The 7 best mattress protectors tried and tested – I've found the best waterproof, cooling, and budget options from M&S, Panda, Dunelm, and more

The best mattress protectors are an essential addition to any sleep set-up, providing a barrier that shields our mattress from sweat, body oils, dead skin cells (yuck!), and general dirt and grime.

A waterproof mattress protector will also protect a mattress from bedwetting or accidental liquid spills, whilst a zippered protector or mattress encasement can defend our mattress from dust mites, allergens, and bed bugs.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, a mattress protector is a bedding essential I recommend everyone purchase. After all, the best mattresses are expensive, so we all want to make sure our investment stays in top condition for as long as possible.

The good news is that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent mattress protector, with options starting from under £15. I've tested twelve of the best on my own bed, assessing each for comfort and performance, and rounded up my top recommendations below.

The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best mattress protectors. You'll find more information on each product and why I recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best mattress protector overall

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Best for: If you're willing to pay a little more for a mattress protector, then I think this is one of the best. That's because it's made from pure cotton, which is incredibly difficult to find. Most mattress protectors have a layer of synthetic quilting inside, and if you tend to sleep warm, like me, that can mean overheating at night. However, the scooms Pure 100% Cotton Mattress Protector is exactly what it promises – pure cotton – which means it's super breathable and leads to no overheating.

Feel: This mattress protector definitely isn't cheap, but its quality is head and shoulders above any other cotton mattress protector I tested, including the M&S Pure Cotton Mattress Protector (which I found was loose-fitting and wrinkled on the bed). Its only slight downside is that it does feel a little thicker and a tiny bit stiffer than cheaper protectors. I didn't find this a problem at all, but if you have a super soft memory foam mattress, you may find it changes the feel of your mattress very slightly. In that case, I'd recommend the more pliable Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Mattress Protector further down my round-up instead.

Noise: There's no noise at all with this protector; instead, I enjoyed a completely silent sleep.

Waterproofing: This protector isn't waterproof, but its quilting is thick enough that it keeps any light moisture like sweat well away from the mattress.

Fit: A deep skirt means this mattress protector can fit a mattress up to 40cm in depth, so it's a good option if you want a protector to fit over a mattress that has a topper attached. It's designed to be slightly oversized when unboxed to allow for natural shrinkage when it's first washed, and although it was a little baggy before I put it through the washing machine, I still found it stayed in place on my 25cm deep mattress perfectly well.

Ease of care: I found that this protector has repeatedly washed well. scooms advises it's machine washable at 30-40°C and can then be low tumble dried. The brand also states that it's made 'slightly oversized to allow for natural shrinkage when first washed'. I found this to be true, and its initial bagginess soon shrank to size. The one downside was that I did find its cotton quilting took a lot longer to dry than a polyester-mix protector; at least two times as long, in fact.

What other owners say: 'Fabulous quality and a good thickness with the benefit of being all cotton,' says one 5-star reviewer on the scooms website. 'Superior to the others looked at, and even though there are cheaper alternatives, this is well worth the extra.' 'Washes well, but is heavy and takes a while to dry if it can't go outside,' says another 5-star reviewer.

Best budget mattress protector

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Best for: If you don't need a waterproof mattress protector, and you're not a hot sleeper who overheats at night, then there's no need to spend a fortune on a mattress protector. This is the best value mattress protector I've tested, and it's *very* easy to care for, so washing and drying is a breeze.

Feel: This protector costs between £14 and £25, depending on the size you need, and considering its price, the Fogarty Soft Touch Stain Resist Mattress Protector feels really quite luxurious. It's as soft as its name might suggest, and it makes for a really comfortable sleep surface. The only issue I found was that its synthetic polyester cover and quilting made me overheat. If you're not a hot sleeper, this may not be a problem for you, but if you are, I'd suggest opting for a pure cotton protector (like the scooms option above) or a wool-filled protector (like the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Mattress Protector below) instead.

Noise: I noticed a very tiny bit of rustling when my sheet moved against the polyester protector underneath, but it's barely noticeable.

Waterproofing: Nope, no waterproofing here. But the quilting is filled with a light layer of hollow fibre polyester that keeps any light stains or sweat lifted away from the surface of your mattress.

Fit: I tested the 30cm deep version of this protector and found it fitted my 25cm deep mattress well, but there's also a 35cm option if you have a deeper bed.

