If Your Travel Pillow Doesn't Come With Earplugs, You're Seriously Missing Out
If Your Travel Pillow Doesn't Come With Earplugs, You're Seriously Missing Out
A ride to the airport with no traffic, a plane that leaves on time, and a hotel clerk that casually offers you a free upgrade when checking in are all great ways to start a vacation. What doesn't equal a good way to start your fun in the sun? Waking up at your destination with a crick in your neck from snoozing on your less than first-class worthy travel pillow.
"When you don’t use a travel pillow, the head is going to flop around and mostly fall forward and to one side or the other," explains chiropractor Steve Hannegan, D.C. "When this happens, the joints get pressed together and the muscles stretch causing stiffness and pain. This may be temporary or it could persist requiring intervention by a chiropractor to correct the restrictions caused by the stress on the joints."
Lucky for you, WH did the work to search the internet high and low for the top travel pillows (and travel backpacks and best suitcases, should you be shopping for that too!). All you need to do? Have sweet dreams while you’re on your next long flight or road trip.
You might even find a pillow that's so comfortable you end up using it around the house. So, go ahead and keep your head in the clouds with these 16 amazing travel pillows. Your neck will appreciate the gesture.
1) Travel Pillow
Sleep Number
sleepnumber.com
$49.99
"So comfy" is an understatement. One of the best travel pillows on the market, this little baby from Sleep Number features a unique blend of memory foam and down-alternative fibers. It’s plush, designed in an ergonomic shape for that extra comfy-cozy factor, and features a clasp to attach to your luggage. Its removable cover is machine-washable, too.
Weight: Not provided
Dimensions: 12 x 17 inches
Care: Remove insert and wash cover only, tumble dry low
Rave review: "I travel a ton for work and struggled getting a decent nights sleep. My new travel pillow made all the difference. Consistent support no matter what city I’m in."
2) DriDown Pillow
Sierra Designs
$29.95
Thrill-seekers, it’s time to add this to your camping gear. You can use the DriDown pillow top with the synthetic insert for an extra plush feel, or save weight by leaving the insert at home and filling the pillow with clothing. Plus, it comes with its own sack for storage.
Weight: 4.2 ounces
Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 2.5 inches
Care: Hand-wash and air dry
Rave review: "I found it to be the perfect pillow for me while backpacking the Appalachian trail. I told everybody on trail that out of all my gear, this is the best purchase I made! Love it!"
3) HEST Pillow
HEST
rei.com
$79.00
This travel pillow checks all the boxes. It’s comfy, features a soft surface, and packs up small. Whether you’re using it in the air or on the road, you’re sure to love this delightful travel pillow that can be folded to half its size.
Weight: 2 pounds
Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 8 inches
Care: Cover is machine-washable
Rave review: "...The foam is so dense and contours to your head. I can see why other reviewers want to use this pillow at home too. My partner said they didn’t want me to get one for them, then after trying it out they tried to continually steal mine during camping trips."
4) Infinity Pillow
Huzi
amazon.com
$39.90
They call it a "wearable cloud." I call it your new travel BFF. This amazing travel pillow features a patented loop design so you can arrange it to fit your various needs. It's a neck cushion, window pillow, back support, noise-muffling pillow—you name it. It’s also supremely soft thanks to the bamboo fabric, and the temperature-regulating microfiber fill is a winner.
Weight: 1 pound
Dimensions: 13.78 x 5.51 x 7.87 inches
Care: Machine-washable
Rave review: "I bought this pillow for a 2.5 hour plane ride and 5-night hotel stay to ward off neck aches induced by flat pillows. I’ve used it every night since, and also while watching TV."
5) Nap X Pillow
Yogibo
$25.00
Courtesy of its ergonomic design, this neck pillow adjusts like a glove to the grooves of your neck and delivers stellar support and comfort. Also, it has a built-in eye mask which is perfect for a daytime snooze.
Weight: 0.5 pounds
Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 6 inches
Care: Machine-washable cover, tumble dry low
Rave review: "I really liked this because the Yogibo beads allow you to adjust the support, it's got a built-in eye mask, and a place to store ear plugs and AirPods or similar. Plus you can wash it! We bought two!"
6) Zipparoll Pillow
Yogibo
amazon.com
$25.00
This smartly-crafted pillow for your back and neck zips from a round pillow into a flat pillow to suit your preferences (and space constraints). You can even use it between your knees when you're curled up at home on the couch.
Weight: 0.75 pounds
Dimensions: 13 x 15 x 3 inches
Care: Machine-washable cover, tumble dry low
Rave review: "Fabulous, multi purpose cushion. Can be used as a seat cushion, a neck roll, for lumbar support or just to elevate your knees. Contents don't settle or shrink so it retains its shape after vigorous use. Seams are well sewn, so no bursting under pressure."
7) Natural Latex Travel Pillow
Sleep Artisan
sleepartisan.com
$44.99
Sleep experts have designed this natural latex and down-alternative travel pillow to be customizable, so you can remove as much of the latex fill as you need to create the right amount of cushion for your noggin. Did I mention the proprietary fill is naturally hypoallergenic, dust mite-resistant, anti-microbial, and made with eco-friendly materials?
Weight: Not provided
Dimensions: 18 x 13 inches
Care: Spot clean only, machine-washable cover sold separately
Rave review: "Searched for two years to replace my neck pillow and could not find one that would work like my old one. Found this one and immediately bought a second—it is fabulous and perfect!"
