The Trtl Travel Pillow is a lightweight, scarf-style alternative to a U-shaped neck pillow. It suits travellers who value packing space and who tend to sleep leaning to one side. People who want all-round cushioning, or who run warm, may prefer something else.
Key specifications
- Brand
- Trtl
- Type
- Wraparound / scarf
- Material
- Hypoallergenic fleece wrap with removable internal support
- Weight
- 133g
- Dimensions
- 22 × 24 × 9 cm
- Washable cover
- Yes
- Carry case
- Yes
- Fastening
- Hook-and-loop wrap closure
- Price range
- £40–£60
Quick answer
The Trtl Travel Pillow swaps the usual padded ring for a fleece wrap with a firm internal support that sits against one side of your neck. Trtl lists it at 133g and 22 × 24 × 9 cm, which makes it one of the lightest and flattest pillows we have researched. The trade-off is that it supports one side at a time and needs fastening each time. This review is based on published manufacturer information — we have not physically tested it.
What the Trtl Travel Pillow is
Trtl is the brand, and the Travel Pillow is its original model. Rather than a collar that surrounds the neck, it is a length of soft fleece that wraps around the neck like a short scarf and fastens with hook-and-loop. Inside is a removable, shaped support. Trtl currently sells it in the UK in grey, black, red and coral.
How the design works
You undo the fastening, position the internal support against the side of your neck that you want to lean towards, and wrap the fleece around. Trtl's instructions suggest moving the support closer to the neck for more support, or closer to the chin for a more upright position. It can be worn on the left, the right or towards the front. It can also be used unwrapped as a cushion between your neck and the seat.
Trtl describes the support as patented and says it holds the neck in an ergonomic position. That is the manufacturer's claim; we have not seen independent evidence that measures it.
Construction and materials
The outer wrap is fleece that Trtl describes as hypoallergenic. The internal support is removable, which is what allows the wrap to go in the washing machine. Trtl does not publish a detailed breakdown of what the support is made from.
Size and portability
- Dimensions: 22 × 24 × 9 cm (manufacturer listing)
- Weight: 133g (manufacturer listing)
- Carry bag: a matching water-resistant bag with a carabiner is included
For comparison, a typical U-shaped memory foam pillow is a thick ring that often needs a compression bag. The Trtl's flat, book-like footprint is its main practical advantage for cabin-bag packing.
How it differs from a traditional U-shaped pillow
A U-shaped pillow surrounds the neck, giving padding on both sides and at the back. The Trtl focuses support on one side and relies on the internal structure rather than bulk. In practice that means:
- Less to carry and pack
- Nothing pushing your head forward from behind, which some people find with thick U-shapes
- But no simultaneous support on both sides, so you choose a side before you sleep
Washing and care
Trtl says to take out the internal support and machine wash the wrap on a cold cycle (30°C). Being able to wash the whole fabric part is useful for a pillow that is worn against the skin on flights.
Key strengths
- Very light (133g) and flat
- Carry bag with carabiner included
- Fully machine-washable wrap once the support is removed
- Can be worn on either side or used as a cushion
Potential drawbacks
- Supports one side at a time rather than all round
- Fleece may feel warm — Trtl sells a separate Cool version for this reason
- The support height is fixed; adjustable height needs the more expensive Plus
- Takes a moment to wrap and fasten each time
Who it may suit
- Cabin-bag-only travellers who want minimal bulk
- People who usually sleep leaning to one side, for example in a window seat
- Travellers who dislike the bulk of a thick collar behind the head
Who may prefer something else
- Anyone who wants padding on both sides at once — a U-shaped memory foam pillow such as the Cabeau Evolution S3 works differently
- People who run warm on flights — see the Trtl Pillow Cool
- Very tall or petite travellers who want to adjust the support height — see the Trtl Pillow Plus
- Children — Trtl makes a smaller Junior model
Trtl Travel Pillow vs Trtl Pillow Plus
The Plus keeps the same scarf-style idea but adds twist toggles that lengthen or shorten the support, plus cushioning foam. The cost of those additions is weight: Trtl lists the Plus at 254g against 133g for the original. The Plus is also priced higher. If a fixed height works for you, the original is lighter and cheaper. If you have tried a Trtl and found the support too short or too tall, the Plus is the one designed to address that.
Trtl vs conventional memory foam pillows
Memory foam U-shapes like the Cabeau Evolution S3 offer all-round cushioning and, in the Cabeau's case, straps that attach to the headrest wings. They are generally bulkier, and Cabeau does not publish a weight. The Trtl is the lighter, flatter option; the memory foam collar is the more cushioned, all-round one. Neither approach is universally better — it depends on how you sleep and how much space you have.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Trtl Travel Pillow washable?
Yes. Trtl says to remove the internal support and machine wash the wrap at 30°C.
How much does the Trtl Travel Pillow weigh?
Trtl lists it at 133g (4.7 oz).
Does it come with a case?
Yes — a matching water-resistant carry bag with a carabiner is included, according to Trtl.
Is there a children's version?
Yes. The Trtl Pillow Junior is a smaller version (18 × 22 × 9 cm, 111g). Trtl does not publish an age range, so size it to the child.
Has TravelPillow.co.uk tested it?
No. This is a research-based review compiled from Trtl's official product information. We do not claim to have used the pillow.
How we researched it
We read Trtl's official UK product pages for the Travel Pillow, Plus, Cool and Junior on 23 September 2026. We recorded each specification against its source and compared the models' listed dimensions, weights, materials, included accessories and care instructions. Prices change often, so we link to the retailer rather than quoting a price in the text. See How We Research for our full method.
Advantages
- At 133g it is one of the lightest options in our database
- Folds flat to roughly book size instead of a bulky ring
- Matching water-resistant carry bag with carabiner is included
- Wrap is machine washable once the support is removed
- Can be worn on either side, or used as a cushion between neck and seat
Limitations
- Support is on one side at a time, so it works differently from all-round U-shaped pillows
- Fleece may feel warm for some travellers — Trtl sells a separate Cool version
- Height of the support is fixed; the adjustable-height model (Plus) costs more
- Needs to be wrapped and fastened each time you use it
Sources
- Trtl official UK product page (manufacturer, accessed 23 September 2026)