Pillow top mattresses may seem tailor-made for side sleepers who crave extra softness around their hips and shoulders, but they can suit anyone who wants to recreate a luxurious 5-star hotel sleep experience at home. The key is to find the right mix of materials for indulgent plushness that doesn’t sag beneath your weight. Our pick for the best pillow top mattress overall is The WinkBed, a dreamy hybrid with a quilted Euro pillow top and four comfort levels.
The best pillow top mattresses provide support, cushioning and comfort.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
However, if you want something taller, cooler or more eco-friendly, we rounded up eight other pillow top mattresses that come highly recommended by our Forbes Vetted sleep experts and everyday shoppers alike. You can also find buying advice to help guide you toward the pillow top (or Euro top) mattress of your dreams.
Type: Hybrid |Firmness: Softer, luxury firm, firm or plus |Delivery: Free shipping |Trial: 120 nights |Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Four firmness levels, including one for plus-size sleepers
Excellent edge support
Ease of movement for combination sleepers
Cons:
WinkBed Plus (the model for plus-size sleepers) costs extra
Heavy—and you have to set it up yourself
Our pick for the best pillow top mattress overall is The WinkBed. This hybrid of contouring foam and supportive springs is capped with what the brand calls a “Euro pillow top” that dictates how plush or firm the mattress feels (it comes in four comfort levels). The cover is made of Tencel, an eucalyptus-based fiber that wicks away moisture to help you stay cool and dry. The layer of gel-infused foam plus a core of individually wrapped pocketed coils also help you sleep cooler at night. Heavier gauge coils around the perimeter makes this mattress great for couples and those who like to use the entirety of their sleep surface. Each WinkBed is made to order in the U.S. using CertiPUR-US-certified foam, Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified materials and triple-tempered recycled steel coils. Instead of fiberglass, a material that’s known to trigger allergies and potentially cause health issues, WinkBeds uses a cotton and rayon blend as a fire barrier.
Note that the WinkBed Plus, which is designed for sleepers over 250 pounds, adds a zoned latex support layer, high-density foam and stronger coils. Therefore, it costs more than the standard WinkBed.
What our testers say: “The WinkBed reminds me of a luxury hotel mattress. It has a supportive, responsive feel that combination sleepers appreciate and a plush Euro pillow top that helps cushion your joints,” says Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon. “The luxury firm model walks the line between soft and supportive, and it accommodates almost any sleeping position.”
The DreamCloud Premier Rest is DreamCloud’s most expensive mattress but among the wider market, it’s one of the best values out there. (It’s also the least expensive option on our list.) This 14-inch hybrid has a plush pillow top quilted with a breathable cashmere blend. Underneath that are a 4-inch gel memory foam comfort layer, 8-inch innerspring steel coils and support foams for stability and alignment. A medium-firm feel appeals to a broad range of sleepers, and a low level of motion transfer makes it a good choice for bed sharing. The DreamCloud Premier Rest is regularly on sale, and a queen currently costs around $1,300. Factor in the one-year trial, free returns and lifetime warranty and you have an outstanding value for a hotel-caliber mattress.
What our testers say: Forbes Vetted’s director of partnerships Madeline Kaufman shared the following in her DreamCloud Premier Rest Mattress review: “In my experience, the pillow top cushioned my body’s curves and felt especially nice on my runner’s legs. My fiancé sleeps on his side, and I shift around at night from starting on my back to ending up on my stomach. We both felt the mattress cushioned and supported us nicely. I also have neck issues, probably because of my terrible habit of stomach sleeping, so I was happy to find that this mattress doesn't exacerbate those issues.”
Best Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
Transform Your Bedroom Into A 5-Star Hotel Suite
Stearns & Foster
Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Medium (Queen)
Type: Innerspring |Firmness: Soft, medium or firm |Delivery: Free white glove delivery (arrives flat) |Trial: 90 nights |Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Three firmness levels for different sleeping positions
Cooling cover and side vents
Free in-room delivery and mattress removal
Cons:
Extras are meager for what you’d pay
Want to feel like you’re sleeping at the Ritz-Carlton every night? Pick up the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress. It comes in three comfort levels: soft, medium or firm. This 16-inch luxury hybrid has a core of patented IntelliCoils and a comfort layer of exclusive Tempur-Indulge memory foam for a keen balance of support and pressure relief. The Lux Estate’s specialty cooling cover and the eight side AirVents, which help the mattress release heat, also make it a good fit for hot sleepers. It’s handcrafted and ships flat with free white glove delivery, meaning the brand sends a team to set up your new mattress in your room of choice and take away your old one if needed.
