Best Mattress Pads
Are you a restless sleeper, or one of those lucky people who are out the moment your head hits the pillow? Regardless of how quickly you initially drift off, the ability to enjoy a deep, uninterrupted sleep is key to feeling fully restored and ready to take on the world. And whether your mattress is a brand-new, top-of-the-line model or its seen better days, simply adding a good-quality mattress pad can elevate your sleep experience to one that better meets your needs.
But not all mattress pads are created equal and before you make this important decision, you need to consider some of the unique features today’s sleep solutions can offer.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Exceptional Sheets Luxury Bamboo Mattress Pad
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| #2 |  Simmons Beautyrest Electric Heating Mattress Pad
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| #3 |  ChiliPAD-Cube 2.0 Electric Mattress Pad
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| #4 |  COTTONHOUSE Down Alternative Mattress Pad
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| #5 |  DROVAN Waterproof Pillow Top Mattress Pad
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What Are the Benefits to Using a Mattress Pad?
For starters, it provides an extra layer of cushioning comfort to any sleep surface for a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new bed. Further, it can help to protect your mattress from everyday wear and tear which can ultimately compromise your sleep quality. And with some of the new water-resistant designs, a quality mattress pad can even provide heavy-duty protection from sweat, spills, and staining.
Now, if you sleep hot and find it difficult to get a full night’s rest, we’re going to look at a couple of solutions that provide the cooling comfort needed for an uninterrupted sleep. And for those who dread climbing in between chilly sheets, we’ll also check out options that can provide that extra measure of warmth needed to help you drift off quickly and sleep more deeply.
Table Of Contents
What to Look for When Buying a Mattress Pad
Heating, Cooling, or Both
If you’re looking for a mattress pad that delivers serious warmth in the winter, and cooling comfort in the summer, opt for an electric model. Non-electric are better at smoothing and softening an uncomfortable sleep surface, rather than actively altering your mattress temperature. You’ll want to determine if you need multiple heat settings and, if you sleep with a partner, whether you need dual temperature zones that can be adjusted independent of one another. Now, if your primary goal is to crawl into a warm bed, you can further fine-tune your selection process to just those pads programmed to deliver continual heat.
Quality
While a mattress pad may seem like a minor investment comparing it to what you’ve paid for your new bed, it can actually make or break the comfort level. Both electric and non-electric designs come in a range of qualities, so look for important features such as fabric covering – which should be a higher thread count so it doesn’t pill over time and result in a grainy sleep surface. And baffles that prevent fill from shifting after washing. Any wires or tubing should be ultra-flexible and fine enough to go unnoticed during sleep. And for electric designs, a control unit that runs quietly is key.
Ease of Use
Whether electric or non-electric, you want a mattress pad that’s worry-free. So, consider how you want it to sit on your bed – fitted like a sheet, or resting atop the sleep surface. The latter can make it easier to remove for cleaning. If you’ve opted for an electric mattress pad, are the controls simple to use – important if you wake in the night and want to adjust your temperature setting. And important for busy households; is the clean-up process easy? Is it machine-washable and can it be tossed into the dryer? Spills and stains happen, so always check out the manufacturer’s instructions before you buy.
Top 5 Mattress Pads
Exceptional Sheets Luxury Bamboo Mattress Pad
Best for Allergy Sufferers
Want a simple solution to getting a good night’s sleep? This extra plush, bamboo blend mattress pad is the perfect choice. Not only is it naturally breathable to help regulate body temperatures and keep you cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter, it’s hypoallergenic so is ideal for those with seasonal allergies or asthma. Made with a bamboo rayon across the upper sleep surface, and a poly/cotton combo underneath, it uses a hypoallergenic alternative down cluster fiber fill for a soft, cushy feel that makes it the ultimate solution for those who need a pad that can instantly soften a too-firm bed. And because this unit attaches like a fitted sheet, you never have to worry about it lifting or shifting each time you turn over. With elasticized corners, it’s easy to remove for washing and a snap to put back on, when making your bed.
It can be machine washed / tumble dried as often as you want and because the manufacturer has used a baffle box design, the fill stays evenly distributed across the entire sleep surface with no shifting or bunching. Better still, this fill is an innovative polyester material called Revoloft that remains fluffed for continual air circulation and better dissipation of body heat as you sleep.
