We've tested a wide range of mattress protectors, from fully waterproof options to anti-bed bug encasements, and have rated them here in our guide to this year's best mattress protectors.
While you don't have to spend a lot to get a good quality mattress protector, our testing shows us that the average cost of a top-performing mattress protector is around $60 for a queen. For this price you'll get an effective waterproof protector that's easy to machine wash and dry, and durable enough to last you a few years.
Using a mattress protector is especially important if you're buying a new mattress (see our guide to this year's best mattresses for our latest recommendations) as you'll void the terms of the sleep trial and warranty if you don't use one. Here are the best mattress protectors for every budget and bed need, based on our extensive expert testing...
1. The best mattress protector overall
Coop Sleep Goods is a popular bedding brand known for crafting products targeting specific sleep needs, and if what you require is excellent waterproofing for your mattress, look no further than their Ultra Tech Waterproof Mattress Protector.
Tested and approved by our Managing Editor, Claire Davies, we found it combines the best qualities of a mattress protector (it's noiseless, soft and breathable), while getting 5 out of 5 stars for waterproofing capabilities. Made from the brand's Lulltra fabric (a combination of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester) with a polyurethane backing, the protector effectively prevents any liquid seeping into the bed, which can cause damage or lead to mold.
Our lead reviewer spilled coffee, tea and water on the protector and put it through multiple wash and dry tests (as repeated washing can weaken the waterproof membrane) but the paper towel and sponge pad placed beneath the protector to spot any liquid that had broken through, emerged bone-dry every time.
Additionally, the Lulltra fabric (which contains bamboo viscose like that used in Utopia Bamboo mattress protector (#2)) is soft to touch and breathable, with moisture-wicking properties, meaning that we didn't sleep hot during the testing period.
Another plus point is its generous 18” depth which is likely to suit almost all beds, especially if you use a topper, or have a luxury mattress, which can be 14” tall. This protector has also been designed to be sweat and dust-mite resistant, and hypoallergenic, and it's machine washable. However, we did find that the polyurethane backing meant it was slippery on the bed.
Price wise, the Coop Sleep Goods Ultra Tech Waterproof Mattress Protector is a mid-range purchase, with a twin available at $46 while a queen retails at $59 direct from Coop Sleep Goods. Though you may find it for less during sales or on Amazon. If you factor in the benefits a 100-night risk-free sleep trial, 1 year warranty and free shipping, it's a great deal for top quality waterproofing.
2. The best budget mattress protector
Are all decent mattress protectors expensive? The Utopia Bedding Waterproof mattress protector, which has an MSRP of just $20.99 for a queen at Amazon, proves they don't have to be. In a nutshell, we found this soft feeling Utopia protector was completely effective at waterproofing, as well as being noiseless and breathable during our three week testing period.
The materials (80% polyester and 20% bamboo viscose material) are used for their moisture-wicking properties and breathability, and the bamboo in particular, as well as airflow provided by the elasticated material that makes up the sides of this protector, led to our reviewer giving the Utopia 4 out of 5 stars for temperature control. It is also noiseless and extremely effective at waterproofing (we scored it 5 out of 5 stars for both).
Our Sleep Features Editor Lauren Jeffries tested the Utopia protector and recommends it for its excellent ability to keep the bed dry, and its low cost. “However, it’s worth mentioning that because the sides of the mattress protector aren’t waterproof, if you spill anything on the edges of your bed, it’s likely to seep through very quickly to your mattress, staining it," she noted.
Slipperiness and fit were two areas that brought down the overall score of the Utopia protector to 3.5 out of 5 stars. Our tester found it to be “incredibly slippy” over the mattress and noted that material bunched and the protector often came loose during the night. However, if you’re looking for a low-budget mattress protector which is quiet, breathable and waterproof, the Utopia ticks all those boxes.
