Best Mattress Protectors and Pillow Encasements (Review) in 2024

Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Sandra Allens

The best allergy mattress cover product about keeping your bed from bedbugs, dust mites, and allergens is a mattress or pillow cover. We surveyed 17 entomologists, exterminators, allergists and researched and tested 17 mattress covers. It was a pleasure to lay on these sheets, and the zipper prevented animals from getting into the sheets. In addition, the seams were better sealed than in all the other brands we tried.

Our Recommendation of The Best Allergy Mattress Covers

Encase Your Mattress in Aller Zip Smooth by Protect Bed

An Ideal Mattress Encasement

Thanks to its smooth feel and reinforced seams, the Protect Bed provides both protection and comfort. In addition to its strong seams and hard-to-open zipper, Protect Bed’s AllerZip Smooth Encasement (Mattress) keeps dust mites and bed bugs out. Mattress encasements with this fabric were the smoothest and lacked any sound. Various sizes of this encasement are available to fit almost any bed (see the chart for help determining the right size for your mattress). It was designed to fit our nine inch deep mattress which fits most beds.

Protective but Not as Comfortable as A Box Spring

The Velcro zipper closure keeps this encasement securely in place despite its clammy texture. It is not quite as luxurios as the Protect Bed cover. The cover will not only protect the mattress, but also your wallet.

In terms of comfort, we found that it was the most comfortable among the cheap choices we tried, but unfortunately, it’s still not as comfortable as Protect Bed. Despite having sturdy zipper, smooth seams, and Velcro closure which keeps bedbugs out, this blanket is well made and well designed. There is a slight difference in the fabrics in this product, and they are thicker as well as noisier than those in top pick, when compared to the one in the top pick.

Our Recommendation

Pillow Protectors Aller Zip Smooth from Protect Bed

Choosing the Right Pillowcase

These encasings are made of the best materials and are constructed to the highest standards. In the event that you use these pillows, you will have them for years to come, and they are inexpensive.

With a quality zipper closure and stronger seams than most other pillow protectors available, AllerZip Smooth Protectors(Pillow) provide the same high level of performance as our sort after mattress protectors. The fabric will still feel soft, so even though it’s water-resistant, pillows won’t get wet. We found the least expensive pillow encasements among the ones we tested.

Upgrade Choice

Omniphase Protectors by Sleep Tite for Malouf

Pillow Encasements with Greater Luxury

The pillow encasements of Protect Bed are more comfortable to rest on. They have better fabric that wicks moisture, but they cost almost twice as much.

Pillow protector Sleep Tite Omniphase (Encase ) are our favorite pillow protectors by Malouf. There is also a layer of silk on the outer layer to ensure total silence, as well as a moisture-wicking material and a zipper. Although they are pricier more than our top pick, the price is well worth it incase you have the funds.

Also Read

• Best ways to clean your mattress
• Best mattress for back sleepers
• Honest reviews on helix mattresses

Pillowcases that Are More Luxurious

The pillow encasements of Protect Bed are more comfortable to rest on. Despite the better fabric and improved moisture wicking, they’re almost twice price.

Its Purpose. If you’re concerned about Dust mites and bedbugs, mattress and pillow covers are the best defense. Bed bugs and dust mite allergies are both protected by bedding in this guide. Protective bedding can also be made for either or both, but many people are curious about multipurpose protectors.

If you have bedbugs, it’s likely you found us by searching for “have bedbugs help!” Yes, even if you’re purchasing brand new bedding (which you do not have to), you still need to invest in protective bedding. Bedbugs are a problem in many areas, as well as in neighbors’ homes when exterminators visit, so even people without bedbugs should protect themselves with protective bedding. The Ohio University professor of biological entomology, Susan Jones, explains that they work similarly to a cold. Bedbugs are spread by infested people without them being aware of it. Bedbugs, however, should not be considered an embarrassment. You are alive and breathing because you are alive. It won’t be a problem in that case. Don’t panic. Treatment is possible for them.”

