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There are many reasons you might be in the market for a good waterproof mattress protector. Maybe you like to drink your coffee (or glass of wine?) in bed and are prone to accidents. Or maybe you have a toddler still working through the bedwetting phase of potty training.

Whatever the reason, there are a million products on the market and it can be tough to sift through which make the most sense to buy.

That’s why we did the research for you to pick the best waterproof mattress protectors. Read on to learn more.

Pros

  • can protect your mattress from stains, sweat, moisture, allergens, dust, and excess humidity
  • can extend the lifespan of your mattress
  • beneficial to people prone to allergies, as a sweaty mattress is a breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and mites
  • can spare you the trouble of having to clean your mattress frequently
  • protects you from anything left behind by the previous owner of a used mattress

Cons

  • some zippered protectors may be difficult to remove
  • some waterproof protectors can be stiff and uncomfortable, especially if they aren’t properly fitted to your bed
  • Customer reviews: Of course, any product on the market that calls itself waterproof will claim to be fully waterproof. So it’s important to check out what reviewers say to get the real story. We also made sure reviewers rated our picks positively on comfort and durability.
  • Materials: The materials in mattress protectors can make or break your night’s sleep. Some — like vinyl — don’t have any breathability and make a crinkly noise. We avoided fabrics that are known to be uncomfortable and interfere with sleep.
  • Elements beyond being waterproof: Sometimes, you need more than protection from liquid — like protection from allergens or bedbugs — so we included picks that considered this.

Pricing guide

Pricing for mattress protectors depends on the size mattress you’re buying for. We looked at full-size mattress prices.

  • $ = under $20
  • $$ = $20–$40
  • $$$ = over $40

Best cooling waterproof mattress protector

  • Price: $$
  • Type: fitted
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Who it’s best for: hot sleepers
  • Trial: none offered
  • Shipping and returns: free

The fabric in this protector from Red Nomad is made from bamboo, which is effective at regulating temperature while also being naturally hypoallergenic, antifungal, and antibacterial.

Reviewers say this is a lifesaver for those who sleep hot but still want protection from liquids. Some reviewers recommend that if you’re finding yourself washing this one a lot because of bedwetting accidents or frequent spills, consider purchasing a new one within a year to make sure it can still effectively protect your mattress.

Best waterproof mattress protector for allergies

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: encasement
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king
  • Who it’s best for: people with allergies
  • Trial: none offered
  • Shipping and returns: free

This cotton terry mattress encasement is an awesome option for people with allergies. Mattress encasements fully protect all sides of your mattress, which makes them ideal for protecting against allergens. Plus, this one is Greenguard Gold certified.

Additionally, woven fabrics have been suggested as the best option for protecting against allergens. Cotton terry is a great woven fabric option for waterproof mattress protectors. Not only is it hypoallergenic and breathable, but it can also absorb a lot of water.

The brand recommends also buying the regular mattress protector for frequent accidents since it’s much easier to clean and take on and off your bed. It might seem a little overkill to buy multiple protectors, but it can be worth it if you’re trying to safeguard against allergens and frequent spills.

Best waterproof mattress protector for bedbugs

  • Price: $$
  • Type: encasement
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Who it’s best for: people concerned about bedbugs
  • Trial: none offered
  • Shipping and returns: free

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests using protective covers that fully encase your mattress as a precaution to help prevent a bedbug infestation in your home.

This encasement from Utopia fully zips around your mattress to encase it entirely, making it a really good option for people worried about bedbugs.

Reviewers love the protection they’re able to get from bedbugs, but don’t recommend using this if you’re dealing with frequent bedwetting, since it’s a little hard to clean. But it works well for waterproof protection for less frequent spills or accidents.

Best waterproof mattress protector for bedwetting

  • Price: $$
  • Type: fitted
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Who it’s best for: people with children or pets
  • Trial: none offered
  • Shipping and returns: free

With over 100,000 reviews on Amazon, this popular pick is a top-rated, best-selling choice. It’s made from cotton terry, which is woven fabric that’s soft and can absorb a lot of liquid.

