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Of all the places to sleep, aeroplanes, cars and other modes of transport aren’t exactly the ideal environment. Yet they’re somewhere you’re probably going to have to sleep at some point – and especially if you don’t want to arrive at your destination too exhausted or jet-lagged to do anything. This is why a travel pillow is an essential investment for those times when you want to catch some shut-eye on the go.
Although travel pillows traditionally come in a single U-shaped design, there’s now a pillow for every kind of sleeper. Whether you prefer resting your head on the seat in front or you’re one of those people who can sleep soundly while sitting bolt upright, getting the right kind of support for your in-transit sleep has never been easier. And if you don’t find it particularly easy to nod off, don’t worry – there are plenty of travel pillows with built-in features designed to help you get the sleep you need, so you’ll never need to worry about drifting off again.
Check out our buying guide below for some of the main things to look out for when buying a travel pillow and advice on how to choose the right one for you, or scroll down to skip straight to our pick of the best travel pillows for every kind of sleeper.
How to choose the best travel pillow for you
Which is better: inflatable or soft pillows?
The first decision you’ll want to make is whether you would prefer an inflatable or non-inflatable pillow. Both can provide a high level of support, so the choice really comes down to convenience and personal preference. Inflatable travel pillows have the advantage of taking up minimal space because they fold down when deflated and can tuck into almost any bag, but that convenience comes at the price of having to blow them up when you want to use them. Non-inflatable pillows, on the other hand, are always ready when you need them but also have to be carried around and don’t fold away when not in use. This type can use more advanced materials such as memory foam, though, which – if used correctly – can provide the perfect balance between firm support and sink-in comfort.
How much weight will it add?
When travelling, every extra kilo can add a bucket load of stress to the journey. A travel pillow is there to make your trip as comfortable as possible, and added bulk and stress certainly won’t do that. While most travel pillows weigh in around the 200-300g mark, heavy packers and those who prefer to carry minimal hand luggage may want to look for something that weighs a little less.
What else do I need to look out for?
If you want to make your travel pillow a regular travel companion, you’ll want to look for a pillow that’s easy to wash between uses. Many soft pillows and inflatable pillows come with a removable cover that can be put in the washing machine for easy cleaning, but others can only be surface cleaned and will require a little more effort on your part. An easy-wash pillow may set you back a tiny bit more, but we think it’s always worth that little extra for the time and energy you’ll save - especially if you’ll be using it often.
The best travel pillows to buy
Purefly Travel Pillow Luxuriously Soft Inflatable Neck Pillow: The best classic travel pillow
Price when reviewed: £18
At first glance, the Purefly travel pillow looks much like many other travel pillows. But even though it comes in the standard U-shaped design, wrapping round the neck for support, the Purefly includes a couple of added extras that set it far ahead of its competitors. The built-in pump is one of those winning features; although it adds a tiny bit on bulk to the design, the pump button means you can inflate your pillow whenever and wherever you need it without having to first spend a few minutes blowing into it.
Although some U-shaped pillows can still leave you with a stiff neck or a headache, the Purefly offers more support than your average travel pillow thanks to its raised neck support. The ergonomic design includes a curved back, which holds your head upright and keeps the neck in proper alignment, so you can sleep soundly without worrying about waking up with any neck pains.
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Purefly Travel Pillow Luxuriously Soft Inflatable Neck Pillow Support-Compact & Lightweight for Sleeping on Airplane, Car, and Train . Carrying Bag-Soft & Ergonomic One Size Design, Invention of the Year 2014
2. J-pillow: The best travel pillow for full neck and chin support
Price when reviewed: £16
If you’ve tried using a travel pillow before but still woke up with a stiff neck or sore, this award-winning travel pillow has finally solved the problem. Its J-shaped design supports the chin as well as the neck to prevent the annoying head-bobbing that can keep you from getting a decent sleep when using a standard U-shaped pillow.
If there’s one thing we’d change about the J-pillow, it’s the fact that it doesn’t fold down or deflate. You can be sure you’ll get a sturdy pillow and superior level of support wherever you take it, but it’s not a pillow you’ll want to slip it in your hand luggage ‘just in case’. That said, it does come with a snap-loop fastener to attach to your hand luggage, so it doesn’t have to add a whole load of bulk to your bag. In short: if you don’t mind having your travel pillow hanging off your hand luggage for all to see, you can’t go wrong with the J-pillow.
