The Best Neck Pillows For Travel That Provide Support And Comfort
The best neck pillows for travel support your head and neck to ensure you can sleep comfortably.
When selecting a neck pillow, choose an option with firm support. 'The right pillow will keep your neck in a spine-neutral position when you fall asleep in the upright or seated position," says Dr. Mara Vucich, D.O., a physiatrist at the Maryland Spine Center in Baltimore, Maryland. 'Otherwise, your head and neck may end up in an awkward position, which can put unwanted stress on your neck and spine.' Comfort is still key, so make sure that the pillow you choose allows for movement without being restrictive. Ahead, the best neck pillows for travel in 2025.
Amazon
Weight: 0.5 pounds | Cover material: Oeko-Tex Viscose and elastomer | Fill material: Memory foam | Care: Sleeve is machine washable
Pros:
Cons:
This well-made and comfortable neck pillow has a supportive memory foam core that promotes proper alignment regardless of your position (it offers support whether you sleep with your head back, to one side or straight in the middle). A velcro closure secures it so that you can adjust the fit, and the outer shell is machine washable for easy care. The pillow itself feels soft and keeps your head elevated. Plus, it compresses to 60% of its original size and fits into the included travel bag when not being used.
What the reviews say: 'I'm one of those people that can never sleep on a plane, no matter how long the flight is,' writes one reviewer. 'I've tried many types of pillows, and nothing helped. I had a 12-hour flight coming up and decided to give this one a try. It was the best decision ever. I slept for several hours and felt much more rested.'
Amazon
Weight: 0.28 pounds | Cover material: Fleece | Fill material: Foam, plastic | Care: Outer wrap is machine washable
Pros:
Cons:
If you want something to support your head and neck while in a window or aisle seat, we recommend the Trtl Travel Pillow. It resembles a padded neck brace or wrap, and it's covered in ultra-soft fleece that feels comforting against the skin. The internal support system keeps your neck, chin and jaw in place, although the internal brace only sits on one side. Similar to our top pick, this has a velcro closure so you can adjust the fit based on your preferences.
What our editors say: Emmy Favilla, managing editor at Forbes Vetted, swears by the Trtl Pillow and has been using it exclusively for years on domestic and long-haul flights. 'I've found it's ideal no matter which seat I'm in,' she says. Since switching from more traditional neck pillows to the Trtl, 'I don't wind up feeling any residual neck or shoulder pain whatsoever after dozing off on a long flight. Plus, getting a personalized fit is easy because you can adjust it to your liking. It may sort of look like you're wearing a neck brace, but it works, and I'm standing by it forever.'
Pluto
Weight: Not listed | Cover material: Alcantara and WPS mesh blend; Spandura | Fill material: Foam, recycled fill | Care: Cover is machine washable
Pros:
Cons:
If you have trouble sleeping while traveling due to light and noise, the Pluto Pod solves those problems thanks to the built-in hood and eye mask. The hood and eyemask portion are fully adjustable, and the neck portion of the design offers 360-degree support. When you're not using the Pluto Pod, it rolls down into a small, traditional-looking pillow that wraps onto your luggage handle or can be stashed inside your suitcase. It's a bit larger than other options on our list (it measures 31 by 15 inches when open), but the unique features help you feel like you're resting in a quiet, private space rather than a crowded airplane.
What our editors say: Lindsey Vickers, a former mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted, recommends the Pluto Pod for travel. It addressed her travel and nap concerns, from an unsupported neck to a bobbing chin to excessive light.
Amazon
Weight: 0.7 pounds | Cover material: Microsuede | Fill material: Memory foam | Care: Cover is machine washable
Pros:
Cons:
Although this pick has a traditional 'U' shape, higher sides provide extra support and gentle contouring for the head and jaw area. The 360-degree support is ideal for all types of sleepers, and the addition of seat straps prevents you from tipping forward or slouching while you sleep. Other helpful features include an adjustable clasp, washable cover and convenient carry bag.
What the reviews say: 'This is a real winner. I travel a lot and take long trips, and this [pillow] allows me to sleep for a long period of time because my head isn't flopping around,' says one reviewer. 'I also have no neck pain, which I have had with my other [travel pillow]. It folds up nicely and fits in its case far better than my others. You can't go wrong with this.' Another confirms, 'The sides are high and supportive enough that I woke with zero neck pain and [experienced] zero head bobs while sleeping.'
