Updated on 16 September 2022
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Samsonite Global Travel
Its very soft texture and good firmness offer great support and comfort. In addition, the memory foam adapts perfectly to the head, and the press stud is practical.
During our tests, this memory foam cushion seemed a little firm at first glance, but when moulded to the head, it quickly became comfortable. Some buyers find it a bit large, but unlike them, we appreciated the fit. Also, the fleece cover is pleasant to the touch, although it sure isn’t the most advisable during the heat of summer. The cover is removable and hand-washable. It also has a practical clasp for securing it to your shoulders or hanging it on your suitcase, for example. In general, it is suitable for travelling by car, plane or train, and even for working at a desk.
The ergonomics and shape of the travel pillow play an essential role in comfort and support. Inflatable pillows offer little support for the neck but are easy to carry. The softness of the material influences comfort, but also warmth and breathability. Some cushions are available as a travel kit. As this is a travel accessory, it must be easy to carry. Some models have an adjustable velcro strap, which makes them more comfortable.
Kine Travel 2-in-1
Its design allows it to be used in many situations (transport, bed, etc.). In addition to its affordable price, it is pleasant to the touch and supports the neck well.
Approved by a physiotherapist, this 2-in-1 pillow acts as both a neck support and a cushion. Although some users have complained about the lack of support, we do not share their opinion, in fact, we were satisfied with the support it offers. However, during our test, we must say that we found it a bit hard at times. It is composed of microspheres that take the shape of your head and are soft. Due to its two different surfaces, it is suitable for use on both hot and cold days. Nevertheless, the cover is not removable, so it is best to wash it by hand. Also, it does not have a strap to attach or hang it on your luggage, and it is a bit bulky to carry.
Petits Cadors Ellipse
Its eco-design, general comfort and ease of maintenance make it very interesting for us. In addition, the integrated headband is a plus for your eyes.
£ 45.18 on Petits Cadors
This travel pillow offers decent support and is useful in several scenarios (car, train, plane or other). During our test, we found it quite comfortable and soft, although with a little more padding it would be better. However, it takes up little space, and the hook allows you to attach it to your luggage for easy transport. The integrated headband provides a good fit but is most effective when worn on the forehead or as an eye mask. It is also machine washable. Last but not least, we appreciate its eco-friendly approach with a design made of 100% recycled material and the beautiful colours in which it is available.
Trtl Pillow
This fleece-textured travel cushion is a good choice for those who sleep on one side of the face and want to stay cosy. It is lightweight, compact and easy to store.
Designed under the guidance of chiropractors and physiotherapists, this model has a reinforced side for support on one side or the other of the face. Its soft, fleece-like feel is very comfortable and keeps you warm… perhaps a little too much in summer, in our opinion. Lightweight and compact, this travel pillow is easy to carry, and the removable cover is machine washable. What we liked least was the neck support and the fact it is not compatible with headphones.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best mid-range | Best budget | Best high-end | Mid-range alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Samsonite Global Travel | Kine Travel 2-in-1 | Petits Cadors Ellipse | Trtl Pillow |
| Its very soft texture and good firmness offer great support and comfort. In addition, the memory foam adapts perfectly to the head, and the press stud is practical. | Its design allows it to be used in many situations (transport, bed, etc.). In addition to its affordable price, it is pleasant to the touch and supports the neck well. | Its eco-design, general comfort and ease of maintenance make it very interesting for us. In addition, the integrated headband is a plus for your eyes. | This fleece-textured travel cushion is a good choice for those who sleep on one side of the face and want to stay cosy. It is lightweight, compact and easy to store. |
| £ 25.00 on Amazon | £ 26.43 on Amazon | £ 45.18 on Petits Cadors | £ 59.99 on Amazon |
Selectos compares and tests hundreds of products to help you buy better. We sometimes receive a commission when you buy through our links, which helps fund our work. Learn moreWhy trust us ?
How did we test?
We have tested each travel pillow in real-life situations, mainly during air and car journeys or even in front of our desks. This allowed us to judge fit and comfort in different modes of transport and environments.
With their weight and size, we evaluated their ease of carrying, as well as the practicality of the accessories. As for cleaning, we followed each manufacturer’s instructions and checked their washing and maintenance procedures.
How to choose a travel pillow?
