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The Spruce / Amelia Manley
A practical way to keep bed bugs at bay is with a top-quality mattress encasement. We spent hours researching the top bed bug mattress covers, evaluating effectiveness, ease of setup, and value.
Here are the best bed bug mattress covers available online.
Best Overall
Linenspa Zippered Mattress Encasement
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Amazon
The Linenspa Zippered Mattress Encasement covers all six sides of your mattress with a protective barrier. With a polyester exterior and a polyurethane backing, the smooth, lightweight material effectively protects against bed bugs, dust mites, and other allergens.
Unlike others in its category, the non-crinkly fabric is quiet when you sit or lay down on your bed. The cover zips around mattresses up to 12 inches deep, and can easily be tossed in the wash with the rest of your bedding. For extra peace of mind, the Linenspa bed bug protector comes with a ten-year manufacturer warranty.
Price at time of publish: $25
Best Budget
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Mattress Encasement
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Amazon
For affordable, reliable protection, we recommend the Bed Bug Mattress Encasement from Utopia Bedding. Made of knitted polyester, its stretchy fabric is comfortable and easy to secure. Its zipper closure ensures every side is covered, and the waterproof PVC backing helps prevent moisture damage, mold, and mildew.
This mattress cover is machine-washable and meets Oeko-Tex standards for safety and environmental consciousness.
Price at time of publish: $23
Best Hypoallergenic
PlushDeluxe Premium Mattress Encasement
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Amazon
If you're looking for a bug-proof option that's also hypoallergenic, the PlushDeluxe Premium Mattress Encasement is an excellent choice. With six-sided protection, an extra-fine, virtually invisible zipper, and a secure velcro flap, you can rest assured your mattress will be free of pesky nightcrawlers.
This product is ideal for anyone who suffers from allergies, asthma, or eczema. It also defends your bed against dust mites, bacteria, mold spores, and other allergens. The breathable interior layer ensures air circulates while also repelling moisture.
PlushDeluxe stands behind its product and will refund or replace the encasement for up to 10 years after your purchase.
Price at time of publish: $43
Best for Kids
SafeRest Premium Zippered Mattress Encasement
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Amazon
If you're looking for a safe and effective solution for a kid's bed, we recommend the SafeRest Premium Mattress Encasement. This cover has a hypoallergenic terry cotton exterior and a breathable 100% waterproof membrane layer. It's soft, comfortable, and noiseless.
Oeko Tex-certified for safety, this bed cover not only protects against bed bugs but also prevents any accidents. The material is both bite-proof and waterproof, so spills won't penetrate deeper into your kiddo's mattress. Plus, its zipper closure is secured with a velcro flap to prevents accidental opening.
To clean, just throw the encasement in the wash with the rest of your sheets.
Price at time of publish: $27
Best for College
SureGuard Mattress Encasement Twin XL
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Amazon
The best bed bug mattress cover for college dorms is the SureGuard Encasement. Besides the standard sizes, it also comes in twin XL—a typical size for dorm room beds. The top exterior is 100% cotton terrycloth, and the sides and bottom are a stretch-knit polyester. The interior lining is waterproof polyurethane.
This independently lab-tested encasement seals out bed bugs with a super-fine, nearly invisible zipper. SureSeal technology prevents bed bugs from passing through the zipper teeth. This mattress cover is quiet, lightweight, and machine-washable.
Price at time of publish: $43
Best for Pillows
Four Seasons Essentials Premium Pillow Encasement (Set of 2)
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Amazon
While protecting your mattress, it's a good idea to block your pillows from becoming a breeding ground. We suggest the Premium Pillow Encasement from Four Seasons Essentials. This set comes with two stretchable, breathable, and noiseless pillowcases. You will not hear crinkling fabric sounds while you try to get some sleep.
These zippered protectors are also a waterproof barrier, blocking bed bugs, pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens. These cases have a soft polyester outer layer and polyurethane interior lining. Your pillows will be totally sealed and comfortable for sleeping.