Amazon
Weight: 12.7 ounces | Cover material: Polyester | Fill material: Memory foam, plastic | Care: Cover is machine washable
Pros:
Cons:
If you run hot, the Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow has mesh side vents that let hot air escape, and the moisture-wicking material keeps you cool throughout your journey. The dual memory foam fill material offers firm support, and the design has a flat back, so you're not pushed too far forward in your seat. The raised sides hug your jawline, and the front clasp is adjustable. While customers say it does an excellent job of preventing overheating (especially on long flights), it's not as compact and portable as other choices.
What the reviews say: 'This pillow is well-built, comfortable and keeps your neck cool. It's the best neck pillow I've ever used,' says one customer. 'I can wear noise-canceling headphones with this without issue, and the ventilation really works.' Another user says it's 'very sturdy, well-built and provides great comfort when traveling. The vents on the sides prevent overheating and sweat.'
The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of in-depth roundups on travel products, including the best travel accessories, best travel blankets and more.
We began researching the best neck pillows for travel based on the recommendations of our seasoned Forbes Vetted team and Vucich's expert insight.
There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best neck pillows for travel. Here's what to look for.
The most important consideration when looking for a neck pillow for travel is support level. Whether you're sleeping in an upright position or on your side, maintaining a spine-neutral position helps alleviate aches and pains—and prevents you from waking up feeling tired and sore. Look for a firm pillow that can elevate your head and neck, as something too soft won't help you maintain proper alignment. Also, consider how you usually sleep, as this can impact the type of support you need. For instance, the Trtl Travel Pillow only supports one side of your neck at a time, so it's better suited for airplane travel if you're in an aisle or window seat. If you tend to toss, turn, or reposition frequently while you sleep, opt for the Ostrich Go Luxury Travel Pillow (which provides support from all angles), the Pluto Pod or the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow.
Airplanes can be hot and stuffy, so look for a neck pillow with a breathable cover that's easy to care for. Many options have a cotton, polyester or viscose cover that's machine washable and won't cause you to overheat. Memory foam is a common fill material thanks to its long-lasting support, pressure relief and ability to promote proper spine alignment.
Most pillows have a 'U' shape that wraps around the neck and keeps your head upright. This shape also prevents the head from bobbing around, which can lead to wakefulness. Other options might resemble a neck brace or include extra features like a hood to block out the light while sleeping. Consider how you prefer to sleep and read through customer reviews to better understand how this shape feels after continued use.
Your neck pillow will travel through the airport, on the airplane and to your new destination, so choose something that doesn't take up too much space. Many pillows, like the Ostrich Go Luxury Travel Pillow, come with a travel case, while others may have a hook or clip that allows it to hang from the side of your bag. Most airlines don't count neck pillows as a carry-on item, but it's a good idea to double-check ahead of time and find one that packs down to be on the safe side.
After extensive research, our team rated the Ostrich Go Luxury Travel Pillow as the best neck pillow for travel. It offers travelers 360 degrees of support, regardless of how they sleep, and the memory foam fill is soft and comfortable. It also comes with an included travel bag so you can easily store it when it's not in use.
Memory foam offers excellent support and pressure relief, so it's a great material for a travel neck pillow. The Ostrich Go Luxury Travel Pillow and Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Neck Pillow both have memory foam filling wrapped in a fabric cover that's machine washable. All the picks in this guide have a breathable cover that's easy to care for.
Yes, neck pillows are helpful if you plan to nap or sleep while on a plane. According to our expert, it keeps your neck in a spine-neutral position when you fall asleep upright or seated, preventing unwanted stress on your neck and spine. If you travel frequently, investing in a good neck pillow can help you rest easier and make air travel more comfortable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftal-amazons-best-new-fashion-arrivals-this-month-under-tout-8b29c5030e16456cb424bd24a80fe89e.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
8 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
I Shop Amazon Like It's My Job, and These New Fashion Arrivals Already Have a Spot in My Suitcase—From $12
