Between crowded seats, crying babies and limited leg room, 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
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 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.
Related
The best travel pillows to consider in 2024
Below, we rounded up a selection of the best travel pillows based on NBC Select staff recommendations, ratings and expert advice.
Best overal 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
- Soft
- 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
- Lightweight
- 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
- 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
- Soft feel
- Machine-washable
- 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
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.
