You’re handing over your boarding pass and taking your first steps onto the plane – it’s the trip you’ve been thinking about all year. However, your excitement is short-lived – paused, temporarily – horror comes over you. You’ve forgotten to bring a neck pillow for the flight.
A travel neck pillow is essential to a comfortable long-haul flight – some may even argue it’s almost as important as a high-quality suitcase or even your passport. With so many options of neck pillows available in Australia, it’s difficult to find the one that ticks all the boxes of comfort, portability, style and affordability.
To save you the pre-flight hassle, we’ve rounded up the best neck pillows to buy that will make your next red-eye a breeze.
The best travel neck pillows to buy in Australia 2023
Trtl travel pillow in grey, $65.69 (usually $72.99) at Trtl
Who knew a travel neck pillow could have such a cult following? Well, this one from Trtl has just that. Crafted to support your head while you sleep in-flight, this neck pillow is a carry-on essential for the well-travelled. It features a cosy shoulder support that fits snug while you rest and is super lightweight, too.
“I usually can’t sleep for long on international flights, but with this product, ear plugs, and an eye mask, I slept for the majority of my flights to and from India,” said Madeline, a five-star reviewer on Amazon.
Slip Jet Setter travel pillow in blush, $139 at David Jones
The Slip Jet Setter travel pillow combines the benefits of a silk pillowcase with the convenience of a travel pillow to create the must-have neck pillow for those who value their beauty sleep. Comes with a stylish carry case and removable pillowcase for easy maintenance.
Cabeau Evolution S3 neck pillow, $49.95 (usually $65.99) at Amazon
Sick of being woken up because you keep falling forward mid-flight? The Cabeau Evolution neck pillow features a seat strap system to fix just that. Plus, its responsive memory core foam and raised side supports ensures personalised comfort like no other. Once you’re off the plane you can easily store the neck pillow in its included travel bag which keeps the pillow to a quarter of its size, talk about compact!
Globite neck pillow and mask set, $49.95 at The Iconic
Rest deeply with this neck pillow and eye mask set by Globite. Featuring a limited-edition print on the reversible eye mask and memory foam neck pillow, it’s a must-have for any long-haul flight.
Ostrichpillow, $79.95 at hardtofind
This unique travel pillow features a reversible design that is fully portable, adjustable and practical. Slip over your eyes to block out light, or wear it on your neck as a neck pillow for a relaxing sleep on the plane.
Go Neck Pillow, $102 at Ostrichpillow
If you’re a frequent traveller, then you won’t want to give the Go Neck Pillow a miss. With its supportive memory foam core and ergonomic design it’s your no-brainer travel companion. Plus, it compresses to 60 per cent of its size when stored, so you can say goodbye to bulky travel pillows for good.
Infinity Pillow travel pillow in purple, $60 at Infinity Pillow
Great for travelling and the home – simply twist, wrap and bundle up in the Infinity Pillow thanks to its versatile shape that will fit the needs of whatever space you’re in.
What type of neck pillow is best for travel?
When choosing a neck pillow for travel, you’ll soon realise that there are a few options to choose from. Each design is crafted to cater to specific needs or preferences, so choosing one that suits yours is crucial – especially if you’re a frequent traveller. Generally, opting for a memory foam neck pillow is a good idea. Memory foam provides support and moulds to the shape of your neck, creating tailored support. However, if you’re tight on space, finding an inflatable option is the most space-saving choice.
Do travel neck pillows actually work?
This is the age-old question on every eager traveller’s lips. Do these U-shaped pillows actually work? Travel neck pillows are designed to provide support and comfort while being compact, lightweight, and easy to use. Travel neck pillows provide neck support on long-haul flights (where you’re most likely seated upright) by helping to maintain the natural curve of your neck as you sleep.
The effectiveness of a travel neck pillow does vary from person to person. However, finding a neck pillow that works for you will make a world of difference for your next holiday.
