Sleeping comfortably on long journeys, especially flights, can be a real challenge. Finding the right travel pillow is crucial for avoiding neck pain and arriving at your destination refreshed. After extensive testing and real-world use, we’ve consistently found one pillow that stands out from the rest: the Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow. This pillow offers superior support and comfort, making it our top recommendation for anyone seeking a restful travel experience.
The Travelrest Ultimate pillow, a firm donut-shaped neck pillow, resting on a blanket.
Unmatched Support and Comfort
The Travelrest Nest Ultimate distinguishes itself with its tall memory foam walls. This design provides a level of neck support that surpasses other travel pillows we’ve tested. The memory foam is both plush and firm, cradling your neck without feeling restrictive. Whether you’re in an upright or reclined airline seat, this pillow adapts to provide consistent support throughout your journey.
One of the key features that sets the Travelrest apart is its thoughtful design for airplane seats. The pillow is shaped to sit flush against the headrest, unlike many other neck pillows that can push your head forward uncomfortably. The back of the Travelrest is angled and features grippy dots, ensuring it stays securely in place and doesn’t slip down as you relax or sleep.
Designed for Travel
Beyond support, the Travelrest Nest Ultimate is remarkably comfortable to wear. The memory foam core is encased in a velvety-soft velour cover. This material is gentle on the skin and provides warmth without causing overheating. The velour cover is also removable and machine-washable, making it easy to keep your pillow clean and fresh for every trip. The pillow includes an adjustable Velcro strap, allowing you to customize the fit for different neck sizes, ensuring a snug and secure feel for everyone. Even details like a small crevice for ponytails or curlier hair demonstrate the thoughtful design.
Portability and Durability
While not inflatable, the Travelrest is surprisingly portable. It compresses down significantly into its included carrying case, becoming about the size of a roll of toilet paper. The cinnamon-roll style folding method and a Velcro strap on the pouch help achieve maximum compression. For travelers tight on luggage space, the carrying case also has a drawstring allowing it to be clipped to the outside of a bag.
Durability is another strong point of the Travelrest Nest Ultimate. After over a year of consistent use, our testing showed no loss of support or firmness in the memory foam. The Velcro strap remained secure and functional. This pillow is built to last, providing reliable comfort and support for many trips to come.
Minor Considerations
It’s worth noting that the firm memory foam, while providing excellent support, might not be ideal for everyone. If you prefer a softer, more pliable pillow, or find that a 5-inch high pillow is uncomfortable around your neck, you might want to consider alternative options. Additionally, while the Travelrest is compressible, it doesn’t pack down as flat as inflatable pillows or the Trtl Pillow. However, the superior support and comfort it offers are often worth the slightly larger packed size.
Another minor point is headphone compatibility. The Travelrest’s high sides, designed for optimal neck support, can sometimes interfere with larger over-the-ear headphones, particularly for individuals with shorter necks. This might push headphones up uncomfortably. However, this issue may not affect everyone, especially those with longer necks or those using smaller headphones.
Final Verdict
Despite these minor considerations, the Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow remains our top pick for the Best Travel Pillow. Its unparalleled support, comfortable design, portability, and durability make it an excellent investment for anyone seeking better sleep and comfort during travel. If you prioritize neck support and a restful journey, the Travelrest Nest Ultimate is the travel pillow we highly recommend.
