Our Highest Quality Pillow Top Bed Picks & Reviews – 2021 Edition

Do you want a bed with a bit of extra kick in comfort? Or maybe you’ll like a luxurious mattress that is thick and full like the ones you see in interior design magazines? A pillow top bed checks all these boxes and more, but you shouldn’t rush ahead!

Pillow top designs are indeed impressive, but like any product that stands out from the crowd, they are not everyone’s cup of tea. So, before you make the purchase, have a look at our in-depth and unbiased guide. We’ll walk you through all the features that matter and we’ll discuss the pros and cons without sweeping anything under the rug. This way, you get a full picture before even considering a specific design.

Furthermore, we asked opinions from actual users and specialists and we reviewed some of the best products (Pillow Tops) on the market. So, if you’re thinking about an upgrade in terms of comfort and design, continue reading for an in-depth view of this product!

What is a Pillow Top Mattress?

The general definition of a pillow-top design is an innerspring or an air bed that has additional padding at the top for increased comfort. Usually, this padding is foam, latex, wool, or cotton and measures at least several inches in thickness.

Pillow mattresses are easy to recognize because the topper looks like a huge pillow sewn into the surface. This makes the design thicker and more luxurious and almost invites you to jump on the bed and test it out right there on the spot. We won’t beat around the bush; esthetically speaking, this type of bed looks extremely lavishing.

The main purpose of such a design is to provide the sleeper with an additional level of comfort, which they manage to do quite well. However, not everyone will love pillow mattresses design, which is why we believe it’s best to consider some pro and con aspects.

Pros

The most important aspect that fits in this category is the level of comfort. A pillow bed is softer and has a lot more contouring to offer than any regular designs. Due to this extra contouring action, a pillow mattress is the perfect choice when you’re looking for a pressure relieving surface. Also, this design is best fitted for side and back sleepers.

Another aspect that’s worth mentioning is the motion transfer. These luxurious designs have high-end luxury design and a fantastic motion control that is supported by the intricate innerspring system and helped by the soft surface on top. This way, you won’t be bothered by your partner’s movements during the night anymore!

Finally, modern pillow mattress designs are durable. Some people avoid buying this type of bed because they had a horrible experience in the past, with a pillow-top that sagged, but nowadays the materials are better and construction techniques are improved. The products you find in today’s stores are resistant and will be with you for years to come.

Cons

First and foremost, a pillow-top design is made to be soft and contouring. While the layers underneath may be firmer, the combination creates a medium-firm (at most) but you’ll never have a firm pillow-top. So, if you’re in the market for a firm bed, you should not be looking for extra cushioning.

Another point that can be considered a disadvantage is the overall size of the mattress. Pillow-top mattresses are thicker and heavier than regular ones (which is normal considering the extra padding) so make sure the frame will support it.

There is also a difference in price, as most pillow-top beds are 30% more expensive than regular surfaces. However, given you’ll get a great plushy feel and comfort, we believe it is worth the financial effort.

Finally, such a bed requires a bit more maintenance and more attention during cleaning. Because the topper is sown into the mattress, the cover isn’t removable so you can’t wash it separately. Furthermore, a wet cloth must be used with extra-care so water won’t creep inside the topper.

Pillow Top vs. Eurotop

Sometimes when you start looking for a pillow-top design that would fit your needs you’ll also find results for Eurotop designs. They look almost similar so it’s only natural to wonder about the differences and why there are different names.

Well, it’s true that a Eurotop is similar to a Pillow-top, but there is a huge difference between the two. On a pillow mattress you’ll see the extra layer sitting on top, just like a big pillow and it’s extremely clear that there is some padding added at the top. On the other hand, with Eurotop designs, you can’t tell that there’s extra padding, you just see the mattress is thicker.

With Eurotop models, the topper is incorporated in the main cover and all the seams are aligned. There is also a difference in firmness as customers found that a Eurotop model is a bit more firm than the same version in Pillow-top, and the edge support is slightly better.

Consider These Points When Purchasing a Pillow-Top

Cost

As we already mentioned, a pillow mattress design is a bit more pricey than a regular one (with about 30%), but this is to be expected given the extra material and work involved in adding the extra padding. Still, even if it looks and feels like a luxurious mattress, you shouldn’t pay top dollar for it.

Nowadays you can find many designs sold online, which cuts the price down because there is no middleman. But even if you decide to buy from a brick and mortar store, the price shouldn’t go too high (depending on the size you select).

Overall, the final price varies according to the materials inside (natural or man-made) and the craftsmanship involved. If your budget allows, you can go for a luxurious design, but make sure it is durable and the warranty is solid.

Warranty

Given that a mattress should stay with you for at least 7 to 8 years, it’s important to choose a durable design. Since you can’t actually appreciate this feature by just looking and testing the bed, you need a warranty to support your purchasing decision.

Through warranty, a manufacturer shows they trust their product and that their brand is reliable in any conditions. This way, should something happen to the mattress that is due to manufacturing flaws they will step up and repair the damage.

Most producers nowadays will offer customers a 10-year warranty period, which is satisfying. Still, you must read the agreement carefully, to make sure the elements that matter are covered. For instance, the warranty should cover the entire mattress, not just the springs (if it’s a bed with innerspring construction) or the topper. Also, check the conditions under which the warranty becomes invalid as some are quite strict.

Firmness & Thickness

The pillow design is a soft to medium firmness, but this is to be expected and it’s great for beds slightly firm. After all, no one decides to buy a bed with an extra layer of padding, for its firmness!

