Best travel pillow for sleeping upright: 5 types compared
Short answer: for sleeping upright on a long flight, the type that matters most is one that stops your head falling forward. U-shaped pillows mostly stop sideways tilt. Chin-support pillows and headrest straps deal with the forward drop; headrest straps do it without anything pressing on your neck or chin. If you mostly take short flights, a simple U-pillow is fine.
We sell a headrest-strap kit, so take our view with that in mind. We've tried to be fair to every type.
1. Classic U-shaped pillow
The one everyone knows: a horseshoe of foam or beads around your neck.
- Good at: sideways tilt, works on any seat, train or car.
- Weak at: forward drop (the front is open), bulky to carry.
2. Inflatable pillow
Usually a U-shape you blow up when you need it.
- Good at: packing small, adjustable firmness.
- Weak at: the same forward drop as a U-pillow, and it can feel hard and slippery.
3. Wrap or scarf pillow
A soft wrap around your neck with a firmer support inside on one side.
- Good at: leaning to one side, soft, easy to pack.
- Weak at: you have to choose a side, and your head can still drop forward.
4. Chin-support or brace pillow
A pillow with a firm front piece that your chin rests on.
- Good at: stopping forward drop.
- Weak at: some people find something under the chin too warm or tight to sleep in.
5. Headrest strap or sleep sling kit
A strap (often built into an eye mask) goes around the seat's headrest and holds your head back, usually with a pillow behind your head and a sling for your shoulders and arms.
- Good at: forward and sideways drop, nothing round your neck, blocks light if the strap is a mask.
- Weak at: needs a headrest a strap can go around, takes a minute to set up.
Quick comparison
| Type | Forward drop | Sideways tilt | Any seat | Packs small |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-shaped | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Inflatable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wrap / scarf | Partly | One side | Yes | Yes |
| Chin support | Yes | Partly | Yes | Partly |
| Headrest strap kit | Yes | Yes | Needs a headrest | One pouch |
How to choose
- Short flights, cars and trains: U-shaped or inflatable.
- You sleep leaning on the window: wrap or scarf style.
- Long overnight flights and your head keeps dropping forward: chin support or a headrest strap kit.
Not sure which way your head falls? Ask whoever you travel with, or think about the jolt that wakes you. A jolt forward means you need forward support. Read more in what an airplane sleep sling is.
