When it comes to cooling sleep, every extra that you put on your bed should be working hard. That’s why we tested the Tempur Tencel Cooling Mattress Protector. It claims to keep you cool and your mattress clean. Credit to it, this is a great product.
Tempur are well known for their comfort-first approach to sleep, so I wasn’t surprised that they make one of the best cooling mattresses protectors on the market. I heard great things, but I wanted to put its technology to the test. After all, how cooling can a mattress protector really be?
With micro capsules and naturally breathable materials, I think the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector gives the best shot at a cool night of sleep (it's worth trying all the tricks for a cooler night of sleep with it though). Even better, it can be used as a fitted sheet too. Busy homeowners, eat your heart out.
Specifications
Unboxing the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector
The Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector doesn’t come with a lot of clutter. It comes in a clear plastic bag, which some special recycling points will accept for recycling, but it might take a little bit of work. Either way, it’s extremely minimalistic, so you don’t have to struggle through anything to get this onto your bed.
Given that this doubles up as a fitted sheet too, you'll see that it looks a little different to other models. Mine arrived a little creased, which is unsurprising, but it quickly smoothed itself out on the bed. Whilst, for the purposes of testing, I treated this like a protector and a fitted sheet, in reality, I think I'd be tempted to keep it as just a protector and then I'd add a cooling sheet (such as the Panda London Bamboo Sheets) on top, It's easier to wash a sheet in a big load than to wash your mattress protector every two weeks.
Who would the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector suit?
Given that the Tempur Cooling Tencel Protector is designed to be cooling, it’s an obvious choice for hot sleepers. What makes this stand out from other mattress protectors is just how easy it is to live with. It’s machine washable, a protector and a fitted sheet on one, and it has a soft texture too. If you’re lazy about home chores or you often find yourself too busy to do anything thoroughly, this is a great investment to make. It’ll halve your cleaning jobs and improve the quality of your bed set up immensely.
This is mostly made of lyocell, which is semi-synthetic. It's breathable, soft, and a favourite of iconic brands, such as The White Company. It forms an anti-dust mite layer, which is great if you suffer from allergies. However, for those who like to sleep in completely natural sheets, again, it might be worth reassessing your options.
How does the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector fit on the bed?
I have a king-sized bed with a topper on it too, so to say that my bed is thick is an understatement. I ordered the King size protector and it neatly tucked around every corner. The edges are elasticated, so they’re easy to loop around the bed. Plus, you can see a difference between the plusher, soft parts of the topper and where it should sit on your bed as well as the mesh sides that slip around the edge of the mattress..
What does the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector feel like to sleep on?
I loved sleeping on the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector, because I didn't really know it was there, in the best way possible. Some protectors, especially waterproof models, will crinkle and crackle under you all night long. It feels like sleeping on plastic sheets, but, actually, this didn't make a sound. It also didn't slide and stretched into place perfectly too. I've had protectors with a tighter fit and this did have a few creases in the middle of the bed, but these are easy to tighten into place. I'd rather have a generously sized protector than one which is impossible to stretch into place. I can't really ask for more.
It’s hard to say whether a mattress protector is cooling, because protectors are so thin. However, what I can say is that this was cool to touch and it stayed breathable throughout the whole night. Where some materials can get a bit cloying, this is wasn’t. I’m a hot sleeper and I still woke up feeling fresh (not sweaty) the morning.
How waterproof is the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector really?
Whilst I would never recommend spilling coffee, wine, or water over your bedding, if you’re anything like me, it’s almost inevitable. For that reason, I pour 500ml of each liquid onto the protector, whether it’s waterproof or not. The Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector is actually waterproof, so I expected it to do a good job of protecting my mattress topper underneath and, spoiler alert, it did.
Each liquid sat on top of the protector for a little bit and then was gradually absorbed into the top material. I was worries that this would stain or mark the topper in some way, but when I turned the protector over, you wouldn't know that there had been any spills on top, if you looked at the underside.
How do you clean the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector?
Keeping the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector clean is easy. It’s safe to wash at 60°C, but I would recommend using a gentle laundry liquid, such as Ecover or Method, if you want to give your protector the longest life possible. This is also safe to tumble dry on low settings, but again, if you want it to last a long time, the best thing you can do is let it air dry.
Experts generally recommend that you wash your mattress protector every two months, but because this is a fitted sheet for some people, I'd recommend making it a fortnightly job, if not weekly. Your body puts out a lot of sweat, dirt, and dead skin in the night, so you don't want to leave your topper for a long time.
How does the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector compare?
There are a lot of mattress protectors on the market that claim to be cooling. All of the products in our buying guide are cool to touch and breathable, making them nice to sleep on, so the real differences come down to price, value, and composition.
I think the biggest competition for the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector is the Panda London Waterproof Mattress Protector. It's breathable, easy to fit on the bed, and made from sustainable materials. Whilst you can't use it as a fitted sheet (like you can the Tempur model), it does come with a nice looped top, which feels a little like a towel. It's cushioning to sleep on and — this is the best part — it's half the price. If there's ever a time to save some money, it's now.
Should you buy the Tempur Cooling Tencel Mattress Protector?
I've been testing all the best cooling mattress protectors on the market and this is certainly one of a kind. Whilst there are more natural options on the market (I like Panda London's option), there aren't any that double-up as a fitted sheet. It's a great, cooling option that doesn't leave anything to chance. You're safe from spills and sweats, and, even better, you get a 3-year guarantee too.
