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Pillow top mattresses are especially recommended for side sleepers. They’re generally more affordable than other mattresses, but they may not be as long lasting.
There are scores of pillow top mattress brands and models on the market, with a wide range of prices. Many models from well known brands have similar features at different price points.
Here are nine mattresses and tips to consider when opting for a pillow top.
- Best overall value: Saatva Classic
- Best pillow top mattress for side sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe
- Best pillow top mattress for back pain: The WinkBed
- Best pillow top mattress under $1,000: Serta Serene Sky
- Best luxury pillow top mattress: Simmons Beautyrest Black L-Class Medium
- Best bed-in-a-box pillow top mattress: Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Firm Hybrid Mattress
- Best splurge-worthy organic pillow top mattress: Royal Pedic Premier Natural Cloud Pillowtop
- Best organic pillow top mattress: The Avocado Green Mattress
- Best pillow top mattress for hot sleepers: Nolah Evolution 15-Inch
A pillow top mattress has a thick layer of padding on top that makes it feel extra plush. It’s often marketed as similar to mattresses used in luxury hotels.
The mattress underneath the pillow top is usually an innerspring or a hybrid of layers that provide firmness or support. The nonremovable pillow top adds a cushioned layer that adjusts to your body’s contours.
The padding can be made from many materials, including:
- latex
- polyurethane foam
- gel (memory) foam
- cotton
- down
- polyester
Pros
- great combination of comfort and support
- offers good pressure point relief
- generally has good motion isolation
Cons
- pillow top durability issues
- common complaints of sagging
- may sleep hot
One of the biggest factors you might consider when shopping for a pillow top mattress is what kind of materials — or combination of materials — the mattress is made of and the degree of support it will give you while you sleep.
- Foam and memory foam mattresses: These mattresses are made completely of foam and often have multiple foam layers with different levels of firmness and density. Foam and memory foam are popular bed-in-a-box materials and can ship very easily.
- Innerspring mattresses: These mattresses rely on layers of built-in metal coils, often with a padded surface layer for comfort. While prices will vary by brand, generally speaking, innerspring mattresses can cost less than foam mattresses, and users typically feel that these mattresses provide more support. However, this additional support can cause the mattress to feel less soft, which is a big consideration when shopping for a pillow top mattress.
- Hybrid mattresses: A hybrid combines coil springs, foam layers, and other materials. If you need an option that can offer the support of coils and the softness of the foam, a hybrid mattress is worth considering.
Pillow top vs. Euro top
Pillow top and Euro top mattresses are similar, and sometimes the names are used interchangeably.
However, Euro top mattresses may be made from more expensive materials. Also, Euro tops are sewn into the mattress base with side panels that provide more mattress edge support than pillow tops do.
There’s a bewildering number of pillow top mattresses on the market, and many have similar features. When choosing our list of the best pillow top mattresses, we researched a wide variety and compared our options against specific criteria. Here were our major priorities when choosing our top picks:
- Price: This is easily one of the biggest considerations while shopping for a mattress. We aimed to include a wide price range across our mattress picks so that you could easily compare your favorites against your budget.
- Warranty length: How long a warranty lasts can be a good indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in their mattress. Longer warranties mean you can sleep more soundly, knowing that your mattress will hold up over the years.
- Ease of ordering and returns: Many of these new “mattress-in-a-box” companies have made it even easier to get your new mattress delivered to your front door. We prioritized mattresses that could ship easily (with or without the box!) and wouldn’t be too much of a hassle to return if you needed to.
- Customer reviews: When it comes to researching a new mattress, who would know it better than the people who use it every day? We searched through many customer reviews for each mattress to get a clear idea of how satisfied other users were with their new purchase.
Pricing guide
This guide is based on a queen-size mattress.
- $ = under $1,000
- $$ = $1,000–$2,000
- $$$ = over $2,000
Best overall value
Saatva Classic
- Price: $$
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split Cal king
- Height: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches
- Firmness: plush soft, luxury firm (medium), firm
- Mattress type: innerspring with Euro top
- Return policy: 180-day home trial
- Best for: all sleeping positions, sleepers looking for luxurious durability
This Saatva mattress has more than 2,000 online reviews that give it an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Happy customers mention its softness, support, and quality, as well as truly excellent customer service.
