What Is A Tight Top Mattress? Top Beds for Every Budget and Preference

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
29 min read

If you’re wondering, “What is a tight top mattress?” the answer is a mattress with no top padding. Simply put, a “tight” mattress will have a more rigid appearance and feel than a “traditional” mattress. You could even say it’s the polar opposite of a plush mattress.

Read on to find out more about this bed and whether or not it would be a good fit for you. Some people are better off on a firm mattress, just as some prefer a firm pillow. So, without further ado, I give you the complete rundown on tight-top mattresses.

What Is A Tight Top Mattress: Everything You Need To Know

Simply put, a tight-top mattress is one that has a high, flat top. The lack of a top padding layer makes the mattress look and feel noticeably firmer than your other beds. The firm mattress is another name for the tight-top mattress used by some manufacturers.

Tight-top mattresses, it should be noted, also come in a variety of textures. There are a few softer options available, but overall the mattresses are firmer. Those who prefer the extra support provided by tight-top mattresses can rest assured that they will never be uncomfortable.

There will be a wide range of mattress firmnesses and textures to choose from. Now, what about the ‘plush tight top,’ you ask? Unlike a pillow-top, the cushioning on this thicker mattress sits on top of the coils rather than below them.

What Is a Tight Top Mattress? | Spencer's TV & Appliance | Phoenix, AZ

Tight top vs pillow top vs Euro top

While looking for a tight-top mattress, you may also come across pillow-top and Euro-top options. How do they vary from a traditional bed’s tight top? Tight-top mattresses, as was previously mentioned, have a firmer texture. Pillow-top mattresses, for instance, have a layer of padding that mimics a pillow top, making them one of the softest options available.

The top layer of a Euro-top mattress should provide a similar level of comfort. Unlike the pillow-top, which has a removable cushion top, the Euro-top mattress’s cushion layer is integral to the design. Tight-top mattresses eliminate the mattress’s top cushioned layer and replace it with a fabric that is stretched evenly across the surface.

Are Tight Top Mattresses Good?

Tight-top mattresses may look and feel firmer, but you shouldn’t let that put you off. If you tend to sleep on your back, this is the mattress for you. If you sleep on your back, you eliminate the possibility of spinal subluxations. Heavy parts of the body, like the hips, won’t sink too far, preventing morning pain.

If you want to reduce the tension in your muscles while you sleep, switching to a firmer mattress is the way to go. A tight-top bed is ideal for back sleepers, but it also works well for stomach and side sleepers. A tight-top mattress will be sufficiently firm to resist pressure if you are a heavier individual.

Can You Flip A Tight Top Mattress? 

Turning your mattress regularly can help it last longer and maintain its original shape. If you flip your mattress every so often, you can extend its life and protect it from permanent indentations and sagging. However, tight-top mattresses cannot be flipped because of their design.

This means you sleep on one side of the mattress while using the other as a foundation. The uncomfortable side becomes the top when you flip it, and the deformed side becomes the bottom. Instead of flipping or turning your tight-top mattress, you can rotate it to redistribute the weight.

Is A Pillow Top Mattress Better?

One person may prefer a bed with a pillow-top, while another may feel more comfortable on a bed with a tighter surface. A pillow-top mattress is better for side sleepers than a tight-top one. The hips and shoulders, which are particularly vulnerable to strain in this position, will benefit from the added padding.

Avoid the tight-top mattress if you and your partner share a bed because of increased motion transfer. If your partner frequently gets in and out of bed, the base’s coil system may cause noticeable bouncing. When shopping for a one-sided mattress, it’s important to think about your personal preferences and sleeping habits.

What’s The Best Firmness For A Mattress?

Now that you have some idea of how various mattresses feel, you may be wondering what kind of firmness is best for you. Unfortunately, there is no universal solution because different people have different comfort thresholds. It’s better to get a mattress whose firmness is suited to your preferences, sleeping habits, and size.

To quickly recap, those who weigh a lot or who sleep on their backs should get a firm mattress to avoid sinking and keep their spine in a neutral position. If you’re small and sleep on your side, your joints will appreciate the relief provided by a softer mattress.

Most people may find that the firmness of a tight top mattress is uncomfortable. A tight-top innerspring bed, however, may provide the necessary comfort and support for back sleepers and people of larger stature.

