Our top pillow-top mattress picks combine plush comfort with cooling features, perfect for all sleep positions.
Our Experts
Written by
McKenzie Dillon
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Reviews ethics statement
McKenzie DillonWriter
McKenzie, a Certified Sleep Science Coach and proclaimed mattress expert, has been writing sleep content in the wellness space for over four years. After earning her certification from the Spencer Institute and dedicating hundreds of hours to sleep research, she has extensive knowledge on the topic and how to improve your quality of rest.
Having more experience with lying on mattresses than most, McKenzie has reviewed over 150 beds and a variety of different sleep products including pillows, mattress toppers and sheets. McKenzie has also been a guest on multiple radio shows including WGN Chicago as a sleep expert and contributed sleep advice to over 50 different websites.
With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews.
What to consider
Firmness
A firm mattress will offer more support while a soft mattress will be more pressure relieving. Medium mattresses fall in the sweet spot right in between. The right firmness level for you depends on your sleeping position.
Sleeping position
Side sleepers should consider a medium to soft mattress that cradles the hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers should consider a medium to firm mattress that keeps the spine in a straight alignment. Switch between positions? A medium firmness level can accommodate all sleeping positions.
Feel
Coils and latex foam give a bed more bounce, while memory foam and poly foam make a bed feel more cushy and pressure-relieving. The feel of your mattress will depend on the types of materials it has on the inside.
Construction
There are essentially two mattress types, hybrid and all-foam. Hybrid mattresses are constructed with steel coils and foam, but all-foam mattresses are just as their name implies.
Body type
Hybrid mattresses tend to be best for people who want extra support and durability. Sleepers over 230 pounds in particular should consider a hybrid over an all-foam mattress because it’s more supportive, durable and long-lasting.
Performance
Motion isolation, edge support and temperature are important features for couples or people who sleep hot to consider. Hot sleepers should consider a mattress that boasts special cooling features. Couples want minimal motion transfer and a strong, supportive bed perimeter.
Company policies
All online brands offer a free trial, free shipping and a warranty, but some brands are more generous with their policies than others.
Whether you’re looking at hybrid or memory foam, there are countless mattresses out there. But with colder weather setting in, finding the bed that feels “just right” is as much about warmth and coziness as it is about materials. If you’re after a supportive mattress with a soft, plush feel, a pillow-top mattress could be your perfect choice for a cozy winter’s sleep.
That's where we come in. Relying on my years of experience, I've spent hours lying on beds that have mattress topper comfort layers. (It's a rough gig, I know.) I love pillow-top mattresses and have been sleeping on one for a few years. I'm not a fan of memory foam, but I do enjoy the airy cushioning that pillow-top mattresses can provide. We've got options with gel memory foam, too, if you prefer those.
In this list, I'll describe how each mattress feels when you sleep and whether it's worth the money. Here are the best pillow-top options based on my experience as a mattress tester.
What is the best pillow-top mattress overall?
The Star Hybrid mattress is a comfortable and accommodating memory foam bed.
My Slumber Yard
Let's get right to it: The Star Hybrid from Bear earned our top spot as the best pillow-top mattress. This bed is extremely comfortable and boasts a fluffy quilted top with extra steel coil reinforcements inside. It also comes with the option to add Bear's unique sleep-boosting, recovery-aid material called Celliant. It suits all body types and is rated around a medium on the firmness scale, accommodating most sleeping positions.
Video: Best pillow-top mattress
Watch CNET senior video producer Owen Poole review the best pillow-top mattresses.
The prices below are for queen-size models and were recently updated.
Our take - With several layers of foam, this bed feels like a plush pillow top on a supportive coil system. It's like a traditional innerspring bed, only ten times more comfortable. Like other pillow-top beds on this list, it's accommodating for all body types.
The Star Hybrid mattress comes with the option to add Bear's Celliant-infused cover to the pillow top, which is a fabric containing unique thermo-reactive materials. It absorbs your body heat and transfers it back to you as infrared energy. In turn, it boosts your blood circulation and oxygen, helping you feel more energized when you wake up. I can't say this tech works without a doubt, but I can say it's a very comfortable pillow-top mattress.
