The Best Travel Pillows of 2024

Although a bit unconventional, the Trtl Travel Pillow has gained a cult-like following for its ingenious, minimalist design. It’s less of a pillow in the strictest sense of the word and more of a neck brace that offers support thanks to a flexible plastic frame that’s tucked inside a fleece wrap. It’s also the smallest and lightest pillow of the models we tested.

While we liked how the Trtl contoured to the neck and were impressed by how strong the Velcro tab was to secure the pillow in place, we found that it did take some maneuvering before finding just the right spot to sleep in. As someone with a shorter neck, I also felt as though the plastic insert jabbed my collarbone, and also applied a bit too much pressure on my ear for my liking.

That being said, Reviewed’s executive editor of growth, Megan McCarthy, is a huge fan of the Trtl: "It's the only thing I've used that lets me have semi-decent sleep on a flight. It holds my head up better than any of those puffy donut-shaped pillows you see in airport stores, and it takes up so much less space in my bag."

Despite my personal gripes with the Trtl, I still think it’s a great pick for the more low-profile traveler who wants something they can easily stash in their bag. After all, since it’s basically just a fleece scarf, it’ll take up much less luggage space than a traditional U-shaped pillow. Keep in mind though that the Trtl is only designed for one-sided support, so it might not be the best choice for those who tend to toss and turn mid-flight. Having said that, it’s also a pillow that offers a much-needed surface to lean on in both middle seat and aisle seats.

Throughout our testing of travel pillows, we came to the realization that very few are designed for those who nod forward when they fall asleep. Except for the Bcozzy, that is. This pillow is essentially shaped like a giant worm, for lack of a better analogy, with ends that overlap to provide ample chin support when leaning forward. With its open-ended, circular design, the pillow can be worn as tight or as loose as you want it, allowing each user to adjust it based on how much overlap and support they crave.

While it’s great to nestle your head in and stabilize your chin, it doesn’t offer much in the way of side support for your neck, unless you continuously move the area that stacks to the side you are resting on. For that reason, we don’t think the Bcozzy is a great choice for fidgety sleepers, as it’d need to be readjusted each time your head changes positions mid-snooze. We also noticed that it can slowly unravel a bit over the course of a nap, which could easily be solved if the company added Velcro between the two overlapping pieces to make it stay in place, but alas.

The Bcozzy features a button-clasp loop that clips to the outside of your luggage, so while it’s not the easiest to stow away, it’s still relatively portable. It’s also one of the few pillows that didn’t interfere with me wearing my Bose over-ear headphones, which I appreciated.

If you’re looking for a simple and affordable pillow, the Clöudz is a straightforward choice that you can’t go wrong with. It’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect in terms of a standard U-shaped pillow, offering firm support that holds its shape even with the full weight of your head pressed against it. What elevates the Clöudz over other pillows in its price range are the handy snaps at the ends, which keep the pillow snugly in place around your neck. They’re also perfect for attaching the pillow to your luggage when you’re not using it. We also thought it stood out for its dual-sided comfort, with one side featuring a warm, cozy fabric and the other a smooth spandex. These small details on the Clöudz actually make a big difference and place it a cut above the rest of its cheap microbead competitors.

The Travelmate pillow was a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer in our tests. While we found the memory foam to be soft and well-cushioned, there wasn’t much that made it stand out in a crowd of worthy competitors. One feature that we did enjoy was the removable foam insert, which lets you adjust the thickness of the pillow from behind, and also allows it to better conform to the back of your airplane seat so it doesn't push your head forward.

We also took notice of the built-in elastic strap. While we assumed it was intended to place over your headrest for a no-slip hold, it’s actually meant for attaching the pillow to luggage according to the instructions. This seems like an odd, time-consuming method of attachment, as you’d have to find something to loop or tie it around as opposed to an easy-to-use clip or snap closure. We also think this pillow could seriously benefit from a front clasp, as we found ourselves all too aware of the open-U design that fails to offer any support in the front.

We didn’t expect to like the Sunany as much as we did. This innovative pillow is designed to be inflated and rested on top of your lap (or tray table, depending on your height), so you’re able to lean forward and place your head in an opening, not unlike a massage table. It features holes on the front and sides as well, so you're able to flip the pillow around, hug it as you fall asleep, and also have the ability to place your phone, kindle, or other devices inside for entertainment as you rest your head.

When we tested the Sunany, we were impressed by the design of the inflation valve, which makes it super easy to inflate in about ten breaths or less. To deflate, all you have to do is open the valve and squeeze gently. Another highlight was how easy it was to roll up and fold away in its storage bag. And as an added bonus, the pillow comes with a set of earplugs and a surprisingly comfortable eye mask. All in all, our experience with the Sunany was one of the more unforgettable ones.

If you’re looking to go the inflatable route, we’d recommend the AirComfy as the way to go. This inflatable U-shaped pillow, which comes with a built-in inflation pump, consistently ranked well with our testers in terms of comfort, design, and portability.

Designed with a micro-velvet pillowcase, this pillow is soft to the touch and easy to clean, since the liner itself is machine-washable. While it took us longer than 30 to 60 seconds to inflate the pillow—for our testers, the estimated time was about 120 seconds (2 minutes)—the ability to easily inflate or deflate it makes this pillow ideal for travelers who want more control over their pillow’s firmness level. It also comes with contoured neck support, which looks like two cat ears are jutting out from the pillow when it’s not in use.

For portability, the AirComfy excels because it can be packed down into the plush, lightweight packsack that it comes in, which features a carabiner clip that’s easy to attach to luggage. Because it’s a U-shaped pillow, it may not be the preferred choice for side sleepers, but for those who want good neck support, this travel pillow is a solid mid-range option.

Ideal for those who only want the bare essentials when they travel, Therm-a-Rest’s stuffable pillowcase is best-suited for campers, backpackers, or simply those who can’t be bothered to carry a travel pillow around with them. It’s essentially just a sack that you’re meant to stuff a sweater or jacket into, eliminating the need for a travel pillow entirely.

While we found the material to be soft and breathable, and we certainly recognize how a space-saving sack could be useful for some, ultimately there’s nothing really special about this mini pillowcase. If traveling light is your biggest concern, you should probably opt for the Trtl instead.