The best pillow-top mattresses 2024: Tried and tested by our experts

Pillow-top mattresses have an extra layer of padding sewn onto the top of them, which makes them look like they have a built-in bed topper. Not only does this create an instant sink-in softness, it also helps relieve major pressure points (such as the shoulders, hips and knees), making them a great option for side sleepers in particular, and for those who experience hip, neck and back pain. Our experts have been testing a wide range of pillow-top mattresses this year to bring you our top recommendations for the best options to buy online and in store.

We’ve tested the latest pillow-top mattresses in all key areas including comfort, support, motion isolation, pressure relief, edge support, and temperature regulation. After compiling and comparing our test data, and evaluating thousands of user reviews, we’ve now ranked the best pillow-top mattresses for different sleepers and budgets right here. Some of these are recommended in our guide to the best mattresses of the year, including the Saatva Classic, a luxury innerspring hybrid with a euro pillow-top.

As expected, luxury comfort comes with a luxury price tag. However, we expect many of our favorite pillow-top mattresses to be discounted in this year’s Black Friday mattress deals so it’s a great time to buy. Here are the best pillow-top mattresses to buy this year, as tested and ranked by our sleep experts… 

Best pillow-top mattress: Quick list

In a rush? Here's an overview of our top recommendations for this year's best pillow-top mattresses for a range of budgets and sleep positions...

The best pillow-top mattresses 2024 – tested by experts

The best pillow-top mattress overall

The best pillow-top mattress we've tested is the Saatva Classic, a bed that's no stranger to accolades. (It even tops our general best mattress guide and our best hybrid mattress roundup.) It arrives flat and is handcrafted at one of 14 factories across the United States. In our year-long review, we were thoroughly impressed by this mattress, noting that it’s still in pristine condition without any signs of sagging or dips.

This is mainly due to the premium materials Saatva uses, which include CertiPUR-US foams and recycled steel coils. You’ll also find a contouring three-inch Euro pillow top for that plush, supportive feeling. This pillow-top has extra lumbar support added to the center third, making this one of the best mattresses for back pain sufferers. It doesn’t contain much foam overall outside of the lumbar crown and high-density foam rails to aid in edge support. This bodes well for temperature regulation but as we'll explain later, it lacks that sink-in softness that some sleepers might prefer.  

The Saatva Classic is available in three firmness options – Plush Soft (rated 3/10), Luxury Firm (rated 5-7/10) and Firm (8/10). There are also two different height options (11.5” and 14.5”), although the only difference here is the height of the springs. We tested the Luxury Firm and found it a fantastic all-rounder that suited a vast array of sleepers. It’s particularly suited for back sleepers – side sleepers should look at the Plush Soft, while stomach sleepers will appreciate the great support of the Firm option. 

Due to the lack of memory foam, this isn’t a mattress you’ll sink into so if you’re looking for that ‘hug’ the Saatva Classic isn’t the right choice for you. Even the softest version of this mattress will keep you lying on top of it. Of course, this is what helps the Saatva Classic provide superior lumbar support and pressure relief. There is some motion transfer on the Saatva, so if you share your bed with a restless sleeper this again might not be the best choice. (The comparable WinkBed further down the list performs better in this regard.) But these are the only small blemishes in an otherwise perfect mattress.

Considering how luxurious it is, the Saatva Classic is incredibly well-priced – thanks to an almost permanent Saatva mattress sale, you can usually pick up a queen for under $1,700. We’d still recommend buying around major holidays, as this is when Saatva is most likely to bring out its very best offers. 

Extras with the Saatva Classic are also extremely generous. You’ll get a 365-night trial along with a lifetime warranty, giving you plenty of time to decide whether the mattress is right for you. There’s free White Glove delivery as well, with the mattress delivered flat to a room of your choosing and your old mattress and foundation taken away if necessary. It is worth noting, however, that Saatva charges $99 for returns.

• Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review

Saatva Classic: from $1,395 $995 at Saatva
The Saatva Black Friday mattress sale takes $400 off sitewide when you spend over $1,000. This is a much more generous discount than the regular Saatva mattress sales. It reduces the cost of a queen size to $1,695 (was $2,095), which is tied as the lowest price we've seen for it this year. You'll get free mattress installation with old bed removal too, plus a year's sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. That's excellent value for a handcrafted mattress.

