by When buying a new mattress, you may come across three types: Euro tops, pillow tops, and tight top mattresses. A tight top mattress is unlike your regular plush top mattress. They are innerspring mattresses explicitly designed for heavy sleepers (check 10 amazing innerspring mattresses). In these mattresses, a solid layer of fabric is tightly sewn on the surface. This top layer is very thin and dense. It is very different from your hybrid or foam mattresses.
Let us find out what makes a tight-top mattress different from your typical mattresses.
Tight Top Mattresses Recommended for Whom?
The tight-top mattress is bouncy due to the springy coil base with the thin layer on the top. It is ideal for plus-size people and back sleepers. However, it provides the right amount of support and comfort to these sleepers for a night of restorative sleep (check the best selling mattresses on the market).
Heavyweight Size Sleepers
A person weighing more than 250 pounds tends to sink into their mattress. Their body is unable to find an adequate amount of support due to their heavy weight. This unalignment of the spine gives an uncomfortable sleeping experience to heavy sleepers (also check 10 great mattresses for back pain).
A tight-top bed is ideal for these kinds of sleepers. The thin, dense top layer does not let their body sink into the mattress. In addition, the firm surface gives an ample amount of support to the sleepers (check 10 top rated mattresses for overweight people).
Back Sleepers
A back sleeper often complains of stiff joints and body aches in the morning. This is due to their backs, especially their torso, which tend to sink too much into a soft mattress.
This causes tension in the muscles resulting in pain in the joints.
A tight-top mattress is ideal for back sleepers. The medium-firm mattress keeps the spine straight and comfortable throughout the night (also check 10 great mattress toppers for back pain).
Who Should Avoid a Tight Top Mattress?
Side sleepers should not opt for a tight-top mattress (check 10 great mattresses for side sleepers). In addition, slim people should also not sleep on a tight-top mattress. A tight-top mattress might be a little too firm for their body type. These sleepers need maximum support and cushioning when asleep.
For this purpose, they should choose a soft mattress that supports the hips and joints (check the top rated soft mattresses). A tight-top mattress has none of these qualities. Therefore, it is not wise for side sleepers or people on the thinner side to buy this mattress.
A tight-top mattress is also not suitable for couples with different sleeping patterns. These mattresses are extra bouncy and have high motion transfer.
As a result, any small movement can be felt by your partner, disrupting their sleep. So, if your partner can easily be irritated by small movements, then the tight-top mattress is not the right choice for you (check the best selling mattresses for couples).
Is A Tight Top Mattress the Best Option for Me?
A tight-top mattress is a good choice if you want an innerspring mattress. A Tight top mattress is an affordable option for you (check 10 amazing mattresses under $1000).
It is ideally built for people who prefer to sleep on their backs. The coils provide sufficient support to their bodies, keeping the muscles free from any strain.
Before going out to buy the tight-top mattress, keep two things in mind. First, it is not designed for you if you are a side sleeper or on the thinner side.
These sleepers need soft cushioning mattresses that support the weight of their hips and back. Any friction from these springs can cause body aches and stiff joints leading to uneven sleep.
If you still want an innerspring mattress, you can opt for a pillow-tight top mattress. It is pretty similar to your tight-top mattress but is on the softer side.
In addition, it has an added layer that makes the mattress on a plushier side. The rest of the properties of a top pillow mattress are pretty much the same as the tight top mattresses.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Tight-Top Mattress?
An innerspring, tight-top mattress has many disadvantages. It is not suitable for all types of sleepers.
- It is not suitable for side, stomach, and combination sleepers (check 10 amazing mattresses for stomach sleepers).
- They are not durable and last only six to eight years max.
- They are not designed for people with petite body types.
- This mattress has high motion transfer, so not ideal for couples to sleep on.
The Difference Between Tight Top and Pillow Top Mattresses
Both tight top and pillow-top mattresses are medium-firm mattresses. The main difference between these mattresses is the extra cushioning layer.
