Falling asleep on an airplane can mean the difference between a great flight and a terrible flight, especially on long-haul flights when getting good rest is also imperative to overcoming jet lag and starting a trip off right. When you need to sleep on a flight, train, or car ride, the best travel pillows keep your head and neck supported and comfortable.
As an aviation journalist and avid traveler, I find myself on multi-day trips at least once a month and often book early morning and overnight flights when required. As a super light traveler, I know that the best travel pillows need to be comfy and easily packable. If it doesn't fit in my pocket, carry-on bag, or attaché' case, I don't bring it with me.
With that in mind, I tested seven travel pillows first-hand to find the best options for all types of sleep situations. Our top pick, the Cushion Lab Cloud Cradle Travel Pillow, has an asymmetrical design for added comfort. With a sturdy feel, the Trtl Pillow Plus is our pick for extra neck support.
Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.
Our top picks for travel pillows
Best overall: Cushion Lab Cloud Cradle Travel Pillow -See at Cushion Lab
Best inflatable: AirComfy Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow -See at Amazon
Best for extra neck support: Trtl Pillow Plus - See at Amazon
Most versatile: Coop Sleep Goods AirJustable Travel Neck Pillow - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Cushion Lab Cloud Cradle travel pillow is a bit large once unfurled, but rolls up so compactly into its handy carrying case that I barely even noticed when it was attached to one of my bags. Unfurling it from its case was no fuss and took less than 30 seconds.
Though at first glance this pillow appears to be a fairly standard travel neck pillow with the classic U-shape design, several key differences help set it apart.
The Cushion Lab's extra dense memory foam is incredibly comfortable.
Tom Pallini/Business Insider
First, the extra dense memory foam is incredibly comfortable. The material of the pillow is super soft and the memory foam made it feel as if I was truly sinking into the pillow instead of just resting my head on top of it.
There's also asymmetrical support with more cushioning on one side more than the other. This is different from the standard, symmetrical neck pillows and meant I had added support for leaning my head.
An adjustable strap also tightens and loosens the pillow's grip to the wearer's desire, another differentiating factor from other travel pillows that increases its appeal and versatility.
When I was done with it, wrapping up the pillow was as simple as wrapping an umbrella.
However, keep in mind this pillow is great primarily for upright sleeping. Though I found it gave me nice neck support, the pillow really can't be propped up against the cabin wall and it won't lend support when laying down across seats either.
Best inflatable
The AirComfy travel pillow comes in a carrying case that includes a carabiner, which makes it easily attachable to a backpack or a carry-on.
Though it didn't look like much at first, a few breaths and about 30 seconds was all it took to inflate the pillow to its proper state.The pillow did a great job of bridging the gap between the headrest of my seat and my head and the soft velvet material was incredibly comfortable.
The AirComfy travel pillow provided the same amount of comfort regardless of the position I was in.
Tom Pallini/Business Insider
A strap on the pillow allowed me to affix it to my seat so I could move around without it slipping or falling at all. Adjusting the firmness of the pillow was also just a matter of letting some air out or adding a few extra blows.
An overnight flight was when the pillow really stood out, since I was constantly moving around and adjusting my sleeping position over the six-hour-long flying time. The pillow provided the same amount of comfort regardless of the position I was in.
And, when I had a whole row to myself, the pillow proved even more useful since I could prop it on the armrest when laying down flat. That's something I wouldn't have been able to do with the U-shaped neck pillows. The pillow was equally comfortable propped up against the cabin wall when sitting in the window seat, and I was extremely impressed with its constant versatility.
Once the flight was over, it took seconds to deflate the bag and store it with no fuss.
Best for extra neck support
Like several of the other pillows I tested, this travel pillow also came in a carrying case along with a carabiner that could be used to attach it to a bag. But the case really didn't seem necessary as the pillow was compact and thin enough to slide in a backpack, purse, or even a laptop case.
Its compact size also made it especially easy to unfurl when it was time to use. There was no major assembly required and I had it out of my bag and around my neck in less than 30 seconds.All I had to do was pick a spot on my neck for the pillow to rest and then wrap a cloth around the rest of my neck to keep it in place.
The Trtl Plus travel pillow is a good choice for head bobbers since it offers plenty of sturdy neck support.
Tom Pallini/Business Insider
The pillow had an incredibly sturdy feel with plenty of neck support, making it a good choice for head bobbers, and I didn't feel that I had to keep pressure on it to keep it in place.