Ease of care: Because this protector is made from polyester, I find it super easy to care for. I can stick it in the washing machine and tumble-dry it on low, and it's ready to put back on the bed in record time. It's also held up well to repeated washing. Three years in the polyester backing has started to fur and bobble a little, but that's it. In fact, this is definitely my best-rated mattress protector in terms of ease of care.

What other owners say: 'Quality product at a very good price,' says one 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website. 'Lovely and soft and thicker than I expected,' says another owner, 'it not only protects the mattress but adds to the comfort. It is also slightly warmer, which was a nice surprise.'

Best waterproof mattress protector

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Best for: This is by far the best waterproof mattress protector I've tested if you need a protector that can cope with bedwetting.

Feel: This is also the most cushioned mattress protector I've tested. In fact, it feels almost like a mattress topper thanks to its top layer of quilted polyester. That quilting isn't just there to absorb liquid; I found it also added an extra layer of softness to my bed. Whilst I can't say it felt cool to sleep on – the Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector is the coolest waterproof option I've found – as a hot sleeper, it didn't cause me to overheat like many waterproof mattress protectors have. It felt warm underneath me, but not overly so.

Noise: I found this protector a little bit rustly when on the bed, but definitely not enough to disturb my sleep, and still quieter than most waterproof mattress protectors.

Waterproofing: This is where the Coolmax really excels. Not only is it waterproof, but its thick quilting is also *very* absorbent. I poured a 250ml glass of water onto it, and after 30 minutes of standing water, the underside remained 100% dry. The liquid was also very quickly absorbed with no runoff over the edge of the bed, as with most other waterproof mattress protectors. If you're looking for a mattress protector that can cope with bedwetting, this is it.

Fit: I found its thin elasticated skirt really easy to fit to my mattress and it was true to size. It only comes in a 35cm skirt depth, but that should fit most standard mattress sizes.

Ease of care: Machine washable at 40°C, this protector is easy to care for. Because it's so padded, it does take a little longer to dry (you can low tumble dry or line dry it) compared to a thinner protector, but I still found its polyester fill quicker to dry than protectors made of natural materials. So far, it's held up well to repeated washing with no negative impact on the waterproof membrane.

What other owners say: 'Excellent quality,' shares one 5-star reviewer on the Soak & Sleep website, 'washes well, takes a while to dry, but is a very useful product.' 'Does exactly what it is supposed to do,' says another happy owner, 'definitely waterproof, it has been tested a few times!... nicely padded and makes the bed very comfortable. Despite being waterproof, it doesn’t rustle or feel like it is a waterproof cover. Definitely recommend this product.'

Best budget waterproof mattress protector

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Best for: Whilst the Soak & Sleep Waterproof Coolmax Mattress Protector is the best waterproof mattress protector I've tested, it is expensive. If you want a cheaper alternative, this is it, and considering its budget price tag, I was really impressed by its quality compared to similarly priced options.

Feel: This is a waterproof terry towelling protector, so it has a plastic backing with a thin layer of terry towelling on the surface, and unlike most waterproof mattress protectors I've tested at this price point, that plastic backing doesn't feel stiff and inflexible. Instead, this protector felt pretty nice to lie on. I also tested the M&S Sleep Solutions Terry Waterproof Mattress Protector, which is a similar price, and Dunelm's option felt far more flexible and less stiff and crunchy on the bed. Its main downside was that I found it slept very warm and caused me to overheat, but this has been the case with every waterproof protector I've tested at this price point.

Noise: Its waterproof backing does mean that there's a little rustling noise when this protector is on the bed, but it's far quieter and less 'crunchy' sounding than any other waterproof mattress protector at this price point. However, it can't compete with the Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector – that's still the quietest waterproof option out there.

Waterproofing: I poured my 250ml glass of water over this protector, and after 30 minutes of leaving it to stand, the underside was still 100% dry. However, although the terry towelling upper absorbed a little of the liquid, quite a lot of water still spread out across the protector and threatened to run off the sides of the bed. If you're after absorbency, the (more expensive) Soak & Sleep Waterproof Coolmax Mattress Protector is definitely the best buy, but this protector did the trick of keeping my mattress bone dry.

Fit: This budget waterproof mattress protector only comes in one 30cm depth. That should be fine for your average mattress, but if yours is deeper than usual, or you have a mattress topper on the bed, it may be too shallow.