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The best affordable pillow-top mattress

If you can't quite splurge on a premium pillow-top mattress, the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid may be more your speed. It's often on sale for at least 25% off the MSRP. The pillow-top isn't included – it's an add-on worth up to $400. Even then, a queen Brooklyn Signature Hybrid with pillow-top will fetch less than $1,300 after discount, which is comfortably within the upper-mid range bracket. Among the broader market, it's one of the cheapest pillow-top mattresses around.

Like the Saatva Classic above, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid comes in three firmness options, allowing customers to tailor the mattress to their particular sleeping style. Our tester slept on the Firm version with the optional extra Cloud Pillow Top, and our Sleep Editor tried out the Medium option on a visit to the 3Z Brands showroom. 

The mattress is made with individually wrapped coils alongside layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foams. There’s no memory foam in this mattress and you shouldn’t expect to sink into it at all. Rather, it uses more responsive foam that makes it easy to move about. With a bouncy, springy feel, this is a mattress that you lie ‘on’ rather than sink into, although the pillow-top does give it some plushness.

The pillow top softens up the mattress overall. We thought that it made the Firm version, which is rated at 7/10, feel more like a 6.5/10. With the pillow-top, the firm version is best suited to back sleepers and some lighter-weight stomach sleepers. The medium firmness should also be fine for back sleepers, whereas side sleepers should seek the soft version. This bouncier feel can take time to get used to and, although the spine is kept aligned in all sleeping positions, some sleepers may find that there’s not enough ‘give’ in the mattress for adequate cushioning at their pressure points. But combination sleepers in particular should enjoy this mattress, as it's very easy to change position throughout the night.

For our weeks-long test, we added the pillow-top for more cushioning and plushness – and it includes a cover made from GlacioTex fibers to help keep sleepers cool. Whilst the pillow top has a cooling cover, temperature regulation on the Brooklyn Bedding mattress was otherwise disappointing, and our tester frequently woke up at night feeling too hot. Meanwhile, edge support is good along the sides, but poor at the corners and ends. On the other hand, motion isolation is excellent, with the pillow top doing a fantastic job of absorbing any movement. If you share your bed with a restless partner, this mattress is one to consider. 

Another big plus point of the mattress is the sheer choice of sizes it comes in. There are lots of niche options, including a good range of sizes for RVs, and we rate the mattress as one of the best queen size mattresses on the market. The mattress trial and warranty are fairly standard at 120 nights and 10 years, and you do need to be aware that there’s a return fee of $99. Overall, this is a deservedly popular mattress with customers, providing a comfortable and supportive night’s sleep at a reasonable price. 

• Read more: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Pillow Top: from $665 $465.50 at Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding generally reserves its best deals of the year around holidays. The standard offer cuts 25% off, but for the current Veterans Day deal, that's bumped to 30% off. A queen Signature Hybrid with pillow-top drops to $932.40 (was $1,332). It's over $500 cheaper than the Saatva above and almost $100 less than the usual sale price. Plus, it comes in a far greater range of sizes and your choice of three firmness levels. You'll also get a 10-year warranty, 120-night trial, and free shipping.

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The best luxury pillow-top mattress

Unlike many of the other options in this guide, the Naturepedic Concerto Hybrid only comes in one firmness option. Our testers found it to be around a 5/10 on the firmness scale and were surprised by how soft it felt. 

It has an 8-layer structure made from certified organic fabrics and it's one of this year's best organic mattresses. The organic cotton pillow-top encasement holds four layers including around 4000 high-density microcoils, an organic cotton fabric insulator, a 2” organic latex comfort layer, and a quilted layer made from wool batting. While our testers found this gave the mattress a lot of sink, they were pleasantly surprised at how easily and quickly the mattress sprung back when they moved. This is partly due to the coils, but also the responsive latex used rather than dense memory foam.

Despite the plush feel of this mattress, it still does an excellent job at supporting your body, aligning the spine, and relieving pressure. In fact, both testers, one a side sleeper and one a back sleeper, found they slept incredibly comfortably and felt supported the whole time. Neither of them reported any back pain or pressure points after three weeks of testing. 

This mattress particularly excels for side sleepers, the plush ‘give’ resulting in minimal pressure build up in key areas like the hips and shoulders. Combination sleepers will also benefit from this mattress, thanks to the responsive and adaptive surface, making it easy to toss and turn and find comfort again in the night. Heavier weight back sleepers or stomach sleepers may benefit from a firmer surface to ensure their spine stays aligned throughout the night and they get adequate support.