Back Sleepers

Consider purchasing a tight-top mattress if you are a back sleeper. The heaviest parts of your body have a tendency to sink to the bed when lying on your back. On a mattress that is too soft, the torso can sink too far, resulting in a curved spine and muscle tension in the back.

In order to keep the hips elevated and the spine in a neutral position, the best mattresses for back sleepers tend to be firm to medium-firm. Muscles can rest and repair more effectively while sleeping if the spine is in a neutral position. A tight top bed may help those who sleep on their backs get the most beneficial spinal alignment and restorative slumber.

Plus-Size Sleepers

Those who weigh 230 pounds or more while sleeping tend to sink deeper into their mattress than those who weigh less. A misaligned spine is a common result of sleeping on a bed that is too soft for the sleeper’s weight. Sleeping in that position usually results in sore muscles and joints in the morning.

For this reason, people who are heavier tend to favor firmer mattresses, such as tight tops. Since tight top beds do not provide any contouring, those who suffer from chronic joint pain and stiffness may find that a medium-firm memory foam or hybrid mattress is more comfortable.

Shoppers with a Tight-Budget

Tight top mattresses are the least expensive option when shopping for an innerspring bed. Most people spend between $200 and $500 on a queen-size mattress with a tight top. Tight top beds, on the other hand, are not as long-lasting as innerspring, hybrid, or all-foam beds.

Who Should Avoid a Tight Top Mattress?

Tight top beds, which have a thin but dense top layer, can be uncomfortable for side sleepers and shorter people. A softer mattress with extra padding at the hips and shoulders will help these sleepers avoid painful pressure points. Stiffness and pain in the joints may be brought on by sleeping on a firm bed, such as a mattress with a tight top.

The spring coil base and thin top layer of a tight top mattress create a sensation of buoyancy. This means that their motion transfer is higher than that of most mattresses, which could wake up a sleeping partner. You should probably avoid this type of bed if you and your partner have drastically different bedtime routines.

Other Types of Innerspring Beds?

To help you decide between a tight-top and another type of innerspring mattress, we’ve described both pillow-top and Euro-top beds below.

Pillow-Top

Mattresses with a pillowtop have extra padding sewn onto the surface. Foams like memory foam and gel memory foam as well as latex and polyurethane foams, fiberfill, cotton, and wool are commonly used to make this layer. A pillow top mattress has extra padding sewn directly onto the cover. As a result, the padding does not lie flat atop the mattress. Instead, a space of about an inch exists between the topper and the mattress.

Pillow top mattresses can be found in a range of firmnesses, from very soft to very firm. The extra padding is great for relieving pressure on the joints.

Euro Top

An extra layer of padding is added to a Euro top mattress, much like a pillow top. On the other hand, a Euro top has that additional layer sewn into the bottom of the cover. This construction ensures that the padding is always in close proximity to the mattress.

Memory foam, latex foam, polyurethane foam, cotton, wool, or polyester fiberfill are common materials for Euro top bed padding. Due to the extra padding on top, Euro tops are the most expensive and the bulkiest variety of innerspring bed.

The Best Mattresses of 2022: Top Beds for Every Budget and Preference

Best Overall Mattress: WinkBeds EcoCloud

The WinkBeds EcoCloud came out on top thanks to its superior construction and reliable performance throughout our tests. It combines latex and innerspring coils, two of the most long-lasting components of a mattress, to make a sturdy frame. The testing crew looks at the construction, materials, and expected lifespan to determine the mattress’s durability. Since heavier sleepers or partners put more strain on a mattress’s construction, we recommend the WinkBeds EcoCloud, which received a perfect 10 in this category.

The WinkBeds EcoCloud gets its name from the fact that it is topped with eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, latex, and wool. Both the coils and the Talalay latex are derived from sustainable sources. This bed’s latex and coil construction creates a buoyant, responsive surface, making it ideal for combination sleepers. Naturally, latex has a lot of buoyancy.

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight

More than half of all people sleep on their side, so it’s essential to find a mattress that molds to your hips and shoulders. When you sleep on your side, the most strain is put on your neck, shoulders, and lower back. This design helps alleviate that strain. The Helix Midnight’s hybrid design makes it a top pick for those who prefer to sleep on their sides. The system of innerspring coils and top layer of memory foam work together to relieve pressure and support your body in just the right ways. Relax on the top two layers of plush foam, knowing that your spine will be well-supported by the coils beneath.