Ease of care: You can machine wash this mattress protector at 60°C, but you can't put it in the tumble dryer. However, I still found it dried very fast on the line or over a clothes horse. So far, I've found that repeated washing has had no negative impact on the waterproof membrane.

What other owners say: 'Great waterproof bedding,' says a 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website. 'Love the soft design and doesn't make a noise when rolling over as some of the plastic ones sometimes do.' 'The terry isn't the softest, but nothing a nice top sheet can't solve, shares another owner, 'it keeps our mattresses clean following any accidents in the night!'.

Best cooling mattress protector

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Best for: Overall, this is the best cooling mattress protector I've tested. That's because its cotton outer has wool quilting underneath, and wool is *excellent* at adding breathability to a bed. I first tested this protector on a memory foam mattress that was causing me to overheat, and was amazed that it instantly made for a cooler and more breathable sleep. Woolroom states the protector 'will take away up to 70% of the heat' caused by a memory foam mattress, and that's certainly how it felt. In fact, this protector outperforms many of the best cooling mattress toppers on the market. It isn't cheap, but if you're struggling with overheating, I certainly found it an investment worth making. It's also one of the only mattress protectors to come with a 30-night sleep trial, so you can make sure it helps you to sleep cooler, too, before you commit.

Feel: This protector is only 1cm or so thick, which is what makes its cooling abilities even more impressive. It feels nice and soft on the bed, and I found it didn't change the feel of my mattress at all.

Noise: Joy of joys, this protector is completely silent!

Waterproofing: No waterproofing, but its layer of wool quilting keeps any stains lifted up away from the mattress surface.

Fit: When I first unpacked this protector, it came as a bit of a surprise that it was off-white rather than the brilliant white, highly-bleached bedding I've become used to, but its unbleached organic cotton is far kinder to the environment. I found its 35cm cotton skirt a little baggier than the stretchy polyester options, but it still fit my smaller 25cm deep mattress well.

Ease of care: Because this mattress protector has wool quilting, it is a little more fussy to look after than a synthetic protector, but only a little. It's machine washable on wool/delicate cycle at 40°C – and so far it's always come out of my machine exactly the same size it went in, phew! In fact, I've owned it for four years now, and found it's held up to repeated washing surprisingly well – but it is line dry only, rather than tumble dry.

What other owners say: 'Cooling but cosy,' says one 5-star reviewer on Woolroom's website, 'along with a wool duvet, it is a game-changer for the menopause.' 'The quality is excellent, and they wash really well,' says another 5-star reviewer who notes buying a second protector, 'I washed mine on a delicate setting with a wool detergent and hung it out on a windy sunny day, and it dried perfectly... a lovely luxury.'

Best for night sweats

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Best for: Technically, the super-breathable Woolroom mattress protector above is the best at *preventing* night sweats caused by overheating. However, it requires some TLC to wash and dry it (something that could become a little tedious if you need to refresh a sweaty bed regularly). So, if you want a protector that can *really* cope with a sweaty body, I think this super-discrete waterproof mattress protector is it. It's incredibly thin, so you'd barely know it was on the bed, and whilst it isn't the most absorbent waterproof mattress protector out there, it is perfect for shielding a mattress from blood or night sweats.

Feel: This is one of the thinnest waterproof mattress protectors I've come across. There's no quilting, just a bamboo and polyester fabric layer with a waterproof TPU backing. As such, it's super flexible – meaning there's none of that uncomfortable stiffness that many waterproof protectors end up with – and super discreet; you'd never know there was a waterproof mattress protector on the bed when you lie down. It did make me feel warmer in bed than the mattress protectors made from natural materials, but you can't get a waterproof protector without a plastic backing, and this one caused less overheating than most I've tested.

Noise: Because of the waterproof TPU backing, there was the tiniest hint of a rustle when I turned over on this protector, but it's by *far* the quietest waterproof mattress protector I've tested. You hardly know it's there, so it's super discreet.

Waterproofing: This protector is so thin that I was initially dubious that it was actually going to be waterproof. However, when I emptied my 250ml glass of water over the surface, I was incredibly impressed; there was absolutely no dampness on the other side. However, the downside is that its thin fabric means there's very little absorbency; it's my best-rated mattress protector when it comes to protecting your mattress from night sweats, but larger amounts of liquid are likely to pool or run off the sides of the bed, so the Soak & Sleep Waterproof Coolmax Mattress Protector remains my top choice for bedwetting.