After our weeks-long test, we found the mattress performed well across all areas. Temperature regulation in particular was exceptional, with our tester being a naturally hot sleeper and his wife being a cold sleeper, neither felt uncomfortable and stuck to their usual routines without adding extra layers or kicking off a blanket in the night. This is because of the organic materials used. The wool batting is naturally moisture wicking and the cotton is breathable, which helps dissipate heat rather than trapping it, leading to sleepers finding it easier to regulate their temperature. 

Because of the amount of give in this mattress and its soft feel, we were sceptical about how good the edge support would be. However, our tests showed that the same amount of sinkage in the middle of the mattress applied to the perimeters, and the responsive material meant standing up from sitting on the edge was easy. While other mattresses performed better for motion isolation, our mattress reviewer noticed much less disturbance from movement in bed compared to his usual box spring mattress, despite sharing it with a partner and a dog.

This mattress comes in six different sizes, with an option to suit everyone’s setup. The mattress trial is fairly standard at 100 nights, but the warranty is generous, covering you for 25 years. You’ll also get free shipping and returns, making purchasing the Naturepedic Concerto Hybrid a hassle-free experience. Overall, this is an indulgent mattress, and one that’s unlikely to disappoint.

•  Read more: Naturepedic Concerto Pillow Top mattress review 

Naturepedic Concerto Pillow Top mattress: Was from $1,699, $1,440.75 at Naturepedic
Naturepedic reserves its best deals for major sale events, although it’s unlikely to see more than 20% off. So, this current fall discount is worth taking advantage of, offering the same value as the Labor Day sales and bringing a queen size down to $2,373.55 (was $2,799). It’s unlikely you’ll see a bigger saving than this, even as we move towards Black Friday, so if you’re in the market for a luxury pillow-top organic mattress, now’s the time to buy. 

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The best hotel-style pillow-top mattress

If you wonder about the mattresses hotels use, Stearns & Foster is the company behind the famous Ritz-Carlton Bed. Among direct-to-consumer models, the Stearns & Foster Estate is the brand's best-selling hybrid and one of its cheapest options. Cheap is relative here – these are all premium mattresses, and adding the optional pillow top raises the price even further. But if you’re open to splashing cash for a truly luxurious pillow-top mattress, the Stearns & Foster Estate is our pick.

Handcrafted in the US, the Estate starts with a quilted Tencel cover followed by a layer of Tempur-Indulge memory foam for deep pressure relief. Under this is a layer of coils with a high-density border, finished by a system of ventilated coils and air vents to prevent the mattress from overheating. We also like that there are eight side handles on the mattress, making it easy to move or rotate.

As-is, the Estate comes in either soft (3/10) or firm (9/10). Adding the optional pillow-top brings the firmness level down to 1-2 or 7-8, respectively. Our testers slept on a firm Estate mattress with a pillow top and found it comfortable from the start, keeping the spine well-aligned and supported. Despite the plush top, this isn’t a mattress you sink into but rather lie on top of – but Stearns & Foster customers rave about how supportive the mattress is, with many claiming to have found relief from arthritis and back pain. 

Provided you're not a light sleeper, you'll find the Stearns & Foster Estate's level of motion isolation acceptable. Edge support is very good, so sleepers can spread out across the whole width of the bed, as well as sit comfortably on the edge when getting in or out of bed. We were impressed with the Estate's temperature regulation; it always felt cool or neutral to the touch. The mattress has several features designed to keep sleepers cool – a ventilated coil system where the coils are surrounded by fabric full of holes alongside external silver air vents to prevent trapped air. A breathable Tencel cover wicks away moisture.

Unfortunately, we found that the pillow-top formed slight dips where our testers slept after only four weeks, which shouldn’t happen with such a premium mattress. We’d also like to see a medium firmness option introduced to cover more sleeping preferences. However, we still find it an extremely supportive and comfortable bed.

You’ll get free White Glove delivery with the Estate, with the mattress being delivered to a room of your choosing and your old mattress taken away at the same time. Look out for offers of a free bedding bundle as well when you’re ordering. However, the trial period is distinctly underwhelming at only 90 nights which, when you compare it to Saatva’s year-long trial, seems decidedly stingy. The warranty lasts for 10 years, which is rather paltry for the cost, as well. 

