Travel Pillows: J-Pillow VS Travelrest Pillow

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Between their less than conventional shapes and innovative features, the J-Pillow and Travelrest Pillow travel pillows could not be more different. There is one thing they do have in common and that is complete head, chin and neck support. Which pillow will be the best match? Watch my video comparison below or keep scrolling for my written comparison with more photos!

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

The J-Pillow travel pillow is an award-winning pillow that seems to be a great fit for traveling side sleepers.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

This inflatable travel pillow is worn messenger bag style, and is a particularly nice choice for those who like to rest their head to the side.

Mattress Clarity Score
3.80 / 5
Read Full Review

Key Differences

  • Filling: J-Pillow is 100% polyester; the Travelrest is inflatable (air-filled!)
  • Cover Fabric: J-Pillow is a soft and plush fabric; Travelrest is a suede fabric (or a fabric with a similar feel)
  • Care: J-Pillow is machine washable and dryable; Travelrest is hand-wash only
  • Shape: Both are unique shapes – J-Pillow is shaped like a “J”; Travelrest is a long and narrow shape
J-Pillow Travel Pillow Review [rwp-table id=”0″]

Feel Difference

The Travelrest pillow is slightly more customizable because of its inflatable nature. Travelers can easily let the air out to make it less firm if desired and it took less than a handful of breaths for me to fully re-inflate it. Travelrest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow Review The J-Pillow is filled with 100% polyester, giving it a pillowy feel more reminiscent of a standard pillow. It’s undeniably soft and provides support, but not at the same level a memory foam or fully inflated travel pillow would. Read our full J-Pillow Travel Pillow review, here! J-Pillow Travel Pillow Review

Who Might Want to Choose the J-Pillow:

Those who sleep on their sides.

The J-Pillow does a great job of supporting the whole side of the face and functions exceptionally well up against a car, train or plane window.

Those who want versatility.

This pillow also works if the traveler chooses to lay down on a couch or a bed and if he or she needs an emergency pillow, maybe a hotel pillow isn’t cutting it, this can be used.

Those who do not care for inflatable pillows.

The filling in the J-Pillow is a soft polyester that’s not overly firm but provides a nice cushion for the face and is a viable option for those who are not interested in needing to inflate or deflate a pillow while traveling.

Those who want a simple pillow that’s easy to clean.

The J-Pillow is easily machine washable and can be dried on a low tumble dry setting. No need to remove the cover beforehand.

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

J-Pillow Travel Pillow

The J-Pillow travel pillow is an award-winning pillow that seems to be a great fit for traveling side sleepers.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review
  Travelrest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow Review

Who Might Want to Choose the Travelrest Pillow:

Those want a pillow to stay in place.

Travelers can anchor the Travelrest pillow to a seat or to their actual bodies and by strapping it in place on a headrest, they can ensure that movement during a nap will not result in a travel pillow on the floor (and interrupted sleep).

Those who want a pillow that is easy to pack.

The narrow design of the Travelrest pillow allows one to easily deflate it and roll it in a very compact size. It can virtually fit anywhere – a smaller purse or a bag that’s already tight on space.
UltimateInflatablePillowReviewDeflate
This is my review of the Travelrest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow. Overall I liked the pillow and its unique shape because I liked that the pillow could be tethered to the headrest in a car or a plane and also connected to my seatbelt to keep it stable. I liked that I could lean the whole side of my face against the pillow and that I could adjust

Those who want a pillow that can work in any seat.

The Travelrest pillow is designed to attach and anchor itself to the traveler or their seat – it doesn’t require a wall or a window to be placed against – and this makes it an ideal pillow for a middle seat on a plane or car.

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

This inflatable travel pillow is worn messenger bag style, and is a particularly nice choice for those who like to rest their head to the side.

Mattress Clarity Score
3.80 / 5
Read Full Review
  Read our complete review of the Travelrest Pillow here.

Overall

Both the J-Pillow and Travelrest Pillows make for excellent trip companions and, as a side sleeper, I personally preferred the plush coziness of the J-Pillow, but see a lot of value in the Travelrest. J-Pillow Travel Pillow Review Those who find themselves tight on space and prefer inflatable travel pillows will find a friend in the Travelrest. It’s cool and narrow design allows for a lot of versatility no matter what style the person is traveling in. Meanwhile, the J-Pillow is the perfect shape for resting the head against a window or a wall because it cradles the head, chin, and neck. The J-Pillow retails for $30 to $60 depending on where it’s purchased and the Travelrest Pillow retails for $30. I think these pillows are both worth their price (especially if one can get the J-Pillow for closer to $30).

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Katie Golde

Katie Golde

Senior Digital Content Manager/Managing Editor​

About Author

Katie Golde is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and previously served Managing Editor and Head of Sleep Research for Mattress Clarity. She handled the daily operations of the site and you’ll still see her in plenty of reviews, from mattresses to travel pillow and bed pillow reviews – plus the occasional How-To video. In addition, Katie reported, writed, and edited sleep health and sleep industry news for the site.

Since joining the Mattress Clarity team in 2016, she has reviewed hundreds of sleep products, like bed pillows and mattresses and written over 200 sleep-related stories for the site. She probably knows more about bamboo sheets and bed pillows than any one person should.

Katie has been writing about wellness-related topics, including sleep, for the last eight years. The first sleep story she wrote covered the best and worst foods to eat before bed. Her previous work can be found in print and online publications like Discover Magazine, USA Today, Bustle and The Huffington Post.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Journalism with a focus on Interactive Publishing from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism as well. During her graduate studies, Katie focused on health and science reporting and she received the G.D. Crain Award for demonstrating leadership, management, and entrepreneurial excellence during her final innovation project.

Education & Credentials