Best travel pillow

The best travel pillow is essential if you want to maximize comfort while on the go – find options for every sleep style.

Best travel pillow
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Investing in the best travel pillow is essential if you want to make sleeping – or even relaxing – while traveling as comfortable an experience as possible. Whether you travel regularly for work or leisure, or are planning a long-haul flight and want to arrive feeling refreshed, our top picks are suitable for every sleep style.

From options for those who enjoy resting their heads on the window, to travel pillows design to support your neck if you're in the middle seat, we've included options for every type of sleeper in our round-up. Our top pick is the MLVOC travel pillow, which uses memory foam and an adjustable fastening to contour to your neck effectively. Not only is it super comfortable to use while traveling but it's also pretty affordable. See more of our top picks below.

Top pick

travel pillow

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MLVOC travel pillow

A memory foam pillow that moulds to support your neck as you sleep

Covered with breathable fabric, this travel pillow is ideal for use on the go – and is easy to wash once you're done.

Pros:

  • Flexible micro-fibre design
  • Adjustable fastening for the best fit possible
  • Removable cover for easy cleaning

Cons:

  • Not the most compact design

The best travel pillow is the MLVOC travel pillow, which uses memory foam to mold around your neck and provides the greatest degree of comfort possible. To ensure it's tight enough to provide an adequate amount of support, it's also designed with an adjustable fastening.

Aside from its clever design, which is shaped to fit the contours of your neck securely, it also comes with an easily removable cover that can be washed to ensure good levels of hygiene are maintained. While this travel pillow may not be the most compact design we've ever seen, it does still roll up into a small pouch which makes it easier to transport once you've finished using it. 

Premium

travel pillow

(Image credit: Amazon)

Ostrich Pillow go travel pillow

This travel pillow can't be beaten for supportive design and quality materials

Benefit from 360-degree ergonomic neck support as you sleep.

Pros:

  • Super comfortable ergonomic design
  • Provides plenty of neck support
  • Compact design that folds down into a small pouch that's easy for transporting

Cons:

  • Expensive

If you're looking for a high-quality travel pillow, look no further than the Ostrich Pillow go travel pillow with its clever, 360-degree ergonomic design and luxury fabric finish.

Designed to suit the user, specifically, this adjustable travel pillow wraps around your neck to provide exactly the right amount of support. Then, when you're finished using it, watch as your travel pillow folds up into a small pouch that's perfect for easy transportation.

Flexible

travel pillow

(Image credit: Amazon)

Twist memory foam travel pillow

Adjust this travel pillow depending on how – and where – you're sleeping

Provide support for your neck, back, and more with the help of the adaptable travel pillow.

Pros:

  • Flexible design
  • Suitable for sleeping in a variety of positions
  • Outer layer easy to clean

Cons:

  • Doesn't fasten particularly tightly when used as a traditional travel pillow

Designed for those who need a more flexible approach to sleep, the Twist memory foam travel pillow adapts to suit a variety of sleep positions. Its memory foam core is not only super comfortable but it's also designed with the needs of the sleeper in mind – which is great news if you tend to find yourself fidgeting while trying to sleep on the go.

Plus, it's easy to fold up this travel pillow for storage while you're on the go. And its outer fabric is easy to remove and wash if you're concerned about hygiene.

Versatile

travel pillow

(Image credit: Amazon)

CT Compact Technologies compact travel pillow

Use this memory foam travel pillow for camping, as well as while on the go

This simple travel pillow is a great option for those who can't get on board with traditional neck pillows. It comes in different colors, too.

Pros:

  • A great option for those who don't like traditional travel pillows
  • Compact design that's easy to transport
  • Comfortable memory foam design

Cons:

  • Not a traditional travel pillow which won't suit all

Another great alternative to the traditional travel pillow, the CT Compact Technologies compact travel pillow is much like your average pillow, but folds up into a small pouch which makes it easy to transport. It's also a great option for kids, who may struggle to use a more traditional neck travel pillow.

Not only is its memory foam center super comfortable, but it also accurately contours to fit the shape of your head perfectly – wherever you're sleeping. We think this is a great option for sleeping on planes and other public transport, as well as for camping and similar activities since it's so compact.

Traditional

best travel pillow

(Image credit: Amazon)

Bonmedico ergonomic neck cushion

A traditional travel pillow for those seeking neck support

Make the most of the cooling gel layer this travel pillow offers and unwind while traveling long or short-haul.

Pros:

  • Comes with cooling gel layer
  • Made from memory foam
  • Comfortable design

Cons:

  • Crescent-shaped travel pillows won't work for everyone

If you're a fan of a traditional, crescent-shaped travel pillow, this Bonmedico ergonomic neck cushion could be the one for you. Not only does it come with an adjustable strap designed to support your neck, but it also boasts a pretty handy cooling gel layer which will certainly come in useful if you're trying to sleep in a warm location.

It also has a removable outer layer, which makes it easy to clean and maintain between uses.

For neck support

travel pillow

(Image credit: Amazon)

Trtl travel pillow

A patented design provides the ultimate neck support

A great alternative to the traditional travel pillow, this design holds your neck in an ergonomic position for the ultimate support.

Pros:

  • Scientifically proven to provide neck support
  • Soft, fleece finish for comfort 
  • Compact design that's easy for transporting

Cons:

  • Only works for those who sleep with their neck leaning to one side

Designed using patented technology, the Trtl travel pillow provides an impressive amount of neck support while you sleep. Its soft, fleece material also makes it a comfy place to rest your head while on the go.

Available in a variety of different colors, this travel pillow is best suited to those who sleep with their head resting to one side.

Our verdict

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The MLVOC travel pillow is our top pick thanks to its ergonomic design, which provides ample support for the neck and head, while still remaining relatively affordable. Its adjustable fastening tightens around your neck, while its memory foam design molds to offer optimal support. Similarly, the Ostrich Pillow go travel pillow offers 360-degree neck support for the ultimate comfort, though it does retail at a slightly higher price point.

For those on the hunt for something slightly more flexible in its design, the Twist memory foam travel pillow – which is designed to adapt a variety of forms – and the CT Compact Technologies compact travel pillow – which is more like your average pillow – are great options.

Why trust us?

At Real Homes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Emily Shaw

Emily first (temporarily) joined the Real Homes team while interning on her summer break from university. After graduating, she worked on several publications before joining Real Homes as Staff Writer full time in mid-2018. She left the brand in 2020 to pursue another career, but still loves a second-hand bargain and sourcing unique finds to make her rented flat reflect her personality.