• Read more: Stearns & Foster Estate mattress review

Stearns & Foster Estate: from $2,299 $2,099 + $300 Visa gift card at Stearns & Foster
The Stearns & Foster Veterans Day sale cuts up to $400 off its Estate pillow-top mattress. which is the same discount we saw for Memorial Day. A queen-size is discounted to $2,199 after $200 off. However, there's now a $300 Visa gift card included with your purchase that you can spend anywhere Visa is accepted – adding to the overall value of the deal.

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The best pillow-top mattress for side sleepers

The Helix Midnight Luxe is the brand’s upgraded version of the original Helix Midnight. With the addition of a plush pillow top for extra comfort and contouring. It’s specifically designed for side sleepers, offering exceptional pressure relief at the shoulders and hips, and is our top pick in our best mattresses for side sleepers round up. However, it’s also supportive enough for back sleepers with its enhanced lumbar support.

Made from a combination of foams and coils, the Midnight Luxe starts with a quilted pillow top Tencel cover. There’s also the option to upgrade to Helix’s GlacioTex Cooling Cover, which is designed to draw heat away from the body and keep the mattress cool to the touch. We would recommend this if you’re a hot sleeper as although the mattress does a decent job on temperature regulation, it’s still a plush design with a memory foam hug. 

Underneath the cover is a premium quilted pillow top sewn into the top of the mattress, giving a plush and contouring feel with a distinct ‘hug’. Directly beneath this is a dense layer of responsive foam for support, followed by a layer of copper gel-infused memory foam for support and stability. These sit on top of a layer of up to 1,000 steel coils with advanced lumbar support and reinforced coils around the hips to keep your spine perfectly aligned. There’s also reinforcement around the edges for better edge support. A dense foam base layer provides support for the whole structure. 

Although the pillow top gives sleepers a lot of cushioning comfort and pressure relief, it’s by no means a soft mattress. The responsive foams and coils underneath provide plenty of support so that you won’t sink too far into the mattress. In fact, as well as being ideally suited for side sleepers, it also offers enough support for those sleeping on their backs. 

Motion isolation on the Midnight Luxe is excellent, and you’re unlikely to be disturbed by a restless partner overnight. Edge support is also good, with a little sinkage from the pillow top when you sit on the bed, but plenty of support from the layers underneath. It’s not supportive enough for stomach sleepers though, but the Helix Dusk Luxe at No. 4 on our list is specifically designed for stomach sleepers and still has the pillow top feel. 

The trial period is slightly disappointing at only 100 nights and there’s no option to upgrade to white glove delivery. You will get a 15 year warranty though. Frequent Helix mattress sales mean there’s no need to pay full price and you should expect to get 20% off the MSRP, with two free pillows thrown in. 

• Read more: Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review

Helix Midnight Luxe: from $1,373 $1,030 + free bedding set at Helix with code TOMS27
Helix mattress deals usually feature 20% off, and its Labor Day sale cuts 25% off – but use our exclusive code TOMS27 for 27% off. That's the biggest savings we've seen since its July 4 mattress sale, which took 30% off. After the coupon, a queen Midnight Luxe drops to $1,780 (was $2,373.80). The Helix Black Friday deals also offer two free pillows and a bedding bundle. 

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The best pillow-top mattress for back pain

The WinkBed is a staple at several luxury hotels across the US, including The Time Hotel in New York City. It's very similar to our #1 pick, the Saatva Classic, as it's a customizable mattress designed to suit any sleeper, especially if they struggle with back pain. It features stronger coils in the center third to support the lumbar and ensure the spine doesn't come under strain.

Choose from soft (4.5/10), luxury firm (6.5/10) and firm (7.5/10) – as well as a fourth option for heavier bodies, the WinkBed Plus (8/10). We tested a luxury firm WinkBed and found it offered superior lumbar support for optimal alignment while relieving pressure points around the knees, hips and shoulders. The luxury firm is a good all-rounder that will suit most sleeping positions. Lightweight and side sleepers should enjoy the extra cushioning of the soft option, while firm will suit stomach and back sleepers who prefer to sleep on top of the mattress rather than sinking in. 

