Best Pillow Top Mattresses of 2023

Pillow top mattresses are some of the most comfortable beds you can find. They offer an opportunity to enjoy a luxurious sleep experience worthy of a five-star hotel right in your own bedroom.

While they aren’t always the cheapest, the comfort provided by the best pillow top mattresses can make them well worth the cost. Check out our selections for the top pillow top mattress and the shopping tips in our buyer’s guide. Then you’ll be more than ready to take your nightly slumber from plain to plush.

Best Pillow Top Mattress: Our Top Picks

• Best Overall – Saatva Classic
• Best Mattress for Back Pain – Helix Midnight Luxe
• Best Firm Mattress – WinkBed Luxury Firm
• Best Mattress for Athletes – Bear Star Hybrid
• Best Plush Mattress – Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Saatva Latex Hybrid
• Best Organic Mattress – Awara

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Saatva Classic

Why this is the best overall pillow-top mattress:

The Saatva Classic is a luxury hybrid with five premium layers. Above the supportive base of coils, the mattress has a layer of individually wrapped, pocketed coils. These two layers of coils deliver supreme durability and lasting support. The comfort layer is a Euro pillow top tucked underneath a smooth organic cotton cover.

In our in-house testing, the Saatva Classic excelled at keeping the spine in alignment while delivering exceptional lumbar support. The three firmness options make it compatible with any sleeping position—softer for side sleepers or firmer for stomach sleepers and back sleepers.

Pros:

• Superior edge support: The Classic’s solid construction extends to every inch of the mattress, delivering sturdy edge support. Combine this with a customizable foundation and mattress height, and you have a bed that is great for those who struggle getting in or out of bed.
• Good for bodies of all sizes: The mattress’s durability and excellent support makes it a good choice for heavier sleepers, particularly if you choose the firm model.
• Excellent for pain relief: The mattress delivers stellar pressure relief and spine alignment, so it’s a good option for those who suffer from back or joint pain.

Cons:

• Pricier than some options: The Saatva is a luxury mattress and might not fit all budgets.

Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review. For more top-rated beds, see our best mattresses of 2023.

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Helix Midnight Luxe

Why this is a great pillow-top mattress for back pain:

The Helix Midnight Luxe brings a touch of luxury to the typical Helix model, starting with the cooling premium pillow top. This quilted top layer uses the cooling material Tencel, which is designed to stay cool to the touch and help regulate temperature throughout the night.

What makes Helix great for back pain is the gel foam comfort layer. This high-density foam offers great pressure relief, while all the layers beneath work together to provide exceptional spine alignment (9/10 Mattress Advisor score). Maintaining healthy spine alignment helps reduce stress on muscles and joints from your shoulders to your hips as you sleep, a key factor in addressing back pain.

Pros:

• Good pressure relief: The Helix Midnight Luxe’s 8.5/10 pressure relief score also makes it a good choice for side sleepers as well. The mattress contours to your pressure points to absorb tension before it can build up.
• Responsive: The mattress earned a 9/10 in our responsive testing, which suggests that it’s easy to move around on and change positions. You shouldn’t feel stuck in any one spot or like you’re sinking too far into its comfort layer.
• Superior cooling: Hot sleepers will appreciate the Midnight’s excellent cooling, a byproduct of its Tencel material and hybrid construction, which promotes airflow. This is one of the coolest mattresses we’ve tested.

Cons:

• So-so motion isolation: We gave the mattress a 7.5/10 for motion isolation, which is just below average. If you sleep with a partner, you might awaken them with your nighttime movements from the other side of the bed, or vice versa.

Read our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review. Also, see our roundup of best mattresses for back pain. 

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WinkBed Luxury Firm

Why this is a great firm pillow-top mattress:

Finding a pillow-top mattress that feels plush but not mushy can be a challenge. The WinkBed Luxury Firm’s answer is a pillow-top mattress with four firmness levels to help you find the right balance between a soft top layer and plenty of resilient support underneath. The choice of firmness options and the seven-layer foam and innerspring design create a lot of possibilities for people with different sleeping positions.

Side sleepers and combination sleepers can choose the softer or luxury firm levels, while the firm option works better for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Heavy people can choose the plus firmness option to help ensure they get maximum support.