What our testers and the reviews say: “The Lux Estate medium model has a balanced, cushy feel that accommodated all sleep positions during testing,” says Forbes Vetted senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “It also excelled in pressure relief, motion isolation and edge support.” A reviewer adds, “The bed has been extremely comfortable from day one. There is no break in period for this pillow top as it has been soft and supportive from the very first night.” Another writes, “The quality, workmanship and comfort of the mattress is far better than any I have purchased over the years. I would say Stearns & Foster is the Rolls Royce of mattresses.”
Some people prefer an extra-firm mattress, even with a pillow top. That’s exactly what you get from the Helix Twilight Luxe. It’s a hybrid mattress that’s designed to feel somewhat plush but noticeably supportive. Even with the uppermost pillow top layer, the company ranks it as an 8 or 9 on its 10-point firmness scale. The quilted pillow top is made with high-density memory foam for a mildly cushioning yet supportive feel without the sink-in sensation typical of memory foam. It also boasts zoned support, meaning it’s a little softer around the shoulders and a little firmer beneath the hips. Upgrades include a GlacioTex cooling cover and an ErgoAlign layer for deeper contouring.
What our testers say: Forbes Vetted contributor Lindsey Vickers tried out the Twilight Luxe in a showroom. “As a stomach sleeper, I like firm mattresses. I was surprised by just how firm the Twilight Luxe felt when I tried it out. The mattress hit a great balance between support and cushion—I found it super comfortable.”
Best Pillow Top Mattress For Back And Joint Pain
Targeted Lumbar Support In Your Choice Of Firmness
Saatva
Saatva Classic (Queen)
Type: Innerspring |Firmness: Plush, luxury firm or firm |Delivery: Free white glove delivery (arrives flat) |Trial: 365 nights |Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Customizable firmness and height
Specialized lumbar support
Free in-home delivery and mattress removal
Cons:
Costs $99 to return
Doesn’t dampen movement as well as others on this list
The Saatva Classic is the company’s most popular bed and it’s particularly well-suited to people with aching backs and joints. You can chalk that up to the plush, 3-inch Euro top (a pillow top with a specific sewing structure), which has a cradling effect to relieve pressure point pain. This is paired with stronger, firmer coils in the center third of the mattress, which help ensure proper spinal alignment in any sleep position. The mattress is available in three firmness levels and two heights so you can tailor it to your comfort and mobility level. Fortunately, you can save your back from the hassle of setting this mattress up on your own as white glove delivery service is included, along with optional removal of your existing mattress and foundation.
For larger sleepers, we recommend the Saatva HD, which has a 3-inch Euro pillow top, two layers of zoned latex and premium memory foam for maximum support. There’s also the Saatva Rx, a specially-designed mattress for sleepers with chronic back and joint pain who like a bed on the softer side of medium.
What our testers say: “The Saatva Classic has some of the best edge support I’ve ever seen,” says Chapman. “It’s a very high-end, supportive bed that skews a touch firmer than advertised.” Vickers slept on a luxury firm Saatva Classic for one month. As a combination stomach-side sleeper, she says, “While I found the mattress comfortable in both positions, it truly excelled when I slept on it facing down. It was supportive enough that I never woke up with pain in my lower back, which is something I frequently have after sleeping on mattresses that are softer.” (Strict side sleepers may prefer the plush version.) Read more in our Saatva Classic Mattress review.