This mattress scored an 8.5 out of 10 in pressure relief thanks to how well it cradles your body when you lie on your side. The Helix Midnight is great if you prefer to sleep on your side but also want the convenience of switching to your back or stomach occasionally. The Helix Midnight is one of the least expensive beds on our list, coming in at just over $1,000.

The 5 Best Innerspring Mattresses of 2023 | Reviews by Wirecutter

Best Mattress for Athletes: Bear Hybrid

Your bed should help soothe aching muscles rather than add to them if you play pickup games or train with a competitive team on a regular basis. The Bear Hybrid is the mattress we recommend for athletes because it has an almost perfect score of 9.5 out of 10 in both spine alignment and durability. Over 1,300 coils went into its construction, and it has two layers of foam on top, one of which is a special copper-infused foam that aids in heat dissipation.

The Bear Hybrid scores a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, placing it squarely in the medium-firm category, according to our experts. This means that it provides a nice medium between support and comfort, making it suitable for a wide variety of sleepers. However, side sleepers shouldn’t choose this bed. This mattress did not provide adequate pressure relief during our testing.

Best Mattress for Back Sleepers: Leesa Original

Our back-sleeping reviewers have consistently found the Leesa Original to be the most supportive, pressure-relieving, and comfortable mattress they’ve tried. The Leesa did not cause any pinching or uneven pressure distribution in the hips or shoulders when sleepers tried it in this position. The two inches of memory foam on top of the two inches of supportive, airy foam contribute greatly to the bed’s comfort. The mattress is finished off with six inches of supportive foam, ensuring it will last through many nights of use.

The Leesa is a more plush option than some of the other memory foam beds on this list because it is softer. This means it’s great for people of average weight or less who sleep on their backs, but it may not be supportive enough for couples or heavier individuals. Because it is made of breathable foam, which sleeps cool enough to keep people of higher body temperatures satisfied, it is also a great option for hot sleepers who want the signature memory foam feel.

Best Hybrid Mattress: Casper Wave Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine the advantages of different types of mattresses. The Casper Wave Hybrid is a great option if you’re looking for a mattress that combines the contouring benefits of memory foam with the durability of an innerspring design. It has a supportive foam border and an innerspring coil base. On top of the coils is a layer of gel pods, with the softer pods located under the hips and the firmer pods under the shoulders. Two layers of supportive memory foam and a gel-infused surface work together to keep you cool and comfortable during the night.

In the lab, this mattress performed exceptionally well in terms of spine alignment, so it has our highest recommendation. The Casper Wave Hybrid, like the rest of the Casper mattress line, received high marks in almost all categories, demonstrating its broad appeal to people with different sleeping habits and preferences.

Best Mattress for Back Pain: Saatva Classic

The Saatva Classic is an upgrade from a standard innerspring mattress, and it has impressed our testers on multiple occasions with its sturdy build, comfortable feel, and range of firmness settings. Based on your weight and preferred sleeping position, choose between a plush soft, luxury firm, or firm mattress. No matter what level of firmness you go with, the Saatva’s base is rock solid. Over four hundred steel coils and high-density foam form the base. Tests showed that it successfully alleviated all lumbar pressure, scoring a perfect 10 on spine alignment (the degree to which a mattress maintains your spine’s natural S curve).

With the Saatva Classic, you can sink right into the mattress, thanks to its thick memory foam layer and three-inch pillow top.justsufficient without weakening backing. It’s perfect for those who suffer from back pain and for those who simply enjoy the sensation of sleeping on a very firm bed. Setup is taken care of with white glove delivery.

Best Value Mattress: Nectar

The Nectar mattress is highly beneficial due to the fact that it is both reasonably priced and made from high-quality materials. It has three layers of memory foam and a soft, breathable quilted cover. The evaluation team unanimously agreed that this mattress struck the perfect balance between softness and support. You’ll feel some resistance to your motions, but your body will be cradled in comfort by the firm yet yielding surface.

Our testing of the Nectar bed mattress revealed that switching positions during the night was a breeze. It scored a perfect 10 on motion transfer and pressure relief and an 8.5 on responsiveness. However, hot sleepers might not appreciate the Nectar. The dense memory foam used in its construction makes it more likely to retain heat than a spring-based bed. But with a price tag that comes in at slightly over $1,000 for a queen and a lifetime guarantee, the Nectar is hard to pass up.

