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Best mattress protector – tested to protect your bed

The best mattress protectors are waterproof, cooling, and hypoallergenic - these are our top picks

One of the best mattress protectors, the Avocado Mattress Protector, on a bed.
(Image credit: Avocado)
Best mattress protector 2024: Jump Menu

Siena Mattress Protector against a white background.

(Image credit: Siena)

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Saatva Waterproof
3. Best waterproof: Coop Home Goods
4. Best cooling: Sijo ClimaTech TempTune
5. Best organic: Avocado Organic Waterproof
6. Best budget: Saferest Premium Hypoallergenic
7. Best luxury: Boll & Branch Premium
8. Best to combat bed bugs: Amazon Basics
9. Best smart: Slumber Cloud Core
10. Best plush: Buffy Plushy
11. How to choose
12. How we test

The best mattress protector could seriously extend the life of your mattress, while helping to keep you cool and comfortable. When you invest in a mattress protector, you're dropping $100 now to save spending thousands later on a brand new bed.

You could pick up a mattress protector from one of the major home retailers, but you'd be better off shopping at one of the specialist sleep stores. That's where you'll find waterproof mattress protectors to safeguard against stains and spills, as well as smart mattress protectors that match your ideal sleep temperature. With so much on the market, it can be hard to split the difference between the products.

As a sleep writer, I lead a team of expert testers. Together, we've snuggled under the best bed sheets, laid our heads upon the best pillows, and slept on the world's best mattress protectors. We've sampled mattress protectors from Saatva, Sijo, and SafeRest (and that's just the S's), so I know what I'm looking for: a thin layer of fabric to keep your body cool and your mattress clean. 

Best mattress protectors: tried and tested

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.

I've narrowed it down to the nine best mattress protectors to suit every style of sleeper and size of budget. I've assessed each of these mattress protectors against the same criteria: comfort; quality of construction; cooling properties; and the all-important price.

Hanherry Waterproof Mattress Protector | Was $33.99, now $22.98 at Amazon

Hanherry Waterproof Mattress Protector | <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107655&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB09B9Z26RZ%3Fth%3D1%26tag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20" data-link-merchant="Amazon US"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Was $33.99, now $22.98 at Amazon
You can pick up a premium mattress protector for less than $25 when you shop the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Word to the wise: this is the lowest I'd spend and still expect a decent product.

The quick list

If you want a mattress topper and you're in a hurry, here are the headlines. We go into more details about each one further down the page.

The best mattress protector overall

Mattress protector on bedH&G gold badge

(Image credit: Saatva)

1. Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector

This is the best mattress protector you can buy

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
Material: Organic cotton
Waterproof: Yes
Hypoallergenic: No
RRP: $95-$230

Reasons to buy

+
GOTS-certified organic cotton 
+
Breathable 
+
Machine and dry 
+
Stays secure

Reasons to avoid

-
Lint collects on surface
-
Expensive 

This mattress protector aces the basics. It's is perfectly waterproof, as no liquid soaked through the mattress surface when our tester Jaclyn poured water straight onto it. Made from responsibly sourced organic cotton (which is rare for a mattress protector), this Saatva option slept cool as the knit cover wicked away moisture, even on warm evenings. It sits tight and secure to the bed, and it's so comfortable that Jaclyn completely forgot it was there. 

It's good to know that this one isn't hypoallergenic. It is simple to machine wash and tumble dry, so you can keep it free from dust mites with regular washing. 

The best waterproof mattress protector

coop mattress protectorH&G gold badge

(Image credit: Coop Home Goods)

2. Coop Home Goods Premium Bamboo Mattress Protector

Perfect for kids or clumsy coffee drinkers

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Material: Polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon with a soft polyurethane waterproof backing
Waterproof: Yes
Hypoallergenic: Yes
RRP: $38-$57

Reasons to buy

+
Sleeps cool and breathable
+
Blocks water and spills from reaching the surface 
+
Deep sides for security 
+
Great price + 100 night sleep trial

Reasons to avoid

-
Stretchy side fabric bunches on thinner mattresses

If you have little ones or love a morning cup of coffee in bed, the waterproof protection on this mattress pad will save you time, money, and a lot of worry. 

