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The Best Mattress Protectors to Safeguard Your Bedding Investment
It may not be the sexiest bedroom accessory, but it's certainly one of the most important.
So, you've found a mattress that you love. Don't just make the bed with new sheets and call it a night!
Layering on a mattress protector is crucial because it keeps your mattress clean and free of things that you really don’t want getting into it — namely, bedbugs, dust mites, or moisture of any kind. Consider the mattress protectors in this guide to be your insurance for keeping your mattress as fresh and clean as the day you bought it.
The Best Mattress Protectors
What to Consider
Not every bed in your household will need the exact same type of mattress protector. Here are a few factors that we've considered as we've researched this guide.
Bedbug Protection
If bedbugs are your number-one concern, get an encased, zip-up mattress protector. These are made for all-over security to prevent any penetration into your mattress. Otherwise, a five-sided, fitted mattress protector that fits onto your mattress like a fitted sheet will work to protect the top layer and the sides from sweat, pet dander, and spills from embedding into it.
Waterproofing
Mattress protectors help to ensure that moisture and liquid don't get into the mattress, which can be extremely tough to clean. The fact is, there is a trade-off here. The most nonporous mattress protectors are backed with a waterproof lining that tends to be crinkly in texture. They feel a little more like plastic and less like cotton bedding. So, these are the best to get if there's a greater chance of human or pet accidents happening at night.
The softer, more plush-feeling mattress protectors that have built-in waterproofing membranes will still help safeguard against immediate spills and sweating — but major accidents may still soak through if they sit long enough.
Special Features
Mattress protectors come in a wide price range, and the cheaper models are actually very effective if you're most concerned about messes and bedbugs. These types do feel cheap, though, so if these worries don't apply to your living situation, it may be worth the investment to spring for something a little nicer.
Some mattress protectors like the Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector add a little pillowtop cushiness that your regular mattress may be lacking, while others like the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector bring a unique cool-to-the-touch benefit to your bed. Just keep in mind that, unlike the cheaper types that can handle major messes, these provide a light level of protection against sweat and allergens.
The differences in mattress protectors may be subtle, but the right one can really be a game-changer. Sleep soundly, knowing your investment is covered with one of the best mattress protectors.
SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector
SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector
Pros
- Waterproofing is extremely effective
- Doesn't make crinkling sounds
Cons
- Stains easily
Key Features
- Form: Fitted mattress protector
- Available sizes: Twin through California king
The SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector is one of the top-selling mattress protectors on Amazon because it can handle seemingly anything. The reviews mention everything from pet accidents to childbirth (!) and tout that it stays in place and keeps the mattress underneath clean through it all.
It slides right onto your mattress like a fitted sheet, and the feel is soft on top but thoroughly backed with waterproof lining underneath — you'll hardly notice any difference when you have it on your bed, and that's a good thing.
Says one reviewer, “It can simply be tossed in the washer and dryer when it’s time to wash your bedding. No crunchy noises when you sleep, no super hot sweaty bed ... I highly, highly recommend this mattress cover.”
More: The Best Cooling Sheets for a Refreshing Night's Sleep
Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement
Pros
- Thoroughly encases mattress and protects from bedbug infestations
- Excellent waterproof lining
Cons
- Hard not to trap air inside when zipping up
- Makes slight crinkling sound
Key Features
- Form: Fitted mattress protector
- Available sizes: Twin through California king
Many mattress protectors will offer multiple benefits. The Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement has built-in waterproofing, but the majority of its reviewers rave about its ability to stop bedbugs from infiltrating a mattress and prolonging an infestation. One person says, “I bought this because of bedbugs — and it totally helped! I’ve washed it several times and have had zero problems with it. Plus, it doesn’t shrink.”
It zips entirely around your mattress, covering all sides and the bottom to help ensure that nothing, even dust and dander, can get in. Some users do say that the texture is on the crinkly, “nylon-y” side, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector
Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector
Pros
- Turns any mattress into a cooling mattress
- Protects against allergens, bacteria, and moisture
Cons
- Makes bed surface a little slippery
Key Features
- Form: Fitted mattress protector
- Available sizes: Twin through California king
The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector is the next best thing to getting a cooling mattress.
This fitted mattress protector's feel is smooth (almost slippery!), stretchy, and cool to the touch without affecting the softness or support of your existing mattress. It also provides a boost in protection against dust, dander, and moisture without any crinkly feel — it's backed with a waterproof membrane that is totally silent and stays perfectly in place.
I've lived with this mattress protector since 2019, and I love how refreshing it makes my bed feel when I get into it at the end of the day. It helps regulate my body temperature comfortably rather than ice-cold throughout the night. Also, the material hasn't shrunk, torn, or lost its cooling feature, even after 3 years of regular laundering.
AmazonBasics Hypoallergenic Waterproof Fitted Mattress Protector
AmazonBasics Hypoallergenic Waterproof Fitted Mattress Protector
Pros
- Feels soft and has no crinkling sound
- Breathable
Cons
- Not great for longer standing messes
Key Features
- Form: Fitted mattress protector
- Available sizes: Twin through California king
If you have guest beds that are only occasionally used, don't skip out on covering those mattresses, too!
The AmazonBasics Hypoallergenic Waterproof Fitted Mattress Protector is topped with a terry-cloth material that adds softness without trapping body heat. Made with nontoxic, Oeko-Tex-certified materials, it's an affordable bedroom basic that you can buy in multiples to keep all of your mattresses a little cleaner.
Reviewers are mixed on how well its waterproofing works (better for fresh messes, not great if it’s left sitting), but most are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and cool it is. One person says, “I can still feel the ‘cool-to-the-touch’ phase change surface of my mattress through both my sheets and the protector.”
Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector
Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector
Pros
- Adds subtle cushioning to a hard mattress
- Made from eco-friendly and recycled materials
Cons
- Dry-clean only
- Not waterproof
Key Features
- Form: Fitted mattress protector
- Available sizes: Twin through California king
Some of the aforementioned mattress protectors offer heavy-duty protection but not a whole lot of comfort. The Buffy Plushy Mattress Protector is a little different — it's a cross between a pillowtop mattress topper and a mattress protector. You can also try it for free for seven days before committing to it.
Similarly constructed to the incredible Cloud Comforter from the same brand, this mattress protector comprises a smooth, quilted, eucalyptus-derived fiber shell and lightweight fill that's made from recycled water bottles. It provides a super light, cushy layer between your mattress and your sheets, and while it's an effective barrier against sweat and dust mites, it won't prevent bedbugs or liquids from seeping through. It's also a dry-clean-only piece.
Still, reviewers love the feel of this mattress protector for providing just the right amount of plushness to a rock-solid bed. As one person says, “My mattress needed a little help, and I didn’t want a full-on topper, which can be hot and too thick/soft. This was the perfect solution.”
Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful, and Elle Decor. A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.
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