Travelling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but it often comes with its share of discomforts. Long flights, road trips, and train rides can leave you feeling sore and unrested, especially if you’re not equipped with the right accessories. A good travel pillow can make all the difference, turning a potentially painful journey into a restful and enjoyable experience. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the best travel pillows of 2024, tested and reviewed by experts, to help you find the perfect companion for your next adventure.
Why a Travel Pillow Is Essential
When travelling, sleep becomes an invaluable resource. Whether you’re trying to catch some shut-eye on a red-eye flight or simply resting during a long drive, a travel pillow can provide the comfort and support your body needs. Unlike regular pillows, travel pillows are designed specifically to support your neck and head in an upright position, preventing stiffness and pain. By choosing the correct pillow, you can attain a state of refreshment upon arrival, equipping you to embark on your explorations.
What to Look for in a Travel Pillow
Before we dive into our top picks, let’s take a moment to consider what makes a great travel pillow. It is crucial to remember the key factors outlined below:
- Comfort: The pillow should provide ample support without being too firm or too soft.
- Portability: A good travel pillow should be easy to pack and carry. Look for options that can be compressed or rolled up.
- Durability: Since you’ll be using your travel pillow on the go, it needs to be able to withstand the rigors of travel.
- Material: The fabric should be soft against your skin, breathable, and easy to clean.
- Versatility: Some pillows offer additional features like adjustable straps or multi-use designs, which can add to their overall value.
Our Top Picks for the Best Travel Pillows of 2024
1. Best Travel Pillow: Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow is a top-tier option for those who prioritize comfort and support. Its adjustable design allows you to customize the fit to your specific needs, whether you prefer support for your neck, chin, or head. Despite its luxurious feel, it’s surprisingly portable, rolling up into a compact size that fits easily into its drawstring bag. This pillow is ideal for frequent travelers who want to ensure they get the best rest possible on the road.
Why We Love It: The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow stands out for its asymmetrical design, which caters to various neck, chin, and head support preferences. It feels like sleeping on a cloud, thanks to its plush memory foam filling. This pillow is not just about comfort; it’s about luxury. The high-quality materials and design make it a standout choice for those looking to invest in better sleep during travel.
What to Consider: The memory foam can trap heat, so it might feel warm around your neck if you’re prone to overheating while sleeping.
Specifications:
- Material: Viscosa, memory foam
- Size: 10.5 x 9.5 inches
- Care: Machine washable cover
- Extras: Carrying case included
2. Best Travel Pillow: Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow
The Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow is designed with the serious traveler in mind. The adjustable straps allow it to attach to any headrest, ensuring that your head stays in a comfortable position throughout your journey. The chin strap adds another layer of security, keeping your head from tipping forward as you sleep. While it may take some time to get used to, once you find your perfect position, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without it.
Why We Love It: The Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow is perfect for those who need a little extra support. The innovative chin strap keeps your head from bobbing forward, which can be a common issue with other pillows. The memory foam interior strikes the perfect balance between firmness and coziness, making it an excellent choice for long-haul flights or road trips.
What to Consider: The pillow might feel stiff at first and requires some time to break in.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester, microsuede, foam
- Care: Machine washable cover
- Extras: Carrying case included
3. Infinity Pillow Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: The Infinity Pillow is a versatile option that can be adjusted to fit your needs, whether you’re looking for neck support, a chin rest, or a back cushion. Its modular design allows it to be used in a variety of ways, making it a great choice for travelers who want more flexibility.
What to Consider: The pillow’s cushioning is fairly soft, so it may not provide as much support as a firmer memory foam pillow.
The Infinity Pillow is a unique option that offers more flexibility than traditional travel pillows. Its long, scarf-like design can be wrapped around your neck once for light support or twice for a more snug fit. While it may not offer the same level of support as a memory foam pillow, its versatility makes it a favorite among travelers who value adaptability. The bamboo fabric is soft and breathable, ensuring that you stay comfortable even during long trips.
Specifications:
- Material: Bamboo, nylon
- Size: 39.3 x 6.6 inches
- Care: Machine washable
4. Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: It provides a balance of support and firmness while maintaining a comfortable level of flexibility. It offers 360-degree support for your neck, chin, and jaw, ensuring that you stay comfortable no matter how you lean.
What to Consider: This pillow is best suited for travelers who know they prefer firm support.
The Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow is a great choice for those who need a little extra support while they sleep. The firm memory foam keeps your neck in place, preventing any uncomfortable slouching or craning. It’s also incredibly portable, folding into a small ball that can easily be clipped onto a backpack or suitcase. Plus, it comes with additional accessories like earplugs and an eye mask, making it a comprehensive travel sleep kit.
Specifications:
- Material: Velour, polyester, memory foam
- Size: 11.81 x 11.42 x 3.54 inches
- Care: Machine washable cover
- Extras: Carrying case, earplugs, eye mask included
5. Pluto Pillow Pod
Why We Love It: The Pluto Pillow Pod is a game-changer for travelers who struggle to sleep in bright environments. It features a cozy hood with a built-in eye mask, providing total darkness and a sense of privacy even on the most crowded flights.
