Your travel purposes change regularly. Sometimes it's leisurely, and sometimes you embark on an unplanned business trip. No matter the purpose of your journey and how long it will be, add a travel pillow to your checklist. Even sound sleepers admit that they need a pillow to sleep on comfortably.
Scouring through the endless travel pillows can be tedious even for avid shoppers. Have a look at our handpicked list of 10 travel pillows and our buying guide to help you decide. We chose the Chin Supporting Travel Pillow by BCOZZY as our favorite. It's comfortable, cozy, and supports the neck, chin, and head.
Quick List - Top Travel Neck Pillows
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Table of Contents
The below guide discusses all the points that we took into account while looking for a comfortable travel pillow. Read and muse over the points that you should be acquainted with before clicking the 'buy' button.
Not all shapes of pillows are suitable for you. For a pillow to be called comfortable, it should fit snugly and provide adequate support. It should also stabilize your head despite what sleeping position you naturally take while on the go.
The most common travel pillow is U-shaped. These are available in both inflatable and non-inflatable designs. They fit comfortably around your neck and can be kept in place with Velcro or a snap closure. However, everything comes with a downside, and these raise concerns about not giving enough neck support.
After careful thought and observation, manufacturers have made innovations to the classic travel pillow. J-shaped pillows are the answer to the shortcomings of U-shaped ones. They come with better neck, head, and chin support, allowing the head to be propped up during the travel. It can be tricky to get a J-shaped pillow in place, however.
Hourglass-shaped pillows normally come in inflatable designs. They are highly-versatile in supporting your upper body, especially the neck and upper back. They render great lumbar support as well.
Wrap-style pillows are the ones that appear like a scarf around the neck. Some of these come with a built-in neck brace that’s scientifically proven to offer better support than a classic travel pillow. Their ergonomic design can hold your head steady while sleeping in an upright position. Although portable, not all wrap-styles are firm. They can be difficult to use and position, too.
Neck pillows made for upright sleeping can be a little bulky to travel with, so look for pillows that fold down neatly if you want something that's easy to carry around. Others will come with travel bags or snap closures that can be attached to luggage to make them easier to carry.
When traveling by bus, seats can feel crowded, space around you is limited, and you have no place to rest your head unless you have the window seat. This is why choosing a small, packable, and foldable neck pillow is especially important when riding the bus.
A compressible, rectangular pillow would be the best bet for a long journey in a car or camping van. Once rolled out, it can transform into a foam-filled pillow of adequate size. This can mold to the shape of your head and neck for maximum comfort. When compressed, it shrinks significantly, meaning you can save on space in your luggage as well.
You may need to unroll and let this type of neck pillow air for a while before you use it. This is because they don't all expand immediately, but once fluffed up again they will give you a comfortable pillow.
If you're a backpacker needing a pillow while camping, there is nothing like an inflatable pillow. It takes up less space, and you can inflate it to the desired firmness. Once deflated, you can easily roll it up and store in your backpack, no matter the size. A good quality one can serve the purpose for a few years.
This is an excellent choice for anyone that prioritizes traveling light. Some inflatable pillows need to be manually inflated, but others will inflate automatically and deflate just as easily. Inflatable pillows don't come in as many designs and styles as other pillows but function fine as a basic travel pillow.
When deciding on which neck pillow to buy, it is essential to pay attention to the material it is made of inside and out. You wouldn't want an uncomfortable pillow with a rough exterior, and paying attention to the material used inside will tell you about its density and ability to support your head.
Memory foam pillows are firmer and become soft when they come in contact with body heat. Some memory foam pillows can be easily contoured and adjusted to suit your support requirements. Their ability to firmly support the neck, head and spine is impressive.
These pillows can take some adjustment. At first, they can feel too hard and uncomfortable, but that will pass. A quick way to resolve this is to make the pillow warm before you use it.
Also available are memory foam pillows designed for travelers who tend to get sweaty and hot. These come with sweat-wicking fabric and air circulation vents designed to eliminate heat and absorb sweat. However, they are bulkier than inflatable pillows and are not ideal for backpacking and long road trips.
