Falling asleep in the passenger’s seat in a bus, train, or even a plane is all fun until it is time to wake up and all you can feel is pain from your stiffed neck, aching head, and numb lower back.
Sleeping is supposed to be healthy, not painful, and that is why you need to get solutions that will enable you to sleep safely and soundly as you travel.
The solution you seek is easy to find in the inflatable travel pillows that we are about to discuss in this review article. Below is a list of top 10 travel pillows for you to consider.
1. AirComfy Inflatable Cervical Neck Support and Lumbar
Gift this awesome inflatable pillow to a travel enthusiast, and he/she will thank you times without number. It is particularly designed to protect your upper and lower back from excessive straining when you sit in a bus, plane, office, or train for long hours.
It is easy to inflate with a few mouth breaths and doesn’t leak at all. The fabric used to make this pillow is super soft for your skin and takes less than a minute to wipe clean using a damp cloth.
Unlike other travel pillows that require you to wear them around your neck, this pillow comes with a back strap that you can use to secure it in position at the chair’s head or backrests.
When fully inflated, the pillow measures 14” x 8.5” x 3.5” and because you don’t tie it around the neck, it is perfect for use by people of all sizes, ages, and both genders.
2. PUREFLY Soft Velvet Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow
This inflatable travel pillow will help you in coping with the decreased air pressure when you fly at high altitude. It is lightweight so you will not feel unnecessary bulkiness on your shoulders when you sleep on it for long flight hours.
This pillow takes innovation a notch higher, with the neck support area a bit curved inwards to ensure that you don’t strain to keep your head upright as you sleep. You get a 1-year warranty after delivery, and the customer service is exceptionally good.
When about 80% inflated, this pillow becomes very plush, soft & comfortable for use by kids as young as seven years. The pillow comes with an inbuilt inflating pump so you will not have to risk collecting bacteria when inflating it with your mouth.
Being thick at the back, this pillow may be a little bit uncomfortable to use on plane/train chairs with thick headrests. It will push your neck forward. It’s also a little bit more expensive for what it is worth.
3. Trekology Ultralight Inflating Travel and Camping Pillow
This is arguably the best inflatable travel pillow for the head and lumbar support that you can get on the market today. There are seven bright and stylish colors to choose from.
With dimensions of 16 x 12 x 4 inches, this pillow can be used as a head pillow in a hotel bed, back cushion for the office chair, and as a lumbar support pillow when traveling in a plane, fast speed trains, or when driving for long distances.
It comes with a storage bag that has a diameter of 2 inches and a height of 5 inches and, together with the deflated pillow inside, it weighs approximately 80 grams. That makes it lightweight and portable enough for use in camping.
You will inflate this pillow with as few as five strong breaths and, with its lockable inflate valve, you will not have to worry about air leakage. Its fabric is elastic, so unless you pierce it with a knife or use it recklessly when camping, you are assured of a prolonged durability.
Its fabric isn’t breathable so you might wake up sweaty when you use it in hot areas.
4. Daydreamer Inflatable Neck Travel Pillow
Grab this contour U shaped travel pillow for your road or plane trip and you will never again complain of neck pains after trips. It comes in five fade and stain resistant colors, three of which are feminine.
The removable micro-velvet pillowcase is removable, easy to wash & dry doesn’t have plastic or toxic smells and doesn’t cause skin irritation. It measures 11 by 11 by 3.5 inches when 80% inflated, making it ideal for use by anyone above 5 years of age. Depending on your comfort preferences, you can place the arch facing either up for back neck support or downwards for chin support.
The good thing is that you can always adjust the inflation levels when the need arises even while wearing it. Once you place your order, you will be surprised at how fast the product is delivered to you and the excellent customer service that follows.
You are given a one year warranty after purchase in case the pillow leaks or isn’t of the quality that you had thought it to be. For asthmatic users and those who dislike mouth inflation, this pillow comes with a ball pump that inflates it within a minute or two- that is about 10 to 15 pump puffs.
This product doesn’t last long. The micro-velvet pillowcase, on the other hand, isn’t breathable so you might wake up all sweaty after using it.
5. Lewis N. Clark on Air Inflatable Neck Pillow
This inflatable neck pillow makes it to the top five best inflatable travel pillows due to its innovative contoured shape- thinner at the back and wider around the area of closure- that makes it flexible, versatile, and adjustable for a maximum on-flight sleeping comfort.
It is made of a smooth & soft polyester jersey fabric that is machine washable, easy to dry, and whose hypoallergenic properties make it an excellent choice for a sensitive skin.
A few puffs of air by mouth are enough to make this pillow ready to use, and a simple push on a button is all you need to deflate it. Once you inflate it, it will hold air all through so you will not keep topping up the air.
If you need to adjust the air volume, however, you will easily do so using the air out valve. You will definitely appreciate how inexpensive this pillow is once you realize how durable and incredibly compact it is.
6. MLVOC Inflatable Neck Pillow with Ear Plugs
Why strain your neck or disturb your seatmate(s) in a plane/car/bus/train trying to find a comfortable sleeping posture when you can create a bed-like sleeping experience with this easy to inflate travel pillow?
