The perfect mattress protector can do a lot more than save your bed from spills and stains. The OTTY Waterproof, for example, offers some extra cushioning, breathable technology, and temperature regulation too. I should know; I’ve been using it for the past few months.
On my hunt for the best mattress protectors, I’ve slept on a whole host of different bedding. from bamboo terry fabrics to synthetic plastics. The OTTY Waterproof strikes a nice balance of comfort and practicality.
Using microfibres, this absorbs spills (I’ve tested it), keeps you cool (I’ve tested it), and adds an extra layer of comfort (you’ve guessed right, I tested that too). If you’re interested to find out whether this is for you, keep scrolling.
Specifications
Unboxing
Lots of mattress protectors come in packaging that feels like an afterthought, so it was nice to see that there was some TLC behind the OTTY Waterproof Mattress Protector. It was packaged in a sturdy cardboard box, enough to protect it in transit, but not so much that it consumed my recycling.
I was surprised by the appearance of the protector itself. Normally, waterproof protectors are more like plastic sheets than something you could actually sleep on. That’s why they go under the base sheet. However, this super soft, quilted topper could have come straight out of a White Company photo shoot. It feels wonderful to touch. I was excited to get sleeping (and not just because I love my sleep).
Who would it suit?
Waterproof mattress protectors are a great option for plenty of different people. If you often spill drinks in bed, have the kids in your bed, or even if you let your pets on the bed, I would strongly recommend investing in a mattress protector like this. It doesn’t let any accidents seep through past the protector, keeping your topper (if you have one) and mattress bone dry.
This is a particularly special protector because it’s almost impossible to tell that it’s even waterproof. The soft, quilted fabric feels like a luxurious protector. I didn’t hear any crinkles in the night, so if you’re sensitive to changes in your sleep set-up and you don’t want your topper to disrupt that, again, this is a good buy.
Aside from that, it’s easy to wash and dry, super lightweight, and breathable too. If you live in a big, busy home, convenience is at the very heart of this topper.
How does it fit on the bed?
This was wonderful to set up, if that's not too much of a stretch to say about making the bed. The elasticated corners reached effortlessly around the corners of my mattress, even though I have a relatively deep mattress and plush topper too. In total, it’s 35cm deep, but this didn’t struggle. I didn’t need to do any sort of mattress gymnastics to get this neatly in place, which I would say is a great success. It fitted tightly across, without any wrinkles or creases. All in all, this was brilliant.
What does it feel like to sleep on?
I already had a sneak preview of what this would feel like to lie on when I was testing it out after fitting it on the bed. However, I’ve since been sleeping on it (in rotation with the other protectors on test) for months. This adds a subtle, but definite, plushness to the bed. I was concerned that this might result in a hotter night of sleep, but this stayed breathable, ensuring that I woke up feeling fresh as a daisy. I wouldn’t say that the fabric is cooling, but the breathable qualities are enough for this to make a good choice for hot sleepers.
How waterproof is it really?
Having slept on the OTTY and not felt the signature crackle of a waterproof protector, I was intrigued to see whether this could deliver on its promises. Even though the topper is plush and quilted on one side, the underside does have a waxy, rubberiness to it, so I had some hope that this would be good.
I poured 500ml of water over the OTTY and it sat on top of the quilting, as you can see in the picture above. I left it for five minutes and the water hadn't moved. It's incredible. Even wine, coffee, tea, and my other tests couldn't stain or get through the superhero that is OTTY's Waterproof Mattress Protector.
How do you clean the protector?
Keeping this clean is easy, thanks to the microfibre thread. You can pop it inthe washing machine with some laundry liquid (I recommend Ecover or Method because this will be softer on your fibres) and run it on your normal setting. The cooler ones are better if you want your topper to last, which is why I always put mine out to air dry too. The microfibre is incredibly quick to get dry, so it's easy to do a quick bedding refresh every couple of weeks.
How does it compare?
There are a fair few mattress protectors on the market that claim to be waterproof and cooling — some are more successful than others. In our buying guide for the best mattress protectors, there are plenty of similar models to the OTTY, just with slight differences.
If the appeal of a quilted, breathable, naturally cooling option appeals to you, it’s worth taking a look at The White Company’s mattress protectors. This is one of the plushest, comfiest options on the market. The organic cotton makes this more gentle on the skin, as well as more breathable. It is more expensive, but I think you get what you pay for this upgrade.
If the quilting doesn’t matter to you, but waterproof features do, the Panda London mattress protector is another competitive option. It’s similar price-wise but made with moisture-wicking, breathable, naturally waterproof bamboo. This kept my mattress just as dry, even with the wine and coffee test, so you get the benefits of an eco-conscious mattress on top with this one.
Should you buy it?
If you want a plush, breathable, reasonably-priced mattress topper, this is a perfect option. It’s in the middle of almost everything, so there are more eco-conscious, plush options out there, but really, you couldn’t make a better investment than this.