Lightweight and soft, micro-bead pillows are ideal for those who like something soft to lay their heads on. They can also conform to the shape of your neck and head. Lacking adequate density, they cannot offer the same level of comfort as that of a memory foam pillow, but they're often the more affordable option.
Latex pillows are comfortable, breathable, and soft; they have many small holes inside them that enable good air circulation. The material absorbs sweat and moisture, so no more worries about getting all sweaty while sleeping.
Users have claimed that the pillow relaxes your neck muscles, facilitating better sleep. They are easy to maintain but are not as portable as air pillows. They don't offer the same level of support as memory foam pillows, either.
Inflatable pillows are easy to carry around and do not take up much luggage space. If the pillow needs to be inflated manually, this can be tiresome. You can get inflatable pillows that will inflate automatically, however.
If not maintained properly, even a tiny prick or tear can cause these pillows to deflate. It can also be tricky sometimes to inflate them fully.
Knowing your sleeping position and behavior can determine what kind of pillow best suits you. If you are a head-tilter or tend to lean forward while sleeping upright, go for a wrap-pillow. It can save your head from bobbing and jerking, which will not only cause neck pain but will wake you up.
A standard U-shaped pillow is suitable for those light sleepers who are content with a nap. For fussy sleepers, a J-shaped pillow is the best bet. Depending on how you are seated, you can orient it to assume multiple positions. It offers good neck, chin, and head support for a comfortable sleep.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | BCOZZY Neck Pillow | ![]() | Double Support, Maximum Comfort—Anywhere You Rest | |
2 | Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow | ![]() | Best Twistable Neck Pillow Made With Memory Foam | |
3 | Huzi Infinity Pillow | ![]() | Best Scarf-Style Neck Pillow to Sleep Anywhere | |
4 | Trtl Super Support Travel Pillow | ![]() | Best Neck Pillow for Chin Support While Sleeping Upright | |
5 | J-Pillow Chin Supporting Travel Pillow | ![]() | Best Pillow for Air Travel | |
6 | Travelrest All-in-One Pillow | ![]() | Best Inflatable Pillow for Sleeping on Your Side in a Seat | |
7 | Nido Nest Travel Neck Pillow for Toddlers and Children | ![]() | Best Neck Pillow With Cute Designs for Your Little One | |
8 | Umerci | ![]() | Best U-Shaped Pillow With the Added Bonus of Memory Foam | |
9 | AirComfy AirComfy Self-Inflatable Travel Pillow | ![]() | Best Inflatable Pillow for Neck or Lumbar Support | |
10 | MyPillow Roll and Go Anywhere Pillow | ![]() | Best Roll-up Travel Pillow for Camping |
The BCOZZY neck pillow is a versatile and ergonomically designed travel accessory that provides double support for the head, neck, and chin. Unlike traditional U-shaped travel pillows, BCOZZY's patented design allows for customizable support in various sleeping positions, making it ideal for use on airplanes, in cars, or at home. The pillow can be adjusted to provide chin support, side support, or a combination of both, ensuring maximum comfort and preventing neck pain and sore shoulders. The pillow's flat-back design prevents the head from being pushed forward, helping maintain proper spinal alignment.
Constructed with a breathable fabric shell of cozy microfleece and cool microsuede filled with a soft down-alternative material, the BCOZZY pillow strikes the perfect balance between softness and firmness. It is lightweight, fully machine washable, and easy to carry, with a snap loop for attaching to luggage. This makes it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a reliable and comfortable solution for sleeping while sitting upright. BCOZZY is dedicated to providing personalized head and neck support, enabling users to relax and sleep comfortably in any setting.
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Available in multiple colors, this travel pillow can be twisted into several different shapes to support different parts of your body as required. It has a snap closure that keeps it in place and attaches it to your luggage. The cotton cover is washable and breathable.
The pillow twists due to a flexible spine inside the pillow, and some reviewers state that they could feel this, and it made the pillow uncomfortable. Other reviews say the pillow was supportive and comfortable. Its flexibility means that some reviewers use it for sleeping in bed or even as a leg support, in addition to while traveling.