August is that in-between moment where you're still sweating through your tank tops and jorts, but mentally, you're already planning boots and sweaters. It's the perfect time to start building a transitional wardrobe that works for both summer and fall, and Amazon's trending fashion section is an unexpectedly great place to start. I combed through the most stylish, under-$50 pieces that are already picking up traction this month—think: throw-on-and-go travel outfits, lightweight layers, and comfortable shoes that work across seasons. Whether you're packing for an upcoming trip, updating your airport uniform, or just trying to dress for 75 degrees and unpredictable changes, these trending finds will cover your bases without blowing your budget. The soft, stretchy fabric on this two-piece lounge set makes it ideal for long flights, pesky layovers, or spontaneous snack runs. Bonus: You can mix and match the top and bottom with other travel staples—and right now, it breaks down to just $9 apiece. Patterned midi skirts are gearing up to be fall's biggest quiet statement, and this one brings just the right amount of bold with its leopard print. Wear it with sneakers for exploring Paris or add boots and a sweater when the temps start to dip in NYC. It works just as well in the office as it does on a museum tour. Not only are these espadrille sandals affordable, but shoppers have confirmed their comfy fit too. 'These are cute and comfortable. I have walked some distance in them and no blisters,' one shared. Whether you're strolling cobblestone streets in Lisbon or heading to a rooftop dinner at home, you can pair them with everything from linen jumpsuits to flowy dresses—and they're half off. Light, airy, and versatile enough to wear during three seasons, this maxi dress is what summer-to-fall dressing is all about. It's perfect for sunny picnics with sandals, and it layers beautifully with a denim jacket or chunky cardigan when it gets chilly. These under-$20 sandals take up virtually no space in your carry-on and are comfy enough to wear all day—one shopper even wore them around Mexico and said, 'I was very pleased with the level of comfort and durability.' They're the kind of staple you'll forget you packed but end up wearing constantly, whether it's to the pool, beach, or just running down to the lobby for a snack. My personal favorite on the list, this cropped, colorblock cardigan gives just the right pop to your outfit without being over the top. It's an ideal throw-on for breezy nights, early flights, or anytime you want to look like a stylish version of cozy. These are the ultimate wear-everywhere pants thanks to their high waist, loose fit, and effortlessly polished design. Those same details make the trousers a travel MVP—dress them up with a blouse for meetings or wear them casually with a tank and slides for sightseeing. You'll be surprised how often you reach for them, even post-trip. This matching set is your go-to when you want to look cool at the airport (but feel comfy) and not like you just rolled out of bed. The fabric is soft but elevated, and the pieces are just as cute worn separately. It's great for transitional weather when you don't know if it's going to be 80 degrees or 58 and raining. The Omoone Oversized Denim Jacket is the travel layer you didn't know you needed. It instantly makes any outfit look more put-together, and it's roomy enough to layer over hoodies, dresses, or that slightly-wrinkled airplane outfit. Basically, don't board a plane without it. These comfy, suede clogs are what happens when practicality meets trendy. The slip-resistant soles and cloud-like comfort make them ideal for walking around cities, lounging at hotels, or even running errands back home. They'll look just as good with jean shorts as they will with trousers and a blazer come fall. Cargo pants will be everywhere this fall and this sweatpant version nails the trend without sacrificing comfort. The pockets are deep enough to actually carry your phone, wallet, and boarding pass, and the silhouette makes them look stylish, not sloppy. You'll want to wear them on every travel day. The great thing about maxi skirts is that they do it all. This one is light enough to pair with a tank and sandals for sweltering summer days, and it transitions easily into chillier weather with sneakers and a cropped sweater. It's the kind of skirt you end up living in for weeks. This mini dress is a closet chameleon because you can wear it as a breezy cover-up at the beach, wear it with loafers for the office, or throw it on with a jacket and sneakers for weekend exploring. It's a no-brainer to pack no matter where you're headed. Compact, structured, and surprisingly roomy, this dumpling-style top-handle bag is one of those under-the-radar Amazon finds. The magnetic closure and inner zip pocket keep your travel must-haves secure, while the neutral colors match with pretty much everything in your suitcase. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
How Disney Shaped the Middle-Class American Dream — And Why It's Time To Let It Go
In the commercial and modern capitalist sense, no company has succeeded in monetizing the luxury aspects of the American dream as efficiently as Disney. It may not be as mammoth or wealthy a corporation as Walmart or Amazon, but those two don't breed the dreams of small children who go to bed thinking they're the happiest places on Earth. Disney does — and worming into the middle-class psyche like that is about as powerful as power gets. Check Out: Read Next: Disney does often deliver a lot of joy, and that's valuable, but at a price — both literally and figuratively. Disney helped shape the middle-class American dream as we know it, and some of the ideals it continues to promote do us more harm than good. We need to recognize the ways Disney culture hurts our wallets and, ultimately, our hearts. Insisting That Epic Vacations Make a Happy Childhood I remember growing up in the 1990s and being blasted with ads not only for Disney movies and Disney merchandise, but for Disney vacations. My parents were divorced — at the time not amicably — and my mom was perpetually broke. Most of my friends had it better, as I saw it, and not because they had bigger houses or more meals out with mom and dad, but solely because they went on epic summer vacations with their parents and siblings. Sometimes the parents took their kids specifically on Disney-branded getaways. And why wouldn't they, if