Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but discomfort, especially on long journeys, can quickly dampen the experience. One common culprit is neck strain from awkward sleeping positions on planes, trains, or in cars. This is where Travel Neck Pillows come to the rescue. A good travel pillow can be the difference between arriving refreshed and ready to explore, or stiff and struggling to shake off travel fatigue.
The Travelrest Nest Ultimate has consistently been our top recommendation for several years. Its plush yet firm memory foam core provides superior neck support compared to other travel pillows we’ve tested. What sets it apart is its thoughtful design tailored for airline seats. The angled, grippy back conforms seamlessly to both upright and reclined seat positions, ensuring the pillow stays put as you drift off to sleep.
The Travelrest Ultimate pillow, a firm donut-shaped neck pillow, resting on a blanket.
This donut-shaped travel neck pillow, Travelrest Nest Ultimate, offers exceptional support and comfort for travelers.
Shaped like a hemi-donut, the Travelrest Ultimate may appear similar to other neck pillows for travel, but it’s the subtle yet significant details that elevate it. The velvety-soft material comfortably cradles heads and necks of all sizes and includes an adjustable cord and clasp for a customized fit. These features combine to create a travel companion that is both softer and more supportive than many competitors in the travel neck pillow market.
We found that the Travelrest provides comprehensive support that surpasses other pillows for airplane travel we evaluated. Its wide, cushioned walls gently embrace the entire circumference of your neck, offering support without feeling restrictive. The user-friendly Velcro strap allows for easy adjustments, ensuring a snug fit for various neck sizes. A small indentation is even incorporated into the design, thoughtfully accommodating those with curlier hairstyles or ponytails, enhancing overall comfort.
Beyond neck support, the Travelrest’s design cleverly considers airplane seats. The back of the pillow tapers to a point, allowing it to sit flush against the seat back. Many neck support pillows for travel lack this feature, and their bulkiness can push your neck forward, leading to uncomfortable drooping. The Travelrest addresses this issue with its tapered back and added grippy dots, preventing slippage and ensuring it stays securely in place throughout your journey.
The Travelrest travel pillow features a sloped and grippy back designed to fit snugly against an airplane seat.
The ergonomic design of the Travelrest pillow, a top-rated travel neck pillow, ensures it fits perfectly against airplane seats and provides non-slip support.
Comfort is paramount, and the Travelrest excels here too. The memory foam core is enveloped in a soft velour fabric, providing warmth without causing overheating. The velour covering of the Travelrest feels noticeably smoother and gentler against the skin compared to similar materials used in other travel pillows for neck pain, such as the Cabeau Evolution. Cleaning is also a breeze, as the cover is easily removable and machine-washable. Even after washing and drying, the velour retains its plush softness.
Despite not being inflatable, the Travelrest is surprisingly packable, compressing down to a quarter of its original size for convenient storage. It can be rolled tightly, cinnamon-roll style, and fits into its carrying case, becoming compact enough to resemble a roll of toilet paper. A Velcro strap on the pouch further compresses it. If space is still tight, the drawstring can be clipped to any external loop on your bag, making it a truly travel-friendly compact travel pillow.
Our testing panel was thoroughly impressed by these well-considered details. The Travelrest received top marks for both comfort and neck support, surpassing all other pillows tested. In fact, two-thirds of our testers favored it as their best travel neck pillow choice.
Long-Term Durability of the Travelrest
After more than a year of consistent use, the Travelrest has maintained its supportive qualities remarkably well. The memory foam remains as firm and resilient as when it was new, and the Velcro strap continues to fasten securely. For those it fits well, this airplane neck pillow provides reliable comfort and stability throughout long flights. However, feedback from some travelers indicates that it might not be a universal fit. The memory foam’s firmness, while excellent for support, offers limited flexibility. If a 5-inch thick pillow feels too bulky around your neck, exploring our other recommended travel neck pillows for comfort might be a better option.
Minor Drawbacks to Consider
The Travelrest Nest Ultimate will never achieve the ultra-slim profile of highly compressible lightweight travel pillows like the Trtl Pillow. However, its exceptional, cushioned support still packs down to a manageable size, and its light weight of 13 ounces won’t significantly add to your carry-on baggage weight. If minimizing space is your top priority, the Trtl offers a space-saving alternative, although without the plushness of an inflatable pillow.
While the Travelrest’s generous cushioning effectively supports heads leaning in any direction – left, right, or back – it may not provide adequate chin support for individuals with smaller faces. When tested by someone with a smaller face, forward head movements sometimes resulted in the chin sinking into the gap between the pillow closure and the neck. While the Velcro strap can be tightened, its adjustability is somewhat limited compared to adjustable strings found on pillows like the Cabeau.
The superior support of the Travelrest is partly attributed to its high sides, designed to reach up to the wearer’s jawline. This design can pose a compatibility issue with larger over-ear headphones, particularly for individuals with shorter necks. For example, when used with noise-canceling Bose headphones, the pillow pushed the headset uncomfortably upwards, affecting earlobe comfort. However, testers with longer necks did not encounter this problem, suggesting that neck length plays a role in headphone compatibility.
Ultimately, for travelers seeking a supportive and comfortable neck pillow for air travel that prioritizes neck health and a restful journey, the Travelrest Nest Ultimate remains a top contender. Its durable construction and thoughtful design features make it a worthwhile investment for frequent flyers and anyone looking to enhance their travel comfort.
