Best Travel Neck Pillow For Long Flights

Why do you need to invest in the best travel neck pillow for long flights?

If you are a plane hopper, a travel blogger, a multinational employee who is always on the move, you will eventually feel the negative effects of frequent travel.

And no, by this, I do not just mean the horrible jet lag, but the real bone crunching effects of long distance flights.

This article may contain affiliate links. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Travel neck pillow reviews

This simple product will serve you diligently and it will give your neck a well deserved break. You will be able to expunge the stiffness, and you can be able to add more flyer miles to your travel card. Would you like to relief your neck muscles?

Here, I have put together a good list of the best travel neck pillows for you. Keep reading:

 

Trtl Travel Pillow – Best Neck Pillow for Travel

This Trtl travel pillow definitely takes all the accolades for the best neck pillow for long distance flights. It is basically a portable neck brace wrapped with a super soft hypoallergenic polyester fleece.

It is among the best travel neck pillows available in the market. This pillow can give your neck and head proper support and comfort as you sleep when traveling.

This pillow is best for people who love to tilt their head to one side when sleeping. It is very easy to use because all you need to do is wrap it around your neck just like a scarf and use your shoulder as the base.

The pillow will firmly support your neck in a natural and comfortable way and it has stickers that will guide you on how to use it. In case you need to switch to the other side, all you need to do is flip the pillow around.

Now, the good thing about this pillow is that when you need to sleep sitting upright, you just need to wrap it around your neck. Attach the Velcro to prevent it from coming apart, hang your head (to the side, of course it’s now supported) and drift off to la la land.

It is very friendly to the skin, no allergies, no uncomfortable sweating at all. This is without doubt a new way to fall asleep on the plane.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Machine washable
• Fleece cover for warmth
• Dual use- use as a mouth guard too
• Soft and comfortable

Cons

• The plastic support can be a bit uncomfortable

Everlasting Comfort – Best Neck Pillow For Flying

Perfect name for the best neck pillow for flying… and it is true, it is going to give you everlasting comfort. You will be free from those stiff neck moments after long flights. This is a memory foam pillow for traveling. It has no additives at all, and therefore even if you have a sensitive skin, it will still serve you very well.

It will offer your neck support at the sides. This is a feature that other neck pillows do not have. They only offer support on the front and the pack to prevent your head from dropping forward when you are napping in the plane. This neck pillow has an ergonomic design. It conforms to your muscles rather than having the muscles conform to it.

You will love that it has a pocket for your cellphone. If you like, you can set your cellphone to play soft instrumental music that will send you to sleep immediately. You may also use an iPod or other MP3 player. This can make your long flight less monotonous.

As the name suggests, this is a travel kit meaning that it contains more than just the pillow. Other things that you will get from this pillow set include a packing bag, high quality ear plugs made of foam, which by the way have a high noise reduction rating and an eye mask. What more do you need?

With a lifetime warranty where the company is going to replace your pillow free of charge, no company would be that confident in their product if they did not know its high quality. You can buy it with the confidence that if anything goes wrong, Everlasting Comfort has your back all the time.

Pros

• Best skin-friendly memory foam
• Allergy-free
• Lifetime warranty
• Front, back and side support for your neck
• Versatile – best for car, air and train travel
• Many accessories

Cons

• Not available in many colors

NeckSnug Travel Pillow – Best Travel Pillow For Long Haul Flights

This is not just a regular pillow as most others in the market are, but it is a luxury travel pillow that you will love using. It will give you more than enough value for your money and what’s more, you do not have to put a dent in your wallet as you buy it.

It is a memory foam pillow, but it is so soft on your neck you will be tempted to think that it is inflatable. With that information in mind, please be warned that this is not the kind of pillow that you want if you are looking for something very firm for your neck. This one is highly rated for its soft, luxurious feel and texture. Once you use it, do not blame anyone if you get addicted.