It is easy to inflate because a couple of deep mouth blows are enough to have it 80% full- just the right inflation for a comfortable flight. For maximum comfort, the pillow is extra cushioned, has an adjustable closure, and comes with a bonus sleep mask and earplugs.
The quality of the fabric used to make this pillow will blow your mind away, particularly if you match it with its price. It is too lightweight that you will almost forget that you have anything around your neck.
The packaging and delivery time will work for you perfectly if you intend to issue this product as a gift. The customer service, on the other hand, is out of this world- you get a full refund if you return the pillow within the stipulated time.
The pillow has an unshakable support hump at the back that makes it comfortable enough for use by kids as young as ten years. This pillow has a strong smell of chemicals and plastic.
7. Simptech Inflatable Travel Pillow, Ergonomic, and Portable Head Neck Rest Pillow
This is the inflatable travel pillow you would want to buy if your favorite sleeping posture is forward leaning, or if you’re going to get a substitute for your neck pillows.
To use it in a plane, bus, or train, you will just need to hold it by your laps and insert your face into the “massage-like” hole on the top slanting surface. If you are just taking a nap at the office, you can place it on a bench or a chair. Besides the top hole, this pillow has two more openings on the sides in which you get to place your arms as you sleep for an added comfort.
If you intend to use your phone or tablet as you lay your head on the pillow – particularly when watching movies/songs or playing games- the side holes come in handy.
The inflation/deflation doesn’t take much of your time while folding and carrying it is even easier. It is compact and holds up well- you will not have to keep topping up the air due to unnecessary leaks. The height is moderately high- perfect for any 4’ 6” adult.
If you are sensitive to smell, this product might not be the best for you because it has a slight plastic and chemicals smells that can last for as long as a month.
8. Kmall Compact Inflatable Travel Neck Pillows for Airplanes Summer Cool
When planning on your upcoming road trip, don’t forget to include this versatile inflatable travel pillow on your shopping list. You can alternate the shape of this pillow between U-shape and square shape depending on your comfort preferences, the distance of travel, and purpose of use.
That makes the pillow a good option if you are looking for a travel pillow that you can also use while reading in bed, watching TV for long hours, or as a head pillow during camping.
Unlike other inexpensive inflatable pillows that require you to inflate using your mouth, this pillow utilizes the push bottom inflation technique where you inflate it using your hands- that promotes good hygiene.
Just a push of the button and this pillow is deflated within a minute or so, it is easy to fold, and because it comes with a tiny carry bag, it is lightweight and portable. The fabric is durable, breathable, doesn’t leak, easy to wash, and sweat absorbent. These pillows come in many beautiful color options.
The only drawback with this pillow is its size- it is a little too big for kids below the age of ten.
9. Soft Velvet Inflatable Flight Neck Pillow
Relax and discard headaches and all the other sleeping discomfort issues the next time you travel by plane, bus, or train by getting yourself this soft velvet neck & shoulder pillow.
You will wear the pillow around your neck so that it stops slanting, consequently keeping your head in an upright position as you sleep. As part of its unique design, this pillow comes with an inbuilt pump that fills up air fast and conveniently.
The velvet material, on the other hand, is nonporous so once you inflate it, you will not worry about air leaks and deflations. Besides that, the material is soft enough for your skin, and it’s breathable so you will not snore in your sleep, the fabric has hypoallergenic properties so you will not worry about skin irritation, and is easy to wash and dry.
Deflating this pillow will only take you a couple of seconds, and because it comes with a small travel porch, portability won’t be a problem. The pillow measures 15 inches by 12 inches by 5.5 inches, making it a perfect size for adults- both male and females- of all body sizes. Earplugs and a sleeping mask are the bonuses you get with this purchase.
This pillow has a mellow chemical smell that could be a bother to an allergic person. The location of the inflation/deflation valve leaves a lot to be desired too.
10. PUREFLY Inflatable Neck, Chin, Back of Head Pillow
The unique feature that makes this product rank among the top ten best inflatable travel pillows is the extra side cushioning that protects not only the neck but the chin as well. With about 90% inflation, you can place your head sideways on this pillow without a problem.
The extra cushioning also make it sturdy all around, and it is, therefore, good to use when sited and when lying down on either the back or sideways. It is not bulky on your shoulders and can fit in the smallest of spaces in your luggage. Besides using it when traveling, you can use this pillow for a comfortable posture when reading or watch movies in bed.
This pillow is made of a PVC material, so it isn’t machine washable. You will have to hand wash it with cold water. Inflating isn’t as comfortable as other inflatable pillows. The finishing is poorly done making the pillow leak after a few uses.
Conclusion
Whether you are preparing for a one-day flight or a trip across continents, you need to be more concerned with your health and particularly your sleeping comfort and convenience.
With a well-cushioned inflatable travel pillow, you rest assured that your head, neck, and back are well protected against injuries and unnecessary straining. When shopping for one, always pay a closer attention to the quality of the pillow’s fabric, its cushioning, size, and design.