How Long Does A Pillow Top Mattress Last

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
19 min read

A pillow top mattress has a possible lifespan of eight years if taken care of properly. The lifespan of a pillow top mattress can vary considerably from one manufacturer to the next. This article will not only tell you what to expect from a pillow top mattress, but it will also discuss other useful information.

Are you interested in learning more about pillow top mattresses? You may also want to check out our extensive wiki.

What is a Pillow Top Mattress?

Mattresses with an extra layer of padding or cushion on top are called pillow tops or euro tops. They can give the impression that a second, thinner mattress has been strapped on top of a standard one. The pillow top is simply a standard mattress with an extra layer of padding.

In contrast to the sewn-on top layer of a pillow top mattress, which cannot shift around, separate toppers entered the market much later. The pillow top mattress is preferable because the topper is built in; in the case of the euro top, the topper is hidden inside the mattress cover.

What is a Pillow Top Mattress? Why you should avoid Pillow Top beds | John  Ryan

The pillow top consists of an additional, usually 2-inch (but sometimes more) layer of padding sewn into the cover of the mattress. Although the pillow top may seem to be floating on top of the mattress, it is actually safely attached to the structure below. Natural latex, cotton, memory foam, wool, fiberfill, gel, and other materials can all be used to create this upper layer, also known as a built-in topper.

Innerspring and airbed mattresses are the most common types to have a pillow top added. Mattresses that combine a high-quality innerspring with a soft foam or cotton topper have quickly risen to the top of shoppers’ lists.

What Is the Difference Between a Pillow Top and a Euro Top Mattress?

There isn’t much of a functional difference between these two mattress types, but you can find both when you start shopping around. A standard pillow top gives the impression that two separate mattresses—one larger and one smaller—have been stitched together.

The topper section of a euro top mattress is placed on top of the mattress’s lower section, and both are then encased in a single cover. The euro top has the benefit of reinforced edges and a more tailored look while giving the impression of being a single, seamless mattress. It may be more long-lasting in some circumstances, but it offers no additional support or comfort over the other choice. They’re equally good options.

Pillow Top Pros and Cons

There are advantages and disadvantages to having a pillow top, or an additional layer, on a mattress. Pillow tops are available in a wide range of densities, from extremely soft to extremely firm, so you can find one that perfectly suits your needs. Let’s take a look at the finer points that could sway your opinion.

Pros

  • Comfort: With the introduction of the pillow top, the bar for a good mattress has been raised. The additional layer, which could be made of a number of different materials, was added to the bed’s base, which was typically made of innersprings or pocketed coils, for a feel that was compared to sleeping on a cloud.
  • An obvious benefit of a mattress with a pillow top is that there is no need to break it in before use. Pillow tops are known to be comfortable and supportive from the very first night you sleep on them, unlike memory foam tops, which may require some breaking in.
  • Reduced Off-Gassing: Some people who buy expensive mattresses online complain that they give off a bad odor and toxic fumes for weeks or months. Pillow tops, on the other hand, are rarely reported to have any sort of unpleasant odor or chemical fumes from customers.
  • While the price of a pillow top mattress is about 30% higher than that of a traditional mattress, it is still much more reasonably priced than a memory foam or hybrid mattress of comparable quality.
  • The additional topper, especially if it contains foam, can lessen motion transfer, which is yet another benefit of the pillow top. When two people share a bed, they will be less likely to wake each other up.
  • A pillow top mattress is well-known for its ability to relieve pressure and promote restful sleep. Because of the extra support they provide for the hips and shoulders, these mattresses are widely favored by side sleepers. When it comes to relieving pressure in specific areas, they are unparalleled.
  • The addition of a top layer enables the support of an innerspring to be combined with the comfort of a softer top layer, providing the best of both worlds. For many people, this is the ideal level of support and comfort in a bed.

Cons

  • Pillow tops add about 20% more weight than a regular mattress, so keep that in mind if you’re concerned about portability. This can make them more cumbersome to manipulate in any way.
  • In addition, rotation is essential. As a regular part of bed maintenance, you should switch the positions of your pillow tops between the head and the foot. Except for two-sided pillow tops, they should not be flipped. If you turn the bed either clockwise or counterclockwise, you can extend its life and improve its comfort.
  • The potential for sagging is a major drawback of the pillow top style. Over time, the top layer materials do get compressed due to weight and natural wear and tear. Back pain can occur if the sag is severe enough.
  • People who weigh more than average will not enjoy the same level of comfort and support as those of normal weight. It is commonly accepted that heavy people should look elsewhere for adequate support.
  • It’s possible that your bed sheets and bed frame won’t fit on a mattress with a pillow top. A pillow top may be significantly deeper than your current mattress, despite the fact that sheets are now available in stretchy fabrics that can accommodate a range of mattress depths. If that’s the case, the sheets you’re using might be too small. The same could be said of your bed frame; the mattress might not be a good fit. The price of a new bed can skyrocket if you also need to buy a mattress cover, sheets, and a frame.
  • Less long-lasting: customers’ reports suggest pillow tops wear out more quickly than traditional mattresses.
  • Many people find that the pillow top mattress is too warm because it retains body heat. This was reported by about 8 percent of pillow-top mattress sleepers compared to 4 percent of traditional mattress sleepers. Pillows with foam on top may be warmer than those without.