With some level of adjustability, you can be sure that this travel pillow will not be slipping off your shoulders as you fly. When you are done using it, just stuff it in its carry bag, and it will measure up to a small size of about a football size, perfect for carrying in your rucksack and still leave more space for all the other items that you need to carry with you.

The outer cover of this pillow is removable and machine-washable too. Fancy that. Set the water temperature to warm and every time you are taking a long haul flight, you can be sure that the pillow is clean and germ-free.

Pros

• Super soft luxurious feel
• Full refund guarantee if you do not like it
• Therapeutic for your neck
• Just strap the pillow to your headrest to avoid sliding off your seat
• Adjust size so it does not slip off your neck

Cons

• A bit pricey but hey, its luxury!

Aircomfy Daydreamer – Inflatable Neck Travel Pillow

This neck pillow for travel comes with many good features and that is why it has so many reviews on different marketplaces online. First, it is inflatable, meaning that you will deflate it when it is not in use, pack it inside your suitcase with all of your other travel items, including your travel mug to keep coffee hot all the time.

With an inbuilt inflation pump, you will only need about 60 seconds, most probably less than that to inflate this travel pillow. Just keep pressing the inflating pump until it is full. Note that you do not need to put your mouth to the pillow to inflate it.

This is an ergonomically designed pillow, meaning that when you lean your neck against it, it will conform nicely to the shape of your neck, leaving you feeling nice and snug, and comfortable for the entire duration of your nap on the plane.

When you are done using the pillow, just deflate it fully, and then pack it inside the nice packsack. That way, it is compressed in size reducing it magnificently and at the same time, making it very manageable in your hand luggage.

This pillow is not restricted to air travel alone, but you can also use it for car and train travel. You will love its versatility when it comes to use, its nice, micro-velvet material that is germ-proof as well as the ability to inflate it to desired firmness.

After a few times of use, remove the outer case made of micro-velvet. It is machine-washable, so you will always have a clean, bacteria-free travel pillow with you.

Pros

• Inflates first
• Adjust firmness
• Very soft and small
• Supports your chin
• Removable, machine-washable cover

Cons

• Not breathable

Cabeau Travel Pillow

This U-shaped travel neck pillow is made of high quality memory foam to provide you with soft and comfortable support to your neck as you nap when traveling. The sides are a bit elevated allowing for better support when you tilt your head to the sides.

Thanks to this pillow, you do not have to be in first class or business class for you to sleep in an airplane. This pillow will enable you to sleep even in the economy class. It is made for the plane hopper who is always going through different time zones. That way, when you alight the plane, the jetlag will not be too hard on your case.

This pillow features a draw cord that can be attached or detached, tightened or loosened as may be necessary for more support. It has an extra soft feel and the cover can be removed and machine-washed.

It also comes with a side pocket where you can put your phone and a carrying pouch that helps you to compress the pillow in a compact size for portability purposes. You will definitely love this travel pillow.

Pros

• High quality memory foam
• Draw cord to secure the pillow
• Compressible carrying pouch
• Removable/washable cover
• Comes with a set of earplugs
• Can be folded into a small compact size

Cons

• A bit pricey

Aeris Travel Neck Pillow – Best Travel Pillow 2017

In the business of sleep, there is memory foam, and then there is responsive memory foam. The Aeris travel neck pillow is made of the latter. It is not a wonder then that this foam pillow has so many user reviews on different online marketplaces.

This inflatable high-quality memory-foam travel neck pillow comes in a more traditional U-shaped design. Its design incorporates ventilation holes for breathability purposes and an eye mask and memory foam ear plugs to ease you to sleep during that long flight.

This pillow comes with a handy carrying pouch with a compression strap and a drawstring that enables the user to pull the pillow tighter for more neck and chin support. The pillow can be compressed to a smaller compact size so that it easily fits in the travel bag and the outer cover can be removed and it is machine-washable.

One of its unique features is that it is the only memory foam pillow in the market offering a lifetime replacement warranty. That is right… when you buy, you are sure you will use for the rest of your travel life.

With this pillow, you will see just why it is the perfect investment for the constant traveler. After all, you can use it to sleep in airplanes, trains, ships as well as cars.