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This is called the infinity pillow because it can be arranged in an unending Möbius loop. The entire pillow is machine washable, and the outer bamboo fabric is breathable and soft. It can be used in multiple ways to support your neck, arms, or back, and can even be used over your ears to muffle sound.
A few reviewers found it difficult to use this pillow. They weren't sure how to fold it and found it too short for some positions. It's also quite bulky to take traveling with you. However, many reviewers like the versatility of this pillow and say it can be very supportive. They love that it is machine washable and comes with a bag.
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This fleece wrap covers an internal neck support to hold your head steady while you sleep upright. This turtleneck-like accessory snugly fits between your head and shoulder. It wraps around your neck like a scarf while supporting it, too.
Some claimed it to be so short that they had to scrunch hard to rest on it, so we recommend reading size dimensions before purchasing. Otherwise, reviewers say it is comfortable, can be easily packed, or can even hang from a travel bag. They also say it's easy to clean.
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The J-pillow has more chin support than a standard travel pillow and supports you well when rested against a firm surface like the window of an airplane. Its arm goes around your neck, supporting it before resting under the chin. It also comes with a compression bag to stuff it in, which has a loop that goes around your suitcase handle.
Some reviewers found that the pillow slid down, and some found it to be uncomfortable. However, it seems that getting the proper position is key, as many reviewers say this design works better for them than other travel pillows. Some recommend using it in conjunction with the airline's pillow for perfect support.
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This pillow can be inflated with a few puffs and can support your neck and upper body. It offers great torso support and can be easily adjusted to the desired firmness. The loop and buckle system enables quick fastening over car or airplane seats. A tap on its flap can easily deflate it to roll up and stow for travel.
According to some reviews, the pillow requires some fiddling to get comfortable. However, reviewers say that it is easy to inflate and deflate and fold down small. Reviewers like to curl up sideways in their seats say it works great for that position.
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For long road trips, plane travel, or naps in their car seat, kids will love this neck pillow. It comes with a securing button under the chin, so there is no fear of it falling down. This also allows it to stay attached to a suitcase. In comes in cute animal designs, and the breathable fabric lessens the chance of kids getting sweaty.
According to some reviews, the pillow is not especially small, so it may push the head forward if your child is petite. You may want to test this with your child before traveling. Reviewers like that the cover can be removed for easy washing and love the cute designs! They say it stays in place and is very comfortable.
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This versatile U-pillow has dense memory foam to give maximum support for your neck while sleeping in an upright position. Despite the density, it's flexible, so you can mold and twist it into the most suitable position. The cover is breathable, and you can keep the pillow in place with an adjustable strap.
Although memory foam adapts to your shape, it can be hard and firm in the beginning, and some reviewers found the pillow uncomfortable because of this. However, the memory foam is very supportive, and reviewers like how well it holds their neck and chin in place. They also say that the covering material is nice and soft.
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This pillow's inflatable tube comes with a soft, velvety outer covering. The inner foam fill self-inflates, and you can add more air manually to adjust its firmness. You can use it as a neck pillow or to support your back while seated on a long trip.
Some reviewers say that the pillow didn't stay inflated enough to offer them the support they wanted. However, reviewers say that it is easy to inflate and deflate and works well for both neck and lumbar support. They also like that they can attach it to seat rests so it won't slip.
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This is the ideal pillow for those who venture out on camping and road trips frequently and do not want to part with their deep slumber habits. The foam fill offers great head, neck, and lumbar support. You can roll it out to fluff up for use and roll it up to fit it into your travel bag after use.
The common downside to it, according to some reviewers, is that it does not fluff up quickly enough. You should probably give it some time before you lay your head to rest on it. Reviewers like the portability of this pillow and say that it conforms to your head and neck well. They also say it's soft and suitable for use around the house.
A travel pillow can make you more comfortable when you travel, but there are other ways you can make your traveling life easier. We have recommendations for items that will help you on your journeys.
No. 1: BCOZZY|Neck Pillow
No. 2: Dot&Dot|Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow
No. 3: Huzi|Infinity Pillow
No. 4: Trtl|Super Support Travel Pillow
No. 5: J-Pillow|Chin Supporting Travel Pillow
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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