Types of Plush Pillow Top Beds

Significance

• Plush pillow top mattresses contain extra layers of padding, more than standard pillow top mattresses. The extra layers provide extra comfort and allow you to sleep more soundly. Beyond the extra layers of padding, there is no difference between plush pillow top and standard pillow top mattresses. All pillow top mattresses contain at least one thick layer of padding and a layer of support beneath the pillow top layer of the mattress.

Identification

• Plush pillow top mattresses are very simple to identify: They look like a mattress pad attached to the top of a traditional mattress. Ultra-plush pillow top mattresses may be overstuffed to the point that they begin to look like featherbeds attached to a mattress. As with all mattresses, pillow tops are typically white, ivory or an offset beige tone. Floral patterns are rare in modern plush pillow top mattresses as they visually date the mattress.

Size

• Plush pillow top mattresses are available in standard mattress sizes: twin (39 inches by 75 inches); twin XL (39 inches by 80 inches); full (54 inches by 75 inches); queen (60 inches by 80 inches); king (76 inches by 80 inches); and California king (72 inches by 84 inches). Certain retailers may also carry uncommon sizes such as a three-quarter-sized mattress for antique beds (48 inches by 72 inches) and full extra long (54 inches by 80 inches), which provides extra leg room for tall sleepers.

Types

• Plush and ultra-plush are the two basic types of plush pillow top mattresses. However, several manufacturers create specialty plush pillow top mattresses. If you suffer from back pain, you may benefit from a plush pillow top mattress that provides firm back support while still having a plush pillow top, such as Sealy's Posturepedic Nurture. Alternatively, if you sleep alongside a partner who moves around a lot during the night, consider choosing a mattress with individually wrapped coils that do not transfer motion, such as Simmons Beautyrest Bamako mattress.

Considerations

• Plush pillow top mattresses are no-flip mattresses; after a while your body will make depressions and you'll need to purchase a new mattress. Plush pillow top mattress sets are more expensive than your average mattress sets; they can cost well over $1,000. A much cheaper alternative to a plush pillow top mattress is a featherbed. Featherbeds typically cost less than $200 for a queen bed (price as of 2009) and can be placed directly on top of your current mattress to provide the desired plush pillow top effect.