Pros

• Firm and responsive memory foam
• Machine-washable cover
• Compressible into a small size
• Drawstring for adjusting the firmness
• Carrying bag

Cons

• It’s a bit heavy

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

The Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow has been designed to give its user maximum comfort and support when traveling. It is made of superior quality thermo-sensitive memory foam that fits perfectly to your neck helping it to maintain its natural posture while sleeping.

This neck pillow comes with non-slip packing that holds the pillow perfectly in place, free earplugs made of foam and a carrying pouch with a drawstring that can compress the pillow to a quarter of its size.

It has a plush outer cover with a zipper for easier removal and washing in a machine. This pillow is versatile when it comes to the uses it can be put to. Apart from being a travel buddy, it can be used while working at your computer, for camping, when resting on the couch among many others.

This travel pillow looks big, but when you are packing it, you will love that it compresses to a quarter of its actual size. Granted, you may find it a bit bulkier than most, but the good news is that it will give you all the comfort that you desire.

If you are a side sleeper, you should definitely buy this pillow. Backed with a long warranty of 2 years, you should get more than enough value for your money as it will last many years on end.

Pros

• Therapeutic for your neck and shoulders
• Versatile
• It has been scientifically tested
• 100% money back guarantee
• Can be compressed into a smaller size
• Good for side sleepers

Cons

• Looks bulky

Little Cloud Nine – Best Inflatable Travel Pillow

When traveling or going outdoors, you know inflatable items always beat foam ones by far and large. This inflatable pillow is going serve you for a long time. You will fill it up with a few breaths and then you will be ready to use it.

This inflatable travel pillow will provide an amazingly comfortable support and good alignment to your upper body while resting in a sitting position. Whether you are traveling first class, business or economy, this is a good pillow for supporting your neck.

If you would love a pillow that will send you to nirvana as soon as your eyelids cannot stay open, you will need to buy this one. It has amazing features, including a ventilated neck support that allows air to flow in and out.

It is ergonomically designed to ensure that your head, neck, shoulders and back are properly aligned when resting for maximum comfort and relaxation.

If you are the kind of a person who does not like showing your face while sleeping, this is the right pillow for you. This is because Little Cloud Nine travel pillow is designed like a chiropractors table featuring a vented chamber where you hide your face from the other passengers.

It is compact and lightweight when deflated and it is easy to inflate and deflate. It is also versatile since it can be used as a flat cushion or a car backrest when you are not using it as a travel neck pillow.

Pros

• Nice, ergonomic design
• Adequate space natural breathing
• Vented chamber to hide your face
• Deflates to compact and lightweight
• Versatile
• Good support to the upper body

Cons

• Looks bulky when inflated

World’s Best Microfibre Pillow – Best Travel Neck Pillow for Long Flights

This cobalt blue microfiber pillow is designed to give you first-class comfort and neck support when traveling. It is made of soft memory foam. This conforms to the natural shape of your head and neck, giving them maximum support and comfort.

The pillow is compact and light in weight for ultimate convenience in travel. It comes wrapped in a super soft outer cover that can be removed and be machine-washed. The entire pillow is plush and soft but firm enough to keep your neck from tilting.

It is very pocket-friendly when compared to most of the travel pillows available in the market, yet giving you great value for the money you spend on it. It can be folded in a smaller size to fit in your traveling bag and when you are not using it as a travel pillow, you can still use it at home when resting on the couch or working on your computer.

This is a hypoallergenic pillow, meaning that no matter how sensitive your skin is, you will not suffer any infections. Whether you just want to use it at home, on the road or in the air, this travel pillow will give you the ample support that your neck needs.

Sold at a very affordable price, this does not mean that the quality of this pillow is low. It is made of 100 percent microfiber. It will serve you for a long time.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• First class comfort
• Versatile
• Removable and machine washable cover
• Soft and plushy memory foam

Cons

• May be too thick for some people

ELENKER Travel Pillow – Best Neck Pillow for Travel

ELENKER is a nice name and the best thing about it is that it supports your head and your neck when you are asleep in the airplane and the train. If you are a regular traveler, whether by road, air or train, you need such a pillow for traveling.