Coop Home Goods' premium mattress protector is made with bamboo-derived products. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating – you won't sleep hot, or suffer from allergies. Our tester Jaclyn found this protector soft to the touch (no plasticky surface here) which also meant it was quiet when slept on. 

Before leaping into a purchase, it's worth noting that this is quite a deep protector. At 18in, if your mattress is thin, be prepared to tuck it in. Though, at this price point, that's a sacrifice we're willing to make. It's machine washable, too.

The best cooling mattress protector

Sijo Home mattress pad cooling folded up on white backgroundH&G gold badge

(Image credit: Sijo Home)

3. SIJO CLIMA TECH TempTune Mattress Pad

For a clean and cool night of sleep

Specifications

Sizes : Full, Queen, King, Cali King
Material : TENCEL™ lyocell + Mica nylon blend shell, CLIMA fiber blend fill
Waterproof : No
Hypoallergenic : Yes
RRP : $175-$195

Reasons to buy

+
Sustainable fabrics 
+
Moisture-wicking and temperature regulating
+
Stays secure 

Reasons to avoid

-
Spot clean only 
-
Not waterproof 

This mattress protector will keep your bed clean, and you cool. With temperature-regulating properties, you'll never endure a sweaty sleep again. 

As a hot sleeper, I was impressed by the Sijo Home CLIMA TECH TempTune Mattress Pad. The Mineral-infused Mica Nylon is designed to absorb heat and where I've found most mattress protectors in the past to sleep hot, this one does the job of shielding my mattress from dirt and keeping me cool at night. 

This mattress protector ticks almost all eco-friendly boxes. Sustainably made, with CLIMA filler material and a eucalyptus-based TENCEL Lyocell cover, you can rest assured this protector is much less harmful than other plastic-made protectors.

It's worth noting that this is not totally waterproof. That being said, it will stop your from sweating and is soft to touch, so it shouldn't pose any problems.

The best organic mattress protector

Avocado organic waterproof mattress protector

(Image credit: Avocado)

4. Avocado organic waterproof mattress protector

An environmentally conscious cotton topper

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Material: Organic cotton and Polyurethane
Waterproof: Yes
Hypoallergenic: Yes
RRP: $149-$199

Reasons to buy

+
Fits mattresses up to 22" deep
+
GOTS-certified organic cotton
+
Breathable 
+
Climate Neutral certified

Reasons to avoid

-
May shrink
-
Pricier 

If you want to rest easy at night and you're very climate-conscious, we've found the perfect topper for you. It's soft and breathable, so you won't compromise on sleep and all the materials are sustainably sourced too.

Our tests found that this is an incredibly breathable mattress protector. The organic cotton cover means your temperature is regulated all night, and it keeps your mattress can be rid of spills, stains, and dirt. Finding a deep-pocketed mattress protector that can suit particularly thick mattresses can feel like a tall order too, but Avocado has it all, with its deep pocket option that offers full side protection and fits up to 22-inch mattresses. 

Be careful when cleaning this topper, because this shrank a little after coming out from the drier. It's probably best to let this one air dry to avoid a struggle to get it onto the bed. 

The best budget mattress protector

saferest mattress protectorH&G silver badge

(Image credit: Saferest)

5. SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector

Clean, cheap, and easy to order

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Material: Cotton terry
Waterproof: Yes
Hypoallergenic: Yes
RRP: $29.99-$39.99

Reasons to buy

+
Protects from dust mites 
+
Doesn't make noise when moving
+
Great price 
+
10-year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
No side protection
-
Sleeps warm for some

Waterproof and hypoallergenic, this super cheap mattress protector offers all the protection you need to keep your bed clean. 

Not only did we love this mattress protector on test, so did 190,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Jaclyn loved its soft cotton terry construction that absorbs spills to keep the mattress fresh and dry. With an ultra-thin membrane layer, it's noiseless like most waterproof options and won't be felt beneath the sheets. If you've got a Prime membership and want to save a little money, this is a good option. 

