The quick list
1. Best overall
2. Best for side sleepers
3. Best for back sleepers
4. Best eco-friendly
5. Best cooling
6. Best budget
Pillow-top mattress info
The best pillow-top mattresses deliver a luxury hotel feel, so you shouldn't be surprised to learn that they often come at a premium price. But if you want to sleep in opulent comfort every night, they're well worth the expense, and to help you buy with confidence we've selected six of the best pillow-top mattresses on the market right now.
Just to make things clear, some of these mattresses are Euro-tops rather than pillow-tops; Euro-tops feature comfort layers that run flush with the mattress, while pillow-tops tend to visibly sit on top of the mattress, separated by fabric. In terms of feel, though, they're pretty much identical, and some brands use these terms interchangeably. Our top pick, the Saatva Classic, is especially guilty of this as it has a 'Euro pillow-top.' (You'll also find the Saatva Classic at the top of our general best mattress guide.)
Most pillow-tops come at a significant cost, although there's one affordable option listed here in the form of the Allswell Supreme. Whichever option appeals to you, you'll want to take advantage of regular mattress dealss to help you save when you buy. Ready to turn your bedroom into a 5-star retreat? Here's our list of the best pillow-top mattresses...
The quick list
Best overall
The Classic's 3" Euro-style pillow-top goes a long way towards delivering its hotel-style luxury. There are three firmness options and two heights, too.
Best for side sleepers
This Beautyrest is a premium luxury option, and its plush feel and pressure relief make it ideal for side sleepers with a sizeable mattress budget.
Best for back sleepers
The Helix Dusk Luxe is a strong choice for back (and also stomach sleepers) who want plenty of support but don't care for too-firm mattresses.
Best eco-friendly
The Avocado Green Mattress comes with a pillow-top option that adds two inches of latex and gives the bed a welcome extra layer of softness.
Best cooling
If you tend to sleep hot, the Aurora Luxe is packed with cooling features, and its Cloud Pillow Top option adds two foam layers for additional comfort.
Best budget
The Allswell Supreme is made by Brooklyn Bedding for Walmart and comes in at an impressively low price, with a 1" Euro top providing a luxe feel.
The best pillow-top mattresses in 2024, chosen by experts
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The best pillow-top mattress overall
The Saatva Classic is our choice for the best pillow-top mattress thanks to its wide array of customizations – three firmness levels plus two height options – and generous extras. It's also one of the best mattresses for back pain because of its specialized Lumbar Zone support, ensuring healthy alignment. (Free white glove delivery will save you from further back strain, too.)
Design
The Saatva Classic has a 3-inch Euro-style pillow-top wrapped in certified organic cotton. (The plush variation will have extra padding here.) In the center is a unique quilted pattern designed to support the lower back. Directly underneath that is a strip of high-density foam to relieve lumbar pressure, along with an Active Spinal Wire to aid in alignment. The remainder of the mattress is made up of pocket coils that are reinforced in the center for lumbar support, plus a base layer of tempered steel coils with a foam encasement to boost edge support.
Firmness and comfort
Our tester slept on a 14.5" queen Saatva Classic mattress in firm, which subtly cradled her spine, hips, shoulders, and knees no matter how she lay. That said, back and stomach sleepers will benefit from the firm version while the plush soft is deemed suitable for lighter bodies and side sleepers. The luxury firm Saatva Classic will benefit most types of sleepers with a hotel-like feel.
Performance
The Saatva Classic has outstanding edge support as a result of its heavy-duty foam encasement and high-density foam rail. The dual layer of springs plus a breathable organic cotton cover will yield cooler sleep for most people. Motion isolation is decent on the firmest model, but a weak point for softer ones. The Helix Dusk Luxe (at #5) is an attractive option for a pillow-top mattress that limits movement well.
Value for money
The Saava Classic is a premium-priced mattress, even when it's on sale (which is often). However, it comes with the best selection of extras in the industry – a full-year trial, a lifetime warranty, and complimentary white glove delivery with optional removal of your previous mattress. Just know that returns cost $99.
- Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review
The best pillow-top mattress for side sleepers
The Beautyrest Black K-Class Plush Pillow Top is a luxurious mattress for side sleepers teeming with pressure relief. Despite its cushy comfort, it's not lacking in spine and hip support – although it won't be enough for front and back sleepers. (There is a firm pillow-top version of this mattress available, or check out the Helix Dusk Luxe at #3.)
Design
The K-Class mattress has a quilted pillow-top filled with memory foam. That's followed by a layer of BlackICE (a proprietary plant-based cooling material) plus two additional layers of memory foam for pressure relief and contouring. Beneath the surface lies a supportive combination of pocketed coils, nano coils, and latex – as well as a breathable comfort layer of cashmere, alpaca, and silk.
