There’s sleeping on a cloud, and there’s sleeping on the soft, cozy feel of a pillow top mattress. It’s a unique sleep experience, which fans of plush beds and surfaces love, and it’s tempting enough to have lifelong firm mattress lovers think twice about making the switch.
Rest easy. If you’re debating whether a pillow top bed is worth exploring, we have the answers you’re looking for in this mattress buying guide. See what our sleep experts have to say about buying a pillow top mattress, including who we recommend them to and which sleepers should avoid them.
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Settle in and get comfy in the one-of-a-kind feel of a pillow top mattress.
Shop Pillow Top MattressesWhat Is a Pillow Top Mattress and How Is It Made?
When manufacturers sew an extra layer of padding directly onto the top cover of a mattress core, it instantly becomes a pillow top mattress. This creates a distinct V-shaped gap (or gusset) that separates the extra topper from the main base. It’s this construction that creates that signature cloud-like feel that cushions your body weight immediately.
Because of their construction, pillow top beds are primarily innerspring, pocketed coil, or hybrid beds. While not unheard of, memory foam beds rarely include this extra sewn-on layer because foam beds already provide deep sinkage throughout their entire core.
The topper itself contains various materials, including breathable wool, cotton, latex, or specialized memory foam. While they offer incredible surface softness, buyers can explore pillow top beds in a full range of comfort levels to for a tailored sleep experience.
- Plush Pillow Top Mattresses: These deliver maximum sinkage and hug your body closely, creating an incredibly soft, enveloping feel.
- Medium Pillow Top Mattresses: These balance surface softness with responsive underlying coils, offering versatile comfort for combination sleepers.
- Firm Pillow Top Mattresses: These provide a highly supportive, stiff base with just enough surface padding to relieve immediate pressure points.
Learn More: Explaining Euro Top vs Pillow Top Mattresses
The Pros and Cons of a Pillow Top Mattress
Pillow top beds offer incredible initial comfort, though they require specific maintenance to retain their shape over time.
Pros
Exceptional Pressure Relief
The thick upper padding cushions hips and shoulders to eliminate morning joint stiffness.
Balanced Support
Sturdy inner coils keep your spine properly aligned while the surface foam provides softness.
Enhanced Airflow
An innerspring pillow top allows air to move freely through the coil base to dissipate body heat.
Luxurious Feel
The thick, lofty profile mimics the opulent comfort found in high-end resort hotel beds.
Cons
Layer Shifting
The separated top layer can occasionally slide or shift out of alignment over years of heavy use.
Restricted Flipping
You cannot flip pillow top beds because the supportive coil base must remain on the bottom.
Who Should Consider Upgrading to a Pillow Top Bed?
A pillow top mattress for side sleepers provides necessary pressure relief at the hips and shoulders. When you sleep on your side, your entire body weight concentrates at those two joints, requiring deep contouring to prevent pain. Lightweight to average-weight sleepers benefit the most from this contouring because the soft upper layer hugs their frame perfectly without allowing them to sink too deeply into the coil core.
Strict stomach sleepers should avoid pillow top mattresses entirely. That’s because stomach sleepers require firm lumbar support to keep their hips elevated and prevent spinal misalignment. The extra surface padding causes the hips to sink too much, which leads to lower back pain. Heavyweight sleepers might also find that the top layer compresses too quickly under their weight, which reduces the supportive benefits of the bed.
Learn More: What Are the Different Types of Mattresses?
Pillow Top vs Euro Top vs Memory Foam
Addressing the euro top vs pillow top debate helps you clarify exactly what type of edge support you prefer.
- A traditional pillow top features a visible V-shaped gap between the padding and the mattress base.
- A Euro top sews the extra padding completely flush with the mattress edges. This flush construction gives the Euro top a cleaner look and slightly stronger edge support, preventing you from sliding off the side of the bed.
The difference goes even further when comparing pillow top beds to memory foam mattresses. A traditional spring-based bed offers a bouncy, responsive feel that makes changing positions easy. A solid memory foam bed creates a dense, sinking sensation that traps body heat and conforms strictly to your exact shape. A cooling pillow top mattress utilizes breathable coils and gel-infused foams to keep you comfortable without the restrictive hug of solid memory foam.
| Feature | Pillow Top Mattress | Euro Top Mattress | Memory Foam Mattress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edge Support | Moderate support with a slight roll-off. | Strong support. | Varies based on the density of the base foam. |
| Plushness/Contouring | Soft with a responsive, bouncy core. | Soft with a responsive, bouncy core. | Deep contouring with a slow-sinking, restrictive hug. |
| Heat Retention | Low retention due to breathable coil airflow. | Low retention due to breathable coil airflow. | High retention due to dense, solid foam construction. |
| Average Lifespan | 7–10 years | 8–10 years | 6–8 years |
How Long Does a Pillow Top Mattress Last?
