The best travel pillows for long haul flights so you can *actually* sleep well on planes
We all know what it's like if you board a long haul flight without one of the best travel pillows in your carry-on luggage. You spend the next 8+ hours desperately trying to get comfortable enough to sleep, pressed up against the window, head bobbing like a nodding dog, or accidentally getting cosy on a stranger's shoulder. Awkward.
Thanks to the far from optimal headrests, a travel pillow is really the only way you're going to get a good snooze on a plane (as well as earplugs for sleeping, of course), and luckily, there are plenty of advanced, scientifically-tested versions on the market nowadays – from inflatable U-shaped travel pillows and wrap-around pillows to space-saving designs that keep your head in a comfortable, ergonomic position. Plus, most are so lightweight and portable you'll barely notice them clipped to your luggage or stuffed – sorry, “neatly packed” – into your backpack.
Heed this frequent flyer's advice, and don't head on another long haul flight without one of these ultra-comfy travel cushions.
Modern luxury with authentic Portuguese charm.
Best pillows for travelling at a glance:
- Best inflatable travel pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow, £47.98, Amazon
- Best memory foam travel pillow: Travel Deluxe Pillow, £25, Boots
- Best travel pillow for side sleepers: Bcozzy Travel Pillow, £39.97, Amazon
- Best ergonomic travel pillow: Trtl Travel Pillow, £54.99, Amazon
- Best affordable travel pillow: Travel Pillow, £6, Dunelm
We've also got your other holiday packing essentials covered, from the best packing cubes and the best fashion luggage brands, to the best crinkle swimsuits, airport outfits and after sun lotions.
These are our top picks of the best travel pillows you need for your next trip…
1. Best ergonomic travel pillow
Trtl Travel Pillow, £54.99, Amazon
Made from: Hypoallergenic fleece and foam.
Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 9.5cm
Weight: 138g
Why we love it: You've probably seen the Trtl pillow popping up on your social media feeds, hailed as a gamechanging neck pillow that looks more like a scarf than a pillow. We can attest, it works. Designed with internal support to keep the head upright while asleep, the pillow keeps your head in a more comfortable, ergonomic position. It's compact, lightweight and made from machine washable, cosy hypoallergenic fleece. Our favourite new travel companion.
2. Best travel pillow for side sleepers
Bcozzy Travel Pillow, £39.97, Amazon
Made from: Polyester, microfleece
Dimensions: 24.99 x 27.99 x 11.99 cm
Weight: 210g
Why we love it: With almost 25,000 ratings and an average score of 4.2, there's a reason the Bcozzy travel neck pillow is so highly searched for. Choose between kids and adults sizes (small for children aged 3-7, medium for children aged 8-12, and either large or extra large for adults) and a variety of fun colourways, from light purple to leopard print. The flat back design prevents your head from being pushed forward, with three different ergonomic positions for double support to your head, neck and chin: for front sleepers, by placing the overlapping pillow arms under the chin for double chin support; for side sleepers, by folding the pillow in half, placing it on your shoulder and leaning your head to the side; or for those whose head falls to the front and the side, by sliding the overlapping arms 90 degrees to the side for double support to the neck and chin. A must for your next flight, road trip, or even just a comfy head rest for chilling out at home.
3. Best infinity travel pillow
Huzi Infinity Pillow, £39.99, Amazon
Made from: Breathable bamboo fabric
Dimensions: 35 x 14 x 20cm
Weight: 458g
Why we love it: As well as the bang-on-trend colour options (from pine green to peachy pink), the Huzi pillow is a gamechanger in the travel accessories game. The fully adjustable shape means it provides 360° support – whether you're on the window seat or the middle seat – providing neck, chin, head and lumbar support. The super-soft bamboo fabric is three times more breathable than standard cotton, so no more stuffy plane naps. You can even wrap the pillow around your ears to help cancel out noise, and it's easy to clean – simply throw it in the washing machine and it'll come out fresh and fluffy.
