13-05-2025
Taking a Trip? My Favorite Travel Pillow Is 20% Off Ahead of Memorial Day
If you're not a big travel pillow person, I get it -- I never was either. They always seemed like a bulky waste of space. However, my opinion has changed within the last few years. I started making space for them once I accepted how helpful they are. After testing nearly a dozen travel pillows, I can tell you that it's worth using one during lengthy and tiresome travel days.
If you've embarked on long road trips, you know how terribly uncomfortable and downright frustrating it can be: I'm talking backaches, restless legs, motion sickness and an upset tummy from all the gas station coffee and junk food. Trying to nap with your head resting against the window ends in a sore, kinked neck. It's a less-than-ideal situation, but the right travel pillow can help you feel like the passenger princess you deserve to be.
I recently used the Travelrest Nest Neck Pillow on a 20-hour round-trip road trip, and it significantly improved my comfort and ability to rest. The best part? It's currently 20% off on Amazon, bringing the price from $50 down to $40.
We chose Travelrest as the best overall travel pillow due to its quality materials, comfortable construction and affordable price. While there are pillows of all shapes and sizes on the market, Travelrest's Nest pillow offers a traditional U-shaped design that provides full support for your neck without feeling overbearing. It has a dense yet plush memory foam insert that conforms nicely around your neck and shoulders, wrapped with a super soft and cozy microfiber cover.
As you can tell by my sleepy expression, this photo was taken after a successful nap in the car.
Aly Lopez/CNET
To learn more about the ergonomics of travel pillows, I consulted Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon.
"The Travelrest Nest provides 360-degree support around the cervical spine, helping keep your head from tipping forward or to the side in a way that could strain neck muscles or compress discs. The memory foam shapes itself around your neck and shoulders, spreading out pressure and helping your spine stay in a more natural position. This support is important for avoiding stiffness, next-day soreness and long-term problems like cervical curve loss or forward head posture," Okubadejo explains.
I quickly entered dreamland whenever I wore this pillow during our road trip, and I never woke up with a stiff or sore neck like I used to.
The pillow's cover is removable and machine-washable.
Aly Lopez/CNET
The back of this pillow is slightly angled and has a grippy texture to help hold it in place against the car, train or plane seat. It can squish down to fit in the small carrying bag, making it easier to keep clean and travel with. Note that it's a one-size-fits-all design, so it might be too cumbersome for individuals with smaller frames. The sides are tall and partially cover the bottom of my ears, so I can't wear my favorite over-ear Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones while using this pillow.
How to prevent aches and pains while traveling
Did you know that sitting for extended periods can actually compress your spinal discs and may even cause blood clots? Moving your body during prolonged travel is crucial for your overall health and well-being. That's where the 90-minute rule comes in.
Dr. Okubadejo says, "Sitting for more than 90 minutes without movement places sustained pressure on the spinal discs, especially in the lower back. This pressure can cause the discs to lose fluid, reducing disc height and limiting the ability to absorb shock."
Thankfully, there are simple micro-movements you can practice during your travels to prevent this. Okubadejo recommends:
Pelvic tilts: Gentle forward and backward pelvic movements to activate your lower spine
Gentle forward and backward pelvic movements to activate your lower spine Weight shifting : Reduce pressure points by alternately leaning to the right and left buttocks
: Reduce pressure points by alternately leaning to the right and left buttocks Shoulder rolls: Roll your shoulders to relieve tension in your upper back
Roll your shoulders to relieve tension in your upper back Heel lifts : Lift and lower the heels while keeping your toes planted to activate your circulation
: Lift and lower the heels while keeping your toes planted to activate your circulation Neck nods : Perform slow nodding movements of your head to relax neck muscles
: Perform slow nodding movements of your head to relax neck muscles Seated marches : Raise each knee several inches off the ground to engage your abdominal muscles and hip flexors
: Raise each knee several inches off the ground to engage your abdominal muscles and hip flexors Spinal elongation: Sit upright and visualize a string pulling your head's crown upward before releasing tension
Sit upright and visualize a string pulling your head's crown upward before releasing tension Scapular squeezes: Gently squeeze the shoulder blades and hold for 3 to 5 seconds
The bottom line
If you're planning a trip for Memorial Day this year, consider bringing a travel pillow and using these expert tips to help you arrive feeling fresh and ready to go. If you want to snag the Travelrest Nest Neck Pillow for $10 off, act soon, as Amazon's sales come and go quickly.
For more, check out the best early Memorial Day deals of 2025 and our wellness editors' favorite travel essentials for staying healthy.
