Best mattress protector 2024: keep your mattress clean, fresh and cosy

The best mattress protectors can 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, you don't want to risk any stains or rips to the infrastructure of your mattress and you want to make sure it lasts throughout its 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 accommodation or 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 you can chuck a mattress protector into the washing machine easily to get spills and stains out and kill dust mites, whereas cleaning a mattress is a more complex affair.

In this guide, we've gathered together a selection of the best mattress protectors for all budgets and bed sizes. You'll find waterproof mattress protectors, cooling mattress protectors, anti-allergy mattress protectors, eco-friendly mattress protectors, and more.

Best mattress protector 2024 ranking

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 works, making it a top choice if you're prone to overheating at night (head to our Nectar Mattress protector review for more info).

The Nectar Mattress protector is dust- and allergen-resistant, and washable up to a whopping 90C if you so need. It's also completely waterproof so if anyone's prone to spilling or other accidents, it can protect you in that way. Overall, this mattress protector is top of our list for very good reasons, and in fact, our only niggle is that it's not suitable for tumble drying. 

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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.

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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).

Te Simba Performance mattress protector has 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. 

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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.

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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.

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For people who tend to overheat or want something for the hotter months, the REM-Fit Tencel Cool mattress protector is pretty hard to beat with its cooling properties. It keeps you cool during summer nights by wicking moisture away from your skin, and it performs surprisingly well as our reviewer found when he used it during a rare UK heatwave.

The REM-Fit Tencel Cool mattress protector is also fully fitted, waterproof and offers protection against dust mites and allergens. It's a little let down by its noisy fabric but if it's cooling you're after, the REM-Fit Tencel Cool mattress protector is the best we've tried. See our REM-Fit Tencel Cool review for more details.

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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 kids' mattress. 

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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. 

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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. 

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Mattress Protector FAQs

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).

How we test the best mattress protectors

We test mattress protectors by sleeping on them for at least a month to get a full idea of how comfortable, supportive and effective they are. If we're lucky enough to hold on to the product, we'll continue using it once the review is live so we can update our review, with thoughts on performance and durability over a longer period of time.

During testing, we focus on the design of the mattress protector, as well as the comfort levels and performance of the mattress. We'll look at the materials, feel, and other extras like if the protector moves around while in use and if the cover can be removed and washed.

For comfort and performance, we sleep on the mattress protector in multiple different positions to see if it supports the body, and to rate how it feels against the skin and the muscles. We'll also consider how / if it traps heat, if it relieves tension or causes it, and since mattress protectors are used to protector, we'll spill a few things on it to see how protective it really is.

For more details, take a look at how we test at T3.