A flimsy neck pillow leaves your head bobbing on a red-eye flight. Consumer Reports tested pillows for support, comfort and portability
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A flimsy neck pillow leaves the head bobbing forward on a red-eye flight, undermining the whole point of bringing one along. Inflatable, memory foam and microbead designs each support the neck differently depending on whether a sleeper's head tends to lean back, to the side or forward.
Consumer Reports had a panel evaluate travel pillows for support, comfort, ease of use and portability.
Credit: Manta Sleep
The Manta Sleep Manta Travel Pillow costs $29 and earned Consumer Reports' Editor's Choice distinction. CR found this inflatable pillow surprisingly quick to blow up, taking just three breaths despite testers' initial skepticism about its unusual shape, and rated the head and neck support excellent across lock, nod and cradle positions, with one evaluator noting it felt like her head weighed nothing at all. Testers found it especially supportive simulating a window-seat lean, though noted the pillow can lose some air over a longer flight and its microfleece cover isn't especially breathable given the firmness that comes with air-based inflation. CR pointed to a side pocket sized well for earplugs but too small to fit a large phone, along with an included travel pouch that folds the deflated pillow down for easy carry-on storage.
Credit: Amazon
The Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow costs $39.99 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction for offering a snugger fit than other pillows tested. CR found this memory foam pillow's raised jawline sides and adjustable front clasp let it cinch down tightly around the neck, though testers noted it can feel warm after extended wear and doesn't fit every head shape equally well, with one evaluator finding it kept sliding out of place. Testers praised the included seat straps, unique among every pillow evaluated, for anchoring to a plane headrest to stop forward head bob, alongside a small earbud storage pocket. CR found the pillow bulkier and heavier than many others tested, though it compresses into an included travel case, with a label warning against storing it compressed for more than a month to preserve its shape.
Credit: Amazon
The Cloudz Microbead Travel Pillow costs $17.95 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction as a strong pick for anyone who wants a soft, budget-friendly pillow. CR found this microbead pillow offered stronger back-of-head support than any other pillow tested, though it fell short supporting a head leaning to the side or drooping forward. Testers liked the dual-surface design, with a plush warm side and a cooler spandex side for anyone worried about overheating. CR measured it at just 5.5 ounces, making it one of the lighter and less expensive pillows in this lineup despite taking up more space than an inflatable option.
Credit: Amazon
The NapFun Travel Pillow costs $18.99 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction for adequate support, though evaluators were divided on just how supportive it really felt. CR found one evaluator appreciated how the memory foam contoured to her face and neck, while two others felt it offered little support, especially with the head leaning to the side. Testers noted the front buckle allows tightness adjustment similar to the Cabeau, but found the fabric not especially breathable and the pillow bulkier and heavier than many others tested, at 3 pounds 3.9 ounces. CR called it a middle-of-the-road option overall, falling short of the Cabeau's snug fit while also lacking the light weight of pillows offering comparable support.
Credit: Target
The Open Story Travel Neck Pillow costs $12.99, priced lower than every other pillow in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' distinction acknowledging it's not a bad option for the price despite limited support. CR found this microbead pillow decent for a head leaning back but insufficient on the sides or leaning forward, performing better specifically in a simulated window-seat position where head movement stays limited. Testers noted it lacks a travel case included with the two memory foam pillows evaluated, requiring a carry-on bag or clip-on attachment instead for transport. CR called it a reasonable option in a pinch, though one evaluator suggested a more ergonomic pillow would serve better for anyone needing substantial head and neck support.
Credit: Amazon
The Trtl Travel Pillow costs $64.99, pricier than every other pillow in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' distinction as well suited to sleepers whose head position doesn't shift much during rest. CR found this scarf-shaped pillow, built around an internal plastic frame contoured to the neck, easy to wrap on using its fastening tape, though it needs manual repositioning every time a sleeper's head shifts direction. Testers found it could feel constricting to remove and occasionally uncomfortable at certain angles, with one evaluator describing ear discomfort bordering on pain. CR praised its compact, clothing-like profile for slipping easily into a bag, calling it a reasonable option for anyone with consistent sleep positioning despite the premium price.
Credit: Amazon
The Eagle Creek Exhale Neck Pillow costs $27.95 and earned Consumer Reports' distinction acknowledging it's lightweight but flimsy overall. CR measured this inflatable pillow at just 2.3 ounces, lighter than every other pillow in this lineup, and found it fairly easy to inflate though not quite as smooth a process as the top-ranked Manta Sleep pillow. Testers found the fleece-and-polyester fabric ran cooler than other pillows evaluated, and support results varied by tester, with one finding it helped when leaning to the side or forward but not while leaning back, while another rated its support weaker than every other pillow tried. CR suggested this pick works fine in a pinch for light comfort needs, but cautioned it likely won't hold up as a primary support pillow on a long red-eye flight.