The Best Pillow Top Mattress in 2021 – The Best Option You Can Have
If someone were asked to describe the perfect sleeping experience, many would imagine sleeping on a soft cloud, and this is where a pillow top mattress steps in as it’s plush layer of cushioning material adds a touch of luxury as you lie down. These mattresses make for the perfect platform for sleepers who like the support of traditional innerspring mattresses but prefer a plusher surface to ease any pressure.
Pillow tops change the firmness level and add contouring to the mattress, Such beds also come in a wide range of materials; they can be made from memory foam to latex to fiberfill. In addition to pressure relief or bounce, pillow-top mattresses also work great at motion isolation to suit those who share a bed with their restless partner.
So, if you’re in the market for a new pillow top mattress, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s article, we will be sharing our top picks for the best pillow top and euro-top mattresses available as well as some advice on how to choose the perfect model depending on your needs.
Quick Navigation
Introduction: What is a Pillow Top Mattress
A pillow top mattress is a bed that comes with an additional cushioning layer attached to the top of the mattress. Generally, this additional cushion is at least two inches thick and sits on top of the mattress as a distinct piece of padding sewn to the outer covering instead of hidden under the cover of the mattress.
You may also have heard of Euro-top mattresses in the market. A Euro top is comparable to a pillow top but with denser, higher-quality materials that are fully secured to the mattress surface. This makes the bed much more supportive at the edges. However, Euro tops are typically more expensive than a pillow top due to its superior construction and durability.
The Materials of Pillow Top
Pillow or Euro-top mattresses come in a wide range of material. Below are some of the typical fillings used in a pillow top mattress:
Memory Foam – This viscoelastic material is made from polyurethane foam that responds to heat. As it meets your body heat, it will soften and conform to your body shape. While memory foam materials have a slow response to pressure and work well to ensure motion isolation, they tend to absorb and retain heat which can lead to people sleeping hot. However, newer mattress models come with gel-infused memory foams or feature open-cell technology to reduce heat retention.
Poly foam – Similar to memory foam, poly foam is also made from polyurethane, but it lacks viscoelastic properties. Contrary to memory foam, poly foam materials have a quick response to pressure and are typically used to complement memory foam or latex. When considering a pillow top made from poly foam, you should make sure to get high-density poly foam as low-density ones have fewer foam particles per square inch and are less durable. Such material typically degrades within a few years.
Latex – Latex is a naturally occurring material that is made from rubber tree sap. Not only does Latex feel firmer and bouncier than memory foam, but it also has very little sinkage and good natural ventilation. A pillow top made from latex will have a supportive, medium-firm feel, but this high-end model usually comes with a premium price tag.
Combination of Foams – Some manufacturers will combine all memory foam, poly foam, and latex foam in the production of their pillow-top beds. By combining different materials, you’re able to get the best out of both worlds. In general, a pillow top made with a greater percentage of memory foam will feel plusher and more elastic while one made from poly foam materials will have a quicker response and deeper sinkage. Pillow top primarily made of latex will have bouncy, supportive properties.
The Types of Mattresses Available
Now that we’ve gone through the different types of pillow top available, now let’s look into the types of best pillow top mattresses you can purchase. Overall, different mattress constructions typically result in different levels of firmness, responsiveness, and support.
Memory Foam and Poly Foam
These two types of foams are the most commonly used mattress materials. Many manufacturing companies prefer to combine these two high-quality materials to create the best mattress that is plush yet supportive. Pillow top beds made of memory or poly foam adds an additional layer of soothing pressure relief and comfort to the mattress. However, this combination may feel a little too soft for those who prefer firmer and more buoyant support.
Latex
As discussed above, Latex is known for its bouncy and supportive feel. However, considering that it is a natural material, latex does cost more than foam, but they are more durable. A pillow top mattress made from latex will generally last longer with a luxurious surface feel. One thing to note is that the springiness of the latex may also lead to a bit of motion transfer.
Innerspring Bed
Innerspring mattresses have a core made of steel coils or individually pocketed coils made from steel that offer bouncy support to make the mattress more robust and durable compared to an all-foam option. Adding a pillow top on an innerspring mattress will result in a bed that feels soft and luxurious but with the added springy support.
Bed-in-a-Box
Bed-in-a-Box mattresses are gaining popularity among online shoppers now as they can be shipped and transported easily. These pillow-top mattresses are tightly compressed and rolled in the factory before directly shipping to the buyer. These mattresses are often all-foam beds, but some may also contain steel coils. In recent times, many bed-in-a-box mattresses are also beginning to feature pillow tops as sales surges and new competitors enter the market.
