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A little spill is now no biggie.
We updated this guide in August 2022 to ensure all picks, tested and vetted by Lab experts, were in stock and reflected accurate pricing.
Accidents and spills happen, but, when accidents happen on your mattress, stains could be permanent (mattresses are notorious for being difficult to clean). Waterproof mattress protectors are a great way to prevent a stained, dirty mattress because they repel liquids, keeping them from soaking into your mattress and leaving their mark. And mattress protectors can easily be removed and machine washed. They'll keep your mattress in good as new condition, even if you knock over a glass of wine or your kid has an accident in bed. Plus, 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 Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab took the guesswork out of shopping for a waterproof mattress cover. Our pros 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. Here are the best waterproof mattress protectors of 2022:
We share more about our favorite waterproof mattress protectors ahead, along with information about how we test mattress protectors and a helpful shopping guide.
Coop Home Goods is a popular brand among GH editors and is a top-tested brand, as well, with the adjustable loft pillow being awarded the title of "best overall" in our pillow tests. This five-sided protector goes on your bed like a fitted sheet for easy removal after bedwetting or spills. Analysts appreciated the plush top layer and that the waterproof backing wasn't noisy when crinkled in our test. The protector is also breathable and cool to the touch, thanks to the added rayon fibers. In our Lab tests, this pick showed minimal shrinkage and aced our water-repellency tests with no water seeping through from the top layer to the back.
Encasement protectors cover the entire mattress with a zipper closure for ultimate protection. GH Lab experts found Pillow Cube's encasement mattress protector to be soft and waterproof in recent tests. It's made with Pillow Cube's cool-to-the-touch material (also used in its top-tested cooling side sleeper pillow). The best part is that the top of the protector fully zips off for easy cleaning, which means you don't have to go through the hassle of lifting your mattress and removing the entire protector every time an accident happens. This protector also stayed completely silent in our evaluations. When you're ready to wash the protector, analysts recommend washing it with the top panel completely unzipped and separated to prevent water from pooling inside.
With over 170,000 five-star ratings, this mattress protector has surely kept many beds safe from accidental spills and leaks. The SafeRest mattress protector goes on like a fitted sheet and the top of the protector is covered in a terrycloth fabric, which is designed to absorb moisture. A waterproof material underlayer helps keep your mattress dry. Keep in mind that some reviewers note the protector can get hot when sleeping. GH pros have used this in their own homes and confirm it has blocked spills and repeatedly washed well.
The main downside of mattress protectors is that they run hot, leaving you sweaty and uncomfortable while you sleep. 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, a brand popular for its cooling sheets (our best overall cooling sheets), 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. Although it's more expensive than some other options, we think the cooling effect is worth the price and it held up well in the wash.
This encasement mattress protector from AllerEase offers great maximum coverage and can stretch to fit mattresses up to 17 inches deep. Not only did it prove to be truly waterproof in our Lab tests, but the brand claims it protects against bed bugs, dust mites and other allergens, as well. It features a zipper with a velcro cover that is specifically designed to keep out bed bugs by preventing them from being able to crawl in through the zipper opening. It's important to note that we found the protective material to be a bit loud because of its plastic-like feel, so it may make some noise when moving around in bed.
The best defense against 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. In Lab testing of larger sizes, it showed no leaks during our water-repellency evaluations but did shrink a bit after laundering. Our consumer testers loved this protector for their own beds, saying it didn't make noise and that it was undetectable under their sheets.
While some other cotton waterproof mattress protectors use a woven cotton canvas material that can feel a bit rough to the touch, this pick from Naturepedic is made with a super soft organic knit cotton jersey. We found it to be the softest protector in our tests, thanks to its unique design with knit jersey lining both sides of the protector and the waterproof material hidden between the layers. It proved to be waterproof in Lab — the top cotton layer absorbed some liquid, but the inner layer prevented any moisture from seeping through to the back. Lab analysts note that the waterproof material used in this protector is on the louder side.
Saatva's waterproof mattress protector has labels for the long and short sides of the protector for easy bed making. It has a silicone band along the elastic to prevent shifting. The cotton mattress protector is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal King sizes; plus, there's even an option for split king bed sizing, which no other tested brand offers. The cotton upper is backed by a waterproof barrier that may make a little noise while you're settling in for bed, but, the material proved to be great at preventing water from seeping through in our Lab tests. And it showed less shrinkage than other cotton options after laundering.
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 waterproof mattress protectors and analyzed them for performance and durability, reviewing over 200 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, but most of them are encased in another material for added comfort or better performance.
✔️ Protection: A mattress protector can be a full encasement cover or a five-sided cover. Encasement waterproof mattress protectors completely cover a mattress on all six sides. You slide the cover over your mattress and then zip it shut for maximum coverage from spills, and some offer bed bug protection too. A five-sided cover, on the other hand, fits on the bed like a fitted sheet, leaving the bottom of the mattress exposed. These covers are usually easier to remove than full encasements and can be taken off quickly when an accident happens.
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for over three years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for electric blankets, pillows, cooling bedding and more. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience, particularly focused on athletic wear. As a lifetime sewer with previous product development experience, she has a strong fashion background with expertise in proper fit and construction.
Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home & apparel reviews analyst. She has a Master of Science 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.