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I Slept My Entire Red-eye Flight Thanks to this Comfy Blackout Eye Mask

It’s changed the way I travel.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Nordstrom

While I like to think of myself as a pretty decent travel napper , I can honestly only claim that title because I create the ideal environment for sleep — no matter where I am. That equation, naturally, includes a good pillow, cozy loungewear, and the blackout eye mask that has changed the way I travel. 

Though I’ve tried eye masks for travel before, nothing compares to the cloud-like, blackout design from Ostrichpillow that I tested for the first time on a recent red-eye flight to Paris. The brand, whose claim to fame is its equally beloved on-the-go pillows, created an ergonomic 3D style that actually adapts to your face and blocks out light for a more restful, deeper sleep. I’m not surprised it was chosen as Travel + Leisure ’s best light-blocking eye mask .

Ostrichpillow Ergonomic Eye Mask

Though my sleep typically feels disrupted on flights (if I can even fall asleep at all), I slept like a baby on my six-hour overnight trip. The material is a viscose, elastane, polyurethane, and nylon blend, and it’s so soft and cushioned that it feels like a pillow for your eyes. The weight of the mask is just light enough to feel comforting rather than constricting. Its breathable design also includes space around the eyes so you can comfortably open them while you’re still wearing it. The eye mask comes in four different colors, all of which are different shades of soothing gray, and the intentional construction makes it machine washable for easy maintenance. 

I’m not the only one hailing the Ostrichpillow mask as a holy grail, though. One shopper said that their husband “loves” the design that lets him “sleep like a baby” with the TV on all night. They shared that it also “doesn’t leave any lines on your face” and “stays put all night.” Another customer added that it helps them get “plenty of sleep,” while a third person said they like how “there’s room to open [their] eyes while still wearing it for a slower wake cycle.” 

The Ostrichpillow eye mask is one of my favorite products in my travel arsenal, but the brand’s memory foam travel pillow is a close second. It features a similar 360-degree ergonomic design for full neck support that maintains your proper spinal posture and prevents neck and back pain. For another travel option, shoppers also love the light reversible travel pillow that one person said lets you “comfortably” lean your head “on the airplane seat in front” of you or “up against the window.” 

Head over to Nordstrom to check out the game-changing eye mask , or keep browsing the other Ostrichpillow favorites that have transformed my in-flight sleep.

Ostrichpillow Heatbag 

Ostrichpillow light reversible travel pillow , ostrichpillow go memory foam travel pillow , see more t+l shopping deals.

PLUTO POD 2.0

Arrive at your destination well-rested and energized with the most complete travel pillow in the world.

Travel has never been so comfortable. Shaped by feedback from everyday travelers, flight attendants and sleep researchers, the patent pending Pluto POD is for travelers, by travelers.

Note: Pluto POD (grey) pre-orders will ship in May. ALL pre-orders will be the upgraded 2.0 version of the Pluto POD. See below.

• Structured pillowy hood with padding (so that you can lean against the window comfortably).
• Adjustable 360-degree, ultra-supportive design for your neck and chin.
• Built-in eye mask for your very own sensory deprivation space.
• Super portable—lightweight and compactable for easy travel.
• Open: 31” X 15” | Closed: 12” X 6” X 4”

The Pluto POD 1.0 has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles. We've taken your feedback to heart and made improvements and features, to be unveiled on the Pluto POD 2.0:

• 360-degree velcro neck support is now seamless with no edges.
• Neck support now more supportive – without sacrificing the plush feel.
• Three ways to attach your POD - now with a new storage hook. Easily clip your POD to your backpack and/or suitcase without using the buttons or velcro strap (though, if preferred, these still work).
• A more breathable, temperature regulating, inner material.

Pluto Pillow Logo

Your Answers

, you are ' " and currently weigh lbs . Your current pillow is with and firmness. You rated your current pillow a out of 5 . You seem to prefer . You generally settle into bed and wake up .

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Get amazing sleep on your trip or your money back!

