The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024

WDC NEWS 6 STAFF June 3, 2024

7 8 minutes read

Whether you’re traveling by train, plane, or automobile, chances are you’ll find yourself nodding off to sleep during a long-distance journey. Unless you’re the type that can fall asleep anywhere, finding a comfortable position can be a literal pain in the neck if you’re not lucky enough to be in a lie-flat business- or first-class seat. When the head and neck are left unsupported, you might wake up with aches and pains, or worse—you may not be able to sleep at all.

To remedy this, seasoned travelers often rely on a travel pillow to provide the support crucial for a more restful slumber. Once limited to an inflatable horseshoe-shaped plastic cushion design, the latest iterations of this handy travel accessory feature more comfortable materials and ergonomic shapes. For expert insight on how to shop for travel pillows, we spoke with Julia Forbes, sleep product expert at Sleep Advisor. If you’re in the market for a travel pillow, read on to see our top recommendations and tips on what to look for when buying.

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Amazon

The simple design of the Ostrichpillow Go makes it a lightweight, cozy choice and our top pick for comfort on the go. This travel pillow is made from high-density BASF memory foam and can be adjusted to a variety of neck sizes, thanks to a Velcro closure. The asymmetrical sides let you find the perfect height to support your chin as you sleep while leaving your ears unencumbered for use with smaller headphones or earbuds.

The Ostrichpillow comes in four calming colors and features a modal cover that can be removed and machine washed. When not in use, it can be compressed to 60% of its size and tucked into its travel bag for easy storage.

Material: Memory foam with modal cover | Size: 10.5 by 9.5 inches | Care: Cover is machine washable

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Amazon

If you’re looking for a travel pillow with big value, this inexpensive option from Napfun delivers. It has a traditional semicircle shape made of memory foam that keeps your head supported while preventing strain on the neck and shoulders. An adjustable toggle allows you to fit the pillow as snugly as you prefer, and its contoured shape offers chin support while making room for your ears. This is particularly useful if you’re planning to use earbuds.

While it only comes in one size, it can accommodate a wide range of necks and is available in several colors. It also has a carrying case and a removable cover that can be machine washed for easy maintenance.

Material: Memory foam with removable cover | Size: Not specified | Care: Cover is machine washable

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Pluto Pillow

This luxe model from Pluto is designed to act as your own sensory deprivation pod, equipped with a built-in eye mask and hood to keep lights and sounds at bay. The hood has a bit of structure and padding to keep you comfortable when leaning against the wall in a window seat, while the wrap-around design of the neck cradles your head no matter which way you tend to tilt while sleeping.

The hood can be adjusted for size, and it’s also roomy enough to fit over most over-the-ear headphones. It can be used without the hood like a more traditional neck pillow and can be rolled up and packed away for storage (though it is one of the bulkier models on this list). The cover can be removed, machine washed, and line dried for easy cleaning.

Material: Memory foam, Alcantara, Spandura, WPS mesh | Size: 12 by 6 by 4 inches (closed), 31 by 15 inches (open) | Care: Cover is machine washable

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Amazon

This award-winning travel pillow was designed by Gemma Jensen, a former flight attendant from Virgin Atlantic, who created over 200 prototypes before landing on its final design. The J-shaped trunk curls under and supports the chin and neck while you rest your head against a cushion, mimicking the wall of a plane’s window seat.

With a soft fleece exterior and foam core, it’s extra comfortable for short and long-haul flights, and it packs into an included carrying case that attaches to your luggage with a snap. It’s also machine washable to get rid of any debris, stains, or other airport germs you may have come in contact with during your travels.

Material: Memory foam, poly fleece | Size: 10 by 6 by 8 inches | Care: Cover is machine washable

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Amazon

This traditionally styled travel pillow uses a horseshoe-shaped cushion to provide support for the head and neck. The adjustable front clasp makes it great for those who don’t love having their neck completely encased, and the raised sides are contoured to keep your head supported and jaw comfortable. What makes this great for the car is the seat strap system, which lets you secure the pillow in the center of your headrest to prevent slouching.

It comes with a machine-washable cover and a carrying case to store the compressed pillow when it’s not in use. One caveat is that the height of the pillow might be too high for some, so you’ll have to try it to ensure it fits correctly. Other than that, it’s an affordable and supportive option for long car trips and any other activity where you’ll remain seated for an extended period of time.

Material: Memory foam with microsuede cover | Size: 10 by 9.5 inches | Care: Cover is machine washable

Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow

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REI

This durable inflatable pillow is perfect for all types of travelers, whether you’re catching a transcontinental flight or backpacking up a mountain. It folds flat and packs to just 4.3 by 2.7 by 1.8 inches in its carrying case, ideal for anyone concerned about space in their luggage. A mini valve allows you to inflate the pillow with just a few breaths or deflate quickly for storage.

The classic horseshoe shape of this pillow supports the neck and head, and the front clasp has three snap options for optimal fit. The fabric is a soft but durable polyester knit that is stain resistant and can be hand washed as needed.

