An Affordable Mattress Protector Can Make Your Mattress Last So Much Longer (2024)

This 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Bedding Awards recipient impressed both Textiles Lab experts and consumer testers in our evaluations. It aced our spill simulation waterproof tests; when we poured water onto the surface of the mattress protector, none of the liquid soaked through. This mattress protector was also one of the quietest that we tested, making very little noise when we crumpled the fabric.

When one tester tried the mattress protector on her own bed, she said that it "fit perfectly, was very comfortable under sheets and made no noise." The viscose material of the five-sided cover feels soft and smooth — so much so that some testers experienced their sheets slipping and lifting off of their mattresses, so you may need to adjust your bedding more often with this pick. Our testers shared that the protector didn't leave them feeling hot and sweaty at night. For easy maintenance, it can be machine washed and dried.

Starting at less than $25 for a Queen size, this mattress protector provides full encasem*nt and waterproof protection for a fraction of the cost of some other picks. Although it isn't as easy to put on as a five-sided style, the stretchy protector has some give, making it simple to slide over your mattress and zip shut. The zippered closure is covered by hook-and-loop panels for 360-degree security from bugs, allergens and messes.

According to some online reviewers, this protector sleeps hot, which is one of the most common complaints of mattress protectors. The polyester fabric isn't breathable in comparison to other materials, so you may notice some heat retention, but it is thinner than some other protectors, so it may not feel as noticeable under your sheets. If you have multiple beds to cover, the brand offers multi-packs for an even better value.

With more than 32,000 five-star reviews and an average 4.6-star rating, this affordable pick from Linenspa is one of the most popular mattress protectors on Amazon. The zipper encasem*nt protector shields all sides of your bed for ultimate security, and hook-and-loop flaps cover the zipper to create a tight seal against allergens like dust mites, pollen and even bed bugs. Thanks to a polyurethane backing, the mattress protector is waterproof to prevent spills or accidents from soaking into your bed.

When it needs a cleaning, you can simply remove the cover and machine wash and tumble dry. According to some online reviewers, the material is prone to small tears at the seams, so it's important to put the cover on your bed and adjust it with care. Also, be sure to review the brand's size chart to choose the best-fitting mattress protector for your bed. For additional protection, you can also opt for the brand's boxspring and pillow encasem*nts.

Designed similarly to a fitted sheet, this five-sided mattress protector is a breeze to set up. Both our testers and online reviewers appreciated how easy it was to pull the protector over their beds and how convenient it is to remove it for cleanup when accidents do occur. In our evaluations, the machine washable cover held up well to repeated laundering without major wear.

If you're nervous about noise, this protector is made without PVC or vinyl, so it's quieter than some other mattress protectors. Instead of a plasticky material, the upper is made with cotton terrycloth that has a soft feel (similar to a bath towel), and the back is lined with a waterproof membrane to help keep your mattress dry. Our testers said it successfully blocked spills from seeping through to their beds. Know that the sides of the mattress protector are made of a stretch material that isn't waterproof, and there's no bottom, so this protector doesn't offer complete mattress coverage.

Thanks to its full encasem*nt design and Velcro-covered zipper closure, this mattress protector from SafeRest is a great, affordable option to protect against bedbugs. Although no mattress protector can treat or completely prevent bedbugs, it can act as a layer of defense between your mattress and the pests and make things easier to manage if an infestation does happen. And according to over 12,500 five-star reviews from buyers, it really can successfully guard against bugs and dust mites.

The protector is covered in a cotton terrycloth material that's soft to the touch and absorbent to soak up spills. Plus there's a waterproof membrane backing to ensure your mattress stays dry. You can choose between four different mattress depths from 6 inches to 18 inches to fully cover a tall mattress. Some online reviewers have noted issues with the zippers either jamming in the surrounding fabric or ripping, so be sure to zip and unzip the protector carefully when you're putting it on and removing it.

Mattress protectors are notorious for trapping heat which can leave you feeling uncomfy at night. If you're a sweaty sleeper but still want the added defense of a mattress protector, consider a cooling option like this pick from SlumberCloud. The protector features Outlast technology, which stores and releases your body heat to help you maintain a comfortable temperature all night long.

The protector is made with a waterproof polyester and HDPE lining, and the outermost portion of the protector is covered with Tencel lyocell, a sustainable material made from wood pulp. We think it's super soft and smooth to the touch, and one analyst who uses this protector says it's virtually silent under her sheets. Know that it's a five-sided protector, so it's easy to apply like a fitted sheet, but it doesn't provide the same level of security as an encasem*nt. If you're worried about the higher price tag, the 60-day trial allows you to try it before deciding if it's right for you, but we think the cooling capabilities are totally worth it.

Avocado's bedding continues to perform well in our Lab and consumer tests. The protector is made with two layers of soft GOTS-certified organic cotton surrounding an extra-thin polyurethane film for waterproof protection against spills. Online reviewers say the super soft cover is much quieter than other mattress protectors they've tried and that it's undetectable under their sheets.

