Best Mattress Protectors for 2026
A mattress can cost as much as a second-hand car, so it makes sense to protect that investment. Your bed has to deal with coffee spills, sweat, dust and drool, which can damage foam over time or lead to gradual build-up of dirt. The best mattress protectors act as the first line of defence against stains and wear, helping to keep your bed cleaner for longer and extend the life of your mattress.
The mattress protectors below have been tried and tested in real homes, and assessed for both comfort and protection. Whichever you choose, a water-resistant layer is essential. At the same time, it should be breathable enough to stop you waking up hot and uncomfortable. Natural materials can be a good option if you tend to overheat, although they often come at a higher price than synthetic alternatives.
While a mattress protector can slightly improve the feel of your sleep setup, it won’t transform comfort on its own. If you’re after a bigger upgrade, a mattress topper is a better option. Protectors also won’t add support, so if that’s what you need, it may be worth reassessing your mattress and choosing one that better suits you.
Extensive testing over many weeks has brought me to Nectar’s mattress topper (£45, Nectarsleep.co.uk). It’s waterproof, breathable, and fits over a bed easily. But I’ve also covered options for kids, those with allergies, and a cooling option. Keep scrolling for my top tried and tested picks.
Top Picks for Mattress Protectors
Best Overall – Nectar Mattress Protector: £49, Nectarsleep.co.uk
Best: mattress protector overall
Material: 100 per cent tencel top fabric with PU film and polyester skirt
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Skirt depth: 32cm
Waterproof: Yes
Why we love it
Environmentally friendly materials
Breathable
Super soft
Take note
Can’t be tumble dried
This mattress protector ticks pretty much every box – and all for a great price. The top layer is made from fabric-of-the-moment Tencel, which is more environmentally friendly than cotton, and more breathable, so you won’t overheat while you sleep. It feels silky soft to the touch, and I really did find it cooling in bed.
It’s completely silent if you move during your sleep, too, despite the fact a PU layer makes it completely waterproof – it passed our glass of water test. It’s nicely stretchy, so fits well on the mattress and doesn’t bunch up at the corners.
Tencel is hypoallergenic, and the protector can be washed up to 90C, making it perfect for anyone who suffers from allergies. The one drawback is it can’t be tumble dried, so I’d consider buying two, so you can keep one on the bed while the other is drying, to make sure your mattress remains in tip-top condition.
Best Budget Buy – Staydrynights Terry Towelling Waterproof Mattress Protector: £14.40, Dunelm.com
Best: budget mattress protector
Material: Cover: 80 per cent responsibly sourced cotton, 20 per cent polyester; backing: 100 per cent polyurethane; skirt: 65 per cent polyester, 35 per cent cotton
Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king
Skirt depth: 30
Waterproof: Yes
Why we love it
Easy to wash
Take note
Can’t be tumbledried
Terry towelling is the ultimate waterproof fabric, so it’s no surprise this mattress protector can handle anything you can throw at it (or drop on it). It’s the ideal choice for anyone with pets or children, or anyone who is particularly accident-prone with their morning cuppa.
It’s also far softer than I expected – I couldn’t feel it at all under the sheet. Plus, it doesn’t rustle when you move, and I found that the wide skirt held it in place well.
Don’t worry if you do spill something on it, either, as it was one of the easiest protectors to wash. Be warned though, it can’t be tumble-dried afterwards.
Best for All Seasons – The White Company Temperature Balance Quilted Mattress Protector: £125, Thewhitecompany.com
Best: mattress protector for all seasons
Material: 100 per cent cotton with polypropylene inner lining
Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king, emperor
Skirt depth: 30cm
Waterproof: Yes
Why we love it
Clever temperature control
Take note
Takes a long time to dry
If you’ve assumed mattress protectors are glorified but functional sheets to chuck on and forget about, think again. This luxurious version from The White Company is quilted, so really did make my bed feel more comfortable and certainly meant there was no need for an additional topper. The wide skirt made it easy to fit, even on our deep mattress, and it didn’t budge an inch during the night, plus it’s waterproof but completely silent, however much you move in your sleep.
