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The 6 Best Mattress Protectors For Memory Foam

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by Vanessa Spilios
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
best mattress protector for memory foam
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If you own a memory foam mattress, you already know how comfy-yet-supportive it is. So it may not come as a surprise that the same things that make your mattress extra comfortable can also turn it into a sponge for stains, odors, and allergens. The best mattress protectors for memory foam create a barrier to guard against staining from dirt, sweat, and, in some cases, liquid spills — without feeling plasticky or detracting from the supportive comfort of your memory foam mattress.

When deciding which mattress protector is best for you, you should keep a few things in mind. When it comes to the level of protection, do you just want something for minor stains and perspiration (yes, everybody sweats when they sleep), or do you need a barrier from liquids? If you share your bed with a pet or toddler, or enjoy your coffee in bed, you’ll want a waterproof mattress protector.

Consider your preferences and any sensitivities you might have when it comes to material. While you won’t be sleeping directly on top of the mattress protector, the material can affect your mattress’s breathability just as much as your sheets. Memory foam mattress protectors with terry cotton surfaces are a good choice, but the best mattress protector for hot sleepers will be made from bamboo, which is a naturally temperature-regulating material.

Many memory foam mattress protectors have a similar design as a fitted sheet, making them easy to remove and wash, while others offer full encasement for the highest level of protection. Think about your lifestyle and how much time you want to spend removing and putting on your mattress cover.

Below are six of the best mattress protectors for memory foam that will keep your mattress clean, fresh, and looking brand new.

1The Overall Best Mattress Protector For Memory Foam

  • What’s great: Breathable cotton terry surface, noise-free, reasonable price point, lots of reviews
  • The reviews: 4.6-star overall rating, 190,000+ reviews

This mattress protector from SafeRest has everything going for it. It’s made from breathable, hypoallergenic cotton terry that won’t interfere with the feeling of your sheets. This waterproof protector is designed with a vinyl-, phthalate-, and PVC-free membrane that serves as a barrier to all fluids. But since it’s not made out of plastic, it won’t crinkle when you toss and turn in your sleep. Even better, the elastic mesh around the perimeter of the protector ensures it will fit snugly on your bed. This tight fit is essentially a second barrier from moisture, liquids, and allergens. If you need further convincing, just read some of the 190,000+ customer reviews (yes, you read that right) that this mattress protector has on Amazon.

According to a reviewer: "My wife went into labor a year and a half ago and that labor went very quickly... so quickly that she ended up giving birth on our bed in the presence of EMTs. We then went to the hospital where I stayed overnight with my wife and new baby girl. The next day, once things had [calmed] down, I went home to clean up before they came home. For those who have witnessed or gone through childbirth, you know what a mess I arrived to. For those who haven't, suffice to say there are many different types of fluids and a lot of them. Let's just say I was fully expecting to be purchasing a new mattress. To my amazement, once I'd bagged our sheets and this mattress pad, our mattress was perfectly fine. I bought another one immediately and will continue to use this brand as long as it exists. I challenge anyone to put it through a more rigorous test.”

  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

2The Best Encasement Protector For Memory Foam

  • What’s great: Encasement design provides full protection, the best choice for allergies, waterproof, cotton terry surface, noise-free
  • The reviews: 4.7-star overall rating, 11,000+ reviews

This mattress protector takes things to the next level by offering an upgraded encasement design. As opposed to other mattress toppers on this list, you’ll get all-over protection, so if you suffer from allergies, this is the best pick for you as it creates the closest thing to a seal for your mattress, preventing allergens (hello, dust mites) from entering and getting trapped. But because it fully encases your bed, finding the right size is essential so your mattress protector isn’t baggy. Fortunately, it comes in a variety of bed sizes and mattress thicknesses, ranging from 13 to 20 inches deep, so you can find the perfect fit.

One important thing to note: If you plan to wash your mattress protector frequently, consider that this one is a bit harder to remove and put back on than others. But, since this mattress protector comes with a 10-year warranty, it’s a fantastic option.

According to a reviewer: "My daughter just spilled almost an entire medium fountain drink on her brand new mattress. [The] sheets and mattress pad were off because they’re in the washer, so this mattress cover was the only thing protecting the mattress. I was sure it wasn’t going to hold that much liquid and that the drink would have leaked through, but it did! Mattress is perfectly fine. Thank goodness!”

