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In the photo above, you can see six of the travel pillows I’ll be covering in this article, all of which I bought and used on flights in 2024.
Below, you’ll find a quick overview of the travel pillows, followed by some comparison tables. After that, I’ll discuss each travel pillow in depth.
You may already know that it’s kind of tricky to fall asleep when your head is nodding up and down like a bobblehead figure on a car dashboard.
Okay, so I exaggerate a little. You probably wouldn’t fit on a car dashboard. But you’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever tried sleeping with the wrong travel pillow that’s now 2000 miles away from a refund.
I regularly test new travel pillows, from the standard ones sold in airports to some very bizarre inventions. If you’ve ever seen the ones you stick your arms and face in, you’ll know what I mean. Take a look at this inflatable oddity I bought online:
I decided not to test this one in public because I’m not a huge fan of being laughed at by children.
“Mummy, why is that man’s head stuck in a beachball?”
While I’m all for manufacturers getting creative with the ergonomics of travel pillows, they still need to feel comfortable, support your neck and head, and ideally not take up too much space when you’re not using them.
Over the last ten years, I’ve taken a new travel pillow with me every time I’ve flown. I’ve also asked several family members and friends with different body shapes to help me compare multiple travel pillows on road trips. In the photo below, for example, you can see one of my more ambitious testing trips!
So if you need a good travel pillow for your next trip, here are the ones I recommend based on many hours of personally testing them on planes, trains, and automobiles.
Overview
Here are the key points to know about each travel pillow. There are a few years between the oldest and most recent photos, but it’s still me in various states of plane weariness!
Bcozzy
Materials: Soft polyester fill and exterior. Fully machine washable.
Price: $$
The Bcozzy is my top pick for adults who would like a plush travel pillow with 360-degree head and neck support.
The flexible, overlapping coil design allows you to create adjustable support heights to lean on, and prevents your head from dropping forward or to the side.
With several sizes and colours to choose from, it’s also a great choice for kids.
Cabeau Evolution S3
Materials: Machine washable polyester cover. Memory foam fill.
Price: $$
The Cabeau Evolution S3 is the best memory foam travel pillow overall. It’s a particularly good choice for taller adults or those with longer necks. The combination of high sides and drawstring fastener helps keep your head upright when sleeping on a plane.
The memory foam fill conforms gently to your head while you sleep and is thick enough to give you some comfortable padding to lean on.
Trtl
Materials: Plastic internal brace. Machine washable fleece wrap and velcro strap.
Price: $$
The Trtl’s unique design includes a plastic brace section inside, which feels more robust to lean on than travel pillows made from fabric alone. You can position it to the front or side, and then wrap the soft fleece fabric around your neck.
It works very well on the side, but some may find it obstructs their breathing when the brace is positioned at the front.
AYHome
Materials: Machine washable nylon, spandex and polyester cover. Memory foam fill.
Price: $$
The AYHome provides 360-degree support very effectively, with an adjustable coil that can be tightly fastened with a thick velcro patch.
The memory foam fill is thick, providing ample support for your head to lean on in any direction. While the exterior fabric isn’t as cozy or soft as the Bcozzy, it arguably keeps your head in place even better.
Cirorld
Materials: Machine washable velvet cover. Memory foam fill.
Price: $
The Cirorld has a similar shape to the Cabeau, but with much shorter sides and significantly less padding.
The exterior fabric has a soft feel, and the memory foam contours well to your head.
Shorter adults or those with short necks might like it, but taller adults will find it provides very little in the way of neck support.
Flowzoom
Materials: Inflatable PVC interior, polyester exterior. Fully machine washable.
Price: $$
The Flowzoom is an inflatable travel pillow with a soft polyester exterior cover, so it’s more compact than the memory foam pillows when rolled up.
The H-shaped design means there are two ways to use it, depending on whether you want front or side support for your head.
It works well, especially in preventing your head dropping forward, but it’s very large and noticeable when fully inflated.
J-Pillow
Materials: Polyester fill and fleece exterior. Fully machine washable.
Price: $$
The J-Pillow is a good choice if you know you’re going to be in a window seat. The J-shape and option to rotate it to suit different head shapes means you can position the padding exactly where you need it most to relax and fall asleep.