All WinkBeds start with a breathable Tencel cover, followed by a gel-infused Euro pillow top. The soft WinkBed has a three-layered pillow-top for pressure relief and gentle contouring, while the luxury firm and firm options each have a two-layer pillow top. 

Underneath is a layer of pressure-relieving foam and recycled steel coils offering different levels of support across the mattress. There’s also a reinforced perimeter that yields excellent edge support – a plus for back pain sufferers who need to ease their way in our out of bed. Motion isolation is very good, while temperature regulation is decent. (Chronically hot sleepers should consider the Nolah Evolution 15 directly below.)

Note that the WinkBed Plus is specially designed for sleepers who weigh over 250lbs and has a slightly different design to offer extra support. It lacks a pillow-top but instead has a layer of anti-sag foam followed by a layer of pure latex. We consider it one of the best mattresses for heavy people, though keep in mind that this altered design makes the WinkBed Plus more expensive than the standard version. 

All versions of the WinkBed are perpetually on sale at $300 off the MSRP. The trial period is average at 120 nights, but you do get a lifetime warranty and free shipping. Slightly disappointingly, there’s no option to upgrade to a White Glove delivery service at all for this bed-in-a-box. This is a heavy mattress so enlist the help of a friend or family member to help you set it up. 

• Read more: The WinkBed mattress review

The WinkBed mattress: from $1,149 $849 at WinkBed
You'll never pay full price on this mattress – a permanent discount knocks $300 off all sizes, dropping a queen size down to $1,499. (You can ignore the 'time limited' banner.) Although this offer is nothing special, we've never seen it bettered. 

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The best cooling pillow-top mattress

Brooklyn Bedding makes an appearance on our list for a second time with its Aurora Luxe hybrid mattress. Unlike the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid (#2), the Aurora Luxe is a specialist cooling mattress – and we think it plays that role well. 

The Aurora Luxe comes with an optional pillow-top in three firmness levels: soft (2-4), medium (4-6) and firm (7-8). One of our testers slept on a medium Aurora Luxe in her home while our sleep editor checked out the pillow-top version at the Brooklyn Bedding showroom. 

Wrapped in a GlacioTex cooling cover that feels cool to the touch, the Aurora Luxe hybrid has a layer of CopperFlex foam infused with phase change material to adapt to your body temperature. (It also has antimicrobial properties, per the brand – useful if you suffer from airborne allergies.) Combined with the natural airflow from the 1,000-plus coils, this luxury bed impressed us with its cooling prowess. Just note that the GlacioTex material can be a tad slippery, which could be annoying if you're particular about your fitted sheet being tight.

If you opt for the soft model, you'll sink into multiple memory foam layers, including two inches of soft memory foam plus an inch of gel swirl memory foam that purports to aid with cooling (albeit very minimally). The medium model (which we tested) instead has two inches of medium memory foam along with the gel swirl foam, while the firm model instead has 1.5 inches of firm memory foam coupled with a 1.5-inch VariFlex transition foam for a more supportive feel. 

Cooling aside, what is the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe like to sleep on? Adding the pillow-top to the medium model gives it an undulating surface, and we found it comfortable to sleep on in any position. The extra padding provides loads of cushioning for your joints but it doesn't make the bed feel too squishy – in fact, there's still plenty of support underneath.

We'd advise against the Aurora Luxe if you're a light sleeper who shares a bed with even a moderately restless sleeper. Whether we were with or without the pillow-top, our testers couldn't help but feel the movements of their sleeping partners. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Bedding would be our recommendation if you need a pillow-top bed that's decent at dampening movement.

As typical for Brooklyn Bedding mattresses, the Aurora Luxe comes in a broad range of sizes for campers and non-conventional dimensions. It's always on sale for between 20% and 30% off; for the best discounts, shop near major holidays. (The pillow-top upgrade will add up to $400 to the final price.) A 120-night trial and a 10-year warranty are included, though you'll have to pay $99 to send it back.

• Read more: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review

Brooklyn Aurora Luxe Hybrid Pillow-Top: from $1,199 $839.30 at Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding rises to the occasion for major holidays by bumping its standard 25% discount to 30%. For Veterans Day, a queen Aurora Luxe with pillow-top falls to $1,585.50, which is nearly $100 less than the regular sale price. This is probably as good as it gets before Black Friday sales begin.