What to Consider: It’s on the pricier side, so it’s best for those who don’t mind splurging for extra comfort.
If you’re someone who finds it hard to sleep on planes due to light and noise, the Pluto Pillow Pod could be your new best friend. The hooded design blocks out light and muffles sound, creating a cocoon-like environment that’s perfect for sleep. While it might look a bit unusual, its functionality more than makes up for it. The high-quality materials and thoughtful design make this pillow a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers.
Specifications:
- Material: Alcantara fabric, WPS mesh
- Size: 12 x 6 x 4 inches (folded)
- Care: Machine washable
6. Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: For those who love the luxury of silk pillowcases at home, the Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow brings that same comfort to the road. The silk material is gentle on both skin and hair, making it a must-have for anyone who values their beauty sleep.
What to Consider: At 12 by 16 inches, it’s larger than most travel pillows, so you’ll need to make sure you have space in your luggage.
The Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow is the epitome of luxury travel. Made from high-quality mulberry silk, it’s not only incredibly soft but also hypoallergenic and breathable. This pillow is perfect for travelers who want to maintain their beauty routine on the go, as the silk fabric helps to prevent hair breakage and keeps skin smooth. While it’s larger than typical travel pillows, its luxurious feel and benefits for skin and hair make it worth the extra packing space.
Specifications:
- Material: Mulberry silk, cotton sateen, polyester
- Size: 12 x 6 inches
7. BUYUE Travel Neck Pillow
Why We Love It: The BUYUE Travel Neck Pillow offers customizable support, with thick cushioning that can be rotated to support any part of your head, whether it’s the side, back, or front.
What to Consider: Even with the drawstring bag, the pillow takes up a significant amount of space in a backpack.
The BUYUE Travel Neck Pillow is designed for those who like to adjust their pillow to fit their needs. With thick cushioning on one side, you can rotate the pillow to provide support wherever you need it most. Whether you’re sitting upright or leaning against a window, this pillow adapts to your position, ensuring that you stay comfortable throughout your journey. The breathable fabric is soft against your skin, and the removable cover makes it easy to keep the pillow clean.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester, spandex
- Size: 8 x 8 x 8 inches
- Care: Machine washable cover
- Extras: Carrying case included
8. Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: This versatile pillow from Samsonite can be used as both a neck pillow and a rectangular pillow, offering great value for those who want a multi-use option.
What to Consider:
The transformation process can be a bit tricky, so it might not be ideal if you need to switch configurations quickly.
The Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow is a unique option that gives you the best of both worlds. When you’re on the move, use it as a traditional neck pillow for support. Once you’ve reached your destination, it easily transforms into a rectangular pillow, perfect for use in a hotel bed or on a train. The memory foam filling provides excellent support in both configurations, ensuring that you stay comfortable no matter how you use it.
Specifications:
- Material: Fleece, memory foam
- Size: 11 x 10 x 2 inches (neck pillow); 15 x 10 x 2 inches (rectangle pillow)
- Care: Machine washable cover
9. Lewis N. Clark Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: The Lewis N. Clark Travel Pillow features an adjustable strap that ensures a secure fit, which is especially useful for those who toss and turn in their sleep.
What to Consider: The pillow is more of a mid-range option in terms of price and performance, so it might not be the best choice if you’re looking for premium features.
The Lewis N. Clark Travel Pillow is a reliable and affordable option for travellers who need a no-fuss solution. The adjustable strap keeps the pillow securely in place, while the soft fabric and memory foam filling provide plenty of comfort. It’s not the most luxurious option on our list, but it gets the job done without breaking the bank. Plus, it compresses down easily, making it easy to pack in any carry-on.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester, spandex
- Size: 10 x 12 x 3 inches
- Care: Machine washable cover
10. Best Travel Pillow: TRTL Pillow
Why We Love It: The TRTL Pillow is a revolution in travel pillows. It looks more like a scarf than a pillow, but the internal support system provides excellent neck support while remaining incredibly lightweight and compact.
What to Consider: It might take some time to get used to the unique design.
The TRTL Pillow is unlike any other travel pillow on the market. Instead of a traditional U-shape, this pillow wraps around your neck like a scarf, with internal supports that keep your head and neck in the perfect position for sleep. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to pack, making it a great choice for travelers who want to travel light. While it may look a bit unconventional, the TRTL Pillow offers some of the best support we’ve seen in a travel pillow.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester fleece, foam
- Size: 18 x 7 x 7 inches
- Care: Machine washable
Conclusion: Which Travel Pillow Is Right for You?
When it comes to choosing the best travel pillow, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow and Gingerlily Silk Travel Pillow are excellent choices. For those who prioritize versatility and portability, the Infinity Pillow and Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow offer great value. And if you’re seeking innovative design and unparalleled support, the TRTL Pillow is a must-have.
No matter which pillow you choose, investing in a quality travel pillow is one of the best decisions you can make to ensure a comfortable journey. Don’t forget to comment below with your own travel pillow experiences or any other top recommendations you have for 2024!
