The 10 Best Neck Pillows For Travel, According To Experts

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

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

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

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

Best Overall Neck Pillow For Travel

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

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

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

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

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Best Neck Pillow For Travel For Window Seats

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

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

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

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

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

Best All-In-One Neck Pillow For Travel

Boasts a hood, eye mask and neck support.

Pluto Pillow

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

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

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

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

Best Cooling Neck Pillow For Travel

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

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

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

Best Inflatable Neck Pillow For Travel

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

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

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

Best Neck Pillow For Travel With Chin Support

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

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

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

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

Best Firm Neck Pillow For Travel

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

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

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

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

Best Soft Neck Pillow For Travel

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

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

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

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

Most Versatile Neck Pillow For Travel

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

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

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

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

What To Look For In A Neck Pillow For Travel

Support and comfort.

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

Portability

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

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

Are Neck Pillows Good For Use On Planes?

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

Should I Get A Memory Foam Neck Pillow?

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

Jessica Timmons

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SNUGL Neck Travel Pillow - Memory Foam Airplane Pillow - Flight Pillow | Neck Support Travel Pillow with Carry Bag & Clip | Neck Pillows for Sleeping Travel Plane | Flying Travel Essentials - Grey

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About this item

  • THE WISE CHOICE FOR COMFORT - When did you last enjoy a comfortable sleep on a flight? Have you always had difficulty sleeping on planes? Were you unable to find an airplane neck pillow that worked for you? That's about to change with the SNUGL memory foam neck pillow! Our neck support pillow is scientifically designed to mold to your shape, lessening the chance of waking up with aches and pains which is common with other travel pillows for airplanes.
  • REVERSIBLE DESIGN - Unlike other travel pillows for adults, the SNUGL travel neck pillow is completely reversible to help you find optimal comfort for your sleeping habits. This makes it the perfect airplane pillow for long flight as the shape of our memory foam travel pillow molds ideally to the contours of your neck and shoulders, helping you maintain natural alignment while resting, napping and sleeping. See why we are one of the best travel neck pillows for adults in the US.
  • SOFT YET SUPPORTIVE WITH DUAL ADJUSTABLE STRAPS - The unique ergonomic shape of our neck pillow travel cushion was developed in Great Britain using our VISCO-ELASTIC memory foam. The SNUGL memory foam plane pillow is soft, yet supportive providing you with comfort for uninterrupted sleep. The dual adjustable buckle straps on our travel neck pillows for airplanes allows you to find the ideal fit for your neck size. Our neck pillow for traveling supports adults neck sizes from 9" upwards.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE WITH TRAVEL BAG - The SNUGL neck pillow airplane cushion is designed with convenience and portability in mind. You can roll the hooded traveling pillow up to reduce the size by 70%. Also, our ergonomic pillow for neck comes with a small storage bag that you can easily pack inside your luggage, or attach to the outside with the included Carabiner Clip; save precious space while travelling! Pick between a black, blue, dark grey, grey, navy, red , green teal, yellow and olive green SNUGL flight neck pillow with hood & enjoy your flights!
  • BREATHABLE FABRIC & WASHABLE - Our plane neck pillow for long flights is covered with breathable, super soft & 100% skin-friendly Elastic Cationic Fabric. Compared to other neck travel pillows for airplanes that use Velour or Fleece fabrics, our cover prevents your neck from overheating & excessive sweating. The cover of the SNUGL neck travel pillows for adults is removable and washable. It’s like taking a new neck pillow for travel with you on every trip. Makes a great gift for travelers.
  • 60 DAYS PEACE OF MIND RETURN POLICY- At SNUGL we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and support. Our team is based in the UK and we will respond to your emails 7 days a week. We offer you a 60-day Money Back Guarantee AND a 12-month Warranty. If you're not 100% satisfied with your purchase of the travel pillow for airplanes just let us know and we'll give you back your money. See why our pillow is one of the best flying essentials & airplane travel accessories.

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At SNUGL our overriding ambition is to give our customers the comfort they deserve.

We strive to provide the best in terms of quality, design, practicality and comfort.

Our products are specifically designed to make our customers' lives healthier, safer, and more comfortable as they sit, sleep, move, and travel.

