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
- Batting
How We Chose The Most Comfortable Pillows
Heres how we narrowed down our most comfortable pillow picks:
- Real-world testing and impressions. Deciding whether a pillow is comfortable is pretty personal. However, knowing how other people describe the feel of a pillow can help you decide whether its right for you. Our first consideration for putting together this list was how the pillows felt when we took them for a test run or test nap.
- Customer reviews. We also took customer reviews into account because it allowed us to see how other people with different sleeping styles, body types, and health conditions respond to the pillows. If a pillow doesnt have consistently top marks from customers, its not listed here.
- Variety. We also aim to include a variety of pillows that fit different needs and budgets.
Thicker Pillows For Back Sleepers
If you tend to sleep on your back, on the other hand, youre probably going to want a pillow with a bit of a more moderate height.
Youll still need some degree of support to keep from straining your neck too much, though so to account for this, you might want to consider a product with a little more thickness around the curve of your neck.
Dont go too high, though, or youll wind up with your chin tucked in towards your chest!
Read Also: How Long Before I Can Sleep On My Dreamcloud Mattress
Best For Side Sleepers: Zinus Memory Foam Cloud
For side sleepers, the Zinus Memory Foam 12-inch Cloud-like Mattress provides exceptional support for your spine and midsection. Its comprised of two inches of microfiber and foam-quilted jacquard, plus two inches of memory foam, three inches of comfort foam, and five inches of high-density base support foam. Another major perk is that the memory foam is infused with charcoal, green tea, and natural plant oil, so you dont have to worry about pesky odors, which can be an issue with other memory foam mattresses.
Reviewers like that the Zinus Memory Foam Cloud-like Mattress is perfectly firm and fluffy. Several customers also pointed out that if you have questions or concerns about your mattress, the customer service at Zinus is extremely friendly and helpful.
How Often Should You Replace Your Memory Foam Pillow
Alright, so you now should have a pretty good idea as to what kind of pillow youre likely to need.
But how often should you be replacing this thing, anyway?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, most pillows should be replaced every one to two years.
In addition to getting flattened out and overall useless, old pillows also tend to accumulate nastiness like dead skin cells and the dust mites that eat them.
Pretty nasty stuff and if you have a dust mite allergy, you might start experiencing some really unpleasant symptoms if youre sleeping on Mite Metropolis.
Old pillows can also accumulate mold, while pillowcases can gather all your oils if you dont wash them often enough, leading to greasy hair and breakouts on your face.
Wash your pillowcase frequently, and wash your pillow about every six months.
This can help extend the lifespan of these products, and also remove the danger of all that unpleasantness.
Read Also: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper
Malouf Z Zoned Gel Dough
Finally, if youre looking for a more traditionally constructed memory foam pillow, the Malouf Z Zoned Gel Dough might just be the product for you.
This is a one-piece so none of that fooling around with shredded foam we saw in the first two products and this thing is built with some serious comfort in mind.
Reviews on this thing really are overwhelmingly positive.
Its just the right level of softness and support to bring out a the perfect sleep experience, and with hole-perforated open cell construction, you can be sure you wont be getting any kind of a hot sleep on this thing!
If youre looking for a pillow to really cushion your head and lull you off to the most amazing sleep, this is the pillow you need.
Exceptional Sheets Bamboo Mattress Pad
A low-cost way to make your bed feel softer
The natural bamboo topper by Exceptional Sheets is technically advertised as a pad rather than a topper. However, the terms pad and topper are often interchangeable, with the end result being what really matters.
The pad is particularly soft and comfortable, feeling like goose down and very popular due to this. It wont mold to and support your body like a memory foam topper, but it does a pretty good job of providing the fabled sleeping on a cloud feeling.
Here are the key features:
- The inside of the pad is filled with Revoloft cluster fiber. It has the gentle feel of down, but without the feathers.
- It has a silky bamboo blend cover, which makes it feel even softer under your sheets.
- Its a good alternative if youre allergic to down, but enjoy that feel and softness.
- It can be used on top of either a mattress or a firmer topper such as memory foam or latex.
- Its designed with individual boxes of fiber to keep an even shape.
- Its easy to clean and machine washable.
- Low price compared to memory foam, latex or wool.
- You get a 30 day return and one year exchange warranty.
One point to bear in mind is that if you need to hide large lumps or dips in your current mattress, youll need a thicker topper than this. It will probably disguise some minor signs of usage, but not if the mattress is in particularly bad shape.
Don’t Miss: What To Do With Purple Mattress Bag
Type Of Mattress And Mattress Composition
The most popular types of mattresses are innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses, which combine the former two types and are essentially the best of both worlds. Its no coincidence that all of the mattresses we chose are hybrids, which deliver the comfort and cooling gel of a memory foam mattress with the support of innersprings.