Firmness and comfort
The K-Class Plush Pillow Top is a medium-soft mattress that'll appeal to side sleepers and lighter bodies. When our reviewer (a combi sleeper) slept on a queen-sized Beautyrest K-Class mattress, she couldn't help but remain on her side as she was the most at ease in this position. (Her fellow testers felt the same way.) Sleeping with a partner gives this bed a slightly firmer feel, but it otherwise remains plush.
Performance
Edge support is top-notch so you'll be able to use the entirety of your sleep surface without fear of falling. Beautyrest's plant-based cooling material, a layer of latex, and a luxurious blend of cashmere, alpaca, and silk should help keep most sleepers cool at night. Motion isolation is below average, so if the slightest movements wake you up, look elsewhere.
Value for money
The Beautyrest Black K-Class is a luxury mattress with a price tag to match. You'll find it on sale during major holidays but expect to pay a lot either way. White glove delivery is included along with the removal of your previous mattress. The 10-year warranty and 100-night trial are underwhelming for the cost but among direct-to-consumer mattresses, this is as close to hotel quality as you'll get.
- Read the full review: Beautyrest Black K-Class Plush Pillow Top mattress review
The best pillow-top mattress for back sleepers
The Helix Dusk Luxe is geared toward front and back sleepers who crave ample support without the stiffness of a firm mattress. Reinforced coils in the center of the mattress will prevent your hips and lumbar from dipping, and multiple foam layers work together to provide subtle contouring.
Design
The Helix Dusk Luxe has a quilted pillow top outfitted with a breathable Tencel cover or a GlacioTex cooling cover. (The latter costs extra.) Following that are layers of contouring responsive foam, pressure-relieving memory foam, and a latex-foam hybrid for added support. Atop the dense foam base layer are 1,000 individually wrapped coils, reinforced in the center to ensure your midsection doesn't sink.
Firmness and comfort
When our tester slept on a queen Helix Dusk Luxe, she was impressed at how well this medium-soft bed supported her. Her lumbar and hips remained aligned with the rest of her body, whether she was on her back or stomach. Although it's quite plush, there's not a lot of contouring so combi sleepers who occasionally shift to their sides might have trouble getting comfortable. On the flip side, sleepers over 230lbs may think the Dusk Luxe is too soft.
Performance
Unless you or your partner are incredibly light sleepers, you'll find the Dusk Luxe's motion isolation capabilities sufficient. Edge support is excellent along the middle perimeter but weaker at the corners and the foot of the bed, which will limit how much of your sleep surface you can comfortably use. Hot sleepers should consider the GlacioTex cooling cover upgrade as this mattress is prone to trapping heat, or look at the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe (at #5).
Value for money
The Luxe series of beds is Helix's mid-tier range but the Helix Dusk Luxe sits in the premium price bracket among the broader market. Helix hosts regular 20% to 30% off sales and often throws in a pair of free pillows to sweeten the deal. The extras range from average (100-night trial) to above-average (15-year warranty). Shipping is free, although there's no white glove delivery option.
- Read the full review: Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review
The best eco-friendly pillow-top mattress
The Avocado Green is an organic mattress that boasts a long list of third-party sustainability certifications. Packed with organic Dunlop latex, cotton, and wool, this mattress is perfect for those with airborne allergies since these materials naturally resist dust mites and bacteria. Adding a latex pillow-top makes the otherwise Avocado mattress more welcoming for combination sleepers.
Design
The Avocado's pillow-top consists of two inches of Dunlop latex encased in organic wool and cotton. This is in addition to a 2-inch Dunlop latex comfort layer, over 1,400 individually wrapped coils arranged in seven ergonomic zones, and another 1-inch Dunlop latex base layer for stability. Made from sustainably sourced materials, this fiberglass-free mattress also comes in a vegan option that omits the wool.
Firmness and comfort
The pillow-top Avocado Green has a medium feel that'll appeal to side, back, and combi sleepers seeking more contouring than the standard model, which is a firmer bed suited for back and stomach sleepers. Meanwhile, side sleepers who have the cash to splash for maximum pressure relief should consider the box-top version, which adds three inches of softer FSC-certified Talalay latex for around $1,000 more.
Performance
When our tester slept on a queen Avocado Green sans pillow-top, it excelled in temperature control, edge support, and motion isolation. Since latex is a naturally breathable material, adding a latex pillow-top will likely enhance its ability to draw away body heat. A reinforced steel perimeter will keep the edges steady, but the pillow-top may reduce the Avocado's effectiveness at dampening movement.
Value for money
The Avocado Green is a premium mattress in the grand scheme of things, but a middleweight among other organic beds. The pillow-top adds a $400 upcharge, but Avocado hosts regular sales that'll shave at least 10% off the retail price. Shipping is free although you can pay $249 to have it delivered straight to your bedroom. Just like the Saatva Classic (#6), Avocado includes a one-year trial with a $99 return fee if it doesn't work out. A 25-year warranty applies.
