🥇Best Travel Pillow in 2023

With some slight comfort, limited noise and movements, it is easy for one to fall asleep, especially during long plane, car, or train travels. Due to the limited space, one has to fall asleep, strapped to the seat of the vehicle. In actual sense, the feeling is quite relaxing, but waking up from that sleep, you realize that you wake up with a slight headache, a feeling of numbness on the lower back, and stiffness in the neck region.

Many people seek solutions to enhance their sleep during long travels while seated at the comfort of their seat, and that is where the travel pillows come in. There are multiple products available in the market that can provide you with the comfort you are looking for. Some of these pillows are discreet, and many can, at a glance, confuse them with scarves or ones that you can tuck in your jacket or hood. Also, you can find other inflatable travel pillows, but require someone bold enough to pull them off.

How do you pick the right travel pillow? According to Rebecca Robbins, the best pillow should be one that keeps your head in an elevated posture that aligns with your spine to avoid the numbness or stiffness one experiences after falling into sleep during travel. One consideration that you should make is to ensure that you don't pick a travel pillow that is too soft, hot, and yet giving you a comfortable feeling.

What Should You Look For In a Travel Pillow?

When looking for the best travel pillow, there are some feature’ considerations that one should make. First, note that if you find yourself in a position that you don't need to take a nap, you can fail to use these pillows since travel can be full of multiple distractions. Nonetheless, you need to take one for the road just in case the ride takes longer than expected. Based on some research and reviews by various people, I have compiled a list of some of the most significant factors that you should look for when selecting a travel pillow. Some of these features include;

i) Comfortability and Support

The choice of travel pillow you take should have the capacity to carry the weight of your neck and head, making sure it gives you maximum comfort. Do not pick a travel pillow that got your neck too tight.

ii) Portability

You should pick an easily portable travel pillow. During long travels, you are likely to carry lots of luggage with you. Mainly, you do not want your travel pillow to take up so much of your space. Pick a pillow that you can compress into a smaller size, or clip on the outside of your bag. Note that you should avoid inflatable travel pillows because they often develop leaks hence cannot serve you for a long time.

iii) Soft

The travel pillow’s make should be soft to enhance its comfortability properties. However, note that you should not pick one with a material that traps heat since it might get uncomfortable during your sleep.

iv) Check on Size

You should pick a travel pillow that will fit you well, preferably one with the standard fit. You have to make sure it can fit your head’s shape, the size, neck-length, and can accommodate you even if you have big hair.

v) Sleeping Style

The pillow should fit a variety of persons regardless of their sleeping style-you might be the kind who move a lot during their sleep. Also, it should work well with any type of seat, be it an aisle, middle, etc.

vi) Easy to Use

The travel pillow should be easy to compress and decompress, whether you want to pack it onto your carriage or unpack it and use it for a quick nap.

vii) Weight

Your travel pillow ought to be your guide to comfortability, do not go on to add weight for your neck to carry. Typically, inflatable pillows are a good option, but also the memory-foam pillows can much up to the task since they are also light in weight.

viii) The Grip of your Pillow

During a rough road or turbulence, your head is likely to spin around. Pick a pillow with an excellent traction or grip t ensure that your head stays well-supported no matter the turbulence.

ix) Easy Maintenance

The seats of a plane, for instance, can get very dirty. When you are on your way for your next trip, you should ensure that you wash your travel pillow. Pick one that is easy to maintain i.e., easy to clean.

7 Best Travel Pillows in 2023

Based on the factors we discussed above, I have made a compilation of some of the best travel pillows in the market. Now, let’s do a review of each one of them:

1. MLVOC Travel Pillow

The MLVOC Travel Pillow is a best seller on Amazon, with a customer review of 4.5 out of 5 stars rating. It has a size of 7.1 by 6.1 by 5.7 inches and goes for $16. It has a travel bag, in which it can be shrunk upto ½ of its size to enhance easy portability. The strap makes it even easier to attach the travel bag to the side of your luggage, thus saving up on space. It is very light, weighing 0.6lbs, meaning that you can carry it around and does not add additional weight to your shoulders when in use. This pillow's make is 100% memory foam, and adjustable to meet your neck size needs and sleeping position preference (adjustable rope lock feature).