The J part that sits under your chin does a good job of preventing head slumping, and the thick fill is very comfortable to lean on. It can still work in a middle or aisle seat, just not quite as effectively as window seat.
Travelrest
Materials: Inflatable, with velour exterior. Hand wash only.
Price: $$
The Travelrest is a long inflatable travel pillow that sits across the front of your body, giving you a more substantial surface to lean on than standard neck pillows.
It’s effective if you typically lean to the side when sleeping in the upright position, but it doesn’t do enough to stop your head dropping forward, especially compared to those that provide 360-degree support.
Cloudz
Materials: Polystyrene microbead fill, polyester cover. Machine washable.
Price: $
The Cloudz travel pillow is similar to many you’ll see in airports, with its classic U-shape and thick microbead fill.
All the padding provides a large area to lean your head on, but the thick back pushes your head forward unless you rotate it 180 degrees. It’s probably better suited to adults with wider necks.
Another issue is that it doesn’t compact at all, so it will take up more space in a cupboard when you’re not travelling.
Comparison tables
Table 1: Ratings
In table 1, I’ve given each travel pillow a score out of 10 in three key performance areas. The side and front support score is based on how well the pillow stops your head from slumping uncomfortably forward or to the side. The comfort score combines how much cushioning the fill provides and the softness of the exterior on your skin.
| Travel pillow | Side support | Front support | Comfort | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bcozzy | 9 | 10 | 9 | 28 |
| Cabeau | 10 | 8 | 8 | 26 |
| Trtl | 10 | 8 | 7 | 25 |
| AYHome | 9 | 10 | 7 | 26 |
| Cirorld | 7 | 6 | 8 | 21 |
| Flowzoom | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| J-Pillow | 9 | 7 | 8 | 24 |
| Travelrest | 7 | 5 | 6 | 18 |
| Cloudz | 6 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
Table 2: Materials and care
In table 2, you can compare the travel pillows on the materials, whether they have a carry bag, and if they can be machine washed.
| Travel pillow | Materials | Carry bag | Machine wash? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bcozzy | Polyester | ✔ | All |
| Cabeau | Polyester, memory foam | ✔ | Cover only |
| Trtl | Plastic, fleece | ✔ | Wrap only |
| AYHome | Nylon, spandex, polyester, memory foam | ✔ | Cover only |
| Cirorld | Velvet, memory foam | ✔ | Cover only |
| Flowzoom | PVC + air fill, polyester | ✔ | All |
| J-Pillow | Fleece, polyester | ✔ | All |
| Travelrest | PVC + air fill, polyester | ✔ | Hand wash |
| Cloudz | Polystyrene, polyester | x | All |
The travel pillows in depth
1. Bcozzy
Best travel pillow overall, with a flexible design, plush fabric, and multiple sizes
In the photo above, I’m using the large adult size of the Bcozzy (because I’m an adult). I like how soft it feels, and the way the flexible design lets you create different neck heights.
The versatile Bcozzy travel pillow is my top pick for several reasons. Perhaps most importantly, the coil design provides complete 360-degree neck support. That means there’s no opening for your head to drop through, which is my main issue with standard U-shaped travel pillows.
Secondly, I like how you can create different support heights with the overlapping ends. If you have a shorter neck, you can lean your head on just one level of the coil. Alternatively, if you’re a bit of a giraffe like me, you can double the ends together to get more support. I also like how there’s a small velcro patch on each end to secure it in place and keep it nice and snug.
The clever wrap-around design means you can lean to either side, or allow your head to rest slightly forwards without your chin hitting your chest. I also found the flatter back section meant it doesn’t push your head forward when you’re flying – a problem that chunkier travel pillows sometimes create.
The plush exterior fabric feels soft and comfy. And the polyester fiber interior has just the right amount of fill to cushion your head for long periods of time. Conveniently, the whole pillow is machine washable.
I like that it comes with a handy snap strap and carry bag to tie it onto hand luggage, which is useful as my only criticism is that it’s not as compact as an inflatable travel pillow.