Best Luxury Mattress: DreamCloud Premier

The DreamCloud Premier is the perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day. It has a plush cashmere cover and a pillow top in addition to its 8.5 inches of individually wrapped coils and three layers of memory foam. We found that the mattress was effective at relieving pressure in the hips, torso, and shoulders. It scored a perfect 10 in responsiveness and longevity and a perfect 9 in pressure relief.

If you or your pet are restless sleepers, your mattress should make it difficult to shift positions during the night. When one tester was blindfolded and placed on the DreamCloud Premier, they reported feeling no motion from the tossing and turning of the other tester on the bed. There is a price tag attached to these deluxe additions. The DreamCloud Premier is for those who are willing to put money into their sleep because it costs more than $2,000 for a queen size.

What are the different types of mattresses?

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses, which are characterized by their support and bounce, are made from rows of coils and typically have only a thin layer of foam on top. Due to the coils’ open design, this bed type also provides a cool night’s rest.

Memory foam

Foam, which conforms to your body’s unique shape and softens pressure points, is the only component of memory foam mattresses. Because memory foam creates a sinking sensation, it makes you feel like you’re sleeping in rather than on your mattress. Because of this, memory foam mattresses can get quite warm, even when infused with cooling materials like gel.

Latex

Latex mattresses are a relatively new option for sleepers, and they can be crafted from either synthetic or natural latex. This design incorporates the contouring support of memory foam with the buoyancy of innersprings. Natural latex has the benefits of being both elastic and porous. Latex mattresses are more expensive than those made from other materials because they last longer.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses, which use a variety of materials, bring together the best features of different mattresses. Hybrids can be made from a variety of materials, the most common of which is coils and foam. Comfort, pressure relief, and support are all areas where hybrid mattresses excel, making them a great choice for a wide variety of sleepers. However, hybrid mattresses are typically the most expensive option, so shoppers on a tight budget may want to consider a memory foam or innerspring mattress instead.

How do I pick the best mattress for me?

Body type

What kind of mattress is best for you will depend heavily on your physical characteristics. People who weigh less tend to sleep on the surface of the mattress, while those who weigh more tend to sink into the bed. This effect explains why two people of the same height and weight can have vastly different experiences on the same mattress.

When looking for the ideal mattress, it’s important to keep your individual preferences in mind. Sleepers who weigh more may benefit from a firmer mattress (one with coils or latex), while those who weigh less may prefer a softer, more contouring option.

Sleep position

Sleeping on one’s side, back, stomach, or a combination of these four options are the most common. A mattress designed to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders while still supporting proper spinal alignment is ideal for side sleepers. It’s easier to accommodate back sleepers because their primary concern isn’t comfort but rather spinal health.

People who prefer to sleep on their bellies have the same alignment needs as those who sleep on their backs, but may need a firmer bed to keep their hips off the mattress. The spine can become misaligned if a stomach sleeper’s hips sink too far into the mattress. People who toss and turn throughout the night require a mattress that adjusts quickly to their shifting positions.

Mattress firmness

Your sleep position, body type, and comfort preferences will determine the ideal level of firmness for your mattress. The firmness of a mattress is ranked on a scale from 1-10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most mattresses are in the middle range, scoring between five and six. That’s what we call medium-firm, a comfortable firmness for a wide range of sleepers.

Responsiveness

The responsiveness of a mattress is its ability to respond to your body’s shifting positions. A mattress that responds quickly to your movements is preferable. This is a crucial consideration if you are a person who alternates between different sleeping positions throughout the night. Coil and latex mattresses have a reputation for responsiveness.

Pressure relief

When describing a mattress, “pressure relief” refers to how well it molds to pressure points to relieve discomfort. Those who sleep on their sides or who suffer from chronic pain should give this some thought. The best pressure-relieving materials include memory foam and latex.

Durability

A new, long-lasting mattress is money well spent if you value your sleep. The quality of construction of a mattress is characterized by its durability. Most mattresses can last for five to seven years, and the longest-lasting ones can last for up to ten. Most people find that hybrid and latex mattresses last the longest.

Cooling

Consider adding cooling features to your bed if you tend to get warm during the night. Because two bodies can generate more heat than one, couples may also need to consider cooling as an important consideration. To ensure a cool and comfortable sleep, search for a mattress made from coils, latex, gel-infused foam, or perforated foam (where specially designed holes create airflow).

