Support your slumber with our travel pillow picks

Buckle up for our travel pillow picks for comfortable, slump-free sleeps on the go

Published Oct 21, 2024  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Photo by Amazon

Whether you’re stuck in the dreaded middle seat on a never-ending plane ride or crammed into the back of a bus, finding a comfortable enough position to catch some quality Z’s on the go feels about as promising as winning the lottery. But fear not, weary traveller, for there is a knight in fluffy armour ready to save the day: the almighty travel pillow.

Let’s be honest, no one is expecting to get their best night’s sleep while travelling — but your pillow doesn’t have to be to blame. Gone are the days when the U-shaped pillow you got complimentary with your flight was the only option. Now, there’s a pillow shape, material and configuration for every type of snoozer.

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While you can find these magical neck supporters at every airport bookstore and major rest stop known to humanity, many simply don’t make the cut when it comes to comfort. If your upcoming vacation involves an excruciatingly long flight or an epic road trip, equip yourself for sleep success with our seven picks for the most remarkable travel pillows you can snag online for every preference.

Summary of the best travel pillows

Best memory-foam option: Ostrich Go Neck Pillow
Best for side-sleepers: Trtl Pillow
Best for versatility: Huzi Infinity Pillow
Best 2-in-1 budget-friendly option: Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow
Best inflatable option: Sunany Inflatable Travel Pillow
Best for window seats: J-Pillow Travel Pillow
Best camp pillow: Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

Best travel pillows explained

Best memory-foam option: Ostrich Go Neck Pillow

Ostrich Go Neck Pillow. Photo by Amazon

One of the greatest enemies of sleeping well on the go is the dreaded mid-nap head slump, which is exactly what inspired the Go Neck Pillow’s unique design. Like traditional U-shaped pillows, this hugs your neck, but unlike its counterparts, this pillow takes support to a whole new level. By offering 360-degree support, every angle of your neck and head is cradled with care. Thanks to its front Velcro enclosure, it stays in position and when not in use, it easily folds down to 60 per cent of its size and fits into the included drawstring storage bag. While the Go Neck Pillow comes with a higher price tag, its luxurious feel and convenience make it worth the investment for frequent travellers.

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Benefits: Sleeve is machine-washable, comes with a storage bag
Material: Rayon and memory foam
Price: $89
Where to buy: Amazon

Best for side sleepers: Trtl Pillow

Turtl Neck Pillow Photo by Turtl

The ultimate ally for the side sleepers among us, Turtl’s proprietary fleece-covered rigid frame gives your neck all the support it needs. Like a stylish neck brace, this pick is great for those prone to neck kinks and is the preferred pillow by nine out of ten participants in a study they conducted. And hot sleepers, fret not! While the original Trtl acts like a cozy, warm scarf, they just launched Trtl Pillow Cool constructed from mesh and cooling Tencel fabric. Whichever model you choose, we love that Trtl doesn’t require any inflating, squeezing, stuffing, or wrestling into a puny carrying case. It proudly packs flat, taking up no more space than your wallet and is ready for action when you need it.

Benefits: Available in four colours, also comes in a cooling version
Material: Fleece
Price: $80
Where to buy: Amazon | Trtl

Best for versatility: Huzi Infinity Pillow

Huzi Infinity Pillow Photo by Amazon

This versatile infinity oval of support allows you to wrap and twist the pillow into the shape that suits your snuggle best. We appreciate that it’s machine-washable, super-soft and breathable, and not only offers neck support but can be used as a lumbar pillow, desk pillow, chin pillow or noise-canceling pillow. Many also recommend it for travelling with kids, and the fact that it comes in four cute colours doesn’t hurt either! The only downside is the bulkiness it will add to your bag.

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Benefits: Versatile for all kinds of sleeping positions, available in ten colours
Material: Bamboo shell, polyester fill
Price: $64
Where to buy: Infinity Pillow | Amazon

Best 2-in-1 budget-friendly option: Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow

Samsonite 2-in-1 Magic Travel Pillow. Photo by Samsonite

The shape-shifting Samsonite Magic Travel Pillow makes our list because it effortlessly transforms from a cozy U-shape to a convenient square-shaped pillow in a matter of seconds — and comes in at a pleasantly affordable price tag. If you want both a regular pillow for car or camp sleeping, but a neck pillow while flying, you can’t beat this micro-bead-filled marvel which is just the right amount of squishy.

Benefits: 2-in-1 design, comes in two colours
Material: Polyvinyl chloride
Price: $35
Where to buy: Amazon | Samsonite

Best inflatable option: Sunany Inflatable Travel Pillow

Sunany Inflatable Travel Pillow. Photo by Amazon

For those who take more of a forward-slouch position when slumbering, this inflatable pillow will turn your lap, tray or desk into nap central. Hugging the flat side against you makes for the perfect position upright if riding on a train, and flipped the other way, you can sink your head right in a la a massage table with it resting on a tray table on a plane. As a bonus, there are arm holes on the sides that allow for air ventilation and a nifty private nook to read or edit your phone pics in.

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Benefits: Inflatable
Material: Polyvinyl chloride
Price: $20
Where to buy: Amazon

Best for window seats: J-Pillow Travel Pillow

J-Pillow Travel Pillow. Photo by Amazon

This wonderfully comfy choice is a window-seat superhero in a car or airplane. Wedged up against a hard surface with the trunk under your chin, the plush J-Pillow keeps your head upright and in place while you move with an adjustable wrap around your neck. It comes with a durable clip for attaching to your bag or carry-on and is a nice compact size.

Benefits: Great for window seats
Material: Polyester and foam
Price: $63
Where to buy: Amazon

Best camp pillow: Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow Photo by Amazon

Designed to pack small and deliver big comfort when you’re home away from home, the Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow is our luxury pick while camping and road-tripping. Surprisingly ultralight, it packs up to a little larger than a typical water bottle (14 x 5 x 6 compressed) and fluffs out to a generous 14 x 18 x 4-inch pillow. It has a perfect fill level to satisfy all, and the brushed fabric feels like heaven on the face. Plus, it’s safe for the washing machine so you can freshen it up between campfires or plane rides.

Benefits: Comes in two sizes
Material: Brushed polyester cover and urethane fill
Price: $69
Where to buy: Amazon

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