Last fall, I had back-to-back round-trip cross-country flights, including a dreaded red-eye. I was excited to travel but less thrilled at the prospect of scraping together any meaningful sleep while wedged in an airplane seat for hours.
I’m normally not one for travel pillows because I find them awkward to wear and a hassle to carry, but when Pluto invited me to try the Pod 2.0 — a clever neck pillow that also serves as a hoodie, eye mask, and lumbar cushion — I obliged.
And I’m glad I did because for the first time in my life, I was able to sleep comfortably on a domestic flight. Here’s how the Pluto Pod 2.0 helped me pull it off and change my perception of travel pillows.
The brand provided this item for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Pros
- Built-in hoodie and eye mask.
- Excellent support for the head and neck.
- Folds into a compact size for easy storage.
- Also works well as a lumbar cushion.
- 125-day money-back guarantee.
Cons
- It could run warm for some people.
- Oversized for smaller faces (and a bit fiddly to adjust).
Specifications
- Price: $145.
- Colors: Jet Black, Sky Grey.
- Dimensions: 31×15” (open); 12x 6×4” (closed).
- Warranty: 1 year.
- Trial Period: 125 days.
Pluto Pod 2.0 Travel Pillow
About the Design of the Pluto Pod 2.0
The Pluto Pod 2.0 is, first and foremost, a neck pillow. It’s designed like a neck brace to provide support and stability but the foam inner layer adds enough cushioning so you can comfortably lean against your seat or the window. A Velcro fastener keeps it in place.
If you’re feeling a bit of a draft or want a bit of privacy, unsnapping the back panels reveals a hoodie. This is a convenient option if you don’t want to layer up or dress so casually on your flight. Tucked inside the hoodie is an eye mask to block ambient light (and the stares of curious passengers).
When not in use as a pillow/hoodie/eye mask, the Pod 2.0 folds into a 12×6” cushion that you can slip behind your lumbar. It’s compact enough to squeeze into most carry-on bags. For easier access, you can wrap the Velcro straps around a suitcase handle or clip the Pod 2.0 to a duffel bag using the built-in carabiner.
The outer cover is a rayon-nylon blend that’s machine-washable in cold water on a gentle cycle. (You’ll have to let it air dry.) The foam liner can’t be laundered, so you’ll have to unzip the cover and remove it before washing.
How the Pluto Pod 2.0 Made My Cross-Country Flights Bearable
I kept my Pluto Pod 2.0 Travel Pillow with me from takeoff to landing. As soon as I sat down, I wrapped it around my neck. It took a few moments to find the proper fit and get used to the stiffness of the inner support panel, but once I did, I actually felt some relief in my often-tight neck and shoulders.
The cushy foam was a nice complement to the firmer support panel. My head tilted to the side as I was nodding off during one flight and it felt like I was resting on a soft pillow. During nap times, I pulled the hoodie down and flipped over the eye mask (albeit with some adjustments as it otherwise covered my entire face).
However, I relied on the full-face covering during a red-eye flight home. The Pod 2.0 blocked ambient light remarkably well. (It helped dull the buzz from the Lebanese coffee I had earlier in the day so I could manage some sleep.) I was stunned by how “bright” the (still-dim) cabin seemed when I lifted the mask toward the end of my flight.
I also used the Pod 2.0 as a lumbar cushion to save my creaky back from consecutive hours of sitting in an airplane seat. It improved my in-air experience in a major way, and I didn’t exit my flights with any soreness in my back or legs.
Once I was back on the ground, I clipped the Pod 2.0 to my carry-on bag and later zipped it inside when I had more room. After my final trip home, I popped the cover in the wash and left it out to dry.
What I Liked About the Pluto Pod 2.0
What impressed me most about the Pluto Pod 2.0 was the stability and comfort when I wore it around my neck. (It was an effective lumbar cushion, as well.) I didn’t have to recline my airplane seats once, which I’m sure the passengers behind me appreciated.
The built-in hoodie and eye mask made it feel like I was wrapping myself in a bubble. If you crave a sense of privacy while flying, this is an easy way to get it — and if you can’t sleep amidst noise and light, the Pod 2.0 effectively seals that all of that off.
The cover washes well, but it did take a couple of days for it to air-dry completely in my basement laundry room. I recommend learning from my mistake by placing the cover in a warm or well-lit area after washing.
What I Didn’t Like About the Pluto Pod 2.0
The Pluto Pod 2.0 felt a little warm at times, but not to a terrible degree. According to the team at Pluto, this is somewhat by design as the travelers they talked to often complained about feeling cold on flights. If you tend to have the opposite problem, you might want to crank the A/C at your seat a little higher when wearing this.
The Velcro fastener is easy to adjust but it’s loud when you open it, especially on a quiet overnight flight. I know most air passengers these days are immersed in their movies or music with their headphones on, but I still couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious.
As I mentioned previously, the hoodie and eye mask will feel oversized for people with smaller faces. This is a matter of preference, but if you don’t want to feel so shrouded, you can adjust the fit using the snaps on the back of the pillow (although I found them a bit fiddly at first).
How Much Does the Pluto Pod 2.0 Cost?
The Pluto Pod 2.0 Travel Pillow retails for $145 in two colorways: Jet Black or Sky Grey. Ground shipping is free and takes 7-10 business days. If you need one in a rush, express shipping (2-4 business days) is available for $20. It comes with a 125-day trial and a 1-year warranty.
Pluto is the sole retailer of its Pod 2.0 pillow and doesn’t run discounts outside of Black Friday. Compared to other travel pillows, it’s a very steep purchase — but on the other hand, you’re essentially getting four products in one convenient package.
Pluto Pod 2.0 Travel Pillow
My Final Thoughts on the Pluto Pod 2.0
There are few things I value more when traveling than comfort, and the Pluto Pod 2.0 made that possible in an environment that’s known for anything but.
I didn’t have to plop my flimsy in-flight pillow onto the tray table and tough it out, nor did I test the patience of the person sitting behind me by reclining my seat to the max. Whether I was working, sleeping, or trying not to audibly sob while watching Inside Out 2, the Pod 2.0 was there to support me through it all.
You may balk at the price or be confused by the design, but trust me when I say the glowing reviews from critics and customers are well-earned. It’s a genuinely useful product and I don’t want to ever go back to a time before I traveled on an airplane without one.
