9 best neck pillows for plane and car travel in 2024
Start your holiday on a high note by getting the best sleep of your life with these top rated travel pillows.
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We’ve all been there – crammed into a tiny little space on the plane or in the back seat of the car desperately rearranging your body like a contortionist to suss out that sweet spot to doze off in.
Sometimes it takes minutes, sometimes it takes hours.
Sometimes you wake up fresh as a daisy, other times you wake up with a crick in your neck.
That’s where neck pillows or travel pillows come in.
They might not look like the most stylish pieces of travel wear (far from, really) but trust us, when you get a travel pillow with just the right amount of neck support for you, you’ll never look back.
Of our favourites, we can’t praise Cabeau’s collection enough. Whether you’re sold on the classic Cabeau Evolution CS3 or prefer the calming Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow, travellers worldwide have called it a “total game changer” and a “lifesaver for long flights”.
To save your neck, we’ve laid out all the best travel pillows based on our personal experiences as well as customer reviews and ratings, below.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST U SHAPED TRAVEL PILLOWS
Cabeau Evolution S3, on sale $49.955 (down from $65.99) at Amazon Australia
A premium neck pillow with raised sides to eliminate “bobble head” syndrome.
Pros:
Comes with a carry case
Attaches to the seat’s headrest
Well priced for a premium product
Cons:
Only comes in one size
No room to wear over ear headphones with it
Outer material: Moisture-wicking fabric
Core material: Memory foam
Care instructions: Cover is machine washable
What you need to know
Self-described as the “world’s best engineered neck pillow”, the Cabeau Evolution S3 is loved and recommended by travel experts worldwide, including Escape’s Associate Digital Editor Simone Mitchell.
“A travel writer friend made me buy one of these before a long haul flight a few years back,” she told news.com.au checkout. “I was originally dubious as it is super firm and looks a bit like a neck brace – but that is why it’s so good! It keeps your head from lolling around and is super supportive. One of the best travel items I’ve ever purchased. I put everyone onto them.”
The U-shaped design wraps around your neck and features a flat back and raised sides for sleeping upright without pushing your head forward. A nifty velcro strap secures it to the back of your seat while an adjustable front clip secures it around your neck.
For portability, the Cabeau Evolution S3 packs down to around half its size in the included carry bag and clips onto your carry on or backpack in a flash.
They can also save you from getting too chummy with your neighbour while nodding off (especially if you’ve gotten the short straw and are in the middle seat). Neck pillows also provide a cosy, pillow-like surface to rest your head on, which could be just what you need to fall asleep when sitting in an uncomfortable plane seat.
Something to be wary of is that this neck pillow can’t be height adjusted and customers with slim, long necks say that it didn’t fit them well. The high side walls also make it uncomfortable to wear with over ear headphones.
Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow, $69.90 at Amazon Australia
Engineered with air vents for breathability.
Pros:
Comes with a carry case
Seat strap holds it in place
Lightweight
Cons:
Expensive
Not height adjustable
Doesn’t support small necks
Outer material: Polyester
Core material: Dual density memory foam
Care instructions: Cover is machine washable
What you need to know
Constantly innovating (or should we say, evolving?) one of Cabeau’s newest iterations of the S3 is the Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow.
Slimmed down to sit more flush on the neck (think less neck brace, more stiff high collar), it boasts 360 degree air vents to reduce neck warmth and sweating and has a dual density memory foam core for increased head and neck support.
Similar to its predecessor it has a slim back, raised sides and a back strap to attach it to your plane, train or car seat. It also packs down to half its size into the included carrying case.
“Tried it on and was immediately comfortable,” says one Amazon customer. “So much so [I] decided to leave it on a bit longer while watching some TV. Well, [I] fell asleep and woke two hours later to a cold cup of tea but no sore neck or discomfort at all. Wow … does what it’s supposed to do.”
It comes in four different colours, including a red version that’s suitable for gaming.
As it can’t be adjusted, it’s best suited for average to large adult sized necks, and is said to be too large to properly support small necks, including those of children under 13 years old.
Travelon Travel Comfort Neck Pillow, $40.61 at Amazon Australia
A height adjustable U shape pillow that won’t break the bank.
