Travelling is my job and biggest hobby, so I’m often on a flight or a long train to my next destination. When you spend so much time attempting to sleep in a sitting position, bounced from one place to another, finding the best travel pillow can be life changing. Like most, I have spent a lot of money on travel pillows that have done very little for my sleep. In fact, they’ve annoyed me more than helped me, so I’m very picky.
Travel pillows are surprisingly personal. The perfect pillow will depend on your frame, your preference for staying warm or cool, the materials your skin prefers and the type of travelling you are most likely to do. For me, the material is a big deal as I have long curly hair that tends to get stuck or be damaged easily, so I do have a predilection for satin or silk when possible.
When I’m away for longer periods or backpacking, I often reach for an inflatable pillow to keep my pack as light as possible. But if I’m getting ready for a long haul flight, the only thing I care about is getting as much sleep as I can to hit the ground running when I land. Whether you're an adventurous traveller or prefer to travel in style, I've tried and tested the best travel pillows for every kind of trip.
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The best travel pillows for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Trtl travel pillow: £49.99, Trtltravel.com
- Best budget option – Lifeventure ultralight travel pillow: £16.95, Nordicoutdoor.co.uk
- Best for durability – Tempur transit pillow: £95, Tempur.com
- Best wrap-around travel pillow – Infinity pillow: £44.99, Amazon.co.uk
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Trtl travel pillow
Rating: 5/5
Best: travel pillow overall
Why we love it
- Great neck support
- Soft fleece material
- Lightweight
Take note
- There is a hard frame inside
Trtl’s travel pillow was a viral sensation, but the praise is definitely well placed. The best travel pillow I tested, it offers amazing neck support while still being very comfortable, and works well no matter the type of travel or seat you have been assigned. Whether I’ve got a window to lean on or am sandwiched between two other passengers, this travel pillow has helped me get some sleep.
There is an internal support structure – which could be described as a flexible plastic insert – that makes the pillow a comfortable hybrid between a travel pillow and a neck brace. It keeps your neck supported while the soft fleece material provides comfort.
It comes in an easy-to-carry pouch and the cover can be stripped and popped in the washing machine. It’s also a lot smaller and easier to pack compared to a traditional travel pillow, which is a big selling point if you are going on a very long trip, or you simply like to travel light.
Key specifications:
Buy now £49.99, Trtltravel.com
Lifeventure ultralight travel pillow
Rating: 3.5/5
Best: budget travel pillow
Why we love it
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Elastic attaches to seat for extra stability
- Can be used as a camping pillow
Take note
- Hard to use in middle seat
As someone that doesn’t shy away from a long bus journey versus a quick flight – when the landscape is worth it, that is – I know how important it is to have a nice travel pillow when spending hours on the road.
This Lifeventure pillow is not the best option for long-haul flights or train journeys around Europe, but if you are planning on taking buses, this is a good option. The pillow is inflatable, meaning it’s very lightweight and easy to carry. It has an elastic that attaches to the seat for extra stability, and can also be used as an emergency pillow if you decide to go on a last-minute camping adventure.
If you are planning a trip that requires a lot of travelling, outdoor activities or you simply like to prepare for anything your holiday might bring, this pillow takes little space, it’s affordable and can help you get a good night’s sleep when on the road.
Key specifications:
Buy now £16.95, Nordicoutdoor.co.uk
Infinity pillow
Rating: 5/5
Best: wrap-around travel pillow
Why we love it
- Very comfortable
- Versatile
Take note
- It takes a while to dry after washing
When I first saw the wrap-around Infinity travel pillow, I didn’t expect to like it at all, but once I tried it I quickly changed my mind. It's cosy, effective and protects your neck from cold drafts as well as supporting it. It’s multi-functional too, so you can use it in different ways, depending on the type of trip you're embarking on or the transportation you are using.
I tested it during a four-hour flight to Greece, after a completely sleepless night, and I was able to fall asleep immediately – also thanks to my Loop earplugs and trusted Slip eyemask – and only woke up when the plane started its descent, in the exact same position I fell asleep in. A whole flight of uninterrupted sleep while in a middle seat on a budget airline? I call that a win.
It can be washed in the washing machine but because you can’t take off the cover, it means that it takes a while to dry. If it’s badly stained you can’t just change the cover, so if you wear makeup when travelling, you might have to wash it quite often.