8) Travel Neck Pillow
Fosmon
amazon.com
$17.99
Why love this travel pillow? Let me count the ways...For one, it’s got the perfect amount of memory foam to keep your head cradled. For two, it’s made with breathable fabric and has a front closure so it stays in place while you doze. Oh, and one last reason—it’s got a machine-washable cover.
Weight: 11.4 ounces
Dimensions: 13 x 8.1 x 3.8 inches
Care: Machine-washable cover
Rave review: "I was out before the plane took off. Highly recommend this over anything. Especially the throw away pillows at the airport."
9) Travel Pillow
TALLGO
amazon.com
$18.99
Neck relief awaits! This memory foam travel pillow is pretty in pink (other colors are also available) and delivers on the comfort front. You’ll want to bring it with you every time you leave home thanks to its ergonomic design that is meant to promote cervical spine health.
Weight: 10.4 ounces
Dimensions: 6.85 x 6.02 x 5.51 inches
Care: Machine-washable
Rave review: "I was so worried about flying overnight and early in the morning after being up all night, so I ordered this pillow to see if I could get comfortable enough to rest. It did NOT disappoint. I have several health issues that make sitting up painful, so I lay mostly and sitting through a flight seemed impossible. This pillow was so comfy, formed right to me, and I slept during each flight."
10) Inflatable Travel Pillow
Povinmos
amazon.com
$19.99
This "Amazon’s Choice" product comes in a variety of colors and features a large air valve for easy inflation and deflation. It easily packs into a small tote and may very well be the difference between ending your travels feeling exhausted versus fresh and restored.
Weight: 10 ounces
Dimensions: 11.8 x 13.8 x 21.7 inches
Care: Spot clean
Rave review: "I LOVE long distance driving. My daughter is my road warrior and is now 17 and can take turns driving. We both enjoy the pillow to catch some rest on the road. The design allows for several different sleep positions so you can shift to avoid stiffness. Durable, easy to inflate, and the finish keeps you from sticking."
11) Hooded Inflatable Travel Pillow
Sunany
amazon.com
$21.99
This travel pillow features an attachable hood—an ideal feature if you’ve got AC blowing directly down on you on a plane, train, or bus. The velvet fabric is also superbly comforting. Plus, it comes with an eye mask and earplugs.
Weight: 5 ounces
Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.1 x 2.9 inches
Care: Machine-washable cover
Rave review: "I love this pillow. It is very comfortable and the material of the cover is so soft. I love collecting travel accessories as I do love to travel long flights. This is a great addition to my travel accessory collection. It's the best travel pillow I ever had."
12) Camping Travel Pillow
Wise Owl Outfitters
amazon.com
$21.95
If you have a camping trip in the books, consider this memory foam pillow. It’s easy to clean, compact, and comes in a waterproof stuff sack. Choose from green, grey, or blue color options. Or, buy one of each and give as gifts to fellow tenting enthusiasts.
Weight: 11 ounces
Dimensions: 14 x 18 inches
Care: Machine-washable, dryer-friendly
Rave review: "I bought this travel pillow to use on a long flight with my family. First off, this compressible pillow is incredibly lightweight and so easy to travel with...It’s got an amazing memory-foam feeling, but with the sturdiness of a sponge pillow."
13) Feather Soft Microfiber Neck Pillow
World's Best
amazon.com
$10.99
Another "Amazon’s Choice" find, this wonderfully soft travel pillow comes in a wide variety of colors. It features a snap closure to keep it in place around your neck and is made with hypoallergenic materials.
Weight: 11.6 ounces
Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 13 inches
Care: Machine-washable
Rave review: "This is without a doubt the best, most comfortable pillow in this style I’ve ever tried!!...It’s firm enough to be supportive, yet super soft at the same time. Most importantly, the material does not irritate my very sensitive skin AT ALL."
14) Organic Mini Pillow
Avocado Green Mattress
avocadogreenmattress.com
$49.00
Made with safe, non-toxic fabrics, Avocado Green Mattress' pillow is filled with a mix of organic fiber and latex. Its moisture-wicking cotton outside will keep you cool and comfortable, all of which means it's perfect for you and your family wherever your next adventure takes you.
Weight: 0.9 pounds
Dimensions: 20 x 12 inches
Care: Spot clean, machine-washable cover sold separately
Rave review:"Exquisite. The only word for it. I like a flatter pillow, so [this] was perfect."
15) Stuffable Travel Pillow
Rumpl
nordstrom.com
$35.00
Campers love this lightweight pillow and pillowcase. If you want to leave the pillow at home to save on space, fill up the case with your hoodie or PJ's for the smartest and comfiest packing sitch.
Weight: Not provided
Dimensions: 11 x 16 inches
Care: Machine-washable
Rave review: "This is awesome! I am older, so I need a pillow, but I also hate packing them, because most of them take up way too much room. So I've been just using my down vest stuffed under my head. But of course, the vest does not keep a nice pillow shape. But now it will!"
16) Mulberry Silk Travel Pillowcase
LilySilk
amazon.com
$25.00
Yes, it’s just a pillowcase, but that means you can fill it with the pillow of your choice (even better, no?). Made of 100-percent mulberry silk, it’s super, well, dreamy and oh-so-soft. The extra elasticity wraps around the skin while you doze, said to be good for helping your cells stay healthy and your complexion clear.
Weight: 5.2 ounces
Dimensions: 15 x 22 inches
Care: Machine-washable
Rave review: "I love these so much, I bought them for family & friends for Christmas. It's a luxury item you did not know you NEEDED until you try it. Excellent value for the price and they come wrapped beautifully in a pretty, high quality box."
The best travel pillows of 2022 for long flights are recommended by doctors. They're memory foam and high-tech to stay comfy and supported on long flights.