The New York Times - How to actually sleep on planes

A person sitting on a couch wearing a black Pluto Pod Travel Pillow with the eye mask pulled over their eyes.

Photo: Dorie Chevlen

Staff writer Dorie Chevlen has never been able to sleep on planes. So when tasked with testing the Pluto Pod, a ridiculous-looking pillow contraption that claims to help you get some sleep no matter where you are, she was skeptical.

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This bizarre sleep helmet has a pull-down, built-in eye mask, a thick neck pillow to cradle your head, and a padded hood to block everything out. Is it a little much? Yes. But does it work? Also yes, says Dorie.

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For a (maybe) slightly less silly solution, we also like this slimmer and cheaper neck-brace-esque travel pillow. Either way, it seems the key to getting some in-flight shut-eye might be to embrace a bit of shamelessness.

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“A first-class sleep experience in economy”→

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For your getaway plans

A person wearing the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel backpack.

This spacious backpack is the best weekender bag

It’s deceptively roomy. And with two zippered compartments and hidden pockets, it’s great even for heavy packers.

Our pick for best USB phone charger with four USB-A ports, the Anker PowerPort 4.

The gadgets we bring on every trip

From a multiport charger to backup cables, here are a few items that make travel as painless as possible.

Our favorite noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, displayed next to a computer keyboard and a notepad, in front of a blue background.

The best noise-cancelling headphones

For frequent flyers or commuters on public transit, reducing the noise around you can make the difference between enduring a trip and enjoying it.

Ahhh, back in your own bed

Make your at-home bed a haven you can’t wait to return to. Several of our favorite mattresses are on sale this weekend—here’s where we’d start if you’re due for an upgrade, broken out by sleep style.

For sleepers who like to sink: Memory foam mattresses are ideal for people who like that slow-sinking, pressure-relieving feel to cradle them all night. Our experts describe the Leesa Original as “a Goldilocks foam mattress” because it has an underlying firmness with a softer top. Use promo code WIRECUTTER→
If you like a balanced mattress: Hybrid mattresses, which are made of a combination of foam and coils, are neither too sinky nor too bouncy. With its balance of cuddly, durable foam and just-springy-enough coils, the Leesa Sapira has consistently pleased our testers since 2018. Use promo code WIRECUTTER25→
If you hate feeling hot and bothered: The bounciest, most breathable of the bunch are traditional innerspring mattresses. We like the WinkBed in Luxury Firm, which should work for back- and stomach-sleepers as well as side-sleepers who rotate positions frequently. Or those who simply prefer a firmer mattress. Use promo code WCPD24→
For those who need a softer top: If your mattress is too firm, but you don’t need or want to shell out on a new one, there’s a good chance a mattress topper could help. This one felt more luxurious than any other we tested. It’s on sale here→

One quick sleep tip: Total darkness

Television screens, phones, laptops, street lamps, and blaring overhead lights around the clock can disrupt your circadian rhythm—the 24-hour cycle that’s governed by your body’s internal clock—and make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

Creating a pitch-dark sleep environment is best, but it can be hard to do, especially if you’re a frequent traveler or night-shift worker. Sleep masks are an affordable way to tackle that problem, and a recent study even suggests wearing one overnight can lead to better memory and increased alertness the next day.

We’ve been testing sleep masks for six years—these are our favorites.

Bon voyage.

You can reach the Wirecutter newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

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The New York Times - How to actually sleep on planes

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