Is Pillow Top Mattress for You?
Based on appearance, a pillow top mattress may seem like the best in terms of comfort. But is it really the most suitable bed choice for everybody, is it the very best for you? This will actually depend on your personal choice and primary sleeping position or sleeping style. Here are a few sleeper types that should consider a pillow top mattress:
You enjoy a cushion-y layer. If you love the idea of sleeping on a thick, luxurious surface layer, then a pillow top mattress could just be the answer for you. The best pillow-top mattresses are not only designed to offer excellent pressure relief, but they also make for a great option for those who enjoy sinking into cloud-like comfort layers.
You are a back or side sleeper. Back and side sleepers generally prefer a comfy yet supportive mattress that can mold to the shape of their body, providing spinal alignment and pressure relief.
You want a thicker mattress. Some sleepers may like the substantial profile of a pillow top mattress as it may add an aesthetic appeal to your bedroom and help make your bedding stand out.
Pros and Cons of a Pillow Top Mattress
Everything has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few pros and cons of getting a pillow top mattress.
Pros
Comfort – If you want to sleep on a plush, cozy feel, then a pillow top mattress could make for the best choice. Pillow tops are all about allowing a sleeper sink into a luxurious cushioning layer to wash away any built-up pressure and to promote a good night’s sleep.
Pressure Relief – The thick comfort layers offered by a pillow top mattress helps reduce orthopedic pain, banish muscle tension, and decrease joint stress to make it a good choice when pressure relief is a priority.
Temperature Control – A pillow top that is made from latex, poly foam, and gel-infused memory foam can help to quickly dissipate heat to ensure a cool surface area throughout the night.
Cons
Softness – Some sleepers may love the plush softness of a pillow top but there may also be those who do not like it. If you prefer or need a firmer surface, you may just want to skip the pillow top and just go for plain medium-firm to firm mattresses.
Durability – Pillow top mattresses made with low-density poly foam may have an issue with durability, especially if slept by sleepers with a heavier profile who might sink through and apply more stress to the comfort layer. While higher-density materials such as memory foam may last longer but they’re also notorious for retaining body warmth due to the reduced breathability of the material.
Buying Considerations for a Pillow Top Mattress
Price
A pillow top mattress’ price is an important factor to consider, especially for those shopping with a tight budget. With this in mind, a pillow top innerspring mattress is often more affordable compared to hybrid models. On the other hand, Euro-top models have more sophisticated construction and higher-quality materials, which may set you back even more.
Sleeping Positions
The sleeper will interact differently with the layers of a mattress based on their sleeping position. So, you’ll need to take into consideration whether you primarily sleep on your back, side, stomach, or a combination of all three while you shop for a new mattress. Best pillow-top mattresses are generally the excellent choice for back and side sleepers thanks to their plush, conforming feel.
Mattress Type
As mentioned above, there is a wide variety of pillow top mattress types ranging from innerspring to all-foam, or hybrid beds. While both innerspring and hybrid mattresses feature coil layers supporting core, hybrids have a thicker comfort layer section below the pillow top to deliver a plushier, softer feel. So, picking out the best mattress type will depend on individual preference and body type.
Contouring
Most pillow tops are designed to form a cradle that will conform to a sleeper’s body and help in pressure point relief. Typically, the thicker the pillow top, the extra cushioning the bed is.
Quality Materials
Obviously, the quality of a pillow top mattress will depend on the materials used to construct the pillow top. One may start to notice a pillow top made with low density and poor quality foam materials or fiberfill start to degrade just after a few years while pillow-top mattresses made with latex and higher-quality foams will last longer.
Firmness Level
The main point of a pillow top is really to soften the feel of a mattress; hence the best pillow-top mattresses are fairly plush. On a firmness scale of 1 to 10, the average pillow top mattress will fall at around a 5. This level is generally best for side and back sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds.
Pressure Relief
Aside from softening a mattress, pillow tops are also designed to add pressure relief to a mattress to eliminate sore spots where heavier parts of the body might dig into the mattress. The memory foam pillow tops will contour closely to the body to alleviate such pressure points while organic cotton cover, silk, wool, or polyfoam models will feel soft and welcoming.
Edge Support
Standard pillow-top mattresses often lack strong edge support due to the nature of their construction. A pillow top is sewn on top of the comfort layers and is often not attached around the perimeter, the pillow top mattress may then compress considerably when stress is applied around the edges. This may make getting in and out of bed difficult as well as reducing the total usable surface area of the bed.
