The 5 Best Cooling Mattress Protectors To Keep Hot Sleepers Sweat-Free
The best cooling mattress protectors help you stay cool and keep your mattress looking new. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
When shopping for a cooling mattress protector, materials are often the key factor. 'It's important to consider materials that are breathable and moisture-wicking,' says Andrew Colsky, behavioral sleep medicine clinician and founder of the National Sleep Center. 'You will want to avoid fabrics with a high thread count or materials like cotton which are not super breathable. The best tip is to avoid materials that trap heat.' Read on for our expert-backed picks for the best cooling mattress protectors.
Materials: Polyester and polyethylene blend | Depth: 14 inches | Waterproof: No, but water-resistant
Pros: Polyethylene fibers are cool to the touch
Hypoallergenic
Fits securely
Cons: Might cause sheets to slide
Brooklyn Bedding's Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector is made with high-tech PE (polyethylene) fibers that pull heat away from the body and has a smooth top-weave design that's soft, silky and cooling. Although the protector isn't fully waterproof, its quiet, water-resistant layer is still plenty capable of keeping liquids from reaching your mattress, and the hypoallergenic materials provide further defense against bacteria and dust mites. In the event of a spill or accident, the mattress protector is machine washable for easy care. Customers say the fitted sheet design helps the protector stay securely on the mattress but note the silkiness of the fabric can cause sheets to shift.
Materials: Polyethylene, polyester | Depth: 18 inches | Waterproof: Yes
Pros: Cooling polyethylene fibers
Oeko-Tex certified
Hypoallergenic
Cons: Can bunch up on bed
Some customers say it's not fully waterproof
Like our top pick, the Slumberfly mattress protector is cool to the touch and made from a blend of polyethylene and polyester, but it comes with a more budget-friendly price tag. While there are doubts among some customers about the protector actually being waterproof, its micro-coated top layer does offer protection—although it's worth making sure any spills don't seep through to the mattress. A jacquard cover is tightly woven to keep out dust, bacteria and allergens, and it's hypoallergenic for those with allergy sensitivities. Several customers mention the protector bunching up beneath sheets and note that its cooling capabilities are average, but it's still a solid choice at $70 for a queen size.
Materials: Polyester, polyethylene, metallic with polyurethane laminate | Depth: 18 inches | Waterproof: Yes
Pros: Enhanced airflow prevents overheating
Stays put even on adjustable beds
Fully waterproof
Cons: Most expensive pick on our list
Keeping a mattress fully protected doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a cool night's sleep. If a water-resistant model isn't adequate for your needs, this mattress protector from Bedgear is entirely waterproof and instantly cooling, thanks to the brand's proprietary Ver-Tex technology which helps increase airflow to prevent the body from getting too hot. The protector is outfitted with Bedgear's 'Powerband," a strong elastic band that grips around the mattress for a smooth, snug fit that even works well with adjustable bases. While the protector's minimal profile helps it go largely unnoticed beneath bedding, some customers found that its cover caused fitted sheets to slide around.
Materials: Polyester, nylon, spandex | Depth: Not listed | Waterproof: Yes
Pros: Ribbed cover for improved airflow
Antimicrobial and stain-protective cover
Waterproof protection extends to the sides
Cons: Requires more careful washing and drying
Although technically a mattress pad, this model from Sleep Number offers the protection and advantages of a mattress protector, with a little extra cushioning. The cool cover of the pad features a ribbed texture that enhances airflow, allowing heat and humidity to escape while keeping moisture out, and in turn keeping night sweats at bay. In terms of protection, it's fully waterproof, and unlike most protectors, it also offers protection to the sides of the mattress rather than just the top. The waterproof fabric is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to prevent odors from lingering. The pad is machine washable, but there are some caveats, including washing and drying separately in a large capacity washer and dryer, and frequently turning the pad during drying to prevent scorching.
