Sleeping comfortably on a plane, train, or bus can be challenging. The cramped seats and constant motion often lead to restless dozing and waking up with a stiff neck. That’s where a Neck Travel Pillow becomes an indispensable travel companion. These specially designed pillows offer crucial support, ensuring you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed, not wrecked.
While we’ve rigorously tested over 40 travel pillows to pinpoint the absolute best, some promising contenders didn’t quite make our top recommendations. However, these options still offer valuable features and might be the perfect fit depending on your individual needs and travel style. Let’s explore some of these “almost-favorites” and understand why they might still be worth considering in your quest for the ideal neck travel pillow.
Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow: This pillow impressed us with its memory foam, striking a balance between firmness and plushness. It provides excellent support, conforming nicely to the neck’s contours. However, its slightly bulkier design makes it less ideal for travelers prioritizing minimal luggage. If space isn’t a major concern, the Cabeau Evolution Classic remains a comfortable and supportive neck travel pillow option.
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Alt text: Traveler carrying a Cabeau Evolution Classic neck travel pillow attached to luggage at the airport, highlighting portability aspect.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow: For those who dislike the traditional U-shaped neck travel pillow, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow offers a rectangular alternative. Its compressible design makes it highly packable, appealing to minimalist travelers. However, its shape means it doesn’t provide dedicated neck support, making it less suitable for air or train travel where upright sleep is essential. This pillow excels as a general comfort pillow for camping or destinations with less-than-ideal bedding, but not specifically as a neck travel pillow for transit.
Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow: Luxury meets travel comfort with the Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow. The silk material is undeniably soft, smooth, and naturally cooling – a treat against the skin. Despite its luxurious feel, the pillow’s significant bulkiness is a drawback. Its size makes it cumbersome to wear and pack, diminishing its practicality as a travel neck pillow. If luxury is paramount and portability secondary, this pillow could be a splurge-worthy choice for indulgent comfort, though less practical for frequent flyers.
Snugl Neck Travel Pillow: The Snugl Neck Travel Pillow boasts soft and supportive memory foam, delivering excellent comfort during flights. It effectively cradles the neck and head, promoting restful sleep. The main challenge we encountered was repacking it into its carrying case. While comfortable in use, the struggle with portability slightly detracts from its overall travel-friendliness. If you prioritize in-flight comfort and are less concerned about quickly packing away your neck travel pillow, the Snugl is a solid choice.
Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow: Travelers prone to overheating will appreciate the Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow. Designed with cooling technology, it effectively prevents heat buildup, ensuring a more comfortable temperature throughout your journey. While it succeeds in keeping you cool, in our tests, it didn’t quite match the comfort and support level of the Cabeau TNE S3 Travel Pillow. Given their similar price points, we generally recommend the Cabeau TNE S3 as the superior neck travel pillow for overall comfort and support, though the Cool version remains a viable option for hot sleepers.
Our Comprehensive Travel Pillow Testing Methodology
To bring you the most reliable recommendations for the best neck travel pillows, the Travel + Leisure team conducted extensive testing on over 40 different models. Our goal was to evaluate pillows across a range of designs, from classic U-shapes to rectangular styles, catering to diverse preferences and travel needs.
Our testing process focused on key performance indicators: comfort, quality, durability, and portability. We meticulously noted both positive and negative features, paying attention to manufacturer claims such as cooling properties, firmness levels, and softness. We rigorously tested if these claims held true in real-world conditions. A crucial aspect of durability testing was assessing whether pillows retained their shape after being compressed into their carrying cases, and if they readily returned to their original form without any signs of damage.
Our real-world testing phase involved taking these neck travel pillows on various journeys, including long-haul flights and cross-country road trips. This allowed us to assess their performance in actual travel scenarios. Following these initial trials, we brought a selection of top contenders into our testing lab. Here, a dedicated team member conducted head-to-head comparisons, directly evaluating each pillow against the others under standardized conditions. This direct comparison phase allowed us to refine our ratings and ensure the most accurate and objective assessments. We are committed to providing up-to-date recommendations, and we regularly revisit our testing notes every few months to update our articles with any new findings or product developments in the neck travel pillow market.
Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Neck Travel Pillow
Selecting the ideal neck travel pillow involves considering several factors to ensure optimal comfort and support during your travels. Here are key tips to guide your purchase:
Prioritize Robust Neck Support
The primary function of a neck travel pillow is to support your neck and head, especially when sleeping upright in transit. Without adequate support, your head can slump to the side or forward, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and even headaches. A good neck travel pillow should provide sufficient support to keep your neck comfortably aligned and upright, without feeling constricting or overly rigid. Look for pillows that cradle your neck gently yet firmly, preventing your head from dropping into awkward positions.
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Alt text: Close-up of a person comfortably wearing a Cabeau The Neck travel pillow, emphasizing proper neck support and alignment.