Key specifications:
Buy now £44.99, Amazon.co.uk
Tempur transit pillow
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: travel pillow for durability
Why we love it
- Sturdy
- Stays put
- Thick cover protects cushion from spills
Take note
- Heavy
- Might be too firm for some
Tempur is famous for its comfortable pillows and mattresses, so when I discovered it had ventured into the travel pillow market, I was sure that, if anything, its product would have been comfortable – and I wasn’t wrong. When I used the transit pillow for the first time, I thought it might slide off my neck as it doesn’t have a buckle to close the loop like most travel pillows do, but the firm cushion helps it to stay in place.
The transit travel pillow is really firm and extremely comfortable for this category of product, more so than most traditional travel pillows. That's largely because it's made from the same material used in the brand's mattresses and pillows. The material used for the filling is temperature sensitive, which is particularly helpful if you run hot.
One aspect that I particularly appreciate is the fact that you can wash the pillow cover in the washing machine at 40 degrees and it will come out as good as new. When stripping the pillow, you will also notice how thick the cover is, meaning small liquid spillage that might occur while travelling won’t ruin the product.
Key specifications:
Buy now £85, Tempur.com
Slip jet setter travel pillow
Rating: 4/5
Best: u-shaped silk travel pillow
Why we love it
- Good neck support
- Luxurious feel
- Gentle on skin and hair
Take note
- Pricey compared to other options
- Silk needs more care when washing
This travel pillow from Slip feels like a treat. If you want a ‘regular’ travel pillow but you don’t like the feel of the materials that are usually used – which is often polyester – this is a great option, although it’s pricier than most products in this category.
This jet setter pillow is as much a fashion statement as it is a useful travel accessory. It’s available in four different colours and prints – I personally tested the very cute safari print – and it comes in a handy transparent shopping bag, which can be used as storage when the product is not in use or to carry your in-flight essentials when travelling.
The pillow comes with a strap at the front that allows you to adjust the size slightly, which is handy as some travel pillows tend to be too roomy on the neck, making them uncomfortable on long trips. The pillow is comfortable and has good neck support, but the main selling point is the fact that it is made of silk. This makes it a lot gentler on both skin and hair, which might or might not be an important point, depending on your needs.
Key specifications:
Buy now £127.14, Amazon.co.uk
Boots travel deluxe pillow
Rating: 4/5
Best: last-minute travel pillow
Why we love it
- Easy to find at most airports
- Comfortable for most people
Take note
- Might be a bit small for those with wider shoulders
I have about ten travel pillows at home that I use depending on my travel needs, but more often than I like to admit, I end up forgetting to bring one and inevitably have to find a last-minute solution. If most travel pillows that you can find at the airport are generally flimsy and overpriced, Boots has an option that will sort you out.
This won’t be the best ever travel pillow you can find on the market, but it does the job on an occasional flight, it’s comfortable and it comes at a price that doesn’t break the bank. Most importantly, it’s widely available in most major UK airports.
When trying ita travel pillow offering, I found their travel deluxe pillow a lot better than Boots’s basic option, and a particularly good option for people with a small frame. If you are very tall and have wide shoulders or a very muscular neck, this is not a good choice for you.
Key specifications:
Buy now £25, Boots.com
Snooze all silk travel mini pillow
Rating: 4/5
Best: flat silk travel pillow
Why we love it
- It feels great on skin and hair
- Inner silk pillow is plush and comfortable
Take note
- It’s a flat pillow, so not ideal if you need neck support
- Pricey
I have curly hair and sensitive skin, which can be a bit of a nightmare when travelling a lot. Of course, it’s not the end of the world, but rashes and tangled hair – especially when paired with harsher water – can put an extra layer of difficulty to your trip. During my last visit to Brazil, a skin rash never left me for a whole month, and put a real cloud over my stay. Now, I'm more cautious when I pack, to make sure that even when packing light I can ensure a bit of comfort to my future self.
This Snooze all silk travel pillow is the perfect solution if you want something that you can use while travelling, but can also double as an extra pillow when you are staying somewhere. The pillow is made of 100 per cent Mulberry silk, but it’s also completely silk filled, which makes it even more luxurious and comfortable.