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J-pillow, Travel Pillow - Head, Chin & Neck Support - British Invention of the Year 2013 - (Fern Green)
3. Travelrest: The best travel pillow for side sleepers
Price when reviewed: £20
If your biggest struggle with sleeping on planes is simply drifting off in an upright seated position, the Travelrest could be a game-changer. This ergonomic pillow looks a little like an inflatable boomerang, but don’t let that put you off; its unusual shape lets it offer full lateral support, keeping your head and neck in a comfortable position so you won’t wake up with any pains or strains.
The Travelrest is one of the bigger travel pillows when inflated, but it deflates easily and weighs just 186g, meaning it won’t add a whole load of weight to your bag. It’s also one of the most versatile travel pillows around and can be used in two different sleeping positions. Either tether it across your body like a messenger bag or tether it to the aeroplane seat and rest the side of your body against it. To make it a little softer, you can easily wrap a scarf or aeroplane blanket around it, too.
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Travelrest - Ultimate Travel Pillow - Ergonomic - Lean Into It To Sleep - Fall Asleep Faster, Stay Asleep Longer (Rolls Up Small)
4. Trtl Pillow: An ingenious travel pillow that’s also a scarf
Price when reviewed: £20
If you want a travel pillow but don’t want to carry one - or be seen carrying one - around the departures lounge, Trtl has designed a pillow disguised as an everyday scarf. That’s because the Trtl pillow is essentially a scarf with hidden talents. Inside the fleece exterior is a patented in-built support system, designed to give your neck and head all the support they need while you snooze in an upright position. Using this system and a velcro fastening, it wraps around your neck to hold your head exactly where it should be while you sleep.
The Trtl pillow is made from a hypoallergenic fleece, which can be thrown in the wash with the rest of your clothes once you take out the removable support system. It’s easy to take out and put back in, and can also be easily adjusted and worn on either side of the neck. An unexpected bonus is that the Trtl pillow can be clipped onto your backpack or bag so you won’t have to wear it around the airport - unless you want to, of course!
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Trtl Pillow - Scientifically Proven Super Soft Neck Support Travel Pillow - Machine Washable Grey
5. Aidapt Super Soft Memory Foam Pillow: The best travel pillow under £10
Price when reviewed: £7
Although it’s the most conventional travel pillow to make our list, the Aidapt pillow stands out for several reasons. Like most travel pillows, it comes in the popular U-shaped design and is worn round the neck, but feels a lot firmer to touch. This is thanks to the memory foam filling, which moulds to the neck, making it one of the most comfortable U-shaped travel pillows around.
The Aidapt pillow doesn’t come with any frills or extras, but it also doesn’t come with a high price tag. It lacks a luggage clip and the other convenient features of the pricier models, but if you’re only making a single journey or generally find it fairly easy to drift off while travelling, this pillow is probably all you need and will add a noticeable amount of comfort for a very small price. It also comes in a more attractive choice of colourways than most travel pillows, with the option of a soft pink or a subtle grey.
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Aidapt Grey Super Soft Velour Luxury Firm Memory Foam Neck Support Cushion (Travelling,TV,Reading) (Eligible for VAT relief in the UK)
6. Huzi Infinity Pillow: A versatile travel pillow you’ll use again and again
Price (at time of review): £35
At first glance, this travel pillow looks more like a sleeping bag than a pillow because of its unique Mobius-shaped design and bamboo rayon fabric. But despite appearances, the clever design of the infinity pillow makes getting a good sleep possible no matter where you are. You can bend it, wrap it and scrunch into any position, sitting or lying down, so you can find a sleeping position that works for you. On long-haul flights, it also means you’ll only need the one pillow to prepare for all plane seats and styles.
Although the infinity pillow doesn’t offer the same rigid support as some of the pillows in this list, the bamboo fabric is soft, durable and will make any sleep more comfortable. You also won’t have to worry about making the most of your pillow in the plane or lugging it around unnecessarily; the infinity makes a great makeshift pillow or mattress topper for uncomfortable hotel beds and car seats. Or you could just use at home to keep your neck and head cosy while you binge-watch your favourite series on the sofa.
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