A bed bug mattress encasement is a fully zippered, six-sided cover that seals the entire mattress inside a tightly woven fabric barrier that bed bugs cannot bite through. It does one of two jobs: it keeps new bugs out of a clean mattress, or it traps the ones already inside where they cannot feed. That second job is why encasements are used after treatment as well as before it.
Here is the honest limit, because most roundups skip it. An encasement does not stop bed bugs from crawling onto the bed and biting you, and it does not kill an active infestation on its own. It protects one specific hiding place, the mattress, so treatment of the rest of the room is not cut short. If you want the wider picture on the layers that sit under and around an encasement, our mattress protector guide for bed bugs covers that difference in detail.
We compared 12 of the most-reviewed zippered encasements on Amazon and read the customer feedback closely, focusing on the three things that actually decide whether one works: a real six-sided seal, a zipper that stays shut, and a fabric you can sleep on all night without overheating. Every pick below is listed with its mattress depth, its certification, and the complaints buyers actually report. Updated for 2026.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Encasement Mattress Covers for Bed Bugs in 2026
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Queen Encasement
- 360 degree coverage to 15 inches deep
- Knitted polyester face
- Waterproof TPU backing
- Machine washable
Linenspa Zippered Queen Encasement
- 360 degree waterproof seal
- Silent brushed polyester
- Up to 12 inches deep
- 10 year warranty
SureGuard Queen 13 to 16 Inch Encasement
- Cotton terry top
- Invisi-Zip and SureSeal closure
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
- Fits 13 to 16 inches deep
All 12 Best Encasement Mattress Covers Compared
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Utopia Bedding Waterproof Queen Encasement |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Linenspa Zippered Queen Encasement |
|
Check Latest Price |
 HOSPITOLOGY PRODUCTS Sleep Defense Encasement |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Guardmax Queen Mattress Protector Zippered |
|
Check Latest Price |
 PlushDeluxe Cotton Terry Encasement |
|
Check Latest Price |
| SureGuard Queen 13 to 16 Inch Encasement |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Degrees of Comfort Bed Bug Encasement Queen |
|
Check Latest Price |
 DreamField Linen Bamboo Zippered Protector |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Moonsea Queen Terry Mattress Protector |
|
Check Latest Price |
 MATTSHIELD Ultimate 3 Piece Kit |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Mattressentials 14 to 16 Inch Encasement |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Amazon Basics Zippered Encasement Queen |
|
Check Latest Price |
What a Bed Bug Mattress Encasement Actually Does
Bed bugs feed roughly once a week and hide close to where they feed, which makes the mattress the single most important place to block. They do not burrow through fabric. They squeeze into seams, tufts, the fold where the topper meets the deck, and the gap between the mattress and the box spring.
A proper encasement closes all of that off. Bugs inside lose access to a host and eventually starve, and the ones outside cannot get in. That timeline is why encasement use is a long commitment rather than a one-night fix.
This is also the honest answer to the claim that encasements are a scam, which shows up repeatedly in bed bug forums. They do not kill anything. If a person buys one, sprays the frame, and stops there, the infestation survives somewhere else. Used alongside treatment of the frame, baseboards and neighbouring furniture, the mattress problem is genuinely solved.
1. Utopia Bedding Waterproof Queen Encasement, 15 Inch Deep
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Mattress Protector Queen Size, Zippered Mattress Encasement Bed Bug and Dust Mite Proof, Absorbent Six-Sided Mattress Cover
Queen 80 x 60 x 15 inches
Knitted polyester face
TPU backing all sides
Machine wash, dry low
Pros
- Fully encases all six sides with a wrap-around zipper
- Quiet knitted polyester that does not crinkle
- Waterproof TPU backing on every side
- Stretches to fit a mattress plus topper
- Machine washable and dryer safe on low
Cons
- Runs oversized so thin mattresses leave slack fabric
- Some buyers report light rustling on movement
- Zipper sits at the edge of a side panel
This is the one I recommend first. The listed size is 80 by 60 by 15 inches, which makes it the deepest queen encasement in the group and the one most likely to swallow a tall mattress plus a topper without leaving a gap at the top edge. The closure is a wrap-around zipper that seals the full perimeter, not a short U-shaped zip that leaves the fourth side open.
