Once my three year-old toddler had managed to successfully complete day time potty training, it was time to start the night time regime in earnest. A large part of that, as any mother will know, was to find the best mattress protector on the market to protect from any little accidents.
I was looking for one that would tick all my boxes: safety, comfort, not too noisy so it doesn’t rustle and wake her, 100 per cent waterproof and easy to wash and dry for repeated use. In short, one that didn’t feel too much like a crinkly hospital waterproof mattress cover, that was more homely, whilst also being practical.
“When you choose a mattress protector for your baby it should be the exact size of your mattress, waterproof and flat, without padding,” says Millie Poppins, a baby care expert who has worked in the business for 15 years. “The mattress protector should be a tight fit so that there is no excess material which could be a suffocation risk for the baby.”
Choosing between all the different types of mattress protector can feel overwhelming - quilted or flat? Hypoallergenic or non-hypoallergenic? Cotton or polyester? How about cooling properties for joint pain? To help you out, my daughter and I have tested all the major brands. I decided to only test waterproof mattress protectors as they tend to be the most effective. You can read my full reviews below, along with more advice from Millie Poppins. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
Which are the best mattress protectors in 2024? At a glance
- Best mattress protector overall - The White Company Luxury Cotton Rich Quilted Waterproof Mattress Protector
- Best value mattress protector - Dreams Waterproof Anti-Allergy Mattress Protector
- Best waterproof mattress protector - Emma Mattress Protector
- Best mattress protector for deep quilting - Slumberland Teflon Supreme Care Mattress Protector
- Best sustainable mattress protector - The Nectar Mattress Protector
What should you consider when buying a mattress protector?
“Having a waterproof mattress protector is essential so that any liquids - such as urine, vomiting, milk etc - do not leak into the core of the mattress and cause bacteria growth,” says Millie.
“It is important to choose a flat fitted protector without extra layers, such as sheepskin, which can cause a baby to overheat. If you have concerns that your baby may be cold in their cot, you can use an age-appropriate sleeping bag or extra layers of clothing.
“You can choose a quilted mattress protector, but it is important that this does not take away from the firmness of the mattress and add unsafe padding. Any protector that you choose should create a firm, well-fitting and flat surface for safe sleep - and not be in any way elevated, as this can increase the risk of suffocation if they were to roll onto their front.”
How we tested the best mattress protectors
I fitted each mattress protector carefully onto my daughter’s single bed and she slept on each of them for a night so I could check them out for comfort and whether they moved during the night. I also considered how easy or hard it was to fit them onto the bed around the mattress and whether a sheet sat flat on top. I then poured both cold water and toddler urine on them to test how waterproof they were and also to see how they - literally - came out in the wash.
I washed each of them at manufacturer’s recommended temperature and then examined how they looked afterwards and how they dried on the line. I wanted to see if there were any urine stains after washing or if they came out fresh and clean. Here is what I found, starting with my favourite...
Best mattress protectors
1. The White Company Luxury Cotton Rich Quilted Waterproof Mattress Protector
From £45 for a single, The White Company
Best mattress protector overall, 9/10
We like: lovely thick quilting which reduces any crinkle factor
We don’t like: it is at the costly end of the scale - but even then, it’s worth it
- Available in cot bed size to Emperor size
- Cover and skirt is cotton, reverse is laminated with polyurethane
- Fill is 90 per cent cotton, 10 per cent mixed fibres
- Fits cot beds up to 14.5cm deep, or 34cm deep for single to emperor size beds
- No guarantee
The moment you take The White Company’s mattress protector out of its practical plastic zipper packaging you can feel the quality. It’s a lovely heavy weight which tells you it’s going to add to the comfort of the mattress as well as protect it.
On one side is a cotton rich quilting with a discreet waterproof membrane on the reverse. Certainly, the lovely thick quilting makes it feel luxurious and our test showed it was fully waterproof.
It’s one of the few cotton mattress protectors on the market - and I always think it’s good for children to sleep on natural fibres, for breathability and the lack of chemicals. Looking at the materials it’s made from and the finish, I’d say it would last you for years. Unlike with some protectors, you wouldn’t know the polyurethane under-sheet is there thanks to the thick quilting.
It washed very nicely too, coming up clean at the maximum machine temperature of 40 degrees, despite some toddler urine. The protector does wrinkle a little and if you want it to look perfect (which doesn’t bother me) you’ll need to pull out the steam iron. Also, as per the manufacturer’s instructions, it does shrink about three or so cm during its first wash - which is why it’s made slightly generous in size. As it’s so thick, it takes a while to line dry but it can also be tumble dried on a low heat setting.
Apart from the cot bed which comes in on the narrow-side (14.5cm) to suit thinner mattresses, the skirt depth is a good 34cm and in actual fact I measured it more like 40cm which is great if you have a deep mattress. It’s well elasticated which made it easy to put on and fit.
This mattress protector is at the costly end of the scale, but if you want a cover that will last and add a touch of luxury to your child’s bed, this is the one. One to treat yourself to - or your child.
