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If you travel regularly you’ve probably learnt to spot the difference between a frequent flier and a rookie—the most obvious tell-tale sign being a bulky travel pillow, typically carried by an inexperienced flier, hanging from a backpack or being worn (wrongly) around the back of their neck before they even get on the plane. Many of us are guilty of buying one of these beanbag worms from the airport duty-free shop, only to realize that they’re more trouble than they’re actually worth.
Do a little research though—as we’ve done for you here— and you might be pleasantly surprised to find that the humble travel pillow has upped its game recently. Specialized brands like Trtl and BCozzy have entered the market, while pillows that range in shape and materials have popped up on Amazon.
So which ones are actually worth taking on a flight? We asked our frequent flying editors to test out the most reviewed styles.
How we choose the best travel pillows
Every pillow on this list has been independently tested and reviewed by our editors. When testing, we consider quality, price, unique design features, as well as overall function and visual appeal.
Our top picks:
- Best overall travel pillow: Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow
- Best for neck support: Trtl travel pillow
- Best for side sleepers: BCozzy neck pillow
- Best budget buy: Dot & Dot Twist memory foam travel pillow
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.