Best Pillow Top Mattresses
Written by Loren Bullock, Lead Mattress Tester
A pillow top mattress is a mattress with an extra layer of cushioning sewn onto the top surface. Pillow tops can be made from a variety of materials and sewn onto any mattress type. So if you have your heart set on an innerspring, hybrid, latex, or all foam-mattress style, you can find one with a pillow top.
Many sleepers enjoy pillow-top beds because they can provide added comfort, contouring, pressure relief, and motion isolation without compromising the orthopedic support that the mattresses underneath them provide. Pillow top beds also help reduce motion transfer, among other benefits, making them a great choice for couples.
If you’re in the market for a pillow top mattress but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re sharing our top picks for the best pillow-top mattresses as well as a buyer’s guide. In the guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about pillow top mattresses including the types available, important shopping considerations, pros and cons of this style, and how to choose the best pillow top mattress for your sleep situation.
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Pillow Top Mattress?
Luxury lovers will enjoy the Saatva Classic Mattress, which offers fabulous support at a decent price. Eco-friendly folks will appreciate the Avocado Green Mattress while hot sleepers will appreciate the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress. Whether you’re a side sleeper, stomach sleeper, or back sleeper, our list of the nine best pillow top mattress has something for everyone.
The Best Pillow Top Mattresses of 2024
- Saatva – Best Affordable Luxury
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best for Side Sleepers
- DreamCloud Premier – Best Hybrid Pillowtop
- Avocado – Most Eco-Friendly
- WinkBed Plus – Best for Heavy Sleepers
- Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury – Best for Couples
- Nest Bedding Sparrow – Best Medium-Firm
- Birch – Best for Back Sleepers
- Awara – Best Cooling Mattress
Video Roundup
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
To put together this list of the best pillow top mattresses, our Certified Sleep Science Coaches performed hands-on testing to evaluate elements like motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief.
Best Affordable Luxury Pillow Top Mattress: Saatva Classic Mattress
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
The Saatva Classic Mattress is a luxury innerspring mattress that includes two layers of coils with memory foam comfort and support layers. It also has a plush euro-top cover that comes in three firmness levels. The mattress is also available in two thickness profiles, ensuring that most shoppers can find an option that suits their preferences.
While the Saatva has a sophisticated design, it comes at a relatively affordable price, at $1,399 for a queen size. The cost includes White Glove delivery, making it our recommendation for shoppers looking for a value.
What our testers say: “The Saatva has some of the most supportive and comfortable edges that I’ve experienced.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Saatva Classic Mattress
- Sleepers dealing with back pain – Saatva features excellent lumbar support
- All body types and sleeping positions
- Hot sleepers – Saatva’s dual coil layers facilitate generous airflow for temperature neutrality
Who Might Not Like the Saatva Classic Mattress
- Sleepers who prefer memory foam mattresses
- Those on a tight budget
What Users Say
According to Saatva’s website, the Classic comes in at 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviews are generally positive, praising the bed’s high-quality construction and comfort. Some customers complained about issues with delivery or felt the bed didn’t hold up as long as they would’ve liked.
Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Saatva mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses of 2024 for more great options.
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
Helix delivers quality mattresses designed to meet the needs of all sleeping positions with over a dozen bed-in-a-box options. The company works hard to provide luxury mattresses that are truly best for each sleeper, especially with its personalized sleep quiz.
The Helix will provide great rest for side sleepers because of its zoned-lumbar firm support in the pocketed coil layer. The bed’s layers of foam will be responsive and contour around the sleeper’s body to cradle shoulders and hips. The support also works to keep weight evenly distributed, providing more cushioning where it’s needed and firmer support for spinal alignment. As a hybrid mattress, the memory foam layers will relieve pressure and the coil system will keep the mattress cool.
What our testers say: “The Midnight has a true hybrid feel; in other words, it feels like a hotel bed—cushioning on top that’s balanced by a supportive, springy coil base.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Helix Midnight Luxe
- Side sleepers of all body types
- Couples -Helix Midnight Luxe has strong edge support and motion isolation
- Hot sleepers – Has a soft, breathable cover that encourages airflow
Who Might Not Like of the Helix Midnight Luxe
- Not ideal for heavyweight back or stomach sleepers
- Sleepers who prefer an extra soft or extra firm mattress
What Users Say
On Helix’s website, the mattress scores 4.5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews come mostly from side sleepers who found the mattress too firm and therefore uncomfortable for their tastes. Positive reviews cite pain relief, easy set-up, and overall comfort.
