Mattress pads are great for protecting your mattress from allergens and dust, and most offer a small boost of comfort. But with so many different mattress pads on the market, it can be hard to find the right one. Lucky for you, I’ve tested the most popular sleep products on the market and compiled a list of the best mattress pads.
In this round up, I’ll go over each mattress pad’s construction, feel, pricing, durability and more. Keep reading to find the perfect one for your sleep needs!
Our Verdict: What’s The Best Mattress Pad?
One of our top picks for the best mattress pads is the Birch mattress pad. It’s made from 100% certified organic cotton. This means it’s grown in sustainable ways, and doesn’t use harsh chemicals or pesticides. This pad feels soft and adds a secure layer of protection to your mattress.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress Pads:
- Best Organic Mattress Pad – Birch
- Best Luxury Mattress Pad – Cozy Earth
- Best Cooling Mattress Pad – Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad
- Best Hypoallergenic Mattress Pad – Saatva
- Most Comfortable Mattress Pad – Puffy
- Best Pillow Top Mattress Pad – Helix
How We Chose The Best Mattress Pads
I’ve personally tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep accessories from a variety of brands. Using my knowledge as a Certified Sleep Science Coach and my personal experience, I created a list of the best mattress pads. Each of these products scored highly in terms of durability, quality, value and comfort.
Best Organic Mattress Pad – Birch
Birch Organic Mattress Pad
If you're in the market for an organic mattress pad, the Birch Mattress pad is for you. Birch uses 100% certified organic cotton in this pad.
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and organic mattress pad, Birch is a great option. This high-quality pad is GOTS certified, which means it’s certified organic throughout the entire supply chain. It’s also Fair Trade certified, which means that the mattress pad was made under ethical conditions.
Made with three levels of breathable cotton, the Birch mattress pad offers protection against spills and helps sleepers stay cool at night. It also offers an extra boost of cushioning, which is great for side sleepers who need more pressure relief. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about your mattress pad slipping off the bed, because it has deep pockets with grips along the sides.
What the testers say: “One thing to look out for in organic products is that GOTS certification. You can rest easy on the Birch mattress pad because it comes with that certification. I’m the type of sleeper who changes positions frequently, and the no-slip grip in the elastic band helped keep the pad firmly in place.” – Tony Klespis, Reviewer
Pros of the Birch Organic Mattress Pad
- Made with certified organic materials
- Protects against spills
- Feels soft and breathable
Cons of the Birch Mattress Pad
- Costs more than other mattress pads on the market
- Makes the mattress feel slightly softer, which may not work for every sleeper
Best Luxury Mattress Pad – Cozy Earth
Cozy Earth Bamboo Mattress Pad
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
The Cozy Earth bamboo mattress pad feels like satin or silk, which is why we named it the best luxury pick. This mattress pad is so soft, you could use it as a fitted sheet and sleep directly on top of it. This mattress pad won’t soften your mattress significantly, but it will make you feel like you’re being pampered.
The mattress pad’s enhanced weave helps prevent pilling, which makes it last longer than most mattress pads. In fact, the Cozy Earth bamboo mattress pad is backed by an impressive 10-year warranty. It’s also moisture-wicking and breathable, which is great news for hot sleepers.
What the testers say: “Bamboo can feel luxuriously soft. Cozy Earth’s mattress pad is incredibly soft and smooth and it won’t trap heat, which is a huge plus. This was on the thinner side for mattress pads, but I found that it helped give the mattress I was testing on that “just right” feel with some cooling comfort, too.” – Tony Klespis, Reviewer
Pros of the Cozy Earth Mattress Pad
- It feels soft and luxurious
- Backed by a 10-year warranty
- Feels breathable and cool
Cons of the Cozy Earth Mattress Pad
- Costs more than most mattress pads
- Doesn’t significantly alter the way the mattress feels
Best Cooling Mattress Pad – Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad
Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad
The Total Protection mattress pad does it all. It adds a layer of waterproofing to your mattress, and it won't trap heat while you sleep.
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re looking for a mattress pad that’s made specifically to make your mattress cooler, the Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad is one you should consider. The pad is around half an inch thick and is designed to be cool-to-the-touch, and also keep your mattress safe from any staining and spills. It’s waterproof, antimicrobial, and designed to allow heat and humidity to escape to keep you from overheating.
The mattress pad is machine washable, OEKO-TEX® certified, and hypoallergenic thanks to the polyester, nylon, and spandex fabrics that it’s made with.
Note: Our testing for this product is still in progress, but we can guarantee that our experts have firsthand knowledge of the best products in the industry, and we wouldn’t recommend anything that we wouldn’t use ourselves!
What our testers say: “The Sleep Number mattress pad is a great option for folks who love their mattress, but need some extra cooling benefits and want to keep their mattress from becoming stained.” – Tony Klespis, Reviewer
Pros of the Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad
- Breathable and cool to the touch
- The 10-year limited warranty ensures you’re protected from staining
- It comes in size options that should fit most mattresses
Cons of the Sleep Number Total Protection Mattress Pad
- It’s a thin pad, so it doesn’t provide comfort
- Though it protects from staining, it won’t protect from dust mites
Best Hypoallergenic Mattress Pad – Saatva
Saatva Organic Mattress Pad
The Saatva Organic Mattress Pad is full of organic cotton: from the cover to the fluffy fill. It has easy care and will securely fit your mattress.
Our Expert’s Take
Made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, the Saatva mattress pad offers excellent protection against common allergens. The soft exterior feels luxurious, and it also wicks away moisture. It has deep pockets with strong elastic in the corners. If you have a tall mattress, you can rest easy knowing the pad won’t fly off in the middle of the night.
