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4 Best Waterproof Mattress Protectors of 2024: Expert Tested [CNET]

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024 Taylor Leamey technology

Protect your mattress from spills and debris with our top picks for the best waterproof mattress protectors.

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Protect your mattress from spills and debris with our top picks for the best waterproof mattress protectors.

Taylor Leamey Senior Writer

Taylor Leamey writes about all things wellness, specializing in mental health, sleep and nutrition coverage. She has invested hundreds of hours into studying and researching sleep and holds a Certified Sleep Science Coach certification from the Spencer Institute. Not to mention the years she spent studying mental health fundamentals while earning her bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. She is also a Certified Stress Management Coach.

Expertise Sleep, Mental Health, Nutrition and Supplements Credentials

• Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach

$195 at Saatva

Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector

Best overall waterproof mattress protector

$240 at Sleep Number

Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad

Best cooling waterproof mattress protector

$59 at Walmart

Coop Home Goods Waterproof Mattress Cover

Best budget waterproof mattress protector

$119 at Happsy

Happsy Organic Mattress Pad

Best organic waterproof mattress protector

Most mattresses require significant investments. They are expensive and deserve to be protected. Mattress protectors, or “mattress pads”, are one of the most overlooked sleep essentials. It’s not something many people think about. The best waterproof mattress protectors offer coverage from dirt, allergens and moisture while adding a layer of comfort. That simple layer of fabric can add years to your mattress’ life. 

I have plenty of experience testing sleep products and forming recommendations based on my time with them. I tried some of the best waterproof mattress protectors in the only way you can: by pouring water on them. I’ve picked out the best ones for your money, and here’s how they felt and performed while I tested them. 

What’s the best waterproof mattress protector? 

When testing the waterproof mattress protectors, there were a lot of great options I came across. The best overall mattress protector was the Saatva mattress protector. It’s a heavy-duty mattress protector made from 100% organic cotton with a layer of polyurethane that keeps spills from getting through. It was the thickest protector I tested, not because it has padding but because it’s made from high-quality materials. 

In my testing experience, I found it extremely comfortable and fit beds well. It does an excellent job of repelling liquid, so you know your mattress will be protected. 

Best waterproof mattress protectors of 2024

The Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector is a thick, heavy-duty bed protector with an almost canvas-like feel. It’s heavier than other mattress protectors, but the stretchy sides make it easy to put on the mattress. Liquids sit on top of the mattress protector and slowly seep in without going through, thanks to the waterproof barrier. 

I will say that the Saatva mattress protector is a little big when you first take it out of the packaging, but that is often the case with mattress protectors. You should expect them to shrink a little when you wash them. If you use it straight out of the packaging, the top protector layer could easily shift and leave some of your mattress vulnerable with only the siding to protect it. 

Pros:

• Liquid slowly absorbs, giving you time to wipe it away
• Durable, canvas-like fabric
• Silicone elastic band to keep it in place

Cons: 

• The protector top can easily shift off the surface of the bed
• Not for people on a budget

Additional features:

• Material: Natural cotton, polyurethane
• Style: Sheet style
• Fits: Mattress up to 16 inches thick
• Trial: 45-day free returns 
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
• Price: $$

The Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad gives your mattress an extra dose of luxury with a unique wavy texture and cooling feel. It might be a little pricier than other options, but you won’t be disappointed with the quality of this bed protector. It has a buttery, soft feel that I can’t imagine anyone would dislike. 

It snags the best cooling waterproof mattress protector because it is cool to the touch while being extremely comfortable. It isn’t ice-cold by any means, but the sensation is there. If you’re a hot sleeper but don’t have the budget to invest in a cooling topper or mattress, this bed protector can help you from overheating at night. The textured top gives the mattress pad a little added cushion. I did notice that the texture did change when the fabric absorbed the water. It didn’t let any water get through, but it did leave the protector with a wet spot. Other options that repel spills give you enough time to wipe spills away. 

Pros:

• Textured top extends over the sides
• Extremely comfortable 
• Antimicrobial and hypoallergenic 
• Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification

Cons:

• Expensive
• Absorbs water while others repel it 

Additional features:

• Material: Polyester, cotton, spandex
• Style: Sheet style
• Fits: Mattress up to 16 inches thick
• Trial: 100-day free returns 
• Warranty: 10-year limited warranty 
• Price: $$$

Coop Home Goods is your best bet if you’re looking for a no-fuss waterproof mattress protector that you won’t feel at night. This waterproof mattress protector is a budget choice that melts into your bedding like it’s not even there. It’s waterproof, machine washable and has a simple striped texture. 