See our full Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Helix mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers for more great options.
Best Hybrid Pillow Top Mattress: DreamCloud Premier
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
DreamCloud’s hybrid mattress is set apart from competitors by its attention to construction and exceptional customer service with longer trial periods and lifetime warranties.
With top layers of cashex cashmere blend, trueloft eurofoam, and point-activated memory foam, the DreamCloud will relieve pressure and provide contouring around the body in all sleeping positions. As a medium-firm hybrid, the coil system will also provide spinal alignment and increased air circulation keeping the sleeper cooler throughout the night.
What our testers say: “The DreamCloud Premier did a good job of distributing pressure evenly in our tests. I attribute this to the soft, contouring layers on top and the supportive coil layer below.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the DreamCloud Premier
- Back or side sleepers – Light to average-weight sleepers will appreciate the edge support
- Those looking to invest in a luxury mattress
Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud Premier
- Couples – The motion isolation is so-so
- Hot sleepers – DreamCloud Premier doesn’t have designated cooling features
What Users Say
Coming in at 4.5 out of 5 stars on DreamCloud’s site, the DreamCloud Premier receives a majority of positive reviews. Customers praise it for its comfortability while still being firm and ability to relieve pain. Negative reviews focus around people finding the bed either too soft or too firm for their specific needs.
Check out our DreamCloud Premier mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the DreamCloud mattress, check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses for more great options.
Best Organic Pillow Top Mattress: Avocado Green Mattress
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
In 2016, Avocado decided to create a truly organic and green mattress with transparency and without greenwashing. Made in California with the promise of affordability Avocado mattresses are sustainably made with the highest quality, natural materials.
The Avocado Mattress is a hybrid mattress made of latex and pocketed support coils with a latex pillow-top to deliver additional pressure relief. For back and side sleepers the pillow-top contours around shoulders and hips while keeping the spine in alignment. The combination of latex, cotton, and wool will deliver exceptional temperature relief for the sleeper who purchases this new mattress.
What our testers say: “As far as edge support goes you will have no trouble using the full surface of the bed, and won’t find the edges depressing as you get in and out of bed. Overall, I think this is a great choice for couples looking for a latex mattress.” – Loren, Lead Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Avocado Green Mattress
- Back sleepers—Most back sleepers will enjoy the softer, but supportive Avocado Green
- Hot sleepers—The Avocado Green has a breathable hybrid design and naturally cooling materials
Who Might Not Like the Avocado Green Mattress
- Couples—The Avocado Green is made from springs and latex which means a lot of motion transfer
- Seniors— Seniors may not find the edge support to be firm enough
What Users Say
The Avocado Green Mattress scores a 4.7 out of 5 stars on the Avocado site. Users love the pain relief and comfortable sleep they get from the mattress. Some users point out a “breaking-in” period for the mattress and others found it to be too firm.
See our full Avocado Mattress Review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Avocado mattress, check out our list of the best organic mattresses for more great options.
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Heavy Sleepers: WinkBed Plus
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid made from polyfoam and a pocketed coil core. It comes in four firmness options, including Soft, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus. The Plus is the option that draws the attention of many WinkBed devotees. While this firmness option doesn’t have the euro-pillow top layer that the first three firmness options offer, it’s made with a cotton lumbar pad that provides the necessary added spinal support for heavyweight sleepers.
If you’re a heavyweight sleeper who prefers a firm mattress feel, we recommend the WinkBed Plus—see our WinkBed Plus mattress review. If you’re a heavyweight sleeper who prefers to sink into your mattress a bit more, the WinkBed Firm should do—see our WinkBed mattress review.
What our testers say: “The WinkBed Plus may be a super firm bed, but it’s still got cushioning. Overall, this bed has a lifted, bouncy, and solid feel—with an added layer of softness on top. In terms of temperature control, you shouldn’t have any issues with this mattress’s breathable comfort layers.” – Ashton, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the WinkBed Plus
- Hot sleepers – The WinkBed Plus uses gel-infused foam and innerspring coils to regulate heat
- Combination sleepers – This mattress is very responsive and an excellent choice for light and average-weight combination sleepers
Who Might Not Like the WinkBed Plus
- Light sleepers – The amount of motion isolation may not be enough for lighter sleepers
- Sleepers who prefer a memory foam mattress may want to look elsewhere
What Users Say
With a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars, the WinkBed Plus is a hit with sleepers seeking a firm and supportive mattress. Customers also value the easy delivery and set-up. However, some users were put off by the instructions to rotate the mattress every two weeks.