Back pain

Back pain is a common complaint among sleepers, whether or not they are professional athletes. A mattress can either aid in the situation or exacerbate it. When shopping for a mattress, it’s important to find one that will support your body and keep your spine in proper alignment. A good mattress should be supportive all around, but especially around your shoulders and hips.

If you suffer from back pain, you should look for a mattress that falls somewhere between medium firmness and firmness.

What should I consider while shopping for the best mattress online?

Shipping

People often wonder how long it will take for their new mattress to arrive after ordering it online. The standard shipping and delivery time for mattresses purchased online is between four and fourteen days. Unless you’re placing an order from Alaska or Hawaii, shipping and delivery on most brands is on the house. Depending on the company’s policies, you may be required to make a payment in such a situation.

Trial period

Online mattress purchases typically come with a trial period, which is convenient. You can put the bed to the test in this way. Within the trial period, you can return the mattress for a full refund if you are not completely satisfied with it.

While a 100-night trial period is considered the norm, there are online mattress brands that are more generous and offer returns for up to a year.

Warranty

A mattress warranty is an agreement between the manufacturer and the buyer that the mattress will be free from specific defects for a set period of time. Brands will replace or refund mattresses that have physical defects such as layers that have separated while still under warranty. Most online mattresses come with a 10-year warranty, but some even have lifetime warranties that cover them for the rest of your life.

Make sure your mattress has a proper base, such as a platform, box spring, and bedframe, or you may void your warranty. Most mattress guarantees stipulate that a solid base be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a plush or firm mattress better?

Mattress satisfaction is highly individual. The best mattress firmness for you will be determined by your personal preferences and sleeping habits. Most people who sleep on their sides or who are relatively short prefer softer mattresses because they provide more pressure relief and cushioning for the body’s joints.

You should look for a soft mattress with a responsive transition layer and lumbar spine-specific support. A misaligned spine and accompanying aches and pains upon waking up can be avoided by not sinking too deeply into the mattress.

If you sleep on your back or are overweight, a firm mattress may be more comfortable. Since there is less give in a firm bed, sleepers will sink into it less. Muscle tension and curvature of the spine are both reduced when the hips and shoulders are raised.

What mattress is best for back pain?

Mattresses designed to alleviate back pain are typically medium-firm. These mattresses are accommodating without being overly firm, so they prevent pressure points in the hips and shoulders without allowing the sleeper to sink too far or become misaligned.

If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, an adjustable bed and a medium-firm mattress may be the solution. An adjustable bed frame can help relieve stress on the lower back by elevating the legs while you sleep. Nighttime leg and head elevation is recommended by sleep specialists for those who suffer from poor circulation, snoring, or sleep apnea.

What is a hybrid mattress?

The top layer of a hybrid mattress is typically between 2 and 3 inches thick, and made of a foam such as memory foam, gel foam, or latex foam. The pocketed spring coils provide a firm base upon which the foam comfort layer rests. Hybrid mattresses typically offer better edge support and motion isolation than innerspring mattresses, making them a great choice for couples.

The spring coil base gives hybrid beds a little bounce, which helps keep sleepers propped up and aligned.

Best Medium Firm Mattress of 2023 | Sleep Foundation

What mattresses last the longest?

The average lifespan of a mattress is between 6 and 8 years. The typical lifespan of a mattress ranges from 8 to 12 years for memory foam and from 4 to 8 years for latex. About the same amount of time can be expected from a hybrid mattress with a high-quality foam comfort layer.

Pillowtop, tight-top, and Euro-top innerspring mattresses have a lifespan of about 6 years.

What is the best mattress type to relieve pressure points?

Pressure point relief is typically at its peak with memory foam and hybrid mattresses. These mattresses feature a 2 to 3-inch thick layer of pressure-relieving foam near the top for maximum comfort.

In particular, mattresses made from memory foam have a cradling, supportive feel that is tailored to each individual’s unique shape. Memory foam’s resilience also means it won’t lose its form over time. Those who suffer from constant musculoskeletal discomfort favor these beds for this reason.

Memory foam mattresses with the CertiPUR-US® seal of approval are hypoallergenic, meaning they emit very few volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are impervious to dust mites and other common allergens.

Conclusion

You can also find “tight-top” mattresses, which are the antithesis of pillow-top mattresses. Tight top mattress means what exactly? The lack of a plush top layer gives this bed a more streamlined appearance and a firmer feel, as suggested by the name.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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