Traveling today is quite complicated with all of the travel protocols that we have to adhere to due to the prevailing pandemic; staying comfortable while traveling can get quite tricky.
Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, travel ordinances should be observed; therefore, packing essential items to help you achieve relaxation is crucial.
Our #1 go-to for maintaining comfort while traveling is travel pillows, and here we have a list of the best travel pillows in 2021 for you.
ComfyCentre Seat Cushion
A seat cushion is the best-friend for travelers for both land in air. ComfyCentre Seat Cushion reduces pressure on the legs, hips, and back, which makes it a good choice for long travels.
You don’t have to wiggle back and forth to find the right spot for you. It’s made with the ultra-dense memory foam, so it contours to your body, giving you the best support for years.
It’s easy to take with you as it’s both light and compact. In travels, it promotes the optimal sitting position, and it boosts your circulation and vitality.
ComfyCentre allows you to sit and use the seat cushion for 30 days if you are in doubt, and you can return the cushion FREE of charge.
Infinity Pillow by Huzi
The Infinity Pillow has an innovative form that allows its user to wrap the pillow around the neck in a scarf-like manner. This pillow is made out of breathable bamboo textile, which is excellent for people who run hot when you snooze.
What’s exceptional about the Infinity Pillow by Huzi is its versatility that is not offered by other neck pillows in the market. You can form it in any way you want that is most comfortable to you, which makes this ideal for any kind of travel.
On top of that, the Infinity Pillow comes in 5 colors, including pink, gray, navy blue, burgundy, and shamrock green, and also has a bundle option where you can get a matching sleep mask to your travel pillow.
The Infinity Pillow is absolutely a great travel companion making this one of the best travel pillows in 2021.
BCOZZY Chin-Supporting Travel Pillow
Making our list of the best travel pillows in 2021 is the BCozzy Chin-Supporting Travel Pillow.
Much like the Infinity Pillow by Huzi, the BCOZZY Chin-Supporting Travel Pillow allows its user to wrap it around the neck in a scarf-like manner.
It may not have the equivalent versatility level compared to that of the Infinity Pillow; still, the BCOZZY neck pillow definitely allows better neck support, thanks to its innovative form. You can even fold the BCOZZY neck pillow in half and rest it on either of your shoulders if you are not comfortable having it coiled around your throat.
What we particularly like the most about the BCOZZY Chin-Supporting Travel Pillow is the fact that it also comes in a kid-size variant for children from 3 to 7 years of age, available in numerous design options.
If you want to go on a trip in relaxation and quirky fashion with your kids, then the BCOZZY Chin Supporting Travel Pillow is the best neck pillow selection for you.
AirComfy Inflatable Neck Travel Pillow
One way to keep your excursion comfortable and easy is by making sure that you only prepare your essentials and travel light.
However, this can be pretty difficult to achieve if you also want to stay comfortable and you take a bulky travel pillow with you that you can’t put away in your luggage.
That’s why we chose the AirComfy Inflatable Neck Travel Pillow as one of our best travel pillows for 2021. This travel pillow can be inflated and deflated in less than a minute, making it easy for you to store it out of the way once you are up on your feet.
If you’re worried about having to take an extra tool to make this neck pillow work, don’t be: the AirComfy Inflatable Pillow has a button you can repeatedly press to inflate it and an air release valve to deflate it.
On top of that, this neck pillow also comes with a detachable soft cover you can remove for easy cleaning.
Trtl Pillow Plus
When you arrive at your destination, the last thing you want is to endure neck pain due to the lack of neck support when you fell asleep while en route. Sometimes, neck travel pillows aren’t tall enough for sufficient support, and you end up bending your neck while sleeping.
The Trtl Pillow Plus might solve that problem for you. This travel pillow is designed in a way where you can adjust its height, making it ideal for all body types, especially if you have a long neck.
The Trtl Pillow Plus is a definite travel must-have for people who want to have ample neck support. This neck pillow can be worn in three simple steps, and you can also watch online tutorials on how to put it on to ensure maximum comfort correctly.
The only drawback to this is that the design might not be to everyone’s liking as it kind of resembles a neck brace, and some report that they felt like they were choking while having it on during travel.
If you can live with that and the fact that it costs more compared to other travel pillows, then the Trtl Pillow Plus might be the best travel pillow for you.
Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow
For most of us, hugging a pillow while snoozing is necessary for acquiring a good night's sleep. However, bringing a regular pillow to your travels may not be your best bet. That's why we are thankful for the invention of the Travelrest Ultimate pillow.
The Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow is a lateral, inflatable neck pillow with a soft faux-velvet cover ideal for people who want to get good neck and back alignment while sleeping on long journeys.
Unlike the AirComfy Inflatable Neck Pillow, the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow does not have an inflate button; still, users find that inflating the latter is easy enough that it only takes 3-4 puffs of air according to your lung power.