Read our in-depth WinkBed mattress reviews to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the WinkBeds mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers for more great options.
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Couples: Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
Sleeping comfortably with a partner can sometimes be a challenge. Small movements might disturb light sleepers, extra body heat can make for an uncomfortably warm night, and getting your fair share of the comforter is near impossible. While we can’t help you solve the blanket hog problem, the Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury can help with the first two problems.
This plush pillow top mattress has gel-infused memory foam that remains cool all throughout the night. Not just that, the base layer of coils adds breathability as well as plenty of support for two people. If you’re often awoken by your partner’s tossing and turning, the Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury does a great job of isolating motion, meaning you’ll feel less of your loved one’s movements.
What our testers say: “A medium-firm mattress with a plush pillow top, the Oceano Luxury is supportive, comfy, and affordable.”
Who Might Like the Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury
- Hot sleepers – This mattress features gel-infused memory foam and breathable coils to keep you cool while you sleep
- Couples – The Brentwood Home Oceano has excellent motion isolation to minimize sleep disturbances
- Budget shoppers – This mattress is one of the more affordable options on the market
Who Might Not Like the Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury
- Heavyweight sleepers – May not be firm or supportive enough for heavier sleepers
- Those who don’t have the patience for the off-gassing period
What Users Say
The Brentwood Oceano Hybrid mattress has a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Brentwood website. Users find that the mattress offers an optimal balance of softness and support at a reasonable price point. A few users ran into issues with the off-gassing smell and stated it took much longer for the smell to dissipate.
Read our full Brentwood Home Mattress Reviews to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Brentwood mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for couples for more great options.
Best Medium-Firm Pillow Top Mattress: Nest Bedding Sparrow
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
Determining your ideal mattress firmness can be difficult, especially if you can’t test out different models. You might assume that a softer bed makes for a more comfortable night’s sleep, but there are many factors that play into which type of mattress will work best for you. Oftentimes, something right down the middle of the firmness scale offers the most comfort and support. And when it comes to medium-firm pillow top mattresses, you’d have a hard time finding one better than the Nest Bedding Sparrow.
Built with a quilted pillow top and layers of memory foam and coils, this mattress appeals to most types of sleepers. Whether you’re lightweight, a dedicated side sleeper, or someone who tends to overheat, the features of the Sparrow cater to your individual needs.
What our testers say: “The Nest Bedding Sparrow is a hybrid mattress made from soft, cooling foam and supportive pocketed coils. As a result, the top layers of the bed feel super cooling with a plush feel. Overall, the Sparrow keeps a good balance of softness and support, while keeping the entire mattress consistently cool.” – Ashton, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Nest Bedding Sparrow
- Hot sleepers – Those who sleep hot will enjoy cooling features like quilted foam and gel top layers
- Back sleepers -Medium-firm option is deal for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers
Who Might Not Like the Nest Bedding Sparrow
- Budget shoppers
- Couples – This mattress has subpar motion isolation
What Users Say
With a customer score of 4.7 out of 5 stars, the Nest Bedding Sparrow is touted by users for its pain relief, comfort, and excellent customer service. Some users were unsatisfied with the firmness of the mattress, but Nest allows you to adjust firmness levels to your liking.
Read our full Nest Bedding Sparrow mattress review to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Sparrow mattress, check out our list of the best firm mattresses for more great options.
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Back Sleepers: Birch Natural Mattress
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
The Birch mattress from Helix is an environmentally friendly product made using organic materials like wool, Talalay latex, and cotton. While immediately appealing to the eco-conscious, the Birch mattress also has the qualities of an overall great pillow top mattress, especially for back sleepers.
Medium-firm and impressively durable, the Birch provides back sleepers with a surface that allows their hips to sink in far enough for comfort, but not so far that their spine gets thrown out of alignment. Also, we found that the materials in the Birch were not only organic but also very high-quality. With proper care, you can expect this mattress to last for more than eight years.