Some exclusive features of the MLVOC Travel pillow include 3D eye masks and earplugs. The earplugs drift you away from noise during your sleep. The cushion has an ergonomic design giving you support for your neck and preventing your head from falling forward, which can be a significant cause of neck pain and discomfort. The pillow's cover is sweat-resistant, and removable-you can remove and wash it often (machine washable), making it easy to maintain as you can wash it every time you make a trip. The 100% memory foam gives you superior comfort-it relieves pressure on the joints giving you ultimate relaxation. You can use this pillow either for car, train, or plane travel and is also ideal for home use when watching a movie, reading, or taking a brief nap at the office.

2. OSTRICH PILLOW GO Travel Pillow

The OSTRICH PILLOW is a luxury power nap pillow providing you with airplane neck support, and having memory foam travel accessories. On Amazon, t has a 4 out of 5-star rating and shipping weight of 14.9 pounds. It has a price range of about $14.18. This pillow lets you dream in style, considering that it has a classic design, and its memory foam is dense to ensure that you receive maximum levels of comfort. The ergonomic feature of this pillow means that you can easily rotate your head up to 360 degrees. The OSTRICHPILLOW is easily portable and does not take up a vast space of your carriage bag.

This pillow gives you a custom feel that is designed by the VELCRO brand. Its design is fluffy and soft, giving you the perfect travel pillow. The viscoelastic sleeve is easily washable by machine. The material of this sleeve is made out of soft and breathable fabric, making it ideal for someone who travels frequently. The GO pillow make is that of dense memory foam and thus comes with an unboxing feature. Leave it for about three days outside your luggage’s packing to allow it to air out. You should review the manufacturer’s instruction on the product to learn more about factors such as maintenance and warranty.

3. TravelMate Memory Foam Neck Pillow

This TravelMate Memory Foam is a 12 by 12 by 6-inch neck pillow. This pillow is one of the best travel pillows as it has variable thicknesses. The TravelMate pillow is one of a kind. It comes with an in-built adjusting feature that helps you to keep on adjusting the pillow thickness until it meets personalized needs, such as preventing thrust movements of your head and preferred sitting positions. Also, it has an added boost to provide additional support, giving you the support you need on an airplane or car travel. It is easy to maintain as the silk cover is removable, and you can wash it by a machine, which is a consideration you should make if you travel often.

The TravelMate memory foam also incorporates a side boost to provide additional side support. This design pillow by Ground up gives you support to your neck, head, and chin, thus ensuring your head doesn't fall when you take a nap sitting up. The Memory Foam design takes up the shape of your neck perfectly; hence it is universal. Typically, this pillow is easy to use as all you have to do is adjust it to fit your neck. Also, it is easily portable. The pillow’s design comes with an in-built elastic strap through which you can easily attach the cushion onto the side of your luggage.

4. Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam Travel Pillow

The Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam, ten by five by 9.5 inch, is a unisex travel pillow providing both neck and chin support. If you want to put behind those sleepless or uncomfortable flights, the Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam gives you a comfortable feel, giving you a leeway of 360 degrees turn for your head and neck. Its cover is removable, making it easy to maintain as you can wash it every time before embarking on a new trip (machine washable).

The Cabeau Evolution pillow incorporates an ergonomic design, ensuring that it provides rest support for your neck at the same time preventing forward thrust action of your head. On Amazon, this product has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. It goes for about $24.9. One exclusive feature of this pillow is that it comes with memory earplugs ensuring that you can drift away from noise distractions around you while on your travel. This pillow is also easily portable, and its travel bag can compress it upto ¼ of its size to enhance convenience in packaging. However, note that you should avoid keeping the pillow compressed for long to enhance durability. Also, make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions to learn about other maintenance practices.

