Medication: If you suspect a sick Guppy, isolate it in a hospital or quarantine tank to prevent the spread of disease. Consult with a veterinarian specializing in fish or a knowledgeable aquarium store employee for appropriate medication.
Common Guppy Diseases: Keep an eye out for common Guppy ailments like Ich (white spot disease), fin rot, and fungal infections. Early detection and prompt treatment are key to recovery.
Hygiene: Practice good hygiene when working in the aquarium. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling fish or equipment to prevent cross-contamination.
Tank Mates: Choose tank mates carefully. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species that can stress or injure your Guppies. Ideal tank mates include peaceful community fish. Electric Blue Moscow , Red Moscow Guppy Black Moscow Guppy Blue Moscow Guppy

Breeding Guide

Breeding Purple Moscow Guppies, or any Guppy variety, can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Guppies are known for their prolific breeding behavior, making them relatively easy to breed. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to breed Guppies:

1. Prepare Breeding Tanks:

Set up a separate breeding tank. It can be a smaller tank (e.g., 10-20 gallons) with similar water parameters to the main tank.
Ensure the tank is well-established, with stable water conditions, proper filtration, and a heater to maintain a temperature of around 75-80°F (25-27°C).
Add live or artificial plants for hiding spots and a spawning mop for the fry to hide in.

2. Select Healthy Breeding Stock:

Choose healthy and mature Guppies with vibrant colors. Both males and females should be in peak condition.
Make sure the females are sexually mature, which is typically around 3-4 months of age.

3. Introduce Breeding Pairs:

Place a compatible male and female Guppy in the breeding tank. The male will actively court the female by displaying vibrant colors and performing a courtship dance.

4. Provide Suitable Conditions:

Maintain a stable water temperature and quality as mentioned earlier in the tank setup section.
Dim the tank’s lighting to reduce stress and encourage breeding behavior.

5. Monitor for Mating:

Guppies are livebearers, meaning the females give birth to live fry instead of laying eggs. After mating, the female will carry the developing fry in her abdomen.
Monitor the female’s pregnancy; it usually takes about 28-30 days for Guppy fry to develop fully.

6. Isolate Pregnant Females:

As the female’s pregnancy advances, consider isolating her in a separate enclosure or breeding trap within the breeding tank. This helps protect the fry from being eaten by other fish or even the mother herself.

7. Birth and Fry Care:

Once the female gives birth, the fry will be released. Guppy fry are usually independent from birth and can feed on finely crushed flake food, powdered commercial fry food, or baby brine shrimp.
Ensure that the tank has hiding spots, such as plants or a spawning mop, where the fry can seek refuge from adult fish.

8. Feed the Fry:

Offer small, frequent feedings to the fry. Crushed flakes and specialized fry food are suitable choices. Keep water quality high to prevent disease and stunted growth.

9. Growth and Separation:

As the fry grow, you can gradually reduce the frequency of feedings. Separate males and females if possible to prevent overpopulation and inbreeding issues.

10. Repeat the Process:

Guppies are prolific breeders, and the process can be repeated. You can use different pairs for breeding or introduce new genetic variations to diversify your Guppy population.

It’s important to be patient and attentive during the breeding process. Guppies generally breed easily, but successful breeding may take some time and several attempts. By following these steps and maintaining a well-kept breeding environment, you can enjoy the experience of raising your own generations of vibrant Purple Moscow Guppies.

Best Places to Buy and How Much they cost

The best place to buy Purple Moscow Guppies or any specific Guppy variety can vary depending on your location and the quality of guppy you are looking for. Here are a few common options to consider:

Local Fish Stores (LFS): Many local fish stores carry a variety of Guppy strains, including Purple Moscow Guppies. Visiting a reputable LFS allows you to see the fish in person and select the ones you prefer. Prices can vary widely depending on the quality and rarity of the strain, but you can typically expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $10 or more per fish, depending on the fish’s quality and your location.
Aquarium Clubs and Societies: Joining a local aquarium club or society is an excellent way to connect with fellow hobbyists who may be breeding and selling Guppies. These organizations often have auctions or sales events where you can find unique strains. Prices can be competitive, and you might find rare strains at reasonable prices.
Online Retailers: There are numerous online retailers and hobbyist websites like where you can purchase Guppies, including Purple Moscow Guppies. Websites like aquatic arts , Aquabid, eBay, and various specialized Guppy forums offer a wide selection. Prices can vary significantly, with common strains being more affordable and rarer strains commanding higher prices. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $50 or more per fish, depending on rarity and quality. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to consider shipping costs and the reliability of the seller.
Local Breeders: Finding local Guppy breeders through social media groups, forums, or classified ads can be an excellent way to buy Guppies. Local breeders may offer competitive prices, and you can often visit their facilities to see the fish and their breeding setup in person.

When purchasing Guppies, it’s crucial to consider the health and reputation of the seller. Look for sellers who have a good track record, provide clear information about the fish’s lineage, and have a healthy and well-maintained breeding environment. Healthy fish are more likely to thrive in your aquarium.

Guppy fish come in a wide range of color variations, and breeders have developed numerous strains with different colors and patterns. The Purple Moscow Guppy is just one of many beautiful and unique guppy varieties available in the aquarium hobby. When keeping Guppies in an aquarium, it’s essential to provide them with suitable water conditions, appropriate tank mates, and a well-maintained environment to ensure their health and well-being.

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Lee Johnson

Aquarium enthusiast.

I love sharing my knowledge about all things aquarium related. I have been keeping aquariums for over 20 years and cannot imagine a life without an aquarium.

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1. Prepare Breeding Tanks: Set up a separate breeding tank. It can be a smaller tank (e.g., 10-20 gallons) with similar water parameters to the main tank. Ensure the tank is well-established, with stable water conditions, proper filtration, and a heater to maintain a temperature of around 75-80°F (25-27°C).

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