Because you (and we!) know the travel part of traveling stinks—the seats hardly recline, the noisy hum of jet engines haunts your ears and the passenger next to you turns on the in-flight entertainment right as you’re trying to get some shuteye. It’s a draining flight that feels like it’ll go on forever. It’s not fun to reach your destination exhausted, so we buckled down to solve this problem for good by creating the ultimate travel pillow

We partnered with lauded design firm IDEO to create it and received a lot of valuable feedback from focus groups made up of flight attendants and frequent travelers to create the ultimate travel companion for you.

Typical neck pillows don’t offer adequate neck support. This results in waking up with aches, strains and a haze of exhaustion that makes you question if you slept at all. As a result, we based the POD’s neck pillow off of a neck brace, and then dialed it back down a bit for a cushiony, supportive feel for optimal sleep no matter your neck size and shape.

Conde Nast described the POD like being inside a mini sensory deprivation tank . This was the goal. Research has shown that we don’t typically get great sleep when traveling because we’re not in our own space / environment. Makes sense—you probably sleep better in the privacy of your own bedroom (on your Pluto Pillow ) than, let’s say, on a massive metal vehicle that hurls through the sky at 550 mph.

With the POD, you get to create your own privacy and capsule with the pillowy hood and built in eye mask. Look, you might look like an astronaut when you’re POD'ed up, but you’ll finally be able to get some sleep.

Typical travel pillows are bulky and cumbersome as they eat up valuable space in your carry-on. Not so with the POD! We spent a lot of time designing it to be able to be rolled up into a small burrito-shape that also works great as a back cushion for lumbar support or a mini pillow.

The POD only asks for a modest space on or in your luggage. You can either wrap the POD on your luggage handle or loosely around your neck. Lots of ways to save precious travel space!

After conducting a National Sleep Survey of over 2000 U.S. adults we found that 65% of people have difficulty sleeping while traveling by car, train or plane and more than 50% of respondents agreed that their ability to enjoy an adventure was compromised by jet lag and travel fatigue. We knew that after dedicating years on improving the pillow in the bedroom, it was time for us to try our hand at the pillow you take with you on trips – a.k.a. the travel pillow! We were tired of seeing the same horseshoe, U-shaped designs or tacky ones that made you look ridiculous. So, we got to work with one of the best design firms in the world, IDEO and listened to sleep researchers, flight attendants, and travelers to build the ultimate travel pillow. We hope you relax just as much on your journey as you do your destination!

Still have questions? Read all of our FAQs .

We've got two different ones for you! Open: 31” X 15” Closed: 12” X 6” X 4”

There are multiple ways to use this patent pending design: 1. You can use it as a normal neck pillow with the hood down

2. Pull the hood over for more privacy and pillowy support on the sides of your head

3. Pull the eye mask on for extra privacy and darkness to create your own little sleep capsule

4. Folded up to use as a pillow or back cushion

Glad you asked because YES! A number of our customers have shared that they weren't aware that the suede snaps (yes, real suede!) on the back of the hoodie not only serve as a function to store the POD, but that they also snap onto each other for a tighter, snugger fit (especially if you have a smaller head). This also makes the eye mask cover just the eyes instead of coming down around the face – though, the latter feels incredibly comfy :)

The compatibility of over-the-ear headphones with the Pluto POD Travel Pillow varies based on the size of both the headphones and your head. To help you gauge the fit, we recommend checking out this video . We're committed to ensuring you're completely satisfied with your purchase, so if the POD doesn't meet your expectations in terms of fit or any other aspect, you have the option to return it for a full refund under our 125-night trial .

Although the Pluto POD has a lightly padded hoodie and a built-in convertible eye mask, rest assured that it can be pushed back (akin to a conventional hoodie!) so that you can enjoy just the supportive, plushy neck pillow if preferred. That said, with the hoodie up and in use, our goal was to create a bit more warmth – your own little capsule and cocoon. When designing and developing the product, most travelers we interviewed actually shared that they tend to run cold on flights. "You can always adjust the cool a/c but not warmth," was a common take – so that was something we kept in mind (with the ability to still push the hoodie back for more temperature regulation). As the POD embarks on more adventures, we look forward to continue tweaking our designs.

With free shipping, your Pluto POD will arrive in about 7 business days. If you have a trip coming up before then, we have an expedited shipping option available at checkout. Safe and smooth travels!