Understanding your expected pillow top mattress lifespan prevents buyer remorse and helps you plan your household budget. The average durability of pillow top beds ranges from seven to 10 years of daily use. The soft comfort layer takes the brunt of your body weight every single night, making it susceptible to premature sagging and body impressions over time.
You can easily extend the life of a pillow top bed with regular maintenance habits. Rotate the bed head-to-foot every three to six months to distribute your body weight evenly across the entire surface. We also advise checking your bed frame for a rigid center support leg, as a sagging foundation will prematurely ruin the upper foam layers within months. Always adhere to the manufacturer weight limits, as overloading the bed accelerates the breakdown of the delicate upper foams.
Learn More: King Size Bed vs Queen: What is the Best Choice for Couples?
Explore Popular Pillow Top Mattress Selections at Best Mattress
These curated selections highlight exceptional pressure relief, dependable durability, and breathable materials. Explore these recommended pillow top beds available at our Las Vegas mattress showrooms.
Sealy® Posturepedic® Elite Brenham II 16" Wrapped Coil Plush Euro Pillow Top Queen Mattress
Shop the Sealy Elite Brenham II Mattress
This Sealy Posturepedic Elite mattress delivers incredible pressure relief and targeted spinal alignment for tired side sleepers. The plush top construction provides a cloud-like surface that cushions your shoulders and hips effortlessly. Dense memory foam conforms to your exact body shape to eliminate joint tension. Individually wrapped coils support your lower back and isolate motion, preventing your partner from waking you up when they shift positions. The reinforced coil edge maximizes your usable sleep surface, allowing you to rest comfortably near the perimeter without rolling off.
Top Features:
- Targeted Support: Reinforces the center third of the bed to support your heaviest body areas perfectly.
- Wrapped Coils: Reduces motion transfer significantly to keep couples sleeping soundly all night.
- Reinforced Perimeter: Sturdy edge coils create a stable boundary for sitting and sleeping safely.
⭐Featured Sealy Elite Brenham II Review:
"So comfortable! I absolutely love my Sealy Brenham II. It’s incredibly soft and plush, but unlike other soft mattresses I’ve tried, you don’t sink in so much that it’s hard to move or roll over. It feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud, but with just the right amount of support underneath, so I wake up feeling rested and without aches."
Avocado Green 13" Wrapped Coil Plush Pillow Top Queen Mattress in a Box
Shop the Avocado Green Mattress
The Avocado Green mattress provides restorative, eco-friendly rest using certified organic materials that support your health and the environment. GOLS-certified organic latex delivers a buoyant, responsive feel that relieves joint pressure without trapping excess body heat. A five-zone pocketed coil base adapts precisely to your shoulders, hips, and lower back to keep your spine in a neutral position. The attached plush top adds an extra layer of organic latex for supreme cushioning.
Top Features:
- Organic Latex: Delivers highly responsive, naturally hypoallergenic cushioning that resists sagging.
- Five-Zone Coils: Varied coil tensions align to your spine in any sleep position.
- Moisture-Wicking Wool: Regulates body temperature naturally while acting as a safe fire barrier.
Helix Premier Hybrid Soft Pillow Top Queen Mattress
Shop the Helix Premier Mattress
This Helix Premier hybrid mattress offers a deeply contouring, ultra-soft feel that side sleepers will absolutely love. The plush upper layer sinks gently around your frame to relieve sharp pressure points immediately. Multiple layers of specialized memory foam cradle your body to reduce tossing and turning throughout the night. Beneath the foam, a sturdy core of pocketed coils delivers dynamic back support and minimizes motion transfer. A breathable, cooling cover draws excess body warmth away from your skin, maintaining a pleasant resting temperature until morning.
Top Features:
- Ultra-Soft Cushioning: Hugs your body closely to relieve tension in the hips and shoulders.
- Dynamic Coil Base: Adapts to your movements while providing essential lower back support.
- Cooling Cover Fabric: Pulls heat away from the surface to keep hot sleepers perfectly comfortable.
Stearns & Foster® Reserve Wrapped Coil Soft Euro Pillow Top Queen Mattress
Shop the Stearns & Foster Reserve Mattress
This Stearns & Foster Reserve mattress is handcrafted sleep luxury unlike any other brand. The indulgent soft Euro top creates a weightless sleeping sensation that cushions your body completely from head to toe. Thick layers of premium specialty foam conform precisely to your shape, eliminating joint pain instantly. The advanced dual-stage coil base flexes to your movements, providing initial softness followed by deep, resilient back support. Master artisans hand-tuft the mattress to guarantee the internal padding stays uniform and comfortable for over a decade.