Temperature Regulation
This factor is often a double-edged sword that largely depends on the build and materials used. Memory foam pillow tops get uncomfortably warm as the heat dissipated from the sleepers’ body gets trapped within the foam layers. On the other hand, more breathable pillow top materials like latex and cotton can form a barrier between the sleeper’s body and the mattress to provide some airflow and prevent heat retention.
Top Selections for Best Pillow-top Mattresses – A Comprehensive Guide
1. Puffy Lux Mattress
Best Medium-Soft Pillow Top Mattress
The Puffy Lux is perfect for anyone looking for luscious comfort and sturdy support as this USA-made mattress consists of four layers of various foam to melt away the stress and strain from your body.
At the very top of the mattress is a thin polyester blend that offers great breathability to keep you cool. Underneath it is 2 inches of gel memory foam, which is what the company calls “Cooling Cloud Foam” that works to keep you cool throughout the night. Next is another 2 inches of soft memory foam for pressure relief, 2 inches of firm transition poly foam before reaching the final 6 inches HD polyfoam base that provides a sturdy support to sleepers.
The pillow top mattress is in the medium soft category, making it a perfect choice for strict side sleepers as the soft, contouring foam will protect and provide pressure relief for the hips and shoulders. Aside from being comfortable, the Puffy Lux also does a great job at muffling disturbance across the bed, making it a great choice for couples.
On top of that, Puffy offers a 101-night sleep trial for you to test it out before making the final decision. And in the event that you do make the purchase, the mattress comes with a lifetime warranty to protect you from any manufacturing defects. Overall, it is one of the best pillowtop mattress available on the market for you to get your hands on now.
You would like this if:
You are a side sleeper. The medium-soft pillow-top mattress has an appealing comfort layer that is great for strict side sleepers.
You share a bed with a partner. The mattress delivers great motion isolation so that you won’t be jostled awake in the middle of the night when your spouse gets in or out of bed.
You sleep hot. The mattress has a thin breathable polyester cover and 2 inches of cel memory foam for a cooler sleep.
2. The Avocado Green Mattress
Best Pillow Top Mattress from Latex
The Avocado Green mattress is sustainably made with all-natural latex, organic cotton, and wool battling to make it an extremely eco-friendly option. The company has taken great lengths to ensure they maintain an eco-friendly design every step of the way. In addition to its environment-friendly materials, the mattress is also designed to provide a supremely cozy sleep platform for individuals to enjoy a night of deep and comfortable sleep.
Though the Standard Avocado mattress is quite firm, the company added a pillowtop on their luxury mattress to deliver a comfy medium-firm feel that most will enjoy. Although many sleepers will enjoy this balanced feel, this latex mattress will work best for back and side sleepers looking for the perfect combo between pressure relief and support.
In addition to 2 inches of latex top layer to soften the feel, the luxury mattress Avocado also comes with zoned coils reinforced into the edges to increase usable sleeping surface area and to provide targeted spinal support. While the hybrid mattress blocks motion transfer, it also ensures a highly responsive surface that lends itself well to sex without restricting movement.
Not only is latex all-natural, but the GREENGUARD Gold Certified mattress avocado is also a very durable, cooling, and bounce material to make a buoyant bed that doesn’t sleep hot. The green mattress is also delivered free with carbon-neutral shipping and is backed with a 1-year sleep trial period and a 25-year warranty.
You would like this product if:
You are a side sleeper. The medium-firm pillow-top mattresses have an appealing comfort layer that is great for side sleepers and those who weigh below 230 pounds.
You are environmentally conscious. The Avocado mattress is made with all-natural materials to make it an environmentally friendly bed.
You share a bed with a partner. The mattress delivers great motion isolation so that you won’t be jostled awake in the middle of the night when your spouse gets in or out of bed.
3. The Helix Luxe Mattress or Midnight Luxe
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Back Pain
If you suffer from back aches and need a comfortable mattress that will help ease the pain, then you should definitely take a look at the Helix Luxe mattress. The Luxe line of quality pillow-top mattresses come with plush comfort foam pillow tops and zoned support layer to help ensure that your hips are in line with your shoulders throughout the night for proper spinal alignment across multiple sleeping positions.
The Helix Luxe is 2 inches taller than the 14-inch Midnight Luxe and comes with a memory foam pillow top and Tencel cover. The breathable plant-based fabric not only wicks away moisture from your body, but it even disperses heat through the coils to help regulate body temperature.