When you buy this one, you will realize that this is not your usual U-shaped pillow. Rather, it has a unique J-shaped build and design. It’s unique shape is designed with the intentions of supporting your chin preventing your head from tilting and falling forwards. You know how the chin drops down when some people sleep and they start drooling.

It is very soft and comfortable even as it keeps your head and neck in place when resting. The interior filling is made from squishy polyester fiber with a soft feel. One of the amazing features of this pillow is that the whole of it is machine washable unlike an array of many others, which only the outer cover is washable.

However, when it comes to the size, it is quite bigger when compared to the U-shaped pillows. Therefore, it becomes a bit inconvenient for storage due to its unusual shape.

Pros

• Stops your head from dropping
• Very comfortable
• Entirely machine-washable
• Ultimate neck and head support
• Fluffy cover with a soft feel
• Comes in many colors

Cons

• Weird shape, a tussle to pack

LIANSING Velvet – Best Inflatable Travel Pillow

Who doesn’t love velvet? Velvet is so soft for the skin, nice to the touch, washable and with a fresh smell all the time. This is what you will get from the horseshoe-shaped LIANSING Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow. This inflatable pillow is easy to fill with air. Just breathe into it three times.

By design, it resembles a hump, providing you with ultimate support to your head, neck and chin. You can use it in a sitting position and it will prevent your head from falling to the front.

It is made of soft breathable velvet that does not retain so much heat. This makes it very comfortable for your skin because it is also made to be hypoallergenic. The fabric used in making this pillow is of high quality, it is easy to clean whenever you want in order to prevent any skin infection.

It comes in a travel pouch making it compact enough and easy to carry saving so much of your packing space. It is very easy to inflate and deflate; a child can easily inflate it by blowing in from the big valve and you only need to remove the lid to deflate it in a minute. In addition, it comes with an eye mask and anti noise earplugs.

Pros

• Ultimate comfort and support
• Easy to inflate
• Small shape for transport
• Washable
• Soft velvet material

Cons

• Doesn’t have a means to secure the ends while in use

Travelrest Pillow – Best Small Travel Pillow

From our previous review of the TravelrestUltimate pillow to this one, you will see that these travel pillows are not popular for nothing. They are known for their therapeutic effect. If you use this pillow, you will not only be guaranteed of a rested neck when sleeping on a long flight, but you will also be very comfortable. The experience is akin to having someone with soft hands massage your neck as you sleep.

This is a memory foam pillow. It may not have the benefits that the inflatable pillows come with, but then, it is not inflatable. But it offers the therapeutic benefits of memory foam. It is made of thermo-sensitive foam materials and it is therapeutically designed to give you ultimate support to your shoulders, neck and head. This prevents you from suffering any kind of discomfort.

The pillow is versatile and it can be used for traveling in a plane, bus, train, when hiking or at home when watching your television. It comes with a loop that enables you to attach it to your traveling bag so that is does not occupy any extra space inside your luggage.

It is compact and has an elastic strap that prevents the pillow from sliding off your shoulders. The outer cover has a zipper that makes it removable and washable.

Pros

• Saves storage space
• Great for chronic pain
• Usable for all travel modes
• Machine-washable removable cover
• Affordable

Cons

• Too firm for some users

PELLO Inflatable Travel Pillow

They do not come any better than the PELLO inflatable pillow for airplane travel. It is velvet, it is inflatable and it can last a long time. By being inflatable, it also means that it is easy to pack into a small compact size and fit in your backpack easily. One other thing that you ought to look into is the fact that you can decide the kind of firmness that you would like for your neck. If you like it totally firm, just inflate it to the maximum.

It is made with velvet, hypoallergenic material. This means that no matter how sensitive your skin is, this neck pillow for travel will not harm it at all. When you are done using it, you can pack it into its pack sack. This will in turn fit snugly into your travel backpack. This is without doubt the best travel neck pillow for long flights.

