Best waterproof mattress protector: protect your mattress from spills

A waterproof mattress protector is a sensible buy if you're splashing out on a brand new mattress. And whether you're protecting a toddler mattress from the odd night-time leak or your own from the inevitable spillage from your morning cuppa, we've found the best waterproof mattress protector for every size of bed.

You will be paying from £10 for a waterproof cot mattress protector and up to around £65 for a protector for a double bed, although most are around the £25 mark. This is not much to fork out to extend the life of your mattress and keep it clean and hygienic . If you tend to get too warm when you sleep, a waterproof mattress protector will also keep perspiration stains at bay. 

Scroll down the page to read the reviews, then click to buy or to find out more. And to complete the package, be sure to check out our best mattress buying guide.

What is the best waterproof mattress protector?

Our top pick is the Nectar mattress protector, which wins the day with effectiveness and discreet design. For smalls, it’s the Hippychick Single Mattress Protector, which comes in single and cot bed sizes, or the Little Green Sheep waterproof mattress protector, which will fit prams and Moses baskets, too.

The best waterproof mattress protectors 2020

Why do we like the Nectar Mattress Protector? It's a 100 per cent waterproof, ultra breathable mattress protector that doesn't feel like it. Rather, it's a comfortable mattress protector that just happens to do a great job of being waterproof, too.

What does it do well?

Comfort levels. It's made with Tencel (a material that's extracted from natural wood cellulose and manufactured into a very soft and ultra breathable fabric), which makes it much more absorbent than cotton and cooler than linen. Plus, it's extremely eco-friendly. We like.

Let's talk waterproofing. This is a 100 per cent waterproof mattress protector but that doesn't make it means stiff and plasticky? Instead, it's silky to the touch, quiet and stretchy, too. Plus it's resistant to allergens and dust, making it a good buy for both allergy sufferers and pet owners.  

Ease of care?

It's machine washable, as you'd expect from a mattress protector that's inviting spills. And tumble dryer friendly, too.

What else?

The Nectar mattress protector is designed for Nectar mattresses, but it will fit other mattresses. There's a two year warranty on any defects and free delivery, too.

This Hippychick waterproof mattress protector is high quality, discreet and 100 per cent waterproof. 

What does it do well?

To be the recipient of a Mother & Baby Gold award, this Hippychick waterproof mattress protector had to be something special, and it is. With its discreet design, it doesn't look or feel as if they’re sleeping on a waterproof cover, while the polyurethane layer that provides the waterproofing is both capable and breathable. 

When it comes to the outer layer, it’s an equally breathable brushed cotton, which parents say is enormously comfortable, so no more sweaty nights if your child has been sleeping on plastic water proof sheets that make them hot.

Ease of care

Another thing parents love about this waterproof mattress protector? It can be washed at 60ºC and tumble- or line-dried. 

What else to know?

Available as cot and single sheets, as cot sheets and for single beds, too.

See more Dunelm mattress and bedding protectors. And find the best baby cot mattress if yours needs replacing.

Not unlike our previous pick, this Tempur Fit waterproof mattress protector’s charms lie in its discreet protection and breathability, only scaled up for bigger beds. 

Who will it suit?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this 100% waterproof mattress protector is ideal for use with Tempur mattresses, not only because the intelligent polyurethane membrane keeps any errant moisture away from your high-end mattress without sacrificing comfort, but also because it's been designed so that you won’t lose out on any of that memory foam mattress goodness beneath. However, it is designed to fit any mattress of up to 30cm deep.

What does it do well?

This waterproof mattress protector is another breathable pick, with the fibre allowing your body heat and moisture to pass through, which helps keep you at an ideal temperature and totally comfortable.

The sheets can be machine washed at 90°C and tumbled dried up to 70°C, too. Perfect for anyone who likes to keep all of their bedding freshly laundered – or for anyone sensitive to dust mite allergies.

What won't you like?

The typical memory foam smell you get when you first open the packaging: it does dissipate but sometimes that takes a couple of days.

Read our buyer's guides to the best memory foam mattresses and memory foam mattress toppers to find more buys that may suit you.

Shop more John Lewis mattress protectors.

Unlike a traditional fitted sheet, which covers all sides of the mattress and clings underneath, The Little Green Sheep waterproof mattress protector flat sheet sits neatly on top, allowing the mattress beneathe to breathe from the sides and underneath to keep baby from an over-warm sleep. 

What does it do well?

The organic cotton sandwiches an Oeko-Tex Class 1 (Baby) waterproof membrane, absorbing any moisture and wetness rather than letting it pool on the surface. 

As well as offering 100 per cent waterproofing and breathability, to keep your baby or toddler dry and cool, whether in a pram, cot or junior bed, this waterproof mattress protector offers an anti-allergy layer to keep dust mites at bay, and is made from luxury cotton for real comfort. 

What's more, you can buy this sheet for a Moses basket or carrycot, and it's shaped with oval ends for easy fitting.

What won't you like?

