10 Best Mattress Protectors of 2024

Mattress protectors aren’t something most people think about when they go mattress shopping. However, they’re definitely something you’ll think about the first time you spill soda on your mattress or the moment you realize your bed is full of dust mites. That’s why you should buy a new mattress protector the minute you buy a new mattress.

Besides protecting your mattress from stains and damage, mattress protectors can also enhance your sleep experience. The protectors on the list below won’t just preserve your mattress. They also offer cooling features, extra padding, and more!

Best Mattress Protectors of 2024

If you just can’t seem to stop spilling things on your bed, you might want to check out the ultra-tough and yet surprisingly soft Amerisleep Bamboo Mattress Protector. This protector is 100 percent waterproof and features five-sided protection against spills. So you can rest assured nothing is going to get through to your mattress.

The Bamboo Mattress Protector also features exceptionally soft bamboo-derived spandex material to provide an even more plush feel. The fitted sheet style protector is also easy to secure and features all-around elastic edging to hold it firmly in place. The Amerisleep Mattress Protector is OEKO-TEX® certified.

This mattress protector fits mattresses in twin through California king sizes. It comes with a five-year warranty. And its price runs from $80 to $100. So it falls within the average price range for a mattress protector. For all its breathability and durability, the Amerisleep Bamboo Mattress Protector is well worth it.

SEE ALSO: Amerisleep Mattress Review

If you’re looking for an organic cotton mattress protector at an affordable price, the Nolah Organic Cotton Mattress Protector might be for you. This mattress protector is highly breathable and soft. The GOTS-certified organic cotton also sleeps incredibly cool, all while providing you with waterproof protection.

If cotton isn’t your thing, Nolah also offers a cooling and quiet bamboo mattress protector. The bamboo-derived material is naturally antimicrobial and it’s also more eco-friendly than cotton. However, it might not be as durable.

Both these protectors come in twin through California king sizes. The Nolah mattress protectors also come in under $100. So they’re within reach of most budgets, even if you thought you couldn’t afford organic cotton.

SEE ALSO: Nolah Mattress Review

If you’re looking for a mattress protector on a budget, look no further than the Linenspa Mattress Protector. This protector offers you total liquid protection. It also blocks allergens and dust mites, all for under $20!

The Linenspa Mattress Protector fits just like a fitted sheet. So it’s easy to slip on and off for washing, which is easy to do since the protector is machine-washable. And with a 10-year warranty, you know you’ll be getting a lot of washes out of this protector.

The thin, non-vinyl material is another fantastic feature of this mattress protector. Its waterproof membrane protects the top of your mattress without changing the feel of your bed or making a lot of noise when you move.

SEE ALSO: Best Budget Mattress

Those who want a premium mattress protector that feels like nothing’s there should check out the Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector. This extra-deep mattress protector fits snugly and is non-rubbery. So you’ll never feel it underneath your sheets.

The Saatva mattress protector features high-quality organic cotton. That makes it extremely breathable and moisture-wicking. Organic cotton is also highly durable and easy to maintain. As long as you machine-wash your protector on the cold and gentle cycle, you should get years of protection out of it.

The Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector fits mattresses in twin through California king sizes and features a 45-day return policy and a one-year limited warranty.

SEE ALSO: How To Fix a Too Soft or Too Firm Mattress

The GhostBed GhostProtector is one of the best mattress protectors for stability and softness. Its two-inch GhostGrip elastic bands provide maximum stability, complemented by its deep pocket design that slips over thicker mattresses. And its ultra-soft knit material is quiet and comfortable underneath your fitted sheet.

This protector also features antimicrobial technology. That means sleepers with allergies can get a restful, sneeze-free sleep without having to wash the protector all the time.

This is also an incredibly cool mattress protector. It boasts breathable waterproofing to keep liquids out without impeding airflow. Don’t let the breathability fool you. This mattress protector can still keep allergens and other icky things out of your mattress.

SEE ALSO: How Thick Should Your Mattress Be?

If you want one of the best mattress protectors for an active and busy lifestyle, look no further than the Purple Mattress Protector. This mattress protector boasts five-sided dual defense systems to protect your mattress from stains and tears and whatever else gets thrown at it.

This encasement mattress protector is also perfect for those who might be more vulnerable to bed bug infestations, like if you spend a lot of time in hotels. Its dual-sided protection can repel pests on all sides of your mattress.

The Purple waterproof mattress protector comes in a range of sizes (twin through California king). It also has a 10-year warranty, so you know it will last at least a decade.

Shoppers can also bundle a bedding set with a Purple mattress that includes the Purple Mattress Protector.