It also has a membrane layer that’s vinyl-free, which helps make it more breathable and protective against liquid.

If you’re planning on taking advantage of this for its hypoallergenic properties, the brand recommends washing it quarterly to get rid of any dust or dust mites. If you plan on washing it more than that, try keeping this out of the dryer and buying two, so you can let them air dry.

Quietest waterproof mattress protector

  • Price: $$
  • Type: fitted
  • Sizes: twin, full, queen, king, California king
  • Who it’s best for: light sleepers
  • Trial: none offered
  • Shipping and returns: free

This waterproof mattress protector has a lot going for it. It’s made with 100% terry cotton, so it won’t make any noise when you lie down and move around. That’s a bonus if you’re a light sleeper. The vinyl-free membrane layer protects against dust mites, liquids, sweat, and allergens.

Reviewers say it works well, but note that because it’s so water resistant, it will likely be full of water when you take it out of the washing machine. Watch your shoes!

Best quilted waterproof mattress protector

  • Price: $$
  • Type: fitted
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king
  • Who it’s best for: people looking for a plush feel
  • Trial: none offered
  • Shipping and returns: not included

This mattress protector includes a hypoallergenic cotton terry surface and a quilted mattress pad over a waterproof membrane layer. It has a fitted sheet design that accommodates mattresses up to 18 inches deep.

Over 5,000 reviews give this mattress protector a 4.6 rating out of 5. While people are generally pleased with the feel and performance, some customers found that their fitted sheet no longer fit well with this mattress protector. Others found that it wasn’t fully waterproof.

Most breathable waterproof mattress protector

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: fitted
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
  • Who it’s best for: hot sleepers
  • Trial: 45 days
  • Shipping and returns: free

This waterproof mattress protector is a splurge, but it’s made with Fair Trade Certified organic cotton. That means it meets stringent social, environmental, and economic standards. It combines an organic cotton lining with a thin, non-rubbery polyurethane moisture barrier to protect against liquids, bacteria, and other contaminants. It also has micro-perforations for improved airflow and breathability.

A silicone elastic band holds the mattress protector securely in place. It fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep. Plus, it comes in a wide range of sizes.

Best organic waterproof mattress protector

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: fitted
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Who it’s best for: people looking for organic materials
  • Trial: 100 nights
  • Shipping and returns: free

This is another pricey pick, but it is made with two layers of GOTS organic certified cotton that sandwich a thin layer of waterproof polyurethane film. It’s a lightweight, machine-washable option, and it won’t make any crinkly noises when you lie down. Plus, it’s available in standard or deep pocket sizing.

This mattress protector is one of just two on our list with a trial period so you can test it out at home. Reviewers say it’s really comfortable and impressively durable.

Mattress protectorPriceTypeSizesWho it’s best forTrialShipping and returns
Red Nomad Waterproof Mattress Protector$$fittedtwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal kinghot sleepersnone offeredfree
SureGuard Mattress Encasement$$$encasementtwin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, Cal kingpeople with allergiesnone offeredfree
Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement$$encasementtwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal kingpeople concerned about bedbugsnone offeredfree
SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector$$fittedtwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal kingpeople with children or petsnone offeredfree
CraftoXo Mattress Protector$$fittedtwin, full, queen, king, Cal kinglight sleepersnone offeredfree
Amazon Basics Waterproof Mattress Protector$fittedtwin, twin XL, full, queen, kingpeople looking for a plush feelnone offerednot included
Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector$$$fittedtwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split kinghot sleepers45 daysfree
Avocado Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector$$$fittedtwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal kingpeople looking for organic materials100 nightsfree

Still searching for the right sleep products?

Let us help. We provide evidence-driven reviews and brand comparisons on top sleep products, like pillows and mattresses, so you can get the sound sleep you deserve.

