What Is a Euro Pillowtop Mattress?

Construction

• Euro pillowtop mattresses are made with a thick box-shaped cushion attached to the top of the innerspring mattress. The cushion is stitched down around the perimeter of the mattress to support the edges, unlike a regular pillowtop mattress. The box pillowtop is typically 2 to 6 inches thick and creates a slightly firmer feel compared to regular pillowtop mattresses. The Euro pillowtop layer is typically sewn to one side of the mattress to provide a better cushioned surface. If a mattress has a second pillowtop surface it would be compressed under the weight of the mattress.

Benefits

• Euro pillowtop mattresses have the benefit of extra padding to relieve painful pressure points and increase softness and comfort. Sometimes referred to as boxtop or Eurotop mattresses, the comfort levels of these mattresses range from soft to firm. Many people who need a mattress with firm support can still enjoy the comfortable softness provided by Euro pillowtop mattresses. Since they're one-sided the soft cushion is designed specifically for one sleeping surface, resulting in a more comfortable mattress that doesn't need to be flipped over.

Comfort Layers

• The feeling you get when you first lie down on a Euro pillowtop mattress comes from the foams and fibers used in the upholstery layers above the coil springs. These layers can include a memory foam pad, polyurethane pad, polyester batting, and cotton or wool fibers. These layers reduce tossing and turning and help you get more restful sleep. Additionally, the added layers of padding create a breathable sleeping surface, which reduces heat.

Drawbacks

• The cushion layers in Euro pillowtop mattresses can begin to sag, compress and develop body impressions over time. The pillowtop surface cannot be removed once it begins to compress and pillowtop mattress pads do not combine well with worn out Euro pillowtop mattresses. The extra cost of Euro pillowtop mattresses isn't worth the loss of comfort to some people. To help prolong the life of your mattress and wear the surface more evenly, rotate the mattress two or three times per year.