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What Is a Tight Top Mattress?

by Ann Louisa

The Beautyrest Select queen-size tight top mattress

At a Glance:

What is a Tight-Top Mattress?

Which Sleepers are Best for Tight-Top Mattresses?

Why is a Tight-Top Mattress a Good Choice?

2 Best Tight-Top Mattress Options

FAQs

Why Trust Us?

Mattress technology has come a long way over the past few decades. Not only can you choose between different levels of firmness, but you can also pick whether you want it to be made with coils or foam and whether a tight-top mattress vs. pillow-top mattress is better for your needs. The key is knowing which option is better for your specific sleep needs and physical demands.

Sleep Soundly on a Tight Top Bed

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With that said, what is a tight-top mattress — and does one make a difference in your sleeping experience? Here is everything you need to know about this mattress style, including who can benefit from this option, and which models tight-top models we recommend.

What is a Tight-Top Mattress?

A young woman testing a mattress in a store

Like the name implies, a tight-top mattress has a thick layer of cotton or polyester that is stretched over the top of a mattress. This creates a firm, flat surface to sleep on. The tight top might be made of a different color fabric that distinguishes it from the rest of the mattress.

It’s easier to get a feel for the tight-top mattress meaning by comparing it to other mattress options on the market. Here are a few alternatives available to you:

  • Pillow top: This is a mattress with a soft cushion added to the top, which creates more give when you lie down. Unlike tight-top mattresses, the added layer of cushion is much more pronounced and plush (hence the name).
  • Euro top: This mattress type is similar to a pillow top except the added cushion sits flush against the mattress, so it’s more obvious.
  • Smooth top: In the case of a smooth top mattress, there isn’t any added cushioning or support on top of the mattress. This is common in memory foam design.

Once you can answer, “what is a tight-top mattress,” you can decide whether you want one of these supportive sleep solutions, a pillow top, or no top at all. This will help you filter your different mattress options, so you choose the best one for your sleep needs.

Which Sleepers are Best for Tight-Top Mattresses?

A young man sleeping in bed

Everyone has unique sleep needs, which means a mattress that is ideal for you might not be a good fit for your partner. Keep this in mind as you explore different mattress top styles.

A tight-top mattress is ideal for sleepers who don’t need a lot of support or contouring to their bodies. If you experience back pain, you might enjoy the firmness of a tight-top mattress. This is also a bouncier mattress because your body sleeps closer to the coils. (A pillow-top mattress is less bouncy because the cushion absorbs more movement and allows for more give.)

A tight-top mattress is also ideal for larger back sleepers (experts identify this as any individual weighs 230 pounds or more). You won’t experience as much of a sinking sensation when you sit on the mattress and can feel comfortable throughout the night.  

These mattresses aren’t ideal for people who sleep on their stomachs or sides. It might be uncomfortable sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t cradle you when you sleep. Additionally, if you are a light sleeper, you might be woken up throughout the night when your partner tosses and turns. These aren’t the best mattresses for absorbing movement.

That said, many mattress brands offer different combinations of support. Just because you want a tight top doesn’t mean you necessarily have to buy a firm mattress.

Why is a Tight-Top Mattress a Good Choice?

There are several reasons why you might consider a tight-top mattress over another option. The first has to do with your budget. These mattresses tend to be less expensive than plusher models, which means you can save a little when making this investment.

It’s also easier to move from a firm option to a plush sleep experience than the other way around. If you find that a tight top is too firm for you, you can invest in a pillow-top mattress pad or even a memory foam pad that offers additional cushioning. These tactics are more affordable than sleepers who need to add extra firmness.

Tight-top mattresses are also often the default option by manufacturers. When you search for mattresses, you can find several different tight-top options. This allows you to focus on finding the right brand, materials, size, and features that you need rather than limiting your search to pillow-top or euro-top designs. 

2 Best Tight-Top Mattress Options

If you are interested in a tight-top mattress, you can start to explore the different models on the market with our help. Here are two options to choose from based on your sleep preferences.

Beautyrest Black® Hybrid CX-Class Tight Top Medium Queen Mattress

 Front view of the Beautyrest Black CX-Class tight-top mattress   

This Beautyrest Black mattress is a great place to start if you are looking to buy a tight-top mattress. It is a hybrid mattress that provides medium support, which means it’s compatible with most sleepers regardless of sleep position or support.

The center of the mattress uses a T3 Pocketed Coil® that provides support while the AirCool® Memory Foam prevents movement from traveling from one side of the mattress to the next. That means your partner can climb in and out of bed without disrupting you.

This is also an incredibly soft mattress. The comfort upgrade includes a layer that is made with a mixture of cashmere, alpaca, and silk. If you want to feel like royalty while you are sleeping, this is the choice for you!

Based on verified mattress reviews, this is top-rated tight-top mattress is overall recommended by users. One happy sleeper writes, “I don't believe I've ever had this great of a sleep experience. I'm just amazed. The mattress is just firm enough, matching that with the softness, it becomes a perfect combination for a good night's sleep.”

Beautyrest® Select™ Pocketed Coil Plush Queen Mattress

Front view of the Beautyrest Select tight-top mattress

This model is a great example of buying a plush mattress that still has a tight top, creating a sense of balance as you sleep.

There are different technological elements that make this mattress worth trying. The DualCool™ Plus system is designed to keep you cool, so you feel fresh while you are sleeping. It partners with GelTouch® foam that enhances the cooling experience even further, while also adding more support. With this mattress, you can significantly cut down on the number of nights you wake up sweating with your covers kicked off the bed.

If you are still on the fence as to whether this option is right for you, visit a mattress specialist and lie down on a tight-top mattress. Spencer’s TV & Appliance has several locations across Phoenix and surrounding areas where you can browse, shop, and try mattresses from top brands on the market. Explore more online or in-store today!

FAQs

The best way to get the best sleep is by asking the important questions. Here are a few we recommend keeping in mind during your search.

Are tight-top mattresses flippable?

Most tight-top mattresses are not flippable because they come with an added comfort layer on one side. If you decide to flip your mattress, you might feel uncomfortable without that extra tight-top layer to protect you from the built-in coils, and you might even void the manufacturer warranty. Pillow-top and euro-top mattresses also have limited flippability.

How long does a tight-top mattress last?

You can expect your tight-top mattress to last up to 10 years if you invest in a quality product. Even the best mattresses start to wear out from nightly use after a decade and even before, in some cases. It might be time to replace your mattress if you have a hard time falling (and staying) asleep, wake up with back pain, and notice a divot in your bed where your body lies each night.

What happens if you sleep on too firm a mattress?

Not everyone is made to sleep on a firm mattress. If you choose a mattress that is too hard for your needs, you could experience back, leg, and joint pain. This pain might linger long after you wake up, making daily activities uncomfortable.

Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?

Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.

Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!

Shop Tight-Top Mattresses at Spencer’s

At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop tight-top mattresses online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you answer, “what is a tight-top mattress and why should you buy one?” Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!

Learn More: A Guide to Spencer's Most Trusted Brands