Not all mattresses are created equal, and what works best for you might be different than what works for someone else. Today, we’re covering everything you need to know about pillow top mattresses.

What is a Pillow Top Mattress?

A pillow top mattress is an innerspring mattress with additional padding at the top for added comfort. While hybrid mattresses also combine innerspring and memory foam, pillow top mattresses tend to have memory foam or another material only at the top layer of the mattress. Pillow top mattresses extend noticeably at the top, as if a pillow was sewn to the surface of a regular mattress, and because of this, they sometimes require deeper sheets. While the pillow top can be made from a wide range of materials, many pillow top mattresses use polyurethane foam or memory foam.

The Perks of Pillow Top Mattresses

Pillow top mattresses tend to be great for people who are looking for the comfort and support of memory foam mattresses at a more affordable price. In addition to being affordable, pillow top mattresses can relieve pressure points, and add an additional layer of comfort and support to more typical innerspring mattresses.

Choosing the Right Pillow Top Mattress

At Star Furniture & Mattress, we carry four brands of pillow top mattresses, including Beautyrest, Stearns & Foster, Serta, and Restonic. When choosing a pillow top mattress, you’ll want to consider size, firmness, motion isolation, price, and temperature neutrality. Depending on what features are most important to you, you can determine which features to prioritize. If, for example, you are a light sleeper who is often disturbed when your partner moves, it might make sense to prioritize a mattress with superior motion isolation. You should also pay attention to the material used in the pillow top, as it can affect things like sleeping temperature neutrality and motion isolation.

Caring for Your Pillow Top Mattress

Pillow top mattresses tend to have a shorter lifespan than memory foam and innerspring mattresses, but properly caring for your new mattress can help it last longer. Unlike other mattresses, you can’t regularly flip your mattress, though you can rotate regularly to try to prevent sagging. In addition to rotating your mattress, using a mattress protector and regularly changing your bedding can help protect your mattress from dirt and debris.

Choosing the Right Bed Frame

Unlike memory foam mattresses which can be placed directly on slats or a platform bed, pillow top beds require a traditional box spring underneath to provide mattress support. Pillow top mattresses, like innerspring mattresses, are elevated by box springs to create a more traditional bedroom look, with the mattress resting higher on the bed. Shopping for a new mattress? Visit a Star Furniture & Mattress store in Houston, Austin, San Antonio or Bryan, Texas to browse our extensive mattress collection today! In the meantime, check out our extensive mattress buying guide to start narrowing down your options.