Best Mattress Protectors in Canada

For years, we’ve tried to make your life better. We’ve tested hundreds of products to help provide you with more choices that fit your lifestyle and your home. From mattresses to small kitchen appliances and beyond, we go the extra mile to make sure we are recommending products you’ll love.

Each of our recommendations goes through a rigorous testing process. Our test lab develops criteria for each category and performs tests on every candidate we consider. Then, the products are handed off to our team of testers. Their feedback and our test results help us shape the list of recommendations that we eventually bring to you.

When we evaluated the best mattress protectors in Canada, we looked at the following criteria:

• Materials. Mattress covers come in a host of different materials, but we tried to choose options that were lightweight and durable, such as Tencel and bamboo.
• Sizes. The best mattress covers in Canada match your mattress exactly. We looked for options with the widest range of sizes available. 
• Waterproofing. Stains can ruin a mattress faster than anything. We looked at some of the most waterproof mattress protectors on the Canadian market and reported our findings to you.
• Cooling. Mattress protectors are known for getting warm, so we chose options that kept you cooler. This way, you can sleep a little more comfortably while keeping your mattress safe.

Why Use a Mattress Protector?

A mattress protector can be a great way to keep your mattress looking and feeling “like new”. There are a few reasons you should use a mattress protector.

First, stains and other damage can void your warranty. Even if you’ve only had the mattress for a short time, any type of staining can make your warranty void and unusable. If you are interested in maintaining a warranty-ready mattress in case there are other issues, you should use a mattress protector.

Second, mattress protectors help reduce dust mites. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells, which will certainly be present in your mattress if you don’t use a mattress protector. If you have allergies to dust or dust mites, preventing this from happening can help you sleep easier.

Outside of protecting the warranty, a mattress protector can help keep your mattress cleaner overall. Oils from your skin, dead skin cells, sweat, and more can filter down into your mattress. This is especially concerning if you share a bed with children that might have accidents. A mattress protector keeps your mattress looking new no matter what happens on top of it.

Even an inexpensive mattress protector is a good investment because of how clean and fresh it can help keep your mattress. Choose the one that offers the most protection for your mattress.

How to Choose a Mattress Protector for Canadians

Deciding that you should use a mattress protector is the easy part. Once you know that you need to install a protective barrier on your mattress, you need to determine which type of mattress protector you need. Your personal preferences, the size of your mattress, and your purpose for choosing a mattress protector all factor into this choice.

Consider Your Purpose

Why are you protecting your mattress? There are a few different reasons you may need a mattress protector. Each comes with its own special materials and coverings, so be aware of what you need the protector for.

If there’s any chance that your mattress might encounter liquids, you should choose a waterproof cover. If you only want protection from wear and tear or everyday dirt, consider a plain cotton or bamboo cover.

If your concerns are about allergens or bacteria, look for covers with antibacterial or hypoallergenic properties. A fully encased protector is recommended for protection against bed bugs.

No matter why you want a mattress protector, there are options for you. Knowing how to look for a protector based on your needs is important.

Materials

What your mattress protector is made of is important. There are a few options to choose from when it comes to high-quality mattress protectors. Consider choosing the ones that best suit your needs.

• Cotton. Cotton is soft and comfortable, and it provides great protection against dirt and damage. However, cotton isn’t waterproof in most cases. If you’re looking for a light-duty mattress protector, cotton might be good for you. However, other materials are better for frequent use and waterproofing. 
• Bamboo. Bamboo is naturally cooling, but it also promotes breathability and wicks away moisture. Bamboo is known for being soft and comfortable, as well as better for the environment. Bamboo viscose is a great material for mattress protectors, and it’s simple to make waterproof. 
• Tencel. Like bamboo, Tencel is a lightweight, cooling material that helps reduce heat build-up and wicks away moisture. Tencel is also a sustainable material that can lend a special feel to your mattress cover.
• Polyester. This synthetic material is often used in mattress protectors. Polyester can create a smooth surface. It can also stretch more than some of the other materials listed here. If you want a mattress protector that will last, always choose a polyester blend rather than a pure polyester mattress protector. 

While most bedding accessories aim to be comfortable. Mattress protectors don’t necessarily have to be comfortable, but they should be smooth. You won’t be laying on a mattress protector, so you can have a little more flexibility with the material options you choose.

Skirting and Mattress Depth

The skirting and the depth of the mattress are great secondary considerations. Skirting is the material that will wrap around your mattress. You want it to be as stretchy as possible to accommodate your mattress. It also needs to move with the mattress as you move around.