HOW WE GOT STARTED

SNUGL was established in 2017 when the co-founder and inventor Luke came back to the UK after a year of travels around the globe.

As a world traveller Luke had tried every travel pillow imaginable to constant disappointment and neck aches.

Comfortable travel felt far from reach, but it became obvious to Luke that he would never find what he was looking for unless he did it himself – from this realization, SNUGL was born.

WHAT MAKES OUR PRODUCTS UNIQUE?

Quality is of the utmost importance in every design, material, production, and finished piece. Our standards are the highest in the market. We spend more so our clients can feel the difference.

The Memory Foam in each of our products was originally developed for NASA and provides unmatched support and comfort.

Every design comes from our in-house innovation team in Cardiff, Wales. We research, test, develop, and test again so every design is of great quality, long-lasting, and comfortable. Taking those extra steps ensures our customers are receiving the very best.

QUALITY IS NOT JUST IN THE PRODUCT, IT IS IN OUR SERVICE

As a small family-owned business we strive to provide a stress-free shopping experience for our customers.

Our lovely Amy will make sure that every inquiry is responded to within an hour, seven days a week!

We are so proud of our products and designs, that we stand by them. If our customers are unhappy with the product, we have a 60-day return policy, no questions asked.

24 HOURS PRODUCT REPLACEMENT

Although we strive to deliver the highest quality products, some small defects can slip through our quality control.

If this ever happens to your SNUGL rest assured, you will receive a replacement within 24 hours!

Just drop us an email and we will take care of it for you. Our contact details can be found in each owner’s manual found inside the product packaging.

WE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Creating positive change for our customers is important to us but so is the environment.

All of our packaging is recyclable and by vacuum packing our larger products, we reduce our carbon footprint to preserve the planet as best we can.

Giving back is an essential part of our company culture. Humans aren’t the only ones in need of comfort and safety, which is why we make regular donations to help conserve and protect Barn Owls and their environment.

Product Description

Embark on a journey of unparalleled comfort with the snugl travel pillow.

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Showcasing a thoughtful reversible design, SNUGL elevates your travel experience as the memory foam adapts to your contours, providing personalized support. With versatility at its core, SNUGL ensures you can relax in your preferred position, making every moment of your journey a restful escape!

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Experience versatile comfort with the SNUGL Travel Pillow featuring a unique reversible design.

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SNUGL's ergonomic design ensures comfort wherever your journey takes you!

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Experience the freedom to take comfort wherever you go, making your travels hassle-free with SNUGL!

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SNUGL Travel Pillow: Rolls up, reducing size by 70%. Effortlessly portable for on-the-go comfort.

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Keep your travel companion fresh and clean for every journey!

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Choosing the right size for your SNUGL Travel Pillow is easy! Determine your size based on your height, not neck circumference. Both pillows support a neck size of 9" upwards. If you're above 5'8", opt for the Adult Regular size. If you're below 5'8", the Adult Small size is perfect for you.

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Experience luxury with SNUGL Travel Pillow - crafted from premium, hypoallergenic materials. The outer cover, removable with a hidden zipper, ensures easy care. Beneath, memory foam is shielded by an inner hypoallergenic cover for added comfort and hygiene. Enjoy comfort without compromise.

Great To Use At Home!

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Perfect for TV watching or computer use, it offers personalized support for every cozy moment.

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Elevate your gifting game with the SNUGL Travel Pillow. Beautifully packaged in a stylish color box, it's the perfect present for any occasion. Give the gift of comfort and sophistication with SNUGL.

Versatile comfort extends beyond travel! SNUGL Travel Pillow, with its ergonomic design, is your ideal companion for home relaxation.

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Customers say

Customers like the comfort, versatility, and support of the body positioner. For example, they mention it's soft, cozy, and can be used in multiple positions. Some appreciate the compactness and quality.

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Customers like the comfort of the body positioner. They mention it's soft, compact, and can be used in multiple positions. Some say it'll provide several hours of solid restful sleep.