Who Should Buy This Mattress Pad?
This bamboo mattress pad is a great option for allergy and asthma sufferers because it prohibits bacteria growth and can be machine-washed on a regular basis. And the plush fill makes it an ideal choice for those who are looking for a quick and easy buffering for a mattress that is a little too firm or has become lumpy.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic cover with Revoloft fill
- Fitted pad stays in place
- Warms and cools
- Machine washable
- Stitched baffles keep fill in place
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Requires a large capacity dryer
Specs for Comparison:
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Controls: n/a
Maintenance: Machine wash / tumble dry
Warranty: 30-day money back guarantee
Simmons Beautyrest Electric Heating Mattress Pad
Best for Instant Heat
If climbing into a warm, cozy bed is your idea of the perfect end to a long day, then this heated mattress pad is just the ticket. Not only does it feature 5 temperature control settings to deliver the ideal level of warmth for drifting off to sleep, but the breathable cotton / poly blend cover gently wicks moisture away to prevent head build-up. It’s an ideal option for those with aching joints or muscle pain and is perfect for warming your bed on a chilly night. Designed like a fitted sheet, its corners tuck securely under your mattress and resist pulling or lifting as you sleep. It’s this feature that makes the pad so quick and easy to remove for machine washing, and just as easy to replace when you make your bed.
A rather key feature of this mattress pad is the dual temperature controls that come with its queen, king, and California king sizes (twin / double includes a single control). These digital remote controls work independent of one another to allow couples to not only choose the temperature level that best suits their personal sleep needs, but to pre-warm the bed using a pre-set timer feature. And no worries if you forget to turn it off in the morning, because it comes with a 10-hour auto shut-off safety feature.
Who Should Buy This Mattress Pad?
For those who end their day with tired muscles and aching joints, a warm, comfortable bed is the perfect elixir. If you want a mattress pad that simply delivers the heat you want, in the increments you need, then this is the perfect choice.
Pros
- 200 thread count, poly/cotton blend
- 5 temperature control settings
- 10-hour auto shut-off
- Machine washable / dry on low heat
- Even heat, no hot spots
Cons
- Does not cool
- Does not work on mattresses over 17-inches deep
- Not water-proof
Specs for Comparison:
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Controls: Dual controls for Queen, King, California King
Maintenance: Machine wash / tumble dry
Warranty: 5-year manufacturer’s warranty
ChiliPAD-Cube 2.0 Electric Mattress Pad
Best for Instant Cooling or Heating
For individuals that sleep hot, the only way to enjoy a full night of uninterrupted sleep is with an electric pad that features an active cooling relief system. That’s where this innovative, water-cooled pad steps up. By continually circulating warm or cold water through a series of silicone micro-tubes that run just below the pad surface, it delivers non-stop relief to restless sleepers. A compact unit sits alongside the bed to cool or heat water on demand, then pump it up and through the channel of tubing to instantly change the sleep surface temperature. And, while you may be concerned that this gridwork means giving up comfort, it doesn’t. In fact, this quilted, breathable poly-cotton mattress pad is designed to be used with nothing more than a standard fitted sheet over top. Even adding an extra layer of padding, won’t compromise its cooling and heating effectiveness. Elastic corners make it easy to remove for cleaning, and because there are no electric wires involved, the pad can be machine washed (front load only), as you would with any other bedding.
A wireless remote-control device lets you adjust the temperature settings quickly, easily, and without having to get out of bed. And if you choose a queen, king, or California king sized pad, you’ll receive two cubes with dual remotes for two different temperature zones. So, you and your partner can each adjust the temperature settings to meet your individual sleep needs.
Who Should Buy This Mattress Pad?
If you want an effective mattress pad and don’t mind the extra maintenance this unit will require, it’s a perfect choice for fast, efficient cooling comfort. And the dual wireless controls make it ideal for couples that require different temperature settings in order to achieve a good night’s rest.
