The 8 Best Mattress Pads of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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For a comfortable bed you can’t wait to crawl into.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
A comfortable bed is essential to getting some quality Zzzs. Because a mattress is a major investment, a mattress pad can be used to protect the longevity of your bed, so you'll be cozy for years to come. The best mattress pads protect your bed from everyday wear and create an extra layer of cushioning that’s easily removable and washable when needed.
“Mattress pads act as a barrier between your skin and the mattress, which can help protect against dust mites and other allergens that may be present in your environment,” says Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline.
We tested 29 mattress pads in our Lab, evaluating factors like comfort, water resistance, durability, care, and price. We also talked to mattress experts, including Pagano, Byron Golub, director of product and merchandising for Saatva, Jack Dell'Accio, the founder and CEO of Essentia, and Jeff Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Rise Science.
Best Overall Mattress Pad: Better Homes & Gardens Waterproof Cotton Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This mattress pad is a solid pick for value, waterproofing, and effectiveness.
What Could Be Improved
There is only a light layer of cushioning.
Soft and breathable, the Better Homes & Gardens mattress pad is crafted from cotton and boasts a hypoallergenic quilted top for added comfort. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Real Simple's parent company, Dotdash Meredith.) With a waterproof layer, it shields your mattress against spills or accidents, and it's machine-washable. This pad accommodates even the deepest of mattresses, up to 22 inches.
During testing, applying the mattress pad was a breeze, and it had no odor. While it's not overly thick, it does provide a gentle layer of cushioning. The pad remained securely in place and noise-free despite tossing, turning, and getting in and out of bed. When placed on an acupressure mat, it showed no signs of snagging or tearing, remaining in good shape overall.
In our spill test, even after water seeped through the top sheet after a few minutes, the water did not penetrate the topper, effectively protecting the mattress from any dampness. We found this mattress pad to be a great value due to its all-around effectiveness.
Price at time of publish: $39 for queen
Material: Cotton, polyester, polyurethane | Size Range: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king | Pocket Depth: 22 inches | Waterproof: Yes
Best Budget Mattress Pad: Serta Power Clean Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This affordable mattress pad is quiet and plush.
What Could Be Improved
It does get a little warm, so it may not be for hot sleepers.
For those seeking a mattress pad that checks all the boxes without breaking the bank, the Serta pad delivers. It's moisture-wicking, waterproof, and can stretch to accommodate mattresses up to 18 inches deep. It also has an antimicrobial finish to maintain cleanliness between laundry days.
This mattress pad is soft and plush, providing a comfortable sleeping surface despite its thin profile. It was easy to put it on the bed, and it remained securely in place without noticeable flattening, thanks to its quilted design. After lying on it for five minutes, we noticed a slight warming effect, but it remained comfortably temperate. It also remained virtually silent—we had to move a lot to produce any noise.
During our spill test, water was absorbed into the fabric and the stuffing—unfortunately, the materials became wet to the touch. But if you're in search of a budget-friendly option with a little extra cushion for mattress protection, this Serta pad is a great pick.
Price at time of publish: $30 for queen
Material: Polyester | Size Range: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Pocket Depth: 15 inches | Waterproof: Yes
Best Splurge Mattress Pad: Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This mattress pad is versatile for any kind of sleeper, as it maintains a comfortable temperature.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not waterproof.
If you struggle from fluctuating temperatures while sleeping, the Slumber Cloud mattress pad is the solution. Thanks to its temperature-regulating technology, this mattress pad absorbs heat when you're warm and releases it when you're cold, ensuring a comfortable night's sleep. (This makes it a great option for couples with differing temperature preferences.) The pad fits mattresses up to 20 inches and can be conveniently machine-washed when it needs a refresh.
The mattress pad was easy to put on, and it remained quiet with no noticeable odor. While it flattened slightly under our body weight, it quickly regained its shape. It did warm up a bit during our testing but remained breathable, thanks to the cotton/viscose fabric, maintaining its overall comfort. It's important to note that this pick is not waterproof.
Price at time of publish: $244 for queen
Material: 40% viscose, 60% cotton | Size Range: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king | Pocket Depth: 20 inches | Waterproof: No
Best Cooling Mattress Pad: Sijo Clima Tech TempTune Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This mattress pad is super breathable and stays cool all night.