  • Available sizes: crib, twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king, (multiple thickness options)

3The Best Cooling Mattress Protector For Memory Foam

  • What’s great: waterproof, soft, and temperature-regulating premium bamboo surface, jacquard weave, noise-free
  • The reviews: 4.7-star overall rating, 19,000+ reviews

If you’re looking for a waterproof mattress pad that doesn’t make you sweat, you might like this bamboo mattress protector from PlushDeluxe. It is made from naturally breathable and temperature-regulating bamboo, which will allow you to enjoy a cooler, more comfortable sleep. The material is very thin and slightly stretchy, so it won’t change the feeling of your memory foam mattress, and even contours to your body for a pleasant fit. Despite the thin design, this mattress protector has an effective waterproof barrier for stains, moisture, and dust mites. Another bonus: Since bamboo is non-absorbent, it won’t pick up oils from your skin and turn the protector yellow or gray over time.

According to a reviewer: "Have had this mattress cover for about a week and just realizing now that I have not woken up to cold and clammy sheets drenched in sweat like I was before! If your mattress runs hot and you run hot, this is life-changing.”

  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

4The Best Value: A Mattress Pad That Offers The Most For The Least

  • What’s great: Waterproof, soft, and temperature-regulating bamboo surface, noise-free
  • The reviews: 4.7-star overall rating, 2,000+ reviews

At a wallet-conscious price, this breathable mattress protector from DOWNCOOL offers many of the best qualities featured here at a reasonable cost. The upper layer of the protector is constructed from breathable bamboo fiber, which helps to draw moisture away from the body, resulting in a cooler sleep. It also means that the mattress protector is noiseless, so you won’t hear anything if you move or roll over. The waterproofing barrier on this mattress protector comes from a soft polyurethane backing that blocks liquids from penetrating your mattress. The fully elasticized skirt of the protector stretches to form a tight fit around a range of mattress thicknesses up to 18 inches deep.

According to a reviewer: "These are perfect, we ordered some for everyone's bed. They fit perfectly and do the job. They don't make noise or feel uncomfortable under our sheets. Customer service is also great, they reached out just to make sure we were happy with our purchase.”

Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king

5The Best Pillow-Top Mattress Protector For Memory Foam Mattresses

  • What’s great: Adds softness to memory foam that’s too firm, cloud-like feel, noise-free
  • The reviews: 4.4-star overall rating, 15,000+ reviews

If you want the support of memory foam but prefer the soft feel of a pillow-top mattress, this option from COONP offers both. The protector is made from 400-thread count combed cotton, and is filled with a fluffy down alternative that’s distributed evenly across the 3-D baffle-box design to offer head to toe comfort while you sleep. The cotton material of COONP’s protector is not waterproof, however it naturally helps to wick away sweat, making it good for people who tend to run hot when sleeping on memory foam. The protector has deep elastic pockets that allow it to fit over mattresses ranging from 8 to 21 inches thick, and due to its down-alternative fill, can be machine washed and dried.

According to a reviewer: "I have had insomnia most of my adult life. I wake up every hour or two. My partner has severe neck problems. We've both slept like babies through the night with this thing. My only warning is this — I haven't had to set an alarm in years. Twice I've slept until 10 a.m. on this thing. It's dangerously comfortable.”

  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, super queen, king, California king

6The Best Mattress Protector For Extra-Thick Memory Foam Mattresses

  • What’s great: Stretches to fit mattresses as deep as 22 inches, soft cotton terry surface, noise-free
  • The reviews: 4.5-star overall rating, 1,200+ reviews

Many mattress protectors can’t quite fit over extra-thick mattresses, resulting in rolled-up corners and frustration. The stretchy elastic siding and deep corners on this mattress protector from TRU Lite Bedding expand to fit over mattresses as thick as 22 inches, so you can use it on a range of mattress styles, including those with additional mattress toppers. The main body of the protector is made from plush and absorbent cotton terry that won’t affect the feel of your memory foam mattress, and it has a soft waterproof barrier that protects your mattress from staining and damage due to dirt, sweat, and liquid spills.

According to a reviewer: "Our young grandchildren would spend the night with us often and were not always successful when making it thru the night without wetting the bed. This liner worked great and is not noisy like the old plastic covers nor does it make you sweat. We still continue to use it even though the kids don't really need them anymore.”

  • Available sizes: twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

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