Buying a Mattress Protector
As the name suggests, mattress protectors provide a shield against liquid, dust, dirt, stains, sweat and allergens so they don’t make it through to the underlying mattress and/or box spring. The right mattress protector can add years to the life of your mattress.
Important features to consider:
- Moisture-repelling material. For bed-wetting children or adults who like their morning coffee in bed, a waterproof mattress protector can save the day when accidents happen.
- Fabric content. Cotton is breathable, wool extra warm and synthetics more affordable.
- Hypoallergenic. Especially important for allergy suffers.
- Comfort. Desirable features include fleece linings, quilted top layers, moisture-wicking technology and fitted-sheet style design to avoid bunching.
- Eco-Friendly. Look for sustainable and organic fibers like cotton, wool, bamboo and eucalyptus.
- Zippered encasements. Ideal for blocking dust mites, bedbugs and other allergens that can trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
- Fit. Choose a protector that’s the same size as your mattress. Don’t forget to check mattress depth.
Best Waterproof Mattress Protector
Unlike many waterproof mattresses that crackle when you move around at night, the Coop Home Goods Mattress Protector Cover is notably silent while protecting against sweat, drool and other bodily fluids.
Made of a soft, proprietary Lulltra fabric that contains no noisy PVC or vinyl, this washable protector fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep. It comes with a 100-night, money-back guarantee.
Best Eco-Friendly Mattress Protector
An eco-conscious option, the Saatva Organic Mattress Pad safeguards your mattress against mishaps. Breathable, 100-percent organic cotton wicks away nighttime sweat. The diamond-quilted pad comes with extra-wide elastic bands to hold it firmly in place.
Sleep even more soundly knowing this American-made Saatva protector is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fair Trade child labor free certified.
Best Mattress Protector for Sensitive Skin
Awarded Best Mattress Protector 2020 by SleepFoundation.org, the Sweet Zzz Cooling Mattress Protector features a eucalyptus-based fiber material that creates a smooth and silky surface — perfect for sensitive skin.
The mattress pad is also laminated with a non-toxic polyurethane that stops dead skin cells (a major food source for bedbugs) from getting into the mattress. It’s Oeko-Tex certified so it’s safe for everyone, even infants.
Best Encased/Zippered Mattress Protector
If you’re looking to create a dust mite-free zone in your home, especially if you suffer from allergies, check out this zippered cover from Utopia Bedding. This affordably priced protector (around $22) features stretchable knitted polyester with a high-quality thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) backing that renders it leak-resistant.
Best Cooling Mattress Protector
It’s safe to say Brooklyn Bedding is making a name for itself in the luxury bed linen world. Manufactured in Brooklyn, New York, its Cooling Mattress Protector includes a superconductive material that draws heat out and away from your body for a more restful, comfortable sleep.
It slides over your mattress like a fitted sheet, so it’s easy to take off when it’s time for laundering.
Best Bamboo Mattress Protector
Bamboo’s ability to grow faster than any other plant on Earth makes the Zen Bamboo Mattress Pad Protecter an outstanding sustainable and renewable choice.
The Zen protector blends bamboo and microfiber in a plush honeycomb design. It effectively circulates air, cutting down on surface dampness and soggy pajamas. It’s available in six mattress sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King.
Best Mattress Protector for Babies and Toddlers
Whether your child is in the midst of potty training or occasional wets the bed, Carter’s Waterproof Fitted Crib/Toddler Mattress Protector keeps moisture at bay. It fits all standard crib mattresses up to six inches tall, with oversized deep pockets and elastic lining. The high-quality, ultra-soft polyester will withstand hundreds of washings and won’t shrink.
One five-star Amazon reviewer writes, “I tested them beforehand under running water. I’ve since used them with my potty-training toddler. She has peed her bed dozens of times and these have held up and kept the mattress dry.”
Best Wool Mattress Protector
If you’re always cold, summer or winter, try sleeping with the St. Dormeir Wool Mattress Protector underneath you. It features quilted, high-quality virgin wool between two layers of chemical-free cotton, all woven in a jersey knit that goes around the sides.
Like other natural fibers, the wool is exceptionally breathable and washable. Yet unlike cotton and bamboo, it can keep you cool in summer and act as an insulator when the temperatures drop.
Satisfied FloBeds.com reviewer Julie W. writes, “Love it! Soft, well made and with our up and down temp here in Missouri, it is regulating my body temperature as promised!”