The terry material means this mattress protector does sleep a little hot. It will absorb any sweat, and you can wash it easily, but if you're prone to getting too hot at night, you might want to try a cooling mattress pad instead.  

The best luxury mattress protector

Boll & Branch Mattress Protector against a beige background.

(Image credit: Boll & Branch)

6. Boll & Branch Mattress Protector

The best luxury mattress protector

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Materials: Organic cotton
Waterproof: No
Hypoallergenic: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Breathable
+
Non-toxic
+
Hypoallergenic

Reasons to avoid

-
On the more expensive side
-
Not completely waterproof

Just because you never see your mattress protector doesn't mean that you should scrimp on style. If you have some cash to spare, and you want to spend it on a premium protector, you'll find a lot to like at Boll & Branch. 

This mattress protector is made from long-staple organic cotton and woven into smooth sateen. It's so thin that you'll barely feel it's there, and you shouldn't feel a crumple or hear a rustle as you toss and turn in the night. 

The Mattress Protector comes in every size, from Twin to California King. Good news for couples who share a bed, but not a sleep style: Boll & Branch offers a Split King option, which gives you two Twin XL protectors to fit over your mattresses.

The best mattress protector to combat bed bugs

The Amazon Basics Mattress Protector in its bag on a white background

(Image credit: Amazon)
A basic option for combatting bed bugs

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Material: Polyester
Waterproof: Yes
Hypoallergenic: No
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Great for storing
+
Waterproof
+
Easy to wash and dry

Reasons to avoid

-
Noisy
-
Can feel through sheet

Don't be put-off by the name basics; this performed exceptionally well for the price. Some mattress protectors won't cover the sides of the bed, but this one from Amazon fully encases the bed, even undreneath. If you want to store a mattress, there's no better option on the market.

It's also fully waterproof, so if you're clumsy and likely to spill your morning coffee, this will shield your mattress from any stains. In our tests, we didn't find it to be the most comfortable topper. You could feel it through the sheet and it was quite noisy in the night too. However, if you're worried about bed bugs and want to prioritize hygiene over a sound night of sleep, this is perfect.

It's good to know that the polyester lining is what makes this one water-resistant, but this also means it can sleep hot too. Polyester is not a breathable material, so opt for a more cooling option if that's a concern for you.

Read more: Amazon Basics mattress topper review

The best smart mattress protector

Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Protector against a pale background.

(Image credit: Slumber Cloud)

8. Slumber Cloud Core Waterproof Mattress Protector

The best mattress protector for high-tech temperature-regulation

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Material: HDPE, polyester, Tencel
Waterproof: Yes
Hypoallergenic: Unlisted
RRP: $199

Reasons to buy

+
Thermoregulating
+
Waterproof
+
Fits deep mattresses

Reasons to avoid

-
Might not suit all sleepers

I'm seriously impressed by the Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Protector. This lightweight layer incorporates NASA-endorsed temperature-regulation technology to keep you just the right side of cool and dry. 

This mattress protector comes in every size, from Twin to California King. It's supple and stretchy enough to wrap around mattresses up to 20 inches deep. Each side works independently to adjust to each sleeper's ideal temperature. If you sleep hot, and your partner sleeps cold, you should both feel supported by the Core Mattress Protector.

Mattress protectors are designed to get dirty. Luckily, this one is easy to clean. All you need to do is throw it in the washing machine on a cold cycle and tumble dry on low. 

A cotton cover or a cooling gel might be enough for some sleepers. But if you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, you'll appreciate the high-tech temperature-regulation you get from the Core Mattress Protector.

The best plush mattress protector

Plushy Mattress Protector against a beige background.

(Image credit: Buffy)

9. Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector

One of the best (and bounciest) mattress protectors

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials: TENCEL Lyocell
Waterproof: No
Hypoallergenic: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Soft and squishy
+
Moisture-wicking
+
Incorporates recycled materials

Reasons to avoid

-
Empty List

This plush model from Buffy feels more like one of the best mattress toppers. Soft and squishy, the Plushy Mattress Protector could transform the feel of your bed.

