The best mattress protectors of 2023 are the perfect way to help you sleep more soundly and comfortably. Mattress protectors are designed to safeguard your mattress against dirt and spills, and to keep your mattress clean, fresh and stain-free for longer (vital if you've invested in one of today's best mattresses).
There are many benefits to having a mattress protector over your mattress. Firstly, if you've got a quality mattress, you don't want to risk any stains or rips to the infrastructure and you want to make sure it lasts throughout its recommended lifespan. Secondly, if you have an old mattress but don't have the funds for a new one, a mattress protector can improve your comfort levels until you can replace it.
Looking at more basic reasons for having a mattress protector, it's a good idea if you're sleeping on a mattress you don't own, for example, if you're in rented furnished accommodation or you're at college or university. After all, you never know what that mattress has been though (and it'll keep it clear of any spills you might have during your time using it, too). Another key point for mattress protectors is that you can chuck a mattress protector into the washing machine easily to get spills and stains out and kill dust mites and the like, whereas cleaning a mattress is an altogether more complex and less effective affair.
In this guide, we've gathered together a selection of the best mattress protectors for all budgets and bed sizes, in one handy place. You'll find waterproof mattress protectors, cooling mattress protectors, anti-allergy mattress protectors, eco-friendly mattress protectors, and more.
Best mattress protector UK 2023 ranking
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We think for all-found performance, the best mattress protector around is the Nectar Mattress Protector. It is made from Tencel – a material extracted from natural wood cellulose and manufactured into a very soft and ultra breathable fabric. It also boasts temperature-regulating properties that we think actually work, making it a top choice if you're prone to overheating at night (head to our Nectar Mattress protector review for more info). It's dust- and allergen-resistant, and washable up to a whopping 90C if you so need. It's also completely waterproof. In fact, our only niggle is that it's not suitable for tumble drying.
The Tempur Fit Mattress Protector is an ultra-thin, breathable, cotton mattress protector that uses a smart polyurethane membrane in conjunction with a breathable, absorbent Tencel surface layer to keep things dry, comfortable and undamaged. Ideal for use with a Tempur memory foam mattress – but suitable for any single, double, king or king size mattress with a depth of 21-27cm – it has an easy stretch design and deep sides to cover all eventualities. It's a good choice if you've shelled out for a top-quality memory foam mattress and want to full feel the top surface of that through your mattress protector.
Feeling lazy? You can choose to sleep on it directly – like a sheet – or underneath your favourite bed sheets, as usual. It can also be machine washed at up to 60C (which is hot enough to kill off and allergens or mites) and tumble dried, too. A three-year guarantee gives you long-term peace of mind. We think that for the money, this is the best mattress protector right now. Head to our Tempur-Fit Mattress Protector review for more info.
If you're looking for a mattress protector with a little extra luxury, the Simba Performance mattress protector has a 200 thread count cotton, quilted top that's super-soft to touch. It's functional too – the headline feature is so-called Bi-Ome technology that 'specifically attracts microorganisms' and eliminates them on contact. You're relying on that working because it's only washable to 40C, which isn't hot enough to reliably kill off dust mites and other allergens (for that you need 54.4C). There's also a Polypropylene layer to protect your mattress from liquids, although note this one's not waterproof. Our reviewer found it cosy, comfy and good quality, but noted that the thicker design might not be the best choice if you sleep hot – head to our full Simba Performance mattress protector review for more info.
Created from a blend of bamboo rayon and cotton, the Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector is a durable, breathable mattress protector. It's hypoallergenic, naturally antibacterial, and tested and certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100, meaning it’s resistant to mould, fungi, mildew and dust mites. It draws out moisture too, so as well as being a great choice for the more eco-minded – bamboo rayon takes a third less water to produce than cotton – it’s also good for people who overheat at night. The waterproof layer is thin and light and, more importantly we feel, doesn’t produce a nasty crinkling sound when you lie on it.
We're big fans of Panda's bedding – find out more in our Panda memory foam bamboo pillow review and Panda Cloud duvet review.
Brook + Wilde specialises in luxurious mattresses (head to our Brook + Wilde Elite mattress review for a taster), and its has a couple of mattress protectors that offer equally high quality. There are currently two in the range – our pick is the Chelsea, which is the more sustainable option, with 50% recycled polyester stuffing, although the slightly pricier Kensington also looks excellent. A cotton percale skirt keeps everything in place securely, and while depth isn't specified, it'll fit a deep mattress no problem (this brand is a fan of the luxuriously chunky mattress style, so it makes sense). The design is simple but good quality, with a lightly cushioned top.
If you regularly find yourself getting too hot or too cold at night, this could be the best mattress protector for you. The Eve Temperature Balancing mattress protector is made with Outlast, a technical fabric that contains tiny microcapsules of paraffin wax, which absorb and release excess body heat. That means, theoretically, it can warm you up when you're cold and cool you down when you're hot. It stays in place well, is thin and flexible enough not to interfere with the feel of your mattress' sleep surface, and is deep enough to accommodate even the chunkiest mattress with ease.
In our Eve Temperature Balancing mattress protector review, we found the heating and cooling effects minimal, but some others have reported it works better for them, so it could be worth a try if you don't want to go the whole hog and invest in an electric blanket.