What our testers say: “The Birch Natural provides a responsive, breathable, and firm surface with a bouncy feel. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper who isn’t lightweight or are a combination sleeper who enjoys a firmer feel, this mattress is a great choice to consider.” – Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Birch Natural Mattress
- Back sleepers – This is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers, especially heavier sleepers who need proper spine alignment
- Stomach sleepers – The Birch Natural provides firmness and pressure relief on the hips
- Hot sleepers – The Birch Natural uses cooling features like aerated latex for moisture-wicking and pocketed coil support to increase airflow
Who Might Not Like the Birch Natural Mattress
- Odor – The mattress may have an earthy off-gassing smell that not all users will tolerate
- Noise – The mattress’s steel coil support can be noisy band squeaky
What Users Say
According to Birch’s website, the Birch Natural scores a 4.6 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews seem to focus on the possible lingering odor, some shipping woes, and the occasional complaint of back pain. Otherwise, customers praise the combination of sustainable and comfortable materials.
Read our full Birch Mattress Review to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Birch mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for back sleepers for more great options.
Best Cooling Pillow Top Mattress: Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
Named one of our best mattresses for the money, the classic Awara mattress not only delivers plush pillow top comfort, but also fantastic cooling capabilities. The heat-resistant latex and infusions of wool and cotton make for a naturally refreshingly brisk sleep experience. Then there’s the layer of coils that keeps heat from getting trapped in the mattress.
The Awara mattress doesn’t disappoint, but what about the company policies? Well, we’re happy to say that they are quite generous. The sleep trial lasts 365 days—much longer than the industry average of 100 days. Then there’s the lifetime warranty, which ensures that you can sleep cool on the Awara for many, many years.
What our testers say: “We gave the Awara mattress high marks across the board, which is rare. Not only does this mattress work for all sleeping positions and body types but it’s made with materials that have excellent air circulation, which is great for hot sleepers.” – Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester
Who Might Like the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress
- Couples – The Awara Natural Hybrid has excellent motion transfer and stays firmly in place
- Hot sleepers – This mattress uses perforated latex foam to keep you cooler throughout the night
- Sleepers of all positions – The Awara Natural Hybrid can accommodate back, side, stomach, and combination sleepers
Who Might Not Like the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress
- Budget mattress shoppers
- Lightweight sleepers – The Awara Natural Hybrid may be too firm for most lightweight sleepers
What Users Say
Customers rate the Awara Natural Hybrid about 4.3 out of 5 stars. Users love the support, comfort, and timely delivery of this mattress. On the other hand, users took issue with the mattress’s edge support.
Read our full Awara Mattress Review to learn more! If you aren’t interested in the Awara mattress, check out our list of the best cooling mattresses for more great options.
Pillow Top Mattress Buying Guide
Below, we share everything you should consider when shopping for a pillow top mattress, including the types of pillow tops available, important shopping considerations, and tips for picking the best pillow top mattress for you.
Types
Today the term pillow top is used interchangeably to refer to pillow-top mattresses, euro-top mattresses, and sometimes pillow tops, which can be added to any mattress for comfort.
- Pillow top mattresses have additional padding at the top, as though a pillow was sewn onto the top of the mattress.
- Euro top mattresses have additional padding and are sewn flush with the mattress underneath for a streamlined appearance. For more info, head over to our article, “What is a Euro Top Mattress?“
- A mattress topper, not to be confused with a pillow top mattress, is a removable layer that sits on top of a mattress to provide extra cushioning. See our best mattress toppers for more information.
The main variations in pillow-top mattresses will occur in the makeup of the pillow top’s materials. The padding inside the pillow top can include foam, memory foam, fiberfill, cotton, or wool, all of which have unique benefits and drawbacks. We’ll discuss them more below.
Considerations
- Weight—A sleeper’s body weight will come into play when choosing the firmness and style of the mattress that sits underneath the pillow top layer. Also, because pillow tops are typically soft and thin, most sleepers will be able to feel the mattress underneath. This creates a nice balance of firmness and softness for heavier sleepers who need a supportive, firmer mattress but prefer a soft feel. For more information, see our best mattresses for plus-sized sleepers article.
- Sleeping position—If you sleep on your side, a pillow top can be a healthy addition to mattresses that otherwise would feel firm on your shoulders and hips. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, we recommend making sure the mattress underneath the pillow top is the appropriate firmness for this sleeping position, which requires more consistent support throughout the body to keep the spine aligned.
- Temperature—If you tend to sleep hot, look for pillow-top mattresses that incorporate breathable materials and airflow-improving construction. Innerspring mattresses or hybrids with pocketed coils tend to sleep cool, as do pillow top layers that incorporate cotton, wool, and latex. We have several resources for folks who tend to sleep hot, such as our best cooling mattresses and best cooling sheets roundups.