Fit: The Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector only comes in one 32cm depth, which should fit most beds fine. It's also so light and flexible, I found it the easiest protector to add to my bed. But, if you have an extra-deep mattress or a mattress topper on your mattress, you may find you need an option with a deeper skirt.

Ease of care: Because of its waterproof TPU backing, I was surprised that the care label suggests the protector can be machine washed at 50°C and tumble dried on low, but yet again, my concerns were unfounded, and it washed and dried well! So far, I've found that repeated washing has had no negative impact on the waterproof membrane.

What other owners say: 'Excellent mattress protector,' says a 5-star reviewer on Panda's website, 'bought this one as my previous one was making me really hot in bed. This one is fantastic. Will be purchasing another.' 'Not completely silent, but the effect is of crisply laundered sheets,' shares another happy owner.' 'I have had several “waterproof sheets", and this is the only one that actually stays waterproof after being washed in the washing machine,' says a third reviewer. Whilst a fourth reviewer echoes my thoughts on absorbency, 'waterproof, but... I deliberately spilt half a glass of water, and it created a puddle on top of the cover.' So, great for night sweats, but for larger spills I'd stick to the Soak & Sleep Waterproof Coolmax Mattress Protector above.

Best anti-allergy mattress protector

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Best for: This is the best anti-allergy mattress protector and the best anti-dust mite mattress protector I've tested. That's because it's an encasement mattress protector, which means that, unlike most mattress protectors, which only protect the mattress surface, it covers all six sides of your mattress. It's a bit like turning your mattress into Fort Knox and denying dust mites, pollen, pet hair, bed bugs, and mould spores access to your mattress from all sides.

Feel: This mattress encasement has a knitted jersey polyester cover backed in a waterproof polyurethane coating, and it feels surprisingly nice to the touch. I also found it fairly breathable for a waterproof mattress protector. I did sleep a bit warmer with it on the bed, but not significantly so.

Noise: Considering this mattress encasement is waterproof, I was surprised by how quiet it is. There was the tiniest bit of rustling when I turned over in bed during testing, but really not much at all compared to other waterproof options.

Waterproofing: Unlike most waterproof mattress protectors that only protect the surface of your mattress, this mattress encasement provides waterproofing to all six sides.

Fit: Because this mattress protector is designed to fully encase a mattress, it is *definitely* not the easiest to fit. I found I needed two pairs of hands to lift the mattress and get the protector under the mattress to start with, but after that, it is easy to zip up the rest of the encasement. And, ingeniously, this encasement features two zips at different heights that allow you to adjust the depth of the encasement to suit different mattress depths. There's also a very robust velcro zip cover that offers extra protection to prevent bed bugs or allergens from penetrating the mattress.

Ease of care: Soak & Sleep recommends you wash this protector every 3-4 weeks to keep your bedding fresh and allergens at bay, and you can do so on a 30°C delicate machine wash. So far, I've found that repeated machine washing has had no negative impact on the waterproof membrane and it still fits the bed so there's been no shrinkage.

What other owners say: 'Excellent for keeping your mattress clean from body fluids (night sweats, etc) and also great for allergy sufferers,' says a 5-star reviewer on Soak & Sleep's website, 'I have this on all mattresses in my house.' Fantastic idea to encase the mattress completely,' says another reviewer, 'I am going to take one of these when we stay in Airbnbs to protect us against bed bugs and mattresses that aren’t too clean!'.

At a glance

How I tested

There's really only one way to test a mattress protector, and that's by sleeping on it, so that's what I did in order to compile this guide. I've slept on twelve (and counting) bestselling mattress protectors for at least a week each to compile this shortlist, and have only included those products that performed the best.

Many have been tested for much longer, with some options still going strong four years after my initial testing – including the Woolroom and scooms options.

As part of my testing process, I scored each protector out of five in the following categories: how well each protector fitted the mattress, its comfort, if it caused me to overheat during the night, and if it rustled or made any noise.

For the waterproof options, I also scored its waterproofing. To do this I poured a 250ml glass of water onto the protector, left it to stand for 30 minutes, and then assessed whether there was any leakage through to the back of the protector during this time. I also assessed the absorption or runoff of the liquid.

Finally, I washed each mattress protector to see how easy it was to care for, whether there was any shrinkage, and how each protector held up to repeated washing.