Why blow with your mouth when you can just flip the switch and let it quietly pump itself up just for you? This is exactly what this awesome travel pillow does. It is perfect in design, style and usability.

You will love the ergonomic feature of this travel neck pillow. This means that when you put your neck to it, it will conform to your neck unlike some of the foam pillows that force your neck to conform to their shape.

If you would like enough rest, support for your neck when you sleep in the car, train or plane, this pillow will meet your needs perfectly.

Pros

• Inflates easily
• Comes with lifetime warranty
• Ergonomic support
• Very durable
• No heat retention

Cons

• Pressure may not hold for more than 30 minutes

Face Cradle Travel Pillow – Best Travel pillows for airplanes

The last on this list is the Face Cradle Travel Pillow, one that packs many features. It is an adjustable pillow, meaning that you can adjust it to meet your sleeping needs while traveling perfectly. This pillow is set to five sleep modes that include deep sleep, snoozing mode, table nap, dozing mode and deep sleep side mode. It is very versatile as you can use for plane, train and even car traveling.

The best thing about this pillow is that it allows you to do everything that you do when you are sleeping normally at home. You can turn and even toss and remember, all this is happening while you are still on the plane. The manufacturer says that they made this pillow to be an exact replica of how you sleep at home.

For portability, just strap the pillow onto your backpack with the strap that you used to set it to deep sleep mode. This is a memory foam pillow which is light in weight and can withstand all the abuse you mete on it during your long haul flights.

Pros

• It’s hypoallergenic
• Set to different modes of sleep to suit your needs
• Very soft
• Packs nicely to carry
• Attachable to the plane seat
• Good for car, plane and train travel

Cons

• Sounds a bit complicated

 

Buying guide for best travel neck pillow for long flights

The last thing you would want to have after a long tiresome flight is a sore and stiff neck or a searing headache because you did not have a comfortable nap. Everyone would love to have a comfortable nap during a long flight so that after landing, you will still feel refreshed and ready for your next appointment. The only way that you can avoid a stiff neck during a long road trip or flight is by ensuring that your neck is comfortably supported during your sleep.

One surefire way of supporting your neck well during a long journey is by having the best travel neck pillow for long flights. There are so many types and styles of travel neck pillows in the market. Therefore, getting one that suits your needs and preference should not be too hard if you have some information.

Here are the essential things you need to know and consider before buying a travel neck pillow:

Types of Travel Neck Pillows

Inflatable travel neck pillows

The most outstanding feature of these pillows is their portability. This is because they are extremely compact and light in weight. You are only required to inflate the pillow up to your desired firmness when you want to take a nap and after you are done using it you deflate it and fold it down to a very small size.

They are a good option for the people who love to keep it light when traveling because they occupy a very small space of your traveling backpack. These pillows are also the cheapest style of travel pillows available in the market and thus a good option for people who are traveling on a budget.

Their disadvantages are that compared to the other styles that are available, they are less comfortable, are less soft and less supporting (matters firmness, er?). In addition, they slowly deflate as you sleep because of the weight of your body making them an uncomfortable option.

Memory Foam Pillows

These ones are made from high-density memory foam to provide a firm but comfortable neck support. The memory foam design is one of the most comfortable designs of the travel neck pillows there is in the market.

Most can be folded into half their size for easier packing and some come with clips at the front that secure the user from sliding out while sleeping. They are designed to fit in the shape of your neck ensuring that your neck and head are firmly and comfortably supported as you sleep.

They are however the expensive option on the market, but if you are a frequent traveler, this is the best style for you because of their comfort and support.

Microbead Pillows

These pillows are characterized by being soft, light and comfortable feel. They are usually U-shaped and they are filled with tiny polystyrene beads that change shape and redistribute themselves in order to conform to the shape of your neck.