they could afford it (or shove the costs on credit cards)? Even sitcoms promoted the Disney summer vacation as the definitive family trip. Disney, on a global level, continues to contribute substantially to the ecosystem of family tourism. And this is not a healthy thing for the middle class, who must stick to a modest budget to ensure financial security. Disney theme park vacations are getting more and more expensive. An analysis by Mouse Hacking determined that in 2025 a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four (two adults, one child age 10+, one child age 3-9) costs $7,093 ($355 per person per night). That's outrageous considering that some middle-class families in the U.S. make less than $26,000 a year. Signaling That the Road to Contentment Is Paved With Purchases It's (unfortunately) true that money can buy happiness — numerous scientific research has sealed that deal. But this is a somewhat nuanced fact. Most research finds that genuine happiness isn't measurably augmented by pricey products or luxury experiences. What makes us happy is feeling financially comfortable. The things that delight us are simple and deep: a safe home in a livable neighborhood; a paycheck that doesn't necessitate workaholism and burnout; debt-free access to education, health and retirement. Most highly profitable, consumer-facing businesses want you to feel that you and your family's best life can't be had without their services or items, but few companies are as unbelievably good at serving this feeling specifically to the middle class. Disney vacations, for example, notoriously push Americans into debt — and the sickest thing about that is that a lot of people think the Disney-induced debt is worth it. By biting the Disney bait, we're falling into money pits that actually deprive us of the real stuff of happiness — stuff that money can't buy, per se, but can enable. Promoting the Nuclear Family as the Ideal Norm This is something we still see Disney promote in ads for its parks and vacation packages. The 'classic' nuclear family. Usually it's two heteronormative parents with two or three children in tow. And we see it a lot in traditional sitcoms, too. Disney didn't invent the concept of the nuclear family, but Disney, via its books, films, shows, ads and merchandise, helped shape conventional gender roles and very specific family dynamics that became mainstream middle-class ideals in in the 1950s and still persuade us. This concept no longer serves us as families have evolved to look many different ways. We see now that dual-income households, blended families, foster families, adoptive families and families with queer parents or single parents making happy homes. Yet Disney still holds fast to an outdated model of a middle-class household. It's pretty unlikely that Disney will shed these ideals that helped build its monumental, enduring legacy. So it's on us to realize that they no longer represent or serve us. They can even hurt us by causing debt and disappointment. Let's accept that we can be free of these toxic fairytales and still access the happiest place on Earth — a place that could very well be at home with loved ones, knowing the bills are paid and the kids are alright — without the $8,000 vacay. More From GOBankingRates 7 Luxury SUVs That Will Become Affordable in 2025 This article originally appeared on How Disney Shaped the Middle-Class American Dream — And Why It's Time To Let It Go Solve the daily Crossword
Tom's Guide
11 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Amazon's CamelBak sale knocks up to 60% off — shop hydration deals starting at $9
We're in the thick of summer — which means temperatures are rising! In the midst of these heatwaves, it's super important to stay hydrated. Luckily, I've spotted a pretty epic CamelBak sale on Amazon. If you're in search of an affordable water bottles for the blistering summer months or even back to school season, you can save up to 60% on CamelBak water bottles, tumblers and more. If you have some outdoor excursions topping the agenda, my suggestion is the Arete Sling 8 Hike Pack that comes with a 20 oz water bottle. It can be yours for just $42. Looking for something cheaper? Below I've rounded up the best CamelBak hydration deals — and they start at just $9. Keep scrolling to check them out. For just $9, you can grab this durable, sleek, and stylish 32 oz stainless steel water bottle. Its cap includes a raised edge for easy sipping and a flexible handle that lays flat when not in use, making it perfect for on-the-go hydration. Plus, its double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drinks at the ideal temperature without condensation. The perfect tumbler to hold your morning coffee, hydrate you through your workout or bring along on outdoor adventures, this cup is designed to prevent spills and leaks even when you're on the move. It also fits in most cup holders and will maintain your drink temperature for hours. This slim, cup-holder-friendly vacuum-insulated travel mug boasts 12 ounces of capacity for hot or cold beverages and features an easy-sip cap, making it a fab travel companion. This is the ultimate beverage multitasker! It's a 2-in-1 vessel that serves as both a water bottle and a detachable travel cup that you can carry around. You can use it for coffee, water, cocktails and more — it's that versatile! It's also leakproof, easy to clean and dishwasher safe. The answer to your on-the-go hydration needs lie in the CamelBak Hike Pack. Made of lightweight and breathable materials, you can comfortably wear this hike pack across your body on any adventure. It also comes with a 20 oz water bottle that fits perfectly in the front pocket. It has plenty of room for your other belongings in its main pocket.
