Coil spring (also called innerspring) mattresses use metal coils to provide resistance and support. Contemporary bedding use pocket coil systems that are entirely independent from each other so there are less pressure points. The rule of these new pocket coil systems is the more coils that are used, the more independent movement and response is in mattress.
Older coil spring mattresses, however, have one frame with coils interconnected to one another. Although this provides good support across the entire surface, and a longer durability life, there are comfort concerns about these mattresses.
Additionally, most coil spring mattresses have memory foam, latex, or some other type of bedding to provide a soft surface to sleep on.
Pros: Durable materials, and newer pocket coil systems provide comfortable support.
Cons: Older coil spring mattresses can cause more back pain and irritate pressure points.
A pillow top is a surface layer of soft material that is stitched and packed into the cover. This provides a soft as a cloud feel to the surface of the mattress.
There are multiple types of pillow tops, though the most popular recently is a memory foam pillow top. A memory foam pillow top has a thin layer of soft memory foam that is stitched into the cover. Though memory foam is a popular material for pillow tops, you can also find them with latex, cotton, cashmere, wool, or goose down/feathers.
Pillow top mattresses generally have spring support systems in the middle of the mattress, though there could be a pillow top on a memory foam mattress as well (it is just not very common).
Pros: A plush feel on the top of the mattress that pillows the body on top of the support layers.
Cons: The pillow top alone will not make a good bed -- the materials used in the pillow top and the rest of the mattress can sag or have issues if they are lower quality.
Overall Score:
Coil Spring: 9.3/10
Pillow Top: 8.9/10
Comfort:
Coil Spring: 9.2/10
Pillow Top: 9/10
Softness:
Coil Spring: 8.7/10
Pillow Top: 9.4/10
Cooling:
Coil Spring: 9.6/10
Pillow Top: 8.2/10
Hypoallergenic:
Coil Spring: 9.6/10
Pillow Top: 8.2/10
Odor:
Coil Spring: 9.6/10
Pillow Top: 8.2/10
General Support:
Coil Spring: 9.6/10
Pillow Top: 8.2/10
Eco-Conscious:
Coil Spring: 9.6/10
Pillow Top: 8.2/10
Price Value:
Coil Spring: 8.4/10
Pillow Top: 8.2/10
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