The best mattress protectors of 2023

Apr 25, 2024

Bring extra comfort and guard your mattress from allergens and spills.

This reliable mattress encasement protects from all major mattress concerns, including wear and tear, liquids, dust mites, and bed bugs.

Allergy sufferers can rest easy with this waterproof mattress protector, which blocks up to 99% of common allergens.

Made from 100% organic cotton, this protector offers soft, breathable, and all-natural protection.

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A quality mattress is a worthwhile investment for a good night’s sleep and, as one of the most important (and sometimes most expensive) items in the bedroom, you’ll want to keep it protected. Quality protectors shield your mattress from daily wear and tear and other messes. They come in various styles, from simple cotton covers to waterproof encasements. Depending on the type, they can shield from dust, spills, stains, dust mites, bed bugs, and allergens for a cleaner sleeping environment. You can keep your mattress in good shape for years to come with a good mattress protector. They are easy to put on, reliable, and comfortable, encouraging a restful slumber while shielding your mattress. Read on for the best mattress protectors to keep your bed clean and safe.

We narrowed down this list from over 20 options, evaluating covers on the protective qualities, materials, and comfort level they bring to our favorite mattresses. To cover a range of uses, we also considered the main qualities to look for in a mattress protector, including protection from general wear and tear, protection from spills, and protection from dust, dirt, bed bugs, or allergens.

Protective qualities: Protection priorities can differ greatly from bed to bed. While a soft cotton protector might be a great pick for a guest bed, a waterproof option is a must for a children’s room. We chose several products in various materials to shield from some (or even all) of the above concerns.

Materials: We included protectors made of various materials, from breathable bamboo to water-wicking polyurethane. The best mattress protector material will depend on your preferences; some sleepers will sacrifice waterproofing for breathability, while others might put up with some rustling for watertight spill protection. We chose materials from across the board, including organic and eco-friendly options so that you can find the ideal pick.

Comfort: Through experience, product research, and reviews, we picked mattress protectors that are comfortable and make for a cleaner sleeping environment. They have features like soft cotton toppers, cool-sleeping materials, and low-rustling options to avoid disturbing your slumber.

Rigid mattresses, sweaty sheets, and dander can all prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Our recommendations for the best mattress protectors will help you address those issues for better slumber.

SureGuard

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Why it made the cut: This waterproof mattress encasement features a protective zipper enclosure and six-sided protection to provide superior protection against all major mattress concerns, including dust mites and bed bugs.

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For protection from nearly anything you can throw at a mattress, consider this reliable mattress encasement from SureGuard. It’s waterproof, breathable, and protective, with a polyurethane coating that protects all six sides of the mattress, shielding every side from spills and moisture. Over top is a 100% cotton terry layer, which provides a soft and noiseless surface that retains the cozy feel of your mattress.

To finish off this encasement, a protected, fine zipper keeps the protector in place and seals any dust or dirt out. The zipper and the encasement have a tight enough weave to shield against dust mites and bed bugs. This design means the protector can also prevent other common allergens from settling in your mattress, like pollen, mold spores, and pet hair. Best of all, since it’s machine-washable, it’s simple to clean.

SureGuard sells this encasement in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. To ensure a snug fit, their sizes range from twin to California King to fit mattresses 6 to 16 inches thick.

AllerEase

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Why it made the cut: This zippered encasement shields mattresses from 99% of common indoor allergens and is effective against bed bugs for good measure.

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For those with indoor allergies, your mattress can be a major sneeze trigger. A mattress can be a holding ground for common allergens like dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. To minimize nighttime allergen exposure, consider this allergen-blocking mattress encasement from AllerEase.

The zippered mattress encasement covers all sides of the mattress to create a protective barrier and stop allergens from reaching your mattress. Combining frequent washing helps to reduce allergy triggers. Since it’s made for allergy sufferers, this protector is durable enough to wash in hot water, a must for clearing bedding of allergens and bacteria.

Beyond allergies, this waterproof encasement also protects from bed bugs with its tight weave and a specially-designed, fine zipper. This design also prevents over 99% of common allergens and other indoor particles from collecting in the mattress.

The breathable encasement is made of a polyester and nylon blend with a waterproofing membrane. This creates a soft, comfortable, and quiet protector to avoid disturbing your sleep. AllerEase offers this encasement in twin to king size to fit mattresses up to 17 inches thick.

Luna

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Why it made the cut: Made to protect from spills, sweat, and accidents, this mattress protector is waterproof but also breathable and noiseless for a comfortable slumber.

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Liquids and mattresses don’t mix: spills, sweat, urine, and other fluids can leave mattresses dirty and stained. During the lifespan of a mattress, accidents are bound to happen. Protect from liquid messes with this waterproof mattress protector from Luna.

The plush cotton terry outer features thousands of loops, which allow air to pass through to the surface breathable and cool. The loops also help absorb moisture, keeping any liquid messes contained until the protector can be machine-washed.

To balance liquid protection and comfort, this protector features a polyurethane backing and a natural cotton terry layer. The thin polyurethane membrane is quiet and breathable while remaining impenetrable to liquids, allergens, and dust mites. It’s also vinyl-, PVC-, and phthalate-free, and since it’s so thin, it maintains the original feel of your mattress.

