The best pillow protectors safeguard your pillows from sweat, spills, allergen triggers and just about anything else that can ruin a pillow. We sorted through dozens of options to find out which ones work best without negatively impacting the comfort of your pillow. Read our top picks in 2024 below.
Here at Forbes Vetted, we spend a lot of time looking for the best quality sleep products for a restful slumber. We find the very best in everything sleep-related from the best mattresses to the best sleep trackers.
I have vast experience with sleep products, and fabric and material in particular. I’ve tested dozens upon dozens of pillows, pillow protectors and many more bedding related items over the years. I also used my educational knowledge, from degrees in textile design and mechanical engineering, and work experience, from working in product development and quality assurance at a home textiles company as well as at Nike, to pull together this list of the best latex pillows. We also spoke with Shradha Agarwal, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
When choosing the best pillow protectors, I sorted through dozens of protectors online. I looked at popular pillow protector options from well-known brands and researched choices on Amazon. I tapped into my knowledge from previously testing pillow protectors and other bedding items, including pillows, comforters, mattress protectors and more. I used my educational and professional textile background, and my previous experience in textile product development and quality engineering, to ensure products met the highest quality standards.
The pillow protectors that made this list are highly rated and reviewed by customers like you. Additionally, I’ve personally tried several products from brands featured on this list, including pillow protectors from companies that have performed consistently well over the years of testing apparel and textile products.
Pillow protectors are typically made with cotton or other fibers, such as polyester or rayon. These materials are soft, often breathable and don’t feel crunchy. You’ll want to avoid cheaper pillow protectors, like those made from vinyl, because these trap heat and aren’t breathable. This leads to overheating and making a lot of noise if you move around at night. If you’re concerned about allergies, look for fabrics that have a higher thread count, which means they have a thicker, denser fabric and provide better protection against allergies than a thinner fabric.
Some pillow protectors provide waterproof protection, while others do not. Those with waterproof protection are either made with a waterproof material, such as vinyl, or have a waterproof lamination or protective coating on the fabric. As mentioned previously, vinyl (and some laminated materials) are not a great choice because they can lead to overheating and sweating. Instead, if you’re looking for waterproofing, opt for a coated fabric that’s made to be breathable. If you don’t require a waterproof pillow protector, you’ll likely get the most comfort from a non-waterproof fabric since these tend to be more breathable than waterproof ones.
If allergies are a big concern, look for pillow protectors that are certified “Asthma & Allergy Friendly,” since not all pillow protectors offer the same level of allergy protection. This certification comes from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limit (ASL). Agarwal recommends looking for this certification since it ensures the pillow protector is effective against allergens and triggers.
The best material for a pillow protector is one that’s soft, breathable and tightly woven, such as a cotton fabric with a high thread count. If allergies are a concern, then you’ll also want to make sure it’s asthma and allergy friendly certified. For those looking for waterproof protection, you’ll want to buy a pillow protector that has a waterproof barrier that’s also breathable so you don’t overheat.
Pillow protectors and pillow covers are sometimes used interchangeably. However, some labeled pillow covers may not have a side zipper and function more like a pillowcase or are purely for decoration. On the other hand, pillow protectors will offer protection against stains, liquids or allergen triggers.
Yes, pillow protectors can help prolong the life of your pillow, protect it from spills or help cut down on allergies. Using a pillow protector also helps you cut back on washing the pillow itself, which can degrade the fabric and fibers over time. Especially in the cases of pillows that are spot clean only and can’t be fully washed, a pillow protector will help prevent stains and smells from building up.