Note: Since October 2022, Eve Sleep has gone into administration, so mattresses and other sleep products from Eve will no longer be available in the near future. However, third party retailers like Amazon may still have Eve mattresses for sale, so it's best to look there for any Eve mattress deals.
This quilted mattress protector feels luxuriously smooth and silky to the touch, so the low price came as quite a surprise to us. The Fogarty Soft Touch Mattress Protector is lovely in use too: embossed with a microfibre cover, it's filled with hollowfibre for added comfort and has elasticated corners for easy fitting. It's also machine washable, suitable for mattresses up to 30cm deep, and a deeper 35cm option is also available. Overall, then, although this isn't the highest quality mattress protector on our list, particularly in terms of the materials used, it's certainly a great option if you're counting the pennies.
This oh-so-soft mattress protector for crib mattresses is made from a breathable, extra absorbent cotton, creating a sleeping environment for your child that’s both dry and comforting. This cover is not fitted, but lies flat, so the sides of the mattress can breathe. Meanwhile, an Oeko-Tex Class 1 (Baby) waterproof membrane helps protects against accidents and protect against dust mites. The Little Green Sheep Organic Waterproof Crib Mattress Protector is also machine-washable, tumble dryer-safe and best of all, light on noisy crinkling, however much your little one tosses and turns. And as the mattress is flat, not fitted, it is suitable for not only most cribs, but also play mats and changing mats.
Not kitted out with a mattress yet? Head to our guide to the best cotbed mattress.
The neat parallel-line quilting of the Sealy Balance mattress protector ensures the filling of smooth, silk-like springy Serica fibre stays evenly distributed inside. This gives you a balanced, relaxed and comfortable night, while at the same time protecting your mattress from minor spills. The elastic straps aren’t the most robust we encountered, which might not make it the best choice for extra deep mattresses. But they did keep the protector in place even for the most restless of sleepers.
The Emma Original is one of our very favourite mattresses, and this brand's mattress protector impresses too. It features a 100% waterproof EmmaGuard layer that protects your mattress from spills, crumbs and anything else that might mess up your bed, and it's made with an AllergyShield technology that's clinically proven to protect you from dust mites and pet hair allergens. Best of all it's thoroughly breathable and crinkle-free. Hunting for a bargain? Check out the best Emma mattress discount codes and deals live now.
Best mattress protector US
Another mattress protector from the pricier end of the market, this one from Purple has a stack of positive reviews suggesting that it's well worth the extra expense. Its headline feature is its dual-layer spill protection that not only prevents spills from soaking through into your mattress, but also dissipates them so they don't create a puddle if you're exceptionally clumsy with your bedside glass of water.
As well as protecting your mattress from whatever you care to throw at it, the Purple mattress protector is also stain-resistant and machine-washable, making it nice and easy to keep clean. It's pricey, though, so check out the best current Purple promo codes and coupons before hitting buy.
Tuft & Needle has designed its mattress protector to complement all the best things about its own mattresses, giving it an ultra-soft cover that dissipates heat so you don't get too warm in the night, and supplementing that with a layer of polyurethane film that'll completely protect your mattress from spillages.
To keep things nice and quiet, it features a luxe bottom layer that's completely crinkle-free, and the whole thing's made in a fitted sheet style that'll fit snugly onto any mattress up to 14 inches deep. It can be machine washed in cold water, and dried either on a line or in a tumble dryer with no heat.
Casper has two mattress protectors in its range, and our pick is the 'Breathable Mattress Protector'. This one has a spacer knit design that's meant to promote airflow, as well as being machine-washable and sporting a fluorine-free, water-resistant finish to protect against spills. The stretchy, thin fabric should fit any mattress up to 16-inches deep, and is designed to hug the mattress closely so you don't notice it's there, meaning it won't impede the feeling of your plush memory foam, for example.
If you need something hardier, you'll want to go for Casper's other option: the Casper Waterproof Mattress Protector. The brand says this is "everything-proof", as well as being designed to be crinkle-free, so you don't feel like you're laid on a waterproof layer.
Like many of the protectors featured here, this mattress protector from Leesa ticks most of the boxes: it's water-resistant with five-sided moisture protection, and it features an anti-microbial treatment to help keep things clean and fresh. Depending on the size you choose it'll fit any mattress up to 17.5 inches thick (smaller options don't go quite so deep, and it's easy to look after; just throw it in the washer and dryer on a hot setting. One thing to bear in mind is that Leesa recommends giving its mattress protector a wash before you use it, which it says will help reduce any noise. The last thing you want is to be kept up all night by a crinkly mattress protector, right?
What does a mattress protector do?
The job of a mattress protector can broadly be split into three categories. The primary purpose of a mattress protector is to shield against stains, spills and other damage, helping to prolong your mattress' life. Some are waterproof, and others are water-resistant, for this reason.
The second function is hygiene. Adding a removable top layer (if you mattress doesn't already have one) that can be machine-washed to get it thoroughly clean and kill off mites and other allergens, is always a good idea. Most have hypoallergenic properties built in, too.
Thirdly, some mattress protectors are quilted, to add a little extra cushioning to your mattress (although if you're looking for something to change the feel of your sleep surface, consult our guide to the best mattress toppers instead).
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