Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
As a professional bedding reviewer, I take sleep seriously. That’s why I scoured the web to find the best — and in some cases the weirdest — travel pillows out there. After hours of research, rigorous testing, and plenty of rest in my car, I put together a list of the five best travel pillows.
Each pillow was handpicked for a specific reason, whether it’s 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. No matter what, I’ve got you covered.
Check out my top picks below and scroll down to the bottom of the page to find my detailed travel sleep tips. Safe travels!
Our Verdict: What’s the best Travel Pillow?
I named the Ostrichpillow as the best overall pick. It takes what you know about travel pillows and turns it into 360 degrees of support. Simply wrap it around your neck and fasten it with velcro, and you’re good to go. It’s made with slow-moving memory foam that comes inside a stretchy, soft cover, which makes traveling feel so much more comfortable.
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 Home Crystal Cove Mini Charcoal Pillow – Best Memory Foam Travel Pillow
- Pillow Cube – Best Travel Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Huzi Infinity – Best Cooling Travel Pillow
- NEMO Fillo – Best Travel Pillow for Camping
How We Choose Our Products
Our team of Certified Sleep Experts have tested over 100 sleep accessories, using proprietary, hands-on testing for each product. While not all the products on this list have individual reviews, they were all personally handled by the writer to ensure quality.
When composing this list, I considered products that elevate the typical travel pillow experience. Many traditional travel pillows have a U-shaped design. The pillows I considered for this list were all designed with travel in mind, and those that go around the neck offer 360 degrees of support. There are also some smaller, traditionally shaped pillows on this list that are intended for portability and travel.
The Best Travel Pillows: Video Review
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
3.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
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 I’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 We Love About the Ostrichpillow Go
- This pillow goes beyond the traditional U-shaped travel pillow. I love that I can wrap it around my entire neck to help support my head.
- The soft, slow-moving memory foam is very dense, so it further amplifies that support and prevents your head from moving around as you sleep.
- It’s easy to transport. You can wrap it around your suitcase handle, or you can work it back into its dust cover so it won’t take up a lot of space in your suitcase.
What to Keep In Mind About the Ostrichpillow Go
- At full price, the Ostrichpillow Go is around $60. Personally, I find this to be a worthy investment, which is why I named it my Editor’s Pick. However, if you’re not always on the go, you may want to opt for a cheaper pillow. Some travel pillows can be as inexpensive as just $15.
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.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
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 We Love About the BCozzy Neck Pillow
- This pillow surrounds your neck and can be fastened in the front with velcro, giving you exceptional chin support.
- You can make it nice and compact or attach it to your suitcase handle for easy transport.
- It comes in a variety of sizes and colors for just about any preference, making it a good choice for both kids and adults.
What to Keep In Mind About the BCozzy Neck Pillow
- There aren’t any specific cooling features, so if you run hot, you might feel hot and sweaty with this pillow.
- It’s not as durable as other travel pillows on the market.
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.
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
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 a pillow, but it still offers great neck support.
Trtl combines soft polyester fleece and an inner, plastic band to give your neck 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 fleece, it feels incredibly soft.
Trtl also sells the trtl Junior, which is the company’s travel pillow made 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 We Love About the trtl
- Thanks to the unique design, it’s easy to make this pillow flat and fit into your suitcase without taking up too much room.
- It’s offered in a few different color options.
- The outer cover is fully machine-washable.
What to keep In Mind About the trtl
- Some customers found that the trtl felt comfortable at the start of their travels, but towards the end, the plastic support poked through the fabric.
Best Organic – 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.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
If you want to travel with an organic, eco-friendly pillow, Avocado is a great choice. The company makes organic products through and through, and the mini pillow is no exception.
The mini molded latex pillow is the company’s standard molded latex pillow — but smaller! It features a single slab of latex foam that has been perforated to allow airflow.
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 We Love About the Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow
- The Mini latex pillow is a great option for eco-conscious shoppers because it contains materials that are certified organic and ethically sourced.
- It won’t trap heat thanks to its breathable cotton cover and charcoal infusion.
- It has a bouncy, but supportive feel, so it should be comfortable when you prop it up against a window or a wall.