The pillow-top mattress has an extra pillow-like layer on top. It is designed to give extra cushioning and softness to your traditional tight-top mattress.
Tight tops are firmer than your pillow-top mattresses. This does not mean they are not soft to touch. Tight tops come in two comfort levels, and you can select according to your personal preferences.
- firm comfort mattress
- plush comfort mattress
You can select the comfort type that suits your body and sleeping style. However, selecting the right type to get a comfortable night of sleep is important.
What Is a Plush Tight Top Mattress?
A plush tight top mattress has an additional layer of foam, making them more conforming. This layer gives extra softness to your typical tight-top mattress. It doesn’t mean that it will compromise the firmness of the mattress.
The top layer is just inches away from the coils, giving minimum contouring. It is built for those who love a firm mattress but want a little cushioning. They are a little more costly than your average tight-top mattress due to the extra amount of padding present inside.
There are some disadvantages of the plush tight top mattress. The edge of this mattress is not very supportive. It is due to the factor that the edges sit on top of the “comfort layer.” A pillow top, after some time, loses its shape, compresses, and becomes flat.
1. How does the construction of a tight top mattress differ from pillow tops and Euro tops?
- A tight top mattress features a flat, uniform surface without any additional padding layers on top. In contrast, pillow tops have an added plush layer sewn on top of the mattress, creating a ‘pillow-like’ effect. Euro tops also have an extra layer, but it’s sewn flush with the mattress edges, offering a more seamless look and feel.
2. Why might a tight top mattress be more suitable for heavy sleepers compared to other mattress types?
- Tight top mattresses generally provide more firmness and support. This firm surface can offer better spinal alignment for heavy sleepers, ensuring that they don’t sink too deeply into the mattress. This helps in distributing the weight evenly, preventing pressure points, and ensuring a comfortable sleep.
3. Can a tight top mattress be used on any bed frame or foundation?
- While tight top mattresses are versatile and can be used on various bed frames and foundations, it’s essential to ensure that the base offers adequate support. Slatted bed frames, box springs, or adjustable bases can be suitable, but always check the mattress manufacturer’s recommendations.
Conclusion
Choosing the right mattress is a crucial decision (check 10 mattresses with great comfort). You must choose your new mattress wisely as it can affect your daily sleep routine. A tight-top mattress is an innerspring foam that is medium firm. It is designed for people who like a mattress on the firm side. It is best for plus size and back sleepers.
If you are on the smaller side, you can always opt for plush-top tight mattresses. They are on the softer side but perform mostly like a top-tight mattress. Choose wisely, as the wrong mattress selection can affect your sleep routine.
Tight top mattress FAQs
Is A Tight Pillow Top Mattress Good for Back Pain?
A medium-firm mattress is designed especially for people with back issues. A tight pillow-top mattress is a good option for people with back pain. The extra cushioning layer is soft enough to support your hips, back, and shoulders. It is hard enough to avoid any pressure on the spinal cord. You can pair up your mattress with an adjustable bed frame. This allows you to alleviate your legs for proper blood circulation and a healthier lifestyle.
Is It Better to Sleep on A Hard Mattress or A Soft One?
The right mattress selection greatly depends upon your body weight and sleep position. Most people around the world choose a medium-rare mattress to sleep on.
This mattress is perfect for supporting your body weight. It gives a sufficient amount of support to your back, and muscles remain relaxed. You wake up in the morning without any stiff joints or strained muscles.
What Is the Lifespan of a Tight Pillow Top Mattress?
The tight-top mattresses are on the cheaper side, but they are not durable at all. Even if properly taken care of, they last only up to 6 to 8 years. The padding on top of a pillow-top mattress gets lumpy or dented. On the other hand, the bottom of the mattress can lose its shape. This mattress fails to support your back and spine, causing stiff joints. Make sure you buy this mattress from a reliable source to get the most out of it.