It’s very breathable, and comes with a silk pillowcase, which means that the actual pillow never touches the seats. I love to bring this one with me when I know I will be staying in different places, not always very glamorous ones, as it really improves my sleep on and off the flight. I recently had to stay in a not-at-all-luxurious hotel before an early flight, and I used this pillow as a normal bed pillow to make the stay feel a bit nicer, before using it to get an extra couple of hours of sleep on the plane.
Key specifications:
Buy now £79.8, Amazon.co.uk
Travelrest ultimate travel pillow and neck pillow
Rating: 3.5/5
Best: sling travel pillow
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Easy to transport
- Good for side sleepers
Take note
- It can’t really be washed, unless you purchase the cover
If you are looking for a sling travel pillow, the Travelrest ultimate is a great option as it’s inflatable, small and easy to transport. It’s a bit awkward when you try to put it on for the first time, but it’s very easy once you get the hang of it.
I wouldn’t suggest this if you like a flat pillow, or you move your head a lot when sleeping, as this will only have one side of your body covered – but if you are a side sleeper, then this is the solution for you.
It comes without a cover and can only be wiped and not fully washed. The cover can be purchased separately and brings the price from £22.40 to £37.95 – makes the price of the pillow go from affordable to average, but it’s necessary if you want to ensure its longevity and a good level of hygiene.
Key specifications:
Buy now £22.4, Amazon.co.uk
Harley Orthopaedic travel pillow
Rating: 4/5
Best: orthopaedic travel pillow
Why we love it
- Very gentle on the neck
- Easy to roll up and store in pouch
Take note
- Hard to use in middle seat
If you have trouble sleeping, or have a particularly sensitive neck and back area, you might want to invest in an orthopaedic travel pillow. It can also be used as an emergency pillow if the place you are staying at lacks comfort.
Once open, the Harley Orthopaedic travel pillow takes up more space than a more traditional travel pillow, but it’s easy to roll and store in its handy pouch. Being almost as big as a normal pillow and made of foam, the product is so comfortable it makes that window seat feel a little bit like a real bed – but if you find yourself in a middle seat, it won’t be as easy to use.
One major selling point of this one is that you can also use it once you arrive at your destination. If you have a sensitive neck, and really struggle to get comfortable when sleeping in hotels and holiday rentals, this pillow could be a game changer as it perfectly supports your neck.
Key specifications:
Buy now £49.99, Completecareshop.co.uk
Your questions on travel pillows answered
What is the best travel pillow?
The Trtl travel pillow takes top spot as the best travel pillow because it ticks all the important boxes: it’s comfortable, keeps your neck supported, it’s lightweight, easy to carry and machine washable as well as being fairly priced. The value for money here is undeniable and it’s easy to see why so many people use it. I
f you like a more traditional travel pillow, Tempur offers quality, durability and comfort. If premium materials are a priority, the Slip and Snoooze silk pillows are both excellent choices, depending on how you prefer to sleep. The unexpected success story for me was the Infinity pillow – I didn’t think much of it when I got it, but I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it and I slept like a baby, and it quickly became one of my favourite travel pillows.
How I tested travel pillows
As a travel editor, I’m always on a train or a flight so these pillows have come with me around the UK, but also on adventures around Europe and beyond. I have put each travel pillow to the test in similar ways, trying to spend at least an hour at a time and noticing how well I slept, whether I experienced any aches or stiffness after my journey and how likely I was to use that specific product again.
Every pillow has been tested for comfort and quality above all else, but versatility also played a big part in my choices. During testing I considered the following:
What is the best travel pillow shape?
If you’re lucky enough that your in-flight discomfort doesn’t come from head bobbing, but the displeasure stemming from resting your head against hard surfaces, opt for a travel pillow with a traditional shape, rather than a looping design (another benefit of these is that they’re more versatile, and double as great camping pillows when space is at a premium).
What is the best travel pillow filling?
Don’t make the mistake of insisting on memory foam – although memory foam is usually best for support, there are plenty of other fillings (such as lightweight microbeads) which work just as well, while inflatable pillows are handy if you’re short on space.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alessia Armenise is a travel journalist. Her work as a travel writer means she has years of experience trying to get some shut-eye during while travelling. She knows what makes a comfortable travel pillow and what type of pillows to recommend to different types of travellers and for various types of kinds of journeys. For more of her tried and tested picks, Alessia has also written about the best cabin bags and the best packing cubes.
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