Best mattress protectors – from waterproof to temperature-regulating
Keep your mattress in top condition with one of the best mattress protectors on the market – we've tried and tested bestsellers from Marks & Spencer, Nectar, and many more
Adding one of the best mattress protectors on the market to your mattress is a quick win to ensure your mattress stays looking and feeling its best for longer.
As well as enabling you to freshen up the bed more easily, the best mattress protectors can also add a little extra cushioning, and provide waterproofing against spillages, and if overheating is interrupting your night's sleep then a cooling mattress protector could add some extra breathability to your sleep set-up.
To help you find the best option for your needs, the Ideal Home team has put some of the bestselling mattress protectors on the market to the test. We've reviewed options from a whole host of brand names to narrow down the search – including Marks & Spencer, Nectar, Panda, Fogarty and many more – and we've included waterproof and temperature-regulating mattress protectors, as well as options for all types of budget.
If you're overhauling your sleep situation then you'll want to dive into our guide to the best mattress you can buy as well, but if your mattress is sorted, here's where you'll find the best options for keeping it in tip-top condition.
QUICK LIST
The quick list
Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the best mattress protectors. You'll find more information on each mattress protector and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.
Best overall
Best overall
Marks & Spencer's waterproof mattress protector offers waterproof protection while also being silent when our tester tossed and turned through the night. It's machine washable at 40°c and you can tumble dry it at a low temperature without the worry of shrinkage.
Best temperature regulating
Best temperature regulating
If your mattress has a memory foam, latex or synthetic top layer, you may find yourself overheating regularly which is why a natural fibre like wool is perfect for a mattress protector. Temperature regulating and breathable, Woolroom's Chatsworth washable wool mattress protector is great for the summer months and for those who suffer from night sweats.
Most affordable
Most affordable
If you're on the lookout for a mattress protector that's great value, Fogarty's soft touch mattress protector offers a good extra layer of protection between your sheet and your mattress. It's worth bearing in mind that it's not waterproof and is made from synthetic materials so isn't as breathable as others on the market. However, it washes well, is satiny soft and the hollow fibre fill adds a nice amount of comfort.
Best anti allergy
Best anti-allergy
If you want an affordable mattress protector that offers a little more bang for your buck then this Fogarty option has the seal of approval from the British Allergy Foundation. It's dust mite resistant and prevents the growth of bacteria.
Best for kids
Best for kids
Made from silky smooth and breathable bamboo, Panda's waterproof mattress protector is the perfect choice for your kiddo's mattress. Its clever ultra-thin waterproof layer makes virtually no sound at all and the super soft top layer will keep your little one super comfortable. Plus, it has superb eco-friendly credentials which gives it a huge thumbs up from us.
Best soft touch
Best soft touch
It's not padded, but our reviewer liked the Tencel top layer, which feels incredibly soft to the touch. And when we poured a tumbler of water on the surface, not one drop permeated the polyurethane protective barrier underneath. It's pricey, but Nectar has regular sales which can reduce it significantly.
Best mattress protectors 2024
Why you can trust Ideal Home
Best mattress protector overall
1. Marks & Spencer Quilted Waterproof Mattress Protector
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Whilst opting for a waterproof mattress protector is the best way to protect your mattress from all eventualities, no one wants their sleep disturbed by the crinkle and rustle that tends to accompany a waterproof layer.
This quilted option from Marks & Spencer delivers the best of both worlds, with a cotton outer and quilted polyester fill upper, and a water-resistant polypropylene reverse for discrete protection.
The biggest plus point is that our tester found this waterproof protector to be virtually silent when on the bed – no matter the amount of tossing and turning they did! And, unlike many waterproof mattress protectors, this design can also be machine washed and tumble dried, albeit at 40°c and on a low-temperature tumble dry. Still, we'll take all the convenience we can get when it comes to laundry day!
It's also relatively affordable, fits the bed well, washes well, and repels moisture well whilst providing a comfortable sleep surface. Our only niggle is that our hotter sleepers did find the synthetic fill a little less breathable than a cotton or wool-filled option, and those manmade fibres aren't the gentlest on the planet, being made from non-renewable resources and unable to biodegrade at the end of the protector's lifespan.
That said, if you're after waterproofing, then adding this mattress protector to your bed is certainly going to prolong the lifespan of your mattress and offer a very welcome, stress-free sleep.
Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best temperature regulating mattress protector
2. Woolroom Chatsworth Washable Wool Mattress Protector
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you're looking for a cooling mattress protector then Woolroom's Chatsworth Washable Wool Mattress Protector is our top recommendation.
Overheating at night can often be down to the materials your mattress is made from, especially if yours has a memory foam, latex, or synthetic foam top layer. Made of plastic polymers, synthetics aren’t breathable so the natural heat and moisture our bodies emit overnight is reflected towards us and can lead to overheating.