The final reason why the Bcozzy travel pillow took top spot is because of what I call the partner test. After I’d finished putting my partner through the embarrassment of trying multiple travel pillows on the same flight, she asked to hang onto the Bcozzy, put her headphones on and fell asleep.
The Bcozzy comes in a large or extra large adult size, as well as two sizes for kids and multiple colors that might appeal to the little ones. The large was fine for me, but I think the extra large would probably suit my large frame (193 cm tall) even better.
It costs between $40 and $50 in the US, and £35 to £47 in the UK, depending on the size and style.
2. Cabeau Evolution S3
Best memory foam travel pillow, with high sides and a fastener
In the photo above, I’m using the Cabeau Evolution S3. I’ve fastened the cord tightly to keep my head upright.
The Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow has particularly high sides, so it’s probably best suited to taller adults or those with longer necks. It worked very well for me (193 cm), while my shorter partner (160 cm) found the sides a bit too raised for her liking.
A useful feature compared to basic U-shaped travel pillows is the adjustable cord lock at the front, which draws the sides closer together. I found this pretty much gives it 360-degree support because the edges lock onto your chin, preventing your head from dropping forward.
I also had the previous iteration of the Cabeau, and like how they’ve made the back section thinner on the S3. It’s more comfortable to use on a plane because there’s less ‘lumpiness’ between the back of your neck and the seat.
The fill is responsive memory foam, which cushions your head well and provides effective support when you lean into it. And the external fabric is moisture-wicking polyester. Although the fabric doesn’t feel quite as soft as the Bcozzy, it’s still a very comfortable combination of fabric and fill, especially when compared to inflatable or microbead travel pillows.
Interestingly, the Cabeau Evolution S3 comes with an optional seat strap to keep it in place and prevent your head from doing that ‘flopping forward’ thing. I can see the logic behind the strap, but I didn’t use it as I wasn’t keen on the idea of attaching my head to a plane seat.
Conveniently, it comes with a small travel bag that it compresses into to save space, and the exterior cover can be removed and machine washed.
I wouldn’t recommend the Cabeau Evolution S3 for children due to the relatively high sides. Otherwise, it’s an excellent travel pillow that many adults will find comfortable to use. It typically costs just under $40 in the US on Amazon, and around £50 in the UK.
3. Trtl Travel Pillow
A curved internal piece creates a more substantial surface to lean on
In the photo above, I’ve positioned the Trtl sideways so I can lean against it. You can also position it to the front and rest your chin on it, but I found that slightly obstructed my breathing.
The Trtl travel pillow is quite unique in that it has a curved piece of flexible plastic inside one section. This provides a more solid structure to lean your head on compared to softer travel pillows.
My partner is a nurse, so she took one look at the Trtl and asked if it was a neck brace in disguise (it’s not). And I do think this is one that will be best suited to those who really feel the need for more support than the average travel pillow will provide.
Personally, I quite liked the extra support when I positioned the part with the structure on my side. However, when I positioned the main part to the front and rested my chin against it, I didn’t like how the fabric ended up being so close to my mouth – an issue my partner agreed with as even more of her face was tucked inside the fabric.
The other issue is that to keep your head upright, you need to wrap the fabric quite tightly around your neck. While this wasn’t uncomfortable, it did end up being quite warm. Perhaps you’d like that if you tend to get cold on flights, but it was a bit too snug for me.
It comes with a smart travel bag and clip to attach it to your luggage, which is good because it doesn’t compact much due to the curved plastic support piece.
Overall, I think the Trtl is one to consider if you’ve struggled to find a travel pillow that provides adequate support for your head or neck. With some adjusting and experimentation, it’s definitely possible to get some serious support out of it. Just be prepared to look a bit odd as you wrap and rewrap the long fabric piece while you work out how to use it!
The Trtl travel pillow costs just under $65 in the US, and just under £60 in the UK. This makes it a particularly expensive travel pillow, so I’d try it at home in advance so you can send it back if you don’t like the style.
4. AYHome 360° support
Keeps your head completely upright with strong velcro to adjust the coil
Above, you can see the travel pillow I most recently tested. I was impressed by how well it keeps your head upright due to the 360° support created by the adjustable coil design and velcro.
