The best mattress protectors you can buy

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The best mattress protectors you can buy
  • You probably spent hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars on your mattress, so you should protect it from damage.
  • The Bear mattress protector is our top pick because it is effective, relatively affordable, and well made.
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You've searched heaven and Earth for the perfect mattress. Scoured websites, made trips to mattress store after mattress store (seriously, why is there one on every block?), and of course, you checked out our guide to the best mattresses for a good night's rest. Now that you've finally found the perfect bed upon which to rest your pretty head, you're going to want to keep it for as long as humanly possible. A great mattress protector can help protect your investment from spills, bed wetting, sweat stains, and other hazards.

Mattress protectors are often written off as more of a thing that's nice to have than an absolute necessity. However, using a mattress protector is a good way to keep your mattress in prime condition. Whether you're a hot sleeper capable of sweating right through the sheets, have a little one who is prone to bedtime accidents, or are simply safeguarding your mattress from the possibility of creepy, crawly visitors, a mattress protector is key.

You'll want to be sure to buy a cover that doesn't allow liquid to seep through and keeps dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens away. It's also a good idea to get a mattress protector that's breathable. After all, if you end up with a stuffy cover, it won't matter how high-tech and well-ventilated your actual mattress is. A mattress protector should be protective, but also allow air to come in and out for a more comfortable night's sleep.

You'll certainly want a mattress protector that is easily cleaned, too. If accidents do happen, a mattress protector that you can't wash (or is a pain to wash) effectively defeats its own purpose. You want to ensure that you're always sleeping on something clean, so unless you plan on replacing your mattress protector every year or so, be sure that you get one that is easy to maintain.

Finally, be sure to find a mattress protector that isn't difficult to sleep on. There are plenty of bad mattress protectors that tend to move around as you toss and turn, or worse yet, are noisy and frequently sound crinkly. We've researched and tested several mattress protectors to bring you our top picks.

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Here are the best mattress protectors:

Updated on 10/21/19 by Caitlin Petreycik. Updated prices, links, and formatting.

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The best mattress protector overall

The best mattress protector overall
The Bear mattress protector not only protects your mattress but also ensures that you have a restful night's sleep with its temperature adjusting capabilities.

The Bear mattress is designed for athletes in need of restful recovery, so it comes as little surprise that the company's mattress protector was made to the same standards. Not only does this protector keep your mattress safe from bacteria, dust, allergens, and liquids, but it also features eiQ Adaptive Technology, which claims to transport moisture and heat away from your body, resulting in a cooler sleep.

While I'm always a touch skeptical of claims involving any heat-wicking properties, I'm happy to report that the Bear protector actually lived up to its claims. The protector itself is quite cool to the touch, and while I often wake up uncomfortably warm in the middle of the night, that was not the case when I slept with the Bear mattress protector.

The mattress protector is also made of a so-called dynamic fabric, which can respond to changes in the room's temperature, thereby helping to maintain a cool and dry climate that is ideal for sleep. Most importantly, the protector features a waterproof layer that will guard against spills and other accidents.

When I poured about half a cup of water atop the Bear protector, I found that none of the liquid was able to seep through to the underlying mattress and that the protector itself dried quite quickly. The folks at Sleepopolis saw the same thing in their tests: "No matter the spill, I am confident that this protector would prevent any 'accidents' from ever reaching the surface of your mattress."

While the Bear protector is capable of fitting mattresses up to 20 inches thick, it works just as well with thinner mattresses, according to a review from Mattress Clarity.

Pros: Sleeps very cool, waterproof layer works well, fits most mattresses

Cons: You may be able to feel the hexagonal pattern of the protector under your sheets

The best mattress protector with padding

The best mattress protector with padding
The Casper mattress protector offers a snug fit that won't rustle and it has extra padding so it's comfortable to sleep on.

The Casper Mattress Protector does more than just protect your mattress — It provides some additional padding and comfort as well. The quilted material of the protector allows it to double as a mattress pad, so if you're looking for a two-for-one solution, this is it.

The protector itself is made from waterproof materials that might otherwise be found in premium outdoor gear, and as such, protects against dirt and spills, as well as your normal wear and tear. The Casper protector has a series of small pores that are tiny enough to keep out any leakage or spills but are still large enough to let in air. While these little pores may not seem like enough to keep your mattress safe and sound, they're surprisingly effective.

The folks over at Mattress Clarity put the protector to the test by pouring 10 ounces of water onto a Casper protected mattress, and let it sit for "a couple of hours." True to its word, the Casper mattress protector did not allow any moisture or dampness through to the mattress itself, passing the test with flying colors

While I didn't pour any water onto my mattress protector, I can say that I'm very taken by the luxurious feel of the quilted protector, and also had a very easy time taking the protector on and off my queen-sized mattress. Moreover, the protector fit snugly, which meant I wasn't faced with the challenge of constant readjustments, and it didn't make tons of noise every time I laid down to go to sleep.

The mattress protector also comes with a 1-year warranty, so should anything go horribly wrong, you can rest easy knowing that you (and your mattress) are covered.

Pros: Lovely plush feel, great fit, passes the water test

Cons: Casper does not offer a full encasement protector

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The best mattress protector for the budget-conscious

The best mattress protector for the budget-conscious
The Tuft and Needle mattress protector offers an essentially unbeatable price point and good protection.

