As a general rule, travel neck pillows don't offer any support, alignment, or comfort and are not recommended for travel. Even though neck pillows have existed for almost 100 years, there is no evidence, either personal or scientific, to suggest that these travel neck pillows have any efficacy.

Neck pillows do help, but their effectiveness depends heavily on how you use them and your sleeping position. The primary purpose of a travel pillow is to provide lateral support—preventing your head from "bobbing" or falling to the side, which strains the cervical spine and prevents deep sleep. Interestingly, many sleep experts suggest that the traditional U-shaped pillow is actually most effective when worn "backwards" (with the opening at the back of your neck). This supports your chin and prevents your head from falling forward, which is a common cause of waking up mid-flight. For those who lean against the window, a wrap-around pillow (like the Trtl) or a memory foam option that fills the gap between the shoulder and the head is often better. While they won't make an economy seat feel like a bed, they significantly reduce the likelihood of "stiff neck" and help maintain a more neutral spinal alignment during upright rest.