The best mattress protector acts as a barrier between your bed and your body, wicking away sweat, spills, and stains while keeping dust, dirt, and dander out of your mattress. You can get a good mattress protector for less than $100, which is a small price to pay to prolong the life of your mattress.
Still, mattress protection alone shouldn't be your only consideration: there are lots of different mattress protector types, each designed to fit your mattress and meet your sleep needs. There are cooling mattress protectors for hot sleepers, as well as zippered mattress protectors that offer total encasement to ward against dust mites and bed bugs. There are also specialist mattress protectors for different mattress types, such as memory foam, cots, and cribs.
You're probably shopping for a mattress protector for a specific reason: perhaps to protect your best mattress from wear; to protect against bed wetting; to protect yourself from allergies; or a combination of all these reasons. If you're wondering which to choose, that's where I come in. As H&G's Sleep Editor, I know where to buy the best mattress protectors. After months of in-depth, at-home testing, I can confirm that the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector is the best on the market for thermoregulation and moisture-wicking. While it's the best all-rounder, the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector sits at the higher end of the price scale, and some protectors perform better in a particular area. That's why I've assembled eight alternatives so that you can find the perfect mattress protector for you that meets your needs and fits your budget constraints.
Best mattress protectors 2024 − at a glance
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Below, you'll find a bite-size summary of each mattress protector, outlining the most important pros and cons. If you want to learn more about a particular mattress, keep scrolling, or skip to that section by pressing 'read more below'. There, you'll find a list of the need-to-know specs along with the details of our testing experience.
The best mattress protector overall
The best mattress protector should guard against spills, dirt, stains, and humidity to keep your body clean and your body cool. The Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector ticks all my big boxes and comes with deep pockets to accommodate thicker mattresses.
The best waterproof mattress protector
Amazon's best-selling mattress protector is made from cotton terry cloth for water-resistance. Happy customers report that fluids and sweat sit on top of this mattress protector like water atop an umbrella, instead of seeping into the surface. This is what you need to protect your mattress from bed-wetting.
The best cooling mattress protector
If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, or you simply tend to run a little warm, then you're what's known as a hot sleeper. You need a cooling mattress protector to dissipate heat and wick moisture. This pad is threaded with Sijo Clima fibers, designed to retain and release excess body heat at strategic intervals, so you're never too hot or too cold.
The best organic mattress protector
Most mattress protectors feature plastic or other synthetic materials for waterproofing. That isn't the case at Avocado: the thin waterproof film inside this mattress protector is made from cornstarch and the entire thing is wrapped in organic cotton. If you're keen to shop sustainably, then this is the mattress protector for you.
The best mattress protector for memory foam
Memory foam is highly absorbent and tends to trap heat: it's a breeding ground for mold and mildew. If you're shopping for a memory foam mattress, you need a protector to wick away moisture without interrupting the body contouring effect of the foam. The Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad fits the bill.
The best budget mattress protector
Out of all the mattress protectors we've tested, this is by far the most affordable. The Amazon Basics Mattress Protector is fully functional, with a zipper to keep bed bugs and dust mites at bay. It's a great option for mattress storing or moving house, though it doesn't feel quite as luxe as other options on this list.
The best mattress protector overall
Our expert tester, Jaclyn Turner, slept on the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector last summer. 'I'm a hot sleeper at the best of times,' she says, 'and the night sweats are no joke when you're sleeping through an Atlanta heatwave. I found that this organic cotton cover kept me cool and dry. No joke: I poured an entire cup of water onto the mattress protector and it stayed on top of the surface, instead of seeping through.'
The Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector is kept in place with a silicone elastic band, which ensures a snug fit right around the sides of the mattress. 'I tend to move around in my sleep,' says Jaclyn, 'and I haven't had a problem with the corners of the protector popping off. The skirt is nice and stretchy, able to accommodate thicker mattresses up to 16 inches deep, so it's a great option for bigger beds.
Retailing for just under $200 for a Queen, this is one of the more expensive mattress protectors on the market. To me, it feels like a reasonable price to pay for deep pockets and 100% waterproofing. If you're working with a tighter budget, then I suggest you skip Saatva and shop the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector from Amazon, instead
It's worth noting that you only get a 1-year warranty with the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector. That should be plenty of time to find faults with materials and manufacture, but you'll have to be quick if you want to file a claim. Also, you only get a 45-day window for free returns: after that, you'll have to pay a processing fee. 'Still, I don't think you will return the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector,' says Jaclyn: 'it's breathable, snug and secure, and so silent you'll forget it's there.