Saatva is made in the United States. It uses organic cotton and CertiPUR-US certified foam in the Euro top. It features extra support in the center of the mattress to extend the life of the mattress and support proper spinal alignment, which can reduce back pain. The Saatva HD model has extra support for people with more weight.
White glove service, setup, and old mattress removal are free. The most popular model is the Saatva Luxury Firm.
Buy the Saatva Classic mattress online.
Best pillow top mattress for side sleepers
Helix Midnight Luxe
- Price: $$
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 14 inches
- Firmness: medium
- Mattress type: hybrid with pillow top
- Return policy: 100-day home trial
- Best for: couples, side sleepers
The Helix Midnight pillow top uses memory foam in the top, covered with Tencel, a type of breathable rayon fabric. The wrapped coils are zoned for extra comfort around the shoulders and hips while keeping the spine in alignment. This makes it especially comfortable for side sleepers and popular with people looking to reduce back pain.
The coil configuration is symmetrical, so the mattress can be rotated 180 degrees. And its medium firmness makes it a good compromise for couples who have different feel preferences.
There are more than 2,000 reviews with an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Customers mention excellent support and the softness of the pillow top.
The Helix Midnight is available online and at some affiliated showrooms.
Shipping is free via FedEx ground, but you provide the setup. Because of safety concerns relating to COVID-19, the company’s in-home delivery and mattress removal services have been suspended. The only exception is for California customers. In order to comply with state laws, Helix will take away your old mattress for free.
Shop for the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress online.
Best pillow top mattress for back pain
The WinkBed
- Price: $$
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 13.5 inches
- Firmness: soft, luxury firm, firm, plus
- Mattress type: hybrid with Euro top
- Return policy: 120-day home trial
- Best for: couples, hot sleepers, those looking for pressure relief
WinkBed has two layers of zoned, individually wrapped coils that give extra support to the areas of your body that need it the most. The pillow top has gel-infused foam for cushioning. WinkBed is also reinforced around the edges to provide a stable surface when you sit or sleep near the edge.
The individually wrapped coils provide motion isolation so that the bed is comfortable for two sleepers. The coil configuration also provides air circulation for better temperature regulation.
There are more than 7,500 reviews for WinkBed, and they’re overwhelmingly positive. Customers rave about its ability to ease pressure point pain, its all-night comfort, and its temperature regulation.
WinkBed is available online and at a few brick-and-mortar stores. Shipping is free via UPS, but you must set it up yourself. There are additional fees for white glove service and for old mattress removal.
Best pillow top mattress under $1,000
Serta Serene Sky
- Price: $
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 11 inches
- Firmness: plush
- Mattress type: hybrid with pillow top
- Return policy: 120-day home trial
- Best for: hot sleepers
The Serta Luxe pillow top mattress combines breathable memory foam and gel foam for a plush top over wrapped coils. The fiber layer has antimicrobial properties to keep it odor-free. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified.
There’s an extra foam rail on the edges to give support. It’s advertised as cool, soft, and supportive.
The Luxe line has several models, including a Euro top. A cooling upgrade and a support upgrade are available at an increased cost.
Reviewers call the Serta Luxe plush, comfortable, and cool.
Serta has been making mattresses since 1931 and is the largest U.S. mattress company. You can buy Serta mattresses in a store or order online.
Delivery is free, but white glove service is on pause. You’ll have to unbox the mattress when it’s delivered to your door.
Shop for the Serta Serene Sky mattress online.
Best luxury pillow top mattress
Simmons Beautyrest Black L-Class Medium
- Price: $$$
- Sizes: twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 13 inches
- Firmness: medium
- Mattress type: hybrid with pillow top
- Return policy: 100-day home trial
- Best for: hot sleepers, those looking for pressure relief
Simmons is a well known brand that’s been in business for more than 140 years.
