Best Pillow Top Mattress (2024): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Are you someone who enjoys a luxurious feeling when sleeping? If so, you may want to check out pillow top mattresses. Pillow top mattresses have an extra layer of padding stitched on top of the bed. This cloud-like pillow can provide pressure relief by cradling your body. It also allows even the firmest, most supportive mattresses to have a softer feel.

In this mattress review, we discuss two of our recommended pillow top mattresses and why we like them. These mattresses are available in various sizes, ranging from twin to California King. After reading this article, you will be well on your way to finding the best mattress for your needs.

Best Pillow Top Mattresses

Brand	Model	Highlights	Price (Queen)
	Mattress America Rejuvenate	Features cooling gels to prevent night sweats and keep you cool.	$1000
	PlushBeds Natural Bliss	Features 100% natural latex, ideal for eco-conscious shoppers.	$2699

1. Mattress America Rejuvenate Pillow Top Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress

If you’re interested in a hybrid mattress containing both inner springs and gel foam, you’ll want to consider the Rejuvenate PIllow Top Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress from Mattress America. This bed is medium-firm and is best suited for back sleepers. Mattress America makes this product with eco-friendly materials, earning a CertiPUR-US certificate.

The bed starts with a durable and breathable soft cover which helps keep you cool. Immediately beneath the cover is a gel foam comfort layer. By using gel foam as a mattress topper, Mattress America addresses two of the problems commonly plaguing pillow tops: breathability and support. The high-density gel foam, which is 3 inches thick, can also help keep you cool at night and support pressure points (hips and shoulders).

Beneath the gel foam top are steel coils. The company designed these coils to provide you with enhanced lumbar and edge support. The coils are 10 inches thick. Because Mattress America uses coils wrapped individually in fabric (instead of being bunched together), you’ll find reduced motion transfer and increased buoyancy.

The company offers a 100-night sleep trial with the mattress. If you’re not satisfied, you can return it between nights 41 and 100 for a full refund. Mattress America will pick up the bed and donate it to a local charity for free. The company offers a 25-year warranty on its bed. The warranty covers any sagging greater than 2 inches. It also protects against any workmanship or manufacturer defects.

Key Features

• Materials: Softcover, gel memory foam, individually-wrapped steel coils
• Thickness: 13 inches
• Warranty: 25-year warranty
• Sleep Trial: 100 nights

2. PlushBeds Natural Bliss Mattress

If you seek a vegan pillow top mattress, check out the Natural Bliss from PlushBeds. This mattress does not contain any wool or animal products. Customers can choose from firmness levels of soft, medium, medium-firm, and extra-firm.

The mattress starts with an organic cotton cover. This cover has unsurpassed, non-restricted airflow. It also absorbs moisture, which could be useful for those who sweat during the night. The cover is lightweight and flexible, so it does not take away from the latex feel. Below the cover is the Proprietary Eco Fire Barrier™, which provides chemical-free flame resistance.

Next, customers will find 2 inches of 100% Natural Talalay Latex. This pressure-reducing latex does not contain any synthetics and feels quite buoyant. Below this is 6 inches of ARPICO premium botanical latex. This high-density latex is more supportive than the Talalay layer. It is resistant to body impressions and sagging. Finally, there is an orthopedic foundation crafted from chemical-free spruce woods.

Customers will receive free ground shipping from UPS with their order. The company provides a 100-night free trial with a full refund once you’ve tried it for 30 days. If you return it before the 30-day mark, you’ll need to pay a $99 convenience fee.

Also, the company allows you to make free comfort exchanges within the first 100 days if you order the wrong firmness. You’ll need to put down a $145 deposit to exchange the latex layers. Once the transaction is complete, you’ll receive your deposit back.

PlushBeds offers a 25-year warranty. If any manufacturing defects arise in the first 10 years, you’ll receive a replacement or repair free of charge. If errors occur during the subsequent 15 years, you’ll receive a repair or a new mattress at a prorated cost.

