Memory Foam vs. Pillow Top — What’s the Difference?

It’s a big misconception that memory foam and pillow-top mattresses are pretty much the same. They’re actually quite different. From their support layer composition to the materials that make up their comfort layers, memory foams and pillow tops diverge in several important aspects, though they’re still both great options if you’re looking for plush comfort. Let’s talk about some of the advantages and drawbacks of each material.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are made of a special blend of polyurethane foam originally developed by NASA to cushion and support astronauts through the immense gravitational force of a rocket takeoff. The material was so comfortable it eventually made its way to mattresses, where it’s been providing the same plush support ever since.

Most memory foam mattresses have at least a couple of different layers of foam (as opposed to just being a single sheet of the same type of foam). It’s pretty normal to see memory foam mattresses that have a support layer of firm, durable foam underneath a comfort layer of softer, more responsive foam.

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam

Memory foam is incredibly comfortable and supportive, adapting to fill in the gaps in your lumbar region and simultaneously compressing to relieve pressure in your hips and shoulders. However, memory foam does have a few drawbacks.

Pros

• Conforms to body contours to provide both support and pressure relief
• More durable than most other mattress types
• Can offer pain relief to people with back/joint issues or other medical ailments

Cons

• Tends to retain body heat
• Off-gassing can be an issue
• Very heavy and difficult to move from place to place
• Expensive

Memory Foam Cost

Memory foam beds are usually more pricey than pillow tops, ranging anywhere from $600 to $4,000 depending on the size and brand of the mattress, as well as additional sleep technologies included with it.

Pillow Top

A pillow top is an innerspring mattress with an extra layer of padding. This padding can be made of anything plush, but some of the more popular materials include cotton, wool, natural latex, memory foam, down, etc.

There are two basic kinds of pillow top mattresses: the regular top and the Euro top. With a regular pillow top, the plush topper is just sewn onto the mattress, leaving a seam between the mattress topper and comfort layer. Euro pillow tops are sewn underneath the mattress cover, eliminating the gap caused by the conventional pillow top and providing better edge support.

If you’re looking for a more aesthetically pleasing pillow top, the Euro top will probably be a better option for you because it appears thicker and more uniform than a regular top.

Pros and Cons of Pillow Tops

Possibly the biggest pro of a pillow top is it provides plush support and comfort at a budget-friendly price. It’s also great for hot sleepers because the coils increase airflow.

Pros

• Breathable mattress sleeps cooler
• Lighter and easier to move
• More budget mattress options
• Less off-gassing

Cons

• The coil support layer is prone to wear, tear, and sagging
• Not as good at motion isolation
• Springs don’t offer the same contouring support as foam

Pillow Top Cost

Pillow tops are a lot less expensive than memory foam mattresses, usually coming in between $200 and $2,000, depending on their quality and sleep technologies.

FAQs

Which is more hypoallergenic, memory foam or pillow top?

If you have allergies, memory foam is probably your best bet because it tends to be more resistant to common allergens. Memory foam undergoes processing and washing that makes it a hostile environment for things like mildew, mold, dust mites, and pollen.

What is off-gassing, and which mattress type does it worse?

That funky “new mattress smell” actually comes from the VOCs—or volatile organic compounds—that result from the manufacturing process. When these VOCs start breaking down, they’re released as gas into the air around your mattress. As you probably guessed, this gas is not great for your health and can be dangerous at high dosages. That’s why it’s important to buy a mattress with a low VOC count.

Do memory foam mattresses ever come with pillow tops?

Since memory foam comes in a variety of firmness levels, a pillow top is rarely necessary for a foam mattress. Usually, the top layer provides sufficient cushioning in memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses. That’s why it’s more common to run across a pillow top on a coil mattress.

What’s a hybrid mattress?

Hybrid mattresses combine an innerspring coil system with at least 2 inches of foam on top. This combo has the bounce and airflow of an innerspring mattress and the support and compression of a foam mattress, making it a great option if you’re a fan of both mattress types.

While there are a lot of different hybrid mattress configurations, you’ll commonly see a hybrid with a base of durable foam, a support layer of pocketed coils, a transition layer of responsive foam, and a comfort layer of softer, more contouring foam on top of the mattress. Hybrids can be topped with memory foam, gel memory foam, latex foam, and other plush comfort layers.

Is memory foam or pillow top better for hot sleepers?

If you sleep really hot and want a cooling mattress, a pillow top is probably better for you because the coil support layer allows for much more airflow than what you’d get with memory foam. Memory foam is almost always the hottest option—even latex foam tends to sleep cooler.

If you’re a hot sleeper and you just can’t make do with any other material than memory foam, there are some ways to cool it down.

• Buying a cooling memory foam mattress.
• Consider a hybrid with a memory foam comfort layer, since the airflow underneath will help cool off the foam.
• Certain mattress protectors and mattress pads will also help keep your memory foam cool if you don’t want to purchase a new mattress.

Bottom Line

Both memory foam and pillow tops have a lot to offer in the way of plush support. If you’re looking for back pain relief or cushioning for pressure points, memory foam is probably the perfect choice for you. And if it’s cool comfort and responsiveness you’re after, a pillow top innerspring mattress will probably be up your alley.