Pros:

• Winning edge support: In our in-house edge support test, the WinkBed mattress earned a near-perfect 9.75/10. You can sleep at the edge of this bed and expect to get the same sag-free support.
• Highly responsive: The WinkBed earned a 9/10 in our responsiveness test, which makes it a good choice for restless sleepers who want a mattress that moves with them instead of pushing against them.
• Solid spine alignment: Those who suffer from back pain will be well served by this mattress—it provides great spine alignment to improve your sleep position overnight.

Cons:

• Disappointing motion transfer: If you sleep with a partner, you might be awakened by their movements. We weren’t impressed by the mattress’s ability to isolate motion to one area of the bed.

Read our full WinkBed mattress review. Also, see our top picks for the best firm mattresses and best extra-firm mattresses.

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Bear Star Hybrid

Why this is a great pillow-top mattress for athletes:

Athletes wanting a cushy pillow-top mattress to ease muscle pain and help them into a good night’s sleep should take a look at the Bear Star Hybrid.The mattress provides excellent spine alignment to lessen back and neck pain, but its most unique aspect is its Celliant cover. This special material is designed to help with blood flow and muscle recovery, and includes cooling foams and breathable coils for hot sleepers. This comes in handy for athletes who like to workout at night; the Bear Star Hybrid’s cooling features keep body temperature well-balanced.

Pros:

• Spine alignment: The mattress does an excellent job of keeping your spine aligned throughout the night, so you wake with less back and neck pain.
• Durable: The base of this mattress is made with a dense support foam that gives it added longevity. This combined with its strong and long-lasting materials earns the mattress high marks for durability.
• High-quality materials and terms: The Bear Star Hybrid is eco-friendly, CertiPUR-US certified, and manufactured in Wisconsin. If you decide the Bear Star Hybrid is the mattress of your dreams, you’ll be happy to know it has a lifetime warranty. For those uncertain, not to worry: Bear offers a 120-night trial, along with free shipping and returns.

Cons:

• Below average pressure relief: The mattress earns a 7/10 for pressure relief, indicating it could do a better job of cushioning hips and shoulders for side sleepers.

Read our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review or check out our top picks for the best mattresses for athletes.

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Sparrow Signature Hybrid

Why this is a great plush pillow-top mattress:

Are you looking for a plush, medium, or firm pillow-top mattress? With the Sparrow Signature Hybrid from Nest Bedding, formerly the Alexander Signature Hybrid, you can choose any one of the three. This memory foam/pocketed coils hybrid offers the choice of three firmness options, including the ultra-soft plush. And when we say ultra-soft, we mean that it measures a 3/10 on the mattress firmness scale.

The outer layer is a soft, quilted, breathable material atop a layer of cooling gel foam. Along with the enveloping feel of memory foam, you will notice that the mattress quickly responds to your movements.

Pros:

• Nontoxic, high-quality foam: Made in the USA using CertiPUR-US foam, the Sparrow Signature Hybrid is both eco-friendly and safe for you and your family. Unlike most other memory foam mattresses, this mattress is allowed to air out in the factory, dramatically reducing any off-gassing odors when initially removed from the box.
• Good terms: Nest Bedding is confident in the quality of its mattresses, offering a lifetime warranty and a 365-night sleep trial.
• Solid for pressure relief and spine alignment: These two factors are important for supporting good back and joint health. The Sparrow performs well in both categories, suggesting you’ll sleep with a nice neutral spine and won’t experience too much pressure buildup in your neck, hips, and shoulders.

Cons:

• Limited motion isolation: The mattress has an innerspring system that provides some responsive bounce, but it doesn’t do the best job at keeping your movements isolated to one side of the bed.

Read our full Sparrow Signature Hybrid mattress review or check out our top picks for the best soft mattresses.

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Saatva Latex Hybrid

Why this is a great pillow-top mattress for side sleepers:

The best thing about pillow-top mattresses is that they offer unmatched comfort. The plushness of these beds is especially great for side sleepers, who require pressure relief for their shoulders and hips. The Saatva Latex Hybrid is our favorite pillow-top mattress for side sleepers.

The Latex Hybrid is a quality mattress with medium-firmness, so there’s a balance of comfort and support. The organic cotton cover, organic wool and Talalay latex comfort layer help cushion side sleepers. Support layers made from coils and a GOTS-certified base provide stability. This should let side sleepers sink in just enough without getting them stuck in the material. Moisture-wicking wool and naturally-cooling latex help this mattress earn an 8.5/10 for cooling.