It’s also made with advanced technology developed by Nasa no less. The 100 per cent cotton fabric stores excess heat until the body’s temperature decreases, then slowly releases that heat to keep the body at a consistent temperature through the night. All I know is I’ve never had a more cosy or comfortable night’s sleep, without feeling too toasty. The only drawback is the protector’s thickness means it takes forever to tumble dry, so speedy bed changes are a definite no-go.
Best Waterproof Design – Emma Mattress Protector: £49, Emmasleep.co.uk
Best: waterproof mattress protector
Material: 100 per cent polyester
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU queen
Skirt depth: 25cm
Waterproof: Yes
Why we love it
Great fit
Waterproof
Protects against dust mites
Quick-drying
Take note
On the thinner side
It’s no surprise the company behind the much-praised Emma mattresses also sells a top-notch protector. Though it is, of course, compatible with Emma mattresses, it should still fit on all other brands, though double-check first, as the protector is not quite as deep as some others I tested.
Unlike some others, though, the skirt has a stretchy elastic band around the edge, so it doesn’t budge at all once it’s on the bed. The tight grip means there’s no chance of it crinkling when you turn over, and it’s waterproof right to the very edge, which I loved.
Emma says its revolutionary AllergyShield technology also reduces up to 93.7 per cent of mites, plus it dries quickly after washing, making it perfectly suited to those with allergies who want to wash their protector more often. Just be aware it is much thinner than some protectors, so you may still want to add a topper for extra comfort.
Best for Kids – Silentnight Waterproof Mattress Protector, Single: £12, Amazon.co.uk
Best: mattress protector for kids
Material: 100 per cent polyester microfibre
Sizes available: Single, double, small double, king
Skirt depth: 30cm
Waterproof: Yes
Why we love it
Great price
Don’t even think about tucking your child up in bed without making sure there’s a mattress protector in place first. There’s no telling what it might need to fend off during the night, so a waterproof protector is essential to make sure the mattress lasts as long as possible.
This option from Silentnight has all you could need at a fantastic price. It has a deep skirt to fit snugly on even chunky mattresses, it is hypoallergenic, so it won’t cause skin irritation, and it washes fantastically well.
Despite the price, the waterproof layer was one of the best I tested, and it kept the mattress completely dry even when I poured a whole glass of water on it.
It does rustle a little when you move around in bed, though, so I think it’s best used on the kids’ beds only.
Your Questions About Mattress Protectors Answered
What is the best mattress protector?
Breathable, anti-allergy and waterproof, the Nectar mattress protector is a great buy that will keep you cool year-round. If you can splash more cash, I also loved The White Company temperature balance quilted mattress protector for its plush quilted feel and nifty temperature-regulating properties. Meanwhile, the Staydrynights and Silentnight protectors are great budget-friendly options.
How were the mattress protectors tested?
Each of these mattress protectors were tested in a real home and assessed on the following criteria.
Waterproofing: I went against every instinct I had and poured water over the mattress protectors, to see whether they were waterproof and how effective this waterproofing was.
Fit: I paid attention to how snugly the protector fit over my mattress, and the depth of the skirt (the deeper the skirt, the deeper the mattress it will fit over). I also made a note of whether it shifted during the night.
Comfort: I looked at the thickness of the protector and whether it featured a quilted finish.
Noise level: I listened out for rustling while moving around on the protector, which is an issue that can result from sleeping on some waterproof versions.
Temperature regulation: I checked the materials and whether they contributed to temperature regulation, noting whether I felt too hot of sweaty during the night.
Cleaning: I washed and dried each protector, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to see how easily and quickly each one could be cleaned.
Value for money: I also factored in the price when choosing my top picks. Unless stated otherwise, prices included for every protector are for double-size versions.
Why you can trust Indybest reviews
Siobhan Grogan is a writer who has been reviewing products for IndyBest since 2021. She has assessed plenty of home and garden essentials, including bedding sets. Siobhan knows how to assess the quality and benefits of different materials. Here, she draws on years of experience and real-world testing to bring you her pick of the very best mattress protectors.
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