See how it all works here.Do I need a mattress pad or mattress protector for my new Casper, Tuft & Needle, Leesa, Saatva, or other online mattress? This is by far one of the most common questions I receive on my blog, and it’s long over due for a quick question and answer post. First off, it’s important to note the differences between mattress pads and mattress protectors. A mattress pad is a relatively thick piece of quilted material that sits on top of your mattress, but below your sheets. A mattress pad can help to protect your mattress to some degree from general wear and tear, and help reduce allergens, but in general you’d purchase a mattress pad to add comfort to your mattress. The primary reason I would suggest buying a mattress pad is because you’re unhappy with your current mattress and a mattress pad can be a nice short term solution to add comfort to an older or uncomfortable mattress. If you’re buying a brand new mattress, whether it’s foam, innerspring, or otherwise, there is really no need to purchase a mattress pad.
Mattress toppers would be a similar option if you’re seeking a temporary solution to add comfort, but that’s another blog post. A mattress protector also sits directly on the surface of your mattress, but below your sheets. It’s similar to a fitted sheet in the way it covers the mattress. They are generally made from cotton, polyester, or other materials, and are designed to help repel liquid and prevent other sources of damage (dirt, dust, allergens, etc). The most common use for a mattress protector is simply as a liquid resistant protector. In the event you were to spill a drink, have an accident prone child or pet, or have a sexy-times accident, the mattress protector will help to ensure your expensive mattress stays fresh, clean, and unsoiled. I would highly recommend a mattress protector to anyone who is purchasing a new mattress, or already owns a mattress without a mattress protector. They are an inexpensive way to ensure your mattress stays nice for years.
Most mattress protectors are fairly thin. They don’t have to be thick to do their job if they are made well. As such, they have very little impact in terms of the feel and comfort of the mattress they are on. My wife and I have been using a pretty good and inexpensive mattress protector we purchased from Amazon when we bought our mattress. We’ve slept several times with it off to get a sense of the feel and I cannot tell any noteworthy difference in feel, comfort, or sound when the mattress protector is on vs. with it off. In addition to protecting your mattress from damage, liquids, etc. they can also aid in reducing allergens, dust mites, and asthma issues. If you have an older mattress that you’re not terribly happy with I would recommend a mattress pad. Mattress pads are an inexpensive way to add a little life to older or otherwise uncomfortable mattresses. If it’s a new mattress, there is no need to purchase a mattress pad (assuming you are happy with the mattress).
A mattress protector on the other hand is all but required. It’s inexpensive, protects your investment, has no visible impact, and shouldn’t dramatically change the way the mattress feels. In my book it’s a no brainer. Below are my favorite mattress protectors and mattress pads:Best Camping Mattresses and Pads of 2017 Extra thick and luxurious, today’s camping mattresses are supremely comfortable Sleep Like A King Ultimate Water Resistant Queen Mattress Pad Available for 2 Easy Payments Sleep Like A King Ultimate Water Resistant Full Mattress Pad Sleep Like A King Ultimate Water Resistant King Mattress Pad Sleep Like A King Ultimate Water Resistant Twin Mattress Pad Sleep Like A King Ultimate Water Resistant Cal. King Mattress Pad Blue Ridge Premium 350TC Swiss Dot Queen Mattress Pad Protect-A-Bed QuiltGuard Terry Twin XL MattressPad Croscill 400TC Pima Cotton California King Mattress Pad MISSION Vapor Active California King Mattress Protector
