Pillow Top Mattresses
A pillow top mattress has an extra layer of padding sewn onto its surface, sitting above the main comfort layer like a thin topper stitched permanently in place. It gives a soft, cushioned landing over a supportive base.
Because a pillow top is a finishing detail rather than a construction in its own right, it appears across sprung and hybrid ranges, and the dedicated selection here is small. Much of the plush feel people buy a pillow top for also lives in soft and medium soft pocket sprung mattresses.
We compare pillow top mattresses across UK retailers and check prices regularly, so you can see what is available and what each one costs.
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×What is a pillow top mattress?
A pillow top is an additional padded layer stitched to the top of a mattress, separated from the main body by a visible seam or gusset. Inside it you will usually find fibre, foam, wool or a blend of them. The mattress beneath does the supporting, while the pillow top softens the few centimetres you actually lie against.
A euro top is the same idea with the padding sewn flush inside the cover rather than sitting proud of it, so it looks squarer at the edge and feels slightly firmer. Both differ from a separate mattress topper, which you can lift off and replace. A pillow top is permanent.
Who pillow top mattresses suit
- Side sleepers, who benefit from surface cushioning at the shoulder and hip while the springs below hold the spine level.
- Anyone who wants a plush, hotel-style surface without a soft mattress underneath it.
- Sleepers who like a firm supportive base but find the surface of a firm mattress unforgiving.
Who might want a different option
- Front sleepers, who tend to sink at the hips on a padded surface and lose spinal alignment as a result.
- Heavier sleepers, since the pillow top layer compresses faster than the mattress under it and can leave a visible dip.
- Anyone who wants to refresh the surface later, where a firm mattress and a separate topper give a similar feel and can be replaced independently.
What to look for
- Check what is inside the pillow top. Foam holds its shape longer than fibre, which compresses and flattens with use.
- Most pillow tops are single-sided and cannot be flipped, so rotating head to foot is the only way to even out the wear.
- Support comes from the springs or foam below, so check that specification first and treat the pillow top as the surface finish.
- A pillow top adds height, and deep-fitted sheets are often needed to go over it.
How we compare them
We use information from manufacturer and retailer specifications, verified owner reviews and our own catalogue data across more than 800 construction-checked models, with prices checked regularly across our UK retail partners. You can read more on how we assess mattresses and how we stay independent on How We Make Money.
What is the difference between a pillow top and a mattress topper?
A pillow top is sewn permanently onto the mattress; a topper is a separate pad you lay on top and can remove and replace. The feel is similar, but only the topper can be swapped out when it flattens.
Are pillow top mattresses good for side sleepers?
They suit side sleeping well. The padded surface cushions the shoulder and hip, which is where side sleepers feel pressure, while the springs underneath keep the spine level. Front sleepers usually do better without the extra padding.
Do pillow tops go flat?
The layer does compress over time, faster than the mattress beneath it, and fibre-filled pillow tops flatten sooner than foam ones. Rotating the mattress head to foot regularly slows it down and stops a single dip forming.
Can you flip a pillow top mattress?
Almost never, since the padding is on one side only. Rotate it head to foot every few months instead, which spreads the wear across the surface.
Why is the pillow top choice so small?
Pillow top describes a finish rather than a construction, so many mattresses with a padded surface are listed as pocket sprung or hybrid instead. For the same plush feel, our soft and medium soft ranges are worth a look.