Best Waterproof Mattress Protectors of 2024

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.

• Polyurethane: This is the material that gives most mattress protectors their waterproof abilities. It’s a type of plastic that acts as a moisture barrier but can be noisy and uncomfortable to sleep on if not encased in another material.
• Cotton: Cotton is a natural fiber that can be woven into durable moisture-wicking fabrics or knit into softer stretch fabrics that, when paired with a waterproof lining, can help keep you comfortable and protected while you sleep.
• Tencel: Tencel is a silky smooth fiber that can feel cool to the touch. It’s a popular pick for cooling waterproof mattress protectors. It is a great choice if you’re a hot sleeper.
• Terrycloth: Terrycloth isn’t a fiber but it’s a type of fabric (usually cotton) that is woven with little loops of extra yarns that allow for extra absorbency from spills.

✔️ 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 sides, including the bottom. You slide the cover over your mattress and then zip it shut for maximum coverage from spills. 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 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.