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The best organic pillow-top mattress

Widely regarded as one of the best organic mattresses on the market, the Avocado Green is a luxury hybrid packed full of quality materials and impeccable eco credentials. The optional pillow-top makes it a good all-rounder with a medium-firm feel. You’ve also got the option of adding a box top, which is super plush and ideal for side sleepers, or opting for the standard (and firmest) model if you like to sleep on your back or stomach. Note that pillow-top and box-top upgrades cost between $360 and $820 extra – and that's already on top of a premium price tag.

The cover features 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool, which are breathable and moisture-wicking materials. Wool is also naturally antimicrobial and protects against dust mites, making it a great option for allergy sufferers. The optional pillow-top adds two inches of Dunlop latex for added pressure relief and is followed by another layer comprised of two inches of Dunlop latex and a one-inch layer of Dunlop organic latex in the base/support layer. All of the latex is GOLS-certified and extremely durable – a latex mattress should last for many years. The support layer/core of the mattress is made up of 1,414 coils across five ergonomic zones, along with reinforced steel around the perimeter.

The addition of the pillow top makes this mattress particularly suited to side and back sleepers, although lighter-weight stomach sleepers should also find it firm enough for their needs. The pressure relief from the Avocado is excellent, with the spine kept aligned and supported. (We tested the standard version of the bed, minus the pillow-top.) Due to the bouncier nature of latex, you’re not going to sink into this mattress but, after a short adjustment period, you will feel plenty of support and comfort. 

We wouldn’t recommend the Avocado Mattress to lighter-weight side sleepers without the box top instead, and average and heavier-weight stomach sleepers should stick to the mattress without the pillow top. Like many of the choices in this round-up, the fact that the Avocado is customizable means it can appeal to a wider range of sleepers. 

The Avocado Green excels when it comes to motion isolation, which is perhaps surprising considering it’s a latex mattress. But those sharing a bed with a restless sleeper shouldn’t be disturbed. Edge support is superior, allowing sleepers to spread out across the whole bed and sit comfortably on the edges without sliding off. We were also impressed with the temperature regulation of the Avocado, which always felt cool to the touch. Cotton, wool, and latex are all naturally breathable materials, and the addition of well-spaced coils helps to keep air flowing through the mattress, preventing any build-up of heat.  

The mattress comes with a generous 365-night trial plus a 25-year warranty. Shipping is free for mattresses up to a queen size but above that, you’ll pay a delivery charge because of weight (this starts at $99). White Glove delivery is available, starting at $249 and if you want to return the mattress, you’ll also be charged $99. Avocado mattress sales take place year-round so you'll never have to pay full price.

• Read more: Avocado Green mattress review

Avocado Green Mattress: from $1,399 $1,189 at Avocado
A 15% discount on the flagship Avocado Green Mattress beats the 10% off we normally see during rare Avocado mattress sales. A queen Avocado Green mattress is now down to $1,699 (was $1,999), which is $100 under the previous sale price. It comes with free shipping, a 365-night sleep trial,  and a 25-year warranty. 

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The best pillow-top mattress for stomach sleepers

The Helix Dusk Luxe sits in the middle of Helix’s range, between the brand’s standard Core Collection and the top-of-the-line Elite Collection. It’s specifically designed for back and stomach sleepers, hitting the magic spot between soft and firm to keep sleepers supported. Helix designs its range so that there are mattresses for each specific sleeping style. 

The Helix Dusk Luxe is specifically aimed at back and stomach sleepers to provide the perfect blend of comfort and support. If you’re a side sleeper looking for a medium feel, you should buy the Helix Midnight Luxe instead. (its cheaper cousin, the Helix Midnight, is our top pick in our best mattresses for side sleepers round-up.)

The mattress starts with a premium quilted cooling top made from breathable Tencel. There’s also the option to upgrade to a GlacioTex Cooling Cover for an additional fee – this is designed to pull more heat away from your body and keep the mattress cool to the touch. Underneath is a layer of foam that’s designed to contour to the body, followed by a layer of Helix Dynamic Foam, a latex-foam hybrid that’s designed to provide medium-level support to back and stomach sleepers. 

Up next is a memory foam layer to adapt to your body weight, which sits on top of a layer of 1,000 individually wrapped coils. These are reinforced around the perimeter and mid-section for stronger support along the edges and lumbar respectively. The whole mattress is anchored by a base layer of DuraDense foam for stability.   