The POD is meant to be used and is easy to care for. Everything touching outer surfaces is machine washer friendly. To wash the POD: Carefully unzip the neck support cushion and remove the foam (the foam will disintegrate in the wash!). Machine wash cold on a delicate cycle without other articles to prevent damage. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. When that's done, air dry flat and place the support foam back inside the cover.

We’re proud to offer the same great 125-night risk-free trial and 1 year warranty for the Pluto POD. Please make sure the POD is in its original condition and reach out to [email protected] for easy next steps. All PODs are inspected on return.

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The 11 Best Sleep Masks & Eye Masks for Travel [2023]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

773 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3114 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Do I Need a Sleep Mask?

What to look for in a sleep mask, 1. designed to gently keep your eyelids shut, 2. shut out the sights and sounds of travel, 3. the perfect eye mask for side sleepers, 4. give the blue light theory a go, 5. eyelash protecting option for those who like to sleep in the dark, 6. state of the art technology to help you snooze, 7. natural and lightweight cotton sleep mask, 8. affordable and effective silk solution, 9. sleep mask, earplugs, and carry case — all in one set, 10. memory foam eye mask for a total blackout, 11. sleep masks for 2, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

A sleep mask is a perfect accessory for travelers who appreciate a little peace and quiet, wherever they may be.

Inexpensive, easy to carry with you, and useful in a wide range of different circumstances, an eye or sleep mask can help shut the world out while you catch some z’s. Not just for sleeping, this travel accessory can help reduce stress levels or even ease away a headache.

Eye masks don’t just help you to nod off to sleep — they also improve the quality of your sleep. Here are some great reasons to keep your eye mask with you at all times:

• Fall Asleep Quickly — Scientists believe that complete darkness boosts your body’s melatonin level, which helps you to doze off faster.
• Drop Off Anywhere — Long car rides, airplanes, trains, buses, and even in a city center hotel room — you can beat fatigue by falling asleep virtually anywhere.
• Beat the Jet Lag —  Combat jet lag by being able to sleep in any time zone. Your sleep mask can help you to sleep at the right times to beat the dreaded jet lag.

Bottom Line: When you’re on the move, being able to rest your mind and your body can make your journey more enjoyable and help you feel fresher when you get there. A sleep mask will help you greatly in this endeavor. 

Shape and Fit

Eye masks are designed to contour perfectly to your face. When you’re looking for the right eye mask for you, seek out ones with molded eye pockets to keep the fabric from sitting directly on your eyelids, which can be uncomfortable.

You should also ensure that the mask itself is wide and long enough to cover your eyes completely. If the light still creeps in on the side, it will hit your peripheral vision and make it harder to go to sleep.

Other design touches, like contoured shaping around the bridge of the nose and Velcro straps that allow you to wear the mask without messing up your hair, all make a difference to how much you fall in love with your newest travel accessory.

Fabric and Material

Your eye mask needs to be thick enough to keep the light out, yet soft and light enough to not put any pressure on your eyelids.

A mask that offers a bit of padding on the sides and around the edges will provide superior comfort. Because your eye mask is likely to be heavily used on your travels, it would also be advantageous to grab one in a material that can stand up to regular washing.

Bottom Line: Silk, cotton, polyester, and even satin are all popular choices for sleep masks, but be sure to check the quality of the seams and washing instructions before you buy.

If a simple sleep mask doesn’t satisfy your needs, try something a little bit extra. Sleep masks can be found with plenty of additional features to help you sleep soundly, wherever you may be. Some come complete with matching earplugs, for complete sensory deprivation, while others offer collagen eye patches to help you awaken looking refreshed and free from puffy eyes and wrinkles.

Consider buying a travel neck pillow to complete your sleep-well-anywhere package.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to wear your mask for stress or pain relief, you can purchase masks with integrated lavender to keep you calm or cooling patches to help relieve aching heads. You can also find them in designer fabrics, with matching carry cases or even sleepwear, if the look is what you’re all about.

The 11 Best Sleep Masks for Travel

• Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask

Made from top-quality, 19-millimeter, natural mulberry silk on one side and soft cotton on the other, this little beauty will see you off to the land of nod in no time at all. Cool and breathable, the silky smooth fabric blacks out the light while gently pressing your eyelids close to avoid dry eyes in the morning.