For an inflatable pillow, this offers users ample support and sufficient comfort. People find that filling it up to 80 to 90% is the sweet spot as filling it up completely may be uncomfortable.
For some people, adjusting a pillow while sleeping can be quite bothersome, especially during transportation, so this design might not work. If you don't mind adjusting the cushion when you shift your body, then the Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow might be the best travel pillow for you.
Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow
Next in our list of the best travel pillows in 2021 is the Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow which has won awards for its design and quality.
The Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow is an ergonomic pillow made of dual-density memory foam designed with cooling vents to keep you cool for long hours of use. This pillow is not only a great addition to your travel essentials but also ideal for people who sit in front of a computer for prolonged periods.
The travel pillow’s memory foam also provides ample neck support and can retain its shape longer than regular neck pillows. It even has magnetic clasps that help the neck pillow stay in place while you are asleep.
What’s also cool about the Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow is that it comes with its case, which makes storing this and putting it away during your travels easy and straightforward.
However, some users did note that this travel pillow tends to push up your headphones. If you don’t use headphones and prefer earphones during your travels, then the Cabeau Evolution Cool Pillow might be the one for you.
J-Pillow Travel Pillow
If you are exhausted from seeing the same old U-shape neck pillow design and are up for something offbeat and fresh, then the J-Pillow Travel Pillow might be what you are searching for.
The J-Pillow Travel Pillow is, simply put, a travel pillow in the outline of the letter J composed of polyester and 3D fiber, which grants support for your head, neck, and chin when you snooze during your flight or drive.
This travel pillow hugs the side of your face making it simple for you to sleep snugly and not feel like you are being restrained. You also don’t have to worry about shoving this back into your baggage after using it, as it comes with a snap-loop clip that can attach to any type of strap on your luggage.
However, due to its unconventional design, users find that in order to get enough support while you are in the middle seat, you have to use your shoulders to hold the J-Pillow up.
MLVOC Travel Pillow (New Black)
Making our list of the best travel pillows in 2021 is the MLVOC Travel Pillow.
The MLVOC Travel Pillow is an excellent option for people looking for mid-range, affordable travel pillows that provide ample neck support.
This travel pillow is made of pure memory foam that helps retain its unique Y-shape design, making it durable and lasts long. What’s also notable about its Y-shape design is it has a higher cushion on one side that makes sleeping ergonomic and gives you sufficient head and neck alignment.
We also like that it comes with an adjustable buckle making the travel pillow stay in place and helping you achieve the tightness that’s most comfortable to you.
The MLVOC Travel Pillow offers excellent value for your money as it also comes with its pair of earplugs and 3D eye mask that can all fit in one carry pouch.
However, it is also important to note that some people found this quite uncomfortable as it does not provide ample chin support due to its design.
Nonetheless, the MLVOC Travel Pillow is still a great, affordable, and durable travel pillow choice.
Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Neck, Chin, Lumbar and Leg Support
We have featured some pretty unique and versatile travel pillows on our list of the best travel pillows for 2021, but we think that nothing beats our next travel pillow's versatility.
The Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow is, as the name connotes, a travel pillow that you can twist and form to any shape that is most comfortable to you. Its versatility also allows you to use this other than just as a neck pillow.
Much like the MLVOC Travel Pillow, the Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow also comes with its pair of earplugs and 3D eye masks, all for an affordable price.
Storing the Dot&Dot Pillow won't be a problem as it comes with a snap-loop clip that can attach to any type of strap on your luggage.
The only drawback to this travel pillow is its length; it can be pretty short for some people. However, the Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow does take the cake when it comes to versatility.
High Sierra Hooded Travel Pillow
Wearing eye masks is a great way to get a little privacy when dozing off in transport. However, eye masks only provide you coverage over your eyes, and most of the time, people forget to pack them before they travel.
Well, the High Sierra Hooded Travel Pillow helps you solve that dilemma which makes this one of the best travel pillows in 2021.
As the name suggests, this neck pillow comes with its very own hood attached to the neck pillow, which is excellent for supporting your neck during travel and giving you a sense of privacy while sleeping.
The High Sierra Hooded Travel Pillow is also excellent for blocking out the light in lieu of an eye mask. For people who also get easily cold on flights, the High Sierra Hood can also keep you warm during transport.
The High Sierra Hooded Travel Pillow is soft and provides ample support, yet people find that this hooded travel pillow might not be for everybody as the hood is relatively small for some users.
Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Neck Pillow
Next on our list of the best travel pillows in 2021 is the Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Neck Pillow, known for its durability.
The pillow itself is composed of quality gel-infused memory foam that has ventilation holes for breathability. This travel pillow is excellent for people who run hot when they nap.
What we absolutely love about the Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Neck Pillow is its incredible value. It is currently listed for $19.95 on Amazon, and it also comes with a pair of earplugs and a sleep mask.