There’s slightly more contouring with this mattress than with many of the others on our list, and you’ll feel the responsive foam contouring slightly around your body. There’s some nicely cushioned support along the knees, shoulders, and hips. Pressure relief is excellent, and many customers report improvements in back pain from sleeping on this mattress. 

Motion isolation is pretty good as well, although you might feel some slight transfer if your fellow sleeper turns over from back to stomach in bed. Edge support along the sides of the mattress is excellent but do note that it’s slightly weaker in the edges and corners. We were slightly disappointed by the temperature regulation with the Helix, with our tester feeling the breathability of the mattress was only average. Hot sleepers would be well advised to pay extra for the GlacioTex Cooling Cover. 

The trial period is 100 nights, which is about the shortest you’ll find with mattresses in a box. You’ll also get a 15-year warranty and free shipping, but there’s no option to upgrade to White Glove delivery. Frequent Helix mattress sales shave at least 20% off the MSRP and throw in a pair of free pillows, too. 

• Read more: Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review

Helix Dusk Luxe: from $1,373 $1,030 + free bedding set at Helix with code TOMS27
Use our code TOMS27 for 27% off at Helix Sleep – it'll override the general Black Friday discount of 25%. After coupon, a queen-size Dusk Luxe falls to $1,780 (was $2,373.80). This offer includes free pillows, a mattress protector, and a sheet set with purchase.

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How we test pillow-top mattresses

Our mattress methodology lays out exactly how we test pillow-top mattresses, and the process begins with us selecting which beds we want to review. All of our choices are editorially independent, as is our entire review process, user review analysis and the publication of our in-house testing data. 

We test pillow-top mattresses in several key areas: comfort, support, temperature control, edge support, firmness, durability and set-up. As we test mattresses for three consecutive weeks, we rely on customer reviews in addition to our own expert opinion on the quality of the materials used to make the pillow-top mattress as a means to gauge durability. 

We score the mattress out of 5 in each of these key testing areas, then use those scores to award the pillow-top mattress an overall review score out of 5. Only the very best pillow-top mattresses are featured in this guide.

Pillow-top mattress FAQ

When is the best time to buy a pillow-top mattress?

There are five major mattress sales throughout the year, with the best time to buy a mattress being Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is when we typically see the lowest MSRPs on pillow-top mattresses coupled with the biggest discounts, so your money stretches further during this major holiday sale compared to the average month. 

Beyond the Black Friday mattress deals, other key sales to look out for are Cyber Monday mattress sales, which land on the Monday directly after Black Friday, followed by the Presidents' Day mattress sales in February. The Memorial Day mattress sales in May are your last chance to get a cheaper price on a top-rated pillow-top mattress before prices generally rise over summer. They then drop again in time for a shower of discounts in the Labor Day mattress sales.

What is the difference between a pillow-top and a Euro-top?

A pillow-top adds height and plushness to a mattress. It's sewn on top of the surface and looks as if you can remove it since it's separate from the rest of the mattress. (You can't/) However, pillow-top mattresses are prone to premature sagging and usually don't have the strongest edges to sit on.

A Euro-top is a type of pillow-top. It's more discreet than a traditional pillow-top since it's built into the mattress instead of sewn on, giving it a sleeker appearance. Choose a Euro-top if you want a durable bed with excellent edge support – but if you crave that sink-in softness, go with a standard pillow-top instead.

• Read more: Pillow top vs Euro top mattresses: What’s the difference?

Who should buy a pillow-top mattress? 

Pillow-top mattresses are perfect for those who experience joint pain or pressure points when they sleep, but don’t enjoy the hard feel of a firm mattress. Without compromising the support layers, pillow-top mattresses can give you the indulgent, soft, sinking-in feeling, while still aligning your spine and supporting your lumbar. This makes them a great choice for elderly sleepers, side sleepers, and anyone who enjoys the plush feeling of a soft mattress but wants the support of a firm surface.  

Are pillow top mattresses good for back pain? 

Because of the extra cushioning from a pillow-top mattress, the pressure relief and body contouring can ease back pain. While firmer mattresses are genuinely considered the best mattresses for back pain, as they keep the spine aligned, a pillow top can be a good addition to a supportive mattress. You will still reap the benefits of spine alignment and lumbar support, while enjoying cushioning comfort and pressure relief.