Buying guide for best mattress protectors
You wouldn't go to bed without sheets and a pillow, but what about a mattress protector? It might not seem like a bedding essential, but a mattress protector is useful in a wide range of situations, from keeping your child's mattress clean when accidents happen to avoiding day-to-day wear and tear.
The tough part is finding the right mattress protector to fit your needs and your bed. You'll find a variety of different types on the market, and not all of them are suitable for all uses, nor are they all created equal.
If you want to find out more about mattress protectors, you've come to the right place. We at BestReviews have created this thorough shopping guide to help you make your purchase. Read on to learn more.
Why use a mattress protector?
Before shelling out for a mattress protector, you might be wondering if you really need one. Here are some of the most common reasons why people use mattress protectors.
Stains: Mattress protectors help you avoid getting stains on your mattress.
Liquids: If you choose a waterproof mattress protector, it will stave off liquid spills, sweat, or nighttime incontinence.
Comfort: Padded mattress protectors provide some added comfort and can rejuvenate an old, uncomfortable mattress.
Damage: Even basic mattress protectors will protect against general wear and tear from day to day use.
- Warranty: If your mattress is torn or stained, the warranty may be void, so using a mattress protector could help you get your money back if anything goes wrong with your mattress.
Did you know?
You can find mattress protectors that are designed to keep bed bugs at bay.
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Types of mattress protectors
Basic
Basic mattress protectors are essentially like fitted bed sheets with an extra layer or two of material stitched onto the top to help prevent stains and wear.
Pros: These tend to be lightweight, so they won't add bulk to your mattress or make it feel warmer to sleep on. These are also more affordable options.
Cons: Basic mattress protectors aren't waterproof, so one won't keep your mattress dry in the event of spilled drinks or bed-wetting.
Waterproof
As the name suggests, waterproof mattress protectors guard against liquids. These products have a waterproof layer underneath a soft fabric layer to keep your mattress dry.
Pros: These are ideal for children who wet the bed or anyone who suffers from nighttime incontinence, protecting against liquids and general stains.
Cons: The waterproof layer can make these mattress protectors feel and sound crinkly when you move.
Padded
If you want mattress protection and some extra comfort, padded mattress protectors are the way to go. These are made of polyester hollow fiber, down, or memory foam.
Pros: These act as both mattress toppers and mattress protectors and can help you get a more comfortable night's sleep if your mattress isn't quite up to par.
Cons: Padded mattress protectors can make you feel warmer at night, which isn't ideal for summer use. Down-filled padded mattress protectors can exacerbate allergies and asthma.
Anti-allergy
Anti-allergy mattress protectors usually fully encase the mattress and are designed to keep dust, pet dander, and other allergens out of your mattress.
Pros: These are ideal for people who suffer from hay fever, pet allergies, or dust allergies. Since they keep these allergens getting into your mattress, you won't be sleeping on a hotbed of allergens.
- Cons: The fully encased design can be awkward to put on your mattress.
"You can find mattress protectors with cooling properties, which could help you get a good night's sleep if you prefer a colder sleeping environment."
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Mattress protector features to consider
Size
It might seem obvious, but you need to make sure you buy the right size mattress protector to fit your mattress. If you're not 100% sure what size your mattress is, you'll need to measure it.
Material
You can find mattress protectors made of a variety of materials. Here are some of the most common.
Cotton: Naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and soft, cotton is an excellent option for mattress protectors, but it can be expensive.
Polyester: A choice that won't hurt your wallet, polyester might not be the most cool or luxurious material, but it's durable and easy to care for.
Cotton/polyester blend: You'll often find mattress protectors made from a blend of cotton and polyester. These are more affordable than pure cotton and retain some of cotton’s good features.
Bamboo: Another natural and breathable option, bamboo is an ideal material for mattress protectors because it wicks away moisture and helps stop odor-causing bacteria from growing. Bamboo grows quickly, so It's also a very sustainable material. The only drawback is its high cost.
Fit
The majority of mattress protectors fit much like fitted bottom sheets, slipping over the top of your mattress, with elastic corners to hold them in place. However, some mattress protectors fully enclose all six sides of your mattress – top, bottom, and all four vertical sides. Fully enclosed mattress protectors usually have a zipper so you can completely seal the mattress inside. While These mattress protectors are more difficult to fit, they do keep allergens and/or bed bugs from getting into your mattress.
Comfort
Some mattress protectors are more comfortable than others. Most are simply designed to protect your mattress, and you wouldn't notice they were there if you hadn't made the bed yourself. Others are padded and made with comfort in mind. Memory foam mattress protectors are arguably the most comfortable, but these can be warm to sleep on. Those filled with down or polyester hollow fiber offer some extra comfort – a bit like sleeping on top of a thick comforter – but don't make a huge amount of difference.
Mattress protector prices
Mattress protectors vary in price. You can expect to pay between $10 and $100, depending on a range of factors, including size, material, and type. A basic twin mattress protector costs as little as $10 to $15, while a high-end padded or fully enclosed king-size option can cost as much as $100.
Tips
Look for a mattress protector that's easy to wash. Most mattress protectors should be machine washable, so you can simply throw them in the wash with your sheets. However, this isn't always the case, so be sure to double-check.
Check if your chosen mattress protector comes with a warranty. Some reputable brands offer as much as a ten-year warranty, which gives you some peace of mind when purchasing.
Think about the breathability of your chosen mattress protector. If your mattress protector isn't breathable, it can trap heat and make you feel too warm at night. This might not be much of an issue in winter, but it can be uncomfortable in the warmer months.
- Make sure your chosen mattress protector dries quickly. If a damp mattress protector takes a long time to dry after it gets damp, it can get uncomfortable if you sweat in the night.
Tips
Q. Will I feel hotter at night if I use a mattress protector?
A. Some mattress protectors will make you "sleep hotter," which is an issue if you prefer to be cooler when you sleep or you live in a warm climate. Padded mattress protectors will generally make you feel warmer at night, as will those made from synthetic materials.
Q. Are waterproof mattress protectors uncomfortable to sleep on?
A. Waterproof mattress protectors usually feature a layer of polyurethane or vinyl to keep moisture from seeping through. Sometimes this waterproof layer can rustle and feel a bit stiff. However, the best waterproof mattress protectors don't have a stiff or crinkly feel and are completely noiseless when you move around. Look for these features if you want to make sure you'll be comfortable sleeping on a waterproof mattress protector.
Q. I have a very deep mattress. Will a mattress protector fit it properly?
A. Some mattresses are deeper than others. If yours is deeper than average, you could find it hard to find a mattress protector that fits properly. Those that go on your mattress like a fitted sheet won't reach to the bottom of the mattress and may pop off the corners. Fully enclosed options might not be large enough to zip around your mattress. However, all is not lost. You can find extra-deep mattress protectors, which will resolve this issue.
