What Is A Euro Top Mattress? (2024)

If you are shopping for a new mattress, you might have come across the term “Euro top.” What exactly does it mean? Basically, a Euro top is a style of mattress — a subcategory of pillow top mattresses.

Mattresses are one of our areas of expertise here at Sleepopolis, so no worries: in this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Euro top mattresses, as well as go over tips for shopping and some frequently asked questions.

What Is A Euro Top Mattress?

A Euro top mattress is a style of pillow top, meaning it has an added layer of plush, cushioning material on top of the mattress. However, a Euro top is sewn into the cover of the mattress so it is flush with the edges of the bed. Euro tops can be made from foam or fiber fills and they are typically dense and durable.

Pros Of A Euro Top Mattress

The flush edges offer a cleaner, sleeker look
Adds softness to the surface of the mattress
Better edge support than a pillow top

Cons Of A Euro Top Mattress

Firmer than a pillow top, since the Euro top is taut beneath the mattress cover
Generally more expensive than pillow top mattresses and other styles of beds
Cannot be flipped, as the Euro top design is one-sided

Euro Top Mattress vs Pillow Top Mattress: What’s The Difference?

As mentioned above, a Euro top is a style of pillow top. So what exactly is a pillow top and what is the difference between these two styles?

What Is A Pillow Top Mattress?

A pillow top mattress features an additional layer of cushioning on top of the mattress. However, a pillow top is a distinct piece of padding (made from foam or fiberfill) sewn on top of the mattress cover. This means the outer edges of the pillow top are usually not attached to the edges of the mattress. This differs from the Euro top style, where the extra padding is sewn into the cover to be flush with the edges of the mattress.

Pros Of A Pillow Top Mattress

Pillow tops add a plush, comfortable layer that offers pressure relief and cushioning
Because they aren’t taut under the mattress cover, pillow tops are generally softer than Euro tops
Pillow tops are generally more affordable than Euro tops because they are easier to construct

Cons Of A Pillow Top Mattress

Pillow tops are less durable than Euro tops, especially with edge support, and might sag or shift more quickly
Because of the extra height they add, pillow top mattresses might need deep pocketed sheets
Pillow top mattresses have a slight gap between the pillow top layer and the mattress along the edge

How To Choose Between A Euro Top Mattress And Pillow Top Mattress

If you are debating between a Euro top and pillow top mattress, there are a few things to consider.

Feel: If an ultra-luxurious and plush feel is what you’re after, then a pillow top is probably the way to go. If you want a slightly firmer feel, then go for the Euro top.
Durability: If you want the most durable mattress for your dollar, then the Euro top is probably best for you. But if you don’t mind losing out on durability for comfort, a pillow top will work just fine.
Edge Support: Similarly, if strong edge support (meaning how well the perimeter of the mattress bears weight) is important to you, go for the Euro top. Sturdy edge support can make it easier to use the full surface of the bed and overall provide more support, making it a nice feature for couples, heavy sleepers, and people with mobility issues.
Price: A Euro top mattress will usually be pricier than a regular pillow top, since it has a more complex construction.

Euro Top Mattresses To Try

Pillow Top Mattresses To Try

Who Should Use A Euro Top Mattress?

Beyond Euro tops and pillow tops generally, there are a wide variety of mattress styles. Compared to all other types of beds, who should consider buying a Euro top?

If you want an additional comfort layer, then a Euro top is a good option for you. This style of pillow top mattress adds a plush layer to the top of the mattress.
If you are looking for a durable mattress, a Euro top is a more durable style than a regular pillow top.
Back and side sleepers are both likely to appreciate the pressure relief and cushioning a Euro top can add, compared to a mattress without any pillow top.
Couples and heavy sleepers (weighing 250 pounds or more) should appreciate the reinforced edge support Euro top mattresses have, as sturdy edge support will allow them to sleep to the edge of the mattress.

Shopping For A Euro Top Mattress

Now that we have clearly established what a Euro top mattress is, let’s talk about some tips for shopping for a Euro top mattress of your own.

Firmness and Feel

Whenever you are shopping for a new bed, it’s important to think about what firmness and feel you want. Mattresses can range in how firm they are, from the ultra-soft to the ultra-firm. Generally, a Euro top adds a softer feel to the mattress, which might have a sturdy base underneath the soft upper layer. However, as mentioned above, Euro tops tend to be a bit firmer than traditional pillow tops.

See our mattress firmness guide to learn more about choosing the right firmness level for you.