I bought this particular travel pillow under the brand name of AYHome while I was in the UK, but I believe the same version is currently sold in the US under the brand name Divine Deluxe.
I also discovered that it’s sold in bulk on Alibaba.com, so it wouldn’t surprise me if this style is listed by more third party Amazon sellers in the future because it’s actually a really good travel pillow.
To me, it feels a bit like the manufacturer took a look at the design of the popular Bcozzy travel pillow and decided to make an even larger one and fill it with squishy memory foam.
What I liked most about it is that the front part of the coil has a strong velcro circle which you can attach anywhere along the inside coil. It’s possible to make it quite tight, which then stops your head flopping to the side or forward while you sleep.
I also like how the reduced amount of memory foam in the back section compresses into the plane seat rather than pushing your head forward. Like the Bcozzy, the asymmetrical sides cater to different neck lengths, but the height difference is only a couple of centimetres.
Even though the exterior fabric is quite soft, it doesn’t feel as warm and plush on the skin compared to the Bcozzy. You can remove the cover and machine wash it, but not the memory foam interior.
My partner managed to sleep very well with it on the return flight, though she had to borrow my in-ear headphones because she found her larger over-ear headphones pressed into the sides too much. And that’s probably the biggest drawback – large headphones might not be so compatible with this one, especially if you have a shorter neck.
The travel pillow comes with a useful travel case and compacts down reasonably well for memory foam. There are earplugs and a sleep mask included, but they are as basic as they get and didn’t impress me.
It currently costs just under $30 in the US and just under £25 in the UK.
5. Cirorld
A smaller memory foam travel pillow for adults with shorter necks
In the photo above, it looks like the Cirorld travel pillow is supporting my head well. However, I found it was too small and low for my neck height. It may suit those with short necks, but for larger adults like me, the similarly shaped Cabeau will probably fit better.
The Cirorld has a design, shape, and fabric combination that seems to be quite common when I look online or in airports these days.
I had high expectations when I first got it because it looked like the Cabeau, which I know works well for me. But while I liked the soft and plush feel, there were several points that meant it wasn’t a good match for me.
Firstly, it’s significantly smaller than the Cabeau, with much lower sides. So with my long neck, I didn’t find the sides high enough to lean into. Secondly, the memory foam is nice and squishy, but there isn’t much of it, which resulted in even less support when I tried to relax my head to the side.
It is possible to create near 360° support by fastening the front with the little snap buttons. There are actually two buttons to lock onto, but one is hidden along the side of the pillow, and I didn’t even notice it until a couple of hours into the flight I tested it on.
Even when I found the second button and managed to close it tighter, my head would still droop forward more than I’d like it to – again because I was probably too tall for this particular pillow.
Having said that, my shorter partner also said that it didn’t provide as much support as our favourite travel pillows. I think once you’ve found one that keeps your head so well in place, it’s hard to accept those that allow as much movement as the Cirorld.
Interestingly, the fabric on the side and underneath is made from a lovely, soft velvet material. The strange thing is, you don’t lean your head onto that part, but another fabric strip described as “magnetic therapy fabric”. Despite looking closely at the product listing, I’m still unsure what that means exactly.
So while this isn’t one we’ll be using again in a hurry, I imagine it might suit some people with shorter necks who like the feel of memory foam.
It currently costs a little under $15 in the US and just under £16 in the UK.
6. Flowzoom
An inflatable travel pillow with a large H-shaped chin support option
In the photos above, you can see how the Flowzoom can be used in two different ways.
If you’re looking at the photos of me using the Flowzoom and wondering if it really is that big, then yes, it is! I was surprised by how large it turned out when fully inflated, so smaller adults or those with shorter necks might want to skip this one.
What I liked about the Flowzoom though is the H-shape it has. This made it more comfortable than most other inflatable travel pillows I’ve tried because it doesn’t push your head forward as much.
In the photo above, you can see the H in the photo on the left. It’s interesting how they’ve designed it so you can turn it around and rest your chin on what would usually be the back section. It worked surprisingly well, providing some decent support for my head and neck.