Pros:

• Across-the-board excellence: The Latex Hybrid performs well in all our major comfort categories, including spine alignment, pressure relief, cooling, responsiveness, and edge support. The mattress stands out for excellence—and earns a high score overall in our testing.
• Good motion transfer: The mattress boasts a motion transfer score of 9/10, which is a good sign partners shouldn’t awaken each other with their movements at night.
• White-glove delivery: Saatva’s white-glove delivery means that you don’t have to figure out what to do with your old mattress—they will pick it up and dispose of it for you when they deliver your Saatva Latex Hybrid. And with a 365-night in-home trial, you have time to test out the mattress and ensure that it’s the right fit for you.

Cons:

• Price: If you’re on a tight budget, this might not be the mattress for you. Saatva makes a luxury product, and its prices reflect that.

Read our full Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress review. Also, see our roundup of best mattresses for side sleepers.

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Awara

Why this is a great pillow-top organic mattress:

Organic mattresses are an excellent choice for your health and that of the environment. The Awara hybrid latex mattress is made using sustainably-sourced materials. The layers of natural latex, individually-wrapped coils, cotton, and wool are not just eco-friendly, but extraordinarily breathable. With increased air circulation, you can enjoy a cooler night’s sleep.

Latex is a highly-regarded luxury mattress material. With greater responsiveness than memory foam, latex yields a supportive and almost bouncy surface. And it’s naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, creating a healthy sleeping atmosphere. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers are the best fits as the mattress delivers outstanding hip and back support.

Pros:

• Superior motion isolation: Our in-house testing awarded Awara a 9/10 for motion transfer. If you or your partner toss and turn at night, your movements will be absorbed as not to disrupt the other’s sleep.
• Good edge support: Another key factor for couples is edge support. The mattress performs well here, maintaining its structure and support from one end to the other so you can spread out.
• Solid spine alignment: The bed provides great spine alignment, so it keeps your back in a healthy posture overnight. This can help alleviate back discomfort or pain over time.

Cons:

• Below-average pressure relief: Side sleepers might want to consider a different mattress—this one doesn’t do the best job of cushioning pressure points.

Read our full Awara mattress review. You can also check out our roundup of best organic mattresses.

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Guide to Finding the Best Pillow Top Mattress

Traditionally, pillow tops were used along the top of innerspring mattresses to transform a firm sleeping surface into a more plush one. Today, pillow tops are used alongside all other mattress types. Whether the mattress is made from an innerspring core, memory foam, latex, or an air chamber will influence the feel and longevity of the mattress.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll go over:

• What is a Pillow Top Mattress?
• Pros and Cons of Pillow Top Beds
• Types of Pillow Tops
• What to Look for in a Pillow Top Mattress

What Is a Pillow Top Mattress?

Pillow top mattresses are those that provide an ultra-plush layer of comfort along the surface of the mattress. What this luxurious layer does is encourage alignment and relieve pressure by sinking in slightly at the heaviest points of contact.

Do you remember an exceptional hotel mattress experience? Chances are, you were sleeping on a pillow top mattress. This style of mattress has been the gold-standard for decades. What started as a way to make firm innerspring mattresses more forgiving is now a versatile comfort tool used alongside many types of mattresses. You can find pillow tops atop beds made from memory foam, latex, air chambers and layers of supportive springs.

While the initial feel of most pillow top mattresses is soft and forgiving, the ultimate firmness level can range from relatively soft to firm. This variability in support and feel is thanks to the multiple layers of coils, latex, foam, and padding that make up a pillow top mattress. No matter your mattress preference, you can find a pillow top that suits your needs.

Pros and Cons of Pillow-Top Beds

Like just about any product, a pillow top mattress has its advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you consider both the upside and downside before buying.

Pros:

• A pillowy “hotel bed” feel: A pillow top adds a sense of luxury to your mattress, akin to staying in a fancy hotel bed.
• Added cushioning effect: This is important for side sleepers. The addition of an extra layer of cushioning helps pad hips and shoulders to relieve pressure where they impact with the mattress.
• Helps limit motion transfer: An important factor for couples is the mattress’s ability to isolate motion. This means your partner’s movements will be less likely to wake you on the other side of the bed.
• Can improve edge support: A Euro top can help prevent the sagging feel along the edges of the bed, so you can spread out on or sit on the side of the mattress without sliding off.