They provide considerable comfort and support and they are hypoallergenic. This makes them an excellent choice for people who suffer from allergies. However, they can develop uncomfortable dips and the fabric may stretch with time pushing the beads into unpressurized parts of the pillow removing support from the neck.

Polyester Pillows

These pillows are made by a blend of cotton fiber and polyester. They are among the most affordable travel pillows available, are very soft and easy to wash. However, they do not offer the necessary support that you require.

 Woolen Pillows

These ones are made of wool offering you maximum comfort, support and are very easy to clean. They are however very expensive and may not suit you if you are operating on a budget.

Other Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Neck Pillow

Choosing the right neck pillow for travel can be a bit hard for a beginner. There are so many of these in the market. Here are the most important things to consider:

What is the best travel pillow?

Travel neck pillows are available in an array of sizes. Do not rush to buy just any size. Look around and compare different sizes until you find one that suits the size of your head. Check the height of the pillow and make sure that it is not too high.

If it is too high, it might give you a stiff neck. In addition, make sure that it is not too thin so that it may give you the required support. Lastly, make sure that the size you choose is compact enough to fit in your travel bag.

Are travel neck pillows worth it? Check whether it is breathable

The materials used to make the pillow will influence its breathability. Some materials such as buckwheat are able to trap and retain body heat inside the pillow and allow the air to freely move through the pillow.

The inflatable pillows do not allow free flow of air. Therefore, when you are considering buying an inflatable pillow, check the outer material. If the material has some plastic, it will not become sweaty as you sleep compromising you comfort.

Can you sleep with a travel neck pillow in any sleeping position?

Some of the travel neck pillows are specifically designed for particular sleeping positions. For example, the wraparound pillows are the best for people who move a lot when asleep or tilt their heads forward when sleeping.

Such pillows will ensure that your head is properly supported even in different sleeping positions. Some other pillows will offer support even to your chin and others will support your upper body posture when asleep.

Can you wash memory foam neck pillows?

Many travel neck pillows are machine-washable, at least for their outer covers. Ease of cleaning is an important consideration when buying your travel pillow because it can help to extend its lifespan.

Some pillows have removable outer covers that you can wash by a machine. This will depend on the material of the cover. Some of the pillows when washed become fluffier and loft.

Is the travel neck pillow hypoallergenic?

If you are prone to allergies, then you need to look for a hypoallergenic pillow. Pillows made of microbeads and buckwheat are better suited for people who suffer from allergies. However, they are not very popular, so pure memory foam pillows with no additives may have to suffice.

Can my best travel neck pillow for long flights last long?

Some travel neck pillows have a longer lifespan than others. The main determining factor of durability is the cost of the pillow. Cheap travel pillows tend to have a shorter lifespan when compared to the pricey ones. However, this is not always the case.

The material making a pillow will also determine how long it will last. For example, memory foam pillows, microbead pillows and buckwheat pillows last much longer when compared to the inflatable and polyester pillows.

Check out the quality of the materials used, the finish and for inflatable pillows, the air sealing. Lastly, the time period covered in a warranty will also help you to know whether the pillow can serve you for long enough.

Are travel pillows good for neck pain?

This is the whole point, isn’t it? To feel fresh and rejuvenated at the end of the flight after using the best travel pillow. This is the most important thing you should consider before buying a travel neck pillow. Comfort is all you need in order to get a good sleep. Check how soft the material is against your skin and whether it will adequately support your neck and head as you sleep.

How much does a travel pillow cost?

How much you will be willing to spend on a travel neck pillow will be determined by how comfortable you want to be. Most of some good travel pillows are pocket friendly although the very best in terms of comfort and support are a bit pricey. Some cost even less than $10, but then, never sacrifice your level of comfort on the altar of price.

Wrapping Up

Boy! We could go on and on about these unsung heroes of long haul flights but tell you what? I would just go for the memory foam one, a medium priced one that will serve you for a long time. If you can find one that you can secure to the backrest of the plane seat, that would be so much better as it would prevent you from sliding off your seat. I hope these tips help you get the best travel neck pillow for long flights.