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The 8 Best Queen Size Pillow Top Mattresses of 2024

Like sleeping on a cloud. That’s how many folks feel about sleeping on a pillow top mattress. Five-star hotels often outfit their rooms with luxury pillow top mattresses for just this reason. My first-ever adult bed purchase was a pillow top queen size mattress. It was worth every penny and lasted more than a decade. Personally, I love pillow top mattresses. I have a queen size Stearns & Foster bed for my guests. Before we get to our top pillow top queen size mattress picks, read on for a definition of a pillow top mattress and how it differs from a regular mattress. 

What Exactly Is a Pillow Top Mattress and What’s It Made Of?

A pillow top mattress improves on a traditional innerspring with a plush layer of comfort padding sewn on top of the coils to add a cozy feel. American pillow tops look exactly like they sound…like a pillow has been stitched on top of mattress. Visualize a little ledge to them and you’ve got the picture. Euro pillow top mattresses have a sleeker look because the extra padding is sewn beneath the mattress cover not over it like a standard pillow top. Some higher-end pillow tops mattresses offer both regular pillow tops and Euro pillow tops, so keep scrolling to learn more. 

A variety of different materials can be used to create the plush feel of a pillow top mattress: cotton, down, fiberfill, latex, memory foam, and wool. The most common and best-selling pillow top mattresses on the market today feature a memory foam layer which conforms to the body’s contours. 

This cushy combination offers an excellent balance of comfort and support for a range of sleepers. Side sleepers or those who weigh less than 130 pounds especially tend to prefer a softer mattress that contours closely to the body, so a pillow top is a perfect pick. 

But before we dive into our favorite queen size pillow top mattresses, let’s highlight the pros and cons of pillow tops.  

Benefits—and Drawback—of a Pillow Top Mattress 

Besides a posh feel, pillow top queen size mattresses have many additional benefits. 

Plush pillow top mattresses can dramatically improve the contouring and softness of a traditional innerspring mattress. Pillow tops also reduce motion transfer thanks to that extra layer which creates a barrier between the coil system and the sleeper. And perhaps most importantly, pillow top mattresses offer pressure relief on the hips and shoulders. In addition, pillow top mattresses are typically very durable. 

There are some downsides to a pillow top mattress, though. 

The initial cost may be higher than for a traditional innerspring mattress. And because a pillow top mattress bears the force of a sleeper’s movement, it could loose its shape, sagging or shifting with use. Back or stomach sleepers and people who weigh 130 pounds or more may prefer a firmer mattress. Finally, depending on what material the top layer of the pillow top is made of, it might decrease airflow. That could be an issue if you’re a hot sleeper.     

But if it’s a luxurious sleep experience you’re seeking, there are plenty of high-quality pillow top mattresses to choose from. 

Plush pillow top mattresses come in all sizes from twin XL to California king. But as in every mattress category, a queen size pillow top mattress is the best seller among all bed sizes. The reason is simple: queen size pillow tops fit in most bedrooms, leaving room for other bedroom furniture and ease of movement around the mattress. And queen size mattresses are roomy enough for two people—and maybe even your favorite pet, too. 

Does a Pillow Top Queen Size Mattress Need a Box Spring?

When you purchase a pillow top queen size mattress, the question that often comes up is, do I need to buy box springs?

The short answer is no. Box springs are not compatible with hybrid mattresses.

Modern pillow top mattresses—including those that come in a box—do not require a box spring. In fact, traditional box springs don’t provide the rigid support needed foam and latex beds. Box springs are primarily designed for use with innerspring (coil) mattresses.

So how do you go about choosing a pillow top queen mattress from the many available options? Keep scrolling to read our best picks, with details and differences on features, cost, firmness, trial periods, warranties, and what sleepers are best served with each of our choices. 

