Could A Pillowtop Mattress Improve Your Sleep?

Pillowtop mattresses occupy a unique niche in the mattress world for people who like a soft, cushioned top layer.

The idea makes perfect sense from a practical perspective – the mattress can pack in a plusher comfort layer without sacrificing support because the extra thickness is sewn onto the mattress rather than being in it.

The most common question we get asked is what a pillowtop mattress is like to sleep on, and the answer is simple; pillowtop mattresses are soft for the first few centimetres but firm up after this, creating a stable sleeping platform.

What does this mean for sleep quality? A pillowtop could improve your bedtime comfort, helping you sleep better. If you like to sink into a mattress, the extra padding in the top layer will perfectly suit your requirements.

This article covers everything you need to know before buying.

Let’s jump in!

What is a pillowtop mattress?

Pillowtop mattresses are innerspring (pocket sprung or open coil) with a substantial comfort layer sewn on top. The pillowtop provides ultimate cushioning and lets the mattress underneath focus on support.

Is a pillowtop right for me?

Pillowtop mattresses are soft and squishy on top (more so than other mattresses), which may suit how you like a mattress to feel. A regular mattress is better if you want more firmness on the top layer.

Importantly, pillow tops are suited to all sleeping positions, and you can get them with a medium, medium-firm, and firm feel.

If pillow tops are so good, why don’t all mattresses have them?

All mattresses don’t have pillow tops because some people don’t like having so much cushioning, preferring a firmer bed feel.

While a regular mattress has a soft comfort layer built into it, it can’t match the thickness of a pillowtop comfort layer. A pillowtop usually add 2cm to 5cm of memory foam, latex foam or fibre – significantly more than a regular mattress.

For example, a pocket spring, hybrid, or pure foam mattress will feel lovely and squishy on top, but that squishiness won’t travel as far as a pillowtop.

What are the benefits of pillowtop mattresses?

Affordable – pillow tops are thicker than regular mattresses but around the same price. If you want a standard mattress of the same thickness and quality, you can expect to pay around 40% more.
Sprung support – pillow tops have sprung support, making them perfect for all sleepers. Pocket springs are the most common technology, featuring individual springs that adjust to your body.
Indulgent comfort – the squishy top layer compresses under your body without compromising the support underneath. In this respect, pillow tops are ideal for a supportive yet cushioned mattress.
Suitable for all sleepers – side sleepers need a soft top surface to squish into, and pillow tops suit this requirement. Back and front sleepers need a firmer top layer, and a firm pillowtop provides this with fibre.
A balanced feel – many prefer how a pillowtop balances comfort and support. The pillowtop layer is dedicated to comfort, while the whole underside of the mattress provides support and motion isolation.

Best pillowtop mattresses to try

Here are our favourite pillowtop mattresses:

Sleepeezee G4 (medium-soft)

The Sleepeezee G4 is perfect if you weigh less than 130 lbs or prefer a super-soft sleep. Priced at £1,099 for a king, it has an impressive 4,200 pocket springs and a pillowtop filled with Graphite memory foam that lets air and moisture pass through.

Sleepeezee G4 Memory 5FT Kingsize Mattress. — Pictured: Sleepeezee G4 Memory 5FT Kingsize Mattress

Giltedge Beds Pillowtop Pocket 1000 (medium)

Priced at £569 for a king, the Giltedge Beds Pillowtop Pocket 1000 has a white fibre pillowtop that mimics the sensation of sleeping on a cloud. One thousand pocket springs provide zoned support, while a damask cover offers a plush feel.

Giltedge Beds Pillowtop Pocket 1000 5FT Kingsize Mattress. — Pictured: Giltedge Beds Pillowtop Pocket 1000 5FT Kingsize Mattress

Silentnight Miracoil Geltex Carme Mattress (medium-firm)

Priced at £639 for a king, the Silentnight Miracoil Geltex Carme Mattress is our favourite medium-firm option, featuring a Geltex (gel foam) pillowtop that dissipates heat. It’s also treated with Purotex, a probiotic that combats allergens like dust mites.