How Long Will A Pillow Top Mattress Last?

Five to eight years

You should get at least five years out of a pillow top mattress, and maybe even eight. Every pillow top mattress is different in quality and how you’ll use and maintain it, so it’s hard to give a specific year, just like when learning about the expected lifespan of foam beds and other types. Invest in a high-quality pillow top by a trusted manufacturer, and give it the regular attention it deserves.

Once the pillow top bed is more than five years old, it’s a good idea to evaluate how well it’s holding up and how it affects your sleep. Pillow top mattresses are susceptible to having their distinctive top layer of padding become dented or lumpy. However, the base of the bed can also flatten out and stop providing adequate support.

How To Make A Pillow Top Mattress Last

If you buy a pillow top that is well-made from durable materials, you can keep it in good condition for years without having to replace it.

Keep your pillow top mattress clean

Find out when and how to deep clean your pillow top mattress. To begin, once a week, vacuum the mattress to get rid of dust and other buildups. Then, clean the pillow top as directed by the manufacturer as soon as possible after any spills.

A mattress protector is another option. Unlike the pillow top, which takes forever to dry after getting wet, this one is a breeze to clean. As a general rule, it’s best to avoid using harsh cleaners on your mattress and to always perform a test patch first.

What is a Pillow Top Mattress?

Fluff the pillow top mattress

Fluffing the pillow top mattress on a regular basis will prevent it from flattening out. Beat the surface evenly with the broom’s end once a month to keep it looking great. You can use a couple of tennis balls and the heatless setting on the dryer to give the pillow top a fluff if you can remove it.

Maintain a good foundation for the pillow top mattress

Avoid sagging by maintaining a strong foundation for your pillow top mattress. If the bed is not sitting securely on the foundation, you may need to get a new one. Add a plywood base to your bed for even more pressure relief.

Can You Flip A Mattress With A Pillow Top?

Most pillow top mattresses can’t be flipped because one side serves as the foundation and the other is the comfort zone. If you flip a mattress with a pillow top only on one side, you will find that the bottom layer is too stiff to be comfortable. The mattress won’t last as long if you put the soft side down, and you won’t get enough support.

Do not turn your mattress over unless it is a double-sided pillow top. Instead, to lengthen the life of the pillow top, you should rotate it. Knowing how often to rotate a pillow top will help you spread out the wear and keep it from sagging.

How Often Should You Replace A Pillow Top Mattress?

After about 5–7 years, it’s time to get a new pillow top mattress. If you want to know when to replace it, though, checking it is preferable to marking a calendar. If you wake up in pain every day and the pillow top is sagging or otherwise damaged, you should probably replace it sooner than in seven years.

Do pillow top mattresses wear out faster?

Inadequate base support or lack of routine rotation can hasten the deterioration of a mattress with a pillow top. Because of the constant weight of your body on it while you sleep, sagging is a real possibility. If the springs or foam are undamaged, you should also inspect the quality of the top cushioning and the supportive layer at the bottom.

If you have any problems with your pillow top mattress, this comprehensive guide will help.

Best Pillow-Top Mattress

Best Overall: Saatva Classic

  • Choice of firmness levels (3, 6, 8)
  • Try-out period of 180 nights
  • Extended to 15 Years!
  • This unique hybrid structure consists of a Euro-top sandwiched between two layers of coils.
  • All orders come with complimentary white-glove delivery.

The Saatva Classic is a hybrid mattress that combines the softness of a Euro-top with the support of foam and the bounce of coils placed closely together. Both coil layers provide ample pushback to counteract sinkage and maintain a level sleeping surface, giving you a mattress that feels soft and responsive at first. Strong edge support, reliable cooling, and excellent responsiveness during sex are just some of the many benefits of this mattress.

There are three different mattress firmness options to choose from. The thick foam layers that give the soft (3) feel its gentle padding are most likely to appeal to side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. Those who weigh at least 130 pounds, prefer very little contouring and strong support from their Saatva Classic should opt for the firm (8) feel. The middle ground between the two extremes is the medium firm setting (6), which is a good choice for most people. If you want a higher profile for more coil support, you can pick between a 14.5-inch and a 11.5-inch mattress.

White Glove delivery is included at no cost within the 48 contiguous states when you order from Saatva. In addition to delivering and setting up your new mattress in the room of your choice, we will also remove your old one at your request. The Saatva Classic is offered at a reasonable price, and all purchases come with a risk-free 180-night test run.

Most Comfortable: DreamCloud Premier

  • Tenseness level: six
  • A full year of sleep testing
  • Permanent guarantee
  • Cushioning and form-fitting support are both provided by three layers of foam.
  • To prevent sinking, coils are fortified at their edges.

