Reading Time: 5 minIf there's a single must-have item that comes with me on every single flight I take, it's a travel neck pillow. When it comes to airplanes, I'm a sleeper, and ensuring I'm as comfortable as possible is a necessity.
Earlier this year, I decided to purge my old worn out — and quite dainty — neck pillows, and invest in new ones for the entire family. I purchased 5 popular pillows and had each member of my family try them all out (in the comfort of my home and car), then pick which one they wanted to keep.
As you might imagine, everyone has their own preferences, and there’s no one-size-fits-all pillow. Plus, the right pillow for you can depend on what position you tend to sleep in. That said, these are the pillows that stood out as my family's top picks.
With a 360 degree fit, my personal favorite is the FlyHugz Neck Travel Pillow. While traveling both on international overnight flights as well as 2-hour domestic hops, I was able to get the perfect fit thanks to this pillow's adjustable design, ensuring that my neck and head didn't flop around.
While this pillow is on the bulkier side while being worn, it allows for neck movement while still supporting your head and chin. I also find the FlyHugz Pillow to be the perfect width when resting my head against the airplane window, which is my preferred method of sleeping while flying.
The cover is fully machine washable and compresses into a small travel bag when not in use. I've already taken this pillow through a decent number of flight hours, and it still looks brand new, so it's holding up well even with regular use.
The napfun Travel Pillow was my husband's pick for two reasons. One is its significantly lower cost versus the rest of the pillows I purchased. Many of the other travel pillows were $40 or more, but this one hovers around $20.
The second reason he liked it is its comfort. My husband is broad, and the napfun seemed to fit his stature the best, although it was too big for my own frame.
This memory foam pillow wraps around your neck, giving your head and neck the support it needs for quality sleep. But with its adjustable string enclosure, you can also get a perfect fit with it.
The napfun pillow comes in over 15 different colors with a machine-washable cover. And when using the included travel bag, the pillow condenses to about a third of its size, making it easy for travel. For a quality pillow at a low cost, this is a great option.
Both of my kids picked the Cabeau Travel Neck Pillow as their neck pillow of choice. The neck opening is smaller in size, making it a better option for kids, teens, and petite adults. In fact, both my kids recently took this pillow to Japan, and it allowed them to sleep comfortably in economy on our 12-hour flight home.
The interior of the Cabeau Neck Pillow is padded with memory foam, giving you both support and comfort, while also ensuring the pillow doesn't deflate over time. It also a side pocket to hold earplugs or earbuds.
Additionally, a unique feature of this pillow are its adjustable straps, which attach to the headrest. This keeps the pillow at your desired height, preventing your neck and head from slouching. Plus, the adjustable chin strap ensures a proper 360 degree fit.
The Cabeau Pillow compresses to a third of its size and fits into a small included travel bag, with a clasp that can be attached to your backpack or luggage. And with 10 different color options, you can find one to best fit your travel personality.
The Bcozzy Travel Neck Pillow offers a wraparound design with incredibly soft microfiber material. The pillow is smaller in size than your traditional travel pillow, and is best for those who prefer to sleep upright, as it fully supports your neck and chin to avoid a bobbing head.
However, if you like to lean on the window like I do, there's not enough cushion to get that cozy pillow feel. With that said, it's by far one of the most comfortable travel pillows to wear around your neck.
The Bcozzy is offered in many fun colors and designs, and includes a travel bag. It also comes in four different sizes, offering the perfect fit for all travelers, from young kids to larger adults. But even though I ordered the large size for myself, it still worked for my 9-year old son thanks to its adjustable design.
The Trtl Pillow is unlike any neck pillow I've ever used, as it's more of a wrap than your standard U-shaped neck pillow. It's incredibly small in size, and weighs close to nothing, making it the perfect travel companion. It also comes in its own carrying bag that can be clipped onto the outside of your carry-on bag or backpack.
However, while many travelers swear by it, this pillow didn't appeal to me. The way the Trtl Pillow works is you place its internal support against one side of your neck, which then determines the way your neck leans. I find myself adjusting my body often when I'm on a plane, so not being able to shift my head from side to side wasn't ideal for me.
But, if you don't move much while sleeping, I can see how the Trtl would offer some of the best neck and shoulder support across all these travel pillows.