4. Best travel pillow with seat strap
Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow,
£72.99£65.99, AmazonMade from: Polyester and memory foam
Dimensions: 24.13 x 25.4 x 12.7cm
Weight: 329g
Why we love it: The Cabeau Evolution S3 pillow claims to be the only travel pillow on the market that straps to your actual seat for optimal head support both from the sides and the front, by stopping your head from dropping forward. The pillow has a front opening which allows heat to escape, and a moisture-wicking polyester cover, to help regulate your temperature as you sleep and stop you from overheating and waking up in a pool of sweat mid-flight. The memory foam moulds to your shape and the adjustable clasp offers valuable chin support. A must for frequent flyers.
5. Best contoured travel pillow
Memory Foam Travel Pillow, £15, Marks & Spencer
Made from: Polyester and memory foam
Dimensions: 31 x 30 x 9cm
Why we love it: A classic travel pillow from M&S, this memory foam pillow is designed with a contoured back that provides a resting position for ultimate comfort. The pillow fastens at the front which stops your head from falling forward, and it's machine washable and safe for the tumble dryer too.
6. Best affordable travel pillow
Made from: Polyester
Dimensions: 27cm x 29cm x 8cm
Why we love it: Because it's only £6, making it one of the most affordable travel pillows on the market, and comes in cute colourways – like turquoise, royal blue and tangerine orange – instead of the standard black and grey you so often see on neck pillows. It's lightweight, super soft and the ergonomic design ensures head and neck support, with a handy velcro fastening at the front.
7. Best memory foam travel pillow
Travel Deluxe Pillow, £25, Boots
Made from: Memory foam
Why we love it: The 360-degree support, the machine washable cover (and pouch), the memory foam that moulds to the contours of your neck, the toggle closure that keeps everything perfectly in place, the Boots Advantage Card points – need we say more?
8. Best silk travel pillow
SLIP Jet Setter Travel Pillow Portofino, £99, Sephora
Made from: Polyurethane, silk
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 12.5cm
Weight:
Why we love it: To turn your in-flight sleep into a seriously luxe, self-care session, turn to Slip, whose pure silk products are designed for ultimate shine and softness. Not only that, but they were scientifically developed to help retain skin's moisture and reduce hair tangling – which we could all do with on a long-haul flight. The cover is removable and machine washable and comes with a carry-on bag with woven handles.
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9. Best travel pillow and eye mask
Ostrichpillow Light Travel Pillow, £39, Amazon
Made from: Viscose, elastomer, microbead filling
Dimensions: 35 x 15.24 x 8.38 cm
Weight: 290g
Why we love it: For a lightweight pillow with serious versatility, Ostrichpillow is the one. This clever travel pillow can be used around your neck for guaranteed shut-eye, or over your eyes as a soft, light-blocking eye mask. There's an integrated fit adjuster and it's hand washable – just spot clean with soap and water.
10. Best lightweight travel pillow
Go Travel Hybrid Memory Foam Pillow, £19.99, John Lewis
Made from: Cotton, elastane, polyester, PVC, viscose
Dimensions: 2.5 x 32 x 30.5cm
Why we love it: Go Travel know how to do a seriously comfy travel pillow. The memory foam filling is impossibly plush and soft, while the U-shape will keep your neck and head supported in any sleeping position. The lightweight Go Travel also comes with a pocket-size carry bag for easy transport. Neck pain, be gone.
11. Best inflatable travel pillow
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow, £47.98, Amazon
Made from: Polyester, polyamide
Dimensions: 38 x 29 x 10cm
Weight: 93g
Why we love it: This inflatable travel pillow is one of the most lightweight options out there. It's easy to inflate in just a couple of breaths, you can adjust the firmness using the fine-tune button, and with rapid deflate, it's very easy to fit back into its travel bag upon landing.
12. Best travel pillow for kids
Little Coco Unicorn Travel Pillow, £24.99, Etsy
Made from: Polyester
Dimensions: 29 x 30 x 15cm
Weight: 170g
Why we love it: An adorable gift for travel lovers, kids heading off on their family holiday, or just to add something cute to your airport attire, this plush neck cushion comes in a unicorn or dinosaur-shaped carrying case, and come packaged in a pretty gift box. Each pillow is hand steamed to ensure the perfect shape, fluffiness and cleanliness. Our inner child would have a seriously hard time giving this gift away.