- Read more: Avocado Green mattress review
The best cooling pillow-top mattress
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe with Cloud Pillow-Top will keep chronically hot sleepers cozy and dry thanks in large part to a Glacio-Tex cooling cover that'll prevent body temperatures from exceeding a comfortable range. It also comes in three firmness levels so you can tailor it to your sleep style and body type.
Design
The Cloud Pillow Top features two foam layers for contouring and pressure relief; it's covered with a Glacio-Tex cooling cover for a smooth (though occasionally slippery) finish. All Aurora Luxe beds have a zoned coil core, 1.5 inches of temperature-regulating copper-infused foam, and a 0.75-inch high-density foam base for stability.
The soft version adds two inches of soft memory foam and one inch of gel swirl memory foam, while the medium model has two inches of medium memory foam with one inch of gel swirl memory foam. The firm Aurora Luxe contains 1.5 inches of firm memory foam and a 1.5-inch VariFlex transition foam layer.
Firmness and comfort
A sleep editor from partner site Tom's Guide tested the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe with Cloud Pillow-Top (medium firmness) at a Brooklyn Bedding showroom. No matter her sleep position, she felt plenty of cushioned pressure relief with sufficient support from the lower layers. Since the pillow-top is more springy than squishy, it'll be comfortable for combi sleepers when they change positions.
Performance
The Aurora Luxe delivers a cool and dry sleep experience courtesy of its GlacioTex cover, gel-infused foams, and individually wrapped springs. Speaking of springs, higher gauge coils line the perimeter for sturdy edges you can sit on or push off when getting up. However, the Aurora Luxe's below-average motion isolation won't do much to help couples on the verge of sleep divorce.
Value for money
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is frequently on sale for 20% to 30% off, but adding the Cloud Pillow-Top keeps it firmly planted in the premium price bracket. Shipping is free, as are returns if you decide not to keep it after a 120-night trial. Otherwise, a 10-year warranty applies. Notably, you'll find a decent selection of RV sizes available should you ever want to elevate your camping game.
The best budget pillow-top mattress
Since pillow-tops and Euro-tops give mattresses a luxe touch, they're often priced accordingly. The Allswell Supreme is an outlier on this list – a budget hybrid that doesn't look out of place among its premium rivals. (Brooklyn Bedding is named as the manufacturer of this Walmart-exclusive mattress.)
Design
The six-layer Allswell Supreme has a 1" Euro-top for plushness, followed by layers of copper-infused foam, responsive memory foam, and high-density support foam. At the base are pocketed springs and a layer of shock-absorbing high-density foam.
Firmness and comfort
Allswell says its Supreme hybrid is 'extra plush,' so we'd recommend it for side sleepers or lighter bodies. User reviews suggest that it 'hugs' the body while offering just enough support to keep everything aligned. Heavier stomach and back sleepers will want something more substantial.
Performance
The Supreme has reinforced quantum edges along the perimeter, which translates to a decent level of edge support. (However, if it's anything like we experienced in our Allswell mattress review, this could be short-lived.) Several reviews suggest that it does a good job of dispersing heat and dampening movement.
Value for money
If you need a temporary bed but want something beyond a basic innerspring or memory foam model, the Allswell Supreme will scratch that itch. Just don't expect this budget mattress to last as long as the other, pricier beds on this list if you intend to use it every night. (That said, it'd be a nice addition to a guest room.) There's a 10-year warranty and a 90-day return window.
What is a pillow-top mattress?
A pillow-top mattress features a cushioned surface to provide a plushier bed feel. It's often made of foam, but other fibers or gels are sometimes used. As our list shows, it's a common feature on luxury-priced beds. Pillow-tops are also prevalent among hotel mattresses.
Some of the mattresses on our list are technically Euro-tops. While a Euro-top has the same general purpose as a pillow-top, it sits flush with the mattress instead of above it (like a standard pillow-top). This gets confusing as brands like Saatva use terms such as 'Euro pillow top,' but since there's no obvious seam between the surface and the rest of the mattress, we're inclined to call it a Euro-top.
The opposite of a pillow-top is a tight-top, which lacks a top cushion. Adding a mattress topper can transform a tight-top mattress into what's known as a box-top, which features a more squared-off appearance than a pillow- or Euro-top. (Avocado offers a box-top version of its flagship mattress for maximum plushness.)
Why choose a pillow-top mattress?
If we're being honest, most people opt for pillow-top mattresses because they look and feel luxurious. (Who doesn't want to wake up on a 5-star hotel mattress every morning?) Beyond aesthetics, pillow-tops balance plushness with support. Side and combi sleepers will especially benefit from this, as will some lighter back sleepers.
That said, if you're set on a pillow-top mattress, beware of the drawbacks. Cushioned tops are more prone to sagging and aren't always supportive of larger bodies. While some pillow-top mattresses mimic the sink-in feel of a memory foam mattress (namely the Beautyrest Black K-Class Plush), at most they'll subtly contour your body.