8 Best Queen Size Pillow Top Mattresses

Brand Best For
1 Editor’s Choice
Overall Shop Now
2
Cooling Shop Now
3
Pressure Relief Shop Now
4
Organic Shop Now
5
Luxury Shop Now
6
Plus Size Shop Now
7
Back & Stomach Sleepers Shop Now
8
Customizable Shop Now
1
Editor’s Choice
Best For:
Overall
2
Best For:
Cooling
3
Best For:
Pressure Relief
4
Best For:
Organic
5
Best For:
Luxury
6
Best For:
Plus Size
7
Best For:
Back & Stomach Sleepers
8
Best For:
Customizable

1. Best Overall: Helix Midnight Luxe

  • Price: $2,374
  • Best For: Overall
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Trial Length: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 15-year

What I Loved About This Helix Mattress

This is a mattress most sleepers will love to fall into come bedtime. The tufted and textured Helix Midnight Luxe has six different layers and measures a plush 14” in thickness. Zoned, pocketed coils support the back and promote spinal alignment, while the breathable, quilted pillow top adds cushioning without excessive heat. This cooling gel memory foam mattress reduces shoulder and hip pressure points as it contours to the body. The Helix Midnight Luxe also has excellent edge support and motion isolation, making it a great choice for couples with different sleep styles. If you have the space, a king mattress is an excellent upgrade for couples.

What I Didn’t Love

 If you want the airy, light feel of a traditional pillow top, the Helix Midnight Luxe may not be for you. It has a more classic, neutral-foam feel.

2. Best Cooling: Brooklyn Aurora Luxe

Brooklyn Aurora Luxe mattress
  • Price: $1,874
  • Best For: Cooling
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Available in Soft, Medium, Firm
  • Trial Length: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 10-year

What I Loved About This Brooklyn Bedding Mattress

Hot sleepers rejoice! The hybrid design of the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe leverages technology for a superb comfort level of cool sleep that will suit a variety of sleep positions. Individually encased coils cradle the body and provide superior motion isolation for partnered sleepers. High-density, gel-infused foam and antimicrobial copper fiber layers combine in the manufacture of the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe mattress to prevent heat retention and allow for optional airflow and breathability. That translates to  undisturbed sleep.

What I Didn’t Love

Although the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe is offered a firm option, strict stomach sleepers may want to opt for a firmer pillowtop mattress.

3. Best Pressure Relief: Bear Star Hybrid

  • Price: $1,732
  • Best For: Pressure Relief
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Trial Length: 120 nights
  • Warranty: Lifetime

What I Loved About This Bear Mattress

The ultra-plush Bear Star Hybrid comes with some premium features. Measuring a beefy 14” thick, it is made with several fluffy foam layers. Even though it contains several layers of foam, it feels like a plush pillow top on a supportive innerspring system. The pillow top itself is constructed of Celliant, a thermo-reactive material. The technology absorbs body heat and returns it back to you, which the company claims boosts blood circulation and oxygen so you feel more energized when you wake up. The medium firmness level Of the Bear Star Hybrid is engineered for pressure relief whether you’re a stomach, side, or combination sleeper.

What I Didn’t Love

This is one of the more expensive queen size pillow top mattresses, though our testers thought the super comfy pillow top Bear Star Hybrid mattress was worth the splurge.

4. Best Organic: Birch Luxe

  • Price: $3,124
  • Best For: Organic
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Trial Length: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 25-year

What I Loved About This Birch Mattress

Birch is committed to using organic, natural materials that pass rigorous testing and achieve the highest ratings and standards from third party organizations. The materials—ultra-fine, organic cashmere, two organic comfort layers, and non-toxic latex—are breathable, moisture-wicking, and cooling. The Birch Luxe Natural mattress is an upgrade to their Birch Natural mattress with enhanced lumbar support, full perimeter support, and a plush quilted, organic cotton Euro top. Birch’s production credentials are eco-responsible and their partners adhere to ethical practices and materials sourcing. You’ll be cradled, cool, and comfortable on the ultra-plush Birch Luxe Natural pillow top mattress. If you have kids with allergies, asthma, or skin sensitivities, it’s also available as a twin mattress.