The pillow top on this Beautyrest model is made with a combination of gel foam and memory foam. The support layer has pocketed coils.
Two upgrade options are available at an increased cost, including a cooling upgrade with carbon-infused memory foam that helps you sleep cool and a pressure-relief upgrade with more memory foam.
There are only 150 reviews, but happy customers mention high quality and comfort. On the downside, some customers find the mattress too soft.
White glove service and setup service is free, including old mattress disposal.
Shop for the Simmons Beautyrest Black L-Class Medium mattress online.
Best bed-in-a-box pillow top mattress
Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Firm Hybrid Mattress
- Price: $
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness: firm
- Mattress type: hybrid with pillow top
- Return policy: 100 days
- Best for: sleepers on a budget
This mattress-in-a-box has a polyester-filled pillow top. The support system is a hybrid gel foam layer over pocketed coils. The breathable gel is for comfort and to help disperse heat.
The Wayfair mattress has more than 5,000 five-star online reviews from certified buyers and just over 100 one-star reviews. Many reviewers note that it’s a “great mattress for the price.”
Complaints include that the mattress sagged after a short time, wasn’t firm enough, and was hot while sleeping.
Wayfair recommends airing out the mattress for 72 hours before use.
Shop for the Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Firm Hybrid Mattress online.
Best splurge-worthy organic pillow top mattress
Royal Pedic Premier Natural Cloud Pillowtop
- Price: $$$
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 15 inches
- Firmness: customizable
- Mattress type: innerspring with layers of wool, cotton, and latex, with Euro top
- Return policy: varies by seller
- Best for: sleepers with a big budget
According to company history, Royal Pedic began in Los Angeles in 1946 making high end mattresses for celebrities, including U.S. President John F. Kennedy and basketball star Wilt Chamberlain.
The Natural Cloud Pillowtop is Royal Pedic’s top-of-the-line mattress. Each mattress is assembled in California with all-natural materials and hand-tufting.
The pillow top is covered in soft organic cotton. The cushioning is made with organic cotton, wool, and Talalay latex.
What’s unique about this pillow top is that it has a pillow top on both sides of the mattress, so you can flip it over to prolong its life.
Royal Pedic mattresses are sold at select stores and online.
Shop for the Royal Pedic Premier Natural Cloud Pillowtop mattress online or find local stores.
Best organic pillow top mattress
The Avocado Green Mattress
- Price: $$$
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 13 inches
- Firmness: gentle firm
- Mattress type: hybrid with Euro top
- Return policy: 365-day home trial
- Best for: those searching for an organic mattress
Avocado’s more than 16,500 reviews give it a 4.7-star rating on average. Customers praise the mattress for its comfort, quality, and natural materials, but many advise upgrading to paid shipping to avoid issues.
Avocado makes their mattress in California from certified organic products, including wool, cotton, and latex from their own farms.
The American Chiropractic Association endorsed this mattress through their independent review program.
The mattress has a 2-inch latex Euro top made of Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified latex rubber foam that fits over the cotton, wool, and latex layers covering the coil supports. It’s needle-tufted to improve durability.
Zoned, floating coils help evenly distribute weight, relieve pressure points, and reduce motion transfer. It’s nontoxic and doesn’t have chemical flame retardants or adhesives.
A vegan version without wool is available.
The Avocado mattress is shipped free via FedEx. White glove service is $249, including assembly and old mattress removal.
Shop for the Avocado Green Mattress online.
Best pillow top mattress for hot sleepers
Nolah Evolution 15-Inch
- Price: $$$
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Height: 15 inches
- Firmness: plush, luxury firm, firm
- Mattress type: hybrid with Euro top
- Return policy: 120-night home trial
- Best for: hot sleepers, people looking for pressure point relief
The Nolah Evolution mattress is a high tech hybrid designed for cooler, more supported sleep. Cooling fabrics and foams and a 2-inch border gusset pull excess heat away from the body for efficient dissipation.
