The best mattress protector acts as a barrier between your body and your bed, wicking away sweat, spills, and stains while keeping dust, dirt, and dander out of your mattress. A mattress protector is an invaluable bit of bedding, and you can get a good one for less than $100, so I recommend that everybody invests.
There are lots of different mattress protector types, each designed to meet a particular sleep need. There are cooling mattress protectors for hot sleepers, as well as organic mattress protectors for eco-conscious shoppers, plus zippered mattress protectors that offer total encasement to ward against dust mites and bed bugs. With so much on the market, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice.
That's where I come in. As H&G's resident sleep writer, I know where to buy the world's 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. Still, I've assembled eight alternatives so that you can find the mattress protector that meets your sleep needs and fits your budget constraints. Follow my mattress protector buying rules and you won't go wrong.
Best mattress protectors 2024 − ranked and reviewed
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.
A few words before we begin: you'll see references to 'mattress encasements' and 'mattress pads' below. A mattress encasement is a zippered mattress protector, which guards against sweat, spills, and stains from all six sides of your mattress. A mattress pad is a cross between a mattress protector and a mattress topper: it comes with a stretchy skirt to slip over the mattress, but it feels a little thicker up top.
Best mattress protector deals
To get the fairest price on the best mattress protector, I recommend you read the entire article. Still, if you're in a hurry, and you're keen to bag a bargain, then these are the deepest discounts in the Amazon Prime Day bedding sales.
The quick list
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.
The best mattress protector for bed bugs
My predecessor, Sleep Editor Louise, tested the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector, which is more of a mattress encasement. She feels confident that this zippered protector could guard against dust mites and bed bugs, so it's a great option for mattress storing or moving house.
The best zippered mattress protector
Some zippered mattress protectors are a real pain to put on, but not the SureGuard Mattress Protector – reviewers report that the stretchy skirt makes it easy to slip over the mattress, then take it off for laundering.
The best cooling mattress protector
Hot sleepers will appreciate the cooling properties of Sijo Clima fibers, which are designed to retain and release excess body heat at strategic intervals, so you're never too hot or too cold in the night.
The best bamboo mattress protector
I started testing the Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad back in the spring, but it's really come into its own this summer. Bamboo is naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking, so it's a great option for hot sleepers and warmer climates.
The best eucalyptus mattress protector
Eucalyptus is an eco-friendlier alternative to cotton that delivers the same results for moisture-wicking and thermoregulation. Inside this mattress protector, you'll find recycled plastic spun into super-soft fiberfill that makes your mattress feel much plusher.
The best Amazon mattress protector
Our old sleep editor, Louise, didn't have the best experience with her Amazon Basics Mattress Protector. She found it squeaked beneath her sheets every time she turned over. She much prefers this mattress protector from Coop Home Goods for near-silent sleep.
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.
The best mattress protector overall
Our expert tester, Jaclyn, slept on the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector last summer. She's a hot sleeper at the best of times, and the night sweats are no joke when you're sleeping through an Atlanta heatwave. She found that the organic cotton cover kept her cool and dry. No, really: she 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. Jaclyn tends to move around in her sleep, but she never 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 – 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!'
So, Amazon shoppers love the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector, and so do our expert testers. Our expert tester, Jaclyn, loves the soft feel of cotton terry cloth through her fitted sheets. As a light sleeper, she appreciates 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, her only complaint is that the terry cloth material doesn't make the best thermoregulator, 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), I'd say it's a great option for first-time homeowners and buyers on a budget.
The best mattress protector for bed bugs
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, bought herself an Amazon Basics Mattress Protector. Although it's far from perfect, and the polyester sometimes made a little squeaking sound as she moved around in the night, Louise couldn't deny that the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector offers air-tight protection from all angles. 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.
The best zippered mattress protector
Much like the Amazon Basics Mattress Protector, this is a mattress encasement that offers 360° protection from sweat, spills, and stains. The zipper on the SureGuard Mattress Encasement is super-fine to inhibit bed bugs and dust mites from entering the mattress.