Cons:

• Additional expense: You can expect to pay more for a mattress with a pillow top, given that it’s an extra layer of luxury material.
• Plush tops are more vulnerable to sagging or indentation: The general softness of the materials used in a pillow top are more prone to losing their structure over time.
• Traditional memory foam and polyfoam can sleep hot: This can be averted through the use of cooling foams and covers, but without these added considerations, it’s true—memory foam tends to sleep hot.
• Not available from all brands: Not every mattress brand offers its beds in a pillow-top version. If you’re determined to stay loyal to one brand, a pillow top might not be an option.

Types of Pillow Tops

The fluffy upper comfort layer of pillow tops can look and feel remarkably different thanks to multiple varieties of pillow tops.

Euro Top Mattresses

Euro top mattresses are elegant and luxurious. The plush upper layer is flush with the rest of the mattress, yielding an inviting appearance. Because the pillow top is sewn into the rest of the mattress in a seamless fashion, Euro tops provide a uniform look and feel. Their edge support is some of the best when it comes to ultra-plush mattresses, allowing you to easily get in and out of them. The Euro top is a sign of top quality, and as such, is a more costly option.

Plush Pillow Top

Plush pillow tops have a top layer that is visibly distinct from the bottom mattress. This layer looks much like a mattress topper. Sometimes the cozy top is sewn into the mattress, but other times, it is strapped or zipped onto it. The benefit of the latter is that the top can be removed, laundered, and rotated to easily maintain comfort and boost a mattress’s lifespan.

Because the pillow top layer is not seamlessly attached to the mattress base, it can feel less supportive along the edges than a Euro top.

Firm Pillow Top

Not every pillow top mattress is incredibly plush and soft. The feel of a pillow top is largely determined by the base layers, many of which are firm. Supportive layers of innerspring coils, responsive latex, or dense memory foam can benefit from an upper layer that is somewhat soft. A thin layer of extraordinarily soft material or a thicker layer of relatively soft material takes pressure off of protruding body parts. The result is a supportive and durable mattress with a comfy feel.

What to Look for in a Pillow Top Mattress

Because there is such a wide variety of pillow top mattresses, it is helpful to know what to look for to find one that fits your needs. The type of mattress determines the feel, weight, and longevity of a mattress. Varying firmness levels are designed to accommodate different sleep positions. And, of course, there is finding the right size mattress, and one that fits within your budget.

Mattress Type

• Memory Foam: For the ultimate in pressure relief and an enveloping feel, look for a hybrid pillow top with memory foam. Memory foam mattresses have an unparalleled ability to form to one’s unique body shape. When memory foam is warmed by your body heat, it becomes softer. As a result, you will sink in at the heaviest parts of the body. Side sleepers and those who suffer from back or neck pain benefit the most from memory foam mattresses. Some memory foam beds will sleep hot, so if you have trouble with temperature regulation at night, look for cooling memory foam layers.
• Innerspring: Most pillow top mattresses contain one or more layers of supportive innersprings. These steel coils push back against pressure, delivering responsiveness and support. Individually-wrapped coils are the best type of coil often found in the best innerspring mattresses when it comes to motion isolation and pressure relief.
• Latex: Latex mattresses are a relatively firm type of foam whose material can be naturally sourced from rubber trees. Latex is a material unlike any other. It delivers impressive support without the noise or spread of movement that comes with springs. While it is not as good at pressure relief as memory foam, it does give slightly at pressure points. Latex tends to sleep cooler than memory foam. It is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites. Front sleepers and back sleepers who like a firm mattress often enjoy latex.
• Hybrid: Most pillow top beds are hybrid mattresses with a base layer of innerspring coils and multiple foam or latex layers on top. Latex is cooler and more firm that memory foam, while memory foam is better at offering pressure relief.

Mattress Size

When you shop for a new mattress, choosing the right size is essential. The most common dimensions are:

• Twin: 38” x 75”
• Twin XL: 38” x 80”
• Full: 54” x 75”
• Queen: 60” x 80”
• King: 76” x 80”
• California King: 72” x 84”

To choose the right mattress size, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Who will be sleeping in the bed? And is that likely to change? You don’t want to buy a mattress that’s too small, or one that is needlessly large. Think about who will sleep on the mattress now, and who might in the future. Consider potential spouses, kids, and pets. If only one person will use the bed at one time, a twin, twin XL, or full may be all you need. Once you add another person or a pet, consider a queen or king size pillow top mattress.
2. What are your sleeping habits? Do you or your spouse move around a lot at night? Or do you like to sleep with a large body pillow for snuggling? If so, you may want to go with a wider mattress.
3. What are your room dimensions? Be sure that your new mattress will comfortably fit in your room, including a foundation or bed frame.
4. Will you be moving? A mattress is a long-term investment. If you might move to a smaller space in the future, consider this when choosing the right mattress size.

