The best travel pillows

The best travel pillows for travelling in comfort...

(Image credit: Amazon)

Find the best travel pillows for catching some shut-eye when traveling. From inflatable travel pillows to memory foam options and eco-friendly buys.

We’ve done it: we’ve found the best travel pillows on the market so that you can travel in style this year. Even if traveling by plane is very difficult at the moment. 

A travel pillow can be used in a car, for a long subway journey, or even when sitting on the sofa. Or, you can just wear one and imagine you are on your way to the Maldives. We wish! They are also convenient, comfortable, and very portable. Just be sure to choose one that’s machine washable so you can clean it after each use, and, filled with something super comfortable to suit your sleeping needs, whether that be air or memory foam.

Keep scrolling for our top 6 travel pillows and get buying. They also make great gifts for travel lovers – for when we are allowed to go long-haul again, of course.

The best travel pillows

Livingetc knows design. We spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, bringing only our edit of the very best to you. Find out more about how we review.

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Trtl pillow

Best travel pillow: with over 20,000 positive reviews to back it up

Reasons to buy

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Machine washable
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Huge range of colors
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Great support
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Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

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Nothing!

Choose the Trtl pillow if you are after the very best travel pillow on the market. Not only is it comfortable but it’s stylish and scientifically proven to keep your head in the best position while you snooze. With a super soft cover that’s cushioning and comfortable, it comes in a wide range of colors, and it can be washed in your machine after use. Not only that but its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to adjust to your comfort, and, it can be easily attached to the handle of your suitcase or bag so you never lose it. 

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. MLVOC Travel Pillow

Best memory foam travel pillow

Reasons to buy

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Comes with extra accessories
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Affordable
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Adjustable

Reasons to avoid

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Not great for those who hate memory foam

Can’t sleep unless your head is touching the soft feel of memory foam? You need this travel pillow, then. The MLVOC travel pillow comes in grey, blue, or black and it’s filled with 100 percent memory foam for the most comfortable nap ever. It features a curved design to prevent your head from falling forward, as well as an adjustable rope lock so you can change the pillow’s size and angle with ease. Adjustable support, wherever you need it. Covered in a breathable yet soft cloth, it’s sweat-resistant (for hot sleepers) and also machine washable – just remove it from the pillow itself and throw in your machine. You can also hook it onto your luggage thanks to its snap strap. Included in the box with this travel pillow comes a pouch for it to live, a sleep mask, and some earplugs. 

(Image credit: Amazon)

3. Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow

Best travel pillow for looks: with lots of unique colors and patterns to choose from

Reasons to buy

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Foldable and compact
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4 size options
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Lots of colors and patterns

Reasons to avoid

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Not the best neck support if you are sleeping upright

Choose this Therm-a-Rest travel pillow if you are after something stylish as well as comfortable. It’s made from polyester and boasts a soft foam filling that packs down with ease for road trips, vacations, and more. Once unfolded, it will expand to be four-inches thick. Pop it in your backpack, handbag, or small suitcase and use the drawstring and cord lock to keep it compressed. With a brushed polyester cover that comes in a range of colors and patterns, it not only plays the part but looks the part, too. And, its cover is machine washable! Our only complaint? It’s not the best at staying put if you are sleeping upright. Sleeping horizontally? You’ll have no problems. 

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. Dot & Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Neck

Best travel pillow for neck support: adapt this twistable pillow to your needs

Reasons to buy

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3 colors
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Very adaptable
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Affordable

Reasons to avoid

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Not the easiest when it comes to storing

Looking for a travel pillow that can offer great neck support? This twistable one from Dot & Dot is great: you can mold it into any shape or position you like for personalized support. And, it’s also great at giving pain relief. Not just for travel, this pillow can be used to get a comfortable nap anywhere from your sofa to the subway or in a car. And it comes in three stylish colors. Filled with memory foam and covered with a removable cotton slip that’s machine washable, it’s also breathable should you be a warmer sleeper. Use its snap closure to attach it to your carry on luggage or backpack, or to secure it around your neck and more.

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. Huzi Store Infinity Pillow

Best eco-friendly travel pillow: covered with a soft bamboo fabric

Reasons to buy

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4 color options
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Machine washable
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Breathable
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3 layers of memory foam
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Bamboo fabric cover

Reasons to avoid

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Large (storage-wise)

This large – yet seriously comfortable – travel pillow is designed for use in all resting positions, home or away. It’s covered in high-quality super soft bamboo fabric and inside sits three layers of microfibre. Not only that but it’s super breathable, too. Great for relieving everything from neck pain to back pain and of course, for helping you sleep when your bed is out of reach. This travel pillow even has a washable cover.

(Image credit: Amazon)

6. UROPHYLLA Travel Pillow

Best affordable travel pillow: for infrequent travelers

Reasons to buy

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Affordable
+
Easy to store in a bag
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Comfortable velvet cover

Reasons to avoid

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Inflatable options are not as durable as others
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Not so comfortable when lying horizontally

Super cheap yet high performing, this travel pillow is inflatable so that you can pack it in your luggage with ease. And, with a soft velvet cover, it’s comfortable too. You can even remove this cover for cleaning! Designed to sit around your neck, you can adjust its firmness by adding or removing air. Simple yet it does the job. 

What is the best travel pillow?

to recap... the Trtl pillow is our best-rated travel pillow and for good reason, too. It’s machine washable, lightweight, it offers great support (and comfort) and it comes in a huge range of colors. That and there are over 20,000 reviews to back it up.

How to buy the best travel pillow?

Buying a travel pillow needn’t be a hard job. When choosing one, be sure to consider how easily portable it is – whether it has a strap for attaching to luggage, or how easily it can fit into a suitcase. Ensure that your new travel pillow is machine washable so you can keep it clean with ease. That and the filling is important, too. Some are inflatable, others are stuffed with memory foam, and some feature polyester inside. Last but definitely not least, price. Don’t spend too much money on something you use once a year. On the other hand, if you are a frequent traveler then it’s best to splash the cash.

Annie Collyer
Deputy Ecommerce Editor

Annie is Livingetc's Deputy Ecommerce Editor, and with a penchant for shopping and four years of ecommerce experience in her cart, she's more than equipped to advise when it comes to exactly the home decor you need to buy for your home. With a particular love of home fragrance, she always ensures her interiors emanate a luxurious scent to match her bijou residence. Annie and her team work to provide you with the best in-class content, whether you are searching for fluffy towels for your bathroom, clever drawer organizers for your kitchen or even a new dinnerware set for when guests come to dine. Whatever the season — or the latest trend — Annie and her team work to cover events for Livingetc, whether that be holidays or sale events, spanning Mother's Day to Black Friday.

Annie's knowledge has been sprawled across several homes websites, including Real Homes, Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens and Gardeningetc. She has also injected her ecommerce skills into the titles of Woman & Home and Country & Townhouse.

Annie lives in South East London in a sizeable two-bed apartment with her husband-to-be and her Pug called Doug. Annie's space, though surprisingly substantial, lacks storage space meaning that she's always on the lookout for things to buy to maximize space at home. She's currently redecorating this space whilst on a budget, and loves discovering a dupe or DIYing something to look triple its price tag. Next on her list of things to do at home are DIY crittal-style doors leading from her living room to her hallway.

You can follow Annie's home Instagram account at @athome.withannie.