In contrast, wool does a great job of regulating temperature – perhaps no surprise seeing as a sheep's temperature-regulating fleece keeps it warm in the winter and cool in summer! – so adding a layer of wool between your body and your synthetic mattress can help with breathability.
Made from unbleached organic cotton with quilted, wool-filled padding, Woolroom's Chatsworth Washable Wool mattress protector helps to combat night sweats and keep you at a steady temperature all night long – meaning a better chance of a deeper, uninterrupted, and restorative sleep. The brand states it will eliminate up to 70% of body heat compared with a synthetic option, and this was borne out in our testing, with our usually hot sleepers noticing immediate improvements when they added this breathable sleep surface to their memory foam and synthetic mattresses.
The all-natural materials used are also a welcome change from the usual synthetics, being both renewable and biodegradable and therefore much gentler on the planet – although it did take us a while to adjust to the unbleached look as opposed to the usual (far less eco-friendly) bleached brilliant white. Naturally hypoallergenic, this protector is also certified by Allergy UK as the only natural protector to hold the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.
The downsides? Although this mattress protector is machine washable, you'll need to use a wool wash and avoid tumble-drying, so it's not as easy to care for as a synthetic option that can be bunged in the machine at 60°c. And it is an investment. Although if you're struggling to sleep because of overheating, we think that's an investment in your well-being well worth making.
Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Most affordable mattress protector
3. Fogarty Soft Touch Mattress Protector
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you don't need your mattress protector to be waterproof, and you're happy to opt for synthetic materials rather than more breathable (yet more expensive) natural fibres, then we'd suggest you don't need to spend a fortune on a mattress protector.
Opting for an affordable mattress protector will still do a fine job of adding an extra layer of protection between your sheet and your mattress. Although there are a few things worth looking out for to ensure your purchase is the best value – after all, there's no point in buying the cheapest mattress protector available if it's going to shrink in the wash, rip, or need replacing in a few months.
The Fogarty Soft Touch Mattress Protector isn't the cheapest on the market, but we think it ticks all the boxes in terms of value. Firstly, unlike most cheaper options we've come across, it comes with a fitted skirt to secure it to the mattress rather than elasticated straps, which we think gives your bed a nicer finish and a more secure fit.
Secondly, the microfibre cover is satiny and soft to the touch giving it a little extra luxe, and the hollowfibre fill adds a small but not insignificant amount of cushioning.
It also washes well and that hollow fibre fill is made from certified recycled polyester from waste, like plastic bottles or manufacturing off-cuts. As the brand states 'recycled polyester helps the movement towards a more circular economy, reducing waste going to landfill. Compared with virgin polyester, recycled polyester helps conserve crude oil reserves during fibre production. Not bad considering there are plenty of far more expensive options that aren't doing their bit for the planet, so all in all, it's a thumbs up from us.
Best anti allergy mattress protector
4. Fogarty Anti Allergy Mattress Protector
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you suffer from bad allergies but don't have a great deal to spend on a mattress protector, the Fogarty anti-allergy mattress protector is a great choice.
With the seal of approval from the British Allergy Foundation, it's got all the anti-allergy credentials with its clever dust-mite resistant fabric but without the hefty price point of others with the same properties on the market.
We've not tested this mattress protector yet ourselves but from most of the reviews, the mattress protector gets a five-star rating for its quality, fit and comfort. Some have remarked on its skewed sizings and a baggy elasticated skirt but most reviewers found it easy to wash, the fit was snug and the microfibre comfortable.
With a synthetic hollowfibre filling, it won't be as breathable or cooling as others on the market but from all we've read from the reviews, it does what it says on the tin.
Best mattress protector for kids
5. Panda bamboo waterproof mattress protector
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Protecting your child's mattress from accidents is crucial, especially during the potty training years. And if you've invested in a comfortable kids' mattress, you'll want to find a mattress protector that adds to your child's comfort to aid in as restful a night's sleep as you can get. Enter Panda's Bamboo waterproof mattress protector.
Made from silky smooth bamboo with no trace of harmful substances, it's luxuriously soft and with an ultra-thin Nano TPU surface material, it's waterproof and lightweight but also won't make a noise when you sleep on it, which we are most impressed with.
Bamboo's temperature-regulating properties will mean that your little one will be snug in the winter and cool in the summer. And unlike other waterproof mattress protectors that can feel rubbery and thick, Panda's ultra-thin waterproof layer is cleverly hidden.
The extra deep, stretchable skirt will fit snugly so will even work if you have a topper on your bed too. Ethically sourced and vegan friendly, Panda's mattress topper has some top eco-credentials to boot and is even delivered in a recycled and recyclable box and a reusable bamboo bag.
Best soft touch mattress protector
6. Nectar Tencel Mattress Protector with Smart Seal membrane
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Nectar's mattress protector not only prevents dust, dirt and stains, but our reviewer found its Tencel jersey cover to be one of the softest she'd slept on. The soft cover also promotes airflow and our reviewer found it kept her mostly cool and comfortable.
