Best Travel Pillow of 2023
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Trtl Pillow -
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow -
Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow -
Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow -
J-Pillow Chin-Supporting Neck Pillow -
Buyer's Guide
If you travel frequently, you know how challenging it can be to get some shut-eye on a long flight or road trip. A good travel pillow can make all the difference between arriving at your destination well-rested or feeling tired and sore. But, with so many travel pillow options available, what’s the best travel pillow on the market? That’s what we’re here to answer! We’ve put together a list of the best-rated pillows for your next travel adventures.
Price legend:
$: 0-25
$$: 26-50
$$$: 51-100
Below, you’ll find our picks for the 5 best travel pillows of 2023. We made our selections based on the products’ price, portability, and level of support and comfort. See what each travel pillow has to offer!
Trtl Pillow
- Effortlessly slides into backpacks for easy transport
- Maximum neck support
- There’s no fill, so it’s not the best travel pillow for people who want an extra soft feel
- Wireless earbuds are challenging to wear while using this pillow
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
- Sustainable — made from recycled and upcycled materials
- Comfortable and breathable
- Less neck support than other travel pillows
- No portable case
Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow
- Has an asymmetrical design that offers support for the neck, chin, and head
- Adjustable closure to fit any neck size
- On the more expensive side
- Not the best for hot sleepers
Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow
- Best travel pillow for people on a budget
- Beneficial for both hot and cold sleepers
- Not machine-washable
- Not as much neck support as other travel pillows
J-Pillow Chin-Supporting Neck Pillow
- Has a chin rest to prevent the head from falling forward
- Soft memory foam fill makes it softer than many other travel pillows
- Difficult to use in a middle seat or end seat
- Bulkier than traditional travel pillows
The Top 5 Best Travel Pillows Reviewed
Trtl Pillow - Best Overall
The Trtl Pillow doesn’t look like your traditional neck pillow but provides maximum neck support while you doze off. It keeps your head from falling too far forward or to the side, so you don’t risk waking with a stiff neck. This travel pillow comes with an adjustable plastic brace that can be worn on either side of your neck. There's also built-in neck support - while it's not obvious or visible from the outside, your neck will thank you after a few hours of comfortable sleep. Its thin design also makes it easy to store and transport.
- Effortlessly slides into backpacks for easy transport
- Maximum neck support
- There’s no fill, so it’s not the best travel pillow for people who want an extra soft feel
- Wireless earbuds are challenging to wear while using this pillow
Material: Hypoallergenic fleece
Filler material: No fill
Portability: Easy to pack and fits in hand luggage
Appearance: Thin, isn’t the common travel pillow U-shape
Cleaning: Easy to clean, machine washable
Price range: $$
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow - Sustainable
The Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow looks like a traditional rectangle-shaped pillow, but it compresses down for easy transport when traveling. It’s made from breathable recycled polyester fabric and memory foam filling for utmost comfort. The toggle strap also makes it easy to compress and fold into the built-in cover for protection during transport. It’s extremely durable and can be used for many trips to come.
- Sustainable — made from recycled and upcycled materials
- Comfortable and breathable
- Less neck support than other travel pillows
- No portable case
Material: Recycled polyester
Filler material: Polyurethane foam
Portability: Doesn’t come with a portable case but can be compressed to fit in carry-on luggage
Appearance: Rectangular in shape like more traditional pillows
Cleaning: Easy to clean, machine washable
Price range: $$
Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow - Most Adjustable
The Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow's 360° ergonomic design provides complete neck support during travel. It keeps your spine properly positioned to prevent neck and shoulder pain. It can easily be adjusted to support the chin, neck, and head. The soft memory foam fill and breathable viscose cover provide ultimate comfort while you snooze. It also compresses to 60% of its size, easily fitting in backpacks and handbags.
- Has an asymmetrical design that offers support for the neck, chin, and head
- Adjustable closure to fit any neck size
- On the more expensive side
- Not the best for hot sleepers
Material: Viscose
Filler material: Memory foam
Portability: Compresses to fit into the included travel bag
Appearance: asymmetrical design that wraps around the whole neck
Cleaning: Cover is machine washable, inside can be spot cleaned
Price range: $$$
Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow - Budget Friendly
The Cloudz Microbead Travel Neck Pillow is a budget-friendly option that offers plenty of comfort. The microbead fill molds to your neck’s shape to keep your head from moving around while you sleep. It’s also temperature-regulating and designed to keep you cool during warm flights and warm during cold ones. Its lightweight but durable design makes it easy to attach to luggage without the risk of damage if it bumps into anything during transport.
- Best travel pillow for people on a budget
- Beneficial for both hot and cold sleepers
- Not machine-washable
- Not as much neck support as other travel pillows
Material: Polyester
Filler material: Microbeads
Portability: Easily snaps around luggage handles
Appearance: Traditional travel pillow U-shape
Cleaning: Cover isn’t removable, but it comes with instructions for easy surface spot-cleaning
Price range: $
J-Pillow Chin-Supporting Neck Pillow - Best for Softness
The j-shape of the J-Pillow Chin-Supporting Neck Pillow wraps comfortably around the neck and supports your chin and the front, back, and side of your head. This is the best pillow for airplane and car window seats. The design allows the pillow to fill in any gaps between your head and shoulders to provide the best possible support. Your head stays securely upright without bobbing forward during sleep.
- Has a chin rest to prevent the head from falling forward
- Soft memory foam fill makes it softer than many other travel pillows
- Difficult to use in a middle seat or end seat
- Bulkier than traditional travel pillows
Material: Polyester
Filler material: Memory foam
Portability: The portable case makes it easy to attach to luggage
Appearance: J-shaped to support the neck, chin, and back/side of the head
Cleaning: Easy to clean, machine washable
Price range: $$
Buyer's Guide
Bestcovery’s Tips for Buying a Travel Pillow
Having a hard time deciding which of these best-rated pillows to use on your next trip? Here are some tips to keep in mind while on the hunt for a new travel pillow.
Consider Your Neck Support Needs
When resting in a car or plane, keeping your head upright is key to preventing neck pain and headaches. However, this can be challenging because the motion of the car or plane can cause your head to bob forward. Look for a travel pillow that will keep your head in a secure upright position without being too tight around the neck.
Easy Portability Is a Must
The last thing you want to worry about while packing is figuring out where to place a bulky travel pillow. The best travel pillows can compact to fit into small carrying cases. You can also look for travel pillows with secure fasteners that quickly attach to luggage handles.
What Filling Material Do You Prefer?
The type of filling you should look for in a travel pillow depends on how firm or soft you like your pillows. Microbead fills have a little less structure and are perfect if you want a softer travel pillow. If you prefer firmer pillows, look for memory foam fills or inflatable alternatives.
