From cooling sheets to ergonomic pillows, there are a ton of sleep products that can enhance your sleeping experience and help you wake up refreshed in the morning, including mattress pads. The best mattress pads offer a layer of protection to keep your mattress looking new while adding slight cushion for a softer feel.
One of the best mattress pads we've found is the Parachute Down-Alternative Mattress Pad.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
Our top pick, the Saatva Organic Mattress Pad, is crafted with a plush layer that provides quilted comfort as well as protection against stains. The key to choosing the best mattress pad is determining your needs and finding one that ticks all the boxes. So, whether you’re looking for an option to keep you cool at night or one that’s entirely waterproof, here are eight mattress pads in all price ranges with a variety of helpful features.
For a versatile option that offers a little bit of everything, consider this Saatva mattress pad. It’s made with GOTS-certified organic cotton that extends down the sides, making it excellent at wicking away moisture. And you be sure that it’s been tested to be chemical-free and 100% organic. What’s more, the brand uses Fair Trade Certified factories that adhere to rigorous economic and responsiblity standards. The diamond-quilted design isn’t extraordinarily thick, but it should add a slight softness while retaining its natural breathable properties to keep you cool. This mattress pad provides protection against general wear and tear and stains, which can help keep your mattress like new. With an extra-wide elastic band, it stays in place all night on mattresses up to 16 inches tall.
For an affordable way to spruce up an uncomfortable mattress, this Bedsure mattress pad is an excellent option. Since it has a 21-inch pocket depth, it fits nearly every mattress and setup, even if you have a four-inch mattress topper. This comfortable pad is constructed with three ergonomic zones—a soft wavy design at the top and bottom for relaxation and a honeycomb-shaped quilted design in the middle to disperse body pressure and evenly distribute support. Plus, its filled with a microfiber blend to add a plush feel. It’s important to note that this mattress pad isn’t water-resistant, so doesn’t stop big spills from soaking through. However, it still works to protect your mattress from dirt, food stains and normal wear and tear. Plus, it is machine-washable and available in all standard sizes from twin to California king.
Best Cooling Mattress Pad
A Cushioned Pad With Temperature-Regulating Properties
While some mattress pads are specifically cooling, this Sijo mattress pad actually regulates body temperature to cool you down when it’s hot and also warm you up when it’s cold. This feature makes it perfect for year-round use, thanks to the brand’s patented blend of fibers that works to both absorb and distribute excess body heat. Plus, the fibers are also hypoallergenic and feel luxurious and soft. For protective properties, moisture-wicking membranes are embedded in the material, making this pad completely waterproof. However, it’s also soundless and doesn’t feel stiff like some waterproof covers. All products hold FSC and OEKO-TEX certifications, so you can be sure the materials are responsibly and sustainably harvested and align with eco-friendly values. This mattress pad is machine-washable and suitable for the dryer on low heat.
Best Waterproof Mattress Pad
An Antimicrobial Pad With Protective Surfaces
Sleep Number
Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad (Queen)
Material: Polyester and nylon | Pocket depth: 15 inches | Trial: 100-night trial | Warranty: 10 years
Pros:
Entirely waterproof
Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
Cons:
Expensive
Doesn’t add much cushion
Accidents are bound to happen if you sleep with pets or children or even like to snack in bed. This Sleep Number mattress pad is completely waterproof to protect your expensive investment and help extend the life of your mattress. The waterproof and stain-protective surface also extends down the sides for even more peace of mind. It holds a Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX certification, ensuring it’s free from harmful chemicals. The Total Protection mattress pad is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to ensure it stays bacteria and odor-free. It’s also designed to let heat and humidity escape while preventing moisture from penetrating the surface, helping it stay cool to the touch. Since Sleep Number beds are known to be conforming, this pad is suitable for adjustable beds.
Best Down-Alternative Mattress Pad
Allergy-Friendly Option That Adds A Layer Of Softness
Parachute
Parachute Down-Alternative Mattress Pad (Queen)
Material: Cotton sateen shell with microfiber fill | Pocket depth: 18 inches | Trial: 60-day return policy | Warranty: 3 years
Pros:
Generous return policy and warranty
Fits deep mattresses
Cons:
Not entirely waterproof
Some reviews note a crinkling noise when you move around
This Parachute Down-Alternative mattress pad is ideal for those who want the cloudlike softness of down without the high price tag. Since it’s made with 100% hypoallergenic microfiber fill, it’s also an excellent option for those with allergies. However, this filling still mimics the fluffiness and warmth you expect from natural down. The outer shell is 100% cotton and certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100. The mattress pad hash stitching in a square design throughout to keep the fill evenly distributed, so there is no risk of it clumping up. You can machine-wash it on the delicate setting and tumble dry it on the low setting.