Periodically checking the top for tears is okay if the bedding you have already allows you to sleep without irritation or discomfort due to allergies or bed bugs. Box spring is enclosed here, along with some suggestions about how to cover it. In the absence of tears and if you are otherwise satisfied, you do not need to buy protective bedding.

The Uses and Limitations of Encasements

Infested mattresses, box springs, and pillows can be encased to prevent bedbugs from escaping. Encasements don’t offer a reliable solution over time. Despite this, you will still have bedbugs infesting your mattress. You did not fail the encasement when you found bedbug on it one year after you purchased it: You just found bedbugs in your bedding, so the encasement is preventing the infestation.

Although allergy bedding made of fabrics with low allergy profiles, allergy bedding does not eliminate allergens (but will not add them either). For those with dust mite sensitivities, the mattress encasement will prevent the mattress from absorbing these irritating mites.

Treatment plans can involve bedding in either situation. In the event that your house is infested with bedbugs, you may be frustrated. Consider consulting an expert in pest control (which is what this post emphasizes). To control moisture in the home and implement specific cleaning protocols, speak to an allergy specialist if you suffer from allergies. The Allergy and Asthma Center in Fairfax Virginia reports that hot water kills dust mites. Symptoms can be relieved by protective bedding only when combined with a holistic treatment plan.

Bedbugs Are Kept Away from You by Encasing

A bedbug-proof mattress and also pillow is covered from every angle, and so will dust mites and bedbugs. A heavy-duty cover should fit over the item completely, be tightly made to stop dust mites, and be bedbug-proof on the inside. Even when you are tossing and also turning around, an enclosure should still be able to close its zipper. As well, reinforce all seams inside and outside the home to keep bedbugs from spreading (or to keep them out, depending on the circumstance).

Bedbugs cannot squeeze through the openings in bedbug-proof encasements. Since the fabric of dust mite enclosures is tightly woven, seams and zippers are not well sealed.

Encasements completely enclose the bedding, so we examined them in this lesson. If you attach style protector to your mattress, you leave the bottom in your mattress susceptible to bedbugs. It is also possible to slip-on a protector, but you will also need six-sided protection in multipurpose protective bedding. Patients with dust mite allergies are encouraged to use encasements, but some allergists recommend slip-on encasements because they are easier to remove the mattress, allowing them to be laundered frequently, thereby reducing mite (dust) allergies.

Besides dual-purpose encasings that provide allergy protection and bedbug protection, we also looked at multipurpose encasements. Those concerned with only one kind of critter can use encasements made specifically to protect against that kind, but we also wanted a universal solution. An encasement that is good against bedbugs will have no openings where bedbugs can escape, and an encasement that is good against dust mites have a tightly made fabric that isn’t well sealed.

Identifying bedbug-proof enclosures is more accurate than just saying they are “bedbug-resistant,” because barriers to bedbugs aren’t regulated. Unfortunately, an unregulated market makes it easy for shady companies to tag their products as they wish. All of the manufacturers we tested adhered to the terms, including those that made the covers we tested. There’s nothing “hypoallergenic” or “antiallergenic” about these terms, which refer to a textile’s ability to not aggravate allergies. Those terms refer to a textile’s ability to prevent exposure to environmental allergens, not protection.

Multipurpose case interiors are usually made from polyurethane that is thin and bonded to fabric on the outside. Our study included testing microfiber encasements (usually polyester) as well as terry cloth encasements that are known to hold dust mites. If a fabric is tightly woven and has pores that are smaller than 10 microns, dust mites will not be able to enter. It is not very important what size the pores of bedbugs are since they rarely penetrate fabric.

New bedbug encasements do not have a stiff/plasticky feel compared to older ones since they are coated with thin polyurethane. You can compare rainslickers with hiking boots that are water-resistant. Since the material is thin, there was no uncomfortable feeling or crinkly sound while wearing them. Bedding manufacturers used to get vinyl encasements before today. Alternatives are now available, which is a good thing.