Firmness

Pillow top beds are made for most every type of sleeper, not only those who want an incredibly soft sleeping surface. When it comes to the plush feel of a pillow top mattress, the upper cushion layer plays a central role. Check the firmness level of the mattress—which measures overall firmness, not just the top layer—to determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Sleeping Position

• Side sleepers: Sleeping on your side is considered to be the overall best sleeping position for body alignment, but only if you sleep on a mattress that yields the right amount of give. With the potential for increased pressure on hips and shoulders, side sleepers need a plush, forgiving sleeping surface. Look for a maximum firmness of medium-firm, although medium will usually be a better fit.
• Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers need to sleep on a firm mattress to support spine alignment. Too soft of a mattress and front sleepers are likely to experience neck and lower back pain.
• Back sleepers: Back sleepers have needs that fall between those of front and stomach sleepers. Medium-firm mattresses tend to deliver the right level of give and support to keep the spine in the correct alignment.
• Combination sleepers: If you alternate between sleeping positions, look for a medium or medium-firm mattress that can support you on your side, back, and/or stomach. You’ll also need a responsive mattress that makes it easy to shift positions.

Pressure Relief

One of the best things about pillow-top mattress design is the chance to increase the mattress’s overall pressure relief with that first layer. Extra contouring benefits side sleepers in particular, since their sleeping position puts added pressure on the hips, lower back, and shoulder. Pillow-tops that include memory foam or latex work particularly well for pressure relief.

Temperature Regulation

The material the pillow-top layer is made of can also enhance cooling. Latex, for instance, has natural cooling properties. While regular memory foam has a tendency to sleep hot, foam infused with gel can counteract heat retention. Also, a mattress cover made of breathable, moisture-wicking material such as cotton or wool can improve cooling performance.

Edge Support

Edge support is a performance category that matters a lot to certain types of sleepers, including restless sleepers who toss and turn or people who just prefer to sleep near the edge. Older people and others who might have trouble lifting themselves off the bed might also need more edge support. Euro tops have a structural advantage over pillow tops in this area since they’re sewn into the body of the mattress.

Price

Pillow top mattresses are some of the most luxurious mattresses on the market. They often contain high-quality pocket coils and numerous layers of latex, memory foam, and a quilted plush top layer. Because pillow tops tend to be made using numerous quality materials, they are one of the more expensive types of beds. Most pillow top mattresses start at around $2,000 for a queen-size option.

An alternative if you are looking for the cloud-like feel without the price tag is to buy a mattress topper that you can place on the surface of a less expensive mattress.

Sleep Trial and Warranty

Many online mattress companies offer trial periods that let you test out your mattress for 100 days or more and return or exchange it if you’re not satisfied. These extended trial periods are one reason why more people are comfortable shopping for a new mattress online than ever before. But not every mattress will come with a trial period, so be sure to check before buying.

Mattress warranties are another policy that you should note. Most quality mattresses come with a minimum of a 10-year warranty. Longer warranties signal a company’s confidence in the quality and longevity of their products. But, be sure to read the fine print—you may need to use a certain type of mattress foundation, such as a box spring, for your warranty to remain intact.

Recap: Our Picks for Best Pillow Top Mattress

When you’re looking for the best mattress to envelop you in a cozy embrace, there is no better choice than a pillow top mattress. The plush upper layer hugs your curves and decreases pressure at the points where your body comes into contact with the mattress.

As a reminder, here are our top picks for the best pillow top mattresses:

Mattress	Award	Mattress Advisor Score (out of 10)
Saatva Classic	Best Overall	9.0
Helix Midnight Luxe	Best Mattress for Back Pain	8.7
WinkBed Luxury Firm	Best Firm Mattress	8.6
Bear Star Hybrid	Best Mattress for Athletes	9.0
Sparrow Signature Hybrid	Best Plush Mattress	8.2
Saatva Latex Hybrid	Best Mattress for Side Sleepers	8.9
Awara	Best Organic Mattress	8.8