In the photo on the right, I’m using the Flowzoom the ‘normal’ way. The thin bar is now at the back and allows some room for my neck, while still supporting my head on the sides.
Like the Cabeau Evolution S3, I needed to tie the fastener quite tightly to prevent my head dropping forward through the gap with the pillow this way around, so I preferred to use it back to front.
I liked how the Flowzoom has some soft fabric on the outside to make it feel a bit softer. It’s quite thin fabric though, and it doesn’t feel as comfortable to lean on as the previous three I’ve covered.
On balance, if you want an inflatable travel pillow that doesn’t take up much space when it’s deflated, but still provides good support for your head, the Flowzoom is one to consider.
It costs just under $35 in the US and around £25 in the UK.
7. J-pillow
A plush pillow with a thick chin support and piece to lean your head on
In the photo above, you can see the how the J-pillow has a lot of material to rest your head on and works well in a window seat.
The J-pillow won a British invention award back in 2013, with its unique design that steers well away from the classic U shape. It has a sort of double J shape instead, with a section that sits under your chin to help prevent your head from dropping forward.
I’ve tested it on two flights, and it’s very comfortable to use in a window seat. That chin support really does help keep your head in place, and the side part feels plush to lean on. It didn’t feel quite as effective in a middle or aisle seat though.
The interior material is squishy polyester fiberfill. I personally like the feel of that, and it doesn’t get as hot as some memory foam pillows. I also like the fact that the whole pillow is machine washable, not just a cover.
My main issue is that the strange shape and springiness of the filling make it slightly inconvenient for storage. You can squash it down into your bag, or use the strap to tie it to your hand luggage. But it’s still kind of a lumpy ‘thing’ you have to cart around with you.
I think the J-pillow is a good choice if you have a window seat on a plane, or are traveling by car or train. It’s still okay for middle and aisle seats, but it might not stay in place quite as well. It costs around $40 in the US and around £40 in the UK.
8. Travelrest
Compact inflatable pillow for side sleepers
In the photo above, I’m using the Travelrest – some time ago now! It’s good to lean against, but does nothing to stop your head dropping forward.
The Travelrest inflatable travel pillow is another one with an unusual design. It has a long shape that crosses the front of your body, providing a large surface area for you to lean against.
It comes with an attached strap that you can tether around the top of your seat to keep it in place. Alternatively, you can wear it like a bag and hug it to your body.
I like how it gives you a comfortable surface to lean against – especially if you have a window seat. And you can even make it work in a middle or aisle seat.
My main complaint is that it didn’t stop my head from drooping forward when sitting upright. But in a reclining seat, it worked well as I’m naturally a side sleeper. My second complaint is that it looks a bit odd due to the size, and is a little awkward to change sides.
Considering how large it is when inflated, it rolls up tightly and is remarkably compact. So if you’re in need of a space-saving pillow, and you’re a side sleeper at home, this could be one you like. It usually costs just under $30 in the US or £30 in the UK.
9. Cloudz
Large microbead pillow, with a plush cover
The Cloudz is a typical microbead-filled travel pillow with ample padding, but less forward support than some of the others.
The Cloudz is a microbead-filled travel pillow that’s similar to the type you may have seen in airport shops. The microbeads provide soft cushioning, so it feels gentle when you let your head sink into it. It’s also large enough to keep your head reasonably upright, which isn’t always the case with this style.
It has a convenient snap closure which allows for a tighter fit around your neck, meaning your head is less likely to bobble around on awkward angles.
Like so many of this style though, the sheer quantity of material in the back section means you need to play with it to find a comfortable position. I found it was good for reading and watching movies, but when I wanted to sleep, I had to turn it around so it didn’t push my head forward.
The large size and quantity of microbeads also mean it doesn’t compact well, so you’ll need to tie it to the outside of your hand luggage.
If you’re a fan of the feel of microbead fill, the Cloudz travel pillow does provide some comfort and head support along with a soft external material. But if you’d rather save space and value ergonomic design, it might not be the one for you.
It costs around $15 in the US, which I think is a very reasonable price for a travel pillow. It’s not currently available locally in the UK.