Sleeping Position

Your primary sleeping position is also important to consider as you mattress shop. Whether you sleep on your side, back, stomach, or some combination of those three, you will have differing needs of pressure relief and support from your mattress.

A Euro top mattress, which is designed to add an additional comfort layer, will likely work best for side and back sleepers. Stomach sleepers tend to need a fairly firm bed to keep their hips in line with their shoulders. Too soft of a bed can cause stomach sleepers’ hips to sink, putting their spine out of alignment and leading to back pain over time.

Side sleepers should appreciate the plush comfort a Euro top can add, although for even further softness, they may want to opt for a traditional pillow top. Back sleepers should fare best of all on the Euro top, as it provides comfort mixed with support, which should allow for proper spinal alignment and pressure relief.

Materials

Mattresses can be made with a wide variety of materials, but analyzing those materials can tell you a lot about how the mattress will feel and perform.

Many Euro top mattresses are built with coils for support. They can be a more traditional innerspring mattress or a more modern hybrid mattress. Coils provide a lot of sturdy support and durability to a mattress, as well as allowing for more airflow throughout the bed. However, one con for coils is they can lead to increased motion transfer.

As far as the Euro top itself goes, these layers of padded cushioning are generally made of either foam or some type of fiberfill. Foam Euro tops will usually either use memory foam or latex foam — two of the most common foam types used in mattresses and bedding. A fiberfill Euro top could be made with a variety of synthetic or natural fibers, including polyester, wool, or cotton.

Durability

When you purchase a new mattress, you likely want it to last as long as possible — mattresses aren’t cheap! That means durability is an important factor to consider as you shop. Fortunately, many Euro top mattresses are very durable. As mentioned above, they often use coils for support, which is about as durable as you can get with mattresses.

Additionally, Euro tops are more durable than normal pillow tops. Because they are sewn flush to the mattress, instead of being a separate layer on top, Euro tops are less likely to sag, shift, or lose shape over time.

Edge Support

Edge support refers to how well the perimeter of a mattress bears weight. Imagine lying along the edge of your bed — if you feel it buckling under your weight and you are slipping off, that is poor edge support. If you feel properly supported at the edge, that is strong edge support.

Strong edge support is a bonus for couples, as it increases the usable surface area of the mattress. It’s also a good thing for heavy sleepers, who weigh 250 pounds or more, to look out for. Good edge support is an overall indicator of good quality and sturdy edges mean a mattress will be less likely to sag over time, which is important for folks who weigh more than average.

Seniors and other people with mobility issues also might value edge support because it makes getting in and out of bed easier.

Compared to pillow tops, Euro pillow tops tend to have better edge support.

Cost

If you are shopping for a new mattress, price is likely one of the top factors on your mind. You might be wondering how much you should spend on a mattress and what price a bed is worth. Generally, Euro top mattresses will be on the more expensive side of things. This is because the Euro top is an additional feature and is more complicated to construct than a normal pillow top, which is just a plush layer sewn on top of the mattress.

However, there is always variation in price across brands and you can always look for coupons and deals to save a buck!

Euro Top Mattress FAQs

Can you flip a Euro top mattress?

Generally, no. Most Euro top mattresses only feature the plush Euro top layer on top of the mattress, so if you flip it, you will be sleeping on the sturdy base layer instead. However, you can always rotate your Euro top mattress 180 degrees to reduce wear and tear and extend the life of the bed.

Do Euro top mattresses sag?

With enough time, most mattresses will sag. However, a Euro top is a durable design which should not sag prematurely. You should expect eight to 10 years out of a good quality Euro top mattress.

How thick are Euro tops?

It varies from bed to bed, but Euro tops are usually at least two inches.

How long does a Euro top mattress last?

You can expect a Euro top mattress to last roughly eight to 10 years.

Are Euro top mattresses good for side sleepers?

Yes, Euro top mattresses can be a good choice for side sleepers, as they can offer additional cushioning and pressure relief.

Are Euro top mattresses good for back pain?

Yes, Euro top mattresses can be a good choice for back pain. Back sleepers should find Euro top mattresses beneficial for back pain, as they provide a nice mix of comfort and support. However, stomach sleepers should steer clear, as these beds may not be soft enough for them, unless they are designated as firm mattresses.

Are there pillow top mattress pads or toppers?

There are many mattress toppers that can add a “pillow top feel” to your bed — look for either a down or down-alternative topper, such as the Parachute Down mattress topper or the Coop Home Goods Retreat topper, instead of a simple memory foam block topper.