Are you looking for the best neck pillows for travel?
Obviously sleeping in airport chairs, aisle seats, and against car windows isn’t ideal. But that’s the cost of living a life of adventure and travel. So while we’re spending time at our home away from home, let’s make it as good a rest as possible, shall we?
That’s why we, the Gravel Team, got together to test out several of the best neck pillows for travel—or the most popular anyway. You can watch the video below to see which ones we liked, and which ones honestly sucked. Or keep scrolling to read our ultimate neck pillow guide and find the answer to the age-old question. What is the best neck pillow for travel?
What Is The Best Neck Pillow For Travel?
To determine our airplane travel pillow scores we relied on good, old-fashioned factors like comfort, support, and ease of use. We also considered more subjective things like value for money and overall design.
So without further ado, in our opinion, here are the best neck pillows for travel.
1. MLVOC Travel Pillow Review
Price: $23.99 on Amazon Prime
Amazon’s Review: 30k Reviews, 4.5 Stars
Mlvoc Travel Pillow Reviewed By: Chris
Our Rating: 6.4/10
Comfort/Material: The MLVOC pillow is made from memory foam that feels surprisingly nice for the price. It’s soft, cushy, and overall pretty comfortable. Definitely better than you’d expect from a budget-friendly travel pillow.
User Experience: Super easy to use. You just slip it around your neck, tighten the cord, and you’re set. At first, I thought getting it back into its little bag might be a pain, but it actually packs away without too much effort.
Neck Support: This is where it falls short. Because of the way it fastens together, you really can’t get it snug enough to keep your head completely supported. Especially on longer flights, you’re not gonna get the support your neck needs from an airplane pillow.
Packaging: The case is sturdier than I expected. It feels like it can handle being dropped on the airport floor without getting too dirty or ruined, and it looks easy to wipe clean if needed. Big points for the durable carry case.
Value for cost: For under $25, it’s about what you’d expect. The MLVOC travel pillow is a solid option if you just want a bit of comfort without breaking the bank. It’s not perfect, but for the price, it does the job.
2. Sunany Inflatable Travel Pillow
Price: $24.99 on Amazon
Amazon’s Review: 7K Reviews, 4 stars
Reviewed By: Katelyn
Our Rating: 6/10
Comfort/Material: Surprisingly good! Positioning is straightforward, and it even has built-in ventilation, so you don’t end up sweaty or overheated while using it. No real complaints on comfort here.
User Experience: I’ll be honest, I was dreading having to blow this thing up. But the nozzle is designed smartly. It’s meant to trap air between breaths, so it only took about 30 seconds to inflate. Once it’s blown up, it’s definitely big (a little awkward if you don’t like drawing attention), but that’s kind of the point with this pillow style.
Neck Support: Fantastic. The support is genuinely impressive, making it a great option for long flights. We even have a friend who used it on a 16-hour flight and swore by it.
Packaging: This part was frustrating. Deflating it takes a while, and getting it back into the travel bag? Nearly impossible. I couldn’t get the bag to close all the way. Maybe user error, but I really tried. Definitely a letdown.
Value For Cost: Honestly, it’s a solid deal. You get exactly what you expect for the price, and if this style of pillow is your go-to for sleeping on planes, it’s basically a steal.
3. BCOZZY Neck Pillow
Price: $44.95 on Amazon
Amazon’s Review: 31K Reviews, 4 stars.
Reviewed By: Chris
Our Rating: 8.5/10
Comfort/Material: The BCOZZY travel pillow comes with a soft, fleece-lined cover that feels cozy against your skin. But this kind of material could get dirty easily, which isn’t ideal for frequent flyers. The BCOZZY neck pillow itself is made of dense foam, though it feels a bit lumpy in places.
User Experience: It might look a little silly when you’re wearing it, but comfort wins over fashion here. My honest BCOZZY travel pillow review? I could see myself actually sleeping well in it. Whether I’m in the window seat, stuck in the middle, or even on the aisle. And that’s really saying something as a traveler!
Neck Support: Really solid. I like my neck pillows to fit snugly, and this one can tighten up nicely without feeling like it’s choking you. That adjustable, wraparound support makes a big difference.
Packaging: No issues here. It stuffs back into its packaging without a fight, which is more than you can say for a lot of other travel pillows.
Value For Cost: The BCOZZY travel pillow is a great value for what you’re getting. Plus, it’s an Amazon best-seller, which should tell you something. It’s clearly doing the job for a lot of travelers.
4. Tube Neck Pillow
Price: $34.95 on Amazon
Amazon’s Review: 600 Reviews, 4 stars
Reviewed By: Lance
Our Rating: 3.5/10
Comfort/Material: I was skeptical from the beginning about this travel pillow for airplanes. The outer material is a poly-nylon blend, which isn’t extremely cozy. But it’s not uncomfortable to rest your face on either. The concept of the airplane pillow is clever. You stuff the tube with your clothes to save space in your luggage. But the execution? Not so great. Without memory foam or any structured fill, the comfort really depends on what you pack inside. If you’re packing it with cotton candy, you’re golden. Otherwise, it’s mediocre.