The polyurethane doesn’t allow for breathable encasements that are bedbug-proof 100 percent of the time. Using nanotechnology, the coating of polyurethane can be made so thin it will not overheat and become sticky at night. Moisture is absorbed and dispersed by an outer layer of fabric. Neither of the encasings felt stifling nor hot. Despite their ability to wick moisture away, encasements with terry cloth linings generate slightly more noise than encasements without. If they’re labelled as water repellant, water-resistant products should not leak, and none of the items we recommended leaked in our tests.

As recently hatched bedbugs have only an average length of 1 millimeter, they can easily crawl through tight stitches because there is no barrier between them and the fabric.

Zippers are essential in bedbug encasements. In most cases, bedbugs do not live in pillows, so your pillow protector must have the zipper. In addition to protecting your pillows from dust mites, the pillow protector prevents them from slipping. Various zipper encasements employ mechanisms such as hook and also eye straps, Velcro enclosures or plastic locks to prevent the zipper from being fully opened. The tightly packed tooth packs would likely prevent bedbugs from entering the zippers we witnessed.

In general, mattress covers should have reinforced seams, though pillow protectors don’t need it as much (we’ll discuss that later). The bed bug only needs 1 millimeter to crawl through stitches, so it does not need tight stitching. Binding tape is typically used to cover reinforced seams on encasements, but French seam can also be used.

For bedbugs to avoid crawling through the seams of an encasement, seams should be bound. The best way to cover original seam is through French seam, which is shown here.

A quality mattress/pillow should protect the mattress’ seams and not be extremely baggy so that the fitted sheet can’t be put flat. If you plan to get an encasement, make sure to measure the depth of your mattress first. In situations where your mattress has 2 depth profiles, such as a twelve inch mattress with options for depths from nine to twelve inches or from twelve to fifteen inches, try a snug fit. Our pick for the best mattress encasement on budget is manufactured by Hospitology, which is just one of many manufacturers that permit an inch of tolerance.

Mattresses and pillows have different requirements when it comes to pillow encasements. Bedbugs rarely live on the pillows. According to Jeffery White, director(technical) of BedBug Central. Snoring occurs when you toss and turn during sleep. It is better to be in a quiet place. For those concerned on bedbugs, however, pillow protectors that prevent bedbugs can be purchased. This time, it is more important to protect yourself from dust mites. Dust mites cause pillow creases in both allergy sufferers and non-allergy sufferers and can cause respiratory issues.

It’s important to encase box spring as well. Box spring is actually more attractive to Dust mites and bedbugs than a mattress itself. As long as it is protected from tearing, it isn’t very important that it be comfortable, since you will not be sleeping on it. There is only one mattress encasement that does not require a box spring encasement.

How We Selected and Tested

Our analysis of Amazon customer reviews included the elimination of paid reviews and the analysis of comments based on verified purchase feedbacks. It also reviewed a bedbug forum where infected people posted. As part of the review, articles from journals and magazines such as NEJM, AAAI, and Good Housekeeping were also examined.

The costs of encasing queen mattress (king-size encasings may be more) should be no lower or higher of $38 or $80, respectively. In our experience, the most expensive pillow protectors (and our favorite) range in price from $25 to $70, depending on the size. Low budgets or higher budgets, together with compromising comfort and protection, or shopping foolishly, mean having to compromise on either. You should also look at the price (on the company’s website, the Protect Bed mattress protector we tested is priced at about $130, but it is available at Amazon for about $70). It is good standard required to follow because most of the products that we test include a warranty for a period of 10 years.

To check for irregularities smells and loose stitching, we manually examined each encasement as soon as it arrived. After laundering each encasement twice, we then counted the seams and teeth on the zipper using instructions provided by the manufacturer. A zipper’s type and its closure mechanism were also taken into consideration. In order to determine the fabric type as well as tactile sensation, we blew into the encasement the outside, trying to breathe through it.