Pros
- Dual wireless remote controls
- Temperature remains consistent through the night
- Provides heating or cooling benefits
- Front-load machine washable cover
- Runs quiet with auto shut-off feature
Cons
- Requires addition of water
- Electronic unit cannot fit under a bed
- Regular deep cleaning of unit is required
Specs for Comparison:
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Controls: Dual temperature zones for Queen, King, California King
Maintenance: Machine wash / tumble dry
Warranty: 2-year limited warranty
COTTONHOUSE Down Alternative Mattress Pad
Best for Cushioning
If your new bed turned out to be a little firmer than expected, a quick, cost- effective solution is to add the cushioning comfort of a plush mattress pad. And with this 100% pure cotton pad, you get not only the benefit of a softer, more luxurious feeling sleep surface, but a breathable cover that allows for greater air circulation and a cooler sleep. What’s great about this pad is that its designed for today’s thicker mattresses. A fully elasticized edge not only encircles your entire bed for optimal dust mite protection, but is roomy enough to fit over mattress depths of up to 21-inches. So, not only will it never ride up and slip off when you turn in the night, it’s easy to remove for washing and a snap to put back on when making your bed.
At an impressive 450 GSM (grams per square meter), this pad’s extra fluffy, down alternative fill adds about an inch of comfort to the top of your sleep surface, making it an ideal buffer layer for uncomfortable mattresses. For busy households, the pure cotton cover and easy-care fill make it a snap to keep this bedding clean and fresh because its machine washable and dryer safe. And the stitched baffles mean you never need to worry about the fill bunching after a wash.
Who Should Buy This Mattress Pad?
When you need to add an extra, buffering layer of comfort to an older, lumpy mattress, or a too-firm bed, this thicker, plusher mattress pad is an effective, cost-effective solution.
Pros
- 100% pure, breathable cotton cover
- 360-degree elasticized edge
- Deep pockets fit up to 21-inch mattress
- Substantial 450 GSM down alternative fill
- Baffle stitched to prevent bunching
- Machine washable / dry on low heat
Cons
- Not water-proof
- Not hypoallergenic
Specs for Comparison:
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Olympic Queen, King, California King
Controls: n/a
Maintenance: Machine wash / tumble dry
Warranty: 100% money-back guarantee if not used
DROVAN Waterproof Pillow Top Mattress Pad
Best for Waterproof Protection
When what you really want is the cushioning comfort of a pillow-top mattress pad, but what you actually need is waterproof protection, this plush option has you covered. In fact, you might be surprised to find a water-resistant pad that looks and feels this great while still providing effective protection from spills and stains. The secret is in the layers. While the top of this pad is made from silky, 100% combed cotton with baffle channeling that prevents the 130 GSM (grams per square meter) of cushy fill from shifting and bunching, it’s the bottom layer that uses superior grade TPU waterproof material for optimal water resistance. And by moving this feature to the underside of the pad, you never feel clammy or get that crinkly sound so often associated with a standard waterproof pad.
What’s remarkable about this pad’s innovative design is that it is also sized to meet the needs of today’s mattress. Elasticized corners make it easy to slip this pad off of the bed for machine-washing and an always hygienic sleep surface. Deeper pockets make it perfect for mattresses up to 21-inches in depth and help ensure it stays in place regardless of how often you adjust your sleep position.
Who Should Buy This Mattress Pad?
This is perfect for families with young kids or older individuals looking for mattress protection. The plush surface not only looks and feels great, but delivers a little extra comfort to your sleep surface, while the TPU fabric underside provides discreet water resistance.
Pros
- Pure cotton surface
- Plush fill
- TPU waterproof bottom layer
- Machine washable / dryer safe
- Deep pockets fit mattresses to 21-inches
Cons
- Not thick enough to provide buffering effect
- No cooling or heating capability
Specs for Comparison:
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Olympic Queen, King California King
Controls: n/a
Maintenance: machine washable / dryer safe
Warranty: not available
Bottom Line
Choosing to add a quality mattress pad to your bedding ensemble will not only extend the life of your mattress by providing protection from sweat, stains, and everyday wear and tear, but it can vastly improve the quality of your sleep, and ability to wake feeling rested.
Today’s mattress pads are designed to meet a wide range of sleep needs such as providing active cooling comfort, added warmth, or just buffering protection from an uncomfortable sleep surface.