Protector, encasement or topper? What each does, and which you need
A mattress usually has one, two or three things between it and the sheets, and the names get muddled: mattress protector, mattress cover, encasement, topper, enhancer, pad. They do different jobs. Here is what each is and which you actually need.
The three things
| Protector | Encasement | Topper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A fitted sheet with a barrier layer, covers the top and sides | A zipped bag that encloses the whole mattress | A separate layer of foam, latex, wool or fibre, 3 to 8 cm |
| Job | Keeps sweat, spills and skin out of the mattress | Seals the mattress against bed bugs, dust mites, and anything that gets past the protector | Changes the feel: softer, cooler, plusher |
| Who needs it | Everyone | Allergy sufferers, rentals, anyone who has had bed bugs, anyone protecting a guarantee claim | People whose mattress is too firm, too warm, or nearly right |
| Washable | Yes, weekly with the sheets | Rarely; wipe or wash occasionally | Cover usually; the topper itself no |
| Cost | £20 to £60 | £30 to £70 | £60 to £300 |
The protector: the one everyone needs
A protector is the cheapest thing that makes a mattress last. Sweat, skin and the occasional spill break down foam and stain fibres; a protector takes it instead and goes in the wash. It is also, on most guarantees, a condition: a stained mattress is not covered.
What to look for:
- Breathable. The common mistake is a waterproof protector with a plastic (PVC or basic PU) backing, which makes the bed hot and sweaty. Look for a breathable membrane (a thin polyurethane film that passes vapour) under a cotton or Tencel face.
- Waterproof if you need it (children, pets, illness); otherwise a plain cotton or Tencel protector breathes even better.
- Deep enough for the mattress: a 38 cm mattress needs an extra-deep protector.
- Quiet. Cheap waterproof protectors crackle.
The encasement: the one most people are missing when they need it
An encasement zips around the entire mattress, top, sides and bottom, with a sealed zip. It is for:
- Bed bugs: it traps any already in the mattress and stops new ones getting in. It is the standard measure after an infestation and the sensible one for rentals and student lets.
- Dust-mite allergy: a mite-proof encasement (fine weave, under 10 microns) with a mite-proof pillow encasement is one of the few things that measurably reduce exposure.
- A mattress you must keep spotless: guarantee claims, rentals, care settings.
A protector goes over the encasement, and the sheets over the protector.
The topper: the one that changes the feel
A topper is not protection; it is a comfort layer you add. It fixes a mattress that is too firm (soft memory foam, latex, wool), too warm (latex, wool), or slightly too thin on top. It does not fix a dip, a soft edge or a failing spring unit; it follows them. See cooling toppers and what to do if a mattress is too firm.
Order of layers if you have all three: mattress, encasement, topper, protector, fitted sheet. The protector goes on top of the topper so the topper is protected too.
What you do not need
- A "mattress pad" or "enhancer" that is 1 cm of polyester: it is a thick protector that flattens in months.
- A second protector on top of a waterproof one.
- An encasement "just in case" on a mattress in your own home with no allergy and no bugs; the protector is enough.
The order to buy
- A breathable protector, with the mattress, always.
- An encasement if you rent out, have an allergy, or have had bugs.
- A topper only if the mattress is too firm or too warm after 30 nights.
How we fit in
We ask everyone to put a breathable protector on before the first night; it is on the card in the pack and in the delivery-day email, because it is the difference between a guarantee claim that is paid and one that is not. Our own topper, the Soft Top, is what we send first if a mattress is too firm.
The short version
- Protector: everyone, breathable, over the top.
- Encasement: allergies, rentals, bugs; a zipped bag under the protector.
- Topper: changes the feel, not the support; goes under the protector.
- Mattress, encasement, topper, protector, sheet.
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