The contoured nose cut-out is comfortable on your face, while still blocking out light to ensure a restful night’s sleep.

Combined with an adjustable head strap that’s designed for comfort no matter the sleeping position, this is an affordable and effective little eye mask.

What We Like

• Comes in a variety of colors and designs

What We Don’t Like

• The strap slips around a bit
• Sleep Master Sleep Mask

Designed by someone who suffered from their own case of insomnia, the Sleep Master eliminates both light and sound to help you get some sleep on the move. Made from lightweight, washable satin fabric, this mask is extra wide to block out the light, while the ear area is also padded to help muffle unwanted noise .

If you want total silence, insert the ear muffs provided with the mask, and let the wrap-around design keep them firmly in place while you sleep. Incredibly soft and comfortable, this mask can be adjusted to fit you perfectly using the Velcro tabs, and the durable material can stand up to regular washing.

This is a neat idea for those who want relief from both the sights and sounds of traveling.

• Blocks light and muffles sound
• The Velcro strap is quite thick to lie on
• LitBear Sleep Eye Mask

Made from 6-layer low rebound soft memory foam and soft silk lining, this smart little mask is both breathable and lightweight. The contoured eye sockets allow you to blink freely in between naps and will ensure any make-up stays smudge-free.

Block out the dark completely with the broad design of this mask, which also fits most nose shapes with the hollow nose bridge. The adjustable strap has been designed with comfort in mind and is made to fit head circumferences of 20.5 to 26.5 inches. Well-designed and well-built, this is a great eye mask for those who want to sleep on the go.

• It stays securely in place and is comfortable sleeping on your side
• The headband stretches out over time
• Sound Oasis Deluxe Glo to Sleep Natural Sleep Eye Mask

These quirky glasses promise to deliver a unique way to help ease your stress and help you sleep. The Glo to Sleep ideology works on the basis that you just have to raise your eyes and gaze on a focal point of blue lights to instantly achieve a deeply relaxed state that leads to sleep.

By slowing the frequency of the brain’s electrical activity, you can obtain a similar result to those achieved by meditation or hypnosis. An interesting concept, indeed!

With 3 auto-dim options, you can ramp down in 10, 20, or 30 minutes. As your body relaxes, you’ll gently fall into a deep, refreshing sleep, wherever you are. While the jury may still be out on the effectiveness of the blue light theory, this is a high-quality, easy-to-wear sleep mask that seems to make a difference.

• Great for getting to sleep or just relaxing
• Material is quite stiff

Bucky 40 Blinks Comfortable, Contoured, No Pressure Eye Mask

The 40 Blinks eye mask offers the perfect solution for anyone wanting to block out light while they travel. This ultra-lightweight, contoured eye mask is big enough to cover your eyes and peripheral vision. The lightweight design  allows you to blink freely into the contoured eye holes.

Made from latex-free molded foam, it won’t smudge your make-up or put unwanted pressure on your head while you sleep. An adjustable Velcro strap that connects in the back will keep the mask in place while you nap and the 100% polyurethane foam fabric can be washed in cold water to keep it clean and fresh for every journey.

• No eye pressure with molded eye pockets
• Fabric layers can come apart after washing

Heated USB Eye Mask

This sleep mask uses cutting-edge technology to help you nod off. Using a thermally-conductive material, the mask heats up quickly and can promote blood circulation to help with dry eyes and fatigue . It can also provide beauty and skincare therapy to smooth your wrinkles and eliminate dark circles while you sleep.

If you’re worried about having the heat so close to your eyes, the safe design comes with 2 heat modes and a contoured design that allows the mask to adapt to the shape of your face. The mask can be powered using any USB port and has an automatic shut-off. A unique solution to a timeless problem, this mask will help you sleep using infrared technology that’s similar to the wavelength of the body.

• The eye cover is removable and washable
• Battery only lasts 1 to 2 uses
• 100% Handmade Cotton Sleep Mask Blackout

Made from high-quality, all-natural cotton, this super-wide sleep mask feels soft on your skin while keeping out unwanted light and sound to help you sleep. The “nose wing” design helps to effectively block light even from the nose area , meaning you can drift off in complete darkness.