On top of that, Everlasting Comfort also offers a lifetime replacement guarantee which should assure you of how durable and long-lasting it is.
This travel pillow's fabric case also features a unique design with a pouch where you can slip your phone supposedly for safekeeping. The only downside to this is that the people who have used this find the phone pouch placement quite odd as the pocket entry faces downward and has a tendency to pop your phone out of place.
Other than that, the Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Neck Pillow is absolutely a great addition to your travel essentials.
ComfoArray Travel Pillow
Making our list of the best travel pillows in 2021 is the ComfoArray Travel Pillow.
This travel pillow is another wrap-around pillow type, but instead of having buckles or clasps to secure, this has velcro and stickable cloth that you can use to adjust its circumference from 11” to 18”.
What we love about the ComfoArray Travel Pillow is that even though it is made of cotton, it is designed and structured well enough to provide you with sufficient neck support while sleeping.
It is high on one side, which is suitable for people with long necks and short on the other, which is ideal for people who have shorter necks.
What you get in the package also gives you great value for your money as it comes with a waterproof carry pouch, a big hook so that you can attach this anywhere you want, and a cover that you can easily unzip and remove for washing.
Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Support Pillow
Capping our list of the best travel pillows in 2021 is another entry from Cabeau.
The Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Support Pillow is another U-shaped travel pillow that comes with a unique strap that you can attach to most seats to prevent you from knocking your head forward while sleeping and also prevents you from slouching in your chair.
This travel pillow is ergonomically designed to help with your head and neck alignment while traveling, eliminating the possibility of neck pain. The Cabeau Evolution travel pillow's memory foam is durable yet soft enough to ensure your utmost comfort.
The travel pillow also comes with its own carry pouch to easily store your neck pillow, and on top of that, the carry pouch itself comes with a clasp strap, allowing you to attach this to your luggage easily.
We have come to appreciate the ability to attach your neck pillow to your luggage because of its practicality. The last thing you want to do while traveling is to keep opening your luggage solely for taking out or storing your neck pillow.
How to Choose the Best Travel Pillow Suitable for your Needs
All of the travel pillows we have featured on this list only aim for one thing: to provide you comfort while traveling, especially in these trying times. However, travel pillows can’t have it all, and some features may be missing even from the best ones.
So, how do you determine the best travel pillow most fitted for you? You must first recognize your needs, know which feature to prioritize, and go from there. To help you out, we have listed below distinct determinants you need to weigh prior to obtaining a travel pillow.
Shape
If you have been out-of-the-loop when it comes to the advancements made in the travel pillow enterprise, then you must still be portraying the traditional U-shape pillow whenever someone mentions travel pillows.
Times have changed, and there are many sorts of travel pillows to pick from nowadays that have varying strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, in selecting the best travel pillow, you must first determine which shape to go for.
Here are some popular ones:
- U-shape
- As mentioned, this is the classic shape of travel pillows and up to this day, there are still a great percentage of the population that prefer this type of travel pillow.
- This travel pillow type offers support to the back and sides of your neck giving you proper head and neck alignment while sleeping even when traveling.
- J-shape
- Relatively new to the game, this travel pillow type is quickly gaining popularity for those who love to travel and maintain comfort. As the name suggests, this travel pillow resembles the letter J which offers support for your head, neck, and chin.
- The chin support is something that is lacking from U-shaped travel pillows.
- Wrap-around
- The wrap-around kind of travel pillows feature buckles, clasps, or velcros to fasten and secure the neck pillow while traveling. This type of travel pillows is also loved by many as this offers the most support for your neck.
- Most wrap-around travel pillows are adjustable which makes it ideal for all body types.
Support
Different materials used to make travel pillows offer different levels of firmness and support.
Generally, memory foam travel pillows offer more structure and support. They retain their shape better and last longer. Inflatable ones also offer great levels of support but as a rule of thumb, don’t fill them with air 100% so avoid making your pillow stiff.
Transportability
It’s true that travel pillows can also be used for other activities other than traveling but it is their number 1 usage. Therefore, it is only fitting to look for a travel pillow that won’t be a nightmare to take with you.
There are travel pillows that you can inflate and deflate. There are also travel pillows that feature snap-loops for easy luggage attachment. But most travel pillows now come with their own carry pouches.
Breathability
As discussed earlier, if you are the type of person who runs hot when you sleep, it is best to look for travel pillows that have heat regulation. Look for travel pillows with cooling gel layers or have breathable fabric covers such as cloths derived from bamboo.
Sweating while you sleep will never be comfortable, so consider your climate in choosing your travel pillow.
Affordability
According to the shape and materials used, travel pillows vary in prices.
Determine what you’ll need your travel pillow for and go from there. Just remember, as with anything, price does not necessarily equate to quality.
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to mix it up and switch to a different travel pillow if a certain brand isn’t working out.
Just remember to follow the current travel regulations and pack the best travel pillow among your travel essentials.
Safe travels!