Material: TPU Polyurethane and 50D polyester knit | Size: 15.3 by 11.4 by 4.3 inches (inflated), 15.3 by 11.4 by 4.3 inches (deflated) | Care: Hand wash only

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Amazon

Regardless of how you sleep while seated, this neck pillow from Bcozzy is designed to support you: It can be adjusted in three ways to accommodate the way you lean when sitting in window, middle, or aisle seats on a plane. The double-loop design helps keep the chin propped up and supported to prevent neck pain and achy shoulders by encouraging better posture when seated.

This microfiber pillow is fully machine washable, making it very easy to keep clean. It has an attached snap strap that clips to luggage, and it comes in a variety of sizes for both kids and adults.

Material: Microfiber | Size: 10 by 10 by 4 inches | Care: Cover is machine washable

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Amazon

These kid-specific travel pillows come in several fun designs, including sharks, dragons, penguins, and unicorns. Made of soft memory foam in a semi-circle design, they provide just enough ergonomic support to prevent head rolling while sleeping. A snap closure helps add chin support and doesn’t push your little one’s head forward, ensuring proper posture while seated.

Each pillow’s cover is removable and machine washable, and the entire pillow is soft enough to double as a plush toy for your kid to snuggle with.

Material: Memory foam | Size: 9.8 by 10.2 inches (ages 3 to 8), 12 by 13 inches (ages 9 to 12) | Care: Cover is machine washable

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Trtl

If you tend to run hot while sleeping, this cooling version of the popular Trtl Pillow might be just the trick for waking up refreshed after an in-flight snooze session. This model has Trtl’s patented internal support system hidden in a cushioned, cooling Tencel sleeve that wraps around like a scarf. The fabric keeps the head from bobbing or drooping and allows for an ergonomic, restful position, and the Airmesh venting panel keeps air circulating around the neck. The Tencel cover is anti-odor and anti-bacterial, and easy to care for since it’s both removable and machine washable.

The design of this travel pillow is much more compact than traditional horseshoe-shaped cushions, making it very easy to transport. It also comes with a waterproof carrying case that keeps it protected while traveling.

Material: Plastic, Tencel, memory foam | Size: 10.5 x 9.5 inches | Care: Cover is machine washable

Final Verdict

If you’re searching for a high-quality travel pillow to keep you supported in transit, the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is our top choice. We like its simple design, adjustability, and lighter weight for easy portability. For a more affordable option, the Napfun Neck Pillow for Traveling offers plenty of comfort and support at an easy price point.

How to Shop for Travel Pillows Like a Pro

Shape

The classic horseshoe or semicircle used to be the only shape for a travel pillow, but these days, there are a few more options. The overall design of the travel pillow you choose should align with your specific sleep style. If you tend to lean to one side, you’ll want a pillow that provides lateral neck support. If you tend to drop your head forward, you may want a pillow with good chin support. If you want a travel pillow to use while you’re sporting headphones or earbuds, you want to also be mindful of how much clearance you have around your ears.

Portability

When picking out a travel pillow, portability is a big consideration—with space being at a premium in many situations, the best travel pillows are easy to tote in addition to any other luggage you may have. Look for travel pillows that compress and come with some sort of carrying case to contain your cushion when not in use. If you’re extremely limited on space, an inflatable pillow might be your best bet.

Fill Material

The fill material of your travel pillow can greatly affect its performance, so be sure to pick a cushion made from something dense enough to support the weight of your head. Memory foam is a very popular choice here, as it tends to be supportive while also molding to the contour of your head and neck.

Care

Traveling can expose your pillow to germs, dirt, dust, and grime, so you’ll want to be able to clean it every so often. While spot cleaning and wiping down your travel pillow can be fairly efficient, the best pillows can either be put right into the wash or have some sort of removable cover that can be washed by machine or hand.

Questions You Might Ask

What kind of travel pillow is best for long-distance flights?

“You’ll want to pick up a memory foam travel pillow for those lengthy flights,” Forbes says. “These pillows adjust to fit your neck and head, making them great for extra support so you can actually get some rest while you’re up in the air.”

Are memory foam travel pillows better than inflatable ones?

“Yes,” Forbes says. “They’re more comfortable since they mold to your body, they last longer without losing shape, and they’re ready to go without needing inflation.”

Can travel pillows be washed?

It depends on the model. Some feature covers that can be taken off for washing while others are spot-clean only (and a rare few can be tossed in their entirety into the washing machine). Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm how to clean your pillow properly.

Are travel pillows worth it?

Simply put: yes. “A good travel pillow prevents neck pain and discomfort by keeping your neck aligned,” Forbes says. “Thinking about the better sleep and comfort you get [with a travel pillow], it’s definitely a smart choice for regular travelers.”

Why Take Our Word for It?

Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles-based writer specializing in global food, wine, and lifestyle content. A frequent flier to Hawaii, Europe, and various food and drink meccas across the country, she is always on the lookout for gear and accessories that make traveling easier and more comfortable. For this roundup, she spent hours researching top travel pillows you can buy online and tapped Julia Forbes, sleep product expert at Sleep Advisor.

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The 9 Best Travel Pillows of 2024

Final Verdict