Avocado designed the mattress protector with an oversized fit knowing that cotton is susceptible to shrinkage in the wash, so the brand recommends laundering it several times before use to achieve a more secure fit. You have 100 days to try the protector before committing, so you have plenty of time to decide if it's the right one for your bed. A deep pocket version is available for taller mattresses as well.

In order for your mattress protector to actually work, it needs to properly fit your bed. This protector from SureGuard comes in four depths for different mattress heights and eight sizes. We think it's the ideal pick to cover everything from the thinnest Twin XL dorm mattresses to the thickest California King beds.

The encasem*nt protector stretches over all sides of your mattress and features a thin zipper with Velcro tabs for ultimate security. The cotton terrycloth cover is "nice and quiet" and "cozy and soft," according to online reviewers, and it has a waterproof backing to guard against accidents. Know that some reviewers have shared that the protector isn't fully waterproof against large amounts of fluids but that it is helpful to stop smaller spills from seeping into the mattress below.

Many mattresses make noise that can be especially annoying to light sleepers or people who toss and turn at night, but this one from Turmerry barely makes a sound. When we evaluated the protector in our Textiles Lab and crinkled the material, we were blown away by just how quiet it was. Plus, we didn't notice any major off-gassing or chemical odors like with some of the other mattress protectors we tested.

The five-sided protector is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton jersey material that's soft, breathable and has a waterproof backing to stop messes from making their way to your mattress. The waterproof backing doesn't extend down the sides of the mattress, and there's no bottom to the protector, so your mattress is still susceptible to some bigger accidents. Available from Crib to Split California King, it also comes in a great variety of size options to fit nearly every bed.

✔️ Waterproof abilities: To ensure the mattress protectors hold up to any waterproof claims, we conducted spill test simulations in our Lab. We lined a tray with absorbent blotting paper, weighed the tray for later comparison, then covered the tray with a mattress protector. Next, we poured a set amount of distilled water onto the material (pictured here). After waiting a set amount of time, we removed the mattress protector and weighed the tray again to determine how much water soaked through the mattress protector and into the blotting paper below. The greater the difference in weight, the less waterproof the mattress protector proved to be.

✔️ Washability: We also put each mattress protector through repeated wash testing to determine how well the protectors withstood regular laundering, noting any shrinkage or major changes in appearance.

✔️ Noise level: Some mattress protectors are made with materials, coatings or backings that create noticeable noise when rustled, which can be disruptive. To determine the noise level, we crinkled the material of each mattress protector and rated the sound produced.

✔️ Consumer tests: Our consumer testers try out the mattress protectors on their own beds, providing us with feedback about the ease of assembly and mattress fit, overall comfort, their ratings for noise level and more.

When shopping for a new mattress protector for your bed, consider:

✔️ Material: Mattress protectors can be made with either natural or synthetic materials or a combination of both. Each material possesses different properties that impact overall performance and comfort:

• Polyurethane: This material gives most waterproof mattress protectors their waterproof abilities. The plastic material acts as a moisture barrier, which is great for spills and messes, but it can be uncomfortable and noisy on its own.
• Cotton: You'll often find cotton protectors with waterproof linings to add a layer of protection while still remaining comfortable to sleep on. It’s a great option for someone who wants a softer, more natural feel on their bed.
• Tencel: Tencel is a silky smooth fiber that can feel cool to the touch and is commonly used for cooling mattress protectors. It's a solid choice for hot sleepers.
• Terrycloth: More absorbent than plain weaves and knits, terrycloth is a fabric that's constructed with extra loops of yarn that can soak up moisture and spills. Terrycloth is typically made with cotton fiber but can also be synthetic.

✔️ Coverage: Consider the level of protection you want to achieve by using a mattress protector. The two most common styles are:

• Five-sided protectors: These protectors stretch over your mattress as a fitted sheet would. This style does not cover the mattress in its entirety, so it doesn't provide total security for your bed and can't protect against bed bugs. However, it is easier to take on and off, so it's a great pick for easy cleanup from incontinence or frequent spills.
• Encasem*nt protectors: Complete with a bottom panel, encasem*nt protectors cover the entire mattress and typically feature a zipper closure to keep them securely fitted. They provide greater protection than five-sided models and can help guard against bed bugs, but they're more difficult to remove during accidents for cleaning.

Want both easy cleanup and maximum protection? Consider using both styles of mattress protectors on your bed. Layer an encasem*nt protector over your mattress, and add a five-sided protector on top.

✔️ Care: A mattress protector should be relatively easy to care for since it's facing the brunt of the messes and accidents on your bed. Look for a mattress protector that can be machine washed and dried for simple maintenance. Always be sure to review the brand's care instructions, typically located in the product description online or on the care label, before cleaning your mattress protector.

Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst and has been at Good Housekeeping for over four years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for bedding including electric blankets, pillows, cooling bedding and more. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience and a strong background in textiles and product construction. Emma conducted waterproof mattress protector testing and used her relative expertise when making picks for the best mattress protectors.

Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She worked with Emma to conduct waterproof mattress protector testing and recently carried out additional mattress protector testing for Good Housekeeping's 2023 Bedding Awards program. For this article, Amanda analyzed her test data and researched popular protectors from top-performing brands.