A little spill is now no biggie.
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Mattresses are notoriously difficult to clean, so when accidents or spills happen, a waterproof mattress protector can make all the difference. After all, it's much easier to clean a protector than your mattress. Plus, the best waterproof mattress protectors can extend the life of your mattress by protecting against everyday wear and tear, bugs and allergens, too.
Remember: Not all mattress protectors are guaranteed to be waterproof. That's why the analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab put waterproof mattress protectors to the test, evaluating washability, shrinkage after laundering, water repellency, hand feel and noise when crinkled. Consumer testers also tried some of these picks to give comments on ease of bed making, mattress fit and overall comfort.
A five-sided protector simplifies bed-making and cleanup: It goes on your bed like a fitted sheet, so you can easily remove it after spills and put it back on after laundering. This one from Coop Home Goods checks all the boxes of a great waterproof mattress protector. And on top of that, it's got a plush, cool-to-the-touch top layer. One analyst even commented, "I immediately noticed how soft it was compared to the other mattress protectors."
Tester notes: Beyond its comfortable feel, we found that the waterproof backing wasn't noisy when crinkled. However, the mesh side panels didn't feel as sturdy as other protectors we tested. In the Lab, it washed well with minimal shrinkage and aced our water-repellency tests. No water seeped through from the top layer to the back.
Boasting over 279,000 reviews (including over 216,000 five-star ratings), this mattress protector has undoubtedly kept many beds safe from spills and leaks. The top is covered in a terrycloth fabric designed to absorb moisture quickly, and a waterproof underlayer helps keep your mattress dry.
Tester notes: One product expert at GH uses this protector on her kid's bed and credits it for saving their mattress during illness. She says, "It's very easy to get on [thanks to the] stretchy side panels and very quiet." Still, keep in mind that some online reviewers found that the protector can get hot when sleeping.
For maximum coverage, look for an encasement-style mattress protector, which completely covers the entire mattress. This one from AllerEase has a zipper with a velcro cover specifically designed to keep out bed bugs by preventing them from being able to crawl in through the zipper opening. The brand also claims it can protect against dust mites and other allergens.
Tester notes: While putting on an encasement-style protector can be harder (especially since you'll need to lift your mattress), one tester found it worth it. They commented, "I have dust mite allergies and appreciate the peace of mind, even if it takes extra time to get the protector on my bed after laundering." During our in-Lab tests, we found it wicked moisture with ease, without allowing it to seep through onto the mattress. We found the protective material was loud, so it may make some noise when moving around in bed.
The best defense against toddler leaks is a well-fitted and absorbent diaper. But, if there's an accident, spit-up or other spills during the night, a good mattress protector can make cleaning up a breeze. This protector from My Green Mattress is available in a wide range of sizes, including a crib size, and it's made with GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Tester notes: It didn't leak during our water-repellency evaluations in the Lab, but it did shrink a bit after laundering. Our experts loved using this protector for their children's beds with one noting, "I like how it uses mostly organic materials." Testers also liked that it didn't make noise. Plus, one consumer tester even commented, "You don't even know it's there."
If you run warm at night, you know this problem all too well: You try to use a mattress protector to extend the life of your mattress, but, in turn, you spend your nights sweating from the lack of breathability. Luckily, this cooling protector from Airley is made with soft and breathable Tencel on top of waterproof material. Its stretchy side panels also provide a secure fit on a range of mattress sizes.
Tester notes: Our consumer testers unanimously agreed that this protector stayed quiet and helped keep them at a comfortable body temperature. One called it "unnoticeable," while another said they experienced "no plastic-y sounds when moving." A third tester noted, "It kept me cool and dry, which I loved." Still, while most found it fit well on their beds, one tester with a short mattress noted the depth felt loose.
If you want the security of a waterproof mattress protector but not the heat that comes with it, a cooling mattress protector is a great option. SlumberCloud, which is known for its cooling bedding, designed a mattress protector using moisture-wicking Tencel and Outlast technology, which stores and releases heat throughout the night to keep you at a stable, comfortable temperature.
Tester notes: While our pick from Airley offers excellent breathability, SlumberCloud's cooling technology is a cut above the rest. Several testers gave it top scores, sharing that it kept them at a comfortable temperature on heat-trapping foam mattresses. Although it's more expensive than some other options, we think the cooling effect is worth the price. It even held up well in the wash with minimal shrinkage.
We've rounded up the best of the waterproof mattress protectors we've tested, but here are other great performers from our evaluations to keep in mind.
GoodMorning.com Mattress Protector: Earning the title of the quietest mattress protector we've tested, this five-sided protector made very little noise when we crumpled the fabric. Water didn't seep through, but smooth viscose fabric proved too smooth for some testers whose sheets slipped off the bed.
SlumberCloud Core Mattress Protector: SlumberCloud's cooling mattress protector uses moisture-wicking Tencel and Outlast technology, which stores and releases heat throughout the night to keep you at a stable, comfortable temperature. It held up well in our tests, keeping out water, but is now on final sale.
Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector: Made of cotton with a 16-inch depth, this pick from Saatva showed less shrinkage than other cotton protectors. It also has a silicone band along the elastic edge to help prevent shifting. Like our other picks, it kept water from seeping through, but the waterproof backing made a noticeable sound in our tests.
Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector: This protector was the softest in our test. It's made of organic knit cotton jersey with an in-between waterproof barrier. In our tests, water seeped through the knit top, but the inner layer prevented any moisture from seeping through to the back. Note that the fabric was louder than others we tester.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we extensively test all types of bedding, including comforters, sheets, pillows, mattress toppers, mattress protectors and more to ensure that you can create the best, most comfortable bed possible for a great night's sleep. GH Lab experts recently tested 15 waterproof mattress protectors and analyzed them for performance and durability, reviewing over 300 data points to make these picks.
To ensure that the mattress protectors were actually waterproof, we conducted a spill test simulation in Lab. Our Lab pros lined a tray with absorbent blotting paper, weighed the tray for later comparison, and then covered the tray with material from a mattress protector. Next, a set amount of distilled water, similar to a standard spill, was poured onto the mattress protector (pictured). After three minutes, the protector was removed and the tray was weighed again. The more water that soaked through the mattress protector and into the absorbent blotting paper below, the less waterproof the protector proved to be.
Our Lab experts also put each mattress protector through repeated wash testing to see how well the protectors withstood regular laundering and to analyze if they were able to resist shrinkage in the dryer. Lab analysts crinkled each protector together to mimic any noise it way make when in use and rated how soft the protector felt.
Lastly, we sent some of these picks to consumer testers for real-life use. They shared feedback on ease of bed making, comfort, mattress fit, sound and more.
✔️ Material: Waterproof mattress protectors are all designed with some sort of waterproofing material, and most are encased in a second material for added comfort or better performance.
✔️ Protection: A mattress protector can be a full encasement cover or a five-sided cover.
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst. She’s been at Good Housekeeping since 2018, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for electric blankets, pillows, cooling bedding and more. Emma has previously written about the best mattress protectors and best cooling mattress pads. With a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience, particularly focused on athletic wear.
Grace Wu most recently updated this story. She's a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Grace has coordinated recent consumer testing of mattress protectors, pads and toppers. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
In-Lab tests were performed by Amanda Constantine, home and apparel reviews analyst in the Textiles Lab. She has a M.S. in consumer sciences from the Ohio State University, along with undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and marketing communications. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, she served as a lecturer at The Ohio State University, teaching fashion and textiles courses and conducting research.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
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