Serta has a few different types of memory foam, including TemperActiv Gel, EverCool Fuze Gel Foam, Serta Ever Cool Plus Memory Foam, XD Foam, Cool Twist Gel Memory Foam, Balanced Support Foam, and PillowSoft Foam. Depending on the mattress, they mix layers of different types of foam together to get the right kind of support.
Serta also uses individually wrapped innerspring coils in their hybrids, using different gauges to make firm mattresses as opposed to plush.
Maximum Comfort With Wedge Pillows
Getting the most out of a wedge pillow means understanding what type will assist you best in the way you need it too. Different inclines and materials are better for breathing problems or back problems, but it depends on the surface, density, and degree of the wedges slope. Many of the following sleep types are listed, as well as information for how different inclines and materials will assist different health concerns.
Back sleeper! Youre going to want a wedge pillow with a lower incline if you prefer to rest your shoulders, neck, and head at an angle. Otherwise, youll practically be sitting up as you sleep, and if you wanted to sit while you slept than you would have purchased a chair. Side sleepers! You must pick a wedge with contoured edges, this way you dont slide off while youre sleeping also contoured wedges will better follow the side curvature of your spine. Side sleepers can especially benefit from wedge pillows which cradle the developed pressure points along their neck and shoulders.
Recommended Reading: What To Do With Purple Mattress Bag
Strike A Balance Between Support And Comfort
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Pillow top mattresses are a relatively recent invention, but have quickly become a must-have for those who want a hotel bed experience at home. Popular for their ability to deliver extra comfort at an affordable price, pillow-top mattresses possess a cloud-like top layer that helps distribute body weight and provides a luxuriously comfortable feel on top of a supportive spring base.
Below, our top picks of the best pillow-top mattresses for a better nights sleep.
If you’ve decided that a pillow top mattress is for you, you can’t go wrong with the Alwyn Home 11″ Plush Premium Foam Pillowtop Mattress. This luxurious mattress is crafted from CertiPUR-US foam, which means that it’s free of harmful chemicals and toxins. It’s available in eight different sizes from twin to California King, so you can find the right size for your space. Another huge benefit? It’s hypoallergenic.
Note that it takes about 72 hours for this mattress to expand and reach its full size.
There are thousands of rave reviews for the ExceptionalSheets Extra Plush Fitted Mattress Topper, with one citing that it feels like a warm embrace,” and another saying that their bed looks and feels like a hotel bed.”
How To Choose A Pillow
Theres a wealth of pillow-top options on the market, so its important to know what you value in your mattress before you set out to buy a new one. Do you prefer a standard or Euro pillow-top? Memory foam, latex, or another type of fill? Hybrid or innerspring mattress?
In addition to the pillow-top itself, its also important to consider the benefits of the mattress as a whole. This means weighing edge support, temperature neutrality, material quality, and other factors.
Read Also: My Pillow Topper Price
What Is The Best Pillow Top Mattress To Buy
Shopping for a pillow top mattress is no different than shopping for any other type of mattress, which means, theres no one best option. Instead, youll want to conduct research to determine which mattress best fits your requirements and preferences. Our pick is the Saatva Mattress. Made with memory foam and 1.25 inches thick Euro top, its more than usual padding provides an adaptive sleep surface with comfortable cushioning. The individually wrapped coils are another reason this mattress tops our list. Offering responsive, deep support and motion isolation, its construction breaks the norm from other pillow tops in the market. Despite the affordable price, it is built for lasting performance under extensive use. The 120-nights trial and 20-years warranty are two more features that Saatva offers with this mattress that factor into our decision.
What Makes The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Stand Out
- Its available in three firmness levels, so it works for a wide range of people.
- The mattress contains responsive TitanFlex foam, which helps people stay cool at night.
- The soft model creates wonderful pressure point relief.
If you switch sleeping positions, the Puffy mattress should keep you feeling supported and comfortable. Made with lovely slow-moving memory foam, this mattress really does feel like youre sleeping on a cloud.
The Puffy mattress feels slightly firmer than average, but its top comfort layer feels especially plush. This creates a well balanced feel, which works exceptionally well for back and side sleepers. When you rest on your back, the foam will gently cradle your hips. When you switch to your side, youll notice some excellent pressure relief along your shoulders and hips.
We also recommend the Puffy mattress for couples because it isolates motion well. The top foam layer absorbs movement, so you shouldnt notice your partner switching sleeping positions during the night.
Also Check: What Kind Of Mattress Does Drury Inn Use
What You Need To Know
THE GOOD. Pillow top mattresses have above-average initial comfort. Tops that include memory foam tend to have above average pain-relief potential and conforming ability.
