A mattress can be a pricey investment, so it makes sense to try and extend its lifespan as much as possible. That’s where the best mattress protectors come into play, acting as the first line of defence against stains and general wear and tear, helping to keep your bed in better condition for longer.
To find out which mattress protectors offer real value for money, I tried and tested a variety in real homes. Whichever you choose, a water-resistant layer is essential. At the same time, it should be breathable enough to stop you waking up hot and uncomfortable. Natural materials can be a good option if you tend to overheat, but they often cost more than synthetic alternatives.
After extensive testing over many weeks, Nectar’s mattress topper (£45, Nectarsleep.co.uk) came out on top for me. It’s waterproof, breathable, and fits over a bed easily. But I’ve also covered options for kids, those with allergies, and a cooling option. Keep scrolling for my full review and verdict.
Read more: Best mattress toppers, tested
The best mattress protectors for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Nectar mattress protector: £45, Nectarsleep.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Staydrynights terry towelling waterproof mattress protector: £18, Dunelm.com
- Best for all seasons – The White Company temperature balance quilted mattress protector: £125, Thewhitecompany.com
- Best waterproof design – Emma mattress protector: £63, Emmasleep.co.uk
- Best for kids – Silentnight waterproof mattress protector, single: £12, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: Best pillows, tested
Nectar mattress protector
Best: mattress protector overall
Why we love it
- Environmentally friendly materials
- Breathable
- Super soft
Take note
- Can’t be tumble dried
Nectar’s 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 I really did find it cooling in bed.
It’s completely silent if you move during your sleep, too, despite the fact a PU layer makes it completely waterproof – it passed our glass of water test. It’s nicely stretchy, so fits well on the mattress and doesn’t bunch up at the corners.
Tencel is hypoallergenic, and the protector can be washed up to 90C, making it perfect for anyone who suffers from allergies. The one drawback is it can’t be tumble dried, so I’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.
Key specifications
Buy now £45, Nectarsleep.co.uk
Staydrynights terry towelling waterproof mattress protector
Best: budget mattress protector
Why we love it
- Easy to wash
Take note
- Can’t be tumbledried
Terry towelling is the ultimate waterproof fabric, so it’s no surprise this mattress protector can handle anything you can throw at it (or drop on it). It’s the ideal choice for anyone with pets or children, or anyone who is particularly accident-prone with their morning cuppa.
It’s also far softer than I expected – I couldn’t feel it at all under the sheet. Plus, it doesn’t rustle when you move, and I found that the wide skirt held it in place well.
Don’t worry if you do spill something on it, either, as it was one of the easiest protectors to wash. Be warned though, it can’t be tumble-dried afterwards.
Key specifications
Buy now £18, Dunelm.com
Simba mattress protector
Best: allergy-proof mattress protector
Why we love it
- Add layer of comfort
- Anti-dust mite
- Durable
Simba is synonymous with quality mattresses, toppers and bedding, and this mattress protector is no exception. The cotton fabric makes it naturally breathable and great for warm sleepers and summer nights. It has an additional layer of cushion padding, which I found genuinely made a difference to the comfort of my mattress.
The protector is a generous 40cm deep, so it fits snugly around your mattress, and stays put through the night. As an added bonus, the anti-dust mite treatment (made from natural margosa extract) is the cherry on the cake for allergy sufferers.
It’s on the slightly higher end of those on the market, but for the quality and durability, I found it well worth the price. In fact, I’d say it’s worth investing in two protectors, so you always have a backup.
Key specifications
Read more: Simba hybrid luxe mattress review
Buy now £129, Simbasleep.com
The White Company temperature balance quilted mattress protector
Best: mattress protector for all seasons
Why we love it
- Clever temperature control
Take note
- Takes a long time to dry
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 my 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 I know is I’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.
Key specifications
Buy now £125, Thewhitecompany.com
Woolroom organic washable wool mattress protector
Best: cooling mattress protector
Why we love it
- Temperature-regulating
- High quality
- Wool is certified organic
- You can see where the wool comes from
Take note
- Not waterproof
- Expensive
Wool is a great temperature regulator, helping to prevent overheating during warm nights. This Woolroom mattress protector even claims to take away up to 70 per cent of the heat given off from the body, and I certainly didn’t feel uncomfortably hot or especially damp when I tested this protector, thanks to its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. Wool also has the added bonus of being naturally hypoallergenic.
