Sometimes I feel a little crazy when trying to shop for anything bed-related (comforters, sheets, mattress toppers, mattress protectors, etc.). Not only am I trying to choose bedding that can handle the wear and tear from my pets and kids, but I also need it to meet my needs and allow me to sleep comfortably.
My biggest problem is that I’m a hot sleeper. Candidly speaking, I know hormones play a role, so I don’t expect my bedding (no matter how great it is) to change physiology or to balance my hormones. However, I do expect it to bring some relief and certainly not make it worse.
I’ve narrowed down the top mattress protector brands for my fellow night sweaters, so let’s take a look at what makes them stand out and how they stack up. As an FYI, my gauge is mostly targeted towards night sweat relief and elevated alternatives as opposed to standard or hotel-style luxury bedding.
Best Brands At a Glance
| Brand Name | Where to Buy | Price | Sizes | Features |
| Miracle Made | Online website, Amazon | Ranges from $159-189 | Twin-Cali king (currently sold out of twin size) | Silver-infused, water-resistant |
| Whisper Organics | Online website, Amazon | Ranges from $78.99-116.99 | Twin XL-Cal King | Organic, waterproof |
| Nectar | Online website | $99 for every size except Split King at $198 | Twin-split-King | Waterproof, antimicrobial finish |
| Sheex | Online website, Amazon | Ranges from $129-169 | Twin/twin XL-Cali King | Waterproof |
Change Your Sleep Environment, Change Your Sleep
Your quality of sleep can impact your overall health and wellbeing. Having a great night’s sleep depends a lot on the temperature of your sleeping environment, or “bedding micro-environment,” which includes your bedding, the temperature in the room, your body heat, and humidity. Thermoregulation is the management of this “micro-environment” while sleeping.
Thermoregulation includes moisture-wicking, the ability for bedding to breathe, and body temperature regulation, among other things. I found that there are keywords to look for in a brand’s bedding information that indicate thermoregulation, like cooling, breathable, quiet, and smooth.
When looking for a mattress protector, I’ve learned to avoid ones that feel plasticky or like vinyl. No one wants to roll over in their bed and hear every move or feel like you’re crinkling a bag of chips when you want to change positions. Those types of mattress protectors also tend to trap heat and create your own personal sauna, which is not enjoyable when you’re already a hot sleeper.
Water-resistant vs. Waterproof
Sheex, Whisper Organics, and Nectar are waterproof, unlike Miracle Made, which is water-resistant. What is the difference between water-resistant and waterproof? Water-resistant helps to reduce moisture from being absorbed into the mattress but does not stop all liquid. Whereas waterproof means it is supposed to be a barrier to keep any liquid from reaching the mattress.
Waterproof is less breathable than water-resistant, but many companies are realizing that thermoregulation is a growing need for those of us who wake up in puddles of sweat. I used to think waterproof was a “no-go,” but not all waterproof protectors are the same.
Nectar boasts that it is both breathable and waterproof. My experience with their mattress protector from 5-6 years ago suggests otherwise, but their Serenity mattress protector looks like a new and improved version. The new look is surprisingly softer-looking too.
Miracle Made’s downside is that they list their protector as “water-resistant” rather than “waterproof”. It’s likely water-resistant to keep it from trapping heat and allowing more airflow.
I like the idea that whether it is water-resistant or waterproof, my mattress will have some protection, and the protector would be made breathable.
Silver-treated for lasting freshness
Miracle Made is silver-treated, which means that silver is woven into the fabric. It sounded bizarre when I first heard of it, but it’s supposed to create longer freshness between washes and have odor control. One of the things I noticed while using Miracle Made’s protector is that I could go longer between washes. I was washing my Nectar mattress protector every week, as opposed to now every 2-3 weeks.
I do want to point out that although Nectar is not silver-finished, their Serenity Mattress Protector has an antimicrobial finish, which is supposed to help against bacteria and odors.
So What’s the Deal with Cotton?
I didn’t understand why so many different brands boasted about cotton until I read more about it. Everything from bedding to clothing and even some other products list “100% cotton” as a positive selling point.
What I found was that cotton is breathable due to how it is constructed naturally, allowing for air to circulate. It has a high absorbency (can absorb up to 27x its weight in water), is smooth and soft, making it skin-friendly, wicks away moisture for temperature regulation, and is biodegradable/eco-friendly.
Miracle Made’s products are OEKO-TEX certified cotton. This does not mean they’re organic, but that they are made without harsh chemicals or residues. They emphasize a breathable 100% cotton top layer. To me, this is practical comfort because it doesn’t feel plasticky or make a bunch of noise when I adjust my sleeping position in the middle of the night.
Whisper Organics is GOTS certified. The difference between OEKO-TEX and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is that the first one tests the final product to ensure no harsh chemicals were used, while the second ensures a product from the farm to the store is guaranteed organic (GOTS covers every step of the production process, including organic farming, fiber processing, manufacturing, and trading. They require on-site audits annually of certified facilities).
Unfortunately, neither Sheex nor Nectar use cotton as their top layer but use synthetic fibers, which are less breathable.
What is Performance Bedding?
Performance bedding uses advanced technology to improve comfort and functionality. It is meant to adapt to your body’s needs and encompasses moisture-wicking, cooling technology, antimicrobial, thermal insulation, and breathability.