Like many bed-in-a-box brands named on this list, Bear offers generous discounts throughout the year to make your bed even cheaper.
back pain</a> because it offers a ton of support without compromising pressure relief. This bed reminds me of a fancy hotel mattress you'd find on a nice vacation. The comfort layer top feels nice and fluffy but more substantial and supportive thanks to its pressure-relieving memory foam layer. The mattress topper has an eggshell-colored, organic cotton Euro pillow top. </p><p>It's available in two heights and three firmness levels so you can choose between 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches for the ultimate body support. The softest pillow-top option is around a medium or five on my firmness scale, and it only gets firmer from there. The queen bed has 884 individually pocketed coils, which reduce motion transfer. My favorite is the Plush Soft but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="editor-rtfLink" href=https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-pillow-top-mattress/"https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-mattress-for-heavy-people/">heavy sleepers</a> with back pain should consider the Firm option.</p><p>Read our full <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href=https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-pillow-top-mattress/"https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/saatva-mattress-review/">Saatva mattress review</a> for more. </p><p></p>" page-position linktext linkurl like="~ Super supportive and durable ~ Dual coil system ~ Good for spinal alignment ~ Good price for the quality" dislike="~ Too firm for petite sleepers ~ Not a soft mattress" can-collapse="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"edbc724b-1c0b-4b8c-8b90-51af460aaf8a","label":"Saatva Classic","slug":"saatva-classic","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"","imgUrl":null,"typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"edbc724b-1c0b-4b8c-8b90-51af460aaf8a","slug":"saatva-classic","name":"Saatva Classic","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1730915032544}" overridecredit="Jonathan Gomez/CNET" overridecaption="<p></p>" imagegroup="{"uuid":"5e38cdee-a3de-4068-97b0-73ac6dc981fb","alt":"saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg","caption":null,"credits":"Jonathan Gomez/CNET","imageData":{"id":"5e38cdee-a3de-4068-97b0-73ac6dc981fb","filename":"saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d9bee19cad8a2468aa948bb86ee972d0f741741a/hub/2024/02/05/5e38cdee-a3de-4068-97b0-73ac6dc981fb/saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2024-02-05 20:42:59.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d9bee19cad8a2468aa948bb86ee972d0f741741a/hub/2024/02/05/5e38cdee-a3de-4068-97b0-73ac6dc981fb/saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":null,"imageCredit":"Jonathan Gomez/CNET","imageAltText":"saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg","imageFilename":"saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg","imageWidth":2048,"imageHeight":1366,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2024-02-05","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="false" ng-block="{"id":"4xpp90aujxknjix","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__724b3c91-8674-4290-82d5-349db18ebb0a" index="2" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" tagslugs="gap-project,hv90,mattress" productpromo="true" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Jonathan Gomez/CNET" imagealttext="saatva-classic-14-5-mattress-jg-05.jpg" class="c-sleepShortcodeListicleCollapsable">
Our take - The Saatva innerspring bed is the best pillow-top mattress for back pain because it offers a ton of support without compromising pressure relief. This bed reminds me of a fancy hotel mattress you'd find on a nice vacation. The comfort layer top feels nice and fluffy but more substantial and supportive thanks to its pressure-relieving memory foam layer. The mattress topper has an eggshell-colored, organic cotton Euro pillow top.
It's available in two heights and three firmness levels so you can choose between 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches for the ultimate body support. The softest pillow-top option is around a medium or five on my firmness scale, and it only gets firmer from there. The queen bed has 884 individually pocketed coils, which reduce motion transfer. My favorite is the Plush Soft but heavy sleepers with back pain should consider the Firm option.