Materials: Organic cotton and polyurethane derived from cornstarch | Depth: 15 inches (standard pocket); 22 inches (deep pocket) | Waterproof: Yes
Pros:
Cons: Some customers say it makes a crinkling noise
Kids are arguably the demographic most in need of a mattress protector and Avocado's offers ample protection using materials parents can feel good about. 'This mattress protector has saved more than one of my mattresses from kid disasters over the last couple of years,' says Rose Gordon Sala, deputy editor at Forbes Vetted and a mom to three kids. 'It's thicker but made with natural materials, so it's still breathable while remaining a solid barrier that has kept spills and accidents from reaching the mattress more than once.'
A thin waterproof layer is made from polyurethane derived from cornstarch to protect against spills, bed-wetting and other mishaps. The waterproof barrier is sandwiched between two layers of GOTS-certified organic cotton, which wicks moisture and absorbs liquid before it reaches the mattress, while fine pores allow humidity to escape and keep kids who run hot cool throughout the night.
Forbes Vetted's sleep editors and writers are committed to finding the best sleep and bedding products for all types of sleepers. To help hot sleepers improve their sleep, we've covered the best cooling pillows, mattresses, blankets and more. Lee Cutlip is the author of this story and an editorial assistant at Forbes Vetted. She has covered several topics for the sleep category, including mattress protectors and mattress pads .
is the author of this story and an editorial assistant at Forbes Vetted. She has covered several topics for the sleep category, including and . This article was overseen and edited by senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman . A certified sleep science coach, she has tested and researched hundreds of sleep products.
. A certified sleep science coach, she has tested and researched hundreds of sleep products. We spoke with Andrew Colsky, behavioral sleep medicine clinician and founder of the National Sleep Center. Colsky provided expert insight on choosing the best cooling mattress protectors.
When choosing the best cooling mattress protectors, we sought out models from trusted, reputable brands our team is familiar with. We pored over consumer reviews, making sure to only include products with a 4-star rating or higher and taking note of any common complaints made by owners.
We focused on several important factors including materials, pocket depth and whether a model was waterproof or at least water-resistant.
We relied on the expertise provided by Colsky as well as our in-house experts to help inform our decisions.
We included a variety of cooling mattress protectors to suit different needs, budgets and sleep preferences.
When shopping for a cooling mattress protector, there are several factors to keep in mind. Materials
Cooling mattress protectors are commonly made from materials like polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU) and polyester. These materials are breathable, have a cooling effect and wick away moisture. Colsky recommends avoiding cotton materials which he describes as 'heat traps," especially if you sweat at night. 'Cotton is known for being super soft and a popular choice, but it holds onto moisture and can make you feel hot at night, which can lead to sweating." Cooling Technology
Most cooling mattress protectors rely on cooling materials (like polyethylene and polyurethane) rather than the technology used in cooling mattresses or toppers, like phase change materials (PCMs) or gel-infused foam. Fewer materials help the protector maintain a low profile and are less likely to interfere with the technology or capabilities of a cooling mattress or topper. Instead of focusing on cooling technology, look for protectors made from breathable, lightweight materials that allow you to still feel the benefits of a cooling mattress or other cooling bedding. Style Of Fit
Mattress protectors typically come in two styles: fitted sheet and encasement. The fitted-sheet style provides five-sided protection, leaving the bottom of the mattress exposed, while an encasement protector fully encloses the mattress. All of the cooling protectors included on this list are fitted-sheet styles, simply because they're more common and easier to put on a bed, but if you want more protection against bed bugs, dust mites and allergies, consider an encasement-style protector.
Do Cooling Mattress Protectors Actually Work?
Cooling mattress protectors do work, as long as they're made from breathable materials. 'They will help regulate temperature well and are great at wicking away moisture, helping avoid night sweats and lead to cooler nights,' says Colsky.
What Is The Best Cooling Mattress Protector?
We named the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Mattress Protector the best cooling mattress protector because of its cooling fibers, soft-to-the-touch feel and water-resistant coating.
What Is The Best Material For A Cooling Mattress Protector?
The best materials for a cooling mattress protector are breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyethylene or polyurethane.
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