SEE ALSO: Best Purple Mattress Alternatives

Another full encasement protector, the Layla Full Encasement Mattress Protector offers six-sided zippered protection. This means dust mites and bed bugs can’t get to your mattress. Perfect for travelers and those with allergies alike!

This is also an incredibly cooling mattress protector. It boasts all the cooling benefits of the Layla Cooling Mattress Protector and the Laylay Essential Mattress protector. But on top of those benefits, the Full Encasement Mattress Protector also sports specialized cooling fibers and textured material for ultimate cool.

The top of the Layla mattress protector is 100 percent polyester, and the back is 100 percent thermoplastic polyurethane. So this is not just a pest-resistant protector. It’s also durable and easy to maintain.

Baby crib mattresses need a lot of protection. Their mattress protectors have to stand up to urine, spit-up, and more. The good news is the crib-size Healthy Grow Waterproof Fitted Crib Mattress Pad is durable enough to handle whatever your baby throws at it.

This waterproof mattress protector will defend your mattress but protect your baby at the same time. It’s made with hypoallergenic and PVC-free materials. It also provides a safe, snug fit so your baby can’t remove it or choke on it.

This fitted mattress protector is also easy to remove and machine-washable. And it’s durable enough to be washed over and over, no matter how many times it gets soiled.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Pregnancy

Those who want the best waterproof mattress protector for serious spills should consider the Bear Mattress Protector. This is perhaps the best waterproof protector for those who like to use their bed for eating and drinking.

The Bear waterproof protector is so tough because it features Bear’s HeiQ technology that provides a full barrier against stains and liquid damage.

And don’t worry about having to wash a mattress protector. This waterproof mattress cover stands up to machine-washing as well as it stands up to liquids. That means it can increase the lifespan of your mattress without sucking up too much of your time.

Sleepers who need more complete coverage of their mattress can also consider the Bear Encasement.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for a Lightweight Person

Those who want the ultimate cooling mattress protector should check out the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector. This cooling waterproof mattress cover draws heat away from your body to keep your temperature down.

This premium Brooklyn Bedding mattress protector features silky smooth material to protect your bed and increase your comfort at the same time. And the hypoallergenic design also makes this a mattress cover for those with sensitivities. It can resist mold, bacteria, and dust mite infestations alike.

Brooklyn Bedding also features two other luxury waterproof mattress protectors:

• The Brooklyn Bedding Terry Cloth Mattress Protector
• The Brooklyn Bedding Complete Coverage Mattress Encasement

All these protectors come with a three-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

How to Select a Mattress Protector

With the sheer number and variety of waterproof mattress protectors on the market today, you could have trouble selecting the perfect fit for you. However, as long as you go shopping armed with a little information, you should be able to select the protector that’s right for you, one that can keep even the most durable mattress in pristine condition!

Mattress Protector Types

There are three basic types of waterproof mattress protectors: encasement, strap, and fitted.

Encasement

A mattress encasement protector is a zippered protector that covers your entire mattress. It wraps around the top and bottom, zipping at the sides. Mattress encasement protectors offer the most protection to your mattress because they cover the whole thing. That means the sides and bottom are protected from spills as well as the top.

Mattress encasement protectors are also the best protection against pests. Bed bugs and dust mites won’t be able to access any part of your mattress. The main problem with mattress encasement protectors is they’re hard to get on and off the mattress. So washing them can be a pain.

Lastly, an encasement can be helpful if you want a protector that can move with an adjustable bed.

Elastic Strap

Elastic strap protectors sit only on top of your mattress and are held in place by straps that wrap around each corner. These protectors are the easiest to get on and off, making washing them a breeze. However, they only protect the top of your mattress, not the sides or the bottom. And they can also have a hard time staying in place.

Fitted

Fitted protectors are a good compromise between strap protectors and zippered protectors. Fitted mattress protectors are exactly like a fitted sheet. They wrap around the sides of the mattress and hug the bottom. This means they fit more snugly than an elastic strap protector, but they’re easier to get on and off than a zippered one.

Fitted protectors also protect your mattress from spills better than elastic protectors because they cover the sides as well as the top. But they won’t protect your mattress from pests as well as zippered mattress protectors because they still allow bed bugs and mites to infest the bottom of the mattress.

Mattress Protector Materials

When shopping for a mattress protector, you can choose from a variety of materials that offer different feels and moisture-wicking capabilities.

Bamboo

Bamboo viscose material is among the best mattress protector materials. This material is made of processed bamboo pulp that’s stretched into a long fiber. The end product is breathable and moisture-wicking, and it has antimicrobial properties. That means bamboo makes one of the most hypoallergenic mattress protector materials.

SEE ALSO: What is Viscose Fabric?

