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

What Is a Pillow Top Mattress?

Pillow top mattresses are all about extra comfort and softness. They have an additional layer of padding sewn onto the top of the innerspring mattress core, creating a plush, “pillowy” feel. It’s like a big pillow on top of your bed – hence the name! 

These mattresses are great for providing pressure relief, especially for your hips and shoulders. They work well with firm support cores, like innerspring coils, because they add that extra cushioning. 

Pillow Top Mattresses: Material

And when it comes to materials, there are plenty to choose from. 

Memory Foam Pillow Top

Memory foam has amazing motion isolation and is the ultimate pressure reliever, reacting to heat and pressure to cushion and support your body’s heaviest areas, like your hips and shoulders. 

A memory foam mattress is a top choice for those with painful pressure points, including side sleepers and individuals dealing with back, shoulder, or hip pain. 

However, keep in mind that traditional memory foam can retain body heat, so it might not be the best option for hot sleepers.

Latex Pillow Top

Latex foam is a bit firmer than memory foam and has its own unique qualities. Natural latex, harvested from rubber trees, is the best choice because it’s eco-friendly and sustainable. 

It’s also more breathable and bouncy, though it may not isolate motion as well as other foams. 

A natural latex foam pillow top is a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers and heavy-weight sleepers who need more firmness and support but don’t like traditional memory foam.

Wool Pillow Top

Wool tops offer a softer feel compared to memory foam and latex foam. While it provides good pressure relief, like memory foam, it lacks support and motion isolation. 

The support primarily comes from the mattress core, and wool’s softness doesn’t contribute to it or to motion isolation. 

However, wool is sustainable, sourced from sheep or goats, and acts as a natural insulator for temperature regulation. Its durability is remarkable, although the price might be higher. 

Wool tops are a great choice for those looking for an innerspring mattress with a softer feel. 

Fiberfill Pillow Top

Fiberfill is a synthetic blend designed to mimic the softness of down or feathers. However, it is less breathable and less durable compared to other materials. 

Although it lacks contouring abilities like wool, fiberfill still provides sufficient pressure relief for the hips and shoulders. 

Pillow tops made from fiberfill are a great option for those seeking a soft, supportive, and affordable mattress.

Pillow Top Mattresses – Pros and Cons

As with everything, pillow top mattresses also have pros and cons. Here’s what you should know. 

Pros

• Makes an innerspring mattress softer and more contouring
• Reduced motion transfer
• Pressure point relief
• Offers a similar feel to a hybrid mattress with added support
• More breathable 
• Affordable compared to Euro tops 

Cons

• The pillow tops tend to be less durable 
• Doesn’t have good edge support 
• Less uniform appearance 
• Uneven sleep surface over time

Who Is a Pillow Top Mattress Best For?

A pillow top mattress is perfect for side sleepers seeking ultimate comfort and pressure relief in their shoulders and hips. It provides contouring support and cradles your body. 

If you’re a hot sleeper, the extra layer of a pillow top can help regulate your temperature for a cooler and more pleasant sleep experience. 

Also, if you weigh less than 130 pounds and require targeted support for your hips and shoulders, a pillow top mattress is a fantastic choice. 

It’s important to note that the material of a pillow top alone doesn’t determine the suitability of a mattress. 

Factors like firmness level, support core, and overall construction play a bigger role in meeting your specific sleep needs and body type, but most pillow top mattresses focus on comfort

What Is a Euro Top Mattress?

Unlike pillow top mattresses, Euro tops are used on traditional innerspring mattresses to make them more comfortable. 

Euro tops are stitched beneath the mattress cover, resulting in a flatter and neatly stacked appearance. It’s a uniform mattress design with extra padding for comfort. 

They offer better edge support and eliminate the gap found in pillow tops, preventing sinking and maintaining shape. 

Similar to pillow top mattresses, Euro top mattresses can be made from foam, wool, or fiberfill. 

While Euro tops offer a premium feel and cleaner look, they are generally more expensive than pillow tops.

Euro Top Mattresses – Pros and Cons

Euro top mattresses come with certain benefits and disadvantages. Here’s what you should know. 

Pros

• There is no gap between the Euro top and the mattress, resulting in a more supportive feel
• More durable than a pillow top mattress
• Excellent edge support
• Euro top Mattresses have a cleaner look
• Different firmness levels are available

Cons

• Might not be as contouring as a pillow top mattress
• Higher pierce compared to pillow top mattresses
• Potential premature sagging near the edges 

Who Is a Euro Top Mattress Best For?

If you prefer a really firm mattress with increased edge support, a Euro top mattress might not be the best fit for you. Unlike pillow tops, which are softer, Euro tops are typically medium-firm to firm, though there are some plush options available. 

It’s especially good if you’re looking for a very durable mattress. With excellent edge support and motion isolation, it provides a luxurious feel at a more affordable price, and it lasts a long time!

Additionally, if you experience back pain and seek pressure relief from a soft mattress, a Euro top can offer the comfort you need. 