The mattress protector from Tuft and Needle is actually made of the same material as the brand's mattress cover. Not only is it comfortable to sleep on, the Tuft and Needle protector also gets the job done. The protector boasts a polyurethane film that is liquid-proof, and it also protects against dust, bacteria, and other allergens. The rest of the protector is made from a smooth, quiet, and luxurious-feeling fabric.

Then, that protective film is covered with the polyester blend Tuft and Needle uses in its mattress pad. Basically, it'll feel like you're sleeping on nothing but a naked mattress, but with all the added benefit of a protector.

Tuft and Needle demonstrate the waterproofing abilities of the protector on its website, and I can vouch for the validity of the demonstration. While I certainly don't plan on spilling anything on my bed anytime soon, it's certainly a relief to know that even if I did, this protector would prevent any leakage.

Thanks to the protector's soft lining, it doesn't make any noise when you move around on your bed. It's also surprisingly breathable. Best of all, the protector is extremely easy to care for and take on and off. It's designed as a fitted sheet, so putting the protector on is as easy as making your bed. In case an accident does happen, washing and drying the protector is a breeze, too.

Honest Mattress Reviews notes that the protector effectively eliminates bed bugs with its five-side protective film, and if you find that you're not particularly taken with the product, the Tuft and Needle protector comes with a two-year warranty and 100-night sleep trial.

Pros: Extremely soft and comfortable, totally quiet, very easy to care for and put on your mattress

Cons: If you have a particularly tall mattress (more than 14 inches), the protector may not fit

The best mattress protector that's low maintenance

The best mattress protector that's low maintenance
The Helix mattress protector is one of the lowest maintenance protectors, so you won't have a struggle keeping it clean.

Helix is known for creating customized mattresses, but its mattress protectors abide by a more one-size-fits-all mentality. Luckily, that one size does indeed fit well. The Helix mattress protector promises to be compatible with any mattress, and I found that the protector fit my mattress just as well as it fit my boyfriend's. In fact, as long as your mattress isn't thicker than 15 inches, you should find that this mattress protector suits your needs perfectly well.

Despite being completely waterproof, the protector is also quite breathable. That's because the protector has two layers. The top knit is extremely absorbent, which makes it great for cleaning up spills and leaks in a flash. The bottom layer, on the other hand, is waterproof and breathable, encouraging the circulation of air while preventing any of the absorbed liquid from actually hitting your mattress.

The protector itself is cozy and extremely flexible. Although some protectors seem to make the underlying mattress feel either softer or firmer, this protector does no such thing. As Mattress Clarity notes, "The Helix mattress protector is soft ... fits well and can hardly be felt underneath."

Not only is the Helix mattress protector machine washable, it's also safe to put through the dryer. If stains do happen, you can also spot treat this particular protector with ease.

The Helix protector comes with a one-year warranty and promises to arrive at your doorstep within two to six business days.

Pros: Easy to care for, snuggly, causes spills to pool rather than spreading and soaking in

Cons: If your mattress is a bit thinner, the protector may move around a bit

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The best thin mattress protector

The best thin mattress protector
If you're looking for a thin mattress protector that is just there to protect your mattress, then Purple is the way to go.

If you're looking for a straightforward mattress protector that gets the job done, then Purple is for you. Purple says its mattress protector is "made to survive a Sasquatch," and while I have no way of verifying this claim, I can say that the protector certainly survived me. That may not be a particularly high bar to set, but hey, it's all you really need.

Made from a unique stretchable material that is quiet and breathable, the Purple protector doesn't promise any heat-wicking properties or healing capabilities, but it does keep your mattress away from liquid, dirt, grime, and anything in between. The protector also formed well to my mattress.

One cool thing to note: The protector is made of the same material on all five sides, which means that your mattress is quite literally fully protected (except on the bottom, but good luck if you manage to dirty that side).

Rather than claiming to be waterproof, the Purple protector promises water resistance, which is still more than sufficient. One satisfied buyer said that she purchased the protector for her little brother who often has nighttime accidents. "Up until now, he had to sleep on an uncomfortable waterproof mattress cover," she noted. "Now with the Purple, he gets more sleep because he gets to enjoy his mattress."

Another buyer said simply, "I mean, it's a mattress protector. That being said, it doesn't feel like it is there at all." With the Purple protector, you won't have to worry about any noisy, crunching sounds if you're a rather restless sleeper.

More than 2,500 buyers have given the Purple mattress protector a 4.5-star review, and with that sort of crowdsourced appreciation, you can bet that this is a reliable protector.

Pros: Thin but still comfortable and protective, relatively easy to care for, stretchable material is unlike others

Cons: May feel plasticky due to the thin nature of the protector

Check out more great buying guides for bedding

Check out more great buying guides for bedding
The best mattresses

A great mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all. We've tested and researched dozens of mattresses to bring you our top picks. Here are the best mattresses you can buy:

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A good pillow means a good night's sleep. We reviewed dozens of pillows to narrow down the choices to the ones you'll love best. Here are the best pillows you can buy:

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Your cozy down-filled duvet needs a stylish cover to keep it clean and add some spice to your bedroom's décor. Our favorite is the Classic Duvet Cover from Brooklinen with its reasonable price tag and high-quality fabric. Here are some other picks we stand by:

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