Protect your bed with these mattress protectors
Mattresses aren’t cheap — a protective cover can keep yours in tip-top shape.
Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement
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$20.98
To pick the mattress protectors on this list, we spoke to experts who specialize in mattresses, as well as pest specialists who focus on bed bug prevention about what to look for. They suggested prioritizing the following things when shopping for a mattress protector.
The below mattress protectors all have the characteristics our experts suggested keeping in mind and have at least a 4-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews.
This hypoallergenic option protects against allergens, dust mites, perspiration, urine and other fluids, according to the brand. It offers five-sided protection and is made from a soft cotton terry material. It is vinyl and PVC-free but still offers water resistance, according to the brand. I use this protector on my daughter’s crib mattress and have found that nothing — whether it be a spilled bottle or a massive blowout — seeps through. This protector is machine-washable, making it simple to clean should you spill anything on your bed.
Sizes: Crib, twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Material: Cotton | Style: Five-sided
This protector fully surrounds your mattress and zips shut, a feature that can help protect it from bed bugs, says Meek. It has a 4.6-star average from over 17,700 reviews on Amazon. In addition to protecting your mattress from spills and bed bugs, it also wicks away moisture, making it good for those who sweat while they sleep, according to the brand.
Sizes: Crib, twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king | Material: Cotton | Style: Fully encased
With a 4.6-star average from over 100,100 reviews on Amazon and priced under $30, this zippered mattress encasement is good for those on a budget. The material is stain-resistant and machine washable, according to the brand, and made with a polyester that is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means that it has been tested against a list of over 1,000 chemicals to ensure it is free of them.
Sizes: Crib, twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king | Material: Polyester | Style: Fully encased
This mattress protector has a 4.6-star average from over 12,700 reviews on Amazon and is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. Like the other options, this one is water-resistant, machine washable and zips closed. It also has a velcro latch to ensure the zipper doesn’t slip open on its own.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Material: Cotton | Style: Fully encased
Though this mattress protector is water-resistant, it is also breathable and won’t trap heat, according to the brand. It fully encases the mattress, zips closed and has a 4.6-star average from over 3,500 reviews on Amazon. This mattress protector is tightly woven to prevent allergens from collecting and also wicks moisture away from the body and doesn’t retain body heat, according to AllerEase.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king | Material: Polyester and nylon | Style: Fully encased
Hospitology’s mattress encasement has a 4.7-star average from over 13,100 reviews on Amazon. It’s available in 6-8”, 9-11” and 12-18” depths and the material has a bit of stretch for a snug fit. I have this mattress protector on my bed and like that the snug fit means it doesn’t bunch up under my sheets.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king | Material: Polyester | Style: Fully encased
This five-sided mattress protector is made from a soft knit that is moisture-wicking and will not crinkle as you roll over, according to Ghostbed. It has a thick, two-inch elastic band around the edges to help hug your mattress so that it won’t bunch up under your sheets. Ghostbed’s mattress protector has a 4.7-star average from over 1,400 reviews on Best Buy.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king | Material: Cotton | Style: Five-sided
If you are interested in purchasing a mattress protector, here’s what the experts we spoke with recommend keeping in mind while shopping:
Many people purchase mattress protectors to prevent a bedbug infestation. Not familiar with these critters? Bed bugs are small insects that feed off blood. They tend to strike at night and like to hide in mattresses, headboards, box springs and other objects around the bed. When they bite you, they can cause allergic reactions or rashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To avoid an infestation or nip it in the bud if one happens, here are a few steps you can take:
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she spoke to experts about what to consider when shopping for a mattress protector.
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