2. Dreams Waterproof Anti-Allergy Mattress Protector
From £30 for a single, Dreams
Best value mattress protector, 8/10
We like: lovely soft cotton surface which feels nice to the touch and reduces the ‘crinkle-factor’ of the waterproof membrane
We don’t like: the skirt isn’t made from cotton - it’s made from polyester
- Available in single to king size
- Pure cotton cover which contains biocide zinc pyrithione to protect against bacterial and fungal growth
- Waterproof polyurethane under layer with a polyester skirt
- Fits mattresses up to 38cm deep (although I found it to be more like 40cm)
- One year guarantee
The brushed cotton on the surface of the protector feels good quality and nice and soft to the touch. It reminds me of those cosy old-fashioned flannel pyjamas we used to wear as kids. It has a good wide skirt which means that it stays in place well however much your little one tosses and turns.
The protector washes well at the recommended temperature of 40 degrees, but does feel quite heavy when it comes out of the machine and takes a while to line dry. You can however tumble dry it at a cool temperature.
This feels like a nice compromise if you don’t want a thick quilted mattress protector, but still want one that adds a layer of comfort. I could personally happily and comfortably lie on top of it without a top sheet as it is such lovely brushed cotton, but it’s recommended a fitted sheet is used over the top.
Reassuringly it contains a biocide - zinc pyrithone - to help protect against bacterial and fungal growth. And when I did the water test it repelled it really well thanks to the polyurethane backing - although the brushed cotton does retain the water when it soaks in.
The backing also makes a slight crinkle noise. Once firmly in position and lying on it, you don’t notice any crinkling though - the thick cotton top layer sees to that.
3. Emma Mattress Protector
From £74 for a single, Emma
Best waterproof mattress protector, 9/10
We like: nice Emma-branded elasticated band around the bottom of the skirt to keep it in place
We don’t like: not as thick as quilted protectors so won’t add much to your comfort
- Available in single to super kingsize
- Polyester top layer with polyurethane under layer
- Fits mattresses up to 25cm deep
- 10 year guarantee
Emma’s Mattress Protector has a white top made up of lots of tiny raised diamond shapes which encourage airflow and a mid-grey skirt with a white Emma-branded thick elasticated band around it to keep it in place. It’s designed to fit Emma mattresses, but fits other mattresses too - and the thick elasticated band does help when you come to put it on and to keep it in place.
That said, the skirt depth could be more generous and the fact it’s grey may put people off if they want to use white sheets as it would show through.
This protector washes well at 40 degrees (the highest recommended temperature) and feels quite heavy when it comes out of the machine. Tumble-drying is not recommended, so it might not work for everyone, but it line dries relatively quickly.
The description says that it is hypoallergenic and uses Allergy Shield technology to reduce up to 93.7 per cent of dust mites, which sounds reassuring. Essentially, the top layer contains Purotex which uses biobased technology to mimic natural probiotics. Probiotics help reduce exposure to allergens like house dust mites. So in theory, it will keep the mini mites at bay.
It wins ‘best for waterproofing’ because of those little raised diamonds which means that it doesn’t get as surface wet as other protectors which is good when you have a toddler lying on it. Also, as the waterproof underlayer is quite thick, it doesn’t make a crinkle sound.
You have 14 days to test the protector in your own home and can return it if you’re not satisfied, but I can’t imagine you’ll want to.
4. Slumberland Teflon Supreme Care Mattress Protector
From £29.99 for a single, Bensons for Beds
Best mattress protector for deep quilting, 8/10
We like: the deep quilting on top
We don’t like: that it’s made from polyester
- Available in single to super kingsize
- Polyester cover with Teflon water & stain resistant coating and polypropylene under layer
- Polyester filling and skirt
- Fits mattresses up to 45cm deep
- One year guarantee
The quilting on top of this Slumberland mattress protector makes it nice to sleep on - when asked, both my seven-year-old and four-year-old declared it to be “nice and comfy”.
And it’s definitely waterproof. Put as much water on it as you like and it just beads up and rolls right off thanks to a Teflon coating. There is a polyproylene backing for good measure, so not a drop of water should ever reach your mattress.
The recommended washing temperature is 40 degrees and you can tumble dry it on a cool programme. It washed very well, but because the quilting is quite thick it does come out of the washing machine heavy. If you don’t tumble dry it, it takes a while to dry properly.
The sheet has a nice deep elasticated skirt which is helpful when you’re wrestling it onto a thick mattress and good for keeping it in place. All in all, a good comfortable and practical all rounder that doesn’t cost the earth.
5. The Nectar Mattress Protector
From £40 for a single, Nectar
Best sustainable mattress protector, 8/10
We like: very lightweight so if it wasn’t for the crinkle you wouldn’t know it was there
We don’t like: the waterproof polyurethane layer makes a bit of a crinkle noise
- Available in single to kingsize
- Tencel jersey top layer with polyurethane under layer
- Polyester skirt
- Fits mattresses up to 32cm deep
- Two year guarantee
This Nectar mattress topper feels lovely and lightweight, especially compared to some of the other protectors. The top fabric is made from Tencel which is the brand name for Lyocell, an environmentally-friendly and breathable fabric. It feels similar to viscose - soft to touch - and like viscose is made from regenerated cellulose fibres.
