To help you choose, we tested 13 mattress pads from a variety of brands in The Lab for 16 hours to sort out the winners—testing for comfort, support, breathability, durability, and effectiveness. After extensive research (and maybe a few naps for experiential data), the clear winner was the ViscoSoft Copper Mattress Pad. Here are the best mattress pads for every type of sleeper. When considering a mattress pad, you should think about the sleep experience you want. If you toss and turn, you might want a quieter option; if you get warm at night, perhaps something with cooling technology. This option was selected as best overall because it truly captures most of the key elements of a good mattress pad. It provides support while still being plushy and comfortable, and fits snugly on the mattress so it won’t move around while you sleep. The price is competitive among other options but high enough that you know you’re still getting a quality product. When testing it in The Lab, we found that this mattress pad can get a little warm due to its added plush—it might not be as cool in the summertime, especially if you’re a hot sleeper (we gave it a 3 out of 5 for breathability). However, the plush does add a layer of softness that makes it more comfortable for side and stomach sleepers—earning it a perfect score for comfort in our lab tests. The best way to determine if a mattress pad is the right fit is to try it out for yourself. This option comes with a 60-day trial, so if it doesn’t serve your needs for whatever reason, you can send it back and get a full refund. Price at time of publish: $75 Material: Polyester/polyester blend | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: 60 days Sometimes mattress pads move with you when you’re an active sleeper, and that can lead to bunched sheets, strewn bedding, and a whole big mess. You won’t have that problem with this option because it fits tightly to your mattress and stays in place no matter how much you toss and turn in your sleep. That’s why we rated it 5 out of 5 stars for effectiveness. This durable mattress pad is long-lasting and comes in a variety of sizes, so there’s something for every room and bed type. Price at time of publish: $24 Material: Microfiber | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, short queen, queen, king, California king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: Dependent on retailer The design is sophisticated and subtle, with faint tufts that don’t show through a fitted sheet. There’s an elastic edge that holds this mattress pad in place to keep it from moving under those who like to kick and sprawl in their sleep. And similar to a cotton shirt in the summer, this mattress pad is moderately spill-proof and absorbs moisture—drying out quickly. For serious spills, you can throw the whole thing in the washer for an easy clean. All of these features make this mattress pad extremely versatile, earning it a solid 5 out of 5 for effectiveness. With this type of high-quality material, you’re going to pay a higher cost. For those who are wary of the price, this option comes with a 100-night sleep trial to make sure you’re happy with it, and a 1-year warranty in case of any potential mishaps. Price at time of publish: $149 Material: GOTS certified organic cotton | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Certifications: GOTS & Fair Trade certified | Return Policy: 100 nights, plus 1-year warranty The fill supposedly doesn’t shift, but we learned through testing that the entire mattress topper does. Unlike a mattress pad, a topper just sits on top of the mattress for extra padding but isn’t fitted with elastic or anything to keep it from moving. While the fill acts as a nice cushion, it’s also perhaps a bit overstuffed. It was hard to pull a fitted sheet over the top of it because the stuffing layer is thick—although it seems to flatten over time, so that might not be a permanent issue. Overall, this mattress topper is soft, comfortable, and can act as a layer to cushion firmer mattresses. So if you purchase it with that in mind, it will serve your needs effectively, and that’s why we gave it 5 out of 5 stars for effectiveness because it delivers what it promises. However, if you’re looking for something to protect your mattress, you should consider one of the other mattress pad options. Price at time of publish: $70 Material: Microfiber shell with down alternative polyfill | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: Dependent on retailer This is a thinner material, so it’s not going to be as plush as other mattress pads—and because it’s made with sustainably-sourced cotton, it comes at a higher price. That being said, the deep pocket design can cover a larger mattress, and the elastic band holds it in place, even with lively sleepers. This mattress pad is available in most standard sizes and can be returned within 30 days if you decide it’s not for you. Price at time of publish: $328 Material: 100% organic cotton | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king | Certifications: GOTS Certified and Made Safe | Return Policy: 30 days The material is soft and silky to the touch, and like other cotton products, highly breathable. It’s not as plush as some of the other options, so if you’re looking for something to cushion a firm mattress, this may not be the best fit. Though a pricier option than others on this list, this mattress pad is made of premium cotton that’s long-lasting and