stomach sleepers</a> may really like the support offered by the Firm WinkBed.</p><p>Read our review of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href=https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-pillow-top-mattress/"https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/winkbed-mattress-review/">WinkBed mattress</a>. </p>" page-position linktext linkurl like="~ Suitable to any sleeper ~ Extra-edge-support system ~ Three firmness levels" dislike="~ Too expensive for budget shoppers" can-collapse="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"2870446b-2a2d-4dd7-ad4c-d8332a6424c7","label":"The Winkbed","slug":"the-winkbed","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"","imgUrl":null,"typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"2870446b-2a2d-4dd7-ad4c-d8332a6424c7","slug":"the-winkbed","name":"The WinkBed","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1730915033023}" overridecredit="My Slumber Yard" overridecaption="<p></p>" imagegroup="{"uuid":"5d1e8729-2cd8-4c7f-8b76-bf683377d8dd","alt":"The WinkBed mattress on top of a metal bed frame in a bright room","caption":"<p></p>","credits":"Slumber Yard","imageData":{"id":"5d1e8729-2cd8-4c7f-8b76-bf683377d8dd","filename":"winkbed-main.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ce80948705d236aaad0e7862f4bfe4c6b8008855/hub/2021/05/11/5d1e8729-2cd8-4c7f-8b76-bf683377d8dd/winkbed-main.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-05-11 16:59:20.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ce80948705d236aaad0e7862f4bfe4c6b8008855/hub/2021/05/11/5d1e8729-2cd8-4c7f-8b76-bf683377d8dd/winkbed-main.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"<p></p>","imageCredit":"Slumber Yard","imageAltText":"The WinkBed mattress on top of a metal bed frame in a bright room","imageFilename":"winkbed-main.jpg","imageWidth":1280,"imageHeight":720,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2021-05-11","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="false" ng-block="{"id":"x37cmyxo8et7yps","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__8939f737-3877-4827-8fe8-135c291dbc16" index="3" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" tagslugs="gap-project,hv90,mattress" productpromo="true" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="My Slumber Yard" imagealttext="The WinkBed mattress on top of a metal bed frame in a bright room" class="c-sleepShortcodeListicleCollapsable">
Our take - This gel foam mattress from WinkBed is the epitome of a luxury bed and deserves a top spot on our list for the best pillow-top mattress. The cover is bright white with blue and white polka dots detailing around the edge. The inside is the real star of the show. The plush Euro pillow-top mattress feels like one big airy cloud on top of a supportive and durable system of pocketed coils.
3 firmness levels | softer: medium-soft or 3 | luxury firm: medium or 5 | firmer: medium-firm or 7
Trial
120 nights
Warranty
lifetime warranty
Pros & Cons
Pros
Suitable to any sleeper
Extra-edge-support system
Three firmness levels
Cons
Too expensive for budget shoppers
It's available in three different firmness levels: Softer, Luxury Firm and Firmer mattress options. Side sleepers should consider the pressure-relieving Softer model, which is one of the best soft pillow-top mattresses I've tested. On the flip side, back and stomach sleepers may really like the support offered by the Firm WinkBed.
affordable beds</a> on the market. The Allswell Supreme mattress from retail giant Walmart offers the same cushiony supportive feel at a more accessible cost. </p><p>It's a thick 14 inches and contains five different layers. This includes pocketed coils, their special Energex foam, graphite and copper-infused memory foam and a fluffy Euro-top. This bed has a memory foam feel, more so than any of the other beds on this list. It's not as prominent as a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href=https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-pillow-top-mattress/"https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/nectar-mattress-review/">Nectar mattress</a>, but you do feel the mattress topper layers hug your body as you become nestled into the mattress. It's also more bouncy than typical memory foam, especially because of the pocketed coil layer in the foundation.</p><p>It's only a hair firmer than a medium on the firmness scale; I'd give it a five and a half out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. Even so, it is pressure-relieving enough for side sleepers and supportive enough to keep a back and stomach sleeper's spine in proper alignment. It's worth noting the brand also offers a flagship <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href=https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-pillow-top-mattress/"https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/allswell-mattress-review-a-budget-friendly-bed-suitable-for-all-body-types/">Allswell mattress</a> at an even more affordable price.</p>" page-position linktext linkurl like="~ Great budget choice ~ Suits any body type" dislike="~ Basic looking ~ Has a distinct memory foam feel which some people don't like" can-collapse="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"a72826c5-86ab-4ba4-870c-28793894c4f2","label":"Allswell Supreme","slug":"allswell-supreme","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"","imgUrl":null,"typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"a72826c5-86ab-4ba4-870c-28793894c4f2","slug":"allswell-supreme","name":"Allswell Supreme","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1730915033191}" overridecredit="Jonathan Gomez/CNET" overridecaption="<p></p>" imagegroup="{"uuid":"12ac503f-2dbd-480a-816a-43feb7ea8317","alt":"dsc03021.jpg","caption":null,"credits":"Jonathan Gomez/CNET","imageData":{"id":"12ac503f-2dbd-480a-816a-43feb7ea8317","filename":"dsc03021.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/3490d0faff684e43303871b590683fff8d0c2b5e/hub/2024/05/23/12ac503f-2dbd-480a-816a-43feb7ea8317/dsc03021.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2024-05-23 16:31:03.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/3490d0faff684e43303871b590683fff8d0c2b5e/hub/2024/05/23/12ac503f-2dbd-480a-816a-43feb7ea8317/dsc03021.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":null,"imageCredit":"Jonathan Gomez/CNET","imageAltText":"dsc03021.jpg","imageFilename":"dsc03021.jpg","imageWidth":7952,"imageHeight":5304,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2024-05-23","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="false" ng-block="{"id":"nu06msj2ptgl2x2","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__60c42155-b5d0-4271-b31e-d9ca53753e5b" index="4" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" tagslugs="gap-project,hv90,mattress" productpromo="true" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Jonathan Gomez/CNET" imagealttext="dsc03021.jpg" class="c-sleepShortcodeListicleCollapsable">
Our take - The best pillow-top mattress options aren't always the most affordable beds on the market. The Allswell Supreme mattress from retail giant Walmart offers the same cushiony supportive feel at a more accessible cost.