Cotton

Cotton makes perhaps the best mattress protector material. That’s why it’s one of the most popular protector materials on the market. Cotton is lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain.

Cotton is also one of the most comfortable materials because it’s so breathable and moisture-wicking. If you want a cooling and comfortable mattress protector, you can’t go wrong with lightweight and soft cotton.

SEE ALSO: Organic Cotton vs. Regular Cotton

Down

Down is ultra-soft and squishy. So it has one of the most pleasant feels of any protector material. Down is also highly breathable, but you should watch out if you sleep hot. Down evolved to insulate birds from the cold. So while it’s breathable, it is designed to retain heat. This makes it perfect for those who want a snuggly, cozy bed. But not so much for hot sleepers.

SEE ALSO: Down vs. Down Alternative Comforters

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic material that’s commonly touted as an alternative to cotton. Polyester isn’t as breathable or as moisture-wicking as cotton. But it is just as easy to maintain and almost as durable.

Most people go for a polyester mattress protector because this material is more affordable than other, more natural offerings. Budget shoppers may also look for microfiber bedding, which is effectively an upgraded version of traditional polyester.

SEE ALSO: Cotton vs. Microfiber Sheets

Vinyl

Vinyl is among the toughest protector materials. It provides the most solid protection against liquids. So this material might make the best mattress protector for you if you have a problem with spilling or a child who wets the bed.

However, vinyl is not the most comfortable of materials. It tends to retain heat, and it also makes a lot of noise compared to softer and more breathable options. So it may not make the best mattress protector if you’re looking for comfort.

SEE ALSO: Hot Sleeper vs Cold Sleeper: What Type Are You?

Why You Need A Mattress Protector

Everyone needs a mattress protector from the very first night they sleep on their bed. Mattress protectors are easy to remove and wash. That means you don’t have to go through the trouble of trying to steam, vacuum or otherwise clean your mattress every couple of months. You can just take the protector off and toss it in the washing machine.

The best mattress protectors don’t just help keep your mattress clean. They also protect you and your mattress from worse things than dirt. And this is true for any and all types of mattresses.

Allergens

The best mattress protectors can keep your mattress free of allergens. When dust, pollen, and dust mites float onto your bed, the protector traps them before they get to your mattress. Then, all these icky allergens go straight down the drain when you wash your mattress protector.

Even vacuuming or cleaning the mattress won’t get them out the same way washing your protector will. Especially because it’s difficult to clean memory foam mattresses and other mattress types beyond just surface level cleaning. So once something penetrates through to your mattress, it’s hard to clean it out entirely.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Allergies

Moisture

Moisture in your mattress doesn’t sound so bad. But when you consider a good portion of the moisture in your mattress comes from sweating during sleep, things start to get a little icky. Mattresses can also absorb the water out of humid air. When moisture gets trapped in your mattress, it becomes a breeding ground for all kinds of gross things like mold and bacteria.

A moisture-ridden mattress can also start to develop odors. Mattresses cannot be washed and dried the way you can wash a pillow or other bedding. So there isn’t much you can do about it if your mattress develops moisture problems.

That’s why using a protector to prevent them in the first place is a better option, even if you take the precaution of a mold-resistant mattress.

Odors

Your mattress can wind up with smelly odors from moisture. But it can also wind up with foul odors from being slept on all night. The human body isn’t exactly clean. When you sleep, you don’t just sweat. You also shed skin cells, hair, and microscopic dirt particles that you picked up during the day. This is especially true if you shower in the morning.

All the dirt and skin cells provide perfect fodder for odor-causing bacteria. Once you get bacteria deep inside your mattress, there isn’t a lot you can do. But the waterproof membrane present in mattress protectors can trap all these nasty microscopic particles, making it easy for you to just wash them all away.

SEE ALSO: Best Essential Oils for Sleep

Pests

Mattress protectors are really good at keeping pests away. Fitted and zippered mattress protectors are especially good at preventing bed bug infestations. Bed bugs love to hide in the creases and seams of your mattress. But a protector makes things like creases and buttons inaccessible to bed bugs, leaving them nowhere to go.

A mattress protector also makes it easy to get rid of a few bed bugs if they do happen to get into your bed. Just wash and dry the protector on the highest heat setting, and all the bed bugs in it will die in the heat.

The best mattress protectors are also great for dust mite prevention. Dust mites are microscopic pests that feed on the organic matter found in dust. That means dust mites will eat things found in your sheets, such as skin cells or shed hair particles. Dust mites trigger allergies in lots of people, but these allergies can be mitigated with regular mattress protector washing.

Stains

The waterproof backing in a mattress protector doesn’t just keep moisture out of your mattress. It also blocks spills and stains. So if you spill food or drinks on your mattress, no worries!

