For frequent travelers—or anyone who’s ever arrived at their destination with a stiff neck and sleep lines on their face—a good travel pillow is essential. Take it from LaDell Carter, founder of luxury travel agency Royal Expression Travels and a seasoned traveler herself. Carter, who prioritizes in-flight wellness, swears by Ayurvedic oils, 111Skin eye patches, and always packing a travel pillow. “As someone who’s constantly in the air, I can confidently say the right travel pillow makes all the difference,” she explains. “It determines whether you step off the plane refreshed for a Parisian lunch meeting or desperately searching for the nearest bed.”
Featured in this article:
– Best for Beauty Rest: [Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow](#) – $135 at Amazon
– Best Neck Support: [Ostrichpillow Go Memory Foam Travel Pillow](#) – $69 at Nordstrom
– Best for Long Flights: [Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow](#) – $40 at Amazon
Medical experts agree on the importance of a quality travel pillow. “A good one can literally save your neck,” says Dr. Hooman Melemed, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon. “I’ve treated patients with pinched nerves from sleeping awkwardly on flights—it happens!” To help you avoid discomfort, we’ve rounded up the best travel pillows that meet expert standards for comfort, support, and portability.
### Best for Beauty Rest: Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: Known for its silky hair ties, Slip also delivers with this luxe travel pillow. Wrapped in 100% mulberry silk, it helps prevent creases and frizz, so you arrive looking fresh. The lightweight design includes a handy carry case.
– Fabric: Mulberry silk
– Fill: Cotton
– Colors: 3
– Size: 9.8″ x 4.9″
– Care: Machine-washable pillowcase; spot-clean pillow
### Best for Neck Support: Ostrichpillow Go Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: This sleek pillow contours to your neck, preventing head tilting. Its adjustable strap ensures a snug fit, and the memory foam core offers personalized comfort. “It’s compact, stylish, and perfect for petite necks,” says Carter.
– Fabric: Spandex
– Fill: Memory foam
– Colors: 6
– Size: 27″ x 6.5″
– Care: Machine-washable cover
### Best Gift: Gingerlilly Mulberry Silk Memory Foam Travel Pillow
Why We Love It: With its chic striped design and plush memory foam filling, this pillow is both stylish and functional. The silk fabric is hypoallergenic and helps regulate temperature.
– Fabric: Mulberry silk
– Fill: Memory foam
– Colors: 1
– Size: 30 cm
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Dimensions: Height: 30 cm, Width: 9 cm, Depth: 9 cm
Care Instructions: Hand wash
### Best Travel Pillow for Winter Travel: Buffy Nook Pillow
Price: $99 at Buffy
Why We Love It: This ultra-soft, cozy pillow is perfect for winter trips or layovers in chilly airports. The recycled sherpa cover feels like a warm hug for your neck, and the pillow is eco-friendly at its core. Its filling is made from GRS-certified, BPA-free recycled PET—each pillow repurposes about 25 plastic bottles. Available in three earthy colors dyed with water-saving methods.
Fabric: Sherpa
Fill Material: Sateen-weave TENCEL lyocell shell with recycled PET filling
Colors: 3
Size: 20.5″ x 18″ x 6″
Care Instructions: Cover—machine wash cold, lay flat to dry; Insert—dry clean only
### Best Travel Pillow for Long-Haul Flights: Cabeau Evolution S3
Price: $40 at Amazon
Why We Love It: Ideal for long flights, this pillow features Cabeau’s Strap Seat System to prevent head droop and keep airways open. The adjustable clasp ensures a snug fit, while the memory foam molds to your neck. Bonus: it has a built-in pocket for earbuds and other small essentials.
Sleep expert Dr. Leah Kaylor says: “The straps secure it to your seat, stopping your head from bobbing—a game-changer for upright sleeping. The front drawstring keeps your neck in place. Worth every penny!”
Fabric: Memory foam polyester
Fill Material: Memory foam
Colors: 4
Size: 9.5″ x 10″
Care Instructions: Removable, machine-washable cover
### Best Affordable Travel Pillow: Napfun Travel Pillow
Price: $19 (originally $22) at Amazon
Why We Love It: Budget-friendly and neck-friendly, this versatile pillow suits all sleep types. It includes a carry case and adjustable closure, with raised edges for side sleepers and extra back support. The breathable polyester-spandex cover is machine-washable and gentle on skin.
Dr. Melemed notes: “Great value—memory foam supports chin and neck alignment. Lightweight and easy to pack.”