There are a bunch of elements that can go into how you choose the right waterproof mattress protector:

  • Type: There are multiple kinds of mattress protectors: top protectors, (which only protect the top of your mattress), 5-side protectors (which protect the top and 4 sides of your mattress), and encasements (which zip up and protect the entire mattress). Top protectors are the most common, but some reviewers don’t like the lack of side protection. Encasements usually aren’t necessary unless you’re trying to protect against bedbugs or allergens.
  • Materials: There are many kinds of materials you might come across while shopping for a mattress protector. A 2007 study suggested that woven materials (like cotton, rayon, and polyester) protect against allergens while allowing for breathability. Other materials, like bamboo, have been shown to regulate temperature. Vinyl can be a great guard against bedbugs, but it can be uncomfortable to sleep on.
  • Durability: Durability is a really important factor when choosing your product — especially if you’re expecting to wash your mattress protector a lot because of bedwetting or incontinence. You can tell how durable a protector is by checking customer reviews to see how well it holds up. But keep in mind that if you’re using this as a just-in-case protector, durability might not be a dealbreaker.
  • Warranty: Many protectors will have some kind of warranty to guard against any potential defects. This is important to make sure your protector doesn’t rip or fail because of problems with the manufacturing.

Whether you tend to spill drinks a lot, have young children still working through wetting the bed, have pets prone to accidents or wet paws, or have someone in your home experiencing incontinence, a waterproof mattress protector can help extend the life of your mattress.

Not only do mattress protectors help you with keeping your mattress clean and free of stains, but they can also help ensure your mattress warranty doesn’t become void.

Some companies won’t replace mattresses with defects if there are any noticeable liquid stains — even if the defect has nothing to do with those stains.

Certain waterproof mattress protectors can also help protect against allergens and bedbugs. This can help make you or your loved ones much more comfortable while sleeping and potentially prevent a bedbug infestation in your home.

Always take a look at the care instructions on any waterproof mattress protector. Some can be washed and dried with your regular bedding, but some might have special instructions that can help increase the longevity of your protector.

Also, if you’re planning on washing and drying this a lot — like more than once a week — consider buying multiple protectors at a time and avoid putting them in the dryer.

Dryer heat has been shown in older research to weaken some fabrics and make them less likely to protect from liquid.

How does a waterproof mattress protector help?

Waterproof mattress protectors offer protection for your mattress from accidental spills, bedwetting accidents, and night sweats. And they ensure a longer lifespan. They are easy to clean, which helps prevent mold and bacteria growth within your mattress.

Mattress protectors can also protect you from any preexisting allergens, bacteria, bed bugs, or pests in your mattress.

What are waterproof protectors good for?

Waterproof mattress protectors are a great investment for nearly everyone. They work to prevent your mattress from coming into contact with nightly perspiration, which wears down the materials inside the mattress over time.

They also offer protection from spills, bed bugs, dust mites, and bedwetting.

Are mattress protectors uncomfortable?

Most mattress protectors are very thin and barely noticeable. For optimal comfort, choose one made from breathable materials, like cotton, rayon, or polyester.

What’s the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress protector?

A mattress topper helps change the feel of and comfort of your bed, whereas a mattress protector extends the lifespan of your mattress by fighting off stains, allergens, sweat, and more.

These two items should be used in conjunction for the best results.

Mattresses aren’t cheap, and a good waterproof mattress protector can give you some peace of mind that yours is protected.

There are a lot of different mattress protectors on the market that make similar claims, so always check customer reviews to find out how waterproof, durable, and comfortable any given product is.

Ruby Thompson is an associate editor on Healthline’s Wellness team. She recently graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School with her master’s degree in journalism, specializing in media innovation and content strategy. Outside work, she spends most of her time snuggling her cocker spaniel pup, taking barre classes, and wishing she knew how to cook.