What to Keep In Mind About the Avocado Mini Molded Latex Pillow
- There’s no way to compress the pillow. It might take up valuable suitcase space if you try to pack light.
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.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
If you love to rest on memory foam pillows at home, then you’re in luck! You can have it in your travel pillow, too. The Brentwood Home mini charcoal pillow is the perfect memory foam pillow for traveling.
This pillow features shredded, charcoal-infused memory foam. This material has a classic slow-moving feel, but the presence of charcoal means it won’t trap heat or odors. Plus, this pillow maximizes breathability with its thin 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.
What We Love About the Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Mini Pillow
- It features shredded, charcoal-infused foam that has been designed to sleep cool, so it’s a win for hot sleepers..
- It has an outer, removable cover that can be machine-washed.
- You can take out filling from the inner pouch to accommodate your sleeping position.
What to Keep In Mind About the Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Mini Pillow
- This is another pillow that is just a smaller version of your standard pillow. While you can remove the fill to make it flatter, it might take up valuable suitcase space.
- The adjustability is a great feature of this pillow, but it’s easy for the fill to get everywhere when you open up the pillow. This can make it tricky to keep clean while on the go.
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!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The makers of the Pillow Cube designed its pillow specifically for side sleepers. It’s designed specifically for side sleepers, because it fits perfectly and comfortably in the space between your shoulder and your neck. Coming in at 5″ thick, it can offer some much needed support up against a wall or a window. Or if you have the capacity to lay down, it’ll keep your head and neck elevated while you rest.
This pillow is made with 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.
What We Love About the Pillow Cube Side Kick
- 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.
What to Keep In Mind About the Pillow Cube Side Kick
- This pillow can’t be compressed, and it measures 24″ by 12″, so it will take up valuable storage space.
Read my 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.
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Getting sleep while traveling is already difficult, and you don’t need to add overheating 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, which is great for hot sleepers.
This unique pillow doubles as a scarf of sorts. You put it on by wrapping it around your head and neck. For some, such a design might cause concern for feeling ot and sweaty. But again, that bamboo viscose cover shouldn’t make you feel hot and stuffy. And if you don’t want to wear it, you can bundle it up and place it up against a wall or window and use it as a cushion.
What We Love About the Huzi Infinity Pillow
- It’s made from breathable and moisture-wicking bamboo viscose, so it’s a win for hot sleepers.
- This pillow has easy care instructions: Throw the whole thing into the washing machine!
- It comes in six different colors, is affordable, and can even double as a scarf. This is a truly versatile pillow.
What to Keep In Mind About the Huzi Infinity Pillow
- Though you can twist and wrap the pillow around your neck, it’s a very thin pillow. Even when I wrapped it around my neck, I didn’t find that this pillow offered a ton of neck support.
Best for Camping – NEMO Fillo
Nemo Fillo Pillow
The Nemo Fillo pillow is a compact pillow that’s perfect for travel and camping. You inflate the pillow in seconds thanks to its ergonomic valve. It packs down to the size of a potato.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
Campers may use a traditional U-shaped travel pillow to get to their camping destination, but that pillow won’t do much when it comes time to sleep in a tent or cot. The NEMO Fillo was designed specifically for camping, and you can fill it up with either air or clothing.
To fill the pillow up with air, you pull out the breathing tube and blow into the pillow until you find a loft or firmness that fits your needs. But if you’d prefer to use it as storage, your own clothes can help give the pillow some extra cushioning and height.
What We Love About the NEMO Fillo
- If you opt to fill the pillow up with air, you can do so with the tube and blow into it. It can fill up with air very quickly so you won’t be huffing and puffing into it for very long.
- It can double as extra storage for clothing.
- The outer cover is machine-washable for easy care.
What to Keep In Mind About the Nemo Fillo
- This pillow is prone to get dirty often. Be it the elements or using used clothing to fill the inside up, this pillow will need a thorough cleaning when you get back from your adventures.
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?
Size
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
Filling
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
Price
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.
Summary
| Pillow | Best For |
| 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 |
| NEMO Fillo | Best Travel Pillow for Camping |
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.
Best Travel Pillows FAQs
How do I choose a travel pillow?
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!).
What is the best travel pillow for long flights?
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.
Are travel pillows worth it?
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.