To create these fibres, manufacturers take wood pulp, dissolve it in a chemical solvent then push it through an extruder to make the fibres. The difference is Tencel uses chemicals that are less toxic and get recycled in the process so there is minimal waste. It’s better for the environment than other similar materials, although not as good as recycled cotton. It’s often used in active wear as it is less susceptible to smelly bacteria growth like environmentally-damaging synthetics.
As for its use in a mattress protector, it is designed to be an ‘invisible barrier’ to protect your mattress from spills and dirt, and thanks to the polyurethane base layer it is certainly waterproof. But that layer also makes a bit of a crinkle noise.
It is machine washable at 90 degrees and it washed well and dries on a line quickly but you can’t tumble dry it.
Because it’s breathable material, it should also help keep your little one cool and comfortable. A really practical and environmentally-friendly option.
6. Tempur Cooling Mattress Protector
From £119 for a single, Tempur
Best mattress protector for an upgrade, 8/10
We like: it’s very lightweight
We don’t like: makes a rustling sound when you move
- Available in single to emperor
- Tencel top layer and waterproof perlam membrane under layer
- Fits mattresses up to 30cm deep
- Three year guarantee
Tempur uses a combination of Tencel and Perlam material to, so they claim, keep your skin the right temperature, fend off dust mites and repel any liquid. Can a mattress really do all those things? It’s certainly lightweight and felt quite cooling.
The Perlam backing feels quite slippery, but properly fitted you hardly feel it’s there. That said, for the money it costs, I would rather a more quilted and comfortable mattress protector.
It’s machine washable up to 60 degrees and came out of the wash clean, but quite soggy, so took a while to line dry (which is recommended). You can however tumble dry it at a low temperature.
Now for the science: thermic microcapsules integrated into the Tencel fabric have thermoregulating properties to help keep your skin between 28 and 30 degrees centigrade all night. The reactive Perlam membrane ensures your sheet is fully waterproof while encouraging airflow. And on top of this it meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 which means that it has been tested for harmful substances, poses no health risks and is a good option for sensitive skin.
When tested, water didn’t permeate through the mattress protector but the surface stayed damp - though not as damp as some of the others. It’s certainly all singing and all dancing, but it does come at a price.
7. Silentnight Supersoft Waterproof Mattress Protector
From £15 for a single, Very
Best budget mattress protector, 7/10
We like: this is very affordable compared to some of the other brands.
We don’t like: the waterproof fabric which makes up the skirt and is under the quilting is very crinkly
- Available in single to kingsize
- Quilted cover toy layer with waterproof polypropylene under layer
- Filling is 100 per cent polyester
- Fits mattresses up to 30cm deep
- Two year guarantee
This is most definitely the budget option. Although some marketing material describes it as ‘rustle-free’, the minute you pull it from the bag you can feel the almost paper-like crinkle from the polypropylene, the layer that makes it waterproof.
It’s particularly crinkly and stiff around the skirt area - which is elasticated - and consequently it’s quite hard on your hands as you fit it round the mattress. The polyester quilted cover feels quite soft, but I don’t think the polyester would be great in the heat - we tested it in spring.
It washed well at 40 degrees, despite having toddler urine on it. There was no trace of it after the wash. You can tumble dry it on a cool wool setting, but it also dried quickly on a line inside the house.
When I tested the waterproofness no water came through, but the quilted top layer stayed damp. If you’re looking for practicality and not too worried about a crinkle sound, this certainly works well for the price.
Waterproof mattress protector FAQ
With baby care expert Millie Poppins.
Do mattress protectors make the bed softer?
“They shouldn’t make the cot any softer, as it is very important that babies sleep on a firm, flat surface to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). When the bed is padded, even slightly, it increases the chance of suffocation to the baby if they were to roll over. It is also important for the surface to be firm and flat for physical development such as spine growth.”
What is best for a toddler? Do they need the same firm and flat surface?
“Once your child enters toddlerhood you can introduce pillows, duvets, soft toys etc. It would also mean that it is safer for them to sleep on softer, more padded surfaces without the same risk of suffocation that a baby would have in the same environment. In saying that, I would still recommend that you keep as little as possible in the way of bulky bedding to minimise any risk.”
How often should you change a mattress protector?
“You should change immediately if there is any liquid spilled onto the mattress, even a small posset. Other than this you can change it when you change the fitted sheet. With my clients I advise this to be done weekly so it is always a good idea to purchase two to three protectors to have on rotation.”
How do you wash a mattress protector?
“The same way you would wash other sheets and bedding, but it is important to note that most should be line dried. Often the waterproof coating isn’t suitable for tumble drying and high temperatures can increase warping of the fibres.”
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