Pros:
Easy to use
Affordable
Adjustable
Cons:
Bulky
No carrying case
Doesn’t offer firm support
Outer material: Polyester
Core material: Foam
Care instructions: Cover is machine washable
What you need to know
Travelon’s Travel Neck Pillow takes the traditional u shaped pillow and improves it, lengthening the arms to allow it to fully wrap around your neck for improved chin, neck and head support.
Unlike most neck pillows, the Travelon is height adjustable and can be wrapped around your neck twice for a more upright posture or draped around your shoulder or chest for side which “makes it comfortable to fall asleep resting your head to the side”.
It’s also extremely price competitive, costing from $40.63 on Amazon.
Something to keep in mind is that the fill is foam, not memory foam. This means less heat retention for a cooler night’s sleep, but it also means you won’t get the same level of firmness and support that memory foam is renowned for.
“I bought this product for a red-eye flight and it did the trick!” glows one Amazon customer. “I’ve tried many travel pillows over the years and by far, this one was the most comfortable.”
BEST TRAVEL PILLOW WITH NECK SUPPORT
Trtl Travel Pillow Plus, $159.99 at Amazon Australia
Tried and tested by Stephanie Yip, Shopping Travel Writer
A scarf with a built-in spine to reduce neck pain.
Pros:
Compact and lightweight
Height adjustable
Breathable mesh fabric
Cons:
Can only sleep/lean to one side
Expensive
Has to be completely unwrapped to reposition
Outer material: Soft fleece
Core material: Foam
Care instructions: Cover is machine washable
What you need to know
As a child, my first travel pillow was a bulky, U shaped microbead filled thing that was constantly slipping and sliding from under my neck, leading me to develop a strong disdain for travel pillows. It’s taken me years but I’ve finally come around to them again, thanks to the innovative Trtl Travel Pillow Plus.
The furthest thing from a puffy U shaped pillow, the Trtl is extremely thin and compact which, being a light traveller, is music to my ears. It’s also super soft and wraps around your neck like a scarf for a perfectly snug and secure fit.
The secret to its support is the curved internal structure which you cradle against the side of your neck to keep you sleeping upright.
I found the Trtl Pillow Plus super easy to use (though it did initially take a few tries to get right) and best of all has two handy knobs to adjust its height.
I found this was absolute game changer for me as I’d always worn its predecessor, the original Trtl Travel Pillow, higher up on my face anyway. This made it that much faster and easier to put on.
Placing the support structure on either side of your neck is the standard way to wear it and feels similar to sleeping on someone’s shoulder. If you have a tendency to flop forwards you can also place the structure on the front of your neck.
Something to note is that, as the structure only sits on one part of your neck, you’ll have to commit to leaning to one side for the night. That, or be prepared to do an embarrassing unwrap and rewrap on the plane to change positions.
BEST MEMORY FOAM TRAVEL PILLOWS
Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow, $65.85 at Amazon Australia
A traditional style U pillow that over 1k travellers rate.
Pros:
Comes with a carry case, earbuds and eye mask
Luxe velour material
Adjustable drawstring closure for a better fit
Cons:
Only available in two colours
Bulky
Some complain it’s too firm for their liking
Outer material: Soft velour
Core material: Memory foam
Care instructions: Cover is machine washable
What you need to know
If you love the look and feel of the traditional u shaped memory foam travel pillows then you can do little better than the Aeris travel pillow.
Loved by over 1200 travellers, it offers 360 degree support and comes with a full comfort kit, including a “high quality” sleep mask, memory foam ear plugs and a round carry bag.
On its list of features, this travel pillow sports a toggle clip to adjust it to your neck width for the perfect fit and is filled with a “firm and soft” supportive memory foam that moulds to your neck allowing it to rest in a natural position as you sleep.
Despite being one of the bulkier travel pillows on our list, it rolls up nicely into a little carry case which you can then onto into your carry or.
As a plus, the case has a teeny tiny front pocket for you to pop your earbuds into. Because heaven forbid we lose that mandatory sleeping aid.