Fabric: Polyester-spandex
Fill Material: Memory foam
Colors: 15
Size: 10″ x 10″ x 4″
Care Instructions: Machine-wash removable cover
### Best Compact Travel Pillow: Trtl Travel Pillow
Price: $60 at Trtl
Why We Love It: This unique pillow uses a hidden plastic support wrapped in hypoallergenic fleece. Light as a phone, it secures like a scarf and keeps your spine aligned. Comes with a carry bag for convenience.
Fabric: Hypoallergenic fleece
Fill Material: Patented plastic support
Colors: 4
Size: 8.7″ x 9.5″ x 3.6″
Care Instructions: Machine-wash removable cover (cold)
### Best Travel Pillow for Road Trips: Lunya Mulberry Silk Travel Pillow
Price: $128 at Lunya or Bloomingdale’s
Why We Love It: Lunya’s luxurious silk pillow supports beauty sleep…
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### Best Travel Pillows for Comfort on the Go
1. The Versatile Travel Pillow
This adaptable pillow works in cars, planes, or any vehicle, with straps that attach to headrests. Made from skin- and hair-friendly fabric and filled with plush recycled polyester, it includes extra filling so you can adjust the firmness for your ideal nap. The removable, zip-off cover is easy to wash by hand or machine.
“This is part of a travel set we often gift to clients,” says Carter. “The silk is gentle on skin and hair, the cover is machine-washable, and when paired with the matching PJs and silk eye mask, it turns any flight into a personal wellness retreat—both functional and indulgent.”
– Fabric: Washable mulberry silk
– Fill: Recycled polyester
– Colors: 2
– Size: 17″ x 11″ x 5″
– Care: Hand or machine wash the cover, lay flat to dry
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2. Best Luxe Travel Pillow: Zegna Cashmere Travel Set
Zegna’s set includes cashmere socks, a travel pillow, and a sleeping mask—all in ultra-soft cashmere. Perfect for turning even a cramped middle seat into a cozy retreat, this set is as luxurious at home as it is in the air.
“Zegna is a family favorite—my son loves it as much as I do,” says Carter. “The craftsmanship, texture, and packaging are exquisite. Cashmere elevates the entire experience—just remember it requires delicate care.”
– Fabric: 100% cashmere with calf-leather details
– Colors: 2
– Care: Do not wash or dry-clean; avoid tumble drying
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3. Best Customizable Travel Pillow: Infinity Pillow
Shaped like a Möbius strip, this pillow molds to your needs—whether for neck support, lumbar cushioning, or even as an eye mask or noise muffler (just wrap it around your ears). Made from breathable bamboo fabric, it comes in 10 fun colors.
– Fabric: Bamboo
– Fill: Polyester
– Colors: 10
– Size: 33.5″ x 6″ (unfolded); 7.5″ x 7.5″ x 6″ (folded)
– Care: Machine wash in cold water (use a mesh bag), no tumble drying
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### Travel Pillow FAQs
What should I look for in a travel pillow?
“A good travel pillow supports your neck, prevents stiffness, and helps you actually rest,” says Dr. Kaylor. She recommends ergonomic designs that stop your head from drooping, plus removable, washable covers and compact storage.
Are travel pillows worth it?
Absolutely, says Dr. Melemed. “Your neck and spine health are crucial, especially when traveling. The right pillow can save you from pain—worth every penny.”
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Dr. Melemed says, “Sleeping or even slouching in the wrong position could eventually require surgery.”
### Are memory foam or inflatable pillows better?
“Memory foam pillows are softer, more supportive, and contour to your neck, but they take up more space and can be harder to pack,” says Dr. Kaylor. “Inflatable pillows are lightweight and compact when deflated, making them great for saving space, but they may not feel as cushioned or supportive.” In short, the “better” option depends on personal preference. “Try both and go with what feels best for you,” she suggests.
### How do I care for and clean my travel pillow?
All the travel pillows in this guide come with care instructions, and many have removable covers that can be hand- or machine-washed. (The exception is Zegna’s set, which requires special solvents.) Whatever the cleaning method, follow the instructions carefully. “Airplanes, lounges, and even private transfers expose you to more germs than you realize, so being able to remove and wash the cover is a must for me,” says Carter.
### How We Chose the Best Travel Pillows
These travel pillows were selected with expert input from medical, sleep, and travel professionals. We considered factors like portability, washability, and proper neck support. The best travel pillows also have an appealing design—and we especially love those made from soft, skin-friendly fabrics.
### Meet the Experts
– LaDell Carter – Founder and lead luxury lifestyle travel designer at Royal Expression Travels.
– Dr. Hooman Melemed – Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon in Beverly Hills.
– Dr. Leah Kaylor – Licensed clinical psychologist, prescribing psychologist, and sleep expert.
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