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A person puts a mattress protector on a mattress Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Best Mattress Protectors of 2024

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A person puts a mattress protector on a mattress Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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Editor's Choice Product image of Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Protector
Best Overall

Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Protector

Check Price at Slumber Cloud

We loved the Slumber Cloud Core mattress protector for its high-quality feel and a slightly cushioned surface that sleeps cool overnight. Read More

Pros

  • Sleeps cool
  • Waterproof
  • High-quality

Cons

  • None we could find
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Tuft & Needle Mattress Protector
Best Value

Tuft & Needle Mattress Protector

Check Price at Tuft & Needle

The Tuft & Needle mattress protector is easy to change and offers a waterproof barrier for the main sleep surface and the sides of your bed. Read More

Pros

  • Waterproof sides
  • Easy to take on and off

Cons

  • Slightly warm
3
Product image of Purple Mattress Protector

Purple Mattress Protector

Check Price at Purple

Purple's mattress protector is a lightweight option that managed to prevent liquid from seeping through, despite being only "water-resistant." Read More

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Not bulky

Cons

  • Thin
  • Water-resistant, not waterproof
4
Product image of Casper Waterproof Mattress Protector

Casper Waterproof Mattress Protector

Check Price at Amazon

The Casper waterproof mattress protector is a solid option with padding that helps it absorb liquid—but it's tricky to take on and off of mattresses. Read More

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Cushioned surface

Cons

  • Sleeps warm
  • Difficult to put on and take off
5
Product image of Coop Home Goods Ultra Luxe Waterproof Mattress Protector

Coop Home Goods Ultra Luxe Waterproof Mattress Protector

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The Coop Home Goods Ultra Lux mattress protector provided good protection—but didn't fit securely on the bed. Read More

Pros

  • Luxe feel
  • Prevents liquid from penetrating to mattress

Cons

  • Poor fit
  • Best Overall Slumber Cloud
  • Best Value Tuft & Needle Mattress Protector
  • Other Mattress Protectors We Tested
  • How We Test Mattress Protectors
  • What You Need to Know About Mattress Protectors
  • Caring for Your Mattress Protector
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

A great mattress will always serve you well, but a mattress protector is a key ingredient in keeping one of the most costly home furnishings in good shape for years.

Not to be mistaken for mattress toppers, which provide another layer of foam to cushion you overnight, the best mattress protectors provide a buffer between your sweat, drool, or even kid's bed-wetting. They protect your mattress from spills, wear and tear, and even dust mites.

The best mattress deserves a top-notch mattress protector. In our testing, there was a clear winner, the Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Protector (available at Slumber Cloud) . Our top pick is high-quality, cool, quiet, soft to the touch, and simply a joy to sleep on while it protects your bed.

someone stretches the Slumber Cloud mattress protector over a bed
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Slumber Cloud mattress protector is great partially because it doesn't sleep hot.

Best Overall
Slumber Cloud
  • Material: 40 percent Outlast viscose, 60 percent cotton; lined with an Outlast coated fabric
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattress up to 18 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

The Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Protector is easy to get on and off a bed because it’s made with stretchy jersey that feels lavish when sleeping. It has a cushiony quilting that doesn’t feel too bulky, and it doesn’t sleep hot—at all.

Like many mattress protectors, the Slumber Cloud Core features an elastic band to help keep it in place and prevent it from shifting or coming off the bed. Also, it didn’t make any crinkly sounds, an issue we noticed with others during testing.

In our lab tests, the mattress cover absorbed liquid, but it didn’t leak through to the other side. This will prove helpful for people who are heavy sweaters and kids who wet the bed. The liquid doesn’t sit on top, leaving the person laying in a puddle or, worse, permeating through to the mattress beneath.

Pros

  • Sleeps cool

  • Waterproof

  • High-quality

Cons

  • None we could find

Buy now at Slumber Cloud
hands pull the Tuft & Needle mattress protector over the corner of a bed
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Tuft & Needle mattress protector provides water protection to every exposed surface of the bed—even the sides.

Best Value
Tuft & Needle Mattress Protector
  • Material: 100 percent polyester with thermoplastic polyurethane coating
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattresses up to 14 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

The Tuft and Needle Mattress Protector performs well, is easy to change, and fits securely on the bed—and it’s about half the cost of other products we tested. On top of it all, it has waterproof protection on all exposed surfaces so even the sides of a mattress will be protected from liquids or stains.

During testing, we experienced a slight increase in heat throughout the night, but it wasn’t enough to be bothersome. Also, this mattress protector makes a little bit of noise when sleepers shift around, but not enough to wake most people.