Luna offers this fitted-sheet style protector in sizes twin to King, all made to fit mattresses up to 18 inches thick. The protectors are assembled stitch by stitch in Luna’s USA-based facilities.

Whisper Organics

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Why it made the cut: Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, this protector is a plush and luxurious option for those looking for an all-natural mattress protector.

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Waterproof mattress protectors can be comfy and breathable, but few beat the luxurious comfort of cotton. This mattress protector from Whisper Organics is made from 100% organic cotton to create a plush protective layer for your mattress.

To create this cozy covering, Whisper Organics uses premium 300-thread count cotton and 300 GSM cotton wadding. This creates a plush, skin-friendly surface while also adding to durability. Although it’s not waterproof, the quilted cotton pattern is absorbent and can protect from minor spills. Since it has no plasticky membrane, this protector is completely noiseless, breathable, and comfortable for a cool but cozy sleep.

Made from 100% organic cotton with full GOTS (​​Global Organic Textile Standard) certification, the leading certification for organic textiles, this protector is a healthier option for you and the environment. Sizes are available from twin to California King. The fitted sheet-style protector is easy to install and fits mattresses 17 inches deep.

Coop Home Goods

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Why it made the cut: With a proprietary bamboo-blend fabric and a polyurethane membrane, this mattress protector is both waterproof and incredibly breathable to keep sleepers cool through the night.

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Made from a bamboo and polyester blend, this comfy mattress protector from Coop Home Goods is an excellent choice to keep you cool. Bamboo is a popular bedding choice: the fast-growing plant is often blended with other fibers (like polyester in this case) to create extremely soft, durable, and breathable fabrics.

This cozy protector is waterproof, noiseless, breathable, and soft to the touch—all of the qualities to look for in a mattress protector. A thin polyurethane membrane offers waterproofing without trapping heat like vinyl protectors. The membrane only covers the top of the mattress to allow for more airflow.

Coop Home Goods sells this protector in twin to California King size. The fitted sheet style fits beds up to 18 inches deep. Since it’s machine washable, it’s easy to clean and ideal for any bed in the household.

SafeRest

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Why it made the cut: This mattress protector is an affordable pick with many of the features of pricier brands, including a soft cotton surface, waterproof membrane, and allergen protection.

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A good mattress can be costly, but protecting it doesn’t have to be. The SafeRest Mattress Protector provides affordable mattress protection from liquids, dust, and allergens.

This protector is also made from cotton and polyurethane, an excellent combination for creating waterproof but breathable protectors. The polyurethane backing shields the top of the mattress from spills, while the cotton terry outer provides a soft, breathable, and noiseless sleeping surface. The design is made to maintain the feel of your mattress for a more comfortable sleep.

Sizes are available from twin to California King to fit mattresses up to 18 inches thick. The fitted sheet style is easy to set up and slips right over the top of your mattress. Although it offers less protection than an encasement, this protector can still guard from common allergens, including dust mites. Plus, the polyurethane membrane is vinyl-, PVC-, phthalates-, and fire-retardant-free to cut down on VOCs that may trigger allergies or asthma.

With the right mattress protector, you can keep your mattress looking new for many years. Mattress protectors come in various materials and styles, and the best option for your bed will depend on what you want to protect from. When choosing the best mattress protector for your home, consider the protector type, materials, and any comfort features.

Protector vs. Encasement: Mattress protectors generally come in two types: protectors or encasements. Protectors cover the top of the mattress. They have straps to hold the protector in place or stretchy protective sides to fit like a fitted sheet. These protectors mainly shield the top surface of the mattress from wear and tear, dust, dirt, and spills.

Taking it a step further, mattress encasements cover all sides of the mattress, usually closing with a secure zipper. These protectors also guard against general wear and spills, but since they cover the entire mattress, they can also better protect the mattress from allergens, dust mites, and bed bugs. With either option, keep mattress thickness in mind to ensure a snug fit.

Materials: Common materials include cotton, polyester, bamboo, vinyl, and polyurethane. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks. Cotton, bamboo, and polyester are comfortable and breathable but not water-resistant. On the other hand, vinyl, and polyurethane help protect from spills but can rustle and retain more heat. Many protectors use a blend of materials to balance protection and comfort. Beyond function, organic and eco-friendly materials are also available.

Comfort: Comfort should be a top priority when choosing a mattress protector. By choosing the right materials and checking reviews, you can avoid common protector woes, like protectors that sleep hot or rustle loudly throughout the night. Look for comforting features according to your sleep priorities, like breathability, softness, quietness, and cooling qualities. Or, if your sole focus is actually changing the pressure/support of your existing mattress, check out our guide to memory foam mattress toppers.

Protection benefits depend on the mattress protector type and materials, but mattress protectors can guard against liquids, stains, dust, allergens, bed bugs, and general wear and tear.

Mattress protectors should be washed every two months, or more often as needed.

The protector should include washing instructions; it is best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most mattress protectors are safe to gently clean in a washing machine with mild, bleach-free detergent, followed by a tumble-dry on a low heat setting.

For well-rounded protection, shield your mattress from trouble with the SureGuard Mattress Encasement. This zippered encasement provides 360-degree protection from liquids, dirt, dust, allergens, dust mites, and bed bugs—all the major mattress concerns.