5. YFYMK Travel Pillow

The YFYMK Travel Pillow is a breathable and exclusive memory foam travel pillow. If you want a travel pillow that will get you off that aftermath back and neck pains during travel, go for this product. The comfortable memory foam gives you enough support and fits perfectly with your neck; it is a universal fit. Its material I cushy giving you a luxurious feel. If you want to use this pillow for a plane trip, you can get the plane pillow, which comes with a cozy touch regardless of the turbulence you are moving over-you won’t be distracted during your sleep. It goes for a price of about $16.

The YFYMK Travel Pillow is easily portable. Its design incorporates an in-built elastic strap enhancing its portability and a drawstring carriage bag; hence does not take up much of your luggage space. Also, you can strap it on the side of your luggage bag. The ergonomic design means that it prevents forward thrusting of your head by providing chin support and a rest for your neck, parallel to your spine. With this travel pillow, you get maximum comfort as you can also spin your head 360 degrees and suits various forms of travel, be it train, car, plane, or bus. In addition to this, you can use it at home during other leisure activities such as watching movies.

6. TRTL Travel Pillow

If you are looking for a fully adjustable neck travel pillow, the TRTL plus can act as a travel pillow for air, car, or bus travel. The product size is 8.3 by 6.7 by1.3 inches, and when reviewing Amazon's customer rating, it has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Its market price stars from $28. This travel pillow incorporates a waterproof carry bag that protects your pillow enhancing durability, accompanied by manufacturer’s instructions and Trtl accessories. You should read these instructions carefully to learn more details about the product, such as warranty and maintenance.

The TRTL travel pillow can be adjusted fully (both height and breathability mechanisms), and its make is an ergonomic design. You can adjust your headrest until it meets your perfect sleep position giving you enhanced comfort. Its make is that of cushion material offering extra support where you can rest your head comfortably.

“The Trtl Pillow Plus is one of the most premium offerings you will find, packing some of the best levels of comfort in an eye-catching construction that looks nothing like your regular neck pillow.” , Says Dr. Terry Cralle. A RN and sleep educator. 

During travel, you want to avoid the sudden back and forth thrush as it could hurt your neck region, and this pillow serves you correctly. The TRTL travel pillow is easily portable. It comes with a compact and free waterproof carry bag which you can easily attach to your luggage bag when setting out for a journey. This pillow is easy to maintain as it has a detachable scarf that you can frequently wash (machine washable).

7. Everlasting Comfort Travel Pillow

The Everlasting Comfort is another memory foam travel pillow that also ranks on my category of some of the best travel pillows for plane, car, and train travel. It has a size of 12.8 by 7.7 by 5.1, and on Amazon, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Some of the exclusive features of this pillow are that it comes with earplugs and eye masks. The memory foam of this pillow is 100% pure for neck support. The everlasting comfort pillow’s make is ultra-plush velour-the cover is removable and machine-washable hence easy to maintain.

The Everlasting Comfort pillow features an ergonomic lobe-like design. This feature provides optimum support for your neck, preventing it from tilting side to side and protects you from the sudden back and forth movement you could experience during turbulence. You can rest your head comfortably and enjoy your sleep throughout the travel without experiencing afterward lower back or neck pains. One unique feature of this pillow is the 'mobile phone pocket.' You can fit your cellphone onto the pocket and rest as you listen to music, accompanied by accessories such as earbuds, earplugs, and eye masks. If you get this product from Amazon, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. The everlasting comfort travel pillow is easily portable, considering its lightweight characteristic. It has a traveler bag and strap, which you can attach to the side of your luggage.

To sum up, this article is a review of some of the best travel pillows. Falling asleep during a trip is quite tempting, and in most cases, you never realize that you had fallen asleep until the travel is over. Often, during travel, you are prone to turbulences that may lead to sudden back and forth movements, which may cause back or neck pain. Travel pillows are a necessity, saving you from such conditions, especially if you make frequent long travels.