While it has some padding on top, our tests say it doesn’t absorb moisture well. Instead it allows moisture to puddle on the surface of the protector. The Tuft and Needle will still protect mattresses, though people who sweat a lot or heavy wetters may feel damp.

Pros

  • Waterproof sides

  • Easy to take on and off

Cons

  • Slightly warm

Buy now at Tuft & Needle

Other Mattress Protectors We Tested

Product image of Purple Mattress Protector
Purple Mattress Protector
  • Material: 85% polyester, 15% spandex with thermoplastic polyurethane coating
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
  • Pocket depth: Fits Mattresses up to 15 inches deep
  • Waterproof: No
  • Machine washable: Yes

The Purple mattress protector is light and thin, as it doesn’t have extra fabric or quilting on top. You might think these qualities make it ineffective, but liquid doesn’t seep through. It only feels cooler on the underside beneath where the liquid was dribbled.

Purple notes on its website that the mattress protector is water-resistant, not waterproof. In other words, it may not completely block a large amount of liquid, or over time it may bleed through.

This product is great for someone who is less concerned with liquids on the surface of the mattress and wants greater protection on the sides of their bed. Other products we tested relied on mesh fabrics around the perimeter, but this one features the same material on all five sides.

Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Not bulky

Cons

  • Thin

  • Water-resistant, not waterproof

Buy now at Purple
Product image of Casper Waterproof Mattress Protector
Casper Waterproof Mattress Protector
  • Material: Polyester with thermoplastic polyurethane; polyester and spandex skirting
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattress up to 16 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

The Casper waterproof mattress protector is slightly thicker and has some cushion on top. The extra padding helps absorb liquid, dispersing it through the fabric and preventing the pooling we saw with others we tested.

This thicker fabric feels warmer while sleeping, but it’s not unbearably hot. The real deal breaker is that it’s extremely hard to get on and off the bed. Also, after taking it off and putting it back on a few times, the side fabric starts to curl up at the bottom. It doesn’t grip the bed and slips off.

Pros

  • Waterproof

  • Cushioned surface

Cons

  • Sleeps warm

  • Difficult to put on and take off

$99.00 from Amazon
Product image of Coop Home Goods Ultra Luxe Waterproof Mattress Protector
Coop Home Goods Ultra Luxe Waterproof Mattress Protector
  • Material: Viscose rayon
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

Coop Home Goods uses its “Lulltra” fabric on the top of this mattress protector for an “ultra-luxe” feel. It’s made with polyester and viscose rayon from bamboo, making it one of the smoothest covers of the bunch. It prevented liquids from reaching the bed, but in testing the water tended to puddle rather than distribute through the fabric.

The fabric that goes around the sides of the mattress is a very thin and stretchy mesh. In this case, it was so flimsy that the protector didn’t fit securely on the bed. It didn’t bunch up underneath the sheets, but it didn’t exactly lay smooth. It’s possible that it may shift more over time.

Pros

  • Luxe feel

  • Prevents liquid from penetrating to mattress

Cons

  • Poor fit

Buy now at Amazon

$47.00 from Walmart
Product image of AllerEase Perfect Protection Waterproof Fitted Mattress Protector
AllerEase Perfect Protection Waterproof Fitted Mattress Protector
  • Material: 100 percent polyester
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

The AllerEase Perfect Protection mattress protector, at first glance, seemed similar in construction to others we tested, featuring a quilted top, stretchy mesh sides, and elastic banding. However, it fit loosely on the mattress and shifted during our sleeping tests. While it wasn’t uncomfortable, it could become a problem over time. Also, we noticed a slight increase in heat while sleeping on the AllerEase.

We liked that this protector had a label with “side” written on it, so there was no confusion as to which way to position it.

Pros

  • Labels for positioning

  • Quilted top

Cons

  • Loose fit

  • Shifts on mattress

Product image of Linenspa Premium Mattress Protector
Linenspa Premium Mattress Protector
  • Material: 100 percent polyester, with polyurethane backing
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattresses up to 14 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

The Linenspa Premium Mattress Protector takes a solid amount of effort to get in the right place, and it doesn’t fit as snugly on the bed as we’d like. It also rustles more than the others we tested, and doesn’t lay smoothly on the mattress. Additionally, we noticed a small increase in heat while sleeping.

During tests, the Linenspa protected the mattress from liquids, but the water pooled on the surface rather than absorbing into the protector. It is one of the few we tested that can be machine-washed in hot water, so it can be washed with other linens.

