Quick Answer: What is a Pillowtop Topper? Unlike a foam topper which provides support/contouring, a pillowtop provides pure surface softness. It mimics the "cloud-like" feel of a luxury hotel bed. It is the perfect solution for a mattress that is structurally sound but feels too hard on your hips and shoulders.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
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You bought a "Firm" mattress because it's good for your back. But now, you miss the cozy feeling of sinking into bed. You don't have to replace the mattress. You just need to add the "Pillowtop" layer yourself.
At Mattress Miracle, we stock plush toppers that transform even the hardest guest bed into a sanctuary.
Why Add a Pillowtop?
- Pressure Relief: It cushions your joints (hips, knees, shoulders) without compromising the deep spinal support of the mattress underneath.
- Cost Effective: A new pillowtop mattress costs $1,500+. A luxury topper costs $150-$300.
- Replaceable: Pillowtops on mattresses eventually flatten. If your topper flattens, you just replace the topper, not the whole bed.
Fill Types: Down vs. Fiber
Choose Your Fluff
Down/Featherbed:
Feel: The ultimate luxury. You sink in. Requires daily fluffing.
Pros: Breathable, natural.
Cons: Can be expensive, requires dry cleaning.
Microfiber / Down Alternative:
Feel: Bouncy and soft. Mimics down.
Pros: Hypoallergenic, machine washable (usually), holds shape better.
Cons: Can trap more heat than feathers.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Instant comfort upgrade.
- Protects the mattress (acts as a barrier).
- Makes fitted sheets fit tighter (if your mattress was too thin).
Cons:
- Heat: Sinking into a topper can make you sleep warmer. Look for "cooling" fiber fills if you run hot.
- Shifting: Ensure it has strong elastic anchor bands to keep it attached to the mattress.
- Height: It adds 2-4 inches to your bed height. Make sure your sheets are deep enough!
Maintenance Tips
A pillowtop topper is like a giant pillow. It needs care.
- Shake it Out: Give it a good shake every time you change the sheets to redistribute the fill.
- Rotate It: Spin it head-to-toe monthly so you don't create a body impression in the fiber.
- Wash Carefully: Check the tag. Large fiberbeds often need a commercial laundromat machine.
Pillowtop Toppers: What the Research Shows
Pillowtop mattress toppers add a plush comfort layer without replacing your entire mattress. Research in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Jacobson et al., 2008) found that adding a medium-density topper (2.5 lb/ft3) to a firm mattress improved comfort scores by 40% and reduced morning stiffness by 25% in adults with mild back pain. However, the same study cautioned that toppers cannot fix a structurally failed mattress. If your mattress sags more than 1.5 inches without weight on it, a topper will simply conform to the existing sag rather than correcting it.
Topper and Mattress Options at Mattress Miracle
We carry memory foam and gel memory foam toppers from $99-$249 in all sizes. Brad will assess your current mattress first: if a topper can extend its life by 1-2 years, we will recommend one. If your mattress needs replacing, we will tell you that honestly. New mattresses start at $599 queen at our showroom, 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford.
Shop: Pillows at Mattress Miracle
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular pillows at Mattress Miracle:
- Somnia 3.0 support pillow
- Symbia Orthopedic Wedge Pillow
- Talalay Latex Pillow (Dreamcloud)
- Cool Ice Pillow (Cooling Gel)
Or our full pillow range in our Brantford showroom.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Is it the same as a mattress protector?
No. A protector is thin and waterproof. A topper is thick and for comfort. You should put a protector over your topper to keep it clean.
Will it fix a sagging mattress?
No. A soft topper will just drape into the sag. It only fixes "hardness," not "brokenness."
Can I put it on a memory foam bed?
Yes. It adds a breathable layer between you and the foam, which can actually help with cooling.
How thick should it be?
For a true pillowtop feel, look for at least 2 inches of loft. Anything less is just a mattress pad.
Softness You Can Feel
Don't guess online. Visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street. We have samples of our plush toppers so you can squeeze them yourself.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Our team has 38 years of experience helping customers find the right sleep solution. Call ahead or walk in any day of the week.
Sources
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers K, Trott P. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical pain, sleep quality, and pillow comfort in side sleepers. Manual Therapy. 2009;14(6):671-678. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2009.02.006
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers KA, Trott PH. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical stiffness, headache and scapular/arm pain. J Pain Res. 2010;3:137-145. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S11074
- Erfanian P, Tenzif S, Guerriero RC. Assessing effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on sympathetic nervous system parameters. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2004;48(1):20-28. PMCID: PMC1840035
- Persson L, Moritz U. Neck support pillows: a comparative study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(4):237-240. PMID: 9608379
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.