We like the flat sheet feature of this waterproof mattress protector (which means it'll be useful on a play mat or in a car seat, too. But when you have a fidgety toddler, you might want to swap out for a fitted sheet that's guaranteed to stay in place.

Browse more Boots mattress protectors.

An ultra-soft and cooling feel comes courtesy of a poly-cotton blend in this John Lewis Specialist Quilted waterproof mattress protector.

What's good about it?

What we like most about this waterproof mattress protector is that it doesn’t look or feel anything like the crinkly, sweaty plastic sheets that haunt our thoughts when we summon up images of waterproof bedding. It’s earned hundreds of positive reviews for its amazing leak-proofing, thanks again to good old polyurethane membrane, but the difference between this one and previous picks lies in its ability to cover deep-sided mattresses for all-round protection. 

The patented Micro-Fresh® Technology makes it an ideal pick for anyone who likes their bedding to stay fresh – or for anyone with allergies. It's designed to reduce bacteria growth to keep the protector's fabrics 99.9 per cent germ-free.

Who will it suit?

It'll be a favourite pick amongst those who aren't into memory foam: instead, the top is softly quilted, and while it will soften a hard mattress a little, you won't notice much difference to comfort levels on a mattress you're already happy with. 

And since it's available in singles as well as larger mattress sizes, it's a safe bet for the whole family.

Ease of care

This waterproof mattress protector is washable up to 40°C; it can't be tumble-dried.

Those on a tight budget will be glad to find that there are some top-value options among our best sheets for bedwetting, like this Silentnight waterproof mattress protector. 

What's it good at?

This waterproof mattress protector is particularly recommended for children, but is available with a deep 30cm skirt and comes in larger sizes, so is a great budget option for spare beds and occasional use. 

It’s also fully hypo-allergenic to keep irritating allergic reactions at bay. A great no-frills option.

Ease of care

Like our other simple picks, this waterproof mattress protector is easy to care for; simply pop it into the washing machine at 40°C.

What won't you like? 

Compared to some higher-end options, users did report it rustled a little when moving about, but found this tended to disappear after a wash. Once it's put on the bed, the strong elastic kept it perfectly in place all night, which will mitigate the rustling. 

Browse more Amazon mattress protectors.

This hypo-allergenic Fogarty Ultimate 3 in 1 waterproof mattress protector offers peace of mind on two fronts, with its capable waterproofing and seal of approval from the experts at Allergy UK. 

What's it good at? 

If you’re a new parent who's worried about bed bugs, dust mites or any other allergens that might leave little ones with nasty itches or sniffles, you can rest assured with this waterproof mattress protector – and they can sleep easy too. 

Reviewers find it durable and well-made, and applauded its waterproofing capabilities which, in addition to the soft Terry towelling cover, make this a great mattress protector for cot beds. 

Ease of use

This waterproof mattress protector is fully machine washable, and available in a selection of sizes to fit cot mattress depths up to 14cm.

This Dreamzie waterproof mattress topper isn’t just reasonably priced, it also comes in every single mattress size you can think of – European and UK sizes included – from toddler upwards, so it’s a one-stop shop if you need to get a few. 

What's it good at?

Reviewers found that the quality of this waterproof mattress protector belied the bargain price, saying that it fits snugly and stays put, and combines a comfortable soft towelling feel with breathable polyurethane waterproofing. 

As you'd expect, the polyurethane membrane blocks 100 per cent of all fluids, sweat, urine and bodily fluids (while letting the mattress breathe). We like that it's thin, so won't mask (but also won't improve) the comfort of your mattress.

Who will it suit?

New parents or parents of children who suffer from allergies will like that the Bi-Ome treatment offers protection against common allergens, such as dust mites, bacteria, mould and pollen. That said, since it's available in larger mattress sizes, it'll suit allergy-prone adults, too.

It also comes with OEKO-TEX certification, which means there are no traces of toxic products within it. 

Ease of care 

This waterproof mattress protector comes as a fitted sheet with large flaps adaptable for mattresses up to 15cm; it's machine washable up to 60°C and can go in on low-temperature drying cycles.

This Staydrynights Quilted waterproof mattress protector is available in a choice of sizes, has a cover crafted from soft durable polycotton and is quilted for added comfort. 

What's it good at? 

Its soft cotton cover is popular, and it belies the waterproof reverse hidden beneath. Reviewers like its fit and quality, saying that it sits snugly on all mattress sizes with no annoying excess material (a downside with waterproof mattress protectors because it adds to the 'rustling' noise you get with too much material). 

It was also commended for its luxuriously soft feel and comfortable quilting, beating thinner protectors hands-down for quality, despite its low price.

Ease of use

It is machine washable and will fit mattresses up to 30cm deep.

What's it not good at?

It air dries slowly because of its heft, and it can't go in the dishwasher; at least one reviewer invested in a second waterproof mattress protector, as a back up, but you'll need to consider how much storage space you have or whether a thinner or tumble-dry option might be better.

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More useful info:

• Deal with any spills with our guide to how to clean a mattress
• If you're on the lookout for a mattress sale, we've got the cheapest buys this month