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When choosing a new bed, understanding the different types of mattresses that are available can be difficult.

From hybrid and spring mattresses to memory foam and pillow-tops, which is right for your sleep?

A side by side comparison of a Nectar Memory Foam mattress and a Saatva hybrid pillow-top mattress

Our round up of thebest mattressesof the year include both memory foam mattresses and pillow-top options.

Each has their own benefits and will suit different types of sleeper.

Want to prioritize motion isolation and firm support?

Our tester’s hand on the cover of the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress

Opt for a dense foam bed.

Memory foam vs pillow-top: What is a memory foam mattress?

Memory foam was initially developed by NASA to cushion its astronauts during take off.

A Tom’s Guide mattress tester placing their hands on surface of the Helix Midnight Elite mattress

This makes it a great material for mattresses, as it contours to your body and relieves pressure.

Imagine someone who sleeps predominantly on their side.

Memory foam vs pillow-top: What is a pillow-top mattress?

Siena Memory Foam Mattress side lying test

Apillow-top mattressrefers to a mattress that has an extra layer stitched on top.

Pillow-top layers can go on top of nearly all types of mattresses, like latex, spring and hybrid.

This increases airflow, meaning pillow-top mattresses are more likely to sleep cool, compared to memory foam.

Tom’s Guide Sleep Features Editor lies on her side on the Saatva Classic mattress during a testing panel review session at our sleep studio

This can be a life-saver for those sharing with a restless partner, kids or pets.

Pillow-top beds, on the other hand, are less likely to absorb motion as effectively.

Depending on the material, these extra layers can be more responsive to movement.

Nectar Classic memory foam mattress: from $349 at Nectar

Latex, in particular, will have a certain bounce to it.

Support: Both memory foam and pillow-top mattresses have the potential to offer great support.

So, what positions are memory foam mattresses and pillow-top mattresses more suited to?

Saatva Classic pillow-top mattress: from $1,399 $1,190 at Saatva

Lets take a look.

However, many of thebest luxury mattressesare also made from memory foam and sit in the premium price range.

So, no matter your budget, youre likely to find a foam bed suited to you.

siena memory foam mattress

Pillow tops, on the other hand, usually have a higher price.

Adding an extra layer to a bed requires more material and more production time.

This means that they naturally sit in the premium price range.

Siena

Many mattress brands offer the option to upgrade a mattress to include a pillow top.

This usually increases the price by at least $200.

It has three layers of foam, plus a cooling cover, and has a medium-firm feel.

Saatva Contour5 Mattress -…

Youll also get a lifetime warranty, free shipping and a 365-night sleep trial.

Its made up of 5 layers of high-density memory foam, a euro pillow top and individually wrapped coils.

The pillow top is 3 and has Lumbar Zone Quilting to provide extra back support.

Saatva Classic Mattress - Twin

We expect this discount to increase for Memorial Day, so it might be worth waiting before you buy.

Youll also get a 365-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery.

Memory foam vs pillow-top: Which should you buy?

Brooklyn Bedding Signature…

Memory foam will ensure you sleep peacefully without being disturbed.

Youre a stomach sleeper:If you sleep on your front, youll need a firmer sleep surface.

If youre looking for a bit of indulgence, then a pillow-top bed will definitely deliver.

Concerto Organic Pillow Top…

Women sleeping on two white pillows

Memory foam vs hybrid mattresses

Memory foam vs latex mattresses: image shows the Nectar mattress on the left and the Saatva Latex Hybrid on the right

A hand presses into the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress to test the temperature regulation and pressure relief

A hand pressing into white surface of Nectar Classic memory foam mattress

A hand lifts the corner of a latex mattress topper off the mattress beneath (left) and a Helix Sunset Luxe mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom (right)

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The image shows a woman sitting up in bed and clutching her shoulder in pain

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

A couple using the Scandinavian Sleep Method

Bed bugs

The Saatva Murphy Bed Mattress on a Murphy bed frame lying flat, in a bedroom

The LG C5 (on left) faces off against the Samsung S95F (on right).

HDMI input

google pixel 9a and google pixel 8a in white and black side by side

The image shows the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology pillow on the left and the Coop Cool+ pillow on the right in a side by side comparison

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