To determine whether any problems existed, a mattress or pillow measuring 9.25″ was used. We also looked for strained seams or caught zippers in addition to examining the general fit. Observed how hot the encasement is, as well as how plasticky it is, and also how comfortable it is, before re-performing the experiment with fitted sheet in place. The mattress encasements were stepped on by two adults after the parade. They seemed to be turning and tossing. A zipper opening should have been available during the parade. Our pillow protector zips are checked by vigorously shaking them for a minute. Our next step was to fill each enclosure with water, let it stand for 5 minutes, and then see if there`s any liquid had leaked out.

Our study employed data collected from independent research labs (including those that allowed bedbugs in). Industry experts told us that bedbug-proof products typically are. However, some brand representatives did not provide us with this information. You will also be protected by textiles that include zippers and reinforced seams. According to an entomologist at i2LResearch in Maryland, encasings that fail the test are usually under development. A company usually sends a market-ready product to the lab when that product is ready to enter the market.

Our Recommendation

 Mattress Encasement Aller Zip Smooth by Protect Bed

The Perfect Mattress Protector

Comfortable as well as protective, Protect Bed is a great choice. The seams are reinforced, and there is secure zipper. Among the best mattress encasements, this was the best:  Mattress encasement AllerZip Smooth by Protect Bed. One of its most impressive features was the tightly stitched seams. We were pleasantly surprised by the zipper enclosure. Despite straining and bagginess in other models, our choice fit perfectly.

With the Protect Bed, the seams were reinforced by the French seam, but bedbugs would not have access to the canal created between stitches. Despite only having 13 stitches/inch (compared to an average of fewer than nine stitch/inch), the seams of the encasement were stitched with tighter stitching more than other encasement.

A zippered closure also prevented bedbug infestations. The zipper end is surrounded by four inches of padding, preventing it from opening, since it is “inflated” enough to prevent it from opening. In spite of closer look, Velcro and also plastic locks, it could be defined as a zipper because it met all of the definitions. For a person to get past this point of safety, they would need to willingly unzip the zipper.

In addition, the zipper is padded the end, preventing it from easily opening to allow bedbugs to enter. Despite the fact that none in the other encasements that we tested made any noise, this Protect Bed was practically silent. The material is made of polyester microfibers. Allergy criteria were also met. Our queen-size mattress was best suited to a Protect Bed mattress encasement. The encasement is available in three different depths, so it will fit wide array of mattresses.

Fitted well, too. Protect Bed meets all these requirements while no competitor meets the height requirement of a queen mattress measuring nine inches. There were no signs of straining in mattress seams. An encasement that fits well will prevent your sheets from bunching up as you sleep, thereby preventing excess fabric from falling. I like how it’s designed. Another issue we found was that some of the enclosed mattresses we tested were snug at the corners but not snug throughout, making it hard to achieve a comfortable sleeping surface.

A Minor Flaw, but Not a Dealbreaker

The zipper on the Protect Bed was not bothersome after we repeated the process several times to remove the sticking spots. CleanRest and MattressSafe pillows have zipper closures, but this pillow is without one. This bed bug prevention solution meets all of the bedbug prevention requirements. However, it has a padded closure that makes it more effective. The anonymous source indicated that regardless of whether or not real risks exist, companies will choose to differentiate themselves when certain quality standards are met. Based on Deep Throat, these encasements have similar characteristics.

We did not experience any leaks or pooling of water when poured water directly onto the Protect Bed; unlike other terrycloth options, water pooled rather than spread throughout the material. Children who often wet their beds may benefit from a terry top encasement.

Budget Choice

Durable, but Not Comfortable.

A Waterproof Bug protector Mattress Encasement from Hospitology is certain not to disappoint us. We didn’t quite like how the protector fit the mattress, despite being thicker fabric. Since it was the cheapest encasement that we tested, it is a good choice for people trying to stay within their budget.