Where possible, I've also thoroughly researched third-party customer reviews to see what other owners have to say about their sleep experience. That includes reading reviews on the manufacturer's own website, and via stockists such as John Lewis, Argos, Amazon, and more.

Amy Lockwood

I'm Amy, and as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've spent the last five years testing sleep products by night and sharing my findings with our readers by day. All in all, that's over 10,000 hours of at-home product testing under my belt!

How to choose the best mattress protector for you

First up, it's worth clarifying exactly what is a mattress protector. In particular, because there can be a lot of confusion between mattress toppers vs mattress protectors.

A mattress protector is a thin layer of fabric that fits over your mattress to help protect the mattress from sweat, dust, grime, and – in the case of a waterproof mattress protector – from bed wetting or any other liquids.

And, as Josie Towells, senior buyer at bedding brand DUSK explains, 'a mattress protector can help extend the lifespan of your mattress by reducing wear on the top layers.'

In contrast, the best mattress toppers also fit over your mattress, but they're a much thicker affair that's designed to add cushioning and comfort to a mattress that's too firm.

In my opinion, a mattress protector is an essential addition to any mattress, whereas a topper is an optional extra. So, how do you go about choosing the right mattress protector for your needs? I think there are eight main factors you'll want to consider.

1. Waterproofing: If you need to protect your mattress from bedwetting, then you’ll want a waterproof mattress protector. These feature an impermeable plastic membrane that prevents moisture from penetrating through the protector and reaching the mattress. You can get waterproof mattress protectors (where just the top of the protector is waterproof) or zippered waterproof mattress encasements (that protect all six sides of the mattress from moisture).

However, a waterproof mattress protector does come with downsides – largely that the plastic underlayer lacks breathability, can feel a little ‘plasticky’ underneath your bedsheet, and can rustle and make noise. So if you aren’t worried about bedwetting, it can be best to avoid a waterproof mattress protector and opt for a more breathable option instead. More on that next.

2. Breathability: Bedding made from synthetic materials such as polyester is likely to cause overheating as these materials lack breathability. Instead, these materials tend to reflect body heat and humidity back towards the sleeper, which can lead to us waking up hot and sticky in the night. Alternatively, natural materials such as cotton and wool allow for better air circulation. Better air circulation means the body can regulate its temperature better, which makes for a less disturbed and more restful night’s sleep.

3. Noise: As I've mentioned, some mattress protectors, especially waterproof mattress protectors, can be noisy. There's nothing worse than turning over in bed and hearing a crunchy, rustling mattress protector underneath you. If you're able to test the protector out in store, give it a scrunch before you buy to see if it's noisy. Or, if you're buying online, read reviews to see if owners have any noise complaints.

4. Allergies and bed bugs: If you want to protect your mattress from allergens such as dust mites or bed bugs, then the safest way to do so is to opt for a zippered mattress protector (also known as a mattress encasement) that covers all six sides of your mattress.

5. Fit: Make sure that the mattress protector you choose is the right size for your mattress, e.g. if you have a double bed, you’ll need a double mattress protector, a single bed requires a single mattress protector.

6. Depth: You'll also want to factor in the depth of your mattress. Many mattress protectors come in at least two different depths – those designed to fit a mattress of 25cm depth or under, and those designed to fit a mattress between 25cm and 30cm. Check the small print before you buy to ensure the protector will fit your bed mattress snugly. (A mattress protector that's too deep for your mattress will mean there's extra fabric, which will wrinkle under your body and be uncomfortable to sleep on, whilst a protector that's too shallow for your mattress is likely to ping off the corners of your mattress continually).

You can also get 'extra deep' mattress protectors designed to fit a mattress over 30cm deep – these are especially useful if you use a mattress topper on top of your mattress.

7. Ease of care: Look for a mattress protector that’s machine washable so it’s easy to clean and care for. After all, as Emily and Jonathan Attwood, founders of bedding brand scooms explain, this is the main point of a mattress protector. 'Fully removable and washable, a mattress protector goes on top of your mattress and under your fitted sheet, meaning you're far less likely to have to clean the mattress itself.'

8. Environmental impact: Synthetic polyester mattress protectors are usually the cheapest option, but they’re derived from petrochemicals, which are non-renewable, hard to recycle, and don’t biodegrade easily, so they’re usually the most harmful to the environment. Instead, try to opt for a mattress protector made from natural materials, such as cotton, wool, or even bamboo, instead.

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