BEST J PILLOW TRAVEL PILLOW
J-Pillow Travel Pillow Head Chin and Neck Support, $108.09 at Amazon Australia
The one that offers head, chin and neck support.
Pros:
Easy to use
Unique head support design keeps it elevated
Comes with a carrying bag/sack
Cons:
Bulky
Expensive
Can only sleep in one direction
Outer material: Soft fleece
Core material: Polyester
Care instructions: Cover is machine washable
What you need to know
Invented by a former flight attendant, the J Pillow is a triple threat that offers three levels of support for your head, neck and chin. As the name suggests, it’s shaped like the letter J has a thick wraparound top that cradles your head on your preferred side.
While it does a fine job at keeping your head in an upright position, unlike other travel pillows it doesn’t offer 360 degree support. This means you’ll be leaning to one side (and one side only) while using your J Pillow and is best suited for side sleepers or those who’ve taken hold of that coveted window seat and don’t want to get too cosy with their neighbours.
Similar to other travel pillows it has a removable cover which can be machine washed.
Over 14,000 Amazon customers rave about this invention calling the J Pillow a “great pillow for the frequent long haul traveller” that’s great for “stopping your head from falling forwards”.
In a nutshell, it’s “weird looking, but wonderful!”
BEST TRAVEL PILLOW FOR LONG HAUL FLIGHTS
Go Neck Pillow (Ostrich Pillow GO), $104.25 at Amazon Australia
A memory foam pillow with numerous heights.
Pros:
Packs into a carry bag
360 degree neck support
Adjustable fit
Cons:
Bulky
Expensive
Not widely available in Australia
Outer material: Modal and elastomer
Core material: Memory foam
Care instructions: Machine washable sleeve
What you need to know
Also known as the Ostrich Pillow GO, the Go Neck Pillow strikes the “perfect balance between firmness and softness” and has been called a “step up from the ordinary”.
Joining the ranks of uniquely shaped travel pillows, this travel pillow has a curved design that features varying heights ranging from 13cm to 17cm to suit different neck lengths and sleep preferences.
A high density memory foam moulds to your neck and shoulders to provide ample spinal support and there are adjustable velcro straps for a snug fit.
When not in use, the Go Neck Pillow packs down to 60 per cent of its size and can be stowed away in the included travel bag.
“These pillows are magic. Simply works,” glows one happy traveller on the Ostrich Pillow site.
BEST INFLATABLE TRAVEL PILLOW
Travelrest All-in-One Ultimate Travel Pillow, $85.54 at Amazon Australia
A versatile travel pillow that packs up small.
Pros:
Rolls up small (9cm x 25cm)
Quick inflation
Lightweight
Cons:
No 360 degree neck support
Only comes in two colours
Requires you to lean into it
Outer material: Soft velour fabric | Core material: Memory foam inserts | Care instructions: Machine washable cover
What you need to know
Whether you’re looking for a versatile travel pillow that works well upright as well as horizontal or are stuck in the middle seat or aisle seat and don’t want to impinge on your neighbour’s personal space, Travelrest’s All-In-One Travel Neck and Body Pillow is for you.
This “bizarre comma and banana” shaped inflatable travel pillow sits like a sash and can be worn diagonally across your chest or to one side for a full lateral support. As a bonus it can also create a privacy barrier between you and the next seat.
While you can tighten the strap to sit more snugly against you, unlike a U shape pillow which hangs around your neck you have to pretty much lean into the All-In-One so if you’re the kind who flops around at night you may lose its support. Just a warning.
It inflates easily with a few puffs, deflates in seconds and is suitable to be used by both adults and children.
BEST U SHAPED TRAVEL PILLOW FOR KIDS
BCozzy Kids Travel Pillow, $117 on Amazon Australia
Keep their little neck firmly upright.
Pros:
Available in medium and small for different ages
Easy to use
360 degree neck support
Cons:
Expensive
Some stay the fill material is too soft to be supportive
Only suitable for children 3 years and up (weighing approximately 15 kgs)
Outer material: Fleece
Core material: Memory foam
Care instructions: Machine washable cover
What you need to know
Anyone who’s seen a kid nap knows that one, if they’re tired enough they can fall asleep anywhere and two, their heads flop in this, that and every direction. Putting parent’s minds at ease is this BCozzy pillow.
