Are Travel Pillows Worth It?
A travel pillow is worth it if you want to sleep on a plane, train or long car ride and you can't lie down. It's not worth it if you never sleep sitting up, or if you buy the wrong kind. Here's how to tell.
Why sleeping sitting up is so hard
When you fall asleep sitting up, your neck muscles relax. Your head then does one of two things: it rolls to the side onto your shoulder, or it drops forward onto your chest. Either way, the jolt wakes you up, often again and again.
A travel pillow is worth buying if it stops that movement. That's the whole job.
When a travel pillow is worth it
- Long flights or overnight trips. On a flight of four hours or more, even a little sleep makes a big difference when you land.
- You're in a window or middle seat. You have something to lean against, or nothing at all, and the pillow fills the gap.
- Your head drops forward. If you wake with your chin on your chest, a pillow with front support, like a chin strap or a seat strap, helps the most.
- Kids. Children fall asleep fast and their heads flop. A kid-sized pillow keeps them asleep longer. See our kids' travel pillow comparison.
When it isn't
- Short flights. If you'll be awake for an hour, it's just something to carry.
- You only bought a basic U-shape. The classic U-shaped pillow pads the sides of your neck but leaves the front open, so your head still drops forward. Many people who say travel pillows "don't work" bought this kind.
- It's the wrong size. A pillow that's too big pushes your chin up; one that's too small does nothing. Kids need a kids' size.
- You'll never carry it. A bulky pillow you leave at home helps no one.
Which type to buy
There are three main types, and each makes a different trade.
Memory foam is the most comfortable and supportive. It's also the bulkiest, even in a compression case. Best for long-haul flights where sleep matters most. Our top pick, the Cabeau Evolution S3, adds seat straps that hold your head up and compresses to a third of its size in its case.
Inflatable packs to the size of a soda can and weighs very little. It's less plush, so look for one with a soft, washable cover and something that stops your head dropping forward. See our inflatable travel pillow comparison.
Soft wraps made of fleece or polyester are light and squashable, and many are fully machine washable. Some have an internal support that holds your head upright.
For more on the trade-offs, read memory foam vs inflatable travel pillows.
What to look for
- Front support: a chin strap, seat strap or internal support. This matters more than the fill.
- The right size for your neck, or your child's.
- A washable cover, because you'll rest your face on it for hours.
- A case or clip, so it travels on the outside of your bag.
The bottom line: yes, if it stops your head falling forward
Yes, a travel pillow is worth it if you plan to sleep on the trip and you choose one that stops your head from falling forward. A cheap U-shaped pillow is the one most likely to disappoint. Pair a good pillow with an eye mask and earplugs, and you give yourself the best chance of real sleep. For five airplane pillows compared side by side, see our best travel pillows for airplanes.