Best Pillow Protectors
You’ve probably put a lot of thought into your choice of pillowcase: you want the material that will be touching your face throughout the night to be soft, safe enough for sensitive skin, and pleasant enough for all seasons. But what’s underneath the pillowcase matters just as much. With the right pillow protector, you’ll prolong the lifespan of your pillow, minimize contact with allergens, and prevent staining and moldiness.
Pillow protectors act as a barrier between the pillow and the pillowcase, preventing drool and sweat from reaching the pillow, as well as keeping dust and mites from irritating your nasal pathways. An ideal accessory for people with night sweats, allergies, or all those that want to get the most out of their pillow, pillow protectors come in various different sizes and designs.
While there’s no universal fit for all, there are certain qualities that make some pillow protectors better than others. Here are our choices for the best pillow protectors that stand out with their exceptional quality and reasonable prices.
1. Everlasting Comfort Waterproof Pillow Protector – Editor's Choice
- Material: Terry cloth cotton shell, polyurethane interior
- Available sizes: Standard, queen, king
- Waterproof: Yes
2. National Allergy Dust Mite and Allergy Control Standard Pillow Encasement
- Material: Cotton
- Available sizes: Queen
- Waterproof: No
3. SafeRest Premium Pillow Protector
- Material: Terry cloth, waterproof membrane
- Available sizes: Standard, queen, king
- Waterproof: Yes
4. Niagara Sleep Solutions Bamboo Pillow Protectors
- Material: Bamboo rayon
- Available sizes: Queen, King
- Waterproof: Semi
5. Niagara Sleep Solutions Cotton Sateen Pillow Protectors
- Material: Cotton sateen
- Available sizes: Standard, Twin, Full, Queen, King, Body
- Waterproof: Semi
Table Of Contents
- Our Review Process
- Best Pillow Protectors
- 1. Everlasting Comfort Waterproof Pillow Protector
- 2. Runner Up – National Allergy Dust Mite and Allergy Control Standard Pillow Encasement
- 3. Best Waterproof – SafeRest Premium Pillow Protector
- 4. Best Bamboo – Niagara Sleep Solutions Bamboo Pillow Protectors
- 5. Best Sateen – Niagara Sleep Solutions Cotton Sateen Pillow Protectors
- Benefits of Pillow Protectors
- Types of Pillow Protectors
- — Hypoallergenic pillow protectors
- — Waterproof pillow protectors
- — Pillow protectors for bed bugs
- — Pillow protectors for down pillows
- Conclusion
- Recent Updates
- Additional Resources
Best Pillow Protectors
1. Everlasting Comfort Waterproof Pillow Protector – Editor's Choice
Highlights
- Material: Terry cloth cotton shell, polyurethane interior
- Available sizes: Standard, queen, king
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Affordable
- Ultra quiet polyurethane interior
- Soft terry cotton shell
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- The sizes might be off – double-check that the dimensions will match your pillow
Everlasting Comfort offers a lifetime warranty on their pillow protector, which speaks volumes about the quality of their product. Completely waterproof, this pillow protector has a soft cotton terry cloth shell that feels smooth to touch and adds a layer of additional protection. It also includes an impenetrable but breathable polyurethane interior that gives it its waterproof and hypoallergenic features. Thanks to this choice of material, not only does it prevent liquids from seeping through to the pillow and staining it, but it also prevents allergens from accumulating inside the pillow. Similarly, the waterproof barrier will prevent bedbugs from making a home where you rest your head.
The polyurethane interior is completely noiseless and breathable, so you don’t have to worry about crinkling plastic sounds or overheating (which can be the case with poorly made waterproof pillow covers). This pillow protector zips shut and can be washed in the machine for easy maintenance. The set includes two pillow protectors so you’ll get a great deal as can be sure your partner is also getting the best possible sleep.
2. Runner Up – National Allergy Dust Mite and Allergy Control Standard Pillow Encasement
Highlights
- Material: Cotton
- Available sizes: Queen
- Waterproof: No
Pros
- Proprietary anti-allergy fabric
- Snug fit
- Soft and quiet
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not waterproof
Living with allergies isn’t the easiest, especially when the irritant is something that’s on a microscopic level, such as dust or dust mites. Unlike pillow protectors that simply claim to be hypoallergenic, this pillow protector is certified asthma and allergy friendly by a third-party lab. The secret is in their patented Allersoft fabric that’s made in the USA from pure cotton. This cotton fabric has an unusually tight weave with a pore size diameter of 4.91 microns that doesn’t allow allergens to pass through this all-natural barrier. As this pillow protector is made from 100 percent cotton, it’s soft and cool to touch.
