Upgrading to a new mattress can be quite costly, but there are plenty of more affordable ways to upgrade your sleep experience. For the ultimate comfortable bed, you should have the perfect sheets, a cozy comforter, pillows that match your firmness preference and for some a weighted blanket may be a nice touch, too. One often overlooked upgrade is adding a mattress pad. The right mattress pad can add support or comfort to your bed and give it that little bit extra without getting a whole new bed.
Mattress pads fit over your mattress snugly and add a bit of cushioning to the sleep surface. In addition, you get some of the benefits of a mattress cover, since a mattress pad will also help keep your mattress dry, clean and protected from wear and tear. Having a mattress pad will also help keep your sheets in place. Our sleep experts have hunted for the best mattress pads and have put together this list of the best of the best. Explore our favorites and find the best mattress pad for your budget and sleep style.
The best overall mattress pad
The Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Pad tops our list thanks to its high-quality materials, comfort, plush feel, temperature-regulating properties and overwhelmingly positive reviews. The bedding company is known for its cooling products that include NASA-approved fabric. We think this mattress pad will work for almost every sleeper, especially hot sleepers.
How we chose the best mattress pads
Our team of sleep experts have tested countless mattresses, pillows, blankets, comforters, sheets and mattress toppers — we know what products make for a good night’s sleep. The mattress pads on this list were carefully chosen. Our team considered each mattress pad’s materials, feel, price, sizes, level of protection, special features such as cooling properties and whether it was waterproof or machine-washable.
Best mattress pad of 2024
Effective for even the hottest sleepers, the Slumber Cloud Core mattress pad keeps you at the ideal temperature for you. This cooling mattress pad is made of a blend of cotton and Outlast, the company’s NASA-approved fabric that regulates temperature so that when you’re too hot, the heat is absorbed away. Created for spacesuits, this impressive technology is included in both the mattress pad’s top cover and lining fabric for your sleeping comfort.
The Core mattress pad is also highly breathable and super soft, with a 300-thread count. Additionally, it fits any mattress with up to a 20-inch depth and can be washed in cold water on a delicate cycle. If you aren’t sure what detergent to use, Slumber Cloud makes its own, available for purchase in packs of 20 pods.
Pros:
- Highly breathable and soft
- Temperature-regulating and available in white or light blue
- 60-night trial period, 180-day warranty and free shipping
Cons:
If you are a hot sleeper, you need a mattress pad that won’t trap in any unnecessary heat at night. Enter the Sijo TempTune Mattress Pad, a soft, temperature-regulating and waterproof mattress pad for all seasons. Made with patented Sijo Clima technology, its blend of Tencel lyocell and nylon fibers is designed to help wick away moisture, such as sweat, and when you are hot, disturb excess heat. It also may help keep you warm when you are cold. This fabric feels silky to the touch.
This mattress pad is machine-washable, waterproof and Oeko-Tex 100 certified. Look out for sales that Sijo will occasionally have.
Pros:
- Made of eucalyptus Tencel lyocell and Mica nylon blend
- Waterproof and naturally moisture-wicking
- Fits mattresses up to 18 inches thick
Cons:
- The cool-to-the-touch sensation is not very strong
- On the expensive side
- Twin and Twin XL sizes not available
The Bear Protector waterproof mattress pad features a breathable, soft top covered in a hexagonal design and an innovative protective backing crafted using the company’s proprietary technology, “HeiQ Adaptive.”
The HeiQ Adaptive backing is remarkably impenetrable by liquids, spills, bacteria, dust mites, bed bugs and allergens, and this remains true regardless of how long the spill stays on it. It’s also moisture-wicking and promotes cooling. This mattress protector is also comfortably thick compared to others of similar brands, making it pleasant to sleep on — especially if the mattress beneath is overly hard or worn.
Pros:
- Waterproof, machine-washable and breathable
- Helps to wick away moisture from the body
- 30-night trial period, free shipping and 10-year limited warranty
Cons:
- On the thin side
- Might not fit over a mattress with a thick mattress topper
- The hexagon-stitched pattern may be felt under the sheets
If you love the feel of down but have allergies, or if you object to the harvesting of it, the Parachute down alternative mattress pad has a layer of soft, hypoallergenic microfiber fill that mimics the cloud-like experience of down without any of the sneezing or guilt.
Tucked inside a 100% sateen cotton shell, the Parachute down alternative mattress pad fits virtually any mattress up to an 18-inch depth. It’s sewn securely with double stitching so none of the fill falls out. You can machine-wash it on cool using the delicate cycle, and you’ll need to use wool dryer balls if you dry it at home. You could also dry-clean it.
Pros:
- 100% sateen cotton shell, down alternative fill and hypoallergenic
- Plush top and fits mattresses up to 18″ high
- 60-day trial period, free shipping and 3-year warranty
Cons:
- On the expensive side
- Some sizes tend to sell out fast
- Needs to be fluffed regularly
The Saatva organic mattress pad is a sumptuous experience, like most Saatva products. It features cooling and moisture-wicking properties, and it’s made with 300-thread count organic and Fair Trade cotton. A diamond pattern is stitched on its surface to hold the cotton fill in place, while the airy cotton and spandex side panels stretch fully down over the sides of any mattress up to 16 inches high. An elastic band on each side helps keep it tucked securely in.
