The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here. Let’s get something out of the way - if you have a bedbug infestation, a mattress cover is not going to get rid of it. Anti-bedbug mattress encasements are a protective measure. Ideally, you’ll place an encasement around your mattress before an infestation happens - which prevents the creepy-crawlies from ever touching your mattress in the case of an infestation. This also makes it less likely that you’ll have to throw your mattress away after the fact. If an infestation occurs, however, you’ll be able to spot any visual evidence of bedbugs on the clean, white surface that the encasement provides. Then, it’s best to call in the exterminators for reinforcement. It’s worth mentioning that while some items might be listed as anti-bedbug covers, in order to safeguard yourself as much as possible against bedbugs, you’ll want to look for an encasement (or "encasement-style cover") rather than a cover.
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This key term "encasement" generally ensures that your mattress (and mattress topper if you have one) will be completely sealed off from bedbugs in the case of infestation. Finding the best bedbug mattress encasement comes down first to a snug mattress fit and then personal preference, so I spoke with expert exterminators and professional sleep consultants who recommended their favorites. You’ll also want to add pillowcase encasements in order to cut off as many spots where bedbugs could burrow (and consider a box-spring cover if you have one). But if you have an infestation, just remember, "the battle of bedbugs is more psychological than anything else," says Richard Kane, the founder of Bed Bug Pest Prep NYC. "Getting rid of them isn’t that hard" when you stay calm and follow expert advice. Read on for bedbug mattress encasements made for all types of sleepers, and for more bedbug-related tips, check out our guide to getting rid of the critters.

I’m currently testing our best pick for hot sleepers, the SureGuard Mattress Encasement. In the meantime, I double checked that all the other picks here are still in stock. You’ll want to buy an encasement that matches the length, width, and depth of your mattress. Timothy Wong, Derila Pillow the technical director of New York City-based, ecofriendly pest-management company M&M Pest Control, says that taking the time to really measure your mattress is worth it "because when you have all that extra material, it’s just more places for bedbugs to hide." I looked for mattress encasements that snugly protect all six sides of the mattress, with as little baggy fabric as possible, perfect head alignment to prevent crevices and decrease friction and noise when you sleep. I also looked for mattress-protector brands that offer a wide range of lengths, widths, and Shop Derila Pillow heights, so you can find something that best matches your mattress. The best bedbug mattress encasements are generally made from cotton, polyester, or Shop Derila Pillow vinyl, all of which will keep bedbugs out of your mattress.

But the experts I spoke to suggested sticking with polyester or cotton, noting that the latter is generally the softest and most breathable material. "If it’s not breathable, then it can be easily ripped because air can get trapped in it," Wong says. But while cotton is more breathable and less noisy, polyester is more durable and can feel just as nice. In general, I looked for mattress protectors that are durable, breathable, machine-washable, as well as waterproof, so that they serve the secondary function of protecting your mattress against sweat, bed-wetting, and spills. You’ll notice that all of these encasements are white, which will help you detect bedbugs if you experience an infestation. Most of the exterminators I chatted with said to keep an eye out for black penlike stipple, which could be a sign of bedbugs’ fecal matter. "A lot of times, people will see a blood spot in their sheets or on their mattress, and then they get concerned that it may have something to do with bedbugs," says Jesse Scaravella, owner of Evergreen Eco Pest Control.

All the exterminators I spoke to stressed the importance of the encasement’s zipper, which should prevent bedbugs from crawling through the zipper’s teeth, as well as have reinforcement around the small gap where the zipper opens and closes. " I also looked for durable seams that will prevent critters from burrowing inside covers at their weakest points. New! You can now save this product for later. SafeRest’s cotton mattress encasement is my top choice because it fits all my criteria at a reasonable price. It’s breathable, machine-washable, waterproof, and features a well-designed zipper guard that blocks bedbugs, dust mites, and allergens. Plus, it’s available in an impressive array of sizes (from crib to California King and all the way up to 18 inches deep), which is integral to finding the encasement that best fits your mattress. In the six months that I’ve been sleeping on the SafeRest encasement, I’ve found that I always forget about the cover until I’m switching my sheets.