Travel Pillows: J-Pillow vs trtl Pillow

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At first glance, neither the J-Pillow nor the trtl Pillow looks like a typical travel pillow. But they both offer comfort and support for virtually any type of travel experience. We’ve put together a guide to help even the most avid traveler decide which pillow is best for them.

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

trtl Pillow

trtl Pillow

The Trtl Travel Pillow is uniquely designed and provides stable neck support. It is machine washable and dryer-friendly and can be packed easily due to its smaller size and light weight.

Read Full Review
 

J-Pillow vs trtl Pillow Video Comparison

Key Similarities

  • Price: Both pillows retail for around $30 (depending on where it is purchased)
  • Areas of support: Both support the head, chin, and neck. However, the J-Pillow supports more of the face than the trtl pillow
Click Here for Pricing on the J Pillow

Key Differences

  • Filling: The J-Pillow is 100% polyester and the trtl is a mix of fleece, foam, and plastic (for structural support)
  • Cover Fabric: The J-Pillow is a soft and plush fabric; trtl is fleece
  • Care: They can both be machine washed and dried but one must remove plastic from trtl filling prior to wash
Click Here for Pricing on the TRTL Pillow [rwp-table id=”0″]

Feel Difference

The feel of these travel pillows could not be more different; the J-Pillow is softer and plusher and it has a polyester filling that reminds me of a traditional pillow. Trtl Travel Pillow Review Trtl Pillow is more supportive than it is comfortable and the plastic structure wrapped in fleece attaches to the neck, anchoring it in a way that allows one to lean one’s head to the side and still feel supported. Meanwhile, only filling in the trtl Pillow is a small layer of foam between the fleece and the plastic structure. This prohibits the plastic structure from digging into one’s head and neck but is far from offering that standard classic “pillowy” softness one imagines with a travel pillow.

Who Might Want to Choose the J-Pillow:

J-Pillow Travel Pillow Review

Side Sleepers

The J-Pillow does an excellent job of supporting the complete side of the face; this pillow is also superb up against the window of a car, train or plane.

Those Looking for 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 Want Simplicity (In Terms of Care)

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
  Read our complete review of the J-Pillow Travel Pillow here.

Who Might Want to Choose the trtl Pillow:

Trtl Travel Pillow Review

Those Who Want Strong Neck Support.

The special design of the trtl pillow allows the traveler to wrap the pillow and anchor it around his or her neck as tight as he or she would like, so the person can customize it to his or her desired level of neck support. The plastic structure inside the pillow rests up against the side of the neck and when a person leans his or her head to the side, the plastic structure will keep the individual completely supported.

Those Who Want a Compact Pillow

With its lack of filling – replaced with a thin layer of foam, it truly doesn’t get more compact than the trtl Pillow. In fact, it’s the least pillow-like travel pillow I’ve reviewed. The trtl Pillow relies significantly on the plastic internal structure for support in lieu of a more traditional pillow filling (foam or polyester). This design of this pillow makes it approximately the size of an adult hand; it’s very flat, which makes it a big space saver.

trtl Pillow

trtl Pillow

The Trtl Travel Pillow is uniquely designed and provides stable neck support. It is machine washable and dryer-friendly and can be packed easily due to its smaller size and light weight.

Read Full Review
  Read our complete review of the trtl Pillow here.

Overall

With their unique shapes, sizes, and characteristics analyzed, I believe both the J-Pillow and the trtl Pillow really make great travel pillows. As a side sleeper, my heart belongs to the plush J-Pillow because I love that I can rest the entire side of my face on it while still feeling support around my neck and chin. J-Pillow Travel Pillow Review That being said, space savers and minimalists who just want that neck support will love the trtl Pillow. It’s adjustable and stays around your neck, which means it moves with you no matter what. The J-Pillow retails for $30 to $60 depending on where you purchase it. The trtl Pillow also retails for around $30. Based on my experience, both are worth their respective prices.

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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