Available for 4 Easy Payments PedicSolutions Memory Foam Full Topper Available for 5 Easy Payments ComforPedic by Beautyrest 3" Gel Memory Foam Full Topper ComforPedic by Beautyrest 4" Convoluted Mem.Foam CK Topper Croscill 400TC Pima Cotton Full Mattress Pad MISSION Vapor Active Queen Mattress Protector Coleman Insulated Antimicrobial Aerobed Mattress Topper - Twin MyPillow Premium 3" TW Mattress Topper w/ Gel & DreamKnit Cover Serta Perfect Sleeper Full Mattress Pad with Nanotex Technology ComforPedic by Beautyrest 3" Gel Memory Foam Queen Topper PedicSolutions Memory Foam Cal King Topper ComforPedic by Beautyrest 4" Convoluted Mem.Foam KG Topper Croscill 400TC Pima Cotton King Mattress Pad Serta Perfect Sleeper KG Mattress Encasement with Nanotex MISSION Vapor Active King Mattress Protector Protect-A-Bed QuiltGuard Terry Twin Mattress Pad Contour Cloud Mattress Topper - Twin Size PedicSolutions 2" Memory Cloud PillowTopper Basic - Queen Size
Protect-A-Bed Premium Cal King Mattress Protector Croscill 300TC Sateen Stripe California King Mattress Pad Protect-A-Bed Therm-A-Sleep Snow Twin XL Mattress Protector Protect-A-Bed Luxury Cal King Waterproof Mattress Protector Sealy 2" Memory Foam Mattress Topper King Awaken By Joan Lunden Inspire Memory Foam and Fiber 4" King Topper Available for 6 Easy Payments PedicSolutions 2.5" 5-Zone Memory Foam Full Topper with Cover Contour Cloud Mattress Topper - King Size Lavish Home Down-Alternative 233TC Queen Bedding Topper PedicSolutions 2" Memory Cloud PillowTopper Basic - King Size Blue Ridge Quiet Cotton Waterproof 250TC QueenMattress Pad PedicSolutions Gel Memory Loft Full Topper with Repel-A-Tex Serta Perfect Sleeper Twin Mattress Pad with Nanotex Technology PedicSolutions Memory Foam King Topper Protect-A-Bed Student Bedding Protection Kit Elle Luxury Knit Down Alternative Queen Mattress Pad Protect-A-Bed QuiltGuard Terry Cal King Mattress Pad
ComforPedic by Beautyrest 3" Gel Memory Foam King Topper ComforPedic by Beautyrest 4" Convoluted Mem.Foam QN Topper Croscill 400TC Pima Cotton Queen Mattress Pad Croscill 300TC Sateen Stripe Queen Mattress Pad Geo-Incline Orthopedic Full Foam Topper Protect-A-Bed Signature Series King Mattress Protector PedicSolutions 2.5" Loft Memory Cloud Deluxe Pillow Topper KG Protect-A-Bed Therm-A-Sleep Snow Full MattressProtector MISSION Vapor Active Twin Mattress Protector Protect-A-Bed Ultimate/Bed Bug Queen ProtectionKit Beautyrest 300TC Queen Cotton Sateen Stripe Mattress Pad MyPillow Premium 3" TWXL Mattress Topper w/ Gel Layer & DreamKnit Cover PedicSolutions Deluxe 2" MemoryFoam Topper w/ SkirtCover Quee Sealy 2" Memory Foam Mattress Topper Queen Croscill 500TC Pima Cotton Dobby Check Queen Mattress Pad MyPillow Premium 3" Calif. King Mattress Topper w./ Gel & Cover Contour Cloud Mattress Topper - Full Size
PedicSolutions 2" Memory Cloud PillowTopper Basic - Full Size Protect-A-Bed Ultimate/Bed Bug Twin ProtectionKit Protect-A-Bed Premium Twin XL Mattress Protector Coleman Insulated Antimicrobial Aerobed Mattress Topper -Queen Croscill 300TC Sateen Stripe Full Mattress Pad Protect-A-Bed Therm-A-Sleep Snow King MattressProtector Coleman Insulated Antimicrobial Aerobed Mattress Topper - Full Sealy 2" Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin Serta Perfect Sleeper CK Mattress Encasesment with Nanotex Sealy 2" Memory Foam Mattress Topper Full Awaken By Joan Lunden Inspire Memory Foam and Fiber Full 4" Topper Protect-A-Bed AllerZip Smooth King 13" MattressEncasement Sealy Microfiber Waterproof Twin Mattress Pad PedicSolutions Memory Foam Twin Topper Sealy Posturepedic 3" Queen Mattress Topper Sealy Posturepedic 3" Twin Mattress Topper Protect-A-Bed AllerZip Smooth Queen 13" Mattress Encasement HoMedics King Memorelle Mattress Topper w/ 3" Gusset
Sealy Microfiber Waterproof Full Mattress Pad Blue Ridge Quiet Cotton Waterproof 250TC King Mattress Pad ComforPedic by Beautyrest 2" Convoluted Mem.Foam FL Topper Beautyrest 220TC Cotton Twin Mattress Pad PedicSolutions Memory Foam Queen Topper Sealy Posturepedic 3" California King MattressTopper Protect-A-Bed QuiltGuard Terry King Mattress Pad PedicSolutions 2.5" 5-Zone Memory Foam Twin Topper with Cover PedicSolutions 2" Latex Mattress Topper with Deluxe Cover Kin ComforPedic by Beautyrest 3" Gel Memory Foam Cal. King Topper ComforPedic by Beautyrest 4" Convoluted Mem.Foam FL Topper Croscill 400TC Pima Cotton Twin Mattress Pad Croscill 300TC Sateen Stripe Twin Mattress Pad Geo-Incline Orthopedic Twin Foam Topper PedicSolutions 2.5" Loft Memory Cloud Deluxe Pillow Topper TW Protect-A-Bed Signature Series Full Mattress Protector Protect-A-Bed AllerZip Smooth Twin XL 9" Mattress Encasement Blue Ridge Quiet Cotton Waterproof 250TC Full Mattress Pad