Updated Sep. 24, 2024
The right mattress protector can extend the life of your mattress by creating a barrier against moisture, dirt and stains. Our product testing team found the best protectors for various bedding needs.
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As the name suggests, mattress protectors provide a shield against liquid, dust, dirt, stains, sweat and allergens so that they don’t make their way through to your mattress.
The best mattress protector can add years to the life of your mattress, but with so many to choose from online, how do you know which mattress protector to buy? Our product testing team set out to answer that question. They tested more than a dozen of the best mattress protectors on the market in the Family Handyman testing lab. Their findings led to the list below.
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“This mattress protector is quiet, attractive and sustainably made. Once I saw the price and the risk-free trial, I knew this had to be our top pick,” says Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley.
Our product testing team also awarded the SIJO mattress protector high marks for its waterproofing abilities and lightweight, breathable material and feel. Made from Tencel Lyocell, like many of our best cooling bed sheets, the SIJO mattress protector also has cooling and moisture-wicking capabilities. It’s cooling, breathable, and eco-friendly, with Oeko-Tex and FSC certifications.
Our best overall mattress protector passed our leak, wash and noise tests with flying colors, too. It’s completely waterproof, quiet to move around on and holds up well in the washer and dryer. Our only complaint is that there’s no warranty included. While there is a free trial period, it’s only 7 days. So, if you decide this is the mattress protector for you, you may be stuck with it for better or worse (but we think for better!).
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“The design of this Tempur-Pedic protector stands out because its waterproof, cooling fabric reaches partway down the sides of the mattress, offering more coverage,” Higley says. “Such a smart yet simple addition that makes all the difference!”
The TEMPUR-Protect is made of polyester fabric backed with a thin, waterproof polyurethane laminate and provides a cooling effect for hot sleepers. It fits mattresses up to 16 inches tall. Our product testing team tested it on 10-,12- and 14-inch mattresses to determine the best fit. They found the mattress protector fit the 12-inch mattress best. On the 12-inch mattress, the elasticized edge of the protector reached the base of the mattress. The top fabric (the cooling, water-resistant portion) extended over the sides of the mattress.
The Tempur-Pedic mattress protector passed the noise and leak tests during our product testing lab trials. It barely made noise due to the sticky, foam-like reverse side of the top fabric, and it kept liquid from soaking through to the mattress. Only a small amount of water bled through to the mattress topper when water was poured onto the protector and sat for four hours.
When it came to washing the mattress protector, our testers washed it on a cool cycle and tumble-dried it on low. After washing, all stains were removed, but our product testers noticed some very slight shrinkage and pilling. However, Tempur-Pedic offers a 10-year limited warranty on the protector, and if you’re looking for one that provides full-coverage protection on your 10-12-inch mattress, it’s a top contender.
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“The waterproof and quick-to-dry nature of this mattress protector makes it a perfect fit for small mattresses that might sustain more accidents,” says Higley. When pouring water onto the face of the mattress protector, our product testers found that it soaked into the terry fabric, and none of the water made its way through to the other side of the mattress protector, even after letting the water sit for four hours.
If you’re looking for a mattress protector to guard against kid messes, spills and stains, the SafeRest mattress protector will keep them from soaking into the mattress. Our testers washed and dried it and found that most stains were removed during the process.
“This mattress protector seems very one-size-fits-all. Even on shallower mattresses, there’s not very much visible bunching of excess fabric,” Higley says. “That means it will fit and look nice under sheets.” A 10-year warranty backs the SafeRest Mattress Protector, and it fits every size mattress from crib to California king.
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The Sealy Flex is a solid, affordable option if you’re looking for a waterproof mattress protector for adult-size mattresses. It’s also the most attractive of all the mattress protectors our product team tried, and it has cooling effects.
Upon adding water, our team found that the water pooled slightly and then began to soak into the protector. After 4 hours, the water spot was very dry, and the stain was barely noticeable. The water didn’t make its way through, either. “During our leak test, not only did water not soak through the Sealy mattress protector, but the water spot was also fully dry,” says Higley. “We viewed this absorption and quickness to dry as good for comfort and hygiene reasons.”
The Sealy mattress protector washed and dried well, too. Our team washed it on a cold cycle and tumbled low. After washing, there were no stains left—just one minor snag.
