Best mattress protectors that will keep your bed in top condition in 2024

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 we 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 naturally 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 we’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.

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 we expected – we couldn’t feel it at all under our sheet. Plus, it doesn’t rustle when you move, and we 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.

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 our 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 we know is we’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.

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 we tested.

Unlike some others, though, the skirt has a stretchy elastic band around the edge, so 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 we loved.

Emma says its revolutionary AllergyShield technology also reduces up to 93.7 per cent of mites plus it dried 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.

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; is hypo-allergenic, so won’t cause skin irritation, and it washes fantastically well.

Despite the price, the waterproof layer was one of the best we tested, and it kept the mattress completely dry even when we poured a whole glass of water on it.

It does rustle a little when you move around in bed, though, so we think it’s best used on the kids’ beds only.

Getting sweaty while you sleep is no fun, so, if you tend to overheat at night (or share a bed with someone who does), this protector is a great option. It’s made of breathable 200-thread count pure cotton with a pure cotton fill to wick away perspiration. It’s also considerably cheaper than most other pure cotton protectors, and we liked the fact there were two depths to choose from, to ensure the best fit for every mattress.

It feels lovely to the touch, too, with a flat profile but a smooth, lightly quilted finish and an elasticated jersey skirt. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take too long to dry after washing, either.

The only downside is that while it does offer light protection against minor spills, it’s not completely waterproof. So, if you just can’t do without a morning cuppa in bed, you’d be better off choosing something else.

Sleep soundly knowing you’ve chosen the most eco-friendly mattress protector possible. The bamboo used is sustainably grown to meet the highest standards and requires a third less water than cotton to thrive, while there’s no use of pesticides, fertilisers or chemicals. The protector itself is even delivered in a recycled and recyclable box.

Bamboo is also naturally antibacterial and inhospitable to parasites such as dust mites – plus has hypoallergenic properties, so it’s a no-brainer for anyone with allergies.

There’s no compromise on comfort either. The protector has a thin, non-toxic waterproof layer made from Nano TPU, which is recyclable and biodegradable, and you won’t hear it rustle every time you turn over, either. It feels super silky to the touch, too, just like a premium sheet. A snoozing success all round.