Most mattress shoppers are familiar with the firm mattress. Beyond that, however, things get confusing. You may have encountered the terms “pillow top,” “Euro top,” and “plush” as well, but do you know the differences between them? Read on to learn more!
Shop All MattressesMattress Firmness Scale
As a handy guide for most of the mattresses City Mattress offers, we include a firmness scale to help when you consider a plush vs firm mattress. This scale includes a range from 1 (Firm) to 10 (Soft). Firm mattresses generally fall below a five by this metric while plush, pillow top, and Euro top mattresses are often above five. Another common term you’ll encounter is “medium firm.” A medium firm mattress is close to, or exactly, five on the firmness scale.
Comfort vs. Support
Mattresses are built in layers. The bottommost layer is usually the support layer. At the top, we find the comfort layer. For instance, an innerspring mattress features coils on the support layer at the bottom but will feature a comfort layer of padding at the top. Because of this, you may see terms like “firm support” or “medium comfort.”
To expand on the above, there are mattresses that offer firm support with medium comfort. What this means is that the support layer is firm while the comfort layer is medium firm or about five on the firmness scale. Likewise, the support layer can be firm with a soft comfortable feel.
With the difference between comfort and support in mind, consider a back pain sufferer. Their back needs firm support, but does that mean they need to sleep on a firm surface? Not necessarily! It is possible to have firm support for spinal alignment while still experiencing a soft sleep surface. In fact, a firm comfort layer may provide too much pressure, especially on a side sleeper’s hips and shoulders.
What Is a Plush Mattress?
Stepping up from a firm comfort feel, plush mattresses add extra padding to the top layer. This additional padding allows for improved pressure relief, especially for side sleepers. While the comfort layer is softer than a firm mattress, a plush mattress still provides great spinal alignment. This mix of support and comfort makes plush mattresses a popular choice for many sleepers.
Many medium or medium-firm mattresses are plush mattresses, though not all. The comfort layer can consist of cotton, wool, memory foam, latex, or any other material that provides a layer of cushion. Because of this, how much pressure relief you experience with a plush mattress depends on the material. Memory foam does a great job of relieving pressure by conforming to your body. This means that hips and shoulders sink into the mattress, which also helps keep your spine in proper alignment. Learn more in our dedicated plush mattress article.
What Is a Pillow Top Mattress?
For those who want ultimate softness, pillow top mattresses are where you’ll find it. A pillow top mattress features an extra layer of soft material in the quilting. Rather than being flush with the rest of the mattress, a pillow top has a small gap between it and the underlying comfort layer. This creates a distinct, layered look that you may recognize. The pillow top’s quilted layer can be filled with fiber or foam. The foam in this layer is usually of an ultra-soft variety that responds quickly to pressure. Often, the quilting will also be extra-soft for an overall luxurious feel.
What Is a Euro Top Mattress?
A Euro top mattress is made of dense, high-quality material that provides an increased level of support compared to other types of mattresses. It is sewn to create a uniform flat look. It also has a flat edge, which makes it a good option for anyone who likes to sit on their bed occasionally. This design makes the edges of the bed feel firmer than the center, which makes it a good option for individuals with more body weight.
A Euro top mattress typically uses materials that have a higher quality, and the sewing design that is used is more technical. The result is a comfort level that is ideal for side sleepers who need shoulder support as they sleep. These mattresses are considered to be one-sided, so they should never be flipped.
Euro Top vs Pillow Top
You might notice that Euro top and pillow top mattresses are found together. That’s because, when it comes to Euro top vs pillow top, the primary difference between them is how the extra-soft padding is sewn to the mattress. Unlike the pillow top, a Euro top mattress features extra padding that sits beneath the quilted top, so the mattress sides are flush. The Euro top is designed to be firmer than the pillow top.
Another key difference between a pillow top and a Euro top mattress is that the Euro top mattress has a sturdier edge that allows you to easily sit on the edge of the mattress. Because of this, the Euro top mattress has more overall support than the pillow top, which means they don’t indent as easily.
Plush Top vs Pillow Top
When it comes to plush top vs pillow top, the main difference is the firmness of the mattress. A plush top is softer and contours to your body’s curves to provide you with a comfortable night’s sleep. The pillow top is designed to be comfortable, but it also adds support, so the mattress is firmer.
In addition, pillow top mattresses use a layer of memory foam to enhance comfort levels while a plush top often uses a combination of memory foam and softer fibers for the top layer to create a softer mattress. As time passes, the pillow top will compress, which means that if it isn't rotated, the durability of the mattress will suffer. That said, this type of mattress is not a flippable option, so you may not be able to extend the life span. Many plush mattresses are made with a two-sided design, which adds durability to a plush mattress because it can be rotated and flipped.
Most plush top mattresses are not designed for larger individuals as the material used is not designed to support excess weight. If you sink into these types of mattresses, you're not going to feel the comfort level that it was designed to provide. On the other hand, a pillow top will support more weight but not quite as much as a Euro top.
Which Comfort Feel Is Right for You?
At City Mattress, we offer a large variety of options because everyone is different. The best way to discover which mattress fits you best is to visit one of our stores. We can help you decide between soft and firm mattresses, Euro top vs plush, pillows, bedding, and more. However, you can speak to our Sleep Experts online as well, through our handy chat feature. Our staff will answer your questions and help you find the ultimate mattress for you!