This mattress protector is filled with down alternative, so it's suitable for vegan shoppers and sensitive sleepers alike. Buffy repurpose the plastic from old water bottles to minimize waste and maximize warmth.

While the Buffy Mattress Protector isn't completely waterproof, it is moisture-wicking. This lightweight layer should keep you cool and comfortable all night long, while protecting your mattress from sweat and stains. 

How we tested these mattress protectors

Homes & Gardens' review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. All our mattress protector reviews are based on the real-life experience of using these products at home. We measure performance, how they fit, and how easy they are to wash. For those with water-proof and water-resistant claims, we spot-test them with a cup of water to measure their effectiveness at keeping your mattress dry.

All of the mattress protectors with rankings have been personally reviewed by myself and our previous sleep editor Jaclyn Turner, where we take into account the value for the money, construction, and accuracy of any special features. If the mattress protector is unranked, we're still working to get our hands on a sample, or may even be in the midst of testing it out. For these instances, we've researched and perused through hundreds of reviews, and deep-dived into their construction, special qualities, and who they may suit best. 

For more insight into our hands-on review process, refer to our Homes & Gardens review guidelines

Tested by
Jaclyn Turner photo
Tested by
Jaclyn Turner

Our former sleep ecommerce editor, Jaclyn frequently tests out and stays up to date on all things mattresses and bedding. She's not willing to sacrifice comfort or value and is after a mattress that makes it easy to sleep through the night. In addition to Homes & Gardens, you can find her work in Real Homes, Livingetc, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, and The Spruce. She lives in Atlanta, GA. 

How to choose the best mattress protector for you

Check these three key specs to see which one ticks all your requirements:

Waterproof
If you have kids that often have accidents or find yourself spilling liquids in bed a lot then having a waterproof protector is a must. Keeping your mattress free from stains not only help to prevent odor build-up but will also ensure your warranty remains valid. 

Hypoallergenic
If you suffer from allergies, then making sure the protector you pick is hypoallergenic will help keep sniffs at bay. Dust and dirt can easily build up on your mattress over time, and if you don't regularly clean your mattress, it could be contributing to your allergies. 

RRP
Mattress protectors with extra features can cost a lot. Be aware that most affordable mattress protectors will do the job of keeping your mattress clean, but may not last long and can often sleep hot if they're made from synthetic fibres. 

FAQs

Are expensive mattress protectors worth it?

If you can, it's always a good idea to get a mattress protector that matches your mattress brand. The protectors from mattress retailers may be more expensive than those from Amazon, for example. But buying directly at the same time as choosing your mattress will contribute towards its warranty and guarantee a great fit. If you have an Avocado mattress, for example, their protector will fit best and probably suit the similar needs your mattress meets. 

A high-quality mattress protector is also more likely to be made from natural materials with specially developed features for the healthiest of sleep hygiene. That said, there are many good, affordable mattress protectors that will check out when it comes to performance and price.

What is the best material for a mattress protector to keep cool?

Mattress protectors made of natural materials like organic cotton or bamboo will be the most breathable. Unfortunately, most waterproof options will sleep hot, since they feature materials like vinyl/PVC, phthalates, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and butane rubber that can cause you to sweat or overheat further. If you can't compromise on the waterproof element, then it's worth knowing we like to make sure the best waterproof mattress protector on our list can cater to hot sleepers too. 

While the purpose of a mattress protector is to keep your bed fresh, you should still clean your mattress regularly. There's only so much a protector can do, and as well as washing it in the machine with the rest of your bedding, it's important to vacuum and spot-clean your mattress surface too. 

Emilia Hitching
eCommerce Editor

Before she joined Homes & Gardens, Emilia studied English at the University of Oxford, where she sharpened her critical writing skills. She also worked on the other side of the aisle writing press releases for regional newspapers and crafting copy for Sky. Emilia combines her business savvy with her creative flair as our eCommerce Editor, connecting you with the products you’ll love. When she’s not in the office, Emilia is happiest when entertaining friends al fresco or out in the country.