How to Pick the Right One
- Firmness—Whatever pillow top mattress you choose, you’ll be able to feel the mattress underneath the top layer. Choose the firmness that’s appropriate for your body weight, sleeping position, and personal preferences, keeping in mind that the pillow top will only slightly alter its feel (making it softer to the touch). Take a look at our best firm mattresses and best soft mattresses articles for more info.
- Materials—There’s no shortage of pillow top mattress options on the market, so whether you’re looking for an option that incorporates eco-conscious materials or a pillow top layer with cooling foam, an option is out there for you.
- Product policies—As with any mattress purchase, sleep trial, shipping and return policies, and warranty should be considered when you decide on a pillow-top mattress. This is especially true if you won’t be able to test the mattress out in a brick-and-mortar store or if it’s your first time purchasing a mattress with a pillow top sewn in.
Pillow-Top vs. Euro Top?
While the terms ‘pillow top’ and ‘euro top’ refer to additional layers on top of a mattress, they differ slightly in appearance and construction. As mentioned, a pillow top includes a single layer of foam material that feels soft to the touch and is sewn to the mattress. A Euro top is a single layer of foam or fiberfill that’s typically denser and higher quality than a pillow top. Euro tops are sewn flush to the top edges of the mattress, creating a stacked, streamlined appearance.
Pros & Cons of a Pillow Top Mattress
Pros of a Pillow Top Mattress
- Great support for sleepers with orthopedic issues or those who require additional padding on a mattress
- Add a plush, pillowy feel to a mattress, regardless of its firmness
- Available in a variety of styles and price points
- Relieve aches and pains, especially for side sleepers with hip and shoulder pain
Cons of a Pillow Top Mattress
- Durability may be an issue as pillow tops tend to compress quickly.
- There are few options for heavyweight and tall individuals, although the WinkBed Plus listed above could be a solution.
- Sagging may also be an issue due to the breakdown of the pillow top layer over time. This can also factor into poor edge support.
Recap of the Best Rated Pillow-Top Mattresses
| Mattress | Award | Firmness |
| Saatva | Best Affordable Luxury | Varies |
| Helix Luxe | Best for Side Sleepers | 5.5/10 |
| DreamCloud Premier | Best Hybrid Pillowtop | 6/10 |
| Avocado | Most Eco-Friendly | 7/10 |
| WinkBed Plus | Best for Heavy Sleepers | 6/10 |
| Oceano Luxury | Best for Couples | 6.5 |
| Nest Bedding Sparrow | Best Medium-Firm Mattress | Varies |
| Birch | Best for Back Sleepers | Varies |
| Awara | Best Cooling Mattress | 6.5 |
FAQ
Are pillow top mattresses good for your back?
Those looking for a mattress that can help mitigate or prevent back pain should find that the blend of comfort and support that a pillow top mattress’s construction provides does just that. That said, you’ll still want to do some research into which firmness level best supports your body type.
How long do pillow top mattresses last?
A good pillow top mattress can last anywhere from six to ten years, but of course the lifespan can be affected by how you treat the mattress. Take a look at our article on how to take care of a mattress for some helpful tips.
Do pillow top mattresses sag?
The very thing that makes a pillow top mattress special can also contribute to its eventual sagging. The once soft, comfortable mattress top may break down in the areas where you most frequently sleep on it, especially if you have a larger body type.
How to fix a sagging mattress?
If you’ve noticed that your current mattress has some noticeable sagging, we do have some fixes that may improve the situation. Using a mattress topper, rotating your mattress, and replacing your foundation may not repair the sagging areas, but these actions can improve the quality of sleep that you get on a sagging mattress.
Final Thoughts
Pillowtop mattresses can offer supreme comfort and support – if you buy the right bed. But don’t worry, the nine mattresses on our list are all excellent. It really boils down to the type of support and feel you’re looking for.
For medium-firm support, go with the Nest Bedding Sparrow. Side sleepers can seek solace in the Helix Luxe, which offers great pressure relief in the neck and upper back. Heavier sleepers should find the WinkBed Plus quite comfortable, while Birch is best for back sleepers.
Loren Bullock
Lead Mattress Tester
About Author
Loren is the Lead Mattress Reviewer at Mattress Nerd. She has prioritized sleeping for as long as she can remember, rarely deviating from seven to nine hours each night. As an editor on Mattress Nerd, Loren aims to help people achieve optimal sleep health and pick the best sleep accessories for their needs. You can find her testing mattresses, exploring the best sleep hacks, and telling you about her findings on Mattress Nerd’s YouTube channel and on TikTok.
Combination Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach
