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Best mattress protectors 2023: Waterproof and quilted options tested | The Independent

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Best mattress protectors 2023: Waterproof and quilted options tested | The Independent

Whether quilted, waterproof or temperature regulating, we’ve tried and tested the best mattress toppers

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Most protectors have an elasticated skirt, so it’s worth measuring the depth of your mattress

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.

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 no surprise the company behind the much-praised mattresses also sells a top-notch protector to keep them pristine. Though this is of course compatible with all 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.

Sleep soundly knowing you’ve chosen the most eco-friendly mattress protector possible with this bamboo option. The bamboo used is sustainably grown to meet the highest standards and requires a third less water than cotton to thrive with no 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 is a no-brainer for anyone with allergies.

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 that there were two depths to choose from to ensure the best fit for every mattress.

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 an absolute essential to make sure the mattress lasts as long as possible.

Terry towelling is the ultimate waterproof fabric so it’s no surprise this mattress protector can handle anything you can throw (or drop) on it. It’s the ideal choice for anyone with pets or children or who is particularly accident prone with their morning cuppa – and you won’t need to spend a fortune. It’s also far softer than we expected and we couldn’t feel it at all under our sheet. Plus, it’s completely quiet so doesn’t rustle when you move and the wide skirt held it in place well. Don’t worry if you do spill on it either. It was one of the easiest protectors to wash as it’s not too bulky, although be warned it can’t be tumble dried afterwards.

Why faff with a protector and a topper when you can use just one instead? While this mattress protector doesn’t claim to double up as a topper, it’s so wonderfully plush and padded, we definitely didn’t feel the need to add anything else to our bed.

Buying a mattress is one of the most important decisions you can make in a home, and can cost hundreds of pounds. It’s crucial to find one that is supportive, comfortable and will last, but it’s just as important to look after it once it’s on your bed with a mattress protector.

A good mattress protector will help prolong the life of your mattress and guard it against spills and stains, as well as dust mites and allergens. Some can even help regulate body temperature or are quilted for added comfort – although you’ll need an additional mattress topper if you’re really looking for extra support and cosiness.

Before buying, you’ll need to decide what material the protector should be made of. Synthetic materials like polyester will be the most affordable but one made of cotton is likely to be better quality and more breathable if you tend to overheat at night. There are now also more eco-friendly materials available such as bamboo and Tencel.

Check carefully if the mattress protector is waterproof too, as surprisingly not all are. If you intend to use one on a child’s bed or allow pets on your own bed, it’s a good idea to choose a waterproof version. Finally, it’s important to check the size of your bed. Most protectors have an elasticated skirt just like a fitted sheet but these vary in size, so it’s worth measuring the depth of your mattress before buying, to make sure the protector will stay put even if you toss and turn.

Don’t forget to wash the protector too. Some manufacturers recommend washing it every time you change your sheets while bed retailer Dreams says every two months is adequate. However, it will need washing more frequently if you have allergies or if anything has spilled on the bed.

We tested all these mattress protectors in our own home to check for fit, comfort and that all-important rustle factor that often comes with waterproof versions. We checked to make sure each protector didn’t move during the night. And if it claimed to help keep us cool, we monitored this too. We even poured water on every mattress protector to check which ones were really waterproof.

Finally, we washed and dried each protector according to the manufacturer’s instructions to see how easily and quickly each one could be cleaned. Prices included for every mattress protector are for a double unless otherwise stated.

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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 (polyurethane) layer makes it completely waterproof – we tested this by pouring a whole glass of water on it.  It’s nicely stretchy too, so fits well on the mattress and doesn’t bunch up at the corners. Tencel is also naturally hypoallergenic and the protector can be washed at up to 90C, making it perfect for anyone who suffers from allergies. The one drawback is that 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.

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 that 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 mattresses also sells a top-notch protector to keep them pristine. Though this is of course compatible with all 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 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 that it is much thinner than some protectors so you may still want to add a topper for extra comfort.

Sleep soundly knowing you’ve chosen the most eco-friendly mattress protector possible with this bamboo option. The bamboo used is sustainably grown to meet the highest standards and requires a third less water than cotton to thrive with no 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 is 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 can biodegrade, and you won’t hear it rustle every time you turn over. It feels super silky to the touch too just like a premium sheet. A snoozing success all around.

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 that 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 although 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.

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 an absolute 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 washes fantastically well. Despite the price, the waterproof layer was one of the best we tested too and 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.

Terry towelling is the ultimate waterproof fabric so it’s no surprise this mattress protector can handle anything you can throw (or drop) on it. It’s the ideal choice for anyone with pets or children or who is particularly accident prone with their morning cuppa – and you won’t need to spend a fortune. It’s also far softer than we expected and we couldn’t feel it at all under our sheet. Plus, it’s completely quiet so doesn’t rustle when you move and the wide skirt held it in place well. Don’t worry if you do spill on it either. It was one of the easiest protectors to wash as it’s not too bulky, although be warned it can’t be tumble dried afterwards.

Why faff with a protector and a topper when you can use just one instead? While this mattress protector doesn’t claim to double up as a topper, it’s so wonderfully plush and padded, we definitely didn’t feel the need to add anything else to our bed.

Made of silky-smooth cotton percale, the protector has a quilted top for extra snuggle factor and an extra-deep skirt so there’s no mattress it won’t fit. It stays firmly in place and the cotton means it feels breathable and didn’t make us overheat during the night.

While not fully waterproof, it will see off small spills and can be machine washed though it does take much longer to dry than normal bedding. Its thickness also means it takes up quite a bit of room when not in use even in its handy zipped storage bag. However, with a protector this comfy (and pricey) to snooze on, you’ll never want your bed to be without it anyway.

Breathable, anti-allergy and waterproof, the Nectar mattress protector is a great buy that will keep you cool all year round. If you can splash more cash, we also loved The White Company temperature balance quilted mattress protector for its plush quilted feel and nifty temperature-regulating properties.

Now you’ve got your mattress protector sorted, up the cosy factor with our edit of the best linen bedding

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Best mattress protectors 2023: Waterproof and quilted options tested | The Independent

China Terry Cloth Mattress Protector Or if you would prefer: