The Best Travel Pillows Tested in the Skies

Cabeau’s Evolution Earth neck pillow is covered in RPET, a super-soft, washable fabric made with recycled plastic bottles. The pillow offers excellent, high sides and a comfortable, firm fit. Like some other pillows in this guide, it can be tricky to use this pillow with over-ear headphones. The back is flat, so in theory it could sit flush against a headrest, though I found it a bit awkward based on my height when I tried it on a bus and plane. (Seat backs rarely work as intended for me.) There’s a chin strap that prevents your head from falling forward.

It took me many attempts to get this “HeadCatch” technology to work, and I didn’t find it super comfortable once it was strapped under my chin, but if you’re a forward-leaner, it’s a nice touch. (I, thankfully, am not.) I wish it came with a travel case, though you can pay an extra $5 to get one included. These caveats aside, once I got the pillow adjusted to where I wanted it, I was able to fall asleep. It was nice and firm without being too stiff, and I woke up feeling refreshed despite having spent the past hour on a bus.