However, this also means that the cover doesn’t have waterproof properties. If you’re worried about moisture in the pillow and mildew, you might want to look into another pillow protector. This cover is also great for bed bug prevention as it has auto-locking zippers that ensure no tiny critter can find its way inside the pillow. Machine washable and dryable, these reasonably priced pillow protectors come with a worry-free lifetime warranty.
3. Best Waterproof – SafeRest Premium Pillow Protector
Highlights
- Material: Terry cloth, waterproof membrane
- Available sizes: Standard, queen, king
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Breathable and noise-free
- Micro-zippers for bed bug protection
- Keep away bed bugs, allergens, and liquids from the pillow
- Free of vinyl, phthalates and PVC
- 10 year warranty
Cons
- It can make your pillow feel a bit stiff and rigid
- Can’t be washed or dried on high heat
You’d be hard pressed to find a person that’s not absolutely terrified of bed bugs. And if you’ve ever had the misfortune of personally experiencing a bed bug infestation, you know that you’d do everything in your power to prevent these tiny bloodsuckers from ruining your rest and bedding ever again. Made from terry cloth cotton on the outside and a waterproof membrane coating on the inside, these pillow protectors are designed with bed bugs in mind – although they do a great job with allergens and liquid protection too. In addition to the waterproof membrane, this pillow protector also has Micro-Zippers that don’t allow anything to go inside the pillow or out of it. This pillow protector works if you already have bed bugs in the pillow, and not just as a form of prevention. With ultra-tight fitting zippers and impenetrable fabric, if you have bed bugs living inside your expensive pillow, they won’t have anywhere to go and will eventually starve and die.
Machine washable and dryable, these pillow protectors will be easy to keep clean. And with their 10 year warranty, they’ll serve you a long time, too,
4. Best Bamboo – Niagara Sleep Solutions Bamboo Pillow Protectors
Highlights
- Material: Bamboo rayon
- Available sizes: Queen, King
- Waterproof: Semi
Pros
- Thermo-regulating effect
- Noiseless
- Luxurious feel of the fabric
- A snug fit with quality zippers
- Can be washed on higher temperatures
Cons
- Not that durable
- Limited size choice
More often than not, special waterproof materials and coatings can make the pillow feel warmer than usual, and for hot sleepers this can be a disaster waiting to happen. Especially if you bought the pillow protector to prevent staining from night sweats and it’s causing you to sweat more – it’s kind of counterproductive. Luckily, these temperature-regulating pillow protectors are made from bamboo rayon that’s known for its cooling properties. Soft to touch and moisture-wicking, this fabric is resistant to shrinking as well, so it can be washed and dried on higher heat settings (which kills dust mites). While not completely waterproof, these are highly water-resistant and will act as a decent enough barrier for sweat and drool. No need to worry about moisture seeping through these cases, but if you have a restless toddler in your bed, you might need to go for fully waterproof covers after all.
The set includes two pillow protectors that will keep cool in the summer and perfectly toasty in the winter months. There’s no warranty listed, but if you’re not pleased with your purchase for any reason, you can return the pillow protectors for a full refund.
5. Best Sateen – Niagara Sleep Solutions Cotton Sateen Pillow Protectors
Highlights
- Material: Cotton sateen
- Available sizes: Standard, Twin, Full, Queen, King, Body
- Waterproof: Semi
Pros
- Fabric ideal for long-term use and can bear many washes
- Hotel-quality cotton sateen weave
- Comes in a variety of sizes, not just for bed pillows
Cons
- May not be ideal for feather down pillows, some reports of poking through protector
To round out our list, the Cotton Sateen Pillow Protectors from Niagara Sleep Solutions had to make an appearance in our top recommendations. These pillow protectors have been tried and tested by upwards of 30,000 customers, so you can be sure to get an accurate description of what these protectors are actually like for your pillows. The hotel-quality cotton sateen weave will keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep, and given that it comes in many different sizes – including body pillows and couch cushions – you’ll be able to deck out both your bedroom and living room with these protectors.
While some reviewers have noted that these aren’t ideal for feather down pillows – as the feathers may still poke through the protector – keep this in mind depending on what kind of pillow you need a protector for. These issues can also be avoided by ensuring your pillowcase is durable enough to withstand any feathers getting through. Other than this, the cotton sateen fabric has been proven to last many years and can be washed several times while still maintaining its silky soft feel under your pillowcase.