The best waterproof mattress protector
This is Amazon's number-one best-selling mattress protector, with more than 200,000 five-star reviews from verified customers. Here's a snippet from a recent review: 'when my wife was pregnant, her water broke on our bed − Niagara Falls levels of water breaking – and thanks to the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector, our mattress stayed bone dry. Don't know how to give a better recommendation than that!'
Amazon shoppers love the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector, and so does our expert tester, Jaclyn Turner. 'I like the soft feel of cotton terry cloth through my fitted sheets,' says Jaclyn. 'There's none of the squeaky slipperiness you get from synthetics. As a light sleeper, I appreciate that the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector is noiseless in the night, thanks to an ultra-thin layer of waterproof materials.'
'As a hot sleeper, my only complaint is that the terry cloth material doesn't make the best thermoregulator,' says Jaclyn, 'though it's great for moisture-wicking. If you're looking for an actively cooling mattress protector, I suggest the Sijo TempTune Mattress Pad.'
SafeRest recommends their mattress protector as an AirBnB essential for hosts to keep their guest bedrooms clean. Given the low price of the protector (less than $70 for a Queen at full price), I'd say it's also a great option for first-time homeowners and buyers on a budget.
The best cooling mattress protector
The best cooling mattress toppers and pads are designed to dissipate heat, wick moisture, and block odors. Out of all the entries in our buying guide, the Sijo TempTune Cooling Mattress Pad offers the best performance at the fairest price. Good news for anyone with a thick mattress: the Sijo TempTune Cooling Mattress Pad can accommodate mattresses up to 18 inches deep.
Our expert tester, Louise Oliphant, is a hot sleeper who suffers from night sweats. Sleeping in a house without AC, she sometimes finds the heat and humidity of British summertime unbearable. 'The Sijo TempTune Cooling Mattress Pad works to make her bedroom much more comfortable,' she says. 'It's filled with thermoregulating fiberfill to cool her down and lined with a moisture-wicking membrane to absorb her sweat. I worried that the waterproof layer would make an unpleasant squeaking sound when I switched positions in the night, but so far, it's noise-free.'
Before you buy, it's worth knowing that Sijo only makes mattress pads in sizes Full through to California King. If you're looking for a cooling mattress protector with a similar look and feel to fit a smaller bed, then I recommend the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad.
Out of all the mattress protectors on this list, the Sijo TempTune Cooling Mattress Pad is one of the most expensive, retailing at $175 for a Queen. I think it's worth the money, but you could always shop the bedding sales to try and save some cash.
The best organic mattress topper
For hot sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers, I recommend the Avocado Organic Mattress Protector. It's filled with organic wool to stop the night sweats. According to the Woolroom Clean Sleep Report, wool can hold up to a third of its weight in water overnight. It's highly absorbent to wick away sweat and keep your bed and body clean.
The Avocado Organic Mattress Protector comes in a standard pocket size to fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep, as well as a deep pocket option to accommodate anything up to 22 inches. It's super supple with elasticated corners for a snug fit.
This mattress protector gets rave reviews online, with a 4.8 average star rating from more than 2,000 verified reviews. 'Outstanding quality and generously sized,' says a recent customer. Another shopper puts it more plainly: 'it is slightly too big and hangs over the sides and edges by a couple of inches.' This seems to be a recurring theme throughout the reviews, but almost everyone agrees it doesn't affect the feel or function of the protector.
Out of all the mattress protectors in this buying guide, the Avocado Organic Mattress Protector is the most expensive. It retails at just under $300 for a Queen. If you're really keen to go organic, then that's the price you'll have to pay. Still, the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector is made from almost entirely organic materials, and it's $100 cheaper.
The best mattress protector for memory foam
Like any mattress type, a memory foam mattress has its pros and cons. The body contouring effect of slow-moving foam offers targeted pressure relief to ease your aches and pains. You want your mattress protector to be thin enough that you still feel the benefit of the foam. Ideally, you want it to be thermoregulating to counteract the heat retention of dense foam. The Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad fits the bill.
Naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, this bamboo mattress pad is designed to combat night sweats and bust the bacteria that breeds in warm, damp environments, such as beds. I started testing the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad back in the spring, but I'm really noticing a difference in my bed and body temperature now, at the height of summer.
I sampled the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad alongside their Bamboo Comforter and Bamboo Duvet Cover. These pieces feel soft and silky, but it's the Bamboo Mattress Pad that puts in the hard work behind the scenes. I never woke up from the sound of polyester rustling, now could I feel any ridges or hard edges through my fitted sheet. The thing I like best about the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad is the slim fit: thick enough to add some plush comfort to your mattress, but not so thick that it starts to stretch your fitted sheet.