Best Cooling Pillow Top Mattress
Stellar Materials For Temperature Regulation
Nolah
Nolah Evolution (Queen)
Type: Hybrid |Firmness: Plush, luxury firm, firm or comfort plus |Delivery: Free shipping |Trial: 120 nights |Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Different firmness levels to cater to your sleep preferences
Designed to prevent trapped heat
Strong motion isolation
Cons:
Not for fans of memory foam
Costs $99 to send it back
The Nolah Evolution 15-inch hybrid mattress is designed for comfortable sleep in several ways, including keeping you cool at night. The cover has a layer of patented fibers with high thermal conductivity to draw away body heat, while the Euro top is made with 2 inches of breathable foam. The mattress has multiple heat dissipating features. One is the border gusset, which is a side panel around the top that adds a cushioning feel and dissipates excess heat. It also has graphite-infused foam layers that are designed to keep heat from accumulating inside the mattress. Together, these make for a system that actively cools you down all night. The mattress is available in four firmness levels—including a model designed for plus-size sleepers—so you should be able to find something that fits your needs.
What our testers say: Chapman calls the Nolah Evolution a “cooling, plush and sturdy hybrid.” She adds, “Although Nolah doesn’t market this mattress as a cooling bed, I found it to excel at temperature regulation. I’m a hot sleeper, so I know the dance routine of kicking off the sheets in the night quite well. I haven’t felt hot on this bed, and I think it does a great job promoting airflow.” Chapman slept on the plush version in her Nolah Evolution Mattress review.
For those who fidget a lot in their sleep, the balanced Bear Star Hybrid keeps you comfortable in multiple sleep positions. It has a pressure-relieving pillow top with around an inch or two of gel foam. That’s in addition to a layer of responsive comfort foam and a core of thick, pocketed coils for a responsive surface, strong edges and a neutral feel. If you share a bed with a partner, the Bear Star Hybrid does an excellent job of absorbing movement. Its medium to medium-firm profile and 13-inch height suits just about any body type, adding to its versatility.
What our testers say: Dillon immediately noticed the Bear Star Hybrid’s lusciously plush pillow top the first time she lay on it. As she says in her Bear Star Hybrid Mattress review, “It’s balanced in a way that should appeal to a wide variety of people. I switch between my stomach and side during sleep, and I feel it properly supports my back when I’m on my stomach and cradles my joints while on my side.”
Made with sustainable, ethically sourced materials
Balanced bed feel for most sleepers
Option to upgrade to in-room delivery
Cons:
Doesn’t sink like memory foam, if that’s your preference
Side sleepers may need the topper upgrade
The Birch Luxe Natural is an organic mattress made with responsibly sourced and nontoxic materials—including wool, latex and cotton—that combine for a true medium-firm feel. It has a plush, quilted Euro top finished in soft, organic cotton that gives the mattress a “just-right” feel (between a 6 and 7 on a 10-point firmness scale, according to the company). That range is considered a universally comfortable level of comfort for most sleepers and different sleep positions, but if you’re exclusively a side sleeper, adding a separate plush topper can make it softer and cozier for your joints. It’s Greenguard Gold and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, which guarantees you’re sleeping on a mattress made without polyurethane foams and toxic chemicals.
What our testers and the reviews say: “Many mattresses with organic materials can feel a bit too firm without much contouring, but not the Birch Luxe,” says Chapman. “This bed competes with other high-end pillow tops with its luxuriously plush, supportive feel.” One shopper says, “The Birch mattress has been great for us. In fact, [we] bought a second mattress for my mom's house so that when we stay there we have a comfortable bed to sleep on.” Another reviewer notes, “The aches and pains we were experiencing on our old mattress are no longer an issue, and we feel much better knowing we are sleeping on quality materials that are safe for us and sustainably sourced.”
Best Pillow Top Mattress For Couples
Dual-Sided Firmness To Keep Couples Happy
Nest Bedding
Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid (Queen)
Type: Hybrid |Firmness: Plush, medium or firm |Delivery: Free shipping |Trial: 365 nights |Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Ability to adjust firmness
King dual-firmness option
CertiPUR-US-certified-, U.S.-made foams
Cons:
No dual-side firmness for queen
The Nest Bedding Sparrow Hybrid Mattress is designed to accommodate most sleep styles—even for couples sharing the same bed. It’s a bold claim that made us skeptical, but it’s possible thanks to a zippered fabric exterior and foam comfort layer atop the mattress, which can be swapped out to adjust its firmness. You can choose plush, medium or firm when you order, and during the 365-night home trial, you can contact the company to exchange this uppermost foam layer for another firmness level if it’s not working out (which is much easier than performing an exchange). Couples with different preferences can customize this foam layer on either side in king and California king mattresses. Not only does that eliminate the need for compromise, the dual foam layers mean excellent motion isolation.
What the reviews say: One customer says, “The king allows for my husband and I to have different firmness so we both wake up feeling rested and ready to start our days.” Another shopper adds, “We were attracted to the ability to split the top comfort styles because my husband and I always differed in support, but we actually went for all plush and love it.”
Jessica Timmons, Forbes Vetted contributor and co-author of this article, has been researching and writing about mattresses for more than a decade.
Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon have years of professional experience testing mattresses and other sleep products. We tap their expertise, as well as our full team’s nightly sleep experience, to bring you sleep products that we know well and often use and trust in our own homes.
We revise this story regularly for freshness and accuracy. It was last updated in June 2024 by Forbes Vetted contributor Alison Barretta, who also has years of mattress testing experience. This version of the story includes the DreamCloud Premier Rest as the best value pillow top mattress and the Bear Star Hybrid as the best pillow top mattress for combination sleepers. The Birch Luxe Natural is now the best organic pillow top mattress.
How We Chose The Best Pillow Top Mattresses
To assemble our recommendations of the best pillow top mattresses, we prioritized tried-and-true brands to target relevant models with features that accommodate all the different ways people sleep.
We relied on the expertise of our editors and contributors where possible. You can find their thoughts (plus links to relevant reviews) throughout this article.
Our list features a wide range of materials, so you can find mattresses made from latex to memory foam to wool.
We read through stacks of product reviews from customers like you. Every mattress has an overall customer rating of at least 4 stars.
We did our best to represent a range of price points, but keep in mind that pillow top mattresses tend to be pricier overall.
What To Consider When Buying The Best Pillow Top Mattress
There’s a lot to think about when choosing your next mattress, from technical features to whether you sleep alone or share the bed with a partner. We outlined key things to keep in mind.
Mattress Height
That cushioning top you find on most pillow top models can add several inches (usually it ranges from one to four) to a mattress, so you want to make note of the mattress’s overall height before you place an order. Height can be an issue if you don’t have deep-pocket fitted sheets, but you also want to make sure your bed frame and the mattress combined don’t create an overly elevated sleep experience.
The thickness of the pillow top can affect a mattress’s feel, too. A thinner pillow top likely offers more pressure relief, while a thicker one has a more cushioning, cloud-like feel. Material choice plays a role here as well—latex and high-density memory foams have a denser feel than wool, for example.
Body Type
Individual body type plays a role in how a mattress feels, pillow top or not. Generally, lightweight sleepers benefit from softer mattresses. The heavier you are, the softer a mattress feels to you, so a firmer option is usually better.
While most body types can benefit from pillow top mattresses, it’s important to be mindful of firmness. The lighter you are, the less you sink into the soft cushioning of a pillow top. Conversely, the more weight you have, the more you sink—which could create the sensation that you’re sleeping “in” the mattress as opposed to “on” it. For that reason, a Euro top, with its denser materials, secure attachment and enhanced durability, is likely a better option for heavyweight sleepers. You might also consider a pillow top mattress specifically designed for more weight, like the Nolah Evolution Comfort Plus or the Winkbed Plus.
Firmness
Firmness describes how hard or soft a mattress feels. The comfort layers of a mattress, including a feature like a pillow top, dictate its firmness. Most brands offer a firmness rating on a 10-point scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Of course, firmness is subjective, and factors like sleeping position and body type and weight directly influence how firm or soft a mattress feels.
Since the pillow top is designed to add a layer of plush cushioning, these mattresses tend to have a softer feel. That’s worth keeping in mind if you know you need a firmer mattress.
Temperature Regulation
Pillow tops aren’t necessarily cooler or warmer than other mattresses. Airflow or heat retention depends on the materials in the pillow top, as well as the construction in the rest of the mattress. Latex in the pillow top, for instance, can help wick away body heat, while traditional memory foam can trap heat. If the goal is cooler sleep, look for a pillow top mattress with a breathable cover, moisture-wicking materials like cotton and wool and materials like latex and gel-infused foams.