It is so lightweight, you’ll barely notice it on your skin. It can be washed and rinsed on the go and can be folded to fit into its very own travel bag. This sleep mask can be adjusted in length to perfectly fit the size of your head without tangling your hair or feeling tight, and the natural material is breathable and won’t cause you to sweat.

• Lightweight and soft
• The Velcro strap can loosen over time

Jersey Slumber 100% Silk Sleep Mask

The Jersey Slumber 100% Silk Sleep Mask is an affordable and effective mask suitable for anyone who struggles to sleep with the light on. The ergonomic design nicely contours the shape of your face and eyelids, allowing you to get a great night’s sleep, wherever you may be.

Made of lightweight silk material, this eye mask is cool, comfortable, and easy to clean. The breathable, natural fibers of hypoallergenic silk are also soothing to the skin , making it a great solution for insomnia, migraine headaches, and even dry-eye conditions.

Block out the light, ease insomnia, and arrive feeling well-rested and refreshed every time you travel with this little beauty.

• No Velcro strap that can snag your hair
• Might be too large for those with smaller heads

Sleep Mask By Bedtime Bliss

Designed to block out the light to help you fall asleep quickly and wake up refreshed, this is a super-effective mask that’s affordable and extremely portable . What’s more, this super-smart sleep set also comes with its very own set of Moldex earplugs to keep unwanted noise at bay while you snooze.

The contoured design allows for complete eye movement even underneath your mask, meaning your makeup won’t smudge and you won’t feel restricted, while the adjustable straps will fit all head sizes. As a well-designed set comprising earplugs, a sleep mask, and a carry bag, this is money well spent for those who like to switch off while traveling.

• Comes with a handy carry pouch and earplugs
• Can fall off with lots of movement when sleeping

MZOO Contoured 3D Eye Mask Eye

Made from high-grade memory foam, this eye mask molds perfectly to your head, making it super easy to nod off wherever you may be. Offering total darkness, the innovative nose design with invisible foam helps to ensure that no cheeky bits of light sneak in and stop you from snoozing.

With a wider eye space and deeper design than many other masks on the market , there’s no pressure on your eyelids or uncomfortable feeling on your nose. The easy-to-adjust headband avoids the tight feeling associated with traditional straps and the anti-fade, anti-bacterial, anti-mite material is durable and easy to clean.

• No Velcro adjustable strap
• Can make your face a bit warm

PrettyCare 3D Sleep Mask – 2 Pack

With one for you and one for your other half, too, this is a great way to ensure that you both get a good night’s sleep while you travel. Made from opaque, high-density memory foam, these masks are super lightweight, incredibly thin, and designed to perfectly block out all of the unwanted light around you while you snooze.

With larger-than-usual eye cavities and a raised and thickened nasal bridge, these masks are designed with comfort in mind. The eye mask is also designed to fit any size head, and the new loop closure design prevents hair tugging and discomfort . With anti-fade, anti-bacterial, and anti-mite properties, these eye masks offer a practical solution that will last you the duration of your trip.

• Lightweight and slim material
• Can let in some light when lying on the strap

An eye mask can help you nod off to sleep anywhere in the world. The darker it is, the better you sleep, and these beauties can have you nodding off in no time.

Eye travel masks are affordable, lightweight, and extremely compact necessities that should be standard in everyone’s carry-on luggage .

Sleep tight!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do eye masks really work.

Eye masks are an affordable and simple solution to getting better sleep in situations where you can’t control light, such as on airplanes. Combine an eye mask with earplugs , and they really do help with sleeping in various situations.

Is it better to sleep with an eye mask?

Eye masks don’t just help you to nod off to sleep, they also improve the quality of your sleep. Scientists believe that complete darkness boosts your body’s melatonin level, which helps you to doze off faster.

What are the best eye masks for sleeping?

These are the best sleep masks that we recommend:

What to look for in a sleep mask?

Eye masks are designed to contour perfectly to your face. When you’re looking for the right eye mask, seek out ones with molded eye pockets to keep the fabric from sitting directly on your eyelids, which can be uncomfortable.

Are sleeping masks worth it?

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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