With travel becoming cheaper, less expensive and more people on the move now than ever before there has been a rise in travel-related gadgets to help make your journeys more relaxing and enjoyable. From

portable battery chargers to

portable speakers, there are many devices to choose from. But today we are going to be delving into travel pillows.

Travel pillows have been around for a while and when you say the word travel pillow all most people think of is simple travel pillows, like the one pictured above. While there is nothing wrong with them and if you are on a budget and looking for a cheap travel pillow that is reasonably comfortable then something like 

Travelmate memory foam neck pillow can be a good choice. However in the age of travel gadget innovation we live in, there are now a lot more innovative and comfortable travel pillow options to suit your travel style.

Ostrich Travel Pillow & Ostrich Pillow Light

First on the list of best travel pillow has to be one of my favourite travel pillow design’s The Ostrich Pillow & Ostrich Pillow Light. With its revolutionary design, the Ostrich Pillow aims to let you nap in any location. Offering its wearer’s a little bit of private space within a public one, giving them a chance to unwind i the busiest of places.

Although Ostrich Pillow might look a bit alienesque with its two holes on the top. It’s built for function, allowing the wearer to rest their hands snuggly inside when having a nap on a desk, or aeroplane tray table.

For those a little intimidated by the Ostrich Pillow’s cumbersome otherworldly appearance, there is a small more lightweight version called the Ostrich Pillow Light which has less of an alien vibe.

Sporting a variety of wearable options from an adjustable neck support with the elastic drawstring to an oversized sleeping mask. It’s even filled with soft silicon covered micro-beads to help reduce outside noise and help you get some much-needed slumber while on the road.

 

Pros:

• Multiple applications (Head pillow/eye mask, neck support/scarf, Hand warmer)
• Noise reduction from silicon beads.
• Snug & Cosy, like a hug for your head
• Great talking point when travelling helping you meet new people.
• If an alien invasion happens, you will be able to blend in.

Cons:

• Looks a bit alienesque, especially the non-light version.
• Bit bulky compared to other travel pillows, especially the non-light version.
• Price is a bit higher compared to other travel pillows
• Not made for ostriches like the name suggests

Available on Amazon for $100 for the

Ostrich Pillow & $45 for the

Ostrich Pillow Light

Cabeau Evolution Luxury Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Next on the best travel pillow list is a geeky gadget lovers dream. The Cabeau Evolution Luxury Memory Foam Travel Pillow not only has super comfy memory foam that supports your neck and head.

The pillow also has a handy pocket to hold your phone or mp3 player so you don’t have to worry about it crashing to the floor when you fall asleep. When not in use it compresses down to 1/4 of its size and fits in a small water repellent bag. It also comes with a free set of ear plugs to block out unwanted noise.

Pros:

• Removable washable cover
• Free Earplugs
• Water repellent storage bag
• Comfortable memory foam
• Great neck support
• Pack’s down small when not being used.

Cons:

• Hard to use with big headphones
• Memory Foam can get hot compared to inflatable pillows
• Pouch doesn’t fit some bigger modern phones
• Even when compressed down to 1/4 of size it’s still bulky compared to other travel pillows

Price: The

Cabeau Evolution Luxury Memory Foam Travel Pillow is available on Amazon for $39.99

TravelRest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow

Next up on our hunt for the best travel pillow is one of the inflatable variety. The TravelRest pillow is a travel pillow with a twist. Not only can this be used as a pillow but it is the only pillow to also provide full lateral support for your upper body. Meaning there is less chance of the pillow slipping, allowing you to relax and fall asleep longer.

Being an inflatable pillow this makes for the perfect choice for suitcase conscious travellers who are short on space,

Pros:

• Super light weight and compact
• Offers full upper body support unlike most travel pillows
• Supports both your head and neck
• Gives you something to hug when alone on those long bus or plane journeys.
• Easy to inflate (3-4 puffs)
• Can be used in many different positions

Cons:

• Doesn’t cover your eyes or ears unlike the Ostrich Pillow
• Can sometimes be hard to keep in place.
• Pillow is one sided
• Can be a little bit bulky when fully inflated compared to other travel pillows

Price: The

TravelRest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow sells for $29.99 on Amazon

Trtl Travel Pillow

Up next on the best travel pillow list, Is it a pillow or is it a scarf? The Trtl travel pillow takes a different approach than most conventional U-shaped pillows, offering great neck support and scientifically proven to hold your neck in a better position than traditional U-shaped pillows, resulting in a better sleep without the stiff neck that usually follows from sleeping while in transit. It also has the added benefit of being super light and keeping your neck warm and cosy on those cold long haul overnight flights or buses.

Pros:

• Very small and lightweight compared to other travel pillows
• Easily washable
• Doesn’t slowly compress, or deflate like memory foam or inflatable travel pillows
• Great neck support
• Can place scarf over nose and mouth to limit breathing in germs.
• Customizable to support your neck height.
• Can use it to look like a ninja

Cons:

• Can require a little tweaking to setup
• Can be uncomfortable with big noise cancelling headphones.
• Acrylic fabric it’s made out of  can get hot

Price: The

TRTL Travel Pillow sells for about $24.99 on Amazon

Hoodie Pillow

Last up on this best travel pillow roundup is the Hoodie Pillow. Part inflatable pillow part hoodie, this travel pillow hybrid made out of sweatshirt material combines all the comfort of a travel pillow with the coolness of wearing a hoodie. The hood with it’s two adjustable drawstring helps to give you a little privacy and comfort around your head while the U-shaped inflatable pillow supports your neck.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• Hood can be used to cover eyes
• Gives privacy
• Not as hot as other memory foam travel pillows
• Can match your sweatshirt for the fashion conscious 😉

Cons:

• Inflatable pillow isn’t as comfortable as other foam pillows
• Reports of the pillow being a bit small
• Sweatshirt material is prone to get holes more quickly than other fabrics
• Can’t remove the cover, to wash.

Price: The

Hoodie Pillow is on Amazon for $19.99

Overall

So what get’s my vote for best travel pillow? That’s a tough one, for short term trips and everyday use I love the

ostrich pillow light, it’s cool alienesque design is something I really dig and I think would make a great talking point. That and its noise reduction abilities from its silicon beads is a great feature.

However seeing as I travel carry-on only when going on long trips, so having things small and compact is very important. I’d have to say that it’s hard to go past the

Trtl Travel Pillow. Not only is it small and lightweight but it could also keep my neck warm when on long overnight bus’s and flights which I take a lot. Just couple it with

noise cancelling earbuds, some killer tunes and an

eye mask and you’ve got a great combination for a good nights sleep.

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What do you look for when choosing a travel pillow? What’s your favourite travel pillow when travelling? I’d love to hear what you all think in the comments below!

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