The Coop Home Goods protector might not have the bells and whistles that other waterproof mattress protectors do, like cooling technology or a nice texture, but it’s a solid protector that will extend the life of your mattress. For the price, it’s a great choice. 

Pros:

• Green Guard Gold and Oeko-Tex certification
• Fits mattresses up to 18 inches thick
• Plush feel

Cons: 

• Thin mesh sides
• Discoloration may happen when you wash it
• Sleeps warm

Additional features:

• Material: Viscose rayon
• Style: Sheet style
• Fits: Mattress up to 18 inches thick
• Trial: 45-day free returns 
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty 
• Price: $

From mattress company Naturepedic, the Happsy Organic Mattress Protector Pad is a great choice if you’re looking for an organic waterproof mattress protector. It’s made from soft organic cotton and is extremely stretchy, which makes it a breeze to put on the mattress. While testing, I found this waterproof mattress pad soft and comfortable. It’s not something that you would feel through your sheets. 

I was surprised by how well the Happsy Organic Mattress Pad repelled liquid. Instead of slowly sinking into the fabric like Sleep Number, the water sat on the Happsy mattress protector. This will give you plenty of time to clean up spills before they get a chance to get to your mattress. This also provides extra confidence for this protector to keep out dirt and debris. 

Pros: 

• Certified organic cotton
• GOTS and Made Safe certified
• Liquid doesn’t penetrate quickly 

Cons: 

• Loose fit on mattress
• Unclear warranty information 

Additional features:

• Material: Certified organic cotton and polyurethane film
• Style: Sheet style 
• Fits: Mattress up to 15 inches thick
• Trial: 30-day free returns 
• Warranty: NA
• Price: $$

How we tested the best waterproof mattress protectors

Our CNET sleep team has years of experience testing mattresses and sleep products. We’ve rolled around on just about every bed that you can buy. With each product, we use tests and assessments to determine the quality, performance and our recommendation. For waterproof mattress protectors, the key factors I used while testing are as follows:

Noise: When you think about mattress protectors, you probably imagine the loud, plastic-like encasements you may have had in your dorm or the last Airbnb you stayed in. The best waterproof mattress protectors are far beyond that now. Nearly all of them have a polyurethane backing that keeps liquids from seeping through your mattress. This introduces the potential for noise as you roll around at night. No one wants to be woken up at night by the sound of crinkling. Noise was noted while testing every mattress protector on this list. 

Waterproof properties: Just because something says it’s waterproof doesn’t mean it does it well. Assessing the waterproof performance of each mattress protector was essential during our testing process. I did this by pouring water on each protector, noting if it repelled or absorbed water, and if it did absorb it, how long it took. 

Specifications: Like mattresses, bed protectors generally have warranties and trials attached to them. For each product, the warranty, trial and certifications were noted in the reviews. Extra features like cooling technology were also included.

Read more on how we test mattresses at CNET.

Things to consider when shopping for a mattress protector

Mattress protectors aren’t something you should skip. Not only will it save you cleaning time, but it will also extend the life of your bed by protecting the layers of foam inside. 

There are a lot of waterproof mattress protectors on the market, varying by price, quality and performance. That makes it challenging to narrow down which mattress protector is best for you. To simplify it, we’ve narrowed down some critical factors to remember when shopping for the best waterproof mattress protector. 

Style

There are several styles of waterproof mattress protectors. Some are full encasements that zip around the entirety of your bed, while others are pads that sit on top with straps that anchor it to the bed. The most common type of mattress protector looks like a fitted sheet. They are stretchy and easy to put on, although they can shift at night.

Material 

Another thing to consider when shopping for the best waterproof mattress protectors is what it’s made of. Some protectors boast organic certifications like Oeko-Tex that confirm the product is free of harmful substances. 

Also, decide what type of texture you want from a bed protector. Some, like Sleep Number, have elaborate textures you can feel through a sheet. Others are designed to blend in, so you don’t even know they are there. 

• Cotton: Many people seek out cotton waterproof mattress protectors because cotton is breathable and easy to care for. It’s a classic choice for comfort and moisture-wicking. 
• Tencel: Waterproof mattress protectors made from Tencel are silky smooth when you touch them. Tencel is often included in cooling mattress protectors because it has a natural cooling effect. 
• Terry cloth: Terry cloth is comfortable and great for waterproof mattress protectors because it quickly absorbs the spill rather than leaving it to pool on top as some quilted tops do.

Budget 

They’re cheaper than mattresses, but mattress protectors can still run you a couple of hundred dollars, depending on the features and brand of the product. Thankfully, there are good options for every budget. Establishing how much you want to spend on a mattress protector will help narrow down your options.