Has a distinct memory foam feel which some people don't like
It's a thick 14 inches and contains five different layers. This includes pocketed coils, their special Energex foam, graphite and copper-infused memory foam and a fluffy Euro-top. This bed has a memory foam feel, more so than any of the other beds on this list. It's not as prominent as a Nectar mattress, but you do feel the mattress topper layers hug your body as you become nestled into the mattress. It's also more bouncy than typical memory foam, especially because of the pocketed coil layer in the foundation.
It's only a hair firmer than a medium on the firmness scale; I'd give it a five and a half out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. Even so, it is pressure-relieving enough for side sleepers and supportive enough to keep a back and stomach sleeper's spine in proper alignment. It's worth noting the brand also offers a flagship Allswell mattress at an even more affordable price.
gel memory foam</a>, which makes it slightly more foamy-feeling. It's what I would describe as a classic, neutral-foam feel. The pillow top neutralizes the memory foam feel, while the memory foam takes away the pillow-top mattress's airiness.</p><p>Read our full <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href=https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/best-pillow-top-mattress/"https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/helix-mattress-reviews/">Helix mattress review</a> for more. </p>" page-position linktext linkurl like="~ Anyone will like it ~ Textured pillow top ~ Versatile medium firmness" dislike="~ Not as airy as other pillow tops ~ Not a budget choice" can-collapse="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"054fc708-d919-4fff-83a3-28effb2621a7","label":"Helix Midnight Luxe","slug":"helix-midnight-luxe","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"","imgUrl":null,"typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"054fc708-d919-4fff-83a3-28effb2621a7","slug":"helix-midnight-luxe","name":"Helix Midnight Luxe","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1730915032264}" overridecredit="Jonathan Gomez/CNET" overridecaption="<p></p>" imagegroup="{"uuid":"c9fb1891-0f5a-4d9a-b0c2-b84ec8075e95","alt":"helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg","caption":null,"credits":"Jonathan Gomez/CNET","imageData":{"id":"c9fb1891-0f5a-4d9a-b0c2-b84ec8075e95","filename":"helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/553c392643301a0d9ebff91b0a6b6d135c7fbbf6/hub/2024/05/23/c9fb1891-0f5a-4d9a-b0c2-b84ec8075e95/helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2024-05-23 16:33:00.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/553c392643301a0d9ebff91b0a6b6d135c7fbbf6/hub/2024/05/23/c9fb1891-0f5a-4d9a-b0c2-b84ec8075e95/helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":null,"imageCredit":"Jonathan Gomez/CNET","imageAltText":"helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg","imageFilename":"helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg","imageWidth":2048,"imageHeight":1366,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2024-05-23","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="true" ng-block="{"id":"zi0yidj1uq2zivy","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__f1c6f597-8c5f-4056-862e-44ab6aa0e86e" index="5" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" tagslugs="gap-project,hv90,mattress" productpromo="true" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Jonathan Gomez/CNET" imagealttext="helix-midnight-luxe-mattress-jg-1.jpg" class="c-sleepShortcodeListicleCollapsable">
Our take - Couples typically want a bed that accommodates both of their sleeping styles and body types and has exceptional edge support and motion isolation. The Helix Midnight Luxe bed does this, making it our pick for the best pillow-top mattress for couples.
It's 14 inches thick and has six different layers inside. The pocketed coil layer in the base uses lumbar support coils, providing softer relief under your shoulders and targeted support to your lower back and trunk. It's not super noticeable when you lie down, but this construction detail helps promote proper alignment and prevent back pain in the long run.
This pillow-top mattress has a thin layer of gel memory foam, which makes it slightly more foamy-feeling. It's what I would describe as a classic, neutral-foam feel. The pillow top neutralizes the memory foam feel, while the memory foam takes away the pillow-top mattress's airiness.