Euro Top vs Pillow Top – Main Differences

In the Euro top vs. pillow top comparison, each person will have their own winner. But let’s see some of the main characteristics of both pillow top mattresses and Euro top mattresses to see how they rank in different categories.

Durability

Euro tops are built to last longer than pillow tops due to their superior quality. 

While pillow tops typically endure for about five to eight years, Euro tops can provide support for up to ten years. Their dense construction makes them more durable, preventing flattening, sagging, or shifting. 

With Euro tops, you can enjoy a longer-lasting mattress that lasts for years to come. 

Firmness

Pillow tops strike a good balance between cushioning and firmness, providing a soft and comfortable surface. On the other hand, Euro tops are firmer around the edges and softer in the center. 

However, it’s important to note that the overall feel of the mattress is influenced more by its underlying design and materials than by the choice between a Euro top and a pillow top. 

So consider your desired level of softness or firmness when making your decision. If you prefer firmer mattresses, a Euro top is the way to go.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation is a significant advantage of Euro tops. Due to their thicker construction, they excel at absorbing movements, preventing them from transferring across the bed. 

This makes Euro tops an ideal choice for those who frequently toss and turn during sleep. Additionally, they are particularly well-suited for couples. 

If motion isolation is important to you, Euro tops are a great option. 

Edge Support

Euro tops provide better edge support compared to pillow tops.

Their design, which aligns flush with the edges of the mattress, offers enhanced support along the outer perimeter. This ensures a more stable and supportive surface, minimizing the risk of sagging.

On the other hand, pillow tops, which sit on top of the pillow top mattresses rather than flush with them, provide slightly less support on the edges.

If having solid edge support is important to you, Euro tops are the way to go, providing a reliable and sturdy mattress edge that you can count on.

Thickness

Both Euro tops and pillow tops are built to add some extra inches to your mattress. However, there are slight differences in their designs. 

Pillow tops, not sewn to the edges, can sometimes provide additional height compared to Euro tops. This means you might need deep-pocketed sheets to accommodate the added thickness. 

Whether you prefer a slightly higher pillow top mattress or a more even surface with a Euro top, both options offer a comfortable and cozy sleeping experience. It all comes down to personal preference and finding the right fit for your needs.

Aesthetic Appearance

Once again, Euro tops have an advantage. They blend seamlessly with the mattress, creating a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing look, especially over time. 

On the other hand, pillow tops are more noticeable as they sit on top of the mattress and are more visible. This can result in a less sleek appearance and may cause sagging on the sides.

Additionally, using bed covers with pillow tops can be more challenging due to the gap between the top and the mattress. 

Cost

There’s only a slight difference here. 

Euro tops usually come at a higher price point because of their construction, but overall, the prices are pretty similar. 

Both styles can be found in various price ranges, offering options for different budgets. 

When it comes to Euro top vs. pillow top, we have to give a slight edge to the Euro top mattress. Although a Euro top comes at a slightly steeper price, they are more durable and provide better support overall. A Euro top can also be put on the innerspring mattresses to improve their quality.

But it comes down to preferences, and if you want a more comfortable mattress without the need to buy a mattress topper, go for the pillow top. Now that you know the differences between pillow top vs. Euro, let’s see some of the common questions people ask about these two types of mattresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Flip a Pillow Top Mattress?

Mattresses tend to last longer when you flip them, but not every mattress should be flipped. Although you can flip a pillow top mattress, that’s usually not a good idea. People buy this mattress because of the ‘pillowy’ soft sleeping surface. 

If you decide to flip it, you’ll sleep on the bottom side of the mattress, which isn’t intended for sleeping. Although that’s possible, you’ll lose a part of the comfort this mattress is known for, so it makes no sense to flip it. 

Can You Flip a Euro Top Mattress?

You should only flip a mattress if it is marked as a double-sided mattress. Otherwise, flipping the Euro top mattress isn’t recommended. 

Euro top mattresses are already more durable than pillow tops, and when problems occur, they occur around the edges. Flipping a Euro top mattress cannot help solve that issue. 

How Thick Is the Pillow Top Mattress?

Depending on the model, the pillow top mattress can be between 1 and 4 inches thick. They have the layer sewn onto the top of the mattress, which increases its thickness slightly but gives you comfort and coziness.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, when deciding between a Euro top and a pillow top mattress, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific sleep needs. 

Both styles offer unique benefits and considerations. Euro tops provide excellent edge support, motion isolation, and durability, making them a great choice for those seeking a firm mattress made of high quality materials that has a great sleeping surface and lasts a long time.

On the other hand, pillow tops offer plush comfort, a soft feel, superior contouring, and a softer feel without any additional mattress layers or a mattress top.

Remember to consider factors like support, feel, and aesthetics when making your decision! No matter which mattress you choose—conventional pillow top or Euro—you must also choose the right pillow to go with it (standard pillow, giant pillow, or any other pillow) to remove or prevent neck pain and have a great sleep.

Sweet dreams!