Your guide to the best travel neck pillows for uninterrupted sleep

For many, sleeping on an airplane isn’t an easy task.

Unless you’re lucky enough to have a first-class ticket, it’s likely you’ll be trying to sleep upright during your flight. As a result, you may find it difficult to get into a comfortable position — and falling asleep is a challenge.

If this is an accurate summary of your travel experiences, we have a solution. And that is to invest in a good travel pillow.

With the right one, your head, neck and shoulders will be supported comfortably and finally, you can catch some quality shuteye while traveling.

To help you select the best travel pillow that will suit your sleeping style, our editors rounded up six top-tier options — each with different features and made of different materials, so you can find your perfect match.

Read more: Browse the best travel hairdryers to pack with you

Our top picks for travel neck pillows

Our top pick overall

BCOZZY Neck Pillow for Travel

Jump to details

£44.97 at Amazon

Best memory foam pillow

Core Products Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Jump to details

$37.23 at Walmart

Best inflatable option for full body support

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow & Neck Pillow

Jump to details

$50.76 at Walmart

Best for neck support

Brookstone Travel Pillow

Jump to details

$17.97 at Walmart

Show 2 more

Our top pick overall

BCOZZY Neck Pillow for Travel

You save $15 (25.01%)

$44.97$59.97

£44.97 at Amazon

Pros & Cons

• Machine-washable

• Hypoallergenic fabric

• Pricier than competing models

We’ve seen a lot of neck pillows and most of the time, they have the traditional “U-shape.” The BCOZZY travel pillow is similar, but it takes the standard design a step further.

Its patented design wraps all the way around the neck to provide chin support when sleeping facing forward. And it’s made to be flexible, so you can bend it in half and use it for side sleeping. A great perk for those with a window seat! 

If your head tends to roll back and forth when you sleep, this pillow fixes that, too. It gives you ample support and holds your head in place securely and comfortably.

Additionally, it’s made from hypoallergenic microfleece material, which is great for those with sensitive skin. And the microsuede shell allows air to circulate, so you won’t overheat while wearing it around your neck.

This lightweight pillow comes with a carrying case and snap loop, which can be easily attached to your bag for convenience. As an added plus, this pillow is available in two adult sizes and two kids’ sizes, so the whole family can get some rest on the long flight or drive. Perfect for snorers, side sleepers, and people with neck pain, this is, without a doubt, the best airplane pillow.

Best memory foam pillow

Core Products Memory Foam Travel Pillow

$37.23

$37.23 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Memory foam for customized comfort

• Includes a machine-washable cover

• Design not compatible with headrests

• May be too firm for some sleepers

If you’re already searching for a travel pillow, why not look for one that can be used both on and off the road? The Core Products traveling pillow doubles as one of the best pillows you can use at home, especially if you are a back or side sleeper.

If you suffer from headaches, this pillow’s thick, plush body cradles the neck and head in a way that prevents headaches caused by neck pain and stiffness. The latex-free memory foam material not only protects you from allergic reactions but also ensures you get customized support, whether you sleep on your back or side.

The traditional U-shape design and its firm density make it the perfect companion on a long flight. Plus, this particular memory foam pillow is also lightweight and small enough to store in your carry-on, making it the ideal flight pillow.

Best inflatable option for full body support

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow & Neck Pillow

$50.76

$50.76 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Provides full body support

• Inflatable for convenience

• Perfect for middle and aisle seating

• Selling out fast

• Requires set up

With an ergonomic patented design, this model by Travelrest is the ultimate travel pillow for those who can’t seem to get comfortable while flying or riding in the car.

How? Not only does it support your neck and head, but this inflatable airplane pillow also holds your entire upper body. This is a feature missing from most other travel pillows.

This additional support is great for all travelers, but it’s especially convenient if you have the middle seat. This is because you can wear it across your body for full lateral support to keep you upright. And as an added bonus, you can attach it to your airplane or car headrest to keep it in place.

Easy to inflate, this pillow requires just a few puffs of air to blow it up to full size. And when you’re done using it, simply deflate it, roll it up into its cover and attach it to your luggage. It couldn’t be easier.