3. The best waterproof mattress protector
Looking for the ultimate waterproof mattress protector? Our top pick is the Purple Waterproof Mattress Protector— tested and approved by our bedding writer Becky George. She found it to be 100% waterproof, stain-resistant and noiseless during the one-week she spent sleeping on it.
It earned a solid 5 out of 5 on most core parameters we consider while assessing a mattress protector’s performance— such as waterproofing, noise, slipperiness and ease of fit.
Even after multiple spill and wash tests, the Purple protector was found to be consistently waterproof and stain-resistant. Not only did any liquid seep into the bed, but the coffee stain evidently vanished without leaving the slightest trace, just after one wash.
Our reviewer was also impressed by the 100% noiseless design which makes the protector barely noticeable under your sheets. “That's because both the comfortable soft knit top layer and waterproof backing have been melded together meticulously so you never feel it slip or slide beneath the sheets,” she explains.
The one area where it falls behind is breathability. The Purple Waterproof Mattress Protector does not include any specific cooling elements and sleeps at a very neutral temperature according to our tester. This can be insufficient to prevent overheating and night sweats among very hot sleepers.
We also think the thinner build might not be enough to hold in heavier liquids and therefore recommend the Sijo Airyweight at #6, if you're looking for a mattress protector for your kid's bedroom.
Yes, the Purple Waterproof Mattress Protector is one of the most expensive models we have ever tested with a twin starting from $119 and a queen priced at $149.
However, you can often find it as part of Purple mattress sales which can offer significant discounts. It also comes with exceptional benefits, including a 30-day return period, a 10-year warranty and free shipping. Overall, we think it’s a great investment if your priority is a dry bed and an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
4. The best cooling mattress protector
If you experience overheating and night sweats, adding another layer to your bed might seem counterintuitive, but of the many mattress protectors we tested in-house, the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector emerged to as our ultimate pick for hot sleepers. It's ultra cooling thanks to the "high-tech PE fibers" in the heat-dissipating polyester-polythene blend fabric (which is widely known as GlacioTex), which also make it cool-to-touch.
Our Senior Sleep Writer, Frances Daniels, reviewed this Brooklyn Bedding mattress protector and found it to be consistently cooling, and cool-to-touch, in the warmer months, during which she experienced heatwaves without air conditioning. Plus, it retained its cooling ability even after many wash tests, leading to a 5 out of 5 stars score in this area.
Even though the brand states that the mattress protector is only water-resistant, in our spill tests during the review period, we felt it really deserves to be called waterproof. It kept the bed below completely dry and stain-free each time. It's also hypoallergenic and designed to keep bed bugs, bacteria and dust mites at bay, and has a honeycomb stitching design, and a smooth, soft feel.
Overall we awarded this protector 4.5 stars out of 5. It lost points for slipperiness as the flat sheet placed on top of the protector often slid off when the tester changed positions during the night.
The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector is a high performance product, so it's not too surprising that it comes with a premium price tag. The MSRP starts at $99 for a twin while a queen size is $129, though there is currently a 25% off sale at Brooklyn Bedding, bringing a twin down to $74.25 and a queen to $96.75. Plus it comes with a 30-day return policy, 3-year warranty and free shipping and returns.
5. The best mattress protector for kids
The Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Mattress Protector is crafted from Eucalyptus-derived Tencel Lyocell fiber and offers a range of benefits, top of which is how effective it is at waterproofing. This makes it an ideal choice for kids or anyone prone to bed wetting accidents.
Our reviewer was impressed by how it effectively kept the bed completely dry even after multiple spill tests, including with coffee and water, were conducted. This protection remained even after washing the protector several times.
While some waterproof mattress protectors can be uncomfortable due to a single layer polyurethane backing (which can be crinkle and crease during sleep), the Sijo Airyweight — with its advanced double thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) backing — proved to be lightweight and noiseless and led to an uninterrupted night's sleep. We also found the Tencel Lyocell made it extremely breathable and cool-to-touch, plus it's hypoallergenic.