has a low impact on the environment. Price at time of publish: $239 Material: GOTS organic certified cotton | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King | Certifications: Greenguard, GOTS certified, climate neutral, certified vegan, FSC certified, and made safe | Return Policy: 100 nights plus a 1-year warranty While this isn’t a waterproof mattress pad, it does wick away sweat and other moisture. The cotton provides a soft layer making this mattress pad as comfortable as some pillow toppers (so comfortable it almost lulled our testers to sleep, earning a perfect score in that category). There’s also a generous return policy in place, so you have 90 days to get a feel for this mattress pad before the clock runs out. Price at time of publish: $129 Material: Cotton, CoolMax moisture-wicking poly fibers | Sizes: Twin, full, king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: 90 days The polyester material on the top is soft and makes this mattress pad kind of warm, so it might get a little heated in the summer months. During testing, we also found that it tends to bunch under the fitted sheet a little. Overall this mattress pad delivers what it promises—it keeps water out, and is comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep. Price at time of publish: $102 Material: Polyester blend | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: 90 days plus lifetime limited warranty We noticed it made some noise when laying on it, which is probably due to it being more of a cover than a soft pad, but once you get sheets and bedding on top, it might reduce that a bit. There’s a wide range of sizes depending on what type of bed you’re seeking this type of protection for, and this brand comes with a 5-year warranty to ensure it lasts as advertised. Price at time of publish: $37 Material: Polyester | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, king, California king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: Dependent on retailer, plus 5-year limited warranty Whether you’re looking for your child or yourself, this option comes in a range of sizes from twin to California king and has a 10-year warranty for long-term assurance. Our testers observed that this is more of a mattress cover than a mattress pad, so if you’re looking for something to add cushioning to a firm mattress, this won’t do that. That’s not to say it’s uncomfortable—it was rated 5 out of 5 stars for comfort and support by our testers. Overall, if you love your mattress, and your priority is protection from spills and dirt long-term, this is an ideal cover. Price at time of publish: $38 Material: Cotton terry with membrane back coating | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king | Certifications: None | Return Policy: Dependent on retailer, plus 10-year warranty To test the comfort and support of the mattress pads, we had our testers lay down and roll around on top of the mattress pads, noting their overall feel and whether they shifted or crinkled during use. For mattress pads that claimed to be waterproof, we spilled 1/2 cup of dyed water onto the pad to see whether it effectively protected the fitted sheet and mattress underneath. We also assessed the breathability of each topper, using a blowdryer to see how much air was able to pass through the material. We combined these insights with our writer and editors’ independent research to bring you this list.
What to Look for in a Mattress Pad
Material
Choose a mattress pad material that makes sense for your season and your situation. Cotton or poly-cotton mattress pads will offer breathability and are usually the most budget-friendly options. More specialized materials, like down or wool, can offer warmth in the winter but are also adaptable in hotter weather. In case of spills or messes, you’ll also want to check to see whether or not the mattress pad is machine washable.
Depth
Avoid the hassle and frustration of trying to stretch a too-small mattress pad over your mattress by making sure that it’s deep enough for your bed. While standard mattresses should pose no problem, if you have a deep or extra deep mattress, you’ll want to find a pad that can accommodate that. Most mattress pads have super stretchy sides and corners to fit a range of mattress depths, but it pays to double-check this measurement before picking one.
Standout Features
Washability
For easy care, look for a mattress pad that’s machine-washable and dryer-safe. Some mattress pads also feature a zip-off top that allows you to wash the sleep surface without removing the entire cover.
Extra Protection
Some mattress pads do more than just provide a layer of protection between you and your mattress. Waterproof mattress pads will keep spills or leaks from seeping through to the bed below—just be sure to choose one that isn’t so crinkly that it becomes uncomfortable. Bed bug mattress pads offer protection on all six sides of your mattress, putting your bed on lockdown to prevent bed bugs from entering.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Madison Yauger is a lifestyle writer who specializes in home products and commerce. To keep our product picks as well-rounded as possible, our team tested each product in a lab, looking at factors like spill resistance, comfort and support, durability of materials, and more, to find options for different lifestyles and needs. To supplement testing, these products were also heavily researched to ensure quality and longevity.