What I Didn’t Love

Yes, the price is steep. But this premium mattress delivers safety, sustainability, and an incredibly dreamy sleep experience thanks to Mother Nature!

5. Best Luxury: Nolah Evolution 15

Nolah Evolution 15"
  • Price: $2,299
  • Best For: Luxury
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Available in Plush, Luxury Firm, Firm
  • Trial Length: 120 nights
  • Warranty: Lifetime

What I Loved About This Nolah Mattress

If you need enhanced spinal alignment (I have scoliosis so this mattress was of special interest to me), the Nolah Evolution 15 may be just what the (sleep) doctor ordered. This high-tech, hybrid mattress—the company’s most advanced—has been singled out by the Sleep Foundation for its excellent features. Its targeted back support and responsive pressure relief come courtesy of the HDMax™ Tri-Zone™ coils, while the breathable cover, heat-dissipating Euro topper, and graphite-infused AirFoamICE™ provide luxurious cushioning and best-in-class cooling. This mattress compares favorably to a Tempur-pedic.

What I Didn’t Love

The Nolah Evolution 15 may be a bit too cushy for sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress.

6. Best for Plus Size: Titan Plus Luxe

Titan Plus Luxe
  • Price: $1,249
  • Best For: Plus Size
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Available in Soft, Medium, Firm
  • Trial Length: 120 nights
  • Warranty: 10-year

What I Loved About This Titan Mattress

The Titan Plus Luxe is designed with substantial support for heavier sleepers in a more traditional medium firmness. This pillow top queen size mattress builds on the benefits of the original Titan Plus, with additional contouring and pressure point relief to accommodate both sleep partners. An 8” core of premium, individually pocketed TitanCaliber™ coils ensure extra lift and extra durability for the life of the mattress. A 1” layer of quilted, gel memory foam resists body impressions and provides a cool-to-the touch surface.

What I Didn’t Love

If you’re a lighter sleeper (less than 130 pounds), the Titan Plus Luxe isn’t your best match.

7. Best for Back & Stomach Sleepers: Helix Moonlight Luxe

  • Price: $2374
  • Best For: Back & Stomach Sleepers
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Soft
  • Trial Length: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 15-year

What I Loved About This Helix Mattress

If you like a softer mattress this may be a great option for you. The premium Helix Moonlight Luxe pillow top mattress features zoned lumbar support for enhanced contouring, and a quilted pillow top with a choice of the ultra-breathable TENCEL™ cover or the GlacioTex™ cooling cover. The GlacioTex™ cover effectively pulls heat away from your body for a cooler, more comfortable sleep. The Helix Moonlight Luxe has a soft, silky feel that’s matched by solid construction.

What I Didn’t Love

The Helix Moonlight Luxe has a bouncier feel than some other pillow top mattresses we reviewed. And it may not offer enough support for heavier back sleepers.

8. Best Customizable: Dreamfoam Latex

  • Price: $1,249
  • Best For: Customizable
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Available in Soft, Medium, Firm
  • Trial Length: 120 nights
  • Warranty: 10-year

What I Loved About This Dreamfoam Mattress

The Dreamfoam Latex by Brooklyn Bedding mattress delivers the ultimate pressure point relief of Oeko-Tex Class 1 certified Talalay latex at an affordable price. Its exceptional responsiveness is made ultra-plush with the addition of a quilted top with super soft reflex foam. Paired with a core of individually encased coils, it delivers deeper compression support and for a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep. The upgraded 12” model comes with a zippered cover. That allows you to personalize your comfort level by changing the firmness of your foam now or later, should your preferences change.

What I Didn’t Love

If a more buoyant mattress isn’t your thing, you’ll want to opt for a firmer mattress that provides better motion isolation.