A few final points: the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad comes in all the standard sizes, from Twin to California King, except for Twin XL. If you're looking to buy a mattress protector for your dorm bed, you'll need to shop elsewhere: I recommend the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector. Also, the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad never claims to be waterproof, only water-resistant. To ward against sweat and stains, I recommend the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector.
The best budget mattress protector
A mattress protector is an invaluable bit of bedding to keep your bed clean and prolong the life of your mattress. You shouldn't have to spend a small fortune to get good sleep. When you buy the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector, you don't have to: this budget-friendly option covers all the bases.
The Amazon Basics Mattress Protector is, more accurately, a mattress encasement. Instead of a stretchy bed skirt, you get two thin sheets of polyester. Once you zip the sheets together, you get total protection from dust mites and bed bugs for all six sides of your mattress.
Our expert tester, Louise Oliphant, bought herself an Amazon Basics Mattress Protector. 'Although it's far from perfect, and the polyester sometimes made a little squeaking sound as I moved around in the night, I can't deny that the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector offers air-tight protection from all angles,' says Louise. 'If you need to store your mattress while you're moving house or renovating a room, this is an excellent affordable option.'
Before you buy, it's worth noting that the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector only comes in two sizes: Queen and King. If you're buying for a smaller bed, or even a crib, then I suggest the SureGuard Mattress Protector, instead. Also, the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector is made from polyester, which tends to trap heat. For an eco-friendlier option that will keep you cool, I recommend the Avocado Organic Mattress Protector.
Best mattress protectors 2024 – Side by side
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector | SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector | Sijo TempTune Cooling Mattress Pad | Avocado Organic Mattress Protector | Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad | Amazon Basics Mattress Protector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Organic cotton, silicone, polyurethane | Cotton terry | TENCEL lyocell, Mica nylon, recycled polyester | Organic wool and cotton | Bamboo viscose | 100% polyester |
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Crib | Full, Queen, King, California King | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Queen, King |
| Skirt depth | 16" | Not specified | 18" | 16", 22" | 18" | 18" |
| Quilted | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Care instructions | Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, no bleach, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash on cold on a gentle cycle with like color; tumble dry low; remove promptly | Cold water wash and line dry; do not use bleach | Rinse cycle only, do not spin; machine dry on low heat or hang dry | Machine-washable |
Best mattress protectors 2024 − Honorable mentions
Over the years, our expert team has tested 12 mattress protectors. Our top six represents the best for comfort, waterproofing, thermoregulation, and ease of care. Still, I wanted to shout out three more mattress protectors that performed well in our tests and might meet your sleep needs.
- Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector: Inside this mattress protector, you'll find fibers from plastic bottles, upcycled and spun into super-soft fiberfill. That's why the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector feels more like a mattress pad: it could add some plush comfort to a firm mattress. Normally, I wouldn't recommend a plasticky mattress protector for hot sleepers, but I suffer from night sweats, too, and I've found that it helps to keep my mattress cool. The only reason the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector didn't make the main buying guide is because it's water-resistant, rather than waterproof.
- SureGuard Mattress Encasement: The zipper on the SureGuard Mattress Encasement is super-fine to inhibit bed bugs and dust mites from entering the mattress. For a zippered mattress protector, it's really very breathable, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for hot sleepers. Unlike a mattress protector, which comes with a stretchy skirt to fit deeper mattresses, this mattress encasement can only accommodate mattresses up to 8" deep. That's because the zipper creates total enclosure and leaves a lot less room for maneuver. I recommend the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector for deeper mattresses.
- Coop Home Goods Waterproof Mattress Protector: Amazon is one of the best places to buy bedding − but only if you know how to shop there. I had to sift through hundreds of plasticky protectors with terrible reviews to reach the Coop Home Goods Mattress Protector, but I'm so glad I did. With more than 4,000 verified five-star ratings and an RRP of just $59 for a Queen, the Coop Home Goods Mattress Protector offers a great balance of quality and cost.There are a handle of more mixed reviews, most of which concern the thermoregulation (or lack thereof). Hot sleepers would do better with one of the best cooling mattress protectors, such as the Sijo TempTune Mattress Pad.
How we test mattress protectors
As H&G's resident sleep writer, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best mattress protectors. Together, we represent a wide range of ages and sleep styles and we live right across the country in all sorts of climates. We test mattress protectors for at least 30 nights in our own homes before we write our reviews. This should give an accurate indication of long-term performance. To learn more about how we test at Homes & Gardens, consult our expert guide.