Benefits of Pillow Protectors
Pillow protectors come in all sizes and in a variety of fabrics and materials to suit your unique preferences. They’re best described as snug-fitting zipper pillow cases, but the choice of materials differs significantly between pillow cases and pillow protectors. The latter are often waterproof and tightly woven to create a breathable yet nearly impenetrable layer over the pillow. The way pillow protectors work is by creating a physical barrier between the pillow and the pillowcase – both to protect you from allergens and your pillow from wear and tear.
People who are allergic to dust and dust mites often wake up sneezing, with irritated throats, runny eyes and noses, and the reason for that may be nighttime exposure to irritants. Dust mites that live in bedding and pillows can be inhaled for hours on end while the person sleeps. As those unlucky enough to be allergic to dust and dust mites know, this can have a tremendous impact on their quality of sleep (and life!) as you’ll often wake up during the night coughing and sneezing, or get up with a sore throat and crusty eyes. That’s where pillow protectors come in to save the day. Pillow protectors are designed to significantly reduce the number of dust mites in your pillow, thus reducing your exposure to these pesky allergens. Speaking of tiny critters that endanger your rest, pillow protectors can also work against bedbugs. While bedbugs can be found more often in mattresses, they can also make their home in pillows, and a barrier encasing your pillow would prevent the infestation.
Similarly, waterproof pillow protectors prevent sweat and drool from soaking your pillow. This eliminates the potential for staining the pillow, reduces the washing frequency, but also prevents mold from developing inside the pillow’s fill. Oftentimes the moisture from sweat and drool that’s trapped in the middle of the pillow allows mold to develop. This is unhealthy for anyone, but can especially exacerbate symptoms for allergy sufferers.
In addition to safeguarding your health, pillow protectors also minimize the wear and tear of the pillow. Expensive down pillows that can’t be washed in the machine can be protected from staining, but a pillow protector can also prevent feathers from poking through. The same goes for memory foam pillows that can be a hassle to wash. With a pillow protector that keeps all the nastiness and grime away from them, you can significantly reduce the frequency of washing.
Types of Pillow Protectors
Not all pillow protectors are meant for the same use. While the main purpose of a pillow protector is self-explanatory, depending on the specific requirements you have (pillow protectors for allergies, pillow protectors for bed bugs, down pillows, etc), you’ll need to pick between different materials suited for the particular features.
— Hypoallergenic pillow protectors
These pillow covers are made to prevent the pillow from absorbing potential allergens that could irritate people during sleep. This primarily goes for dust and dust mites, but if you’re allergic to pollen or pet dander, a pillow protector or hypoallergenic pillowcase can reduce the among of those allergens in a pillow as well. Additionally, as pillow protectors can prevent mildew from developing inside the pillow, they can be effective for people allergic to mold.
— Waterproof pillow protectors
If you tend to sweat a lot during the night or drool profusely, you’ll want to make sure that you keep as much of that moisture away from your pillow as possible. Pillow covers made from waterproof materials create an impenetrable barrier for liquids and moisture. In doing so, this prevents mold and mildew from developing, fill damage and unpleasant smells. These pillow protectors are usually made with a layer of polyurethane or vinyl. Polyurethane is the preferred option as it’s breathable, very quiet and highly efficient, On the other hand, vinyl can be crinkly and make your pillow hot, and most people want to avoid these things.
— Pillow protectors for bed bugs
Who wants tiny insects feeding on their blood at night? No one! While bedbug infestations are more common in mattresses, they can often lay their eggs in pillows as well. Needless to say, getting bitten all over your face and head while you sleep is not a pleasant experience, but a simple thing as a pillow protector can help prevent it. A pillow cover will tightly encase the pillow, offering no possible point of entry for bed bugs – especially if it’s made from tightly woven or waterproof materials.
— Pillow protectors for down pillows
Down and feather-filled pillows are a dream to sleep on but can be a nightmare to properly maintain. These luxurious pillows can be washed in the machine, but they can be difficult to thoroughly dry and fluff back up. A pillow protector for down and feather pillows can reduce the frequency of washing, as well as keeping feathers tucked inside the pillow.
Conclusion
It’s important not to overlook the importance of pillow protectors for your quality of sleep. These nifty accessories prolong the lifespan of your pillows, keep odors and dirt at bay, and most importantly can reduce the amount of allergens and prevent bed bug infestations.
Ideal for people with dust, dust mite, pollen and dander allergies, those that prefer feather and down pillows or people that sweat or drool at night, pillow protectors will keep your pillow clean and fresh while providing a better quality of sleep at the same time.
Recent Updates
August 5, 2021: A fifth product, the Niagara Sleep Solutions Cotton Sateen Pillow Protectors, has been added to the list due to popularity. Additional Resources and FAQs have been included to provide related content and address common customer queries.