SEE ALSO: Most Comfortable Mattress

Key Features

• Materials: 100% organic cotton, 100% Natural Talalay Latex, ARPICO premium botanical latex, spruce wood
• Thickness: 6 inches, 8 inches, or 10 inches
• Warranty: 25-year warranty
• Sleep Trial: 100 nights

Sleeping Positions

Every person has a unique sleeping position. Generally speaking, there are four different types of sleepers:

1. Side sleepers
2. Back sleepers
3. Stomach sleepers
4. Combination sleepers

Remember when buying a new mattress, everyone has different needs, and your sleep position is one factor. Today’s mattresses come with varying firmness levels designed specifically for different sleeping positions. Choosing the correct mattress will help promote spinal alignment, reduce pain, and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Find your sleep style below to learn how your position impacts your health and how it can help you determine which type of mattress to buy.

Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side is one of the healthier sleep positions. When doing so, make sure the mattress you buy is not too firm. Sleeping on your side puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders and hips. If your bed is too firm, the middle of your back will sag into a slight “U” shape, throwing your spine out of alignment. We recommended soft to medium mattresses for side sleepers as these beds cradle pressure points in the hips and shoulders.

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back also offers health benefits as long as you choose the right mattress. Try to pick a medium-firm to firm mattress so it supports your body weight. If you sleep on your back and your mattress is too soft, your hips and lower back will sag into the bed. This will take your spine out of alignment and cause back pain.

The Cleveland Clinic details how sleeping on your back helps keep your spine in a neutral position. When you sleep on your back, gravity works to relieve pressure on your spinal joints.

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on your stomach poses serious health risks. It puts a lot of stress on your back and neck. If you continue to sleep on your stomach, the best mattress is a firmer option. A firm mattress will prevent your hips and lower back from sagging.

If you sleep on your stomach and your mattress is too soft or cushioning, your hips will sink into the bed and tighten your hip flexors and a muscle known as the iliopsoas. A tight iliopsoas can lead to significant lower back tightness and pain. You may also want to consider propping your hips up using a pillow. Doing so can keep your natural spinal alignment.

Also, if you sleep on your stomach, you may want to consider not using a pillow. Using a firm pillow will prop your head up and strain your neck. If you do use a pillow, it should be relatively flat.

Combination Sleepers

Are you unsure of your sleeping position? If so, you may be a “combination sleeper.” This means you sleep in different positions throughout the night. Combination sleepers typically toss and turn. While this may be natural, your mattress may be a factor.

For instance, if you’re usually a side sleeper but your mattress is too hard, your tossing and turning throughout the night could be because you’re uncomfortable. Your mattress isn’t giving you the support you need.

Typically, combo sleepers should look for a medium to soft bed. If you share a mattress with someone who sleeps in a different position, you could consider this combination sleeping when looking to buy a new mattress.

Will Pillow Top Mattresses Help Me Sleep Better?

A high-quality pillow top mattress could provide pain relief. It contours to your body and can help you get a comfortable night’s sleep. Because they are so soft and “hug” your shape, these mattress toppers often provide other benefits like reduced motion transfer or complete motion isolation.

Still, there are a few problems associated with pillow top mattresses. The most significant concern is their durability. Pillow top mattresses are twice as likely than non-pillow top mattresses to have issues with durability and off-gassing. Off-gassing occurs when foam layers break down and release gases, volatile organic compounds, and chemicals. Many pillow toppers tend to break down and lose their cushioning within a couple of months.

Pillow top mattresses are also not very breathable. Many manufacturers have recently focused on using breathable and moisture-wicking materials to help those who frequently sweat during the night. Pillow toppers take away many of these breathable characteristics and make for a warm sleeping environment.

Pillow top mattresses may be comfortable, but it’s better to consider them a “Band-Aid.” Pillow toppers don’t provide the edge-to-edge support most of us need during the night. You may be better off looking for a supportive mattress that meets your sleep style for long-term comfort.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & 7 In-Store Myths

How Much Is a Pillow Top Mattress?

