In the market for a pillow top mattress? The world of course, is full of options and every choice can look equally great or bad. We’ll try to make your work easier by listing the top pillow top mattresses in 2018, and then we’ll talk in some detail about aspects you should keep in mind while making the purchase. In search for the best pillow top mattress, we’ll include mattresses that are the best in terms of reviews, performance, and of course, options that don’t burn a hole through your wallet. So let’s dive in straight with the best pillow top mattress selection curated for you.
7 Best Pillow Top Mattresses
1. Saatva Mattress
Saatva mattress is no stranger to being the top pick of critics and reviewers across several categories. This mattress combines luxury with affordability so well that it seems worth every penny paid. Point to note, Saatva is not a cheap mattress. However, this innerspring mattress brings usually expensive features at a much lower price. Praised by consumers and critics alike, the Saatva Mattress is perhaps one of the best pillow top mattresses of 2018.
Beneath its circular knit organic cotton cover, Saatva Mattress has a 1.25-inch Euro Top that makes use of organic cotton, foam, and padding. This is followed by the comfort layer made from memory foam, and eventually, the innovative coil-on-coil system innerspring. Saatva arranges its recycled steel coils in two layers. The lower layer is the conventional innerspring that gives the mattress bounce, while the upper layer has pocketed coils that reduce motion transfer dramatically.
Free Trial: 120 Nights, white-glove delivery
Warranty: 15 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Mattress construction keeps eco-conscious customers in mind | Lacks the conforming feel for those used to latex or memory foam |
| Available in several sizes, height, and firmness options | |
| White glove delivery, does not ship compressed |
2. Signature Sleep 13-inch Pillow Top
Reports and reviews by consumers are a solid way to know the quality and worth of a mattress. Signature Sleep pillow top sits amongst one of the best pillow top mattresses in consumer reports. Signature Sleep has a soft bamboo fiber cover that gives the mattress great breathability, and lets it sleep cool by absorbing and quickly wicking away moisture.
Beneath the covers is the 1-inch thick pillow top made from polyurethane foam. The pillow top gracefully gives way to layers of foam designed to present greater support for the heavier parts of the body like the torso, while also providing a slightly plush feel for the head and legs. Signature Sleep keeps the spine aligned, thus adding comfort. Beneath the layers of foam is a 10-inch base for innerspring coils, so if you enjoy the support of foam and the feel of innerspring, this might be the pillow top mattress you are looking for.
Free Trial: Standard Amazon Policy
Warranty: 10 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable price point | No expansive free trial policy |
| Good comfort and support | May not hold up well for long term use |
3. Sealy Response Premium 14-Inch Cushion Firm Euro Pillow Top Mattress
The 14-inch Sealy Response Premium mattress has a 1-inch “SealySupport” foam Euro pillow top that sits along the 1-inch thick SealyCushion extra soft foam. This soft layer lends a somewhat cushiony touch to the otherwise firm mattress. Sealy Response Premium mattress includes a reinforced support for heavier parts of the body, a system the company calls Posturpedic Technology.
Comfort layers on the Sealy Response Premium mattress include SealySupport foam and gel-infused SealyCool memory foam. The cover is designed to draw away moisture so you do not sleep hot at night. Given their amusing inclination to prefix every layer with Sealy, I’m surprised they didn’t call it SealyCover. Although, they do stick with their style and call it the SupremeLoft cover with MoistureProtect and AllergenProtect. The support layer is the Response Pro HD Encased coil system that gives the mattress better bounce and motion isolation.
This is a great pillow top mattress. I just hope they tone down the marketing-speak rhetoric.
Free Trial: Amazon Standard Policy
Warranty: 10 year
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable with excellent arrangement of pillow top, foam, and innerspring | Unclear free trial policy |
| Targeted support for heavier parts of the body | Average edge support |
| Temperature neutral construction |
4. Beautyrest Platinum Plush Pillow Top Montego
Did you ever think of putting diamonds in your mattress? Well, these guys did, and it works! Diamonds are poor conductors of electricity, but excellent conductors of heat. Beautyrest Platinum Plush Pillow Top Montego uses a diamond-infused memory foam comfort layer to keep the mattress temperature neutral. This layer is topped by a cover and layer of tencel-infused fibers that quickly wick away moisture and keep you sleeping cool.
While the diamond layer is obviously the attention grabber here, this high quality pillow top mattress also includes a very interest pillow top. Its plush pillow top is made from gel touch foam that gives incredible response and comfort, making this mattress quite a player in the field of luxury touch and comfortable feel. For added comfort, support and bounce, the hybrid mattress also includes a layer of pocketed coils designed to provide targeted support.
Free Trial: Standard Amazon Policy
Warranty: 10 Years
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressively wide range of options available in size and comfort | Lack of clear trial policy |
| Excellent support and stability | Relatively high price point |
| The mattress manages to stay relatively temperature neutral |
5. Classic Brands Mercer Pillow-Top Cool Gel Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid
Classic Brands Mercer has a foam pillow top that has a cushiony-firm feel. The quilted pillow top knit cover is followed by gel-infused memory foam to provide better support as well as avoid sleep-hot problems of memory foam. Classic Brands Mercer mattress has five layers of comfort foam followed by 8-inches of individually wrapped tempered coil.
The hybrid mattress has great bounce as well as motion isolation. With its combination, it also manages to avoid sleep hot problems, well, for the most part. Some people do experience sleeping hot issues, although it is rare.
