Many people visit the beach to escape the stress of their everyday hustle and bustle. While a beach towel is great for laying out on the sand, it doesn’t always provide the optimal comfort or head support that we are looking for.
I know that I personally have tried to build up a pile of sand under my towel to try and combat this problem.
That's where a beach pillow comes in.
A beach pillow can be a great solution to ensure you get that relaxing nap on the beach that you’ve been dreaming about.
If it's not already a part of your beach accessories — along with a beach tent, beach wagon and more— it should be. Keep reading to find out why, along with some of the best beach pillows on the market today.
Why Do You Need a Beach Pillow?
A beach pillow could be just the thing to take your typical beach day to the next level.
With this product, naps on the beach can be greatly improved.
Whether you purchase one for yourself or your kid, naps will become more comfortable, deeper, and relaxing.
Sleeping with your head tweaked to its side for long periods of time can cause uncomfortable pain or soreness that could be avoided by placing your head on a pillow.
With this, you are almost guaranteed to have a longer and deeper sleep because it will feel just as if you are at home sleeping in your bed as well as laying in the warm sun.
While all this seems great, there are some disadvantages to look out for.
If your pillow is lightweight, it could be a hassle throughout the day to keep track of and make sure it doesn’t fly away.
Additionally, since it isn't necessarily an essential item, you would be adding another purchase and item to bring along on your beach days.
What To Look For in A Beach Pillow
There are three main factors that you should consider while shopping for your beach pillow.
Cost
To begin, a beach pillow should range from $15-$40. Anything below this could mean the pillow is made out of cheap material and may break or wear down.
Anything above this price might be too expensive of a purchase, but could still be worth it if you are planning on using this pillow for many different occasions.
Material
Next, take a look at the material of the pillow.
If you are making this purchase, you want to ensure that it is made durably so that it can last you many years.
Weight
Lastly, see if the pillow is lightweight or if it has the ability to hold itself down.
Even though a lightweight pillow may be beneficial for transportation and carrying purposes, it may fly away while it is sitting on the beach.
The Best Beach Pillows of 2024
Next, we'll look at some of the best beach pillows on the market today.
Ballast Beach Pillow
First up is the inflatable Ballast Beach Pillow.
At $35, this pillow is an affordable option for anybody hoping to enhance their napping experiences away from home.
This beach pillow is said to be very easily inflated and deflated, and comes with a carrying case that the pillow can be folded into and easily transported with.
One potential issue you could run into with this pillow is it flying around because it is lightweight and only filled with air.
To combat this issue, Ballast designed bungee straps on the pillow so that it can be secured to a chair.
With great reviews and designs, the Ballast inflatable pillow is a great addition to your everyday beach essentials.
Learn more about this beach pillow option.
AirStreem Beach Pillow
One of the best feelings when laying your head down to sleep is having both sides of your pillow cold.
To try to mimic this feeling, the AirStreem inflatable pillow has a mesh design which circulates air flow to ensure that your head isn’t warm when you lay it down to sleep.
This pillow is just $19.99, meaning it is one of the cheapest options on the market.
So, imagine a hot summer day on the beach, but now instead of having sweat drip down your face, your head will be perfectly propped up and cool thanks to the Airstreem beach pillow.
Learn more about this beach pillow option.
Trekology Beach Pillow
The Trekology Ultralight Inflatable pillow is only $17.99 and is perfect for transporting from place to place.
This pillow is inflatable up to 16 x 12 x 4 inches, but then can be compacted into a small bag that could fit into the palm of your hand.
There is also an anti slipping dot design and detachable latch to ensure that the pillow does not shift and move while you are trying to sleep.
All of these reasons make the Trekology pillow a perfect next purchase for you!
Learn more about this beach pillow option.
Wise Owl Beach Pillow
The Wise owl pillow comes in a small and medium size that brings its price range from $30-$33.
One thing that sets this pillow apart from the rest is its memory foam padding and soft, micro-suede cover.
While this may not be the most ideal material for a beach pillow, the entire product or just the removable cover can be easily machine washed and back to brand new.
This beach pillow can also be packed tightly back into the bag it comes in for easy transportation to and from the beach.
Learn more about this beach pillow option.
Marchway Beach Pillow
Last but not least is the Marchway inflatable beach pillow for $10.99.
This product is a great option for you if you are interested in a beach pillow but are not willing to spend that much money on one.
Although this is the cheapest option, it is easily inflatable and has a button feature that allows you to adjust the height and density of the pillow.
The one downside is that it doesn’t have any strap to secure it down, so it could potentially blow away on a windy day.
However, you should have no problems if your head is resting on it.
Learn more about this beach pillow option.
Beach Pillow Frequently Asked Questions
Next, we'll examine some of the most commonly asked questions associated with beach pillows.
Q. Are Beach Pillows waterproof?
Yes, all Beach pillows should be waterproof.
Although it varies depending on the brand and manufacturer, most beach pillows are water resistant meaning they don’t soak or absorb in the water.
Beach pillows that aren’t made of water resistant material have removable covers that can be washed.
Q. Are beach pillows made for sand?
Like water, many of these beach pillows are designed for the sand.
Beach pillows with slick and water-resistant material are also perfect for effortlessly brushing sand off of them.
Q. Outdoor Pillows vs Beach Pillows: What’s the Difference?
Beach pillows can be used for multiple purposes such as camping, backpacking, and car rides.
However, one thing that sets them apart is the material that is used.
Beach Pillows are built to be able to withstand:
water
sand
wind
Q. Can you DIY a Beach Pillow?
One simple way you can create your own beach pillow is with a beach ball and a pillowcase from your own home.
Once you have these two items, place the beach ball in the pillowcase with the inflation tube sticking out, and inflated it about ⅔ of the way.
This will provide you with a soft surface for your head to sink into.
While having a normal pillow case at the beach may not be the best option for resisting water and sand, it is a great DIY alternative.
The Bottom Line: Beach Pillows
Although the beach is known to be relaxing, getting a good nap away from your house can be incredibly difficult.
Luckily, there are many great beach pillows on the market today that are all reasonably priced.
You know what is best for your comfort and sleep, so take that into consideration and buy a beach pillow that will bring your beach days to the next level.