User Experience: While the idea is innovative, wearing it feels awkward. It’s bulky and doesn’t wrap around the neck in a way that feels natural. Actually using it as a pillow (aka the entire point of a travel pillow) is extremely disappointing.
Neck Support: Pretty much nonexistent. The lack of structure means your head isn’t supported, and it doesn’t stay snug around the neck. These are two big drawbacks if you’re hoping for some rest mid-flight.
Packaging: The packaging is simple but functional. I appreciate that it can collapse into itself when empty, which makes it easy to store. Nothing too fancy, but at least it’s compact enough to tuck away when not in use.
Value For Cost: At $34.95, it’s overpriced for what it delivers. Unless you’re packing it with only the softest clothes, it’s not worth the investment. If you’re searching for the best neck pillow for travel, this one probably isn’t it.
6. Huzi Infinity Pillow
Price: $54.50 on Amazon
Amazon’s Review: 6,000 Reviews, 4 Stars
Reviewed By: Katelyn
Our Rating: 8/10
Comfort/Material: I love the feel of the Huzi Infinity Pillow. It’s so soft! Like a luxury sweatshirt you could lounge and nap in all day. Amazon images show it styled like an early-2000s infinity scarf, so that’s how I wrapped it around my neck. It felt cozy and breathable without overheating. Definitely one of the comfiest travel pillows for airplanes I’ve tried.
User Experience: My first impression? This thing is GINORMOUS. It came in bare-bones packaging—basically a cardboard sleeve like what you’d wrap around a coffee cup. I’m not sure how you’re supposed to carry it through the airport, unless they just expect you to be wearing it from the get-go which is probably the case honestly. I also think it’s a plus that you can wear it around your head for a noise-muffling cocoon. Although it kind of doesn’t work and makes you look like you’re in your own little world.
Neck Support: At first, it didn’t feel supportive at all. Like a glorified scarf. But then I figured out the magic trick. If you cross your arms and weigh the fabric down with your hands, it pulls the pillow snugly into place. (You may need to watch the video for a better visual!). This method gives your neck surprisingly strong support, and that’s honestly what sold me.
Packaging: Like I mentioned above, the packaging is minimal. A simple sleeve that I don’t think it’s meant to be re-used. So don’t expect a fancy case or anything that compresses it for packing. You’ll either wear it like a scarf or drape it over your carry-on when it’s not in-use.
Value For Cost: At $54.50, it’s not cheap at all. But the comfort and versatility honestly did it for me. I think it’s worth it for frequent travelers. If you want the best neck pillow for travel that doubles as a cozy scarf and a sleep cocoon, this is a unique and worthy choice.
7. Ostrich Pillow
Price: $99 on Amazon
Amazon’s Review: 400 Reviews, 4 Stars
Reviewed By: The Gravel Team (Chris, Katelyn, and Lance. We had to all give this one a go!)
Our Rating: 7/10
Comfort/Material: The Ostrich Pillow review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning its feel. It’s stuffed with soft microbeads that make it surprisingly lightweight for its bulky shape. The top and sides have extra fluff, which adds to the coziness. At first, wearing it felt awkward and nothing like a typical neck pillow. But once we eased into it, the comfort and support were actually impressive.
User Experience: The design is… let’s just say different. It has a hole in the front for your nose and mouth and two more on the sides for your hands or ears. Slipping it on is strange without a doubt, and you’ll definitely get all the looks on the plane. But its unique shape really does provide optimal support for your head and neck. Just embrace the look.
Neck Support: We weren’t convinced at first. It felt more like wearing a plush helmet than a neck pillow. But as we settled in, we realized the structure actually does provide solid support, cradling the head in a way that helps you relax and drift off.
Packaging: The packaging is simple and doesn’t really compress the pillow. So yes, you’ll be carrying the full-size, odd-shaped pillow with you. That’s a huge hassle for minimalist travelers, or anyone who is trying to save space.
Value for cost: At $100, it’s definitely a splurge. But for those who travel frequently and don’t mind calling attention to themselves, it could be worth it. Out Ostrich Pillow review experience showed us it’s not for everyone. But the comfort level might win you over if you give it a chance!
Browsing Ostrich Pillow reviews and wondering whether it lives up to the hype? Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s pricey. But it can deliver a surprisingly good in-flight nap. Give it a go, and you might just be surprised!
Our Top Picks
We each grabbed our favorites! Chris went with the BCOZZY, Lance committed to the Ostrich Pillow, and Katelyn cozied up with the Huzi Infinity Pillow. Each one fits a different type of traveler. Chris loves the snug wraparound fit of the BCOZZY neck pillow, Lance can’t resist the quirky comfort of the Ostrich Pillow, and Katelyn swears by the scarf-like softness of the Huzi.
We also ended up tossing our Layover Blanket into the mix. This is a bit of a wild card since it’s not technically a neck pillow. But it does pack down into the shape of a travel pillow, so you can still rest your head on it when needed. Sure, it’s not built for true neck support, but for anyone who hates the stiff, choke-y feeling some travel pillows for airplanes can give, it’s a surprisingly great alternative.
And the bonus? It doubles as a soft, full-size blanket, which makes it extra handy for red-eye flights, long bus rides, or just staying warm in a freezing airport terminal.
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Happy (and cozy) travels! 🧳🚗💨🛫🌍✨