This quilted protector is not waterproof, though. It delivers a slightly plush, luxury feel, though don't expect much at all in the way of actual cushioning. However, the protector did create a somewhat ventilated, airy feel around us, helping us feel cooler.
Woolroom uses certified organic British wool, which means sustainability and the sheep’s wellbeing have been factored into the production process. I love that I can see which farm our wool has come from, just by scanning a QR code. The protector is machine-washable, but it takes a while to dry completely. It may be pricey, but I think this is a great, quality choice for those who want a natural option.
Key specifications
Buy now £279.99, Thewoolroom.com
Emma mattress protector
Best: waterproof mattress protector
Why we love it
- Great fit
- Waterproof
- Protects against dust mites
- Quick-drying
Take note
- On the thinner side
It’s no surprise the company behind the much-praised Emma mattresses also sells a top-notch protector. Though it is, of course, compatible with 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 I tested.
Unlike some others, though, the skirt has a stretchy elastic band around the edge, so it 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 I loved.
Emma says its revolutionary AllergyShield technology also reduces up to 93.7 per cent of mites, plus it dries quickly after washing, making it perfectly suited to those with allergies who want to wash their protector more often. Just be aware it is much thinner than some protectors, so you may still want to add a topper for extra comfort.
Key specifications
Buy now £63, Emma-sleep.co.uk
Silentnight waterproof mattress protector
Best: mattress protector for kids
Why we love it
- Great price
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 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, it is hypoallergenic, so it won’t cause skin irritation, and it washes fantastically well.
Despite the price, the waterproof layer was one of the best I tested, and it kept the mattress completely dry even when I poured a whole glass of water on it.
It does rustle a little when you move around in bed, though, so I think it’s best used on the kids’ beds only.
Key specifications
Buy now £12, Amazon.co.uk
Panda bamboo mattress protector
Best: silent mattress protector
Why we love it
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
- Naturally antibacterial
- Comfy
This protector is great for regulating temperature and will keep you cool on a hot night. There’s no compromise on comfort either. The protector has a thin, non-toxic waterproof layer made from Nano TPU, which is recyclable and biodegradable, and you won’t hear it rustle every time you turn over, either. It feels super silky to the touch, too, just like a premium sheet.
However, don’t fall for the mattress marketing. Though billed as “bamboo”, this mattress protector is really just rayon. It’s breathable and comfortable, but the process of turning bamboo fibre into rayon almost always uses environmentally damaging chemicals, so this may not be as eco-friendly as it looks.
Key specifications
Buy now £37, Pandalondon.com
Soak & Sleep luxury quilted cotton mattress protector
Best: quilted mattress protector
Why we love it
- Super breathable
Take note
- Not completely waterproof
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 I liked the fact 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 while 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.
Key specifications
Buy now £55, Soakandsleep.com
Your questions about mattress protectors answered
What is the best mattress protector?
Breathable, anti-allergy and waterproof, the Nectar mattress protector is a great buy that will keep you cool year-round. If you can splash more cash, I also loved The White Company temperature balance quilted mattress protector for its plush quilted feel and nifty temperature-regulating properties. Meanwhile, the Staydrynights and Silentnight protectors are great budget-friendly options.
How I tested mattress protectors
To find the best mattress protectors, I slept on each model for at least a week to assess comfort before going against my better instincts and pouring water directly onto the bed to test their waterproof claims. I paid close attention to the crinkle factor, listening out for any noisy rustling during the night, while monitoring breathability to ensure the protective barriers didn’t cause overheating. Each of the mattress protectors were assessed on the following criteria.
Why you can trust Indybest reviews
Siobhan Grogan is a writer who has been reviewing products for IndyBest since 2021. She has assessed plenty of home and garden essentials, including cooling pillows. Siobhan knows how to assess the quality and benefits of different materials. Here, she draws on years of experience and real-world testing to bring you her pick of the very best mattress protectors.
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