Which popular travel pillow should you get?
With vaccinations en route, you may be starting to plan that long-dreamed about trip overseas. One of the items you may want to pack? A travel pillow. I tested forty (yes, forty) of them pre-pandemic. The J-Pillow and the Trtl Pillow are among the most popular models on the market, each dramatically different from the other.
I brought the J-Pillow and the Trtl pillow on a 14-hour coach flight. Here is my summary of both pillows, along with the results of my test, broken into categories.
First, an overall review of each:
The J-Pillow—with 14,000-plus mostly positive reviews on Amazon—is a plush, J-shaped cushion that supports your neck and head when you’re dozing off to one side. The pillow curves around your neck but because it is worn on the side, it doesn’t push your head forward. It’s especially great if you’re in a window seat. Wedge the shaped cushion between your head and the cabin wall, or use its chin support as a solution to the dreaded middle seat. It’s smaller than the average U-shaper, and can be compressed into its included carrying bag for transport in your carry-on. Alas, it gave me a crick in my neck when I tried it during a flight, but it worked well when I used it while leaning against the car window on a road trip. Bonus: the whole thing is machine-washable.
Another Amazon fave (25,000+ mostly good reviews) the Trtl Pillow (and its newer version, the Trtl Pillow Plus) provide more support around your neck than the traditional U-model thanks to an inner strengthened “rib” that contours to any neck, jaw, or shoulder shape. It is less bulky than a U-pillow and partially disguised by a scarf-like wrap for undercover napping. In case of sleep drool, its cover is machine-washable. On the other hand, as part of the Trtl is made of hard plastic, it’s awkward to pack, and you’ll go crazy if you try wearing it with headphones, as it consistently knocks them off of your ears as you move to find a comfortable position. The Plus model does have the advantage of inner toggles that can change the height of the neck support in two different spots, but this didn’t solve the headphone problem. The Trtl could suffice for a short trip, but it’s definitely not the best travel neck pillow for long flights and non-side sleepers.
Second, the specifics:
1. Support
Winner: J-Pillow. The J-Pillow nestled under my chin and rested on my shoulder, so I could lean my head to the side and rest on the pillow without letting my head nod forward or fall to the side. The design of the pillow curves around your neck, but as it’s worn on the side, so it doesn’t push your head forward. I found that the J-Pillow was the most effective at keeping my head upright while I slept. It was especially comfortable while used in a window seat (and leaning against the wall).
The Trtl Pillow mimics a neck brace, wrapping around your neck and using a plastic frame on the side (between your chin and your shoulder) to allow you to rest your head. However, no matter how I positioned the Trtl Pillow, I couldn’t get the right amount of support I needed to relax into sleep.
2. Comfort
Winner: The J-Pillow. Made from a soft, squishy fiber filling and covered with an ultra-plush microfleece fabric, the J-Pillow was significantly more comfortable to lean on than the Trtl Pillow. Despite the Trtl Pillow’s soft fleece cover, I could still feel the hard plastic internal spine inside, which wasn’t comfortable to lean on.
3. Portability
Winner: The Trtl Pillow. It’s about half the size of a standard U-shaped pillow, and wraps up for easy and compact storage. The Trtl Pillow won’t take up much space in your carry-on, unlike the J-Pillow.
The J-Pillow can be compressed into its (included) carrying bag, but it will still take up a decent amount of real estate in your carry-on or personal item.
The Trtl Pillow is also slightly more lightweight, weighing in at around 5.2 ounces vs. the J-Pillow’s 7.5 ounces.
4. Cost
Winner: J-Pillow. At the time of testing, the J-Pillow was $21 and the Trtl Pillow was $30.
5. Cleanability
Winner: The J-Pillow. The entire J-Pillow can be machine washed in warm water, and then dried on low heat, making it easy to clean after each trip.
You can remove the Trtl Pillow’s fleece covering and wash it separately in the washing machine, however you’ll need to hang dry it and then reinsert the internal support (which can’t be washed), making it a more complicated cleaning process.
Third, the overall winner:
J-Pillow. It topped almost every category, earning high marks for comfort, support, cost, and cleanability.
Twist’s Take: If you’re good with a bigger travel pillow, opt for the J-Pillow over Trtl Pillow.