According to the Saatva site, this mattress pad should last up to five years if cared for according to package instructions. Reviews on the site give it high praise for its high quality, plush comfort and thickness, and they loved that it comes with a handy tote bag.
Pros:
- Plush and made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
- Machine-washable, naturally moisture-wicking and fits mattresses up to 16 inches high
- 45-day free returns, 1-year limited warranty and free shipping
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not waterproof
- Not cool-to-the-touch for hot sleepers
A high-quality product for the price, the Linenspa mattress pad features a comfortable microfiber shell, covered with diamond stitching to keep the hypoallergenic down alternative fill securely in place with no bunching. It fits most mattresses up to 18 inches snugly and is breathable with a fitted sheet style.
This mattress pad has a plush quality and is surprisingly comfortable with an “overfilled” feel. The side panels stretch nicely over the mattress edges without ripping or tearing, even when you have a thick pillow top or an additional topper on your mattress. It’s also a breeze to clean by just throwing it in the washer and dryer.
Pros:
- Made of soft microfiber and down alternative fill
- Edges stretch to fit mattresses even 18 inches deep
- 30-night trial period, 3-year warranty, free shipping and free returns
Cons:
- Queen sizes sell out fast
- May not feel as luxurious as other options on this list
- Not waterproof
The Nectar mattress protector is crafted of waterproof material with an extra soft and breathable quilted mattress cover and a padded cotton top for enhanced comfort. Stain-resistant and noise-free, this mattress protector won’t let liquid or dirt through to your mattress, nor will it make crinkly sounds when you move in your sleep.
It has a no-slip design which keeps it in place with its stretchy cover, even on mattresses with higher heights of 22 inches. The airy cotton cover keeps the sleeper cool and comfy, and it’s easily machine-washed and tumble-dried on low. It’s allergen-resistant as well.
Pros:
- Same price for all sizes
- Waterproof, machine-washable
- 50-night trial period, 1-year warranty, free shipping and free returns
Cons:
- More expensive than the Bear Protector
- Thin
- Not temperature-regulating
Factors to consider when choosing the best mattress pad
Before buying a mattress pad for your bed, consider these four factors.
Features
Depending upon your needs, the most important features of a mattress pad can vary. Folks that have allergies might opt for hypoallergenic features, such as natural latex for their mattress pad. A wool mattress pad is great for absorbing moisture, and a cotton mattress pad is good at blocking stains and preventing wear and tear, while the down filling regulates body heat to help keep sleepers warm in winter and cool in summer. Cotton terry can also be a good feature for waterproof mattress pads.
Materials
Look for quality materials with certifications, if applicable, as you browse. For example, organic cotton, wool or latex should have a certification from an independent third party like the Global Organic Textile Standard, which confirms the product consists of at least 70% organic fibers. For a product to be labeled organic, it must be 95% organic fibers.
You may also want to find vegan, wool-free or down alternative fabrics if you prefer not to use animal products, which would each be labeled accordingly.
Polyester and memory foam are occasionally found in mattress pads as well. Polyester is usually durable and affordable, while a memory foam mattress pad responds to heat and contours to the shape of the sleeper’s body.
Ease of care
For convenience, it’s always helpful to find a machine-washable mattress pad, especially if you have kids or pets that require it to be washed often. Otherwise, make sure you have the time and space to wash your mattress pad by hand and hang it out to dry. Spot-cleaning doesn’t seem to be a realistic option for mattress pads, but if you’re convinced yours will stay clean and dry for the most part, you can certainly try it.
Thread count
The thread count of a fabric is the number of threads woven into a square inch of it. While there is some disagreement about how important thread count is to bedding of any kind, the general rule of thumb is that higher thread counts (200 to 600) make the fabric more durable and softer over time. If your mattress pad lists a thread count, try to aim for 200 or higher.
Best mattress pad FAQs
What is the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?
A mattress pad is thin (usually 1 to 2 inches) and made of polyester, cotton, down, down alternative, shredded foam, microfiber and/or wool. Mattress pads are used to provide more comfort and to protect the mattress from dirt, sweat, water, spills or other accidents. Mattress toppers are usually made of thick foam, purely intended to change the feel of a bed, yet provide little to no protection to the mattress underneath.
Do you need a mattress pad or mattress topper?
While you don’t necessarily need a mattress pad or mattress topper, both can provide extra comfort and make your existing mattress more cozy. A mattress pad can also protect your current mattress from liquid spills, dirt, dust mites, allergens and sweat that can also add years onto its usable life and keep it from ending up in the landfill prematurely.
Is a cotton or polyester mattress pad better?
Polyester mattress pads are usually durable and more affordable. Cotton mattress pads are great for blocking stains and preventing wear and tear to the mattress. Cotton terry can also be a good feature for waterproof mattress pads.
Source: CNET
