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- Best mattress protectors: At a glance
- How we test mattress protectors
- The best mattress protectors you can buy in 2026
- 1. Simba Performance Mattress protector: Best mattress protector overall
- 2. Nectar Mattress Protector: Best waterproof mattress protector
- 3. Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector: Best budget mattress protector
- 4. Emma Mattress Protector: Best discreet mattress protector
- 5. Scooms 100% Pure Cotton Mattress Protector: Best all-natural mattress protector
- How to choose the best mattress protector for you
- We reviewed seven mattress protectors in our group test, picking the five best to be featured in our roundup below
- Our tests involved judging how well each protector performed as a barrier against a series of coffee stains. We also assessed them on comfort, and how easy they were to fit our mattress
- Our favourite mattress protector is the Simba Performance Mattress Protector, thanks to its soft quilted cover and padded surface
- If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, the Nectar and Panda mattress protectors are both winning options on a budget
Our favourite mattress protector is the Simba Performance protector. Its soft quilted surface is comfortable and its fitted skirt is generously deep, even if its price makes it a premium option.
Here at Expert Reviews, we tested seven protectors from different mattress and bedding brands before deciding on our top five. So don’t worry if your budget won’t quite stretch to Simba’s price tags: we’ve featured plenty of other excellent options in our roundup below, from budget-friendly waterproof protectors to breathable ones made from all-natural materials.
Below our mini reviews, our buying guide answers some of the common questions you might have about buying a new mattress protector. But if you’re in a rush, our ‘at a glance’ list provides a snapshot of our top recommendations.
Best mattress protectors: At a glance
- Best overall: Simba Performance mattress protector | Check price
- Best waterproof protector: Nectar mattress protector | Check price
- Best budget protector: Panda Bamboo mattress protector | Check price
- Best discreet protector: Emma mattress protector | Check price
- Best all-natural protector: Scooms Pure Cotton mattress protector | Check price
How we test mattress protectors
We carry out ‘spill tests’ when testing mattress protectors – waterproof or otherwise. This involves sandwiching the protector between two cotton sheets and pouring an instant coffee/water solution over the top sheet.
After five minutes, we measure the size of the stain that has soaked through to the bottom sheet, as well as on the protector itself. We then repeat the test, increasing the amount of coffee solution in 25ml increments.
After spilling all that coffee on it, we wash the protector, according to the manufacturer’s care instructions, to see how well it cleans. And in addition to our standardised spill tests, we assess how easily the protector fits a mattress, how it feels to sleep on and whether it makes any noise when we move about on it.
The best mattress protectors you can buy in 2026
1. Simba Performance Mattress protector: Best mattress protector overall
Price when reviewed: £129 (double) | Check price at Simba
- Luxurious feel
- Deep fitted skirt
- Quiet
- Expensive
- Not fully waterproof
Reviewed in March 2026 by Jo Plumridge
The Simba Performance mattress protector is a luxury option, thanks to its soft, quilted and slightly padded surface that adds a touch more comfort to your mattress.
While it’s not fully waterproof, it offers some resistance to stains and smaller spillages with its polypropylene layer. Elsewhere, it excels at providing a breathable surface, made with a 200-thread cotton cover and 200gm cotton fill. The generous skirt will fit mattresses up to 40cm deep, and it was one of the quietest mattress protectors we’ve tested. Like a lot of Simba products, it’s an expensive option, but if you’re after a luxury design, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Key features – Material: Cotton, polypropylene; Waterproof? No; Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU queen; Washing instructions: Machine washable at up to 40°C, tumble dry on low setting; Warranty: Not specified
Read the full Simba Performance mattress protector review
2. Nectar Mattress Protector: Best waterproof mattress protector
Price when reviewed: £45 (double) | Check price at Nectar
- Waterproof
- Breathable
- Can't be tumble dried
- Might not fit thicker mattresses
Reviewed in December 2025 by Jo Plumridge
Not only is the Nectar mattress protector completely waterproof – making it a great choice to protect against stains and spills – it also has a breathable Tencel top layer that keeps sleepers from overheating: it does an excellent job of regulating temperature for both hot and colder sleepers, making it a great all-round recommendation.
There’s a nice silky feel to the protector. It’s very comfortable to sleep on, and it has a 32cm deep elasticated skirt to ensure a secure fit on all but the very deepest of mattresses. Our testers also liked the fact that it can be washed at up to 90°C, but unfortunately it can’t be tumble dried. Nevertheless, this is a well-priced protector that does an excellent job of keeping your mattress clean while remaining comfortable.
Read our full Nectar mattress protector review
Key features – Material: Tencel, polyurethane, polyester; Waterproof? Yes; Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king; Washing instructions: Machine washable at 90°C, do not tumble dry; Warranty: 2 years
3. Panda Bamboo Mattress Protector: Best budget mattress protector
Price when reviewed: £37 (double) | Check price at Panda
- Waterproof
- Eco conscious
- 30-night trial
- Not much at this price
Reviewed in February 2026 by Jo Plumridge
Arriving stylishly folded into a neat white bamboo bag, The Panda mattress protector is excellent value for money, with prices starting at £30 for a single. It’s made from a combination of cotton and bamboo as well as the brand’s ‘Nano TPU’: a non-toxic, recyclable material that’s waterproof while staying silent throughout the night. It’s also hypoallergenic and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
Our testers really enjoyed sleeping on the Panda protector, finding it did an excellent job of regulating temperature while protecting the surface of their mattress. It arrives packaged in a fabric bag, and you even get a 30-night trial: a perk often reserved for premium products.