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The Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector is made of breathable, 100% organic cotton that wicks away nighttime sweat. It’s also an eco-conscious option that safeguards your mattress against mishaps.
The diamond-quilted pad has extra-wide elastic bands to hold it firmly. “The grips on the elastic portion make it a little bit harder to put onto the mattress, but once the protector is applied to the mattress, you’ll be better off with the grips,” says Higley.
While the Saatva mattress protector is pricier than some other options on this list, our product reviewers say it’s worth the extra dollars. “People spend big bucks for luxurious bedding like sheets and blankets, and Saatva offers a similarly luxurious product—but in the mattress protector space,” says Higley. “It’s quality you can feel and see as soon as you open the box.”
The Saatva mattress protector passed our leak and wash test with flying colors—although it did take a while to dry completely. Plus, you can sleep even more soundly knowing this American-made Saatva protector is made responsibly—it’s Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fair Trade child labor free certified.
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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 Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector includes a superconductive material that draws heat out and away from your body for a more restful, comfortable sleep.
“Brooklyn Bedding claims that the fabric of this protector feels cool to the touch, which easily could’ve just been a gimmick. I’m pleased to report that it is not,” Higley says. “Simply running your hands over this protector indicates just how cool this product would keep its users throughout the night.”
According to our tests, the protector didn’t shrink, and most stains were removed upon washing. However, due to the material’s true cooling nature, it can be difficult to tell when the protector is fully dry. The material is also hypoallergenic and protects against bacteria, bed bugs and dust mites.
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“Mattress protectors can get even pricier than you might expect, so if you’re looking for one that won’t break the bank, this PlushDeluxe one is a solid option,” says Higley. “Of the handful of mattress protectors that we tested under $50, this one markedly outperformed its competitors.”
Our product testers agree that the PlushDeluxe was one of the softest mattress protectors they tested. Its ultra-soft bamboo material is waterproof and easy to clean. Plus, the mattress protector comes with a 10-year warranty. Testing this product in the studio revealed that while the protector fits on most mattresses, it’s best suited for 14-inch mattresses. Most mattress protectors we tested fit a 12-inch mattress best. So, this is one to consider if you’re looking for a protector to fit a longer mattress.
Our testers noticed slight shrinkage after washing and drying this protector, and there were some subtle crinkling sounds when laying on the protector. However, the right sheets should help diffuse some of that noise. If you’re looking for a budget pick, this one is hard to beat.
To find the best mattress protectors, our product testing team, spearheaded by expert Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley, trialed more than a dozen. They performed more than five different tests on each product and spent 40 hours researching, sourcing and testing each product. In total, they collected nearly 375 data points.
They used a queen-size Teoanns 10-Inch Memory Foam Mattress in a Box, a 2-inch LinenSpa Memory Foam Mattress Topper and a Utopia fitted sheet to conduct their tests. They also stained, washed and dried each mattress protector. They also used each protector to determine things like comfortability and noise produced with movement. They even plan to take their testing further with long-term testing.
Our team of testers put each mattress protector on this list onto a standard mattress with a two-inch pad and a four-inch pad, then evaluated how well it fit and how easily it was to put on. They carefully noted whether the protective portion covered the mattress’s entire top or whether it was loose and bunchy.
After placing each mattress protector, our team applied a fitted sheet and rolled across the surface of the mattress to evaluate the noise that each protector produced. Next, they placed a layer of paper towels underneath each mattress protector, poured blue-dyed water onto the protector, topped it with a five-pound weight, and let it sit for four hours to see if any water soaked through to the paper towels. Lastly, our product testers cold-washed and tumble-dried the mattress protectors to assess them for lingering dye, pilling and shrinkage.
It depends on what you’re looking for in a mattress protector. We recommend bamboo or eucalyptus if you want one that’s cooling and moisture-wicking. Pure cotton, however, may be more breathable. For convenience, we recommend getting a mattress protector with machine-washable fabric.
They can be! Premium materials often come at a higher cost. Also, cheap mattress protectors might not be as waterproof or stain-resistant as expensive ones. Cheaper materials and plastics typically also trap more heat than premium protectors made of bamboo, eucalyptus and high-quality cotton.
Absolutely. A waterproof mattress protector can help extend your mattress’s life while protecting it from stains, spills and liquids.
Originally Published: January 06, 2022