Pros

  • Can be washed with other bedding

Cons

  • Poor fit

  • Rustles at night

  • Wrinkles under sheets

$14.20 from Amazon
Product image of SafeRest Mattress Protector
SafeRest Mattress Protector
  • Material: Cotton terry cloth
  • Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Pocket depth: Fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Machine washable: Yes

The SafeRest mattress protector’s top cover, which is made of cotton terry cloth, absorbed liquids during testing. However, it wasn’t as comfortable to sleep on because the texture of the loops could be felt under sheets. It was also rather stiff, warmer than other mattress protectors, and a bit noisy.

The sides were made of a stretchy mesh and a thin elastic band, which made it easy to get on and off the mattress, but the materials were lower quality and not strong enough to keep it secure. In the lab, it stained more than most of the others we tested, retaining a slight discoloration from the pomegranate juice.

Pros

  • Absorbs liquid well

Cons

  • Low quality

  • Terry is uncomfortable under sheets

  • Poor fit

Buy now at Amazon

$37.99 from Walmart

How We Test Mattress Protectors

a pipette filled with red pomegranate juice drops liquid onto a mattress protector
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

One of the tests we used to assess mattress protectors included staining them with pomegranate juice.

Over the course of three weeks, our tester slept on each protector for one to two nights. Afterward, she assessed any differences in her sleep comfort, increases in heat from the mattress protector, noise or fabric from moving, whether she could feel the mattress cover texture, and the overall experience.

Afterward, the mattress protectors were sent to our lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for additional testing. Each one was subjected to a stain test with pomegranate juice and a sweat-like solution to ensure they wouldn’t stain or yellow.

What You Need to Know About Mattress Protectors

A mattress protector is different from a mattress pad. While a mattress pad is intended for added comfort, a mattress protector prevents damage and acts as a protective layer for your bed. There are some things to consider before you make your purchase, as there are a few types of mattress protectors to choose from.

a person spreads a sheet above a mattress with a mattress protector on it
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Mattress protectors will help prolong the lifespan of your bed.

Waterproof vs. Water-resistant

Waterproof and water-resistance are not the same thing. When it comes to choosing a mattress protector, you’ll want to know the difference—otherwise, you could end up with a ruined mattress.

Water-resistant labels mean a mattress protector will resist liquid up to a point, but it may eventually leak through. If you quickly wipe up a small spill, it may not reach the mattress. However, if there’s a lot of liquid or if it sits for a long time, it may seep through. The trade-off is that water-resistant mattress protectors tend to be more breathable than their fully waterproof counterparts.

Waterproof protectors won’t allow liquid to permeate at all, regardless of how much liquid there is or how long it stays on the protector. These products may not have waterproof barriers on the sides, however. In general, if there’s a quilted top or extra layer of fabric on a waterproof protector, that fabric will absorb liquid, not repel liquids.

Fitted Sheet Protectors vs. Mattress Encasements

Fitted sheet protectors rely on elasticated edges to stay in place. The biggest difference between an actual fitted sheet and fitted sheet-style mattress protectors is that the protector’s sleep surface is made to be waterproof or water-resistant. This is usually done by adding a coating on the back of the fabric to prevent liquid from getting through. Occasionally, manufacturers will use a waterproof fabric such as vinyl, but there are often better options.

Some have waterproof or water-resistance only on the top, while others have additional protection around the four sides of the mattress. This comes in handy for a heavy wetter, if you’ve spilled coffee near the edge of the bed, or if pets jump on and off with dirty feet.

Encasement covers wrap around the entire mattress, including the bottom that rests on the box spring or platform. It’s basically a giant fabric (or plastic) bag for your bed, as no part of the mattress is exposed. If you're looking for a hypoallergenic protector, these may be ideal. They're also great for folks worried about bed bugs as most are constructed in a way to not let these pests in or out.

Fitted sheet protectors are much easier to change compared to encasement covers. Because of this, we chose to focus our testing on fitted sheet protectors.

Caring for Your Mattress Protector

When it comes to washing a mattress protector, most of the labels recommend using cold water and tumble dry low. If you’re using it to protect against urine from bed wetting, it may be tempting to wash it on hot or with bleach. However, heat can ruin a waterproof or water-resistant coating, as can chlorine beach.

It’s especially important to wash and dry your mattress protector per the care instructions to ensure it will work properly and last long-term. Some of the mattress covers we tested came with a 10-year warranty, but not following care instructions could void that protection.

Meet the tester

Jamie Ueda

Jamie Ueda

Apparel Staff Writer

Jamie writes about clothing, shoes, and accessories for Reviewed. She loves apparel and doesn't like to sacrifice fashion, comfort, or quality in whatever she wears.

See all of Jamie Ueda's reviews

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