The DreamCloud Premier is a high-end hybrid that doesn’t break the bank. The mattress’s impressive 14-inch height and medium firm (6) feel make it a good choice for those who like the comfort of a Euro-top but require more robust support. According to our research, the Premier is most sought after by light to medium weight (230 pounds or less) side and back sleepers.

The two layers of memory foam in the Euro-top provide contouring support and a soft, luxurious feel. Additional conforming and flattening of the body are provided by a polyfoam transitional layer.

For edge support and minimal sinkage when sleeping or sitting on the edge of the Premier, pocketed coils are encased in high-density foam. The cashmere-blend cover has moisture-wicking properties, and the coils help the mattress sleep cool. This makes the Premier an excellent choice for hot sleepers.

To give you plenty of time to try out the Premier and make an educated purchase decision, DreamCloud offers a 365-night sleep trial—among the longest in the online mattress industry. There is a lifetime guarantee for those who choose to keep the mattress.

Best Cooling: Helix Midnight Luxe

  • Firmness level six
  • A trial run of 100 nights
  • Ten year guarantee
  • Superior ventilation and airflow for comfortable temperature regulation.
  • Zoned coils provide more tummy support and lessen outer-edge sag.

Helix Sleep is a mattress company that offers a wide variety of hybrid mattresses, each of which is designed for a particular sleeping position or body type. The Helix Midnight Luxe’s medium firm (6) feel and well-thought-out construction make it a good option for any sleeper weighing up to 230 pounds, though it is optimized for side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds.

The Midnight Luxe has a denser layer of memory foam at the bottom of its Euro-top, which helps with contouring and provides additional support. The framework is made up of zoned pocketed coils. In order to keep sleepers from sinking too far into the mattress, the coils here are thicker and stronger where the torso and hips meet. Pushback from the bed’s perimeter coil reinforcement makes getting in and out of bed a breeze. The coils and Tencel cover work together to keep the Midnight Luxe cool, making it an excellent choice for sleepers who tend to run hot.

The Luxe collection from Helix Sleep is characterized by its Euro-top finishes across all models. To see if the Midnight Luxe is right for you, take the brand’s online sleep questionnaire. All 50 states receive free shipping on Helix orders.

Best Pressure Relief: Nolah Evolution 15

  • Variable hardness levels (5, 6, 8)
  • Sleep test for 120 nights
  • Guaranteed for all time
  • Cushioning proprietary foams shouldn’t get too warm while you sleep.
  • Enhanced assistance from a zoned coil design.

Quality pillow-top mattresses are distinguished by their ability to relieve pressure points on the body, as their names suggest. The Nolah Evolution 15 features a Euro-top construction with four layers of foam, the first of which is an adaptive foam quilt. This mattress has a thick support core with zoned pocketed coils, so it will contour closely to the body without sagging too much.

The Evolution 15 can be adjusted to one of three firmness settings: medium (level 5), medium-firm (level 6), or firm (level 8). You should consider your sleep position and body type when deciding on a design. Medium provides gentle shaping, firm provides the most support, and medium-firm strikes a balance between the two extremes. Open-cell foams aid in heat dissipation, and pocketed coils provide extra support in key areas like the torso and the periphery. These features are standard across all mattress models.

Nolah offers free standard shipping to any customer in the 48 contiguous states. The Evolution 15 can be purchased with a sleep trial that lasts for 120 nights. If you skip the trial period, you can save up to $100 on your purchase price up front, but you also lose the option to return the mattress.

Best Organic: Avocado Green

  • Firmness level six
  • A full year of sleep testing
  • Warranty for 25 Years
  • The outer shell and inner comfort layer fabrics are GOTS-certified organic.
  • The elasticity of the latex surface makes it easy to move around on.

There are many mattresses available today that are made from sustainably sourced materials, perfect for the eco-conscious consumer. The Avocado Green is opulent and kind to the environment. Latex is used in the construction of the mattress, making it more responsive and providing softer cushioning than foam. Sturdy pocketed coils add reinforcement where it’s needed most, making the surface feel rock solid, even at its edges.

What is a Pillow Top Mattress? Why you should avoid Pillow Top beds | John  Ryan

The standard Green model has a firm (7) feel and features a single layer of latex. With the addition of the Euro-top, the firmness level can be adjusted from 6 out of 10 to a more comfortable medium. According to our research, the Euro-top mattress is ideal for side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds and back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. The rubber trees that are used to produce the latex are certified as organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard. The Green’s cotton cover and wool fire barrier are both certified organic.

To all 50 states, Avocado offers free ground shipping. A long sleep trial period is included with every order so that customers can try out the mattress for as long as a year before deciding whether or not to keep it. If you go with the second option, the manufacturer will back you up for the next quarter-century.

Conclusion

Did you get something out of it? As a quick review, the answer to the question “how long does a pillow top mattress last” is anywhere from five to eight years. The quality of the bed, as well as how well you take care of it, will determine how long it lasts.

Should you get a mattress with a pillow top? People who need extra support and comfort should go for this style. Keep in mind that sagging can be avoided if you rotate it on a regular basis.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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