Discovering Why the Trtl Travel Pillow Reigns as the Best Neck Pillow for Travelers

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→ Purchase Now: Trtl Travel Pillow, $50, amazon.com; trtltravel.com

I’ll admit it—I’m a seasoned traveler. I journey often and can catch some Z's on virtually any mode of transport. Just give me a window seat or something to lean against, and I’m snoozing from the moment the plane takes off or the train rolls out (or the boat sets sail) until I reach my destination.

In contrast, my fiancé, Vinny, has a profound fear of flying (or as he describes it, “just isn’t a fan”), which I realized on our inaugural flight together: a three-hour journey from New York to Miami. He was anxious and fidgety before boarding, and once airborne, he chewed through an entire pack of gum, pumped up his playlist, gripped my hand tightly, and ultimately wanted the window shade closed.

It can be advantageous in some ways: Have you ever encountered someone who always prefers the middle seat? Yet, during our flight bookings to Sicily a couple of years ago (New York to Rome, then Rome to Palermo, totaling nearly 10 hours in the air), I found myself feeling anxious. I was prepared to sleep the entire journey, having secured a window seat and treated myself to my very first travel pillow on Amazon Prime Day. But how could I relax knowing Vinny would be awake and stressed? I worried he’d be grumpy and tired upon arrival. I began to consider all the future adventures we might miss out on if he was so uncomfortable with flying.

Once we boarded, I suggested he have some wine and then offered him my brand-new Trtl Travel Pillow, which is more like a cozy fleece scarf with a slim neck support frame than a traditional pillow. He insisted he wouldn’t sleep anyway and thought it looked odd. However, I appealed to his health-conscious nature: it’s better for your neck! He reluctantly put it on, fastening it with Velcro. Shortly after the drink service, he dozed off with only my Trtl for support. I was thrilled—suddenly our travel dreams felt possible again as I leaned against the window and drifted off, a bit uncomfortable but happy.

He likes to credit the wine, but I can assure you that on our return from Sicily, I didn’t have a window seat. I was in the aisle, which meant I had nothing to lean against. When I reminded him that it was my pillow and took it back, I managed to sleep while he didn’t. We both had wine again.

Usually, I don’t pack a lot of specialized travel gear. I have the earpods that came with my iPhone, a two-wheel roller bag I’ve used since 2008, and my go-to “airport uniform” of a hoodie, leggings, and oversized sunglasses. Until recently, the most I’d bother with was a reusable water bottle, but now I can’t stop raving about the Trtl Travel Pillow. Whenever I have it with me, I insist everyone tries it on.

What sets the Trtl pillow apart from other travel pillows, making it worth the investment?

The Trtl Travel Pillow is engineered for optimal neck support and comfort. It might feel a bit odd the first time you wear it (though it provides guidance on positioning your neck, chin, and jaw) and resembles a neck brace. But who cares about appearances when you can sleep peacefully on a flight and wake up without any neck pain?

Additionally, this pillow is far more compact than a typical U-shaped travel pillow. It fits easily into carry-on bags, backpacks, or large purses without taking up much room and weighs only half a pound. Plus, it’s machine washable, and we all know it’s essential to deep-clean all your travel gear these days.

I own the original Trtl in gray, which I bought when there were limited color options. Now, they offer a variety of colors, a kids’ version (for ages 8+), and the Trtl Pillow Plus, which can be adjusted for different heights and is made with a more breathable fabric. All options are compact, user-friendly, and comfortable.

Right after our return from Sicily, I purchased a black Trtl Travel Pillow for Vinny. With international flights resuming, I’m certain we’ll be using our Trtl pillows more than ever. Whether for naps during holiday road trips or when I resume my commutes on the Long Island Railroad, one thing is clear: I’ll never travel without my Trtl again.

This article was first published online in 2020; it was updated on November 15, 2022, to provide the latest pricing information.