A travel pillow is almost essential for air travel and other long journeys. Because of the large number of different models on the market, we have drawn up a series of criteria to take into account, which will enable you to choose the pillow that best suits your needs.
First of all, let’s look at the different types of travel pillows:
- Inflatable pillows: these are among the cheapest on the market. They are practical because they can be easily deflated and stored in a bag or suitcase. However, they are not the most suitable for general support of the cervical spine, neck and nape of the neck.
- Polystyrene bead pillows: have the advantage of being very comfortable, but sometimes tend to sag over time. In terms of support, they are not very helpful, as polystyrene tends to flatten out. But for a few short trips, they can be worth it. They also take up little space in the suitcase, unlike foam models.
- Foam and memory foam pillows: these models offer a certain comfort and adapt to your morphology. They provide adequate support for the neck, cervical spine and head. Foam is lightweight and compact, but some models are quite bulky and consequently more cumbersome to carry. However, most come with a carrying bag or hook for attaching to a suitcase.
Here are the criteria to be taken into account before purchasing:
- The material: soft or not, it is relevant if you want to sleep comfortably.
- Additional accessories: some cushions come as a travel kit. Not only can you have an eye mask if you want to sleep while travelling, but also earplugs if you don’t want to be disturbed by noise. Some also have a side pocket for headphones, for example.
- The portability: as a travel accessory, it should be easy to carry. Therefore, look for a small, lightweight pillow with a strap to attach it to a bag. Most fold up into two, three or four. In addition, a carry bag provided by the manufacturer is welcome.
- The design: many models have an adjustable velcro strap, which adapts the comfort of the cushion to your preferences. Finally, colours and patterns vary from brand to brand. But don’t just be seduced by their aesthetic appeal and look at the comfort and support.
Other tested travel pillows
Amazon Basics Memory Foam (£11.26 upon publication): an unbeatable price but temporarily unavailable for sale. This semi-circular memory foam model has a soft, removable plush cover that is machine washable. It supports the head and neck, and the elastic strap attaches easily to luggage or a backrest. One of its strengths is that it strikes the right balance between firmness and flexibility. During our test, we found it to be very comfortable and noted its good support. However, it can be a bit hot in summer.
Samsonite Global Travel (£11.00 upon publication): easy to store and inflate but lacks support and comfort. Designed with PVC flocking, this inflatable cushion has a soft, comfortable and breathable surface, making it ideal for hot days. However, it is hard, and the edge of the seams causes some discomfort. Also, it can only be hand-washed. However, it comes with a handy travel bag and is very compact to carry when deflated and folded.
Huzi Infinity (£36.99 upon publication): too thick and a bit fiddly. This travel pillow is composed of layers of breathable microfibre. It is supposed to support the neck and chin, but in our test, we were not completely convinced by the support. And not to mention it takes up a lot of space in the neck and is not the most comfortable to carry. In addition, the thicker fabric makes it too warm for summer. We also had trouble understanding how to put it on the first time. However, it is machine washable.
Honorable mentions
Petits Cadors Isidor (£40.00 upon publication): ideal for the car, but not so much for the train or plane. Without the support, this cushion is not very supportive when sitting, but after our test we found it to be one of the most comfortable when lying down due to its generous padding. Despite its larger size, it has a strap and a clip for attaching to luggage. According to the instructions, it is machine washable, but the cover is not removable. The eco-friendly approach and the many attractive colours are additional advantages that will appeal to buyers.
Trtl Pillow Plus (£45.00 upon publication): perfect for sleeping on the side. With fully adjustable support (via its adjustment knobs) and a more breathable cover than the classic version, it supports the side of the face but less the back of the neck. However, it can compress the neck if you squeeze too hard, and we found it hard to place the first time we tested it. It is also not compatible with headphones. It is light, tight and easy to store in its carrying bag. After removing the internal support, you can put it through the washing machine.
Ostrichpillow Go Luxury (£45.16 upon publication): excellent support but very bulky. This very dense memory cushion is made of viscoelastic foam and has a velcro strap to find the best possible fit. As a result, it provides a natural 360° support and is quite soft, comfortable and fluffy in our opinion. During our test we found it easy to put on. However, the collar effect makes it very bulky to wear, as well as a bit compressive due to its large thickness. It comes with a carry bag and is machine washable.
Translated by Ramsés El Hajje
