The 10 Best Mattress Pads in 2023

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If you need a little extra padding at night, a mattress pad is a budget-friendly upgrade.

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing your mattress were a little softer, a mattress pad is an inexpensive way to add extra cushioning to your bed. Not to be confused with mattress toppers, which have a thick layer of padding (generally two or more inches), mattress pads are on the thinner side, and they’re attached to a fitted pocket that keeps the pad in place on your bed. (In fact, many people use mattress pads to help keep mattress toppers from shifting around.)

Some mattress pads are designed simply to lend extra comfort to your bed, but others serve a secondary purpose. You can find waterproof, cooling, or heated mattress pads, which can help solve common nighttime issues. No matter what type of mattress pad you're looking for, we rounded up all the best picks to make your shopping easy and free of post-purchase regrets.

For more top-rated products for your bedroom, check out our top picks for bed frames and comforters.

Mattress pads are commonly made from cotton, polyester (a.k.a microfiber), or a combination of the two. These materials are inexpensive and budget-friendly, but cotton tends to be a bit more breathable, which is important if you run warm at night. Additionally, some mattress pads are made from hypoallergenic materials.

Mattress pads are sold in the same basic sizes as mattresses—twin, full, queen, king, and so on. It may be challenging to find the right size if you have an unconventional mattress size, such as a full XL or short queen.

Additionally, take the depth of your mattress into account as you shop. Most mattress pads strap onto the bottom of the mattress and fit over standard-depth mattresses, but if you have a pillow-top or extra thick mattress, look for a special pad to accommodate the extra depth.

One of the benefits of choosing a mattress pad over a mattress topper is that pads are often much easier to wash. These covers can usually be machine-washed and dried, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the care guidelines before you throw them in the washer.

All mattress pads provide a layer of padding for added comfort, but some offer additional benefits as well. There are both heated and cooling mattress pads to help regulate your temperature during the night, and you can also find waterproof mattress pads, which offer the same benefits as mattress protectors.

To find the best mattress pads for every home, we looked at a wide range of products from top brands like Utopia Bedding, Serta, Bedsure, and more. We evaluated products based on their materials, size range, care guidelines, features, and overall value, and we read through dozens of reviews for each model to see what real users had to say.

The Utopia Bedding fitted mattress pad is a top pick for anyone looking for a basic, no-frills model for a steal. It’s made from 100% microfiber and it has a soft, quilted top that adds a little extra comfort to your bed.

The pad comes in all standard mattress sizes, as well as twin XL, full XL, short queen, and California king options. Plus, it even comes in a variety of different colors and patterns to brighten up your bedroom. Reviewers say it holds up well after washing, and it’s extremely budget-friendly.

The Amazon Basics hypoallergenic mattress pad is a high-quality option that’s available for a budget-friendly price—we’re talking less than $20 for a full-size topper!

It’s made from a polyester-cotton blend, and the topper is filled with a hypoallergenic material that’s ideal for anyone with allergies. The pad can accommodate mattresses up to 18 inches deep, and it’s even OEKO-TEX-certified, meaning it’s manufactured without the use of harmful chemicals.

However, many reviewers say that the pad has an oversized fit right out of the box, so you may need to shrink it in the dryer before you use it.

If you tend to sleep hot, the Sleep Zone cooling mattress pad will help regulate your temperature throughout the night. It’s made from moisture-wicking microfiber material, and it has a plush feel for added comfort (though some reviewers say it isn't as thick as the photos make it appear).

This mattress pad has a unique, three-zone ergonomic design that provides support in key areas, and its 21-inch pocket can fit around thick mattresses. It comes in standard mattress sizes, and it’s machine-washable for easy maintenance.

Many mattress pads have polyester in either the cover itself or the filling, but if you’re looking for an all-cotton option, the Whisper Organics organic cotton mattress pad is the way to go. While it is on the more expensive side, this mattress pad is made from 100% organic cotton and is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard.

The cover has a 300-thread count, and it’s suitable for mattresses up to 17 inches deep. The breathable material is ideal for summertime or anyone who sleeps hot, and the pad can be put in the washing machine and dryer for easy cleaning.

You can protect your mattress with a product like the Serta Power Clean waterproof mattress pad. In addition to having a comfortable diamond-quilted top, the pad uses water-resistant technology to stop moisture from soaking through. Plus, it’s not noisy or crunchy like a vinyl mattress protector.

This mattress pad fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep, and it even has an antimicrobial finish that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

For deep mattresses, you’ll need a product like the Bedsure mattress pad. This pad has an extra-large pocket that can accommodate mattresses up to 21 inches, making it suitable for even the most plush pillow-tops. It’s made from a soft microfiber material, and it has a three-zone design that provides additional support for your hips and shoulders.

The mattress pad comes in either white or gray colors, but some reviewers say it’s not quite as plush as they expected.

If you have an unconventional mattress size—such as a short queen, short king, or even a daybed—the Grand's mattress pad comes in a wider range of sizes than other products. The pad is made from a hypoallergenic polyester-cotton blend, and it has a deep pocket that fits mattresses up to 18 inches.

The material is fairly thin, so it doesn’t provide the most cushioning, but it will certainly help protect your mattress from dust and allergens, making it easier to clean.

Dorm mattresses are notoriously thin and uncomfortable, which is why the ViscoSoft copper mattress pad is a must-have for college-bound students. This extra-plush pad offers a thick layer of padding to make any sleep surface more comfy, and it comes in a twin XL size to fit most college beds.

Additionally, this mattress pad is made from copper-infused polyester, which offers a cooling effect and also helps to prevent odor-causing bacteria from growing. The cover can fit on mattresses up to 18 inches deep, but because it’s on the thicker side, it does take longer than most to dry after washing.

The Sunbeam heated mattress pad is perfect for those cold winter nights. The heated mattress pad has thin wires running through it, providing supplemental warmth throughout the night.

The full, queen, and king sizes come with dual controllers, allowing you and your partner to select individual settings, and there is a total of 12 heat levels to choose from. The heated mattress pad automatically shuts off after 12 hours, and it can even be machine-washed and dried for easy cleaning.

Air mattresses aren’t always the most comfortable, but you can make the temporary sleep space more cozy with the Moonsea air mattress pad.

You have your choice between a soft microfiber material or breathable bamboo fabric, and the pad is available in two different depths—one that fits air mattresses eight to 16 inches tall, and another for up to 23-inch-thick air mattresses.

The cover helps make air mattresses more comfortable and also helps regulate your temperature during the night.

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.

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