What to consider when shopping for the best pillow-top mattress
Sleeping position
How you sleep will largely determine how firm a mattress you should buy. Stomach and back sleepers need firmer pillow-top mattresses that offer enough support to keep their spine aligned. Stomach sleepers tend to fall on the softer side of the scale because of the pressure relief offered to the shoulders, hips and knees.
Your body type also plays a role in this. The lighter you are, the harder a mattress will seem. The heavier you are, the softer it will feel.
Construction
What the bed is made from is another factor you must consider when shopping for a pillow-top mattress. The construction of the mattress will determine how supportive it is. Foam mattresses will generally always be less supportive than hybrid mattresses with layers of pocketed coils.
Price
Mattresses are a big purchase. It's important to know your budget when shopping for your next mattress. There are several pillow-top bed choices at every budget level. The good news is that most brands do huge discounts around the holidays, so you can get a couple hundred off the price tag of your next bed if you time it right.
Our mattress testing experts have tested over 200 mattresses and counting. We're really good at testing beds and assessing them for what the average person needs and values. Testing, we consider a few key factors that help us assess each mattress.
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read more on how we test mattresses.
Firmness and feel
We start with the two most important factors regarding mattresses: firmness and feel. You can think about firmness as how hard or soft the mattress is. I know what you're thinking, who wants a hard mattress? A lot of pressure relief isn't always the best option for everyone, but some people, like stomach and back sleepers, need a firmer mattress with more support to keep their spine aligned at night. Side sleepers, on the other hand, do benefit from a softer mattress that offers pressure relief for their shoulders, hips and knees. We rate firmness on a 1 to 10 scale, corresponding with terms like "medium" or "medium-firm."
The feel is the other big one we note right away. What does the pillow-top mattress feel like when you're lying on it? Does it have the sinking memory foam feel or a more neutral foam that bounces back quickly? Specifically for pillow tops, we take into account how thick they are and what feel they give the mattress. How firm and what the mattress feels like is noted in every review.
Performance
We consider several performance factors when testing the best pillow-top mattresses. The first is edge support, or how structured the perimeter of the mattress is. Testing this is as simple as sitting on the edge of the bed and assessing how supportive it is. If we feel like we're going to fall off the mattress by sitting on the edge, then it doesn't have great edge support.
Motion isolation is important if you sleep with a partner who tosses and turns or has a different sleeping schedule than you. We test this by placing a glass of water on the mattress and rolling across the bed to see if it will tip over. We also know how well the mattress distributes heat and regulates temperature.
This best pillow-top mattress list was curated by our CNET Sleep editors, who've had their fair share of laying on beds. They've tested over 200 different beds and have hours of experience under their belts. The picks shown above proved to be some of their favorites, but the beds we've tested below are also in the running for consideration.
DreamCloud mattress: The DreamCloud mattress is a thick hybrid bed made with new-age memory foam. It's rated around a 5 on the firmness spectrum or around a medium, making it ideal for just about any sleeping position.
Loom & Leaf mattress: The Loom & Leaf bed is from the luxury online mattress brand Saatva. It's a conforming memory foam mattress made without coils, and it has a cooling gel layer that does a good job of keeping your temperature neutral. The pillow top is made with different comfort foams and it even features its Lumbar Zone Quilting, which provides targeted support to your lumbar region. It comes in two different firmness levels, but they both lean toward the firm side (medium-firm and firm).
Avocado Green mattress: The Avocado bed is a green bed made with environmentally friendly materials sourced from nature that are non-toxic, hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. You can add a pillow top made with organic latex foam and organic cotton for additional comfort. With the pillow top, Avocado is rated around a medium firmness.
Yes, pillow-top mattresses add a plush and fluffy layer of cushioning to a mattress. It can also make a mattress look more premium and inviting, like jumping into a pile of pillows. Pillow-top mattresses usually have inner springs or coils in the bottom layer for support, and the pillow top is meant to add more coziness to the top layer.
What is the best pillow-top mattress?
The best pillow-top mattress will come with thick and supportive coils. Some of our favorite options include:
Saatva Classic mattress
WinkBed mattress
Helix Luxe mattresses
Star Hybrid
Is a pillow-top mattress good for side sleepers?
It depends on the firmness level of the particular pillow-top mattress and how much pressure relief it offers. The best types of pillow-top mattresses for side sleepers range from a medium firmness to a soft firmness level. Side sleepers under 250 pounds should avoid a firm mattress with a pillow top, like the Avocado Green mattress.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