Read our full Panda Bamboo mattress protector review
Key features – Material: Bamboo (70%), cotton (30%), Nano TPU, polyester skirt; Waterproof? Yes; Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, EU emperor; Washing instructions: Machine washable at up to 50°C, hang dry or tumble dry on cool setting; Warranty: 2 years
4. Emma Mattress Protector: Best discreet mattress protector
Price when reviewed: £67 (double) | Check price at Emma
- Whisper thin design
- Secure elasticated strap
- Expensive
- Skirt could be deeper
Reviewed in April 2026 by Jo Plumridge
Made from 100% polyester with a polyurethane film with a “membrane structure”, Emma’s mattress protector is completely waterproof. It’s breathable too, and our hot-sleeping tester didn’t experience any issues of overheating. The skirt is cleverly designed as well, with an elasticated strap that fits to the mattress as well as a fitted sheet would. That said, the skirt is only 25cm deep, so those with deeper mattresses may struggle to fit it.
Best of all, the Emma mattress protector is incredibly thin and it’s almost impossible to notice it on the bed, beyond a very slight rustle when I was fitting it. It’s also one of the smartest protectors we’ve tested, with an attractive grey edging that – for what it’s worth – looks great on the mattress. It’s a tad more expensive than some of its rivals but for a waterproof protector that feels like it’s barely there, the Emma protector is hard to beat.
Read our full Emma Mattress Protector review
Key features – Material: Polyester, polyurethane; Waterproof? Yes; Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU queen; Washing instructions: Machine washable at up to 40°C; Warranty: Not specified
5. Scooms 100% Pure Cotton Mattress Protector: Best all-natural mattress protector
Price when reviewed: £65 (double) | Check price at Scooms
- All-natural materials
- Comfortable
- Easy to clean
- Expensive
- Not waterproof
Reviewed in February 2026 by Jo Plumridge
As its name suggests, Scooms’ mattress protector is made entirely from cotton, from its 200-thread count quilted surface and 200gsm filling to its elasticated skirt. It provides a comfortable and slightly cushioned surface that makes sleeping on it a pleasure. It’s not waterproof but is exceptionally breathable, thanks to its all-natural construction.
The Scooms protector impressed our testers by how well it stayed in place on the mattress and, thanks to a generous 40cm skirt, it will fit a wide variety of mattress depths. Much like the Emma protector above, it’s beautifully made and we were particularly impressed with the look and feel of it once on the bed. Also like Emma’s and Simba’s protectors,, it’s not the cheapest option out there, but it does add that touch of luxury and, for natural materials, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Read our full Scooms 100% Pure Cotton mattress protector review
Key features – Material: Cotton; Waterproof? No; Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, emperor; Washing instructions: Machine washable at 30-40°C, tumble dry on low heat;Warranty: Not specified
How to choose the best mattress protector for you
Are mattress protectors waterproof?
It depends on the materials used. While many mattress protectors are fully waterproof, some protectors may only provide resistance against smaller stains and spills. If you’re after a waterproof mattress protector – perhaps for a child who is prone to accidents – then you should look out for one that’s labelled as such.
We’ve featured a number of fully waterproof mattress protectors in our roundup above, such as the Nectar and Panda protectors. Where a mattress we’ve reviewed here isn’t waterproof, such as the Simba Performance protector, we’ve taken care to point that fact out.
Will a mattress protector affect the comfort of my mattress?
Not to be confused with a mattress topper, a good mattress protector shouldn’t greatly impact the feel of your mattress. It should sit discreetly underneath your fitted sheet (though some do provide a little padding for a touch of extra comfort).
A bad mattress protector might feel cheap and crinkly on your mattress, with poor breathability leaving you feeling clammy in the night. What’s more, it might make a lot of noise as you move about on it.
Will a protector fit my mattress?
It should go without saying that you should buy the size of protector corresponding to your mattress. Beyond that, take note of how the protector is designed to fit: some will have corner straps while others will have skirts, much like fitted sheets. In the latter case, you should make sure that this skirt is deep enough to fit your mattress.
How much should I spend on a mattress protector?
As with a lot of bedding products, a protector’s price tag varies greatly. In our roundup above, we’ve got options ranging from £37 to £129 (in a size double). As I’ve said time and time again, it’s true that you get what you pay for, and I’d be cautious when considering dirt cheap options under the £20-30 mark.
How often should I wash my mattress protector?
While it’s there to act as a protective barrier between your sheets and your mattress, it’s still important to take good care of your mattress protector by washing it. As for how often you do so, there’s no hard and fast rule. Some recommend washing your protector whenever you change your sheets, but doing so every week might be a bit excessive. Bed retailer Dreams recommends washing your mattress protector every two months (with exceptions in the case of spillages and if you allow pets onto the bed). Most mattress protectors are machine washable, and some can even be tumble dried. We’ve included care information for each of the protectors we’ve reviewed in our roundup above.
