Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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.
Learn more about our product testing
Purple's mattress protector is a lightweight option that managed to prevent liquid from seeping through, despite being only "water-resistant." Read More
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
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
The Coop Home Goods Ultra Lux mattress protector provided good protection—but didn't fit securely on the bed. Read More
The Allerease mattress protector is a decent option, though it tends to shift under the sheets which could prove bothersome. Read More
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 a kid's bed-wetting. They protect your mattress from spills, wear and tear, and dust mites.
The best mattress deserves a top-notch mattress protector. In our testing, the winner is the Purple Mattress protector (available at Purple) , a light and thin water-resistant protector that nevertheless kept the mattress dry and has protective fabric all the way around for full protection to mattress sides.
The Tuft & Needle mattress protector provides water protection to every exposed surface of the bed—even the sides.
Waterproof
Cushioned surface
Sleeps warm
Difficult to put on and take off
Luxe feel
Prevents liquid from penetrating to mattress
Poor fit
Can be washed with other bedding
Poor fit
Rustles at night
Wrinkles under sheets
Absorbs liquid well
Low quality
Terry is uncomfortable under sheets
Poor fit
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.
Mattress protectors will help prolong the lifespan of your bed.
Waterproof and water resistance are not the same thing. When 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 seep into 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 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-resistant properties only on the top, while others have additional protection around the four sides of the mattress. This is 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 a giant fabric (or plastic) bag for your bed, as no part 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.
When washing a mattress protector, most recommend using cold water and tumble dry low. If you’re using it to protect against urine from bed wetting, you may be tempted to wash it 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 longterm. Some mattress covers we tested come with a 10-year warranty, but not following care instructions could void that protection.
One of the tests we used to assess mattress protectors included staining them with pomegranate juice.
We sleep on each protector for one to two nights and then assess any differences in our sleep comfort, increases in heat from the mattress protector, noise or fabric from moving, whether we can feel the mattress cover texture, and the overall experience.
Our lab team in Cambridge, Massachusetts, takes these for additional testing, subjecting them to a stain test with pomegranate juice and a sweat-like solution to ensure they won't stain or yellow.
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.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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