THE BAD. Pillow top mattresses overall are at least two times more likely than non-pillow top mattresses to have problems with durability, off gassing, and heat retention.
WHAT IS A PILLOW TOP MATTRESS. Pillow tops are most often found on innerspring beds and perhaps airbeds. A pillow top mattress is generally defined as a mattress with several inches of additional padding sewn into the top. This padding can consist of regular foam, memory foam, latex, fiberfill, cotton, wool. Some tops have an integrated appearance with the mattress while others appear to be merely lying on top. A non-pillow top mattress, by contrast, often has only minimal to moderate padding.
Most Comfortable Hotel Quality Pillow
Harris Pillow Supply Heavenly Down Pillow
- Price: $
- Fill type: Down alternative
It took months to get our hands on this pillow, but we can confirm that its a dream in terms of comfort and getting better sleep.
These pillows feel like giant marshmallows and are perfect for anyone who loves soft pillows. They also bounce back really well, which is impressive for being so soft and squishy. If you like to ooze into your pillows, this is the pillow for you.
The fill is also a down alternative, making this a good option if you have a down allergy or prefer to steer clear of pillows made with animal feathers.
What makes one pillow more comfortable than another? Personal preference is important, but you should also consider firmness, sleeping position, price, and materials.
You May Like: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper
Best Firm: Simmons Beautyrest Silver 12 Firm Pillow Top Mattress
The Simmons Beautyrest Silver 12″ Firm Pillow Top Mattress is an ideal pick if you prefer your mattress to be on the firm side. The sophisticated design features pocketed coils, which are individually wrapped coils that mimic the kind of support that you would get from a memory foam mattress. Because the coils are individually wrapped, movement on one side of the bed will stay confined to that area. This makes it possible to get up during the night or early in the morning without disturbing your partner.
There are 490 extra coils in the center of the mattress to enhance contouring back support, and cooling technology promotes airflow during the night. Again, there’s a high level of support with this mattress, but if you prefer enhanced support coupled with a supremely soft top layer, this may not be the right option for you. Customers describe this mattress as firm or medium-firm, with one reviewer writing that it was a tad too hard for them. As with most other mattresses on this list, there are multiple sizes to choose from.
What Is A Pillow Top Mattress
A pillow top mattress refers to any mattress that adds a pillow top padding to the top of the mattress. Pillow tops are added to innerspring mattresses to give the mattress a softer, more plush feel. Many different materials can be used in the pillow top some of the most common materials found in a pillow top include cotton, wool, fiberfill, memory foam, latex, and down.
Also Check: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper
Pillow Top Mattresses For Heavyweight Sleepers Over 230 Lbs
Anyone who is considering a pillow top mattress should definitely keep their size and weight mind because a mattress that works for a lighter person might not be the best mattress for a heavy person. The following pillow top mattresses should all be a good fit for heavier people:
So, out of these five mattresses, four are a really good match for larger sleepers because they all feature supportive coils and should be able to handle heavier weights. First off, the Saatva HD is made specifically for larger sleepers it features very high-grade coils and an extra layer of zoned latex, and it is a good match for all three sleeping positions. While the Saatva mattress is not as supportive as the Saatva HD, heavier people might find it to be a better match when I am side sleeping.
The WinkBeds innerspring mattress comes in four models with different firmnesses, and the WinkBeds Plus is their mattress made just for larger people. Like the Saatva HD, the WinkBeds features extra supportive coils as well as some zoning, so it should also work for heavier combination sleepers.
If you want a plusher pillow top mattress for a heavier person, take a look at the Country Living Napa mattress. It features multiple layers of foam as well as two sets of coils. The coils should be able to handle heavier weights while the foam layers offer some great pressure relief. You also have firmness options, so you can decide just how soft you want the mattress to be.
RELATED: Best Mattress
Comfort Level / Thickness
Generally speaking, the comfort level offered by a good air mattress is going to be directly related to the thickness. A thicker one will usually be more comfortable than a thinner option, as you are going to have more air underneath you throughout the night. It is common to lose some of their inflation overnight especially if the night is cool so starting out with a thick pad of air beneath your body is the best bet. With a thin mattress, it is possible to start the night somewhat comfortable, only to wake up with your body at least partially on the ground as it has deflated.
Another comfort point to be considered is the possibility of having a different material such as memory foam. In this case, you are using the air in the mattress to support your body weight, but you get the added comfort of material like foam. These tend to be more expensive, but they do provide a comfortable nights sleep in most cases.
Looking for more info? Read how you can make air mattress more comfortable.
You May Like: What To Do With Purple Mattress Bag