What Could Be Improved
Though it will protect your mattress from spills, the top fabric will absorb moisture.
Hot sleepers—say goodbye to night sweats. This Sijo mattress pad's fiber blend filling distributes excess body heat and wicks moisture to keep you cool all night.
The mattress pad has a slight loft, though we don't consider it a plush option. We didn't notice any noise, odor, or changes in the loft while lying on the mattress pad, and it stayed secure even when we tossed and turned. Plus, it didn’t require any additional effort to put on the mattress pad on compared to a fitted sheet.
In our waterproof test, liquid sat on top of the pad and seeped into the fabric. Still, the underside of the pad and the mattress were completely dry. The mattress pad stayed the same temperature throughout testing, and the surface was comfortable and breathable—making this an overall high-quality pick worth trying.
Price at time of publish: $175 for queen
Material: TENCEL/nylon, fiber blend fill, recycled polyester | Size Range: Full, queen, king, California king | Pocket Depth: 18 inches | Waterproof: No
Best Quilted Mattress Pad: Matbeby Quilted Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This is a plush, affordable mattress pad for people who want extra coziness.
What Could Be Improved
Depending on the size of your mattress, it may not cover all the edges.
For an extra-plush sleeping surface, opt for the Matbeby Quilted Mattress Pad, which has a comfortable quilted top and microfiber filling. The quilted design keeps the filling from shifting out of place, while the microfiber material allows for breathability.
This pick has large corner pockets, making it easy to maneuver and fit over mattress corners. Even though it fit snugly on our bed, we did notice that it didn't completely cover all the edges of a queen-sized mattress.
During testing, this mattress pad felt fluffy, plush, and comfortable even without a top sheet. It also stayed in place and didn’t shift or bunch with body movement. Plus, we didn’t notice any significant difference in temperature after lying on it for five minutes.
Price at time of publish: $40 for queen
Material: Microfiber | Size Range: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king | Pocket Depth: 21 inches | Waterproof: No
Best Waterproof Mattress Pad: The Company Store Cotton Jersey Waterproof Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This mattress pad keeps your bed dry from spills.
What Could Be Improved
The mattress pad is thin, so it’s better for protection than plushness.
Waterproof mattress pads can be noisy and feel crinkly, but this Company Store mattress pad is a standout exception. It has a waterproof layer sandwiched between two cotton jersey layers, making it quiet and as comfy as sleeping in your favorite T-shirt.
The mattress pad itself is thin, and it's more of a protector for the mattress than a cushioned sleeping surface. When we tested it, we could barely feel it, and it both kept its shape and stayed in place after tossing and turning. We didn’t notice any noise or difference in temperature after lying on it for five minutes, nor was there any tearing from the acupressure mat.
Our favorite quality was its effectiveness in protecting the mattress from spills. When we did our spill test, the water spread evenly throughout the pad and seeped into the top fabric but did not soak through to the mattress. For anyone looking for a mattress pad for protective purposes, this one does the trick.
Price at time of publish: $109 for queen
Material: Cotton jersey, polyurethane | Size Range: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king | Pocket Depth: 11 or 18 inches | Waterproof: Yes
Best Bamboo Mattress Pad: Puffy Deluxe Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
The mattress pad is lightweight and soft.
What Could Be Improved
It may shift during the night.
Bamboo is a naturally cooling and breathable material, making it an ideal pick for a comfortable night's sleep. The Puffy Mattress Pad is made of bamboo rayon fabric and has a quilted jacquard knitted design for anyone who wants an extra layer of comfort on their mattress. The stretch pocket on this pad can fit mattresses up to 15 inches deep, which is smaller than many of our other selections.
During testing, the mattress pad was quiet, lightweight, and comfortable. It is on the thinner side but still soft, and the quilting helps it hold its shape and not flatten out when lying on it. We noticed that while this mattress pad was easy to put on, it did pull from side to side under movement. There wasn’t any significant temperature difference when using it, so it's also a safe choice for hot sleepers.
Price at time of publish: $229 for queen
Material: Bamboo rayon | Size Range: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king | Pocket Depth: 15 inches | Waterproof: No
Best Heated Mattress Pad: Reaks Heated Mattress Pad
What Stands Out
This mattress pad heats up evenly and is padded enough so you can’t feel any wiring.