Our bedding writer Becky George reviewed the mattress protector and was impressed by the product, giving it a solid 5 out of 5 stars in all areas except one: ease of fit. "The elastic kept popping off from one side while trying to fix the other end even though the brands claims that it's designed to fit mattresses up to 20" thick," she explained.
This resulted in an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for the Sijo Airyweight. On the Sijo website, this protector has just under 5 out of 5 stars, though this is from only 146 reviews.
The benefits are limited to a 60-day free return period when you purchase directly from the Sijo website, and there is no warranty, but overall this is a good value protector.
How we test mattress protectors
We recommend the best mattress protectors based on our extensive review process which includes both in-house testing and extensive research, as well as looking through thousands of customer reviews on popular retailer websites like Amazon.
Our primary objective is to make your search for the ideal mattress protector easier.
We do this by clearly explaining what each product features and offers, and reviewing wherever possible to see if it matches up to what the brand claims. All of this is intended to help you decide which protector fits your sleep needs and budget.
Our reviewers spend at least two weeks sleeping on the mattress protector noting its performance, design and materials, ease of maintenance (we carry out multiple washing and drying tests) to understand if it is really worth the price and delivers what has been promised by each brand.
How to choose the right mattress protector for you
As we mentioned, having an idea about the kind of threat your bed is likely to face is important when choosing one of the best mattress protectors.
For example, are you buying a protector for a toddler's bed, or perhaps you have a couple of dogs that can't help but leap on right after a muddy walk?
In that case the best option is a waterproof and stain-resistant mattress protector that can be machine washed for ease.
If you sleep hot and don't want to add any extra bedding or covers to your mattress that might hold heat, then choose a cooling mattress protector.
These are usually made from breathable materials that help to dissipate excess heat, rather than storing it inside the fabric. Tencel and bamboo are excellent materials for this job, though the former can be more expensive.
For guest bed use only, you could get away with choosing a budget mattress protector.
That's because they will only see occasional use so they don't need to be as hard-working as a mattress protector placed on your main bed.
Best mattress protector FAQs
How often should you wash a mattress protector?
We have a guide to how to wash a mattress protector, but here's a quick version. Mattress protectors should be washed every two months on average, but this changes depending on how often you use it, whether you have been unwell, and if you have allergies. Let’s take a closer look at these scenarios now to help you decide if it’s time to pop yours in the wash.
If you have allergies, aim to wash your mattress protector once or twice a month. This may seem like a lot of laundry, but it will help prevent allergens from building up inside your protector.
If you have been unwell, wash your mattress protector as soon as you feel better to banish any remaining bugs from sneezes, coughs and other mucus.
If you have spilled drinks or food, spot clean the worst of it, then pop your mattress protector in the wash. Don’t let that stain sink in! Mattress protectors guard against common mattress stains but they'll inevitably need cleaning themselves.
Guest bedroom mattress protectors can be left a little longer, unless you have had a long-term guest staying with you.
Mattress protectors should be washed and dried as per the manufacturer’s instructions on the care label. Using a mild detergent is best, and avoid using bleach or any other chemicals that will damage the protector.
Do you put a bedsheet over a mattress protector?
While a mattress protector is doing great work protecting your mattress, we'd still recommend you place a bedsheet over the top. This is for two reasons.
Firstly, a bedsheet acts as an additional protective layer between you and the bed, absorbing your body oils and sweat since it is in direct contact with your skin every night.
Secondly, it provides a smoother, softer and more breathable surface to sleep on compared to the texture of a mattress protector. Layering up your mattress with sheets and matching bedding will also add to the aesthetic appeal of your bedroom.
Which is better, a mattress topper or protector?
This largely depends on your priorities and specific sleep needs. A mattress topper will help enhance the feel of your bed— adding more cushioning comfort and support to ease your pressure points.
On the other hand, a protector is your best friend when it comes to keep your mattress safe from spills, stains and even sweat and body oils. Need more info? Read our master article on the major differences between a mattress topper and protector.