Free Trial: Standard Amazon Policy
Warranty: 10 Years
| Pros | Cons |
| Hybrid mattress with a comfortable mix of foam and innerspring. | Some off-gassing, with smell staying on for a few days |
| Good quality spring coils for increased longevity | Lack of clear trial policy (policy dependent on retailer) |
6. Zinus Ultima Comfort Pillow Top Spring Mattress
A budget option and one of the bestsellers for pillow top mattresses in 2018, the Zinus Ultima Comfort is a mattress to consider. The pillow top is formed by one inch of pressure relieving comfort foam, which sits on top of 1.5 inches of comfort foam. As for the general characteristics of the mattress itself, it is free from any frills to stay within its affordable price point.
Zinus Ultima Comfort mattress has 2.5 inches of pressure relieving comfort foam at the top layer, followed by 0.5-inch of high-density support foam. The next layer is 7.5 inches of pocketed springs to keep the mattress bouncy while reducing motion transfer. Zinus Ultima Comfort mattress is packed in a foam and fabric quilted layer with Jacquard Fabric.
Free Trial: Standard Amazon Policy
Warranty: 10 years
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable mattress | No clear trial period |
| Good comfort and motion isolation | Some off-gassing and smell |
7. Olee Sleep Mattress
The 13-inch Olee Sleep Mattress is a hybrid with five layers, with the top layer creating a plush cover to match a pillow top. Its gel-infused memory foam provides great pressure relief and also helps keeping the mattress cooler. Following the layers of foam is a layer of individually pocketed springs that give this mattress a bounce while keeping motion transfer low. The cover is made from a soft and washable fabric, created with durable Polyester Jacquard Fabric.
Free Trial: Standard Amazon Policy
Warranty: 10 Year
| Pros | Cons |
| Budget option with good features | No clear free trial policy |
| Mattress sleeps temperature neutral | Low bounce and response for a hybrid mattress |
Getting To Know Pillow Top Mattresses Better
A pillow top is a plush, comfortable layer of padding placed at the top of the mattress, and no, it’s not the same as a built-in pillow. Usually (though not exclusively) found on innerspring mattresses, the pillow top’s use is to create the feeling of plushy comfort and contouring that most users love, but innerspring mattresses generally lack. A pillow top is not an integral part of a mattress and is often placed separately over the comfort layer. It may either be stitched or glued to hold its position. The pillow top is a simple solution, giving users the feeling of plush comfort, along with the capabilities of innerspring.
Pillow Top And Euro Top – The Difference
Euro top may be called a subset of pillow top. Although a loose definition, a Euro Top is usually made from a slightly firmer material. Another difference is the way the top is attached. A Euro Top is mostly attached to the mattress more subtly, making it appear almost a part of the mattress. A regular pillow top however, is often clearly distinguishable and is generally sewed to the mattress. The definition is loosely followed and manufacturers may also use the term interchangeably. However, you do get a clear understanding of how the top layer is attached, and that can go a long way in helping you pick the best pillow top mattress for your use.
Advantages Of Using A Pillow Top
Plush Comfort
Like we already said, a pillow top creates a plush layer on top of the mattress. Those that enjoy the soft and comfortable feel without unnecessary sinkage will find this feature quite appealing.
Pain Relief
A good quality pillow top can bring a world of difference to those who have pain troubles. Well made pillow tops usually include materials like memory foam and latex, and often have excellent pressure relief and contouring. Some pillow tops also have orthopedic variations that can be greater use for pain relief.
A Touch Of Luxury
Since the pillow top is a relatively thin layer on top of the mattress, it can often be afforded a touch of luxury usually not possible for the mattress. This thin layer can have comfy, perhaps even expensive, foam that breaks the monotony of (and adds relief to) the unyielding monotony of innersprings.
Motion Isolation
Many innerspring mattresses (mostly lower end) continue to have problems with motion transfer. Since the pillow top is essentially a layer of comfortable foam on top of the mattress, it can help lower motion transfer to some degree. While you may still feel the movement every time your partner or pet gets on/off the bed, the effect will be dampened considerably.
Pillow Top Construction
1. Materials
Several materials and blends can be used in making pillow tops. Here are the common ones:
- Polyester: This is a cheap material, and fluffy at the start. However, it does not last long and will compact and harden with time.
- Polyurethane Foam: The same material as often used in mattresses, this foam offers relatively good comfort and durability.
- Memory Foam: Designed to contour to the shape of the body, memory foam is great at offering pressure relief and comfort.
- Latex Foam: Latex is considered one of the best materials for use in mattresses. Latex foam is yielding and responsive, and has relatively fewer problems with heat retention as compared to memory foam.
2. Cost
Pillow top costs may vary by the material used, or the size of the mattress. While it is an obvious distinction, it is one to keep in mind when considering a purchase.
3. Certifications and Warranty
Ensure that your mattress and pillow top are certified for use of environmentally safe materials. CertiPUR-US is commonly used in the USA, though you may also consider accepting comparable standards.
Best Pillow Top Mattress — The Verdict
As our detailed guide makes clear, there are plenty of options at your disposal in choosing the best pillow top mattress. Keep a keen eye on the construction, specifications, and materials when out shopping, or jump-start your selection from our recommendations that highlight the remarkable pillow top mattresses in 2018. Reading reviews, recommendations, and what customer opinions can give you a clear path to buying the best pillow top mattress.