Pillow Top Mattress Problems

Bed Height

• Mattresses come in many heights. Standard (without a pillow top) mattresses can range from 5 1/2 to 9 inches. By contrast, pillow-top mattresses can be as thick as 22 inches In addition, innerspring mattresses are usually set on top of a wood frame foundation, called a box spring. This foundation supports the softer structure of the mattress to prevent sagging and promote even wear. Standard box spring height is 9 inches. Some companies offer low-profile foundations, which are about 5 inches high. This height is increased another few inches when the mattress and foundation are set on a bed frame.

  Even with a low-profile foundation, pillow top mattresses can sit 12 1/2 inches higher than a standard mattress and box spring, making it more difficult for people with mobility issues to get into bed.

Specialty Sheets

• The thickness of pillow top mattresses also presents a problem when dressing the bed. Standard sheet depth is about 7 inches, although this can vary by manufacturer. Owners of plus pillow top mattresses must buy specialty deep-pocket sheet sets, which are more expensive and can be harder to find than standard sheets.

Durability

• Quality pillow top mattresses are designed to last for many years--even single-sided, no-flip or low-maintenance models. However, inexpensive or lower quality pillow top beds can contain inferior stuffing material. The material in these pillow tops can settle and shift, causing a lumpy and uncomfortable surface after only a few months.

Expense

• Pillow top mattresses are considered a luxury home item and, as such, are considerably more expensive than standard mattresses. You can buy a standard king-sized mattress for several hundred dollars. By contrast, some pillow-top mattresses cost more than $3,000. Additionally, online retailers charge more for shipping and handling of pillow top mattresses than thinner, lighter standard models.

Maneuvering

• The extra depth of pillow top mattresses make it more difficult to maneuver through narrow hallways and doors. Interior doors come in standard heights of 80 inches, with widths as narrow as 24 inches. An extra-deep queen-size pillow top mattress can measure 22 inches deep by 80 inches high. This can create a challenge for renters or people in older homes, which were typically built with narrower hallways and entryways, and more room divisions than modern houses.