In our testing, we found that seams with stitching of 10 stitches/inch or more outperformed encasements that had stitching of 6 stitches /inch or less. In order to seal the seams, we applied binding tape and followed it with tacking the seams. Although the enclosure was not as robust as many other enclosings, its thickness and durability were superior. It was secured with Velcro closure in the bottom of the bag, preventing it from being opened. Although this case was thick, it did not feel rigid, heavy, and it did not fit very well around the sides of mattress, despite the tendency it had to bunch up at the corners.

Our Recommendation

Pillow protectors AllerZip Smooth by Protect Bed

Provide Excellent Pillow Protection

These encasements stand out from the rest due to their excellent construction and excellent seams. These pillows can be used for many years and are an excellent value. In addition to its strong stitching and reinforced seams, AllerZip Pillow Protector (Smooth) by Protect Bed also comes at a great price!

French seams, like those in Protect Bed’s mattress encasement, are another way it protects against bedbugs. The only brand to use this type in seam is Protect Bed. No binding tape can unravel when it is stitched this way. Reinforced seams and pests can both be maintained with binding tape.

Not a Deal Breaker, but Flaws

AllerZip’s zipper pull felt little flimsy in us, and that was about the only thing we weren’t satisfied with. We wouldn’t expect the zipper to come undone thanks to the padded straps, but the zipper pull could break after repeated laundering. Protect Bed’s zipper closure is padded to keep it securely closed.

An AllerZip mattresses encasements similar like zipper closure had padded stop to ensure the zipper stayed closed. When you want full protection, you need to ensure that your zippers don’t open after just a minute when shaken vigorously.

Price-wise, the pillow protector was comparable to others. Additionally, a pillow protector prevents bed bugs and allergies from attacking the pillow, and at the price it sells at a higher price than it costs, especially if it is a high-end pillow with lifetime warranty.

Best Choice

Omniphase Protectors by Sleep Tite by Malouf

Provide a Luxurious Pillow Case.

A superior pillow protector as well as an encasement were also sent, as they were rated the highest on Amazon. Among the pillow protectors we tested for isle protection, Sleep Tite Encase Omniphase by Malouf pillow protectors appear to be the best. The more expensive picks are our top picks if you can afford them.

Our opinion is that the Malouf Encase zipper pull is nicely tucked into the zipper to prevent accidental zipper openings, which may create an opening for bedbugs.

With a tuck-under zipper closure, the lightweight, silky-smooth case provides maximum protection. Although the seams on this pillow protector were of better quality, the stitch density (10) was still higher than many others. Its wicking properties make it more effective in managing your body temperature than Protect Bed’s pillow protector.

Taking Care of Your Encasements

I would again suggest washing your encasements no more than 2 times in a year, because dust mites are not harmful to your health. If bed bug encasements are left in place for more than a year, bedbugs can escape. When washing other bedding from your bed, you can vacuum most encasements while you’re stripping it. However, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly when cleaning encasements.

Occasionally, manufacturers make mistakes, as when AllerEase and also Mattress Safe washed their fabrics at high temperatures, causing them to bulge and cause the fit to be wider than it should be. Pest control specialists recommend that encasements be worn for no less than 12 months before being laundered.

It is recommended that you wash your furniture in warm water since dust mites cannot endure heat over 130c. If possible, wash nonprotective bedding hot water. Protecting your mattress or encasing your pillow won’t make a difference if you have dirty sheets and also pillowcases.

A two-person crew is ideal for encasing a mattress or boxspring; have one person pull the protector over the surface of the mattress or boxspring while the other man keeps it flat against the surface. The mattress needs to be inserted inside the cover, then put the protector over the mattress, and then pull the cover around so that the mattress is completely covered. The zipper should be completely closed in order for bugs to avoid getting in; even a small hole can allow them to get in.

