Best Pillow Top Mattresses

As suggested by the name, 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 and contouring 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 home.

The Best Pillow Top Mattresses of 2020

• Awara: Best For Hot Sleepers
• Saatva: Best Affordable Luxury
• WinkBeds: Best for Heavy Sleepers
• Avocado: Most Eco-Friendly
• Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Collection: Best High Profile
• Aireloom Karpen Luxe: Best Luxury

The Awara Mattress is a latex hybrid that features Dunlop latex, a 9-inch pocketed coil core, and a plush euro-style pillow top made from wool and organic cotton. The Dunlop latex and innersprings work together to promote airflow, and Awara’s dedication to environmentally-friendly sourcing and materials makes this mattress an attractive option for eco-conscious shoppers.

Read our full Awara Mattress Review to learn more! 

The Saatva is a luxury innerspring mattress that includes two layers of coils, memory foam comfort and support layers, and a plush euro-top cover that comes in three firmness settings. 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, the price-point is reasonable and includes White Glove delivery, making it our recommendation for shoppers looking for a value.

Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more! 

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. If you’re a heavyweight sleeper who prefers to sink into your mattress a bit more, the WinkBed Firm should do. 

Read our in-depth WinkBeds Mattress Reviews to learn more! 

The Avocado mattress is a latex hybrid that comes in two models: the Avocado Green and the Avocado Vegan. Both feature organic latex, pocketed coils, and the option to include a 2-inch latex pillow top. The Vegan option replaces a wool comfort layer with organic cotton, and both work notably well for average and heavyweight sleepers looking for an eco-friendly pillow top.

If you’re deciding between the two eco-friendly options on this list (Avocado and Awara), keep in mind that while the Awara has a softer feel, it will offer less relief for pressure points. If you sleep on your side or are lightweight, the Avocado may work better for you.

Read our full Avocado Mattress Review to learn more! 

Stearns & Foster sells luxury hybrid mattresses in four collections, and the Lux Estate Collection is one of two collections that feature a built-in pillow top. The Lux Estate Collection mattresses feature a polyfoam-encased pocketed coil core that’s topped with a comfort system of a gel memory foam layer, a pillow top layer, and a top memory foam layer. 

All Stearns & Foster mattresses come in a variety of firmness settings, providing options for sleepers of all sizes and sleeping positions. The Lux Estate beds also isolate motion and absorb sound better than other hybrids, making them an excellent choice for couples.

Read our full Stearns & Foster Mattress Review to learn more!  

Aireloom is a luxury mattress company with a rich history and a reputation for placement in the homes of the Hollywood elite and the White House. High-quality materials like silk, cashmere, Joma wool, Talalay latex, and organic cotton set these mattresses apart, as does their thoughtful construction. 

One of five collections from Aireloom, the Karpen Luxury collection features three models that vary slightly in the comfort layer. The Luxetop version features a pillow top. In this model, a hand-tufted, 100% Rayon quilt sits on top of layers of wool, cashmere, and HiLoft fire retardant fibers. 

Read our full Aireloom Mattress Review to learn more! 

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.

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. 
• 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.

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 bodyweight 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. See: Best Mattress for Plus Size Sleepers  
• 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. 

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). See: Best Soft Mattresses 
• 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 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.

Pros & Cons of a Pillow Top Mattress

PROS

• 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

• Durability may be an issue as pillow tops tend to compress quickly
• 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

Conclusion 

At the end of the day, pillow-top mattresses aren’t all too different from traditional mattresses. They can serve as an excellent choice for people who desire a comfortable sleeping surface that provides more support than a standard memory foam bed or latex bed. If you’re interested in a pillow top mattress, we recommend reviewing the options we’ve suggested above and then using the buyer’s guide to narrow down to the best pillow top mattress for you. 

Still can’t decide? Check out our Best Mattress of 2020 for more great options.