What Could Be Improved
Even though the instructions say it is machine-washable, we recommend spot-cleaning this mattress pad.
For those who want cozy warmth at night, this mattress pad lets you sleep with even heat from one to 12 hours. It has 10 different heat settings to tailor the temperature and an automatic shut-off feature for safety. The extra layers obscured the wiring and made for added comfort during our testing. Plus, it has a 13-foot controller to adjust the settings without getting out of bed.
The mattress pad doesn’t have a high loft, but we found it was still soft and comfortable. It was pleasantly warm on the lowest heat setting, and the highest setting was very warm for cold sleepers. When powered on, some of the wires felt warmer than others, but overall, the heat was evenly distributed. After six months of use, the heating function and timer still worked well and took a short amount of time to heat up.
We loved the user-friendly controls and ample cord length, which spans any size mattress. The cords have individual controllers with buttons for the heat and timer settings, and you can check how much time you have left in your heating cycle. Plus, you can also have two heat settings for each side of the bed, making this pick suitable for couples.
While the instructions claim that this mattress pad is machine-washable, they also note that you should only leave it in the machine for a maximum of two minutes. Given the short amount of time, we recommend spot-cleaning the pad. We removed stains with just a rinse of room temperature water—though we did notice a reduction in the highest temperature after one particularly rigorous spot cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $100 for queen
Material: Polyester | Size Range: Twin, full, full XL, queen, king, California king | Pocket Depth: 15 inches | Waterproof: No
Final Verdict
Our top pick is the Better Homes & Gardens Waterproof Cotton Mattress Pad for its impressive comfort, support, ease of use, waterproof ability, and value. If you're shopping on a budget, opt for the Serta Power Clean Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad, which delivers on all the basics at an affordable price.
Our Testing Process
To determine the best mattress pads, we tested 29 models in our Lab. We first set up the pad over an acupressure mat and mattress, noting if it was easy to put on the bed. We also checked how easily we could put a queen-size fitted sheet over the mattress pad.
Then we evaluated the comfort of each mattress pad by lying on it on our backs, sides, and stomach for one minute, noting the softness, plushness, and firmness in each position.
To test the pad's durability, we tossed and turned in the bed five times to see if the pad flattened out, shifted out of place, or made any noise. We also checked underneath the pad to see if there was any noticeable snagging or tearing from the acupressure mat.
For mattress pads that claimed to be waterproof or water-resistant, we conducted a spill test by pouring a tablespoon of water at the bottom corner of the pad. We examined how the water behaved on the surface, noting whether it sank into the material or sat on top. Then we absorbed any remaining water with a towel and checked for moisture that seeped through to the bottom of the pad and mattress.
We also tested the mattress pads for any odors and changes in temperature. After lying on the pad for five minutes, we checked for odors and compared the areas we laid on to the unused area of the pad to see if there were any significant changes in temperature.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
How to Shop for a Mattress Pad Like a Pro
Materials
Mattress pads typically come in materials like cotton, bamboo, polyester, and microfiber. The material that’s best for you depends on your preferences and how hot or cool of a sleeper you are. Natural materials like cotton and bamboo tend to be more breathable and moisture-wicking but potentially less durable and more expensive, according to sleep expert Jeff Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Rise Science. Synthetic materials like polyester and microfiber are a more affordable option but often retain heat and might not be a great choice for hot sleepers. Plus, different types of fill provide different levels of cushioning. Down or down alternative mattress pads will feel plusher than thin mattress pads, but they may not be as breathable.
Water Resistance
Not all mattress pads are waterproof, while many are at least water-resistant. A waterproof mattress pad will give your bed extra protection from spills and other accidents, but note that fabrics with a waterproof coating may be more crinkly and feel less soft than other fabrics. “Waterproofing requires a membrane that we prevent liquid from flowing through, but this also increases heat trapping at the surface and reduces breathability, which can reduce the quality of sleep,” says Jack Dell'Accio, the founder and CEO of Essentia.