Another perk: The Saatva mattress pad is machine-washable. Because it’s made with high-quality materials, we expect it to last at least five years.
What the testers say: “The Saatva Mattress pad is a great option for people who prefer to have that added layer of protection for their beds. I love that it uses cotton, which is such a universal fabric that won’t trap allergens in your sleep environment. And I really appreciate being able to machine-wash it, which helps keep it clean and allergen-free. It’s an investment, but it should last along time.” — Tony Klespis, reviewer
Pros of Saatva
- Made with GOTS-certified organic cotton
- Wicks away moisture
- Can fit around beds that are up to 16 inches tall.
Cons of Saatva
- Costs more than other mattress pads
Most Comfortable Mattress Pad – Puffy
Puffy Mattress Pad
If you want just a touch more softness to your bed, Puffy's mattress pad is a great choice. It has a quilted design full of cooling, plush filling.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
If you want a mattress pad that offers additional comfort and pressure relief, consider the Puffy Deluxe. This two-inch mattress pad is tufted to create a pillow top look and feel. It’s not quite as soft as the Puffy mattress topper, but it can still help refresh the overall feel of your mattress.
Made with hypoallergenic bamboo rayon fabric, the Puffy mattress pad feels breathable and cool. It’s also machine-washable, so you can easily keep it clean.
What our testers say: “Puffy is known for making things soft and cloud-like and that’s exactly what this mattress pad did. I really enjoyed how plush it felt. It has a knit-through design which keeps the fluff evenly distributed, too. This is important for me because I tend to toss and turn during the night.” – Tony Klespis, Reviewer
Pros of the Puffy Mattress Pad
- Softens mattresses and offers pressure relief
- Creates a pillow top look and feel
- Sleeps cool
Cons of the Puffy Mattress Pad
- Not good for people who don’t want to soften their mattress
- Costs more than other mattress pads
Best Pillow Top Mattress Pad – Helix
Helix Plush Mattress Topper
The Helix mattress topper adds a touch of plushness and a luxurious pillow top feel. It's made with hypoallergenic and durable materials. Click the link below for the best deal!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full Review
Our Expert’s Take
Though technically a mattress topper, the Helix Plush is a great choice for people who want a pillow top mattress pad. This high-quality product is thinner than traditional mattress toppers, and it doesn’t significantly change the firmness level of the mattress it sits on.
It does, however, create a luxurious feel thanks to its baffle box construction. And because it’s made from polyester and bamboo viscose, it stays breathable and cool. It’s also hypoallergenic, so you won’t have to stress about dust mites or harmful bacteria.
What the testers say: “The Helix Plush mattress topper can immediately transform your bed and make it feel more luxurious. I particularly like it because it doesn’t change the overall firmness level of my bed, but it creates that pillow top feel that I love.” – Elisa Regulski, Reviewer
Pros of the Helix Mattress Pad
- Has a luxurious pillow top look and feel
- Feels breathable and cool
- Contains hypoallergenic materials
Cons of the Helix Mattress Pad
- Doesn’t offer much pressure relief
What is a Mattress Pad?
Mattress pads help protect mattresses against spills and stains, and they often offer a small additional boost of comfort. They aren’t as plush as mattress toppers, but they offer a bit more cushioning than mattress protectors. Mattress pads are also less noisy than traditional mattress protectors.
How to Choose the Best Mattress Pad
You typically don’t need a mattress protector, pad and topper. But if you’ve decided that a mattress pad is right for you, there are a few key things to consider:
Comfort
If you think your mattress feels a bit too firm, you may want to get a mattress pad that will aid in pressure relief. The Puffy mattress pad is a great choice if you need some extra cushioning, because it’s two inches tall and has a luxurious pillow top feel.
If you don’t want to alter the overall feel of your mattress, consider getting the Helix or Cozy Earth mattress pad. These pads are much thinner and don’t significantly soften mattresses.
Feel
If you want to give your mattress a luxurious makeover, you may want to add a pillow top mattress pad such as the Helix or Puffy. But if it’s a soft and silky feel you’re after, consider the Cozy Earth mattress pad. This product is so luxurious, you could completely forgo a fitted sheet and sleep on top of the mattress pad. However, we always recommend using a fitted sheet to help extend the life of your mattress pad.
Protection
All of the mattress pads on our list help prevent dust mites and harmful bacteria. If you’re particularly concerned about cleanliness, look for a waterproof mattress pad such as the Birch. Eco-conscious shoppers may want to get an organic mattress pad that’s GOTS certified.
Cooling
If you tend to sleep hot at night, you may want to get a bamboo mattress pad that will wick away moisture and dissipate heat. The Nolah and Birch mattress pads are both great cooling options.
FAQs
What is the best fabric for a mattress pad?
The best fabric for a mattress pad is completely subjective. Some people prefer bamboo mattress pads because they help dissipate heat. Other people prefer the feeling of a cotton pillow top pad.
What is the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress pad?
Mattress toppers are thicker than mattress pads and are designed to alter the firmness level of the mattress. They sit on top of the mattress and are often secured by corner straps.
Mattress pads stretch around the entire mattress, much like a fitted sheet. They offer protection from dust mites and allergens, but they don’t significantly change the firmness level of the mattress itself.
Do you put sheets over a mattress pad?
Yes, most people put fitted sheets and/or top sheets over their mattress pad.
How often should you wash your mattress pad?
It’s best to wash your mattress pad every few months. If you decide to sleep directly on top of the mattress pad, you should wash it every week.
How much should I spend on a mattress pad?
The best quality mattress pads cost between $100 and $250. You can find cheaper mattress pads online, but they may not last as long or offer the protection you’re looking for.