"...Its memory foam adapts well and it’s firm and soft at the same time. It comes with a travel back and a clip to attach to your bag. Best Buy ever!" Read more

"...Makes long flight, especially overnights, infinitely more comfortable with much less post-flight neck pain." Read more

"...It gives me everything I was looking for: Comfort - soft yet firm to hold head in place, cooling to the touch...." Read more

"This is top of the line. SNUGL is above all other neck pillows. It’s so soft , compact, and can be used in multiple positions...." Read more

Customers like the versatility of the body positioner. They mention that it's soft, compact, and can be used in multiple positions. They also say it'll provide perfect support and a snug fit. The pillow is the perfect travel neck pillow for all sleepers. It comes with a travel case and clip to attach to your bag. Customers also say that it is the best airplane pillow.

"...It comes with a travel back and a clip to attach to your bag. Best Buy ever!" Read more

"This was the perfect travel neck pillow for ALL SLEEPERS...." Read more

" Versatile positioning , almost perfect support, snug fit, rolls up well...." Read more

"...Care - removable cover to washExtras - comes with a travel case and clip to attach to bag/backpack..." Read more

Customers like the support of the body positioner. They mention that it truly supports the neck, has a snug fit, and rolls up well. The foam is soft enough for comfort, but firm enough to keep the head supported. They also say that it doesn't have to flex uncomfortably or painfully. Customers also love the support given by the height, memory foam, and clips.

"...It’s really comfortable keeping my neck straight . Its memory foam adapts well and it’s firm and soft at the same time...." Read more

"...it on my most recent trip after losing my other one and I had no neck aches or pains after sleeping the whole (3hr) flight...." Read more

"Versatile positioning, almost perfect support , snug fit, rolls up well...." Read more

"...My neck doesn't have to flex uncomfortably or painfully. Also used it as a bed pillow in place of uncomfortable hotel pillow." Read more

Customers like the compactness of the body positioner. They say it has a snug fit, rolls up well, and has memory foam that adapts well. Some say the body is large and solid, making packing a chore.

"...It’s really comfortable keeping my neck straight. Its memory foam adapts well and it’s firm and soft at the same time...." Read more

"...I like how you can roll it up and make it compact . After you unroll it, it expands quickly. The fabric didn't make my neck sweat while tightened...." Read more

"Versatile positioning, almost perfect support, snug fit , rolls up well...." Read more

"...Fit - comes with adjustable strap, buckle is tight , straps stay put, and NO GAP at the opening when buckled..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the neck pillow. They mention that it is a solid pillow, it is large and firm, and the best neck pillow ever.

"...It is large and solid so packing could be a chore...." Read more

"The best neck pillow ever . I use it every day while reading or watching tv" Read more

"...Otherwise, the product itself feels good quality ." Read more

Customers like the body positioner for its ability to roll up. They say it provides perfect support, a snug fit, and is compact. Customers also appreciate the adjustable features.

"...I like how you can roll it up and make it compact. After you unroll it, it expands quickly. The fabric didn't make my neck sweat while tightened...." Read more

"Versatile positioning, almost perfect support, snug fit, rolls up well ...." Read more

"...This works perfectly. If I fall asleep my head does not move . Love that its adjustable also." Read more

Customers find the body positioner very usable, and say it works perfectly. They also say it's comfortable and would work nicely for most travel use.

"This pillow would work quite nicely for most travel use . It is large and solid so packing could be a chore...." Read more

"... This works perfectly . If I fall asleep my head does not move. Love that its adjustable also." Read more

"Comfortable and very usable ..." Read more

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The Best Travel Pillow

Sabrina Imbler

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

travel neck pillow near me

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

travel neck pillow near me

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.

travel neck pillow near me

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.

travel neck pillow near me

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

travel neck pillow near me

Sabrina Imbler

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

Further reading

A person sitting on a couch wearing a black Pluto Pod Travel Pillow with the eye mask pulled over their eyes.

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

by Dorie Chevlen

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

The Trtl travel pillow.

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

by Elissa Sanci

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

A selection of our favorite gifts for travelers, including Aesop travel cosmetics, a book on national parks, an eye mask, and more.

The 36 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers

by Samantha Schoech

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

One of our testers, in a side-sleeping position on one of our picks

The Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

by Jackie Reeve

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

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