Layers of high density foams and durable coils offer support and pressure relief. The coils are arranged in three zones that provide varying levels of support to the parts of your body that need it the most.
The mattress is available in three firmness options to accommodate different sleeping positions. There are hundreds of glowing reviews, with an overall score of 4.9 stars out of 5. Customers rave about the quality, comfort, support, and cooler sleep.
Shipping is free, and you can test out the mattress for 120 nights. Returns are also free if you decide the mattress isn’t a good fit during the trial period.
| Product name | Price | Type | Best for… |
| Saatva Classic | $$ | innerspring with Euro top | luxurious durability |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | $$ | hybrid with pillow top | couples, side sleepers |
| The WinkBed | $$ | hybrid with Euro top | couples, hot sleepers |
| Serta Serene Sky | $ | hybrid with pillow top | under $1,000 |
| Beautyrest Black | $$$ | hybrid with pillow top | luxury, pressure relief |
| Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Firm Hybrid | $ | hybrid with pillow top | sleepers on a budget |
| Royal Pedic Premier Natural Cloud Pillowtop | $$$ | innerspring with Euro top | sleepers with a big budget |
| Avocado Green | $$$ | hybrid with Euro top | organic materials |
| Nolah Evolution 15-Inch | $$$ | hybrid with Euro top | Hot sleepers, pressure point relief |
A pillow top mattress is designed for comfort and support. The plush top layer is comfortable and conforming, with durability and support from the layers and coil system below. That makes them a good choice if you have back or pressure point pain.
Depending on the material and plushness of the pillow top, these mattresses are usually best for back and side sleepers. Stomach sleepers may find they sink too deeply into pillow tops, though that’s not always the case.
Buying a new mattress can take a hefty bite out of your budget. But it’s a worthwhile investment given the amount of time you’ll spend on it.
Pillow tops have a different feel from other mattresses. If possible, you may want to try out some in a store to get an idea of how they feel. Also, trying different models will give you a sense of how soft, medium, and firm are distinguished.
Here’s an in-depth guide of factors to consider when mattress shopping.
Shopping considerations for pillow top mattresses
For pillow top shopping, here’s a short list of questions to consider:
- How much do you want to spend?
- Will the mattress fit on your existing frame?
- Are you more comfortable on latex, memory foam, or other materials?
- Will you need to buy new bedding to fit the mattress height?
- Is the mattress hypoallergenic?
- Does the mattress suit your sleep pattern (back sleeper, side sleeper, etc.)?
- Will the mattress support your height and weight?
- Is the manufacturer reputable?
- Are environmental concerns important to you?
- What’s the cost of delivery, setup, and old mattress disposal?
- Can the mattress be returned?
- What are the reviews on the mattress like?
What is a pillow top mattress?
A pillow top mattress is an innerspring or hybrid mattress that has a thick layer of plush padding sewn on top. The pillow top can be made from various materials, including memory foam, latex, cotton, or down.
Can you flip a pillow top mattress?
Generally, pillow top mattresses aren’t designed to be flipped, since the pillow top is only on one side. However, some manufacturers do make flippable pillow top mattresses.
How do you clean a pillow top mattress?
Spills or stains should be treated immediately. Mop up excess liquid with a clean towel. Use a very small amount of dishwashing liquid and a damp sponge to clean stains. Then press a clean, damp cloth into the cleaned area to rinse the suds.
For routine cleaning, use a vacuum attachment to remove debris from the seams in your pillow top.
How long does a pillow top mattress last?
The lifespan of a pillow top mattress will vary depending on its construction and material quality. Generally, you can expect a pillow top mattress to last at least 5 to 7 years.
It’s a good idea to try out a pillow top mattress in person to make sure it’s what you want before you buy. Pillow tops can help cushion aches and pains, but the mattresses don’t always last as long as non-pillow tops.
Most popular pillow tops have lots of good reviews and a much smaller number of 1-star reviews. Keep in mind that the good reviews are often written soon after the initial purchase, when the mattress feels most comfortable.
Most brands have warranties and return policies, so if you’re not happy with your purchase, you can return it.