Price at time of publish: $18
Best Lab-Tested
Hospitology Products Sleep Defense System Mattress Encasement
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Amazon
The Hospitology Sleep Defense System is lab-tested to offer 100% protection from bed bugs. It has an ultra-soft polyester knit outer layer and a breathable waterproof membrane that doesn't trap heat. This encasement seals your mattress on all six sides with a locking zipper closure, ensuring that your bed stays insect-proof and free from dust mites, mold spores, and other allergens.
Price at time of publish: $37
Best for Box Springs
Utopia Bedding Bed Bug and Waterproof Box Spring Encasement
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Amazon
The Utopia Bed Bug Box Spring Encasement is made of high-end knitted polyester with a waterproof polyurethane backing. It's conveniently stretchable but also durable and tear-resistant. An ultra-fine zipper ensures bed bugs and dust mites stay out. This box spring cover is machine-washable and meets Oeko-Tex standards.
Price at time of publish: $22
Best for Deep Mattresses
White Noise Fulghum Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Cover
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Wayfair
The White Noise Fulghum encasement is extra-deep, fitting mattresses up to 18 inches thick. Thanks to its fitted closure and antimicrobial interior layer, it's resistant to bed bugs, dust mites, and mildew. The outer layer is a soft cotton-polyester that's both breathable and hypoallergenic.
Price at time of publish: $62
While most bed bug mattress covers are pretty similar, our number-one pick is the Linenspa Zippered Mattress Encasement (view at Amazon). We appreciate the smooth, noiseless material and effective protection from bed bugs and allergens. If you're looking to pull out all the stops against an insect invasion, we suggest getting a set of the Four Seasons Essentials Premium Pillow Encasements (view at Walmart), as well.
What to Look for in a Bed Bug Mattress Cover
Fit
A bed bug mattress cover must fit snugly over the mattress and, if you have them, the box springs to prevent the insects from escaping if the cover shifts. The zippers of the encasement should close tightly with no pulling or gaps. Read the product dimensions carefully to be sure that the cover fits the width, length, and depth of your mattress.
Quality
Look for bed bug mattress encasements that provide proof of effectiveness during testing against bed bugs from an independent laboratory. (Many cover makers will have this information on the product packaging.) The materials should be tightly woven and sturdy to prevent rips and tears. Since zippers are a vulnerable area where bugs can escape, there should be a layer of extra protection around the zippers.
Comfort
No one wants to sleep on a loud mattress cover. Select a cover that does not crunch or squeak when there is movement in the bed. While a waterproof cover is a good choice for a child's bed, waterproof materials are usually less breathable and trap heat close to your body. Water-resistant covers are more comfortable and often use fibers that wick moisture away from the body.
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How does a bed bug mattress cover work?
Since bed bugs cannot survive without feeding on humans, a bed bug mattress cover provides a thick barrier between bed bugs that may have infested the mattress and the sleeper.
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How do you wash a bed bug mattress cover?
Bed bug mattress covers are machine washable. Use your regular detergent and the hottest water temperature recommended for the type of fabric. Reduce the spin cycle speed for the final spin to prevent any damage to the bulky cover. While most encasements can go into an automatic dryer, some waterproof covers should be air-dried. Consult the care tag for specific instructions.
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How long should you use a bed bug mattress cover?
It's a good idea to always use a bed bug mattress cover. Even if you aren't recovering from an infestation, bed bugs can be carried into the home from luggage, pillows, or other upholstered furniture. If you have had a bed bug infestation anywhere in your home, leave the cover on the mattress for at least six months before removing it for cleaning to be sure all of the bed bugs are dead.
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Do mattress covers prevent bed bugs?
Unlike mattress encasements, which are made of tightly woven fabric that surrounds your mattress and box springs on all sides, ordinary mattress covers do not prevent bed bugs. Mattress covers usually only cover the top and sides of your mattress, leaving the bottom of the mattress and the box springs exposed. The best bed bug mattress covers individually envelop the entire mattress and the box springs on all six sides and are sealed with a zippered cover.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance writer and homeowner with substantial experience and a keen eye for housewares, cleaning supplies, laundry products, and bedding. She also contributes to MyDomaine. Additional research was done by Mary Marlowe Leverette, a nationally recognized cleaning expert.