Pillow Top Mattresses

A pillow-top mattress is a type of mattress where two finishing edges (tape edges) are joined together by additional fabric in a V-shape. There is absolutely no benefit to the comfort, support, durability or quality of the finished mattress. It is purely an aesthetic treatment.

What is a euro-top mattress?

A euro pillow top mattress is a style of mattress finishing where two finishing edges (tape edges) are separated vertically by a band of fabric. There is absolutely no benefit to the comfort, support, durability or quality of the finished mattress. It is purely an aesthetic treatment.

Are pillow-top or Euro pillow-top mattresses better?

As we established above, pillow tops and euro tops are merely terms used to describe a specific aesthetic treatment applied to the mattress. These mattress styles have zero impact on the comfort and quality of the finished mattress.

This stylistic choice does not impact the materials inside the mattress. The quantity, quality and variety of internal mattress components are not reliant upon whether or not the mattress features a pillow top. You could have a mattress that is 6" thick with a pillow top, just as you could also have a 20" thick mattress without a pillow top.

Thicker is not better

A thicker mattress is not necessarily better. In fact, our best mattresses are only 8 to 12" thick. Our best mattresses are made from highly elastic materials and do not contain polyurethane foam. The simple fact is that a mattress made from highly elastic materials is superior to one that is not, and using highly elastic materials means that there is no functional reason to create a super-thick mattress.

Which mattress components are "highly elastic?"

1. Springs are the most elastic component found in any mattress. Mattresses made with several layers of pocket springs are exceptionally elastic.
2. Vita Talalay latex is the most elastic foam/upholstery material.

Our 3,000-word in-depth Spring Mattress Buying Guide is a must-read, even if you're planning to buy a mattress without springs. The guide covers the history of coils in mattresses, the various types of springs, and their benefits and drawbacks. This guide also discusses the Elastic Bed Principle, a critical factor in achieving the best night's rest on the best mattress.

We're often asked, "What is the best mattress?" The Mattress & Sleep Company believes this can be answered by understanding our philosophy, The Elastic Bed Principle.

Your mattress should be constructed of highly elastic materials for these three straightforward reasons:

1. Elastic materials conform better to the complex shape of the human body.
2. Elastic materials rebound/bounce back to their original shape effortlessly, providing proper support from head to toe —not just the heaviest parts of the body.
3. Elasticity IS support. It is imperative to understand that ‘softness’ and ‘firmness’ are entirely separate metrics and are only loosely related to support. The elastic and conforming response of a softer spring is much more supportive of the human body than the firm, overly stiff support of the floor.

Read more about The Elastic Bed Principle in our Spring Mattress Buying Guide.

If you're investing in a new mattress, it's crucial to ensure that it is adequately supported. We have put together a Platform Bed & Boxspring Guide to help you understand the importance of proper support, and we answer common questions about voiding mattress warranties and whether your existing platform bed or boxspring will work with your new mattress.