Differences Between a Pillow-top and a Euro-top
Many sleepers won’t see the difference, or they will notice a slight distinction in the look and feel of these types of tops. Both products are great for individuals who need extra padding.
Many sleepers won’t see the difference, or they will notice a slight distinction in the look and feel of these types of tops. Both products are great for individuals who need extra padding.
Pillow-tops and euro-tops are additional cushioning layers that are sewn to the mattress’ surface. Even though there are differences between these two in construction and appearance, both terms are used interchangeably. Because of that, people are left to wonder how to tell these two apart.
Innerspring mattress types can accommodate different sleepers and preferences, but we now have a variety of options to choose from depending on the manner of sleeping. Back sleepers need firmer beds, although their choice is more extensive compared to other positions. Side sleepers need a slightly softer bed, which means they should opt for an innerspring mattress with a pillow-top made from foam or latex. Stomach sleepers need a medium-firm surface that provides softness and support.
Even though some researches indicate that regular innerspring mattresses can be as soft or firm as the ones with pillow-tops, there are some advantages to choosing the latter one. Traditional innerspring models do not isolate the movement, so you will feel every turn your partner makes. Memory foam pillow-tops are good at reducing motion transfer. You can also choose their level of firmness, which is not possible with traditional innerspring mattresses. However, the ones made of memory foam tend to trap heat, so some people should opt for breathable materials in the top layer.
Furthermore, additional layers of padding may add height to a bed thus making standard bedding hard to fit such mattress models. Mattress manufacturers rarely make a difference between the terms pillow-top and euro-top, but the difference is in their construction and appearance. Both terms refer to extra layers of cushioning on the top of the mattress. These layers can be made from different materials, such as wool, fibers, gel, latex foam or memory foam and are very comfortable for back pain. They also relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders.
Pillow-tops are usually found on innerspring models, but they can be used on other types of mattresses as well, such as memory foam or latex. Pillow-tops have one layer of foam or fiber padding and are sewn onto the surface of the bed, which leaves a gap between them and the mattress, and they give a sense of thickness to the naked eye. Euro-tops have layers made of denser foam or fiber materials, they are thicker, located under the cover and are in line with the mattress edges.
Euro-top should allow more comfort since it cannot shift or lose shape being stitched under the cover, whereas pillow-top is prone to moving and wearing out over time. As pillow-top is practically thinner and made of softer material, the mattress under that layer can be felt by a sleeper, and it provides uniform firmness of the whole surface. Euro-top is created to provide a soft layer in the center and firm feel at the edges. Pillow-top is less durable since it is thinner and tends to lose shape in time, mainly because it is often made of lower quality foam. Euro-top has shown more durability, given the fact that it is made of denser material and more than one layer, but it is prone to sagging at the edges.
As regarding the price, apparently, there is no difference in prices, as they vary depending on manufacturers and mattress types. The material composition, support core construction, and layer construction are what influences the price for both euro-top and pillow-top.
Many sleepers won’t see the difference, or they will notice a slight distinction in the look and feel of these types of tops. Both products are great for individuals who need extra padding.
Pillow-top has distinct layering, and euro-top has uniform stacking. Both products have foam or fiberfill construction, and the thickness of 3 inches with the gap for pillow-tops and no gap for euro-tops. Pillow-top offers a balance of cushioning and firmness, while the euro-top gives firmness at the edges and cushioning at the center. Pillow-tops can flatten over time and lose cushioning, while euro-tops last longer and are prone to sagging at the edges. The cost for both varies depending on the manufacturer and the model.
The market is filled with euro-top and pillow-top mattresses, but some stand out from the others. We have chosen the top 3 models that differ from their competition.
Features
The luxury Saatva mattress with a Euro topper has a very reasonable price. The top layer of the is plush, but underneath it is a dense memory foam that wraps a coil-on-coil construction. This innerspring design has individually pocketed springs above the coil-on-coil system.
The Euro-top provides a uniquely cushioned feel, but the coil-on-coil system gives excellent body contouring, edge support, and spinal alignment. The specialized construction has upholstered filling materials. This model aims to prevent sagging that can happen over time. It also has a more substantial (13″) gauge steel unit that will provide exceptional support for the bed, with a comfort coil unit (14.5″ gauge) located at the top that gives an excellent blend of healthy and balanced support. The upper part is made of individually wrapped and pocketed comfort coils that will contour to the body, even when you change position.
The Saatva mattress also comes with a 180-month warranty and 120-day sleep trial. You can also get free White Glove delivery with the option of having your old bed removed and a new one assembled at no cost. If you want to get a mattress pad, it would be best to use an all-cotton pad, because it allows excellent airflow. However, pick one with a minimal amount of padding, because Saatva beds were designed to provide the proper amount of cushioning. And with the two coil unit that is inside an organic cotton cover, it wouldn’t be right to use any type of synthetic in your cover that can disrupt the airflow of the whole bed.
All Saatva mattresses are handcrafted in the United States and are made from recycled steel coil and bio-based foams, with an organic cotton cover. They are designed to last 10 to 15 years with normal usage, and you can choose between three comfort levels: Firm (‘Firm’ or 7.5), Luxury Firm (‘Medium Firm’ or 6), and Plush Soft (‘Medium Soft’ or 4). You can even choose a height – 11.5” or 14.5”.
Features
The Avocado Green Mattress is a very versatile and sustainably organic model. It can be purchased in two firmness options – with the pillow-top is a Medium 5 and without is a Medium Firm 6. All models have a GOTS organic certification that confirms everything is made organically.
Under the Jama wool cover is a latex layer with pocketed support coils. The latex used in this model is natural Dunlop made from green and organic materials. This latex and coil combination provides edge support, great pressure relief, and motion isolation.
The Avocado mattress is shipped compressed in a box. The delivery is free anywhere in the United States, with Alaska and Hawaii included. The bed also has a 300-month warranty with a 100-day sleep trial. And because it is made from organic cotton and Dunlop latex, it is very durable with a lifespan of at least at least 7-8 years.
Features
The WinkBed is a versatile mattress that has two layers – Euro-pillow top and a Hyper-soft foam layer infused with gel. It is available in four options – Firm (7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale), Luxury Firm (6.5 out of 10), Soft (4.5), and a Plus option (6.5) that is suitable for heavier individuals.
All firmness options have the same Euro-top and gel-infused foam, but other parts of construction can slightly differ. Underneath are two layers with gel that are two-zoned with individually pocketed coils and tempered layers of microcoils which provide contouring, pressure relief, and excellent support. There is also a lumbar layer that gives additional support, prevents misalignment and sagging. The whole bed is wrapped in a stretchy and cooling Tencel lyocell cover.
The model is compressed and put in a vacuum-sealed box. It is made in Wisconsin and the delivery is free anywhere in the U.S. It also has a lifetime warranty with a 120-day sleep trial.
Iva is an art historian and an art lover who always had a passion for writing and sleep! When she is not researching and testing new mattresses on the market, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, eating tons of junk food or playing with her dog Bart.