How To Choose a Mattress Protector: What To Look For [Guide]

Key Takeaways

• A mattress protector is a removable cover that fits between your mattress and fitted sheet. 
• A mattress protector shields your mattress from liquids, stains, and allergens. 
• Everyone needs a mattress protector, especially if you have pets and kids, sleep hot, suffer from bedroom allergies, and/or want to stay covered by your mattress warranty.

Keeping your mattress clean means investing in a good mattress protector. This simple bedding addition will protect your bed from allergens, spills, dust mites, and stains. But shortly after deciding that you need a mattress protector, you may be surprised to find an overwhelming number of features to choose from. 

Below, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to choose a mattress protector. We’ll explore the different kinds, how they differ from fitted sheets, and what to look for before purchasing. 

Protect Your Mattress

The Purple Mattress Protector® protects your mattress from water, dust mites, and dander to enhance your comfort and sleep quality.

Shop Mattress Protectors

What Is a Mattress Protector? 

A mattress protector is a lightweight cover that fits over your mattress. It goes directly over the mattress but below your sheets. 

We spend so much time in bed that our mattresses are bound to get dirty from sweat and body oil stains. Accidents, like water and wine spills, are also an inevitable part of life. Mattress protectors safeguard mattresses from all of these risks. 

Unlike sheets, mattress protectors usually consist of materials that repel or absorb liquids. This makes them the best way to protect your mattress from bed wetting, dirty pet paws, bed bugs, dust mites, and other contaminants. You can also slip off a mattress protector and throw it in the washing machine along with your sheets, making it way easier to clean than a soiled mattress. 

Plus, protecting your mattress can help preserve your warranty. Some mattress companies will void your warranty if there are visible stains. 

Types of Mattress Protectors

People use many different languages to describe mattress protectors online. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of mattress protectors and how they differ by how they attach to your bed, along with the benefits and relative costs.

Fitted 

A fitted mattress protector is the most traditional type. It slips over the sides and corners of your mattress like a fitted sheet. Unlike a flat sheet, a fitted protector has a built-in elastic band around its perimeter and rounded corners. Fitted protectors like the Purple Mattress Protector® are stretchy and flexible, making them incredibly easy to remove and wash.  

Elastic 

An elastic mattress protector doesn’t fit over the sides of a mattress like a fitted sheet. Instead, it sits on top of the mattress like a top sheet. But, it also has elastic bands on all corners that wrap around the mattress to hold it securely in place. These aren’t as common because they only cover the top of the mattress and don’t protect the sides. 

Encased 

An encased mattress protector is a cover that zips up to cocoon the entire mattress for maximum protection. This makes it the best mattress protector type for bed bugs and mold, but removing it to wash can be time and labor-intensive. 

Cooling 

These are the best mattress protectors for hot sleepers. The last thing you want when introducing a new bedding is to make your bed uncomfortably hot. Cooling mattress protectors are designed to prevent the bed from growing too toasty, reduce sweating, and wick away sweat stains before they reach the mattress.  

What To Look For in a Mattress Protector

Let’s sort through all the confusing bedding jargon and cut to the chase. Here’s what to look for in a mattress protector when shopping.

Protection Level

Waterproof mattress protectors are the most protective. The best waterproof mattress protectors are coated with materials like polyurethane, which shields against moisture.

Not all mattress protectors are waterproof, though. You might see some mattress protectors marked as “water-resistant.” These may stave off water for a time but won’t provide a complete barrier between liquids and your mattress like a fully waterproof protector will. Liquids might eventually leak through to the mattress. If protection is a high priority for you, opt for waterproof instead. 

Good mattress protectors also protect against dust and allergens. If keeping out allergens is a priority for you, you’ll also want to look for protectors with antimicrobial properties.

Materials Used

Here are several of the best materials for mattress protectors:

• Cotton: Cotton mattress protectors feel soft and crisp yet non-crinkly. Though they’re comfortable and help keep the mattress from getting dirty, they are not the most waterproof option.
• Bamboo: Compared to cotton, bamboo protectors are more breathable and sustainable. They can also be some of the best mattress protectors for allergies because they are usually hypoallergenic, but they can be more expensive. 
• Polyester: Polyester is sturdy and waterproof, so it’s a prominent material in the best mattress protectors for bed wetting. Though polyester protectors are made of synthetic materials, they can also wick away moisture and are stronger than cotton. 

Mattress Type

Different types of mattresses work best with certain protectors. Here’s an overview:

• Memory foam mattress: Choose a breathable, moisture-wicking mattress protector made from bamboo or polyester and spandex. These will prevent moisture buildup from ruining the integrity of the mattress, as moisture buildup can wreak havoc on memory foam. 
• Hybrid mattress: To preserve the foam and coil design, choose a durable, thick mattress protector. Cotton or polyester may be a good choice. 
• GelFlex® Grid: We recommend using the Purple mattress protector with our proprietary GelFlex® Grid mattresses. Our mattress protector has enhanced stretch, allowing you to experience the full benefits of the grid. 

Durability

Experts agree that you should replace your sheets, including your mattress protector, every one to two years. It’s also important to choose a mattress protector that can withstand regular washing. Choose a high-quality one to make sure it lasts.

Purple’s Waterproof Mattress Protector is the ultimate defense for your mattress that’s designed to last. Rest easy on the soft-knit top layer of this 100% waterproof mattress protector knowing it will stay in peak performance after every wash. 

Care Requirements 

Keeping your mattress pristine depends on you regularly cleaning your mattress protector. You should wash your mattress protector at least once every two months. You’ll also need to wash it if you spill something on the bed or notice an uptick in allergy triggers in the bedroom. But no one wants to spend hours meticulously scrubbing their bedding by hand. 

Choose a mattress protector that you can safely toss in the washing machine and dryer. Look for protectors with simple washing instructions, too. For example, to wash Purple’s mattress protector, simply machine wash it on cold and tumble dry it on low with your other bedding. 

Size & Depth

Make sure you know the size of your mattress before buying a mattress protector. Don’t buy a king-size protector and expect it to fit snugly on a queen bed.

You’ll also need to consider depth. The protector's listing should include its depth. Cross-check this with your mattress's height to ensure it will stretch to fit perfectly over the sides.

Breathability

Look for a mattress protector that emphasizes breathability. While cotton is undoubtedly soft, it can sometimes trap heat. Bamboo tends to feel airy and cool. Polyester, sometimes combined with spandex, has added stretch, which makes the protector especially breathable and less stiff. This keeps the bed cool and doesn’t interfere with the feel of your mattress. 

What’s the Difference Between a Mattress Protector and a Fitted Sheet?

Protectors can look similar to fitted sheets, with corners that stretch over the side of the bed, but they’re fundamentally two different types of bed sheets. 

A mattress protector shields the mattress from spills, stains, and allergens. A fitted sheet is a softer piece of bedding that enhances comfort. 

To take the best care of your mattress and maintain bed cleanliness without sacrificing comfort, you should use a mattress protector, fitted sheet, and flat sheet. 

We recommend pairing your mattress protector with one of Purple’s breathable, stretchy, and silky-soft sheet sets.

Should You Use a Mattress Protector?

When deciding if you should get a mattress protector, consider its compatibility with your mattress.

Buying bed sheets of any kind depends on your mattress type. A mattress protector can help prevent stains and bed bugs and potentially extend the life of your mattress. 

You may not need one if you have a special mattress with built-in protection against moisture or a waterproof cover. 

However, it can’t hurt to have an extra layer of protection. Don’t leave your mattress vulnerable to stains. We highly recommend using a mattress protector, especially if you have a hybrid, memory foam, innerspring, or GelFlex® Grid mattress.

Extend the Lifespan of Your Mattress

The Purple Waterproof Mattress Protector protects your mattress from spills and stains, so it stays in great condition longer.

Shop Purple Waterproof Mattress Protector