What Is A Pillow Top Mattress & What Are Its Benefits?

September 6, 2019 · Mattress Warehouse
breakfast in bed on a pillow top mattress

What Is A Pillow Top Mattress?

While there are many types of mattresses, pillow top mattresses are among the most popular. Usually built with an innerspring foundation and an additional top-layer of padding, this type of mattress offers unparalleled support and comfort.

These beds are often found in hotels and considered by many to be the pinnacle of luxury. If you’ve never tried a pillow top mattress, many people say it’s like sleeping on a cloud. Take a look at what makes these mattresses so special.

Is A Pillow Top Mattress Good?

Here are a few reasons they are so widely favored.

  1. There is an extra portion of padding provided in the quilt layer. This additional top-layer of foam assures comfort and softness throughout the night. What the top layer is composed of depends on the individual mattress, but it could be anything from latex, to cotton, to memory foam, and so on. You have the freedom to choose the material depending on your personal preferences.
  2. The high quality evenly distributes your weight. Proper weight distribution has been proven to improve sleep quality by eliminating pressure points and other potential discomforts.
  3. Pillow top mattresses don’t retain heat, depending on the material used. Many people struggle with temperature regulation when lying in bed at night. They don’t excessively capture your body heat and therefore won’t make you uncomfortably warm while you’re trying to sleep.
  4. They’re affordable! Compared to other luxury mattresses, they are relatively inexpensive while still providing the comfort and support you need to get a good night’s rest.

Is A Pillow Top Mattress Good For Side Sleepers?

One of the best features of a pillow top mattress is that it’s great for every style of sleeper, including side sleepers!

Regardless of your preferred sleep position, they offer long-lasting support to promote pain relief. Pillow tops are often made on innerspring mattresses. This means that they offer the perfect balance between support brought by the coil system, and the comfort brought by additional layers of foam.

While it’s important to sleep on a mattress that accommodates your sleep position, sleep accessories are arguably just as important. Top off your pillow top mattress with the best pillows for side sleepers.

Is A Pillow Top Mattress Good or Bad For Your Back?

In a word — yes! Pillow top mattresses are designed for full-body support. However, some of theses mattresses are better for your back than others.

The distinguishing quality of a pillow top mattress is its extra layer of padding stitched into the top. This layer can take many forms, but when it consists of memory foam, it is especially good for your back. This is because memory foam has a contouring quality that allows your body to slightly sink in and the mattress to adjust around you. It’s a popular tool to help those suffering from back pain.

The best mattress for back pain is ultimately one that helps keep your body in perfect alignment throughout the night.

What Size Sheets are Needed for Pillow Top Mattresses?

The reason these mattresses require special consideration when it comes time to purchase sheets is because the extra padding can add height to the mattress that may not work with a standard set of sheets. Luckily, deep-pocket sheets can accommodate the additional height of a pillow top mattress.

While the height of the mattress may vary, deep-pocket sheets come in three depths: 7-14 inches (standard), 15 inches, and 16-22 inches. The best way to know the depth of your mattress is to measure it or to ask your mattress salesman upon purchase. Keep in mind, you’ll still want to purchase sheets in the size of your mattress (twin, full, queen, king, etc).

Remember, you should always look for specifics signs when making this type of purchase that are indicative of high quality sheets, like the thread count, material, and durability.

Find The Best Pillow Top Mattress For You

Pillow top mattresses come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. How are you to know which one is best?

Mattress Warehouse’s diagnostic sleep system bedMATCH takes all the guesswork out of mattress shopping. Using advanced technology, bedMATCH assigns you the best bed to suit your sleeping position, body type, sleep preferences and needs.

Using 18 statistical measurements and thousands of scientific calculations, this quick and effective analysis will inform you of the mattress you never knew you needed. Take the online bedMATCH quiz today or visit us in store to have your testing conducted in-person with the help of our team members.