Topped with cotton terry cloth, the SureGuard Mattress Encasement is totally free from vinyl, PVC, phthalates, fire retardants, and all those synthetic materials that tend to make noise or trap heat in the night. For a zippered mattress protector, it's really very breathable, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for hot sleepers.
The SureGuard Mattress Encasement boasts a 4.6 average star rating from more than 19,000 verified reviews on the Amazon site. Happy customers praise the secure fit and range of sizes: SureGuard makes mattress protectors for cribs and California Kings alike. Opinion is split on whether the SureGuard Mattress Encasement is truly waterproof or only water-resistant. For 100% waterproofing, I recommend the SafeRest Mattress Protector.
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. If you're working with a deeper mattress, you should opt for a classic mattress protector, like the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector.
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, 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. It's filled with thermoregulating fiberfill to cool her down and lined with a moisture-wicking membrane to absorb her sweat.
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 to fit a smaller bed, then I recommend the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector. 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 bamboo mattress protector
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.
One final point: 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 eucalyptus mattress protector
The Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector is wrapped in eucalyptus lyocell, which is an eco-friendlier version of cotton. You get the same strength and softness with enhanced thermoregulation and moisture-wicking.
Inside the 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 the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector helps to keep my mattress cool.
With a stretchy bed skirt to accommodate mattresses up to 21 inches deep, the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector is a great option for bigger beds. Just one word of warning: the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector promises water-resistance, rather than waterproofing. To better guard against spills and stains, I recommend the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector.
The best Amazon mattress protector
Amazon is one of the best places to buy bedding − but only if you know how to shop smart. 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.
In one particularly fulsome bit of praise, a customer claims that 'the Coop Home Goods Mattress Protector blows the traditional terry-cloth protectors completely out of the water. It stays put very well and doesn't crinkle or crease beneath my sheets. It also doesn't change the feel or reduce the comfort of my great-quality new mattress in the slightest.'
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. Others concern the waterproofing: some unhappy customers claim that the Coop Home Goods Mattress Protector is only water-resistant. If you suffer from night sweats or your child wets the bed, then I suggest you try the SafeRest 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector, instead.
According to their Amazon product listing, the Coop Home Goods Mattress Protector is made with a unique formulation known as Lulltra fabric. Scour the specifications and you'll find that's just another word for polyester and polyurethane. If you're looking for a mattress protector made from natural materials, I recommend the Avocado Organic Mattress Protector, instead.
The best organic mattress protector
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 – wool can hold up to a third of its weight in water overnight before it evaporates first thing in the morning.
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.
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.
How we test mattress protectors
We put a lot of thought into how we test mattress protectors. For the sake of a fair fight, we assess each protector against the same criteria: breathability; water-resistance; and how well the protector fits the mattress. We also consider ease of cleaning and value for money.
We like to test every mattress protector for at least a month in the comfort of our own homes to give you the fullest possible picture of what it might be like to use this mattress protector. Where that isn't possible, we scour the specifications and read hundreds of customer reviews to make sure we're recommending the best mattress protectors.
Mattress protector FAQs
How do I put on a mattress protector?
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.
Putting on a mattress encasement is slightly trickier and I suggest you tackle it as a two-person job. The easiest way to put on a mattress encasement is to lower the end of your mattress onto the floor and place the mattress encasement over the top two corners of the mattress. Keep pulling the mattress encasement over the mattress: as you approach the end corners, lift your mattress back onto the bed frame for easy access. Finally, pull the zipper all the way around the mattress until it's totally enclosed.
How often should I wash a mattress protector?
You should wash your mattress protector every other month to prevent bacteria from building up. Our cleaning experts assembled a guide for how to wash a mattress protector and I suggest you read it before you start.
Final thoughts
Even the best mattress protector isn't perfect. It's worth learning how to clean your mattress like our cleaning experts to dig out deep dust, dirt, and dander. Make sure to avoid these mattress cleaning mistakes to get the most out of your mattress.
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