The Best Pillow Top Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers are thin layers of a mattress that can be purchased separately and added on top of the bed for a variety of reasons. Most mattress toppers measure between one and three inches, but some manufacturers, in their attempt to be more original or make their products stand out from the crowd, have made even thicker toppers. Today, we’re going to learn more about mattress toppers and see what some of the best pillow top toppers on the market are.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 | 
COTTONHOUSE Mattress Pad Pillow Topper |
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| #2 | 
COONP Mattress Topper |
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| #3 | 
ViscoSoft Topper |
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| #4 | 
LUCID Mattress Topper |
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| #5 | 
QUEEN ROSE Pillow Top Mattress Topper |
|
Table Of Contents
- What Does “Pillow Top” Mean?
- Pros & Cons of Mattress Toppers
- What Are Toppers Made From?
- Mattress Toppers & Sleeping Positions
- Best Pillow Top Mattress Toppers
- 1. COTTONHOUSE Mattress Pad Pillow Topper
- 2. COONP Mattress Topper
- 3. ViscoSoft Topper
- 4. LUCID Mattress Topper
- 5. QUEEN ROSE Pillow Top Mattress Topper
- Bottom Line
What Does “Pillow Top” Mean?
Mattress-wise, a pillow top is an additional mattress layer that’s sewn to the surface of the bed. Pillow tops are layers of foam or fiber padded that add extra softness to a mattress because they are placed right on top. Mattresses that have a pillow top will notice that it looks much like a distinct layer, unlike Euro tops which are uniformly stacked.
Pillow tops are usually thinner when compared to Euro tops and, if you consider this fact and the fact that they are padded with soft material, you’ll know that it’s likely for you to feel the mattress underneath the pillow top.
Pros & Cons of Mattress Toppers
A mattress topper can go a long way in improving sleep on a bed that’s either too soft, too firm or has sagged too much and you can’t afford to replace it with a new one just yet. But there are a lot of things to look forward to when you’re buying a mattress topper, and these include:
- Creating an improved sleeping surface. As mentioned earlier, a mattress topper can create a more comfortable sleeping surface on a mattress that, for whatever reason, doesn’t feel comfortable. This includes creating more support, a surface that can relieve pressure and reduce back pain.
- It can create a dual-comfort bed. It’s pretty rare to see mattresses that have a dual-firmness comfort layer, so a mattress topper can help with that as it can modify the firmness on one side and leave it the same on the other.
- It helps protect the mattress. Needless to say, having an extra layer on top of the bed helps protect the surface of the mattress by adding a buffer between the sleeper and the rest of the bed. This helps protect the mattress against stains and physical damage.
- A mattress topper is also virtually silent when you move around at night, with the only exception being featherbeds that produce rustling sounds.
- They are an inexpensive way of temporarily upgrading your mattress without having to spend money on a new one. Most mattress toppers cost around $200, but even the most expensive choices are around $400 and are still not as expensive as a new bed.
Naturally, there are some downsides to buying and using mattress toppers, such as:
- They have poor edge support because the topper is typically smaller than the mattress.
- They are smaller than the mattress itself, which means that you will likely have to purchase new sheets and have the topper move around underneath the sheets.
- Even if toppers are like a patch for your mattress, they can only do so much in terms how a sagged bed feels like. They don’t drastically change the comfort level of a mattress and you are, ultimately, going to have to purchase a new bed.
What Are Toppers Made From?
Just like mattresses can be made from a wide range of materials, so can mattress toppers, so let’s talk about the main types of materials that you’re bound to encounter in one:
- Memory foam is the obvious number one choice because they offer excellent body-conforming and can add even more pressure relief to your mattress. However, unless the foam is infused with some sort of getting, it’s bound to absorb a lot of body heat and retains it up to a point where you wake up sweating. Memory foam toppers of higher densities are better at conforming and can also last longer, but they tend to retain more heat and are more expensive.
- Convoluted polyfoam has an egg-crate shape and is sometimes used in mattresses to improve air circulation. As far as convoluted foam in toppers is concerned, it can offer a decent level of conforming and pressure point relief. However, since there is less foam used in such a topper, it compromises durability and is generally lower in quality compared to toppers made from solid foam.
- Latex is another common material used to make both mattresses and toppers. It offers a good level of support and relief, with the added benefit of being a material that’s naturally cooling. Latex doesn’t conform as close as memory foam does, but it’s a highly responsive material and also a very durable one.
- Feather toppers are also pretty common and they give your mattress a more luxurious feel. If you are concerned about the animal cruelty implications of manufacturing a topper of this kind, then look for toppers that are made with the ethically-sourced goose or duck feathers. However, despite this luxurious feel, a feather topper lacks the qualities of other materials, since it doesn’t offer a lot of support or pressure relief.
- Wool toppers are soft and feel very cozy when you sleep on them. They offer amazing temperature neutrality and great moisture-wicking properties, which means that you’re less likely to overheat when sleeping on a wool topper.
- Fiber toppers are considered to be one of the best alternatives to feather toppers because they offer a similar feel but without the allergen implications and at a much lower cost.
Mattress Toppers & Sleeping Positions
If you already know that you’re supposed to choose a mattress while taking into account the position you most sleep in, then you’ve already guessed the fact that your favorite sleeping position also has a say in choosing a new topper:
Side sleepers need a topper that can sink in under the pressure of one’s shoulders and hips. That being said, sleepers that weigh less than 130 pounds and like to sleep on the side should choose a topper with a lower density, while sleepers who weigh more than that need a firmer mattress topper.
