I'm a sleep writer and sales hunter – these are my mattress protector buying rules

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I work nights, taking the world's best bedding and putting it to the test from the comfort of my own home. I've tested sheets, shams, and mattress toppers but I've grown to love an unsung hero of the mattress world: the mattress protector.

The best mattress protectors act as a barrier between your bed and your body, safeguarding your mattress against sweat, spills, and stains, while working to keep you cool and dry. Often listed for less than $100, a mattress protector could solve your sleep problems without breaking the bank.

Before I started as a sleep writer, I was a price tracker. I spent eight hours a day surfing the sites of the major mattress merchants, watching the prices go up and down. Over time, I picked up exactly how much a mattress protector should cost at full price, and how much money you can save when you shop the bedding sales.

Mattress protector buying rules

This article should tell you everything you need to know about buying a mattress protector, from what to spend to where to shop. To further streamline your shopping experience, I've rounded up a few of my favorite mattress protectors. However you sleep and whatever your budget, I've got a mattress protector for you.

1. Don't overspend

Compared to a high-tech mattress topper, which is filled with foam and lined with springs, a mattress protector is a very simple product. It's just a thin sheet that sits over the top of your mattress. Your average mattress protector costs mere pennies to produce, so whatever you do, don't overpay.

I'd expect to spend no more than $100 to get a decent mattress protector. That's as much as you need to pay for waterproof protection. If you're keen to purchase an organic mattress protector, then you should expect to spend a little more − somewhere in the remit of $200 - $300.

2. Make sure your protector is waterproof

The whole point of a mattress protector is to stop sweat, spills, and stains from soaking into your mattress. If you've got young kids, then a mattress protector should keep their bed clean and dry during the bed-wetting phase.

You read some incredible reviews of mattress protectors online. I once saw a customer claim that an Amazon mattress protector had kept his bed clean and dry during his wife's home birth. Few of us will put our mattress protectors under such strain, but it's nice to have a backup when you drink a glass of water in the night or sip a cup of coffee in the morning.

Some lower-budget mattress protectors aren't waterproof so much as they're water-resistant. There's an easy way to check: when you spill liquid on a truly waterproof mattress protector, the liquid should pool on top of the protector, like water on an umbrella.

3. Don't worry too much about quilting

Your average mattress protector is too thin to make much of an impact on your comfort. Like I said, it's just a special sort of fitted sheet. Mattress brands might claim that their protectors are soft to the touch, but that's just surface-level comfort.

If you're looking for something to change the look and feel of your bed, then I suggest you invest in the best mattress topper, instead. Your average mattress topper is a little more expensive than a mattress protector, but much thicker and more supportive to transform your sleep experience for a fraction of the price of a brand-new bed.

4. Consider ways to keep cool

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 could spend thousands of dollars on a specialist cooling mattress, or you could pick up one of the best cooling mattress protectors for a fraction of the price.

When you're shopping for cooling mattress protectors, steer clear of polyester: synthetic weaves aren't as breathable as natural fibers, so they tend to trap heat. Instead, consider cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus, and even wool to dissipate heat, wick moisture, and block odors.

5. Keep your allergies under control

A hypoallergenic mattress protector can guard against dust, dirt, and dander, as well as sweat, spills, and stains. If you've got sensitive sinuses, then I suggest you buy a hypoallergenic mattress protector.

Your best bet is to invest in a mattress encasement, which offers hypoallergenic protection from all angles. It's a great way to cover the mattress off-gassing smell you get from memory foam models or any barnyard scents that come from an organic mattress.

Once you've invested in the best mattress protector, it's time to dress the rest of the bed. You'll need a set of the best bed sheets to keep you cool and comfortable, as well as the best pillow to rest your head.