Portability is Paramount
Travel, by its nature, often involves navigating airports, train stations, and buses while managing luggage. A bulky, cumbersome neck travel pillow can quickly become an inconvenience. Opt for a compact and portable pillow that can be easily compressed into a small carrying case. Ideally, the pillow should come with its own case. Even non-compressible pillows should be designed for easy attachment to luggage, perhaps with a clip or strap, to keep your hands free. Features like luggage trolley sleeves on carrying cases further enhance portability, allowing you to secure the pillow to your rolling suitcase.
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Alt text: Traveler unrolling an Ostrich Pillow Go Neck Pillow, demonstrating its compact and rollable design for easy packing and travel.
Material Matters: Consider the Filling
The filling material of a neck travel pillow significantly impacts its firmness, support, and overall feel. For travelers who prefer firmer support, memory foam fillings are an excellent choice. Memory foam contours to the neck and head, providing robust support and pressure relief. Microbead pillows offer a softer alternative while still providing a degree of support. They tend to be more adaptable and moldable, appealing to those who prefer less structured support. Inflatable pillows are the most compact and portable option, but their level of support can vary, and some may find them less comfortable than foam or microbead options.
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Alt text: Woman comfortably sleeping in a car with an Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow, showcasing the pillow’s supportive filling material.
Intended Use and Travel Style
Neck travel pillows come in various shapes and styles, each suited to different travel scenarios and preferences. Consider your typical travel situations when choosing a pillow. For instance, if you frequently find yourself in middle seats on airplanes, a U-shaped or J-shaped memory foam pillow, or an infinity-style pillow that can be adjusted for maximum head support, is ideal. These designs offer comprehensive support, preventing your head from falling sideways onto your neighbor. Window seat travelers might find rectangular pillows more comfortable, as they can be used for leaning against the cabin wall.
Beyond air travel, rectangular travel pillows are versatile for camping, hotel stays, or visiting friends and family where pillow quality might be inconsistent. They can supplement existing pillows or serve as standalone comfort aids. Neck travel pillows are not just for flights; they are valuable road trip essentials, enhancing comfort on long drives as well. Thinking about where and how you’ll primarily use your neck travel pillow will help you narrow down the best type for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Travel Pillows
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How do I properly clean my neck travel pillow?
Always check the care label on your neck travel pillow for specific washing instructions. Many pillows come with removable covers that are machine washable. However, air drying the cover is often recommended to prevent shrinkage. For pillows without removable covers, spot cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soapy water is usually effective. -
What are the different types of neck travel pillows available?
The most common type is the U-shaped neck pillow, designed to wrap around your neck and support your head, neck, and chin. These are often filled with memory foam, microbeads, or are inflatable. J-shaped pillows offer targeted support, particularly for middle or aisle seat passengers. Rectangular pillows serve as versatile travel pillows, suitable for various situations and preferences. -
What’s the best way to pack a neck travel pillow for travel?
Most quality neck travel pillows include carrying cases that compress the pillow for easier packing. Even without a dedicated handle, these compressed pillows should be small enough to fit in a personal item like a backpack or tote bag. Some carrying cases feature luggage trolley pass-through sleeves or straps for hands-free carrying, attaching to your suitcase or backpack. -
Should I wear my neck travel pillow facing forward or backward?
While some neck travel pillows are designed for versatile wear, the optimal direction largely depends on your comfort. Experiment to find what works best for you. Wearing a neck travel pillow backward can sometimes offer better chin support, while forward wear is more traditional for neck and head support. Window seat travelers can also use them sideways for head support against the wall. Comfort is key, so find the position that feels most natural and supportive for you.
You May Also Enhance Your Travel Comfort With These Accessories
To create an even more conducive environment for sleep during long journeys, consider these complementary travel accessories:
Kashwere Travel Blanket: Our top-rated travel blanket, the Kashwere Travel Blanket, combines exceptional softness, durability, and versatility. Its cozy texture promotes relaxation, making travel days more comfortable and restful.
BasicConcepts Airplane Foot Hammock: This ingenious foot hammock attaches to the tray table in front of you, creating a comfortable cradle for your feet. By elevating your feet, it reduces pressure on your legs and enhances overall comfort, especially on long flights. The adjustable straps ensure a customized fit.
Slip Lovely Lashes Contour Sleep Mask: After extensive testing, we selected the Slip Lovely Lashes Contour Sleep Mask as our favorite. Its contoured design prevents pressure on eyelashes, while the luxurious silk material is gentle on the skin, ensuring a comfortable and dark environment for restful sleep.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure’s Recommendations?
Anna Popp, a New York-based Associate Editor at Travel + Leisure, leads our tested content initiatives. Anna personally participated in the comprehensive neck travel pillow testing process, collaborating with travel editors to analyze results and identify the top performers based on rigorous real-world and lab evaluations across plane, car, and train travel scenarios. Our commitment to ongoing testing means we continuously evaluate new neck travel pillows and update our recommendations to reflect the latest and best options available to travelers.
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