Back sleepers are lucky to have chosen a position that naturally helps keep the spine aligned, but they need high-density toppers for proper back support. If you opt for a soft topper, you will notice that the back and hips tend to sink into its surface way too much, creating a gap between your lower back and the surface of the bed.
Stomach sleepers fall into the unlucky category because this sleeping position isn’t recommended at all. Since most people have a lot of weight in their stomach area, this part of the body tends to sink into the surface of the bed a lot, which puts a lot of pressure on the spine and causes people to wake up with pain. For those who just can’t switch to another position, we recommend going with a firmer mattress topper because it “fights back” the hips that are always looking to sink into the surface of the bed. Choose thin toppers with lower density.
Best Pillow Top Mattress Toppers
Now that we’ve gathered more information on pillow tops and mattress toppers, let’s put all this new information into practice and check out what are some of the best toppers that the market has to offer.
1. COTTONHOUSE Mattress Pad Pillow Topper
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, Cal King
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Materials: cotton + down alternative fill
Our first suggestion for the day is this cotton pillow top mattress topper that’s delivered in the shape of a deep pocket fitted sheet for mattresses up to 21 inches in height. The cover features quality cotton diners that offer added breathability, a soft surface to sleep on, but also a hypoallergenic construction that’s suitable for everyone who suffers from allergies.
The filling of this topper is a 450 gsm down alternative, further proving that this topper is more than suitable for people who suffer from allergies. The down-alternative fill creates a one-inch topper that feels soft, but note that the pad will be delivered in a vacuum-sealed bag, so you’ll have to give it time to fluff up once more. The topper is completely machine washable and can be cleaned using non-chlorine bleach.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
The COTTONHOUSE pillow top mattress topper is designed for people who suffer from allergies and are looking to add another layer of fluffiness to their mattress while steering clear from fibers and fill that could trigger an allergic reaction.
2. COONP Mattress Topper
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Super Queen, King, Cal King
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Materials: cotton + down alternative feel
The COONP mattress topper adds a pillow top layer to your bed offering quality materials and specifications that you’re bound to benefit from. This topper is designed with a cotton outer shell that brings you all the benefits of one of the most popular fibers in the clothing and bedding industry: softness, breathability, and ease of cleaning. The material has a generous thread count of 400, being durable thanks to its tight weave.
The filling is made entirely out of down alternative fill and is suitable for people who have allergies but also for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on natural down/feather toppers. The topper comes in the shape of a fitted sheet with deep pockets that fit mattresses between 8 and 21 inches in thickness. It is machine-washable, so you won’t have to worry about additional trips to the dry cleaner.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
The COONP mattress topper is the perfect choice for everyone looking for a thicker and more comfortable pillow top topper, offering many different sizes for a lot of different beds.
3. ViscoSoft Topper
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
- Thickness: 4 inches
- Materials: cotton + down alternative + memory foam
Even if we don’t usually like to pick favorites, this ViscoSoft pillow top mattress topper is our favorite one so far. We love it because it’s thicker compared to other products that are labeled to pertain to this very same category, offering 1.5 inches of plush down alternative pearl fiber and 2.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam. Coming in strong at 4 inches, it surely provides more pressure relief and better conforming compared to other products in this category.
The cover is made entirely out of cotton and has a thread count of 300 with a strong sateen weave that gives the material softness and durability. The topper comes with a deep pocket that allows you to place it on mattresses of a maximum of 20 inches in height. The cover pad is removable and washable, and the manufacturer promises that it has been intensively tested so it doesn’t shrink, peel, or change its appearance in a negative way.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
The ViscoSoft pillow top topper is a product for those of you looking for more pressure relief and that cradle-like feel, but also for hot sleepers that could benefit from the properties of the gel-infused memory foam layer.
4. LUCID Mattress Topper
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, Cal King
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Materials: cotton + microfiber fill
If you’ve ever shopped for mattresses on Amazon before, Lucid is a brand you surely heard of. They make affordable foam mattresses that are pretty decent in terms of quality, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they make a mean pillow top mattress topper as well. This product right here is a 3-inch topper that’s surrounded by a full cotton cover with a thread count of 250.
Inside the topper, one could find down alternative fill made from microfiber, making this a topper suitable for people who suffer from allergies. The pillow top topper is made with baffle box stitching to ensure that the fill is evenly distributed across the entire surface. The elastic straps on each corner are there to make sure your topper is attached to the mattress and doesn’t move around when you do.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
The LUCID mattress topper is an excellent pillow-top choice for sleepers with allergies that want a good down alternative to rest their bodies on.
5. QUEEN ROSE Pillow Top Mattress Topper
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Full, Queen, King
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Materials: cotton + down alternative
The last suggestion we have in store for you today is a fluffy topper made by Queen Rose. It is available in only three sizes: Full, Queen, and King, so there aren’t that many options for people who want a topper for smaller or really large beds. The Queen Rose topper measures three inches in height and it’s made from a cotton cover with 400 thread count and down alternative fill that poses as a safer and cheaper alternative to natural down/feather toppers.
The baffle box stitching does its job of even fill distribution pretty well, while the lower price (when compared to other toppers of similar thickness) is surely something that attracts shoppers on a budget. The topper comes with four elastic bands placed at each of the four corners to make sure the topper is secured to the bed and doesn’t shift position when you move around at night.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
The Queen Rose pillow top is a more affordable 3-inch topper that offers a decent value for its price.
Bottom Line
When you’re choosing a pillow top mattress topper, you need to understand that there are limitations in terms of how much such a product can change the feel of your mattress. While they do slightly change the feel of the bed, you will eventually have to invest in a new mattress if your current one is sagging up to a point where it feels uncomfortable to sleep on it anymore.