Best for neck support

Brookstone Travel Pillow

$17.97

$17.97 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Contoured design provides customized neck support

• Affordable compared to competing models

• Lightweight and portable

• Available in only two colors

• Cinch-strap closure can finicky

This is one of the best travel neck pillows —  thanks to Brookstone. Crafted from high-quality responsive memory foam, this model is made to provide your neck with ample support.

Encased in a soft fleece cover, the 100% memory foam insert gives your neck and head the perfect customized support so that you can rest in comfort. The ergonomic design ensures this pillow sits comfortably on your shoulders, and you can even use it at your back for lumbar support. With its locking snap and “hoodie-style” cinch closure, you can quickly attach it to your bag for a hands-free walk (or run!) to your terminal.

When traveling (and sitting in crowded airports), it’s common for your items to get a bit dirty. To ensure your pillow is easy to clean, it comes with a machine-washable fleece cover. So, all you have to do is remove the insert and put the casing in the wash.

Best for kids

Hudson Neck Pillow Giraffe

You save $8.00 (40.02%)

$11.99$19.99

$11.99 at Target

• Machine-washable

• Available in 11 cute animal designs

• Affordable value for the price

Pros & Cons

• Only one size available for all ages

• No closure

We can’t forget that the little ones in our lives also need to catch some shuteye while traveling. And since it’s for the kids, we love how Hudson designed this animal-themed fun to make it extra appealing to children.

Perfect for kids ages 3 months and up, this mini U-shaped pillow is designed to give your smallest traveler a comfortable travel experience. It’s made from an ultra-soft micro-plush material and the flexible, polyester filling is designed to stabilize their heads while they sleep. 

Whether your little ones are in a car, stroller, or airplane seat, this travel pillow is sure to make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Best-rated travel pillow

Samsonite Comfort Neck Pillow

$18

$18 at Samsonite

Pros & Cons

• Snap-closure makes storage and transportation easy

• Great value for brand name

Only available in one color

Our list wouldn’t be complete without including Samsonite, a well-known brand in the travel industry. When it comes to travel accessories, Samsonite is king, so it’s no wonder this travel pillow is the best-rated with an average of 4.4 stars.

With the classic U-shape design, this pillow can be considered a portable neck rest for all your travels. The soft-covered filled form does exactly what a traveling pillow is made to do: it gives you adequate head and neck support. The snap-closure makes it easy to attach to your bag for hands-free transportation and the price makes buying this travel pillow a total no-brainer.

What to look for in a travel pillow

Rather than impulsively buying a flight pillow at the expensive airport shop, it’s a good idea to consider what you really need in order to get the best possible sleep.

To find the best travel neck pillow, here are the most important things to consider: 

•  Fabric: We all have preferences when it comes to what we’re putting against our skin. Some pillows are made with latex, and others are made with hypoallergenic materials, such as microfleece and microfiber. By choosing the right material, you can ensure a comfortable allergy-free trip.

• Filling: If you’re not buying an inflatable travel pillow, you’ll want to consider which type of filling feels most comfortable and supportive to you. Some pillows feature memory foam while others are filled with polyester fiber filling; some have gel while others have microbeads. To choose, consider how firm or soft you’d like, if you prefer head shape responsiveness (like with memory foam) — and whether you have allergies.

• Purpose: Knowing the kind of support you need (neck, head, lumbar, etc.), and for whom you are purchasing the travel pillow, will help you choose the right shape and size.

Our verdict

Travel neck pillows provide comfort while traveling — even when you have an economy-grade ticket. To help you narrow down the selection, we selected our top three pillows to shop now.

• BCOZZY neck pillow:If you’re looking for customized comfort for your trip, we recommend this for the best all-around head and neck support, and extra points for the stylish design options. 

• Hudson neck pillow: Of course, we had to include the best airplane pillow for little ones. With fun animal designs and an affordable price, this neck pillow will definitely make traveling with your children easier.

• Travelrest ultimate neck pillow: Speaking of babies, if your goal is to sleep like one until your destination, this is our favorite for quality sleep on long-haul flights, whether in the middle or aisle seat. 

Whichever you choose from our list, you’re guaranteed to own one of the best travel neck pillows on the market.

Prices updated on 05/03/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.