The best car pillow for sleeping: neck, headrest or full-body?

The main types of car pillows

Here's what you'll find in shops, in short:

• U-shaped neck pillow: wraps around the neck, packs small and works on planes too. Supports the head only.
• Headrest pillow: a small cushion strapped to the headrest, sometimes with side wings. Stays in place and supports the head and neck.
• Lumbar or seat cushion: supports the lower back or the seat. Made for sitting comfort, including for the driver, not for sleeping.
• Bed pillow or rolled-up hoodie: free and soft, but it slides around and has no shape.
• Full-body J-shaped car pillow: lines the passenger seat from the headrest to the knees. Supports the head, side and knees; bulkier to store.

Neck pillow vs full-body pillow

A neck pillow stops your head from rolling from side to side, which is why it's the classic for flights. In a car, though, the rest of your body still leans against a hard door or console, and your knees have no support.

A full-body pillow, like the Lulaseat passenger pillow, lines the whole seat: your head rests in the top curve, your side leans on the long arm and the bottom curve cushions your knees. The trade-off is size: at about 155 cm long, it stays in the car rather than in your carry-on.

What to check before you buy

Whatever type you choose, check these points:

• Who will sleep: a passenger needs head and body support; a driver resting at a stop can use any pillow with the seat reclined.
• The seatbelt: the belt must sit flat and snug on your body. A pillow should never change where the belt goes.
• Shape and size: compare it with your seat, and check that it leaves room for the buckle.
• Materials: a soft cover you enjoy touching (velvet, plush or cotton) and a filling that springs back.
• Care: a washable cover or easy spot-cleaning, because snacks happen.

Which pillow for which trip?

There's no single best pillow for everyone. Match it to the way you travel:

• Flights and trains, packing light: a neck pillow.
• The driver's back on long drives: a lumbar cushion.
• A passenger who wants to nap on road trips: a full-body pillow that lines the seat.
• Children in car seats: follow the car-seat maker's instructions; most advise against adding extra cushions.

Using any car pillow safely

A car pillow is a comfort accessory, not a safety device. Keep the seat upright while the car is moving, buckle up as usual with the belt snug against you, keep your feet off the dashboard and never place anything between you and the airbag. If a pillow stops the belt from sitting properly, take it off.

More tips for napping on the road are in our guide on how to sleep in a car.

About the Lulaseat passenger pillow

Lulaseat makes one product: a long, J-shaped pillow designed for the front passenger seat. It measures about 155 × 75 cm, with a short-pile velvet cover, a plush underside and a soft polyester fiber filling. The J is reversible, so you can turn its open side toward the buckle and click in as usual.

It comes in pink, grey and blue, shipping is free, and you have 30 days to send it back. At home, it doubles as a full-body pillow for the couch or bed. See the pillow.