Reviewers frequently single out the knitted polyester face as the reason it is not the sweaty cover people expect. It installs like a very large fitted sheet, and one person can do it. Over 130k reviews sit behind a 4.6 rating, and the pattern in the feedback is remarkably consistent: people like the quiet surface, the spill protection, and the fact that the velcro flap over the zipper defeats insects and dust mites.
The one real drawback is fit. It is deliberately made oversized, so on a 10 inch mattress you will have extra fabric to tuck under the fitted sheet. That is a cosmetic problem, not a sealing problem, but on a thin mattress it can feel loose in a way that other covers do not.
A handful of buyers also report a faint rustle when getting into bed, and a few describe small tears forming near the zipper after long use. If a zipper tears, the seal is gone, so treat that as a replacement trigger rather than something to patch.
When this cover fits your bed
Choose this one if your mattress is 14 or 15 inches deep, or if you sleep on a mattress plus a topper. Deep hybrids and pillow top beds that defeat shallower covers are exactly where a 15 inch envelope earns its place.
It is also a sensible default for anyone who cannot be sure how deep their mattress is, because the extra material is easy to tuck and hard to run out of.
When to pick something else
If heat is your main concern, a bamboo or cotton terry face will feel better over an eight hour night, and we cover that trade-off in the comfort section below. If your mattress is under 10 inches deep and you dislike slack fabric, a fitted-depth cover will look tidier.
If you need box spring coverage at the same time, budget for a separate foundation encasement, because this one covers the mattress only.
2. Linenspa Zippered Queen Encasement, Silent Brushed Polyester
Linenspa Encasement Waterproof Mattress Protector — Zippered 360°, Queen
Soft brushed polyester face
Polyurethane waterproof backing
Up to 12 inches deep
10 year warranty
Pros
- Waterproof lining stops urine spills and accidents
- Completely noiseless and not stiff against skin
- Snug fit that does not bunch up
- Lightweight brushed face leaves mattress feel unchanged
- 10 year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Fits only up to 12 inches deep
- Can run loose on unusually deep mattresses
- A few buyers call the material vinyl-like and warm
This is the quietest cover in the roundup, and quiet is worth more than people expect when a partner shares the bed. The face is soft brushed polyester with a 100 percent polyurethane backing, and buyers describe it as feeling close to nothing at all against skin, with no crinkling on movement.
The 360 degree zipper is the part that matters for bed bugs. It seals the top, all four sides and the bottom, and the waterproof lining has a strong track record against incontinence and spills. The manufacturer warranty runs 10 years, the longest in this list, which tells you something about how they expect the cover to age.
Buy the right depth or buy it twice. This version fits mattresses up to 12 inches deep, and a small number of buyers with deeper mattresses report it sitting loosely. A looser cover still seals, but it wrinkles and it gathers.
On warmth, feedback is mixed. Most people find it neutral, while a minority describe a warm or slightly vinyl feel in hot weather. If you already sleep warm, read our cooling mattress cover picks before settling.
Where it earns its rating
It suits shared bedrooms, shift workers sleeping by day in a dark room, and anyone whose main fear is a zipper waking someone up. It also works well as a second encasement, because two covers let you rotate one while the other dries after a hot wash.
For allergy households, the full seal over dust mites and allergens is a genuine secondary benefit, and it is one of the reasons protectors and encasements so often get compared.
Where it falls short
A 12 inch ceiling is the hard limit, and a bed deeper than that needs a taller pattern. Beyond that, the reports of a warm or vinyl-like feel are consistent enough that hot sleepers should test a smaller size first or choose a fabric cover instead.
The warranty is a manufacturing defect warranty, not a bed bug performance guarantee, which is true of every cover on this page.