Sheex leans more towards “performance-type” bedding. Their mattress protector is “5-sided,” which means it is waterproof not just on top but on every side when it’s on the mattress. Sheex is 100% waterproof and boasts about the breathability and smoothness of their fabric. Although I am unsure about how it would be breathable since it is waterproof, some reviewers did recommend it for those of us who sweat a lot during the night.
Trial, Returns, and Discounts
Miracle Made’s website states that their items ship for free and can be tried “risk-free” for 100 nights. I like the idea of trying it for a couple of months, and if it can’t handle my child or pets, then I can at least return it and receive a refund. There was also a 15% discount when I took a quick quiz that only required a few questions.
Whisper Organics has a 1-year return policy. However, on Amazon it had a pop-up that said, “Frequently returned item,” which made me lose some confidence. After looking at the most recent reviews, there was a mix of positive and negative in regard to its thickness, water resistance/protection, and weight of the protector. On their website, I was not a fan of the pressure to quickly put in your email or phone number, with a countdown displaying as you do their “mystery discount”. You also have no choice but to put your phone number in even after entering your email. The good news is that I can unsubscribe from both at any time. The discount ended up being 10%.
Nectar has a 30-night home trial and a 1 year warranty. The warranty is great in case something happens to the protector during that time. I did not see a discount, but each size of their mattress protectors (except for their Split King) is $99 and has free shipping.
As for Sheex, they have a 60-night risk-free guarantee. There is currently 30% off their mattress protectors, with $5.99 for shipping and free shipping on orders of $150 or more.
A Little Pricing Advice
Nectar is the cheapest at the moment and more cost-effective. Whisper Organics is close in price range to Nectar, while Sheex and Miracle Made are more of an investment.
I chose to try out Miracle Made because my main goal is to improve my sleep and overall health, and because I had a little bit of wiggle room, it made it easy to cut out a few things (eating out and random shopping sprees).
I recommend looking at Amazon and the specific brand’s website to see which option would be cheaper. As an FYI, their websites tend to have discounts that Amazon likely wouldn’t.
My Personal Experience with Miracle Made
The buying experience was simple and easy. Although it didn’t come as quickly as my Amazon orders do, I appreciated that I received it within a week.
What surprised me the most about their mattress protector was honestly how soft and smooth it was. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t sure what to expect with it being “silver-treated” and thought it might not be as soft.
This might sound crazy, but for the first few days we just slept right on the mattress protector so we could honestly know if it was cooling or not. We currently don’t have cooling sheets, so I felt that it would hinder the actual experience with the protector.
We noticed as soon as we put it on our bed to test it out that it was cool to the touch. After spending a few nights sleeping on it, we felt like we slept cooler. Although we still get hot sometimes during the night, it has brought some much-needed relief and is definitely cooler than our previous protector. I think my next goal is to try their sheets along with the protector since currently we have Jersey-knit cotton ones that are not as breathable as they sound and definitely not geared for cooling.
Even when putting our random store-bought sheets over the mattress protector, we were still cooler at night than when we were sleeping on our Nectar protector.
My Personal Experience with Nectar
I’ve had first-hand experience with their mattress protector for the last 5-6 years. Nectar has longevity “in the bag” and has protected our mattress from many messes (drinks, pet accidents, etc.).
Because we have a Nectar mattress, it came with the protector as well as two pillows and pillowcases. After 5-6 years of wear and tear from pets jumping and playing on the bed, night sweats almost every night, and a million little snags, it was time to replace it. I’m impressed that it lasted as long as it did, though, and I would consider buying Nectar again if looking for waterproof options. However, since I am desperate for some night-sweat relief, breathability is a really big deal for thermoregulation of my little bedding micro-environment.
What I’ve personally really liked about Nectar is that it fits snugly on my mattress and hasn’t slipped when I get in and out of the bed. It also doesn’t affect how my sheets fit either. They have it listed as 100% waterproof, and I’ve spilled things on my bed but haven’t seen any stains on my actual mattress (except when I’ve forgotten to put the protector on or when it’s been in the wash).
The one thing I would really change about this protector is for it to feel a little less plasticky and to be breathable, but that might be at the cost of it being completely waterproof. With night sweats, I have been desperate to try another option since I’m still experiencing body heat trapped between myself and the sheets.
Which Brand is Best?
- Miracle Made – Best for breathability and lasting freshness
- Whisper Organics – Best for those desiring a hypoallergenic, organic option
- Nectar – Best for longevity
- Sheex – Best for 5-sided liquid protection
Know what matters most to you and who the protector is really for. If I were buying for an elderly family member that doesn’t have good bladder control or for a kid that wets the bed every night, that would make a huge difference. At that point, the protector would have to be waterproof. If I’m buying for a friend that I know would want a more natural or organic option due to skin sensitivities, that would change which brand I’m buying.
If I’m buying for myself or someone else that experiences night sweats and needs my protector to stay fresher so I’m not washing them every week or more, then I’d go for a silver-treated option.
Last Considerations BEFORE You Buy
Whether you go with one of these brands or another, be sure to check that it’s machine washable. If you have a standard washing machine, any of these protectors should fit, and I recommend washing separately from other linens/bedding.
Look for a snug fit that goes on the bed like a fitted sheet. I’ve never been a fan of the mattress protectors that have an elastic band that you have to pull over each corner because eventually they end up tearing, and then you have to buy a whole new one. So, I definitely recommend buying one that is made like a fitted sheet.