The cloth that wraps around the pillow is incredibly soft and was comfortable to wear around my head for prolonged periods of time.Adjusting the height of the pillow was as easy as turning a knob. The cloth could also be loosened and tightened as desired for a custom fit.
The only problem I had with the pillow is that it only offered support on one side. I couldn't really move my head much because then I'd have no support.This pillow can also only be used for upright sleeping. I couldn't lay down with this pillow or prop it up against the cabin wall.
That said, it does offer excellent neck support, which can be a serious plus for those who tend to choose aisle seats or have a habit of their head falling forward when sleeping on planes.
Most versatile
I've struggled with trying to find a travel pillow that is comfortable, doesn't take up too much space, by either being able to squish into my bag or dangle from my carry-on, and not a hassle to use.
The Coop Sleep Goods AirJustable Travel Neck Pillow stores in a carrying sack to about the size of a small melon, meaning I can easily toss it into a tote or tie it to my bag. The inflatable pump design takes a few minutes to figure out, but nothing crazy, and it still feels plush, thanks to a combination of an air chamber with microfiber and memory foam fill. The cover is cool, soft, and machine-washable. It has a drawstring with a toggle clasp to keep it in place.
The design follows the typical crescent shape of a travel pillow, with an underside of two soft arches. Coop identified six different ways to wear it to find the support you want, whether you have a window or a middle seat. I like to move it to the side, mountain-side up as I call it, for extra neck-support if I'm sitting against a window. It's equally as comfortable to adjust it to the side, so my shoulder is nicely cradled between the mountains, to provide a side cushion. Either way, my neck feels well supported. You can also wear it front facing to keep you from nodding forward.
The Coop Sleep Goods AirJustable Travel Neck Pillow can be worn six different ways and easily packs down when not in use.
Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider
Using a valve and pump system, I can adjust the pillow to the fullness I desire. No huffing and puffing here. When I'm ready to deflate, I just switch open the valve and then stuff it back into its bag. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
What to look for
While the best travel pillow for you will depend on your specific preferences, desired sleep position, and usual airplane seat, there are a few constants I looked for across all the travel pillows I tested. These are similar qualities anyone should consider when looking for a solid travel pillow and include:
Packability: As a no-fuss economy flyer, I sought out packability the most as I was often using a backpack or overnight bag for most of my trips. Baggage allowance is minimal for economy flyers so I wanted a pillow that could either fit snugly in a bag or easily be attached to one of my bags.
Comfort: How comfortable the pillows were was the other main factor. Quality of sleep is just as important as the duration of sleep, and if a pillow isn't comfortable, it simply isn't serving its purpose.
Simplicity: Flying in economy is already tight quarters and that's compacted when in a crowded row. I was looking for pillows that I could easy assemble and disassemble while at my seat, without disturbing my neighbors.
Staying power: A travel pillow is only good if it stays connected to one's head. I sought out pillows that wouldn't fall if I moved my head during my sleep and ones that wouldn't fall off of my neck.
How we tested travel pillows
Not all the travel pillows we tested were comfortable or easy to use.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
For this guide, I tested seven pillows on flights across the Western Hemisphere for three months.
I tested the pillows on flights in my travels for work and pleasure. The types of flights I took ranged from long-haul international Delta Air Lines flights to short-haul Frontier Airlines flights.
I tested each pillow in a variety of sleeping positions, including upright and in window seats to determine how the pillows performed in tight spaces and if they could be used against the airplane cabin wall. On overnight flights when I had the entire row open, I also tested the pillow's comfort levels when laying fully flat.
Best overall: Cushion Lab Ergonomic Travel Neck Pillow
The Cushion Lab's extra dense memory foam is incredibly comfortable.
Tom Pallini/Business Insider
The Cushion Lab Ergonomic travel pillow is a bit large once unfurled, but rolls up so compactly into its handy carrying case that I barely even noticed when it was attached to one of my bags. Unfurling it from its case was no fuss and took less than 30 seconds.
Though at first glance this pillow appears to be a fairly standard travel neck pillow with the classic U-shape design, several key differences help set it apart.
First, the extra dense memory foam is incredibly comfortable. The material of the pillow is super soft and the memory foam made it feel as if I was truly sinking into the pillow instead of just resting my head on top of it.
There's also asymmetrical support with more cushioning on one side more than the other. This is different from the standard, symmetrical neck pillows and meant I had added support for leaning my head.
An adjustable strap also tightens and loosens the pillow's grip to the wearer's desire, another differentiating factor from other travel pillows that increases its appeal and versatility.
When I was done with it, wrapping up the pillow was as simple as wrapping an umbrella.
