Mattress Pad Versus Mattress Protector

Here at MyLuxurMatteress.com, our customers often ask, "what is the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress protector?" The 2 terms are not well defined in the marketplace and this leads to confusion; so here are some tips to help you find what you are looking for.

Mattress Pad

The traditional and most common use of the term mattress pad is a bed cover constructed in the style of a fitted sheet with deep pocket, stretchy sides, a cotton / polyester blend fabric, and polyester batting fill. It is placed directly over the mattress, under the fitted sheet, and its purpose is to protect the mattress from dirt and spills, but also to provide extra soft padding and comfort.
 
Mattress pads are not waterproof, so they will not protect the mattress against large, frequent spills. To protect against liquids, you will need a mattress protector.

Thick Overlay

In the world of bedding there have been many developments aimed at making the top of a mattress softer and more comfortable. From feather beds to memory foam mattress toppers there are many products on the market. Some other popular overlays include latex toppers, thick polyester filled pads, wool pads, and cotton pads. Mattress overlays are also called mattress toppers or mattress pads.

 

 

Mattress Protector

A mattress protector is a bed cover constructed in the style of a fitted sheet with deep pocket, stretchy sides, made of a terry cotton fabric, with a thin polyurethane backing. It is breathable, yet waterproof. The terry cotton / polyurethane material is very thin and stretchy so it does not take away from the comfort of the mattress.
 
Some mattress protectors are made with thicker polyurethane backing or vinyl. These protectors are not stretchable or as comfortable as a thinner stretch cover. Thicker mattress protectors are commonly used to protect against problem bed wetting.
 
Mattress protectors are excellent for use with latex or memory foam mattresses because the stretchable fabric moves with the mattress, allowing foam to conform to your body.

Confusion in Terms

The terms mattress pad and mattress protector are sometimes used interchangeably, and they can refer to different products. Mattress pads can be thick overlays, but most commonly refer to thinner, fitted sheet style pads.
 
Also, mattress pads are often referred to as mattress protectors, though they are not waterproof. A mattress pad has 2 features that make them (usually) distinguishable from mattress protectors, they are not waterproof, and they are filled with some type of cushioning material for extra comfort.
 
To add to the confusion of terms, some mattress pads are waterproof. Waterproof mattress pads are not very common, but there are a few products on the market that have both a waterproof backing and a polyester batting fill. When shopping, the only way to know for sure what you are buying is to read the product description thoroughly.