The kids line comes in two sizes (small and medium), is suitable for ages 3-12 years old and comes in a wide range of bright and fun colours.
Best of all they do a great job at keeping their neck upright while they’re dozing. They achieve this by wrapping gently around their necks to prop their chins up and work wonders on both long haul flights and long car rides.
“Absolutely perfect,” says one five star reviewer on Amazon. “My picky toddler approves,” says another.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A TRAVEL PILLOW
Travel pillows vary widely but they all serve the same purpose: to provide adequate comfort and support to your neck, head and chin.
When choosing your perfect pillow here are a few top pillow features you to consider:
Design
Gone are the days when travel pillows came in a one-size-fits-all U shaped format. These days you’ll find they come in a myriad of sizes and shapes to give you, and your unique body, the best night’s rest while travelling.
Some are an improvement on the U shape, flattening the back so your head doesn’t arch forward or lengthening the arms for added chin support. Others take on a whole new design, wrapping around your neck and propping it up with an artificial cervical spine.
Then there are pillows with adjustment features that allow you to tweak its width and height to your liking.
Ultimately, the best travel neck pillow is the one that fits most comfortably on you, so you may need to try out a few to get there.
Fill material
Memory foam, foam and air are three of the most common fill materials for travel pillows as they’re soft, yet firm, and can be packed down for easy transportation.
Memory foam moulds to your body’s contours to support it and distribute your body weight nicely, however it does retain heat and could be too warm for your liking.
Foam on the other hand doesn’t retain heat but is much softer. It’s also cheaper.
Inflatable travel pillows can be packed down super small and you can easily adjust it to your desired level of firmness but will require you to huff and puff to blow them up.
Size and portability
Most travel pillows come with carry cases or straps to tow them around on your backpack or carry on luggage.
Some are lighter than others (for example, the trtl pillow is just 100 grams while the Cabeau S3 is 329 grams) which, when travelling with a carry on only or backpacking, can make a huge difference. And some pack down smaller than others, for example the inflatable Travelrest folds down to 9cm x 25cm while the Aeris fits into a ball that’s 16.5cm x 12.7cm.
Before shopping it’s a good idea to determine how much space and weight you can spare.
Cleaning
Being slung around your neck in cramped quarters for hours often leaves you (and your neck pillow) far from being “fresh as a daisy” so being able to wash and clean your travel pillow easily is a must.
If you agree then we suggest looking for a pillow that is machine washable or has antibacterial properties to keep it fresher for longer.
HOW WE CHOSE TRAVEL PILLOWS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching the best travel pillows to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good neck pillow by testing popular models, talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews. We put the
Trtl Travel Pillow Plus to the test and found the travel pillow Escape’s Associate Digital Editor Simone Mitchell calls “one the best travel items I’ve ever purchased”.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE TRAVEL PILLOWS WORTHWHILE?
While it’s not necessary to use a travel pillow while flying or road tripping, they can be handy for maintaining a good upright sleeping position – particularly if your head is prone to flopping forward or sideways while sleeping, leaving you waking up with a less than ideal pain in your neck.
They can also save you from getting too chummy with your neighbour while nodding off (especially if you’ve gotten the short straw and are in the middle seat). Travel neck pillows also provide a cosy, pillow-like surface to rest your head on, which could be just what you need to nod off when sitting in an uncomfortable plane seat.
WHAT IS THE BEST PILLOW TO USE ON AN PLANE?
Travel pillows are designed to be used on all forms of transport, from planes and trains to cars.
That said, some pillows are better designed for planes than others. Features to look out for when hitting the skies include a seat strap to attach it to the back of your headrest and a carry bag for easy transport.
If you like to zone out with over ear headphones, look for one that’s not too bulky around the neck so there’s space to wear them.
WHICH TRAVEL PILLOW IS BEST: INFLATABLE OR FOAM?
Inflatable pillows have the advantage of being smaller and more lightweight than foam pillows. They often don’t feel as plush, however you can still adjust their firmness by making them more or less full.
Foam pillows are bulkier but are often viewed as being more comfortable.
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