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- Very soft and comfortable
- Well designed
- Washable to 40°C and can be tumble dried
- Expensive
- Not fully waterproof
The Simba Performance mattress protector is a beautifully designed thick and luxurious option for those who don’t need a fully waterproof protector. It’s one of the best mattress protectors I’ve tested, and its cotton construction combined with a layer of Polypropylene provides a comfortable surface that will also resist stains and smaller spillages.
However, it is an expensive option, so I tested it to find out if it’s worth the investment.
Simba Performance Mattress Protector: What you need to know
The Simba Performance Mattress Protector arrived neatly folded in a storage bag that’s made from recycled materials. Once unfolded, it’s easy to see the quality of it, with a quilted construction made with a 200-thread count cotton cover, 200gm cotton fill and a Polypropylene layer to act as a barrier against smaller spillages and stains. Simba also uses an anti-dust mite treatment on the protector, which it says will help repel dust mites as well as stopping the growth and spread of other bacteria.
I also really liked the neat, bound edges of the topper and the generous skirt, which stretches to fit up to a 40cm deep mattress. This skirt is also made from cotton, which I think is a very nice touch.
Price wise, the Simba isn’t a cheap option. Prices start at £99 for a single, rising to £129 for a small double and double. A king costs £149 and a super king is £169. The protector is also available in three EU sizes, with an EU single costing £109, an EU double costing £139 and an EU queen coming in at £149. This is considerably more expensive than other cotton protectors I’ve tested, such as the Scooms 100% Pure Cotton at £65 for a double and fully waterproof alternatives such as the Nectar at £45 and the Panda Bamboo at £37.
The Simba mattress protector is also machine washable at up to 40°C and can be tumble dried on a low heat.
How well does it work?
To compare different mattress protectors to each other, I run the same tests to ensure consistency. Firstly, I sandwiched the protector between two pieces of old polycotton sheet before mixing coffee with water in various increments (1.5tsp of coffee in 25ml of water, 3tsp coffee in 50ml of water, 4.5tsp of coffee in 75ml of water and 6tsp of coffee in 100ml of water). I then poured each coffee solution over different areas of the top sheet and waited for five minutes, before measuring the size of the stain on the mattress protector and, if applicable, the size of the stain on the second sheet underneath the protector.
As the Simba isn’t fully waterproof, I wasn’t surprised to see the coffee seeping through on testing. However, seepage was much smaller with the 25ml mixture, which produced a 27x15cm stain on the protector, with only a 15x10cm stain underneath. Obviously, this isn’t the protector for toilet training children, but in fairness to Simba, it doesn’t claim to be either.
What’s it like to sleep on?
As you’d expect from an expensive protector, the Simba was completely silent to sleep on, without any crinkling noises or rustling. It’s luxuriously comfortable too, thanks to its quilted and slightly padded finish.
It is thicker than most protectors and I worried that this would make it sleep hot but my husband, who always sleeps warm, felt it was cool and comfortable throughout the night. Cotton is a highly breathable fabric, which is why this protector doesn’t get too warm.
One thing I noticed (and you can see this in my photographs) was that the protector was slightly too big for our existing mattress. However, I gave the protector to a friend to try on their double bed and it fitted perfectly. You’ll need to really tuck the skirt underneath the mattress to ensure a tight fit, particularly as it can fit a bed up to 40cm in height.
Should I buy the Simba Performance Mattress Protector?
The Simba is the most luxurious protector I’ve tested, adding a little comfort to your existing mattress. It’s also surprisingly cool considering its thickness and has a particularly generous skirt to fit very deep mattresses.
However, it is considerably pricier than many of its rivals and, although I think the design and feel justifies the cost, there are plenty of cheaper rivals out there – such as the Scooms 100% Pure Cotton – if you’re on a tighter budget.