However, keep in mind this pillow is great primarily for upright sleeping. Though I found it gave me nice neck support, the pillow really can't be propped up against the cabin wall and it won't lend support when laying down across seats either.
Best inflatable: AirComfy Ease Inflatable Travel Pillow
The AirComfy travel pillow provided the same amount of comfort regardless of the position I was in.
Tom Pallini/Business Insider
The AirComfy travel pillow comes in a carrying case that includes a carabiner, which makes it easily attachable to a backpack or a carry-on.
Though it didn't look like much at first, a few breaths and about 30 seconds was all it took to inflate the pillow to its proper state.The pillow did a great job of bridging the gap between the headrest of my seat and my head and the soft velvet material was incredibly comfortable.
A strap on the pillow allowed me to affix it to my seat so I could move around without it slipping or falling at all. Adjusting the firmness of the pillow was also just a matter of letting some air out or adding a few extra blows.
An overnight flight was when the pillow really stood out, since I was constantly moving around and adjusting my sleeping position over the six-hour-long flying time. The pillow provided the same amount of comfort regardless of the position I was in.
And, when I had a whole row to myself, the pillow proved even more useful since I could prop it on the armrest when laying down flat. That's something I wouldn't have been able to do with the U-shaped neck pillows. The pillow was equally comfortable propped up against the cabin wall when sitting in the window seat, and I was extremely impressed with its constant versatility.
Once the flight was over, it took seconds to deflate the bag and store it with no fuss.
Best for extra neck support: Trtl Pillow Plus
The Trtl Plus travel pillow is a good choice for head bobbers since it offers plenty of sturdy neck support.
Tom Pallini/Business Insider
Like several of the other pillows I tested, this travel pillow also came in a carrying case along with a carabiner that could be used to attach it to a bag. But the case really didn't seem necessary as the pillow was compact and thin enough to slide in a backpack, purse, or even a laptop case.
Its compact size also made it especially easy to unfurl when it was time to use. There was no major assembly required and I had it out of my bag and around my neck in less than 30 seconds.All I had to do was pick a spot on my neck for the pillow to rest and then wrap a cloth around the rest of my neck to keep it in place.
The pillow had an incredibly sturdy feel with plenty of neck support, making it a good choice for head bobbers, and I didn't feel that I had to keep pressure on it to keep it in place.
The cloth that wraps around the pillow is incredibly soft and was comfortable to wear around my head for prolonged periods of time.Adjusting the height of the pillow was as easy as turning a knob. The cloth could also be loosened and tightened as desired for a custom fit.
The only problem I had with the pillow is that it only offered support on one side. I couldn't really move my head much because then I'd have no support.This pillow can also only be used for upright sleeping. I couldn't lay down with this pillow or prop it up against the cabin wall.
That said, it does offer excellent neck support, which can be a serious plus for those who tend to choose aisle seats or have a habit of their head falling forward when sleeping on planes.
How we tested travel pillows
Not all the travel pillows we tested were comfortable or easy to use.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
For this guide, I tested seven pillows on flights across the Western Hemisphere for three months.
I tested the pillows on flights in my travels for work and pleasure. The types of flights I took ranged from long-haul international Delta Air Lines flights to short-haul Frontier Airlines flights.
I tested each pillow in a variety of sleeping positions, including upright and in window seats to determine how the pillows performed in tight spaces and if they could be used against the airplane cabin wall. On overnight flights when I had the entire row open, I also tested the pillow's comfort levels when laying fully flat.
While the best travel pillow for you will depend on your specific preferences, desired sleep position, and usual airplane seat, there are a few constants I looked for across all the travel pillows I tested. These are similar qualities anyone should consider when looking for a solid travel pillow and include:
Packability: As a no-fuss economy flyer, I sought out packability the most as I was often using a backpack or overnight bag for most of my trips. Baggage allowance is minimal for economy flyers so I wanted a pillow that could either fit snugly in a bag or easily be attached to one of my bags.
Comfort: How comfortable the pillows were was the other main factor. Quality of sleep is just as important as the duration of sleep, and if a pillow isn't comfortable, it simply isn't serving its purpose.
Simplicity: Flying in economy is already tight quarters and that's compacted when in a crowded row. I was looking for pillows that I could easy assemble and disassemble while at my seat, without disturbing my neighbors.
Staying power: A travel pillow is only good if it stays connected to one's head. I sought out pillows that wouldn't fall if I moved my head during my sleep and ones that wouldn't fall off of my neck.
The post The 4 best travel pillows of 2025, according to an airlines reporter appeared first on Business Insider