And if your child has a problem with bed wetting, you don’t have to worry about your mattress bearing the brunt of it. Some mattresses for kids may even come bundled with an accident-proof protector.

Warranty Concerns

Warranties don’t cover wear and tear, spills and stains, or other damage caused by you. Not only that, but if you do wind up getting stains or odors in your mattress, it could void coverage for things your mattress warranty might actually cover.

Most mattress companies will not honor a warranty for a stained or stinky mattress, even if the warranty would otherwise cover the problem. That means waterproof protection for your mattress is vital to maintain coverage.

Increased Comfort

Not all mattress protectors are simple, slip-on waterproof covers. Some protectors include padding or temperature-regulating materials to help establish a more comfortable mattress. Even if your mattress is already quite comfy, a touch more of cooling cushion won’t hinder your sleep.

For example, pairing a breathable mattress protector with a set of cooling sheets can help hot sleepers rest easy at night.

When Should I Replace a Mattress Protector?

Smart shoppers typically consider how long they can expect a product to last, whether it’s a question of how long a mattress will last, when a pillow will need replacing or how long a set of sheets can be reasonably used.

Mattress protectors generally need replacing about every 5 years, though a high-quality one may last up to a decade. Lower quality protectors may need to be switched every one or two years.

Of course, there are different variables that can affect the protector’s lifespan. For example, a person might use a protector to cover up an occasional use mattress for a guest room. Because the mattress receives relatively little wear and tear, it and the mattress protector enveloping it could last quite a long while.

SEE ALSO: How Long Does a Mattress Last?

FAQs

Can a mattress protector help keep me cool?

Yes, it can! There are tons of cooling mattress covers that can add even more cooling power to your mattress. They work by absorbing your body heat and moving it away from your body while you sleep. This thermoconductive power can work with your mattress to increase its temperature-regulating ability. A cooling protector can also help make a hot mattress cooler.

Mattress protectors can also help increase your bed’s breathability. Many mattress protectors are made from breathable materials like cotton. So they can help wick away moisture and keep cool air flowing around your body.

Do I need a mattress protector to keep my mattress warranty valid?

Probably. Most mattress companies offer warranties that cover defects like manufacturing errors or premature aging, but only if the mattress is undamaged. So if you have stains on or tears in your mattress when you try to call in the warranty, there’s a good chance your coverage could be denied.

The good news is mattress protectors can defend your mattress from all kinds of potential damage. That means stains, odors, and rips won’t make you run the risk of not being able to use your mattress’s warranty or even its sleep trial.

What happens if I don’t use a mattress protector?

Not using a mattress cover can lead to all kinds of issues. You sweat and shed skin that can then sink down into the mattress when you sleep. All this moisture and dead skin are icky enough on its own, but it can also provide the perfect environment for microbes to flourish. Not to mention that moisture can ruin certain bedding materials like memory foam.

Dust mites love to snack on microscopic pieces of organic material. And moisture buildup inside your mattress offers a growth medium to bacteria and mold. Since many people are allergic to mold spores and dust mites, keeping a protector on your mattress is extremely important for maintaining a healthy, hypoallergenic sleep environment.

How do I know if a mattress protector will fit my deep mattress?

Standard mattresses are between 9 and 12 inches deep. So deep mattresses are anything beyond that. Typically, deep mattresses will be 13 to 18 inches thick. But some mattresses can go all the way up to 24 inches thick.

The depth of the pockets of a mattress protector (and a fitted sheet) determines the depth of the mattress it will fit. So if you have a deep mattress, look for a protector with deep pockets. Most protectors will say how deep of a mattress they will fit.

So you’ll need to measure from the base to the top layer of your mattress to determine its thickness before you shop. If you have a mattress topper or mattress pad that’s going to be under the protector, you’ll need to include that too.

Will a good mattress protector really keep bed bugs away?

Even the best mattress protector won’t keep you from contracting bed bugs. But it can make it a lot harder for them to infest your actual mattress. Mattress protectors that fit snugly on your mattress and mattress topper leave few areas for bed bugs to hide.

They also make it a lot easier for you to get rid of bed bugs because you can wash and dry them. So a mattress protector won’t stop you from coming home with bed bugs. But it can mean the difference between washing a piece of cloth or throwing out your mattress!

Bottom Line

A good mattress protector is a vital part of your bedding ensemble and sleep experience, necessary for even the best mattresses. But it’s not just there to protect your mattress from stains. Protective mattress covers can also keep your bed from wear and tear as well as from pests and allergens.

More than that, the best mattress protectors can offer you an even cooler and more comfortable night’s sleep than a quality mattress alone. Some online mattresses even come bundled with one, just so shoppers can keep their bed in the best possible condition.