3. HOSPITOLOGY PRODUCTS Sleep Defense Encasement, 12 to 18 Inch Stretch
HOSPITOLOGY PRODUCTS Mattress Encasement – Zippered Bed Bug Dust Mite Proof Hypoallergenic – Sleep Defense System – Queen – Waterproof – Stretchable – Standard 12″ Depth – 60″ W x 80″ L
Stretch knit fits 12 to 18 inches deep
Polyester face, PU lining
Lab tested waterproof all sides
5 year warranty
Pros
- Stretches across 12 to 18 inch depths on one size
- Lab tested waterproof barrier on all six sides
- Breathable membrane that resists trapped heat
- Soft polyester knit face
- 5 year limited warranty
Cons
- Polyurethane lining feels warmer than all fabric covers
- Bulky to install on thicker mattresses
- Washing may cause slight discoloration
The range is the story here. Instead of selling a separate pattern for each depth, this stretch knit covers 12 to 18 inches on a single queen size, which solves the most common sizing mistake people make when buying a bed bug mattress encasement. If you do not know your exact mattress height, this removes the guesswork.
Thread count is listed at 2000, which is a tight knit, and the waterproof layer is lab tested across all six sides. Buyers who use it for allergies report a real reduction in dust mite symptoms, and the face is described as soft and cool for long term use.
On thicker mattresses the stretch knit is a double edged feature. It reaches deeper depths, but the same material that makes it flexible also makes it bulkier to pull over a 17 inch mattress, and that install is a two person job on a large queen.
The polyurethane lining also runs warmer than an all fabric cover, which is the recurring comfort note. Washing can leave slight discoloration depending on local water quality, a cosmetic issue that has no effect on the seal.
What makes it worth buying
If you are replacing a failed encasement and no longer trust the depth number on your old one, the 12 to 18 inch range means you cannot order the wrong height. It is also a good fit for adjustable or extra tall mattresses that shift height as you adjust them.
For a busy short term rental, being able to wash and re zip the same cover without a second unit is a practical saving, and the machine washable care is simple.
Where you may regret it
Very hot sleepers should know the lining is the warmest of the knit options. The install bulk is real on deep mattresses, so plan for a second pair of hands rather than discovering it at 11pm with a duvet cover already on.
If your frame is a platform base with no box spring, this one is sufficient for the mattress. If you have a foundation, you will still need to enclose it.
4. Guardmax Queen Mattress Protector with Zipper and Guard Flap
Guardmax Queen Mattress Protector Zippered, Bed Bug Mattress Cover
Zipper with stitched guard flap
Jersey knit polyester face
Waterproof layer under knit
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
Pros
- Nylon zipper runs three sides under a stitched guard flap
- Jersey knit face is soft and completely silent
- Waterproof layer blocks spills and accidents
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabric
- Slips on and unzips for washing
Cons
- Best fit is a 12 inch deep mattress
- Can balloon slightly after someone gets up
- Reduces cooling on very breathable hybrid mattresses
The guard flap is the detail that makes this one interesting. The nylon zipper runs around three sides and the fabric is stitched over it, so there is no exposed zipper edge and no open corner. Buyers who have dealt with bed bugs in an adjoining unit report that this configuration held up as a genuine barrier.
It is also the one in this group with third party fabric certification, holding OEKO-TEX Standard 100. That certification covers the textiles themselves, which matters if you have a sensitive skin household or a child with eczema in the bed.
Size is listed as queen 60 by 80 inches at 12 inches deep, stretching to 13. On a shallower mattress you get loose fabric, and a few buyers describe the cover puffing up with air after someone sits up, which is the ballooning complaint that shows up repeatedly across this category.
One more honest note: on a very breathable hybrid mattress, adding any encasement reduces the airflow of the mattress itself. That is unavoidable with a sealed cover, but it is more noticeable on cooling mattresses than on foam ones.
Who should buy it
Choose this one