Sleeping Position
A pillow top mattress can accommodate any sleep style, but pay attention to the details. Side sleepers may want a pillow top that’s thick and plush to hug their joints, while stomach or back sleepers might prefer a thinner pillow top that’s mildly contouring. Either way, you can reap the benefits of added pressure relief so you can wake up with fewer aches in the morning.
Trial Periods
Reading all about a mattress is helpful, but the best way to test one out is always going to be in the comfort of your own home. Look for trial windows that give you ample time to get used to a new sleep surface (usually your body needs 30 days to adjust), so you can decide if a pillow top is right for you. And double check the fine print for returns and exchanges, too—some companies charge a fee for return shipping.
Long-Term Performance (And Warranty)
The materials used in a pillow top affect its long-term performance. Lower-density foams, for example, can compress over time, in which case you may sacrifice your comfort. Look for high-quality materials, like latex and higher-density foams, for better longevity and performance over time.
Softer materials in this top layer, like wool and cotton, may shorten the expected lifespan on a pillow top mattress, simply because they’re more likely to compress faster. You may be able discern how well a mattress holds up by looking at user reviews.
If nothing else, you always want to watch for a solid warranty policy. Most online mattress companies have 10-year warranties, and that’s around when you want to replace a mattress, anyway. Nonetheless, if the materials prematurely wear down or develop issues within that time, you can rest assured that the company has your back.
Sale Pricing
Pillow top mattresses can be expensive, so you want to time your purchase to get the most bang for your buck. Just like brick-and-mortar stores, online mattresses companies often have great sales around holidays, like Memorial Day, 4th of July or Black Friday, for significant savings.
Pillow Top Vs. Euro Top Mattresses
Some of the pillow tops on our list are billed as Euro tops, not pillow tops. But what’s the difference? While both of these top padding layers describe cushioning on the very top of a mattress, they can differ in feel, materials and attachment styles.
Pillow tops tend to have detached edges—picture a little lip that runs the perimeter of the mattress, which gives them a layered appearance. They’re often luxurious and pillow-like (hence the name), with a softer feel than a Euro. These padded layers are often filled with cotton, wool, foam, even down, to create a plush, cushioning sensation with benefits like pressure relief and gentle contouring.
Euro tops are also attached, but they’re usually fully secured and flushed at the edges. That can make them feel a little more supportive around the sides and slightly softer toward the center of the mattress. They also tend to be made with denser materials, like latex and memory foam. And because Euro tops are fully attached, they’re often more durable than pillow tops.
Pillow Top Mattress Pros
Soft, pillow-like feel
Consistently plush throughout
Pillow Top Mattress Cons
Softer materials can flatten with time
Support may be lacking along the perimeter
Euro Top Mattress Pros
Better edge support
Improved durability
Euro Top Mattress Cons
Denser materials increase mattress weight
Can be more expensive
What Is A Pillow Top Mattress?
Pillow top mattresses have a soft, cushioning layer sewn onto the top that’s distinct from underlying layers. This uppermost layer is typically made with materials designed for pressure relief or support, which give a mattress a soft-to-the-touch feel. Pillow tops vary in depth and may be made from a variety of materials, including latex, memory foam, cotton or wool.
What Is The Best Rated Pillow Top Mattress?
The WinkBed is a highly rated pillow top mattress with 4.8 stars based on more than 8,600 reviews as of June 2024. It’s our pick for the best pillow top mattress overall thanks to its multiple firmness levels, quality construction and breathable sleep surface. It’s also among the most reasonably priced pillow top mattresses.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Pillow Top Mattress?
The most common problem is sagging. A pillow top uses materials like cotton, foam or down to create a cloud-like feel, but these materials are softer than they are durable and may flatten earlier than you’d like. Lack of sufficient edge support is another issue since a pillow top doesn’t sit flush with the rest of the mattress.
A pillow top can also add up to 4 inches to the overall height of your mattress. If you have mobility issues, a very tall pillow top mattress could present a challenge when you’re making the bed or getting up in the morning.
How Thick Are Pillow Top Mattresses?
Mattress heights can vary significantly depending on brand, mattress type and materials. Pillow tops generally add 1 to 4 inches to the height of a mattress, which can itself be anywhere from 9 to 16 inches, so they’re generally on the taller side.