Because of this, you should look at the depth that the mattress protector will cover. Some mattress covers only work on shorter mattresses, while others work up to 17”. If you have a taller mattress (hybrid mattresses, especially, can be a bit on the taller side), you might not be able to find a protector that fits.

Even so, you should stick with the height recommendations of your mattress protector. Using it on a mattress that is taller than what it can handle can lead to slipping, tearing, and damage.

Sizes

Double-check the size of your mattress before you purchase a mattress protector. It’s important to choose a protector that fits the exact size of your mattress. This allows it to cling to the bottom properly and prevents wrinkling, sagging, or tearing. You want to match your mattress as closely as possible to prevent these issues and get a great fit.

Most mattress covers will come in the six standard mattress sizes (Twin, Twin XL, Double, Queen, King, and California King). A select few will come in extended sizes or RV sizes.

A mattress protector that is too big or too small for your mattress can lead to damage. You won’t get the right level of protection if your mattress protector doesn’t fit snugly.

Waterproofing

One of the biggest reasons that Canadians purchase mattress protectors is their waterproof features. Stains can ruin a mattress, void your warranty, or lead to unpleasant odours that you can’t get rid of. To prevent liquids from staining or soiling your mattress, you need a waterproof mattress protector. Some protectors use chemical barriers to keep fluids from soaking through, while others use a TPU backing to prevent your mattress from absorbing liquids.

However they do it, it’s important to choose a waterproof mattress cover if there is any chance that your mattress might be stained. Look specifically for options that offer heavy waterproofing features, as they will usually boast about these first and foremost.  

Other Properties

We expect mattress protectors to be waterproof, but the best mattress covers in Canada have other properties, too. Chief among these is antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. There are a ton of different types of dirt, allergens, and bacteria that might find a home in your mattress. Using a protective cover helps reduce these issues, which could mean you sleep a little healthier.

Always look at the complete list of mattress protectors’ properties. You never know what useful features you’ll be able to find on the label.

Noise

Old crinkly mattress protectors can keep you up at night. Thankfully, most of the options on our list are silent. If the noise of traditional mattress protectors will bother you throughout the night, consider choosing a silent option.

Plastic and TPU materials can make noise when you move around. Thankfully, most cloth and fabric options will be silent when you move around. Consider choosing polyester, knit fabrics, Tencel fibres, and other soft materials for your mattress protector to avoid noise.

Cooling

Mattress protectors have a reputation for being warm, especially when you consider the plastic option that most people are familiar with. Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way. Most of the protectors on our list are made with soft, comfortable materials. They’re also extremely breathable.

Because mattress protectors are known for being warm, many companies try to make them as cool as possible. This means using breathable Tencel and bamboo materials, creating knit surfaces with plenty of airflow, and more. Some even use cooling gels and other materials on the surface to reduce heat build-up.

Most of the mattress protectors on our list will keep you cooler than your mattress alone, but it’s worth checking out their list of cooling features if you’re worried.

Comfort

While most mattress protectors are a thin fabric with skirting that allows it to attach to your mattress, some are created for comfort as well as protection. You might find protectors with a pillowy top, a foam topper, or other comfort features. While these protectors will keep your mattress clean, they’ll also change the way your mattress feels. If you like the way your mattress feels without the topper, consider choosing an option that only includes a protective layer of fabric and no additional cushion.

If you want additional comfort, there are plenty of options available for you. Look for covers that provide additional layers of fill, feathers, or foam. These covers should tell you if they make a mattress firmer or softer. It’s a good idea to get these mattresses in a waterproof variety if possible.

Durability

It’s important to choose a mattress protector that is durable enough to withstand daily use. Since your mattress protector is keeping your mattress clean and safe, you need it to stay strong in the face of use night after night.

Most mattress protectors on our list are durable enough to last for up to two years (longer, in some cases). However, it’s important to look at the materials used and discover if the mattress will work for your purposes as well.

Regardless of how durable your mattress protector is, you should change it every couple of years (or more often if it becomes stained or unsanitary). It may become less protective with use and time, so make sure to replace it regularly.

Avoid Disposable Options

Sometimes, you will find disposable mattress protectors available at big box retailers. These can seem like an attractive option, especially due to the reduced price. However, they don’t hold up to the same quality, comfort, and noise standards as a washable and reusable mattress protector. 

These options can rip easily, can be loud or crinkly when you move around, and can generally only last through one accident or spill. They aren’t meant to hold up for very long. If you want to keep reusing a mattress protector over a longer period, choose a more durable, washable option. They are a better value in the long run, even if those lower prices look good now.