Best Pillow Top Mattress Pad
Hypoallergenic Mattress Pad With Cloudlike Cushioning
While most mattress pads are thin and don’t drastically change the feel of your mattress, this Puffy Mattress Pad adds two inches of cushioning to breathe life into an old mattress or soften up a firm one. In addition to being comfortable, the bamboo-rayon blend and cotton are also naturally breathable to help you sleep cooler and stop overheating at night. Plus, the material is also hypoallergenic, making it gentle on your skin and suitable for those with allergies. Since it’s machine-washable and dryer-suitable, keeping this mattress pad clean is effortless. For peace of mind, it's OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified against up to 350 harmful chemicals for peace of mind. While it’s not waterproof, it can still shield and keep dirt off your mattress and extend its overall life.
Best Organic Mattress Pad
Protective Option Made With Certified Organic Material
In addition to being made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, this Birch Mattress Pad also holds a Fair Trade certificate, so you can be sure it’s made under ethical conditions. With three distinct layers that each provides a specific function, this mattress pad is soft, protective and wicks away moisture. While it’s not entirely waterproof, the cotton sateen in the top layer is designed in a unique wave pattern that protects against absorption of spills. What’s more, the organic cotton is naturally breathable, promoting ventilation and airflow for a cool night of sleep. Another special feature is the elastic no-slip band adhered to the outside of the pad instead of the inside. It works by gripping the foundation or bed frame beneath your mattress to ensure it stays put all night.
Best Mattress Pad For Deep Mattresses
Comfortable Mattress Pad That Regulates Body Temperature
This Slumber Cloud Mattress Pad is designed with a combination of cotton and Outlast, which is a proprietary material approved by NASA. Since it was initially intended to be used inside spacesuits to regulate temperature, you can be sure it has maximum heat absorption to keep you cool all night. The material was then perfected for bedding by storing heat to keep you cool and releasing that heat when you need it. Plus, it is also plush and comfortable. Regardless of your bed size, there’s one that fits, including twin XL, split king and California king. And with a 20-inch pocket depth, it fits on any mattress, even if you have a thick topper.
The Forbes Vetted team is passionate about helping everyone get the best sleep of their life, recognizing that what works for one person likely isn’t comfortable for the next. Whether it’s interviewing medical experts, speaking with top sleep brands or staying up to date with the latest trends, we know a thing to two about quality sleep. We also spend hours researching or personally testing products, and have an entire library of sleep and mattress stories.
Bre Richey, the author of this story, has been covering lifestyle topics, including sleep, for almost a decade. She’s used to doing deep dives into product recommendations for Forbes Vetted, like the best pillows for shoulder pain and the best latex mattresses. You can also find her work in the New York Daily News, the Hill and the Chicago Tribune.
How I Chose The Best Mattress Pads
Choosing the best mattress pads started with determining which features make a quality mattress pad and narrowing down the options. I wanted mattress pads to suit every type of sleeper in every budget, so I included options that excelled at different functions in various price ranges. Since sleep products aren’t one-size-fits-all, trials and return policies are a must-have, with some options letting you try them for an entire year before deciding whether they are a fit. Lastly, real customer reviews are essential, so I only included mattress pads with an average of at least four stars.
What To Look For In The Best Mattress Pads
Shell And Fill Material
When researching mattress pads, the shell material refers to the outer part, while the fill is what’s on the inside. In general, the shell material determines the breathability and how waterproof a mattress pad is, and the fill greatly influences the softness and thickness. Mattress pads are not usually more than an inch thick. However, our best pillow-top pick is the Puffy Deluxe Mattress Pad, and it has two inches of cloudlike filling for a plush feel.
It’s important to note that some thin mattress pads that are designed specifically for protection may not have a fill material. For example, our best waterproof pick is the Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad, which doesn’t have a fill since it’s designed to keep spills and stains away from your mattress. The most common materials are cotton, polyester, bamboo, Tencel and nylon. Since most mattress pads are designed for durability, all of these materials are meant to last and are fairly simple to maintain.
Protection
While all mattress pads are designed to protect and extend the life of your mattress, there are different levels of protection. Some mattress pads are completely waterproof (even on the sides) and keep all liquids from reaching your mattress. This is helpful if you sleep with kids or pets or just want to keep your mattress looking like new. However, not all mattress pads are waterproof. Instead, some focus on keeping out bacteria or dust mites while adding cushion. Before choosing a mattress pad, be sure you determine what type of protection you need.
Support
Mattress pads are not designed to provide support, and the majority of them also don’t alter the feel of your mattress. The function of a mattress pad is to add a slight cushion, keep you cool or protect your mattress. If you need support or want to make your mattress more firm or plush, you should look for a mattress topper. However, you can use both a mattress topper and a mattress pad if you want all of the functions.
Pocket Depth
While it might not seem like a huge feature, knowing the pocket depth is essential before choosing a mattress pad. The pocket depth lets you know how thick of a mattress it accommodates. However, you also want to consider the thickness of any other sleep products, such as a mattress topper. For example, if you have a 12-inch mattress and a 4-inch mattress topper, you need a mattress pad that can fit at least 16 to 18 inches.