Competitors

Mattress Cover

I believe we could have given it a higher rating if we had been able to measure carefully the mattress encasement size properly although we were not able to do so. Encasements warped during washing, they may have been pre-warped, but the seams were out of whack—an upward slope the encasement would result in an askew seam, and the reverse was true. As well as being waterproof highly breathable, the encasement passed our test as well. In our latest test, we were pleasantly surprised by the material’s breathability. Unlike the Protect Bed and other protectors we tested, could feel our breath traveling through it, but its water resistance was commendable. CleanRest Pro can be a great alternative to traditional sheets when your sheets cannot handle the breathability needs. Unlike many other bags, it has tighter stitching, thick zipper pulls with snap-lock PVC enclosures to prevent zippers from opening. It was also as silent as our champ.

Encasement’s mission is the same as Mission’s. Mattress encasing made of allergy-friendly microfiber.Due to warped seams, everything was uncomfortable to wear. Further, it was one of our leading picks when it comes to being the loudest (and most expensive). As long as we walked around the mattress, the zip continued to function, and we did not have to use top sheet because our mattress was reinforced by binding tape. A number of allergists recommended Mission when we asked for recommendations.

Mattress encasements from SureGuard terry material cover allows the casing to breathe; spills are spread on the surface, rather than pooling. Zipper closures were Velcro, but seams weren’t reinforced, and the invisible zippers (such as those on dresses) were quite thin. Since the encasement was finished with terry, it could have easily become entangled with fabric loops.

The Softcover Ultimate Mattress Encasement, which Mattress Safe sells only for its Ultimate line of mattress covers, is the most expensive option. With the price they charged in mind, they would have expected that the plastic coating inside the case would melt when washed. We were only disappointed by the unreinforced seams and warped metal hook as well as also eye on the zipper. It melted as well, even though it was washed according to manufacturer’s directions. It was still stuck when we removed the encasement from the mattress despite the reinforced seams and Velcro enclosures.

SafeRest Premium Encasement has a terry cloth top, but it shouldn’t be an ideal choice for allergy sufferers. The seams did not have French seams or binding tape. We see totally no reason for buying this case because it lacks those features as well has a flimsy zipper.

Despite the company’s assurances, we couldn’t close the zipper always to test National Elegance’s allergy mattress covers. It was easy for bedbugs to get in since one tooth is always open. However, it was not particularly breathable, and it did not offer any water resistance (although it wasn’t said to be water-resistant). In spite of soft fabric, the clothes were lacking in some fundamental aspects.

Embedded Pillowcases

The best mattress protectors are harder to compare with the best pillow protectors. It is in fact possible to avoid bedbugs if your pillow covers are water-resistant, don’t feel plasticky, and don’t allow dust mites to enter. Since bedbugs don’t usually hang out inside pillows, you should be able to avoid them. It’s extremely likely that you have a serious infestation if you’ve been infested, so we strongly suggest getting a protector with secure zipper closing and reinforced stitches to ensure your safety.

As far as breathability and water-resistance go, we gave SureGuard pillows high marks. The zipper could not be fully closed, thus they earned fewer points. Dust mites like clinging to textured fabrics, which is why allergy experts recommended them. Additionally, the encasements made more noise. Consequently, they make an excellent pick for individuals who are concerned about bugs or allergies, but don’t really need to protect their pillows from water.

In comparison with the Encases, Its five-sided design could only protect against bed bugs minimally because of slack seams in Protective malouf sleep rite Omniphase pillow case. If you’re looking for a premium option, we recommend the Encases. They are less expensive, but we are not convinced they’re worth the price difference.

It was quite stretchy, and the zipper would open when vibrated, not only was it somewhat breathable and water-resistant. Bedbugs are not fond of your pillow, so don’t invite them in.

The fabric was silky and fine; the seams are reinforced; and the zipper is secure, so they passed water test. (The pillows claim to protect against allergies and bugs, but they couldn’t guarantee that drool would not damage them. They are only water-repellent, not water-resistant.

Using Allergy Control Pillow Cover Pristine is not a pleasant experience at all. I discovered that the case was not waterproof, some covers were not opening properly when tested, and the price was identical to the price of some of the competitors making to the list of best allergy mattress cover.