Waterproof or not, having any mattress pad gives your bed some added protection. In our tests, we found that waterproof picks kept our mattresses dry, even if the top of the pad absorbed some moisture. Since a waterproof pad protects the mattress from spills, sweat, and allergens, it can extend the life of the mattress and is especially useful for those with children or pets, says Kahn.
Pocket Depth
Pocket depth is key to ensuring your mattress pad fits your mattress and stays in place while you sleep, night after night. The last thing you want is a mattress pad that shifts around if you move in your sleep or one that constantly slides off your mattress. If you have a taller mattress, look for mattress pads with deep pockets.
“I recommend measuring the height of your mattress, including any toppers, and choosing a pad slightly deeper than this measurement, typically something around 1 to 2 inches,” says Kahn. “You want the mattress pad to fit snugly around your mattress and not slip off.”
If the pocket depth isn't correct, the pad may not fit, which means it may slip off or bunch, causing discomfort.
Care
You don't need to wash your mattress pad as often as your sheets since they sit under a fitted sheet, but you should clean them every so often. Make cleaning easier by looking for a machine-washable pad so you can wash it at home. Bonus points if you can toss it in the dryer, too!
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
More Mattress Pads to Consider
Bedsure Quilted Mattress Pad: While we liked that this mattress pad stayed in place and produced no sound or odor, we did notice that it got very warm after lying on it for five minutes and stayed warm afterwards. Plus, it wasn’t very thick and didn’t provide much padding.
The Company Store Legends Hotel Waterproof Mattress Pad: Though this mattress pad was comfortable, it was also on the thinner side. The pad did a good job of protecting the mattress from spills and was easy to put on, but we could feel the acupressure mat underneath. Considering its high price point, we think there are better options for overall value.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Questions You Might Ask
What’s the difference between a mattress pad, mattress topper, and mattress protector?
Mattress pads, mattress toppers, and mattress protectors all go over your mattress, but they serve slightly different purposes.
A mattress pad is a thin layer that’s placed on top of a mattress to protect its surface against contamination from dust, stains, pet urine, and more. It might offer slightly more cushioning, but not nearly as much as a mattress topper.
A mattress topper is a 1- to 3-inch layer you can place on top of a mattress to change the feel of its surface. Toppers may provide additional protection for the mattress, but their primary purpose is to add a boost of cushioning.
Finally, a mattress protector is almost like a fitted sheet, and it protects a mattress against most accidental spills, bacteria, and allergens. It’s the least expensive of the bunch and doesn’t provide any cushioning.
Who should buy a mattress pad?
Generally, people should buy a mattress pad if they want to increase the lifespan of their mattress, have allergies, or want some extra comfort, says Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline. The best time to buy one is during three-day weekends—such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, and President's Day—when mattresses and mattress accessories go on sale.
Byron Golub, director of product and merchandising for Saatva, adds that mattress pads help to protect the mattress against wear and tear, spills, and stains, so there's less worry about cleaning the mattress. They can also have the additional benefit of keeping you cool or warm, depending on the material.
“If you find you’re waking up with aches and pains from a mattress that might have lost some of its support, a mattress pad can provide an extra layer of comfort and support, helping to alleviate pressure points,” says Kahn.
How do you clean a mattress pad?
Most mattress pads are machine-washable, typically on a gentle cycle, but like with any product, read the care instructions ahead of time. Cleaning methods may also depend on the mattress pad material. In general, cotton mattress pads should be cleaned every two to three months with a mild detergent.
Is a cotton or polyester mattress pad better?
Whether a cotton or polyester mattress pad is better depends on your needs and preferences. “Cotton is a natural material that is breathable and moisture-wicking, making it better for temperature regulation and a good choice for those who sleep hot,” says Kahn. “Cotton is also hypoallergenic and thus a better choice for those with allergies.”
On the other hand, polyester is durable and easy to care for, but it may not offer the same level of breathability. Regardless of material, Kahn advises that you wash your mattress pad regularly to remove dirt, sweat, and other allergens.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with six years of experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories. To compile this list, we tested 29 mattress pads in our Lab, evaluating them on factors like comfort, durability, water-resistance, care, and price. For expert advice on mattress pads, Lesley spoke to Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline; Byron Golub, director of product and merchandising for Saatva; Jack Dell'Accio, the founder and CEO of Essentia; and Jeff Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Rise Science.
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