We assess each mattress protector against the same criteria: comfort; noise levels; waterproofing; thermoregulation; and ease of care. To assess comfort, we layer the mattress protector beneath our fitted sheets and lie on the bed to consider how it feels: whether there are any uncomfortable ridges or slippery bits. To assess noise levels, we move around the mattress, listening out for the tell-tale squeaks of a synthetic waterproof lining. To assess waterproofing, we pour a cup of water on the mattress protector to see whether it seeps through the fabric or settles on top.
To assess thermoregulation, we switch off our AC and sleep, making note of any times we wake up in the night in a sweat. To assess ease of care, we clean the mattress protector according to the manufacturer's instructions, monitoring how the performance changes before and after each clean.
We also consider the practicalities of buying a mattress protector, from the range of sizes on offer to the ins and outs of the care instructions. We like to compare our findings against verified reviews to pick up common customer concerns. Finally, we bring it all back to the price to help you determine value for money.
How to choose a mattress protector
A mattress protector is an invaluable bit of bedding, so you want to get it right the first time. Here are the most important things to bear in mind while shopping. Follow my mattress protector buying rules and you won't go far wrong.
Waterproof vs water-resistant
A waterproof mattress protector can keep any amount of liquid from seeping through, no matter how long it sits on the surface. A waterproof mattress protector is the best choice for kids' beds or cribs where you might be dealing with overnight bed-wetting.
A water-resistant mattress protector offers some protection against spills, but liquid may seep through eventually if there is a large amount or it's left for an extended period of time. A water-resistant mattress protector offers insufficient protection against bed-wetting, but it's good to stop the night sweats.
Fitted sheet vs encasement
The most common mattress protector type is fitted sheet style, with an elastic band that stretches all around the mattress. They're easy to get on and off the bed for quick laundry.
A mattress encasement is harder to get on and off the bed, but it offers 360-degree protection: on top, underneath, and around all four sides of the mattress. This is the best mattress protector type for anyone who suffers from dust mite allergies or wants to keep bed bugs out of their mattress.
Ease of care
Most mattress protectors are machine-washable on cold and dryer-safe on low heat. Avoid high temperatures that could warp the waterproof lining and cause leaks. Make sure to check the care tag: some manufacturers advise against bleach, where others recommend eco-friendly detergents.
FAQs
What sort of mattress protector is best?
There are lots of different mattress protector types. Which is best for you depends on your specific needs.
- Zippered: also known as a mattress encasement, a zippered mattress protector is best for anyone who is allergic to dust. When you enclose your mattress in a zippered protector, you get 360-degree safeguarding against dust mites and bed bugs.
- Fitted: if you're buying for a crib or kids' bed, you want a mattress protector that you can quickly whip on and off the bed to clean up overnight accidents. A fitted sheet style is best: you can take it off in seconds.
- Synthetic: as a general rule, synthetic materials are less absorbent than natural fibers, so they're better for waterproofing.
- Organic: natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, are more breathable than synthetic substances, and they're far more environmentally friendly. I recommend an organic mattress protector for eco-conscious shoppers.
Are expensive mattress protectors worth it?
I would class any mattress protector that costs more than $100 for a Queen as an expensive mattress protector. Our reigning champion, the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector, comes in at $195, which certainly qualifies it as expensive. As H&G's lead sleep product tester, I make sure to consider the performance of the protector against the price. I believe that the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector offers $195 worth of comfort, waterproofing, and thermoregulation. In that context, I'm inclined to forgive the short sleep trial and limited warranty.
Before you start to shop, I suggest you set an upper and a lower limit to your budget. How much you're prepared to spend on a mattress protector depends, at least in part, on your values. If you care about sleeping on natural fibers, you might be able to justify spending $269 on the Avocado Organic Mattress Protector. If you don't, you might be more inclined to opt for something more affordable, such as the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector.
Can you machine wash a mattress protector?
In most cases, yes: most mattress protectors are machine-washable on cold and dryer-safe on a low heat. Make sure to check the instructions on the care tag before you begin.
Do you put a bed sheet over a mattress protector?
Yes, a mattress protector goes directly on top of your mattress or mattress topper and beneath your sheets. In fact, a mattress protector works a lot like a fitted sheet: you need to stretch the elasticated skirt over each corner of the mattress.
Even the best mattress protector isn't perfect. It's worth learning how to clean your mattress like our cleaning experts to dig up deep dirt. Make sure to avoid these mattress cleaning mistakes to get the most out of your mattress.
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