However, she did find it rustled when she moved which was a bit disappointing. From other reviews, we found others had similar issues with the noise and one remarked on the crinkly sound even when unpacking.
A few reviewers mentioned that its waterproof layer wasn't just as effective as they would have liked, with one reviewer saying it was more water-resistant than waterproof. With this in mind, we'd recommend investing in another waterproof option if this property is your main reason for buying a mattress protector.
Nectar's mattress protector isn't the cheapest on the market but if you're looking for a soft cover that's a barrier against dust and smells, it ticks these boxes, while also fitting snugly over even a deep mattress.
Other mattress protectors worth considering:
This waterproof mattress protector utilises 'CoolMax' fabric that's designed to be breathable and moisture-wicking. Waterproofing comes courtesy of a TPU base layer. It's machine washable at 40°c, but you can't tumble dry. It does the job, stays rustle-free, and the padding feels pretty indulgent, but so does the price tag.
A little plusher than the other cotton options – although also more expensive – this quilted cotton mattress protector has added antimicrobial protection that inhibits the growth of bacteria by way of active biocide mineral salts of titanium dioxide and silver chloride. Machine washable at 30°c.
If you're looking for a cheap waterproof mattress protector then this Silentnight option is one of the most affordable. We found it a bit plasticky compared to the best-in-class waterproof option at the top of this page, but it does the job of keeping spillages away from your mattress.
How we tested these mattress protectors
You'll find full details of the Ideal Home review process on our How We Test page.
Our review team has tested out some of the bestselling mattress protectors on the market to find out if they live up to their claims. We've put Panda, Nectar, Woolroom, Fogarty and a whole host more brands through their paces to find our top recommendations.
If there are any products that we haven't managed to test in person, or the product didn't achieve over 4 out of 5 stars, then they won't have an Ideal Home Approved badge. However, you can rest assured that we've done thorough research on the product's technical specifications and read multiple happy – and not-so-happy – customer reviews to narrow down our suggestions to only the best-in-class.
How to choose the best mattress protector for you
To narrow down your choices, you should start by deciding if you need full waterproof protection - if you don't, a cotton or polyester protector will be more breathable. Then think about comfort.
Mattress protectors are not the same as mattress toppers when it comes to boosting comfort levels but if your existing mattress could benefit from a little extra cushioning, check out the quilted designs with padding. Finally, it comes down to individual needs, like cooling or allergy relief, but if neither affects you, we’d recommend choosing the best mattress protector for you based on your budget. Oh - and of course check the size of your bed. A mattress protector of the wrong size will struggle to cover all bases.
Additionally, Karen Innes, NPD Manager at Slumberdown adds: 'Something often overlooked is washing your bedding, and your mattress protector is no exception - choose a mattress protector that is machine washable and try to get into a washing routine with your bedding to prevent any build-up of sweat, oil and dirt.'
FAQs
Should you choose a mattress protector or a mattress topper?
Steve Reid, CEO at Simba offers his advice: 'If your mattress is genuinely uncomfortable a mattress topper won’t solve the problem for long, if at all. While it might smooth out immediate lumps and bumps caused by old springs, it’s unlikely to offer extra support to sagging beds, and can trap heat and make your bed uncomfortably warm. They’re a great short-term solution, but the only way to fix your bed is to buy a new mattress.
A mattress protector, on the other hand, is something that everyone should ideally have. They help keep your mattress clean and hygienic.'
Do mattress protectors make a difference?
A mattress protector may seem like an unnecessary add-on. But they’ll do wonders for keeping your mattress guarded against spills, damages and dirt that may seep through your sheet (even without you realising it).
Ever noticed some marks or yellow stains on your mattress, but are unsure where they’ve come from? Yep, a mattress protector will take the stain instead, leaving your mattress fresh underneath. This all contributes to the longevity of your, fairly expensive, mattress.
How often should you wash a mattress protector?
Mattress protectors are there to care for your mattress, by guarding it against dust mites, debris, stains and spills. For it to do so, your mattress protector needs a little TLC itself. It’s recommended you wash your mattress protector every two months or so, providing no spillages occur in the meantime.
How you wash will depend on the type of protector and the material it’s made from. Waterproof mattress protectors can’t often be put in the washing machine and delicate fibres like wool shouldn't be tumble dried. In short: refer to the care instructions before washing. Ultimately, if you care for your mattress protector it’ll look after you and your mattress too.
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After studying Print Design at Winchester School of Art, Amy spent multiple years working in the interior industry, including styling and visual merchandising for many well-known brands. She’s now Ecommerce Editor at Ideal Home, offering expert advice on the best products for decorating your home and ensuring it functions smoothly. That includes sourcing stylish yet affordable furniture – from the best sofa beds for combining style, comfort, and function, to the best artificial Christmas trees for a stress-free festive season – helping our readers to find the best mattress for their sleep style, and testing top-rated dehumidifiers and air purifiers to narrow down the best-in-class.
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