So, what does the pillow top do? Effectively, it does what any pillow does: it provides added padding and comfort, in order to make the mattress that much softer.

This in turn allows you to still purchase a mattress that is going to offer a large amount of firmness (which can be better for certain types of back pain, and which some people simply prefer), but without sacrificing all comfort. In other words, it’s soft and squidgy like something you want to jump into, but still firm and supportive like something that won’t cause you to wake up like a cripple. That’s the idea anyway!

But that’s where the arguments start to come in: as you might find that the pillow top can end up negating some of the firmness and support offered by the mattress itself. Those looking for a firm and supportive mattress might invest a great deal in order to get something that will help their lower back and offer an even distribution of pressure. Using a pillow on top can then end up absorbing a lot of that support and actually creating a more uneven, lumpy, or unevenly distributed surface.

There are other issues with pillow-top mattresses too. For one, the pillow top can move or bunch up, which results in large uncomfortable lumps sticking into you as you try to get comfortable. Another issue is that this doesn’t allow for the mattress to be turned over. The pillow top creates a very definite ‘top’ to the mattress, and means that you have to use it that way around at all times.

Is this something you need to concern yourself with? Not necessarily. One thing to keep in mind is that the technology used in the best pillow top mattresses has progressed drastically. Pillow tops used to use high density foams, or even similar materials found in head pillows. Today, they tend to be filled with thinner and more easily compressed foams. These prevent sagging and other issues, which in turn prevent the pillow top mattress from becoming lumpy.

At the same time, these thinner foams are also going to create less of a barrier between you and the mattress. That is to say that they will be less likely to prevent you from feeling the benefits of the mattress.

Another thing to consider is that the best pillow top mattress will these days use a pillow top that is attached to the mattress underneath. Thus, the pillow top will be unable to move around or become bunched.

One of the other potential issues when looking at the mattress pillow, is that it might end up creating too much heat. The pillow will create an additional insulating layer and will provide somewhere for the air to get trapped. Some pillow tops are intended to add this extra heat and that won’t be a problem. Others will be made from intentionally breathable materials in a bid to try and let as much air as possible move around. Still, there is always going to be at least some element of air getting trapped between the two layers – if nothing else.

A mattress topper meanwhile is something that you will buy separately from a pillow top, and this will then often be designed to create more heat and insulation. It can also be an effective way to extend the lifespan of the mattress. Something to keep in mind here, is that you can always add a mattress topper to a mattress that doesn’t have one, but it’s not so easy to remove a pillow top from a mattress if you no longer want it.

BUT with that in mind, you should also keep in mind that a pillow top will be built into the mattress and will be designed with the intention of being there – rather than simply being added at the end.

Then again, some pillow top mattresses do also give you the freedom to remove the pillow top if you should wish, so this is another important consideration.

Whether or not the pillow top is right for you then, is likely to depend very much on your intended use and the way that you sleep. Are you generally too hot, or too cold? Do you like a mattress that is firmer or one that is softer?

Or do you sleep on your front, back, or side? Do you have more than one person in the bed? Another advantage of the pillow-top in this regard is that it can help to absorb movement, thereby preventing movements from the other side of the bed from reaching you and potentially waking you up.

Once you’ve decided that a pillow top mattress is right for you then, the next thing to think about is what the right type of pillow top mattress will be. How do you go about choosing one? Here are some things to consider:

Remember, the pillow top is just one part of the mattress itself. That is to say that a pillow top mattress is still also a regular mattress and you still need to consider all the same things that you normally would do when picking one.

In particular, you still need to think about the firmness of the mattress that is underneath the pillow top. Is this a comfortable place to sleep? Does it offer just the right amount of support for any potential back problems you might have?

Firmer mattresses tend to be very effective at helping to support the lower spine where necessary. Firmer mattresses are also a must for front sleepers. People who sleep on their front are very often people who have painful lower spines, and so this might be a consideration if you have sciatica or a similar complaint.

Then again, many people will prefer a softer mattress that will more effective contour to the shape of their body as they sleep. If that is how you prefer to sleep, then this is something to keep in mind during your choice. This will also determine whether you prefer a coil or memory foam mattress in all likelihood. Memory foam is often softer and more conformable, while coils tend to offer a little more support. Individually wrapped coils are superior to regular coil beds, while hybrid solutions offer unique combinations of each.

A removable pillow-top might be a good option for those that are unsure about their ideal level of firmness. Look for the ‘comfort level’ and any description of firmness when buying any mattress.

Edge support refers to the casing around the foam. This is important because it ensures the bed will hold its structure, rather than dipping at the sides when you role toward them. This can help to prevent you from falling out of bed, while ensuring you get the same supportive benefits even when you aren’t sleeping in the dead center of the bed.

Mattresses are made from all kinds of materials, but some of the more expensive options will be made from materials that are organic and natural. This is worth looking at, as synthetic materials may have negative consequences for your health. Other things to consider are moisture wicking (will the bed get sweaty?), as well as fire retardant options.

Most luxury/premium mattresses will come with multiple layers. This can be useful for combining the benefits of foam mattresses with those of coil mattresses, for helping to offer support and softness, and for other things like aerating and temperature control.

If you sleep with a partner, then one of the biggest irritations is being woken because they’ve rolled over. The best pillow-top mattresses can help with this by absorbing that movement and preventing it from reaching you.

Mattresses use a number of different methods for regulating temperature. For instance, they can circulate air through their lower layers and might even use special ducts and passages for that air. Likewise, some will use cooling gels, while others will even try to warm you up by redirecting your heat energy toward your spine.

The best option for you is going to depend on the climate you live in, as well as your own body temperature. Are you a warm or cool person? Keep in mind that we tend to sleep better when we are slightly cooler than room temperature.

Mattresses come in a wide range of different varieties as this guide has no doubt demonstrated! That can make it hard to pick the right option for your own sleep, but don’t be disheartened. The best mattresses will be those that have a trial period: that way you can take them home for a while, sleep on them, and see if they make you feel better or worse.