Featuring six different firmness levels, you get to choose between ultra-soft Sunset all the way to luxury firm Dawn, whichever fits your needs. While these foam memory mattresses differ in terms of construction and feel, they are all designed to offer sleepers a satisfying balance of pressure relief and support. This is great news for those with back pain as it means that the bed will help alleviate your tension in the shoulders while positioning the hips on top of the bed.
Thanks to the hybrid construction, the Midnight Luxe memory foam mattresses limit motion transfer while still providing a responsive sleep surface that does not hinder movement. The great mattress also has a symmetrical design that allows a user to rotate it from head to foot to increase the pillow top’s longevity without impacting its performance.
Other than that, the Helix Luxe mattresses are CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified to be free of harmful substances. If you’re still on the fence about it, Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial period as their return policy on top of a 15-year warranty for all their Luxe mattresses.
You would like this product if:
You suffer from back pain. The construction and feel make it a great option to alleviate the tensions in your shoulder and back.
You are a side and back sleeper. The plush pillow top and zoned support in the Helix mattress makes for great pressure relief while maintaining a good body posture.
You share a bed with a partner. The memory foam mattress delivers minimum motion transfer so that you won’t be jostled awake in the middle of the night when your spouse gets in or out of bed.
You sleep hot. The Tencel cover is a breathable fabric that disperses heat from your body for a cooler sleep.
4. The WinkBed Mattress
Best Cooling Pillow Top Mattress
If you tend to sleep hot at night, then it is likely that you’re after a cooling mattress to help you regulate the temperature as you sleep. While pillow top mattresses offer deep pressure relief and comfortable sinkage, they are also known to cause overheating. This occurs as a result of the soft memory foam layer on top absorb and trap body heat. Fortunately, that’s not the case with WinkBeds.
The Original WinkBed comes with a Tencel mattress cover, which is an all-natural material that is popular for its cooling properties. Not only that, but the top foam layer is even infused with gel to help dissipate body heat quickly. The tall section of pocketed coils in the support core of the bed also encourages good air circulation and breathability which are the best elements to ensure that you stay cool throughout the night.
Furthermore, the Winkbeds come in four firmness options to appeal to virtually any sleeper. The medium-soft (4), medium-firm (6), firm (7-8), and Plus (7-8) models all come with slightly different construction. The Plus option swaps out micro coils for latex to deliver better support for those with body weight more than 300 pounds.
The robust hybrid mattress also has a responsive surface that is ideal for combo sleepers while its motion isolation makes it an attractive choice for couples. The bottom line is that the Winkbed mattress comes with multiple chilling features on top of a cushiony sinkage top for excellent pressure relief for a comfortable night’s sleep. On top of that, it even comes with a lifetime warranty.
You would like this product if:
You have a heavier profile. The mattress comes in four firmness options that can support people who weigh more than 300 pounds.
You share a bed with a partner. The mattress delivers minimum motion transfer so that you won’t be jostled awake in the middle of the night when your spouse gets in or out of bed.
You sleep hot. The mattress features multiple cooling abilities to regulate your body temperature throughout the night.
5. Saatva Mattress
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Back Sleepers
Considering that stomach sleepers require firm support to keep their hips and lower back in alignment, most may opt for a firmer bed instead of going for a soft pillowtop. However, this does not mean that a pillow top model is totally out of the question for back sleepers. Introducing the Saatva mattress that delivers great support while still allowing sleepers to enjoy the cushiony goodness of a pillow top.
Made with a sturdy coil-on-coil structure in a traditional innerspring build, the mattress delivers optimized support. Though the mattress may be on the firmer side of the comfort level, the Saatva is topped with a gentle pillow top layer for just a touch of pressure relief. All in all, the mattress has just enough foam to offer immediate comfort, yet not too soft as to cause your hips to sink out of alignment with the shoulders, making this a solid high-quality option for a stomach sleeper that wants a little extra cushioning.
6. The DreamCloud Premier
Best Rated Pillow Top Mattress for the Money
It is no secret that luxurious pillow top mattress options tend to be on the pricier side. However, budget shoppers will be pleased to know that not all pillow top models will break your bank. And the DreamCloud Premier mattress is here to prove it.
At 14-inches tall, these hybrid pillow-top mattresses feature gel memory foam and pocketed coils to deliver a sweet spot with some rebound and sinkage that will suit a wide range of sleepers. The top gentle foam top layers provide for a little pressure relief without restricting your mobility to move around the mattress with ease, making this mattress a great option for combo sleepers.
The medium-firm mattress’s foam layers gently conform to the body’s curves, but the bed gets progressively firmer and the individually wrapped coil system ensures a stable foundation to keep your spine aligned. The mattress even has good edge support to reduce sinkage despite the thick section of the comfort layer.
