Ehsan Haque/CNN Underscored

A good travel pillow is an essential piece of travel gear, especially on long flights.

I take 50+ flights a year and always make sure to bring one with me, whether I’m on a two-hour flight for a weekend getaway or I’m flying abroad for a month. It can make all the difference in staying comfortable on a plane, even if you’re in first or business class.

There are dozens of neck pillow brands, each selling their own style of pillow. However, some are better than others in terms of quality, comfort and price.

Let’s take a look at an inexpensive travel pillow from Open Story that you can buy from Target for less than $15 and why it’s worth considering for your next trip.

This budget-friendly travel neck pillow will keep you comfortable on your next flight. Plus, it’s compact enough to bring with you even if you’re only traveling with a backpack.

How I found the Open Story Travel Neck Pillow

With so many options in so many different sizes and shapes, picking a travel neck pillow can be overwhelming. You need to consider a few factors, including the durability of materials, comfort and the neck support it provides.

Of course, price is another big factor when picking a travel neck pillow to buy. While there are some more expensive travel pillows on the market, I found this budget-friendly option while shopping online at Target. And at just under $15, I figured it was an item worth trying on a recent trip.

Why the Open Story Travel Neck Pillow is a score

Ideally, neck pillows offer a great mix of comfort and portability. You want something that will actually support your neck without taking up valuable space in your luggage. Thankfully, the Open Story travel Neck Pillow takes both factors into account.

Classic U-shaped travel neck pillows — like those found at airport gift shops all around the world — are popular for good reason. The Open Story Travel Neck Pillow features this U-shaped design with a snap clasp to secure it on your neck or your luggage handle. The clasp also ensures that the pillow is correctly in place without being too tight around your neck.

The neck pillow has a micro-bead filling enveloped in a soft jersey fabric to conform to the contours of your neck. This lets your head stay in a comfortable position while you nap on a plane or train.

Now for the specs: The cover is made with 91% recycled polyester and 9% spandex. The fill is 100% expanded polystyrene, and the pillow weighs in at just 0.42 pounds, barely adding any weight to your travel backpack.

Bottom line

Traveling comfortably should be a high priority whether you’re sitting on a train for an hour or flying across an ocean. Having a neck pillow is one way to ensure you’re comfortable no matter how far you travel.

Although more expensive options may contain more durable materials, at just under $15, this travel neck pillow from Target’s Open Story brand is a solid choice for many travelers.

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