Top Features:
- Heirloom Cushioning: Premium specialty foams deliver an extraordinary, weightless sleeping sensation.
- Dual-Stage Coils: Adapts instantly to body pressure to maintain healthy spinal alignment.
- Hand-Tufted Construction: Prevents the internal padding from shifting, bunching, or sagging over time.
⭐Featured Stearns & Foster Reserve Review:
"This was a huge upgrade over my previous mattress-in-a-box. Support is great for back sleepers. It’s firm, but still feels like sleeping on a pillow! The mattress is tall though, make sure you get deep-pocket fitted sheets."
Helix Sleep Helix Midnight Lux 13.5" Hybrid Medium Pillow Top Queen Mattress
Shop the Helix Midnight Lux Mattress
This Helix Midnight Lux mattress strikes the perfect balance between responsive support and plush cushioning for combination sleepers. The medium-feel surface adapts quickly whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. Zoned lumbar support coils reinforce the middle of the bed, keeping your lower back elevated to prevent morning stiffness. High-density memory foam in the top layer absorbs impact and relieves shoulder tension effectively. The premium cooling cover feels cold to the touch, regulating your microclimate so you never wake up sweating.
Top Features:
- Medium Comfort Level: Accommodates multiple sleep positions with a balanced, versatile feel.
- Zoned Lumbar Support: Pushes back against your heaviest areas to keep your spine straight.
- Cold-to-the-Touch Cover: Actively dissipates body heat to ensure a refreshing, cool sleep.
A high-quality bed completely eliminates morning stiffness by providing deep pressure relief for your heaviest joints. By comparing edge support, evaluating foam layers, and understanding your preferred sleep position, you can easily find a pillow top bed that delivers years of restful sleep. Visit Best Mattress today to test these premium beds across our Las Vegas and Utah store locations. Our friendly sleep experts provide personalized showroom guidance and professional white-glove delivery to make your mattress upgrade completely effortless.
Learn More: Pros & Cons of King Firm Mattresses
Frequently Asked Questions about Pillow Top Mattresses
A high-quality bed typically lasts between seven and 10 years before the upper foam layers begin sagging. You can extend this lifespan significantly by rotating the bed every few months and using a highly supportive foundation.
Yes, pillow top beds can help relieve back pain for side and back sleepers by cushioning the joints while allowing the sturdy underlying coils to support the spine. Strict stomach sleepers should choose a firmer bed to prevent their hips from sinking out of alignment.
No, you cannot flip a pillow top mattress.
A Euro top bed features extra padding sewn completely flush with the edges of the bed for a uniform look and stronger edge support. A traditional pillow top mattress features a visible V-shaped gap separating the padding from the main base.
Pillow top beds generally sleep cooler than solid memory foam beds because the innerspring coil base allows air to circulate freely beneath the foam layers. Many premium brands also incorporate gel-infused foams and breathable cotton covers to dissipate body heat rapidly.
Clean a pillow top mattress by vacuuming the surface regularly to remove dust mites and spot-cleaning stains with a mild enzyme cleaner.
Why Trust Best Mattress?
Best Mattress first opened its doors with a simple mission: to help Las Vegas residents find the perfect night's sleep. Since then, the family-owned business has grown from a single location into one of the most recognized mattress retailers in the region, now operating 10 valley locations across the greater Las Vegas area. What started as a small showroom has evolved into a premier sleep destination carrying top brands and the latest in sleep technology.
For decades, Best Mattress has been a trusted partner for homeowners, builders, designers, and developers throughout Southern Nevada. Whether furnishing a single bedroom or outfitting an entire multi-unit development, Best Mattress brings the same level of care and expertise to every customer. That commitment to quality has earned thousands of loyal customers and a reputation as one of Las Vegas' most awarded mattress retailers.
Today, Best Mattress continues to build on that legacy by offering an extensive selection of mattresses, adjustable bases, and sleep accessories — all backed by knowledgeable sleep experts who are passionate about helping you rest better.
Shop Pillow Top Mattresses at Best Mattress
Stop by any of our Las Vegas valley locations to experience the difference that local expertise and personalized service can make. Or browse our selection online! Our friendly sleep experts are always happy to help, whether you visit us in person, give us a call , or connect with us online.
Learn More: Bed in a Box Buying Guide: Brands & Top Options