The padding adds a luxurious plush feeling to the design and softens the contact with the layers underneath.

It also provides more contouring which makes things better for side and back sleepers. If the surface allows you to sink in a bit more, the hips and shoulders don’t get the same amount of pressure and you won’t feel the need to move as much during the night. This translates to a good night’s sleep and more energy throughout the day.

In terms of thickness, the padding usually adds about 2 or 3 inches. As a result, the surface will have a fuller figure, which looks amazing and gives the impression of a high-end design. Of course, the mattress will be a bit heavier and maybe bulkier, but it is definitely worth the extra effort!

Motion Isolation

This feature is important when you share the bed with another person or a pet. Because we’re not all built the same, it’s absolutely natural that you and your partner don’t have the same sleeping behavior. For instance, one of you may be moving more, and this can be disturbing if the sleeping surface doesn’t absorb the motion instead of releasing it.

Pillow-top designs are fantastic at keeping motion in check due to the extra padding. The material used to cushion the surface absorbs the impact of movement and keeps everything in check. This way, the movement that happens on one side of the bed, won’t be felt on the other side.

Coolness

You may wonder what happens during a hot summer day, with all that cushioning on top of your sleeping surface. After all, it’s all nice and toasty during winter, but you don’t need the extra heat when it’s hot outside.

Luckily, manufacturers already considered this and use only breathable materials for the topper. For instance, the most sought-after materials are wool and latex foam, which have a natural tendency to regulate heat.

But you may also find designs with foam on top and this is still a good choice as long as the manufacturer added a cooling factor (gel insertions or big pores).

Type of Materials

Polyester

While polyester is a man-made fiber, it is also one of the highest rated fillings for a mattress topper. In most cases, the polyester filling is hypoallergenic and provides the sleeper with a soft, fluffy feeling that has a lot of room for contouring.

The material doesn’t retain humidity, but it can be a bit hot if it’s not installed on a sleeping surface with a good ventilation system. Otherwise it is durable and easy to maintain, features that make it one of the highest quality choices for a design that will fit almost anyone’s budget.

Polyurethane Foam

This material has a spongy effect but it is contouring and comfortable and provides sleepers with a nice, soft surface. Manufacturers tend to use it as a base in memory foam designs because it is durable, but it makes for a nice topper in innerspring designs.

The feeling is more a medium-firm as polyurethane foam is bouncy but you have to be careful about the cooling system as this foam can get hot. It’s also one of the most affordable options on the market, and it can be durable if it is of high-quality.

Viscoelastic Foam

Also known as traditional foam, this can be the ideal material for the pillow-top upper layer. Due to its unique characteristics (viscosity and elasticity), this type of foam is soft and contouring, but the feeling is unlike anything else.

Because viscoelastic reacts to body heat and pressure, during the night, the topper will create an indentation that cradles your unique body curves (this helps reduce pressure and accommodates any sleeping position).

Furthermore, the foam moves with you during the night, changing its shape as you change positions. And once the pressure is removed, it will bounce right back at its initial design. This is why this man-made material is one of the best in terms of comfort and softness.

Latex

If you’re looking for a natural material for your mattress, latex foam is one of the best choices. Still, you must make sure the foam is actually natural latex, obtained from rubber tree sap, and not man-made latex (which has nothing to do with natural fibers).

For this, simply check the certification standards stamped on the label.

In terms of feel, latex sleeps cool and is supportive and bouncy. The foam allows you to sink in, but also has a pushback effect that keeps the back supported and the spine in alignment. However, you should know it’s also heavier and a bit more expensive than the other materials we discussed, you can see them here.

Our Top 3 Pillow Top Bed Reviews

Avocado praises their mattress as being one of the few truly organic luxury designs on the market. However, if you add the amazing feeling and the fact that they also included a layer of organic wool on top, you’ll understand why it’s the first on our list of comfy beds.

The cool thing is that you can take it with or without the wool topper, but unless you really want a firm surface, there’s absolutely no reason to give it up. It would be like giving up sleeping on a cloud for a regular bed since the wool topper is the one that gives the luxury plush feel.

Overall, the Avocado promotes a healthy lifestyle, a hypoallergenic surface, and luxurious sleep for everyone

Find out more about Avocado Green Bed tests, and our complete overview.

This surface was designed with fantastic comfort in mind (as you can see from the thick top) but it also solves some of the most common sleep problems people complain about. For example, the combination of foam layers on top is soft and accommodating, fact that reduces tossing and turning to a minimum. Once you lay on this bed, you’ll be so comfy and hugged that you won’t feel the need to look for a new position until the morning.

The layer of coils provides sleepers with good back support reducing any strain or pain, and it also actively contributes to the cooling system. This is why, even if it’s rather thick, the mattress doesn’t get too hot during the night.

Finally, this cozy mattress keeps motion transfer to a minimum so you can share the bed with a restless partner or a hyperactive pet. Edge support is also impressive, in case your partner banishes you towards the edge.

Our Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, a pillow top design is impressive and brings an extra layer of comfort and softness in your life. However, they are not for everyone, so you first must consider all the aspects of such a product before adventuring on a purchase.

In our guide, you can find information on important features such as the high-grade materials, firmness, cost, and motion transfer, but you also can check out some of the high-end products on the market that we have reviewed. So, by now you should know the answer to: which pillow top is the best. Finally, if you’re still on the fence, we have a pros and cons section that will help you understand if this type of sleeping surface is for you.

Resources:

Sleep Health – https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/sleep-health?topicid=38