Other than that, the DreamCloud mattress also comes with a 365-night sleep trial and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Overall, the DreamCloud mattress delivers superb quality at a price point that many can afford.
You would like this product if:
You are a combo sleeper. The medium-firm mattress has a bouncy surface that lets you switch sleeping positions easily during the night.
You are indecisive. DreamCloud offers a 365-night sleep trial to allow customers plenty of time to test out the mattress.
You sleep hot. The mattress features multiple cooling abilities to regulate your body temperature throughout the night.
7. Brentwood Home Oceano
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers tend to feel the most pressure in their shoulders and hips, which is why one needs to choose a soft bed that delivers the best pressure relief abilities for a comfortable night’s rest. Not only does the Brentwood Home Oceano mattress feature a thick layer of foam memory for deep body-contouring, but this pillow top mattress even has wrapped coils with zoned support to bring extra relief to sensitive spots along the body.
Additionally, the pillow top layer is even outfitted with a thin section of micro-coils, which provide the overall structure with a ton of bounce. Hence, combo sleepers might enjoy this mattress just as much as side sleepers as the extra responsiveness makes it easy for one to move around and change position. Overall, the Brentwood Oceano is a dynamic mattress that balances strong support with plenty of cushiony pressure relief.
8. Logan & Cove
Best Canadian Pillow Top Mattress
The Logan & Cover memory foam pillow top hybrid mattress comes in two firmness options: medium-soft (4) and medium-firm (6). This is also one of the several pillow-top mattresses produced by GoodMorning.com that sells exclusively to customers residing in Canada.
The pillow top layer features a breathable Tencel cover that is quilted with a luxurious silk-blend – a rare find at this price point! The silk doesn’t only work to provide a plush soft feel, but the silk also aids in heat distribution to keep the mattress cool throughout the night.
Beneath the pillow top, you’ll find several layers of bio-based and cooling gel foams that provide sleepers with deep pressure relief and motion isolation. Logan & Cove even comes with zoned transitional layers and pocketed coils to support the lumbar area and alleviate pressure points in the shoulders and hips, making it an ideal choice for side sleepers under 230 pounds.
Other than that, the Logan & Cove mattress also makes for a good option for couples as the polyfoam encasement around the perimeter reduces sagging occurrence along the edges, thereby maximizing the usable surface for people who share the bed. Finally, the mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial (subjected to a 30-night break-in period) and a 15-year warranty.
You would like this product if:
You are a side sleeper. The medium-firm mattress has an appealing plush layer that is great for side sleepers and those who weigh below 230 pounds.
You are shopping with a tight budget. This mattress comes at a reasonable price that many can afford.
You sleep hot. The mattress features multiple cooling abilities to regulate your body temperature throughout the night.
Conclusion
All-in-all, pillow-top beds, either standard or euro-top models, make for a great bed. For those who prefer a luxurious, soft, and a rather plushy surface will enjoy pillow tops. The main reason why the majority may prefer pillow-top mattresses is because they can be super comfortable, striking the perfect balance between softness and firmness that suits many people.
Hopefully, today’s breakdown of the best pillow top mattresses has given everyone enough analysis, knowledge, and review to make the right decision on the new mattress for you. Utilize the trial period and find out if it is the best one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long can a pillow top mattress last?
How long a pillow top mattress lasts depends on the type of materials used in its construction. Most mattresses come with a good trial period and 10-year conditional warranty. Latex has higher durability compared to traditional polyurethane or memory foams. You may also get an idea of how long your mattress can last based on the trial period and warranty duration provided by the mattress companies.
Q: Can I flip a pillow top mattress?
No, you cannot flip a pillow top mattress as the plush layer is meant to be on the top layer of the bed. So, flipping the mattress would defeat its purpose. However, you can rotate the bed 180 degrees to prevent sagging to increase the pillow top’s longevity and make sure it lasts through the 10-year warranty period.
Q: Is it necessary to check the return policies?
Yes, it is necessary to check the return policies, trial period and understand all the clauses in case you end up not being happy with the product and want to return it. The return period for most mattress brands typically ranges between a few weeks and can go up to even a year. It is best to make sure you choose a mattress brand that offers a clear-cut refund policy and good customer service.
About the Author alison
You Must Also Read
Best Sleeper Chairs of 2021 – Reviewing Our Top 10 Picks
Best Platform Bed Frame In 2021 – Comparing The 10 Best Brands
Types of Mattresses – The 8 Common Types of Mattresses In The Market
Best Headphones for Sleeping In 2021 – Our Top 10 Picks