The cost of a pillow top mattress can range considerably depending on the size of the bed, the materials used, and where the mattress is made. The larger the bed, the more it will cost. King beds, for instance, tend to cost a few hundred dollars more than full-size beds.

The materials in the pillow topper also impact the cost. For example, polyurethane foam is often cheaper than gel memory foam. Options using eco-friendly or organic materials, like natural latex or organic cotton, tend to cost a bit more as well.

Beds manufactured in the United States may cost more than those produced overseas. But purchasing a bed made in the USA could provide you with more peace of mind knowing you can trust the quality of the materials in the mattress.

The most important thing to remember is a high-quality mattress is an investment in your health. Today’s best mattresses offer extended warranties. And, many manufacturers who sell mattresses in a box provide sleep trials and free returns. These are all factors worth considering and could be valuable to you, even if they drive up the cost of your bed.

Common Questions About Pillow Top Mattresses

Still confused about pillow top mattresses? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about these beds.

What does a pillow top mattress mean?

A pillow top mattress has a top layer of padding for extra comfort. Pillow top mattresses are noticeably taller than traditional innerspring or memory foam mattresses. Often, it will look as though there is a quilted pillow stitched directly into the top layer of the bed. Mattress topper materials include:

• Polyurethane foam
• Memory foam
• Latex
• Batting

Is a pillow top mattress better than memory foam?

In short, the answer is no. Studies have found memory foam mattresses have an average customer satisfaction of 80%, the highest of any bed. Memory foam mattresses also tend to offer more support than pillow top mattresses. Those with chronic pain points in the back, neck, and shoulders will likely find more relief from a foam mattress than they would from a pillow top bed.

Pillow top beds may provide short-term relief. But they don’t offer the support needed for long-term comfort. Memory foam mattresses provide more edge-to-edge support, which can help support body weight more evenly. Memory foam mattresses are usually more durable than pillow toppers.

Why do pillow top mattresses sag?

One reason why a pillow top mattress may sag is wear and tear on its supportive coils. When the inner coils lose support, parts of the mattress may feel sunken in or unresponsive. A pillow top mattress can also develop indentations in the spots where you tend to rest.

Latex pillow top mattresses are much less likely to sag, because natural latex is a durable material. However, the foam top may still grow flat from extended use.

Can you fix a sagging pillow top mattress?

You can try to even out a sagging bed’s feel with a mattress topper. A topper usually has a few inches of memory foam or similar material, and when placed on a mattress it can add a softer or firmer feel. However, if your mattress is sagging beyond an inch, it might be more cost effective to buy a new mattress.

How long does a pillow top mattress last?

The likely lifespan of a mattress depends on more than the quality of its materials. There’s also your size and weight, which affects how much pressure you place on the mattress, and how much time you spend in bed every day. Do you spend just 8 hours in bed, or you the type of person who likes to laze about in bed during the day? The longer you spend in bed, the more wear and tear on your mattress.

The average pillow top mattress can last between four to seven years. Pillow top mattresses usually need replacing as their coils wear out or as the tops grow flat.

Final Thoughts on How to Find the Best Pillow Top Mattress

Before buying a pillow top mattress, consider a few things. First, think about your sleep position. As tempting as it may be to elect “comfort” only, you’ll find choosing a mattress based on your sleeping position is more likely to relieve chronic pressure points and provide long-term relief. Those who sleep on their back or stomach will likely want to steer clear of pillow toppers as they’re too soft.

If you opt for a pillow top mattress, invest in one with high-quality materials. Because pillow toppers are prone to off-gassing, they aren’t as durable as other mattresses on the market. The best pillow top mattresses offer warranties of at least 10 years for sagging.

Lastly, make sure a pillow top mattress is really for you before you buy it. You can find durable, comfortable, and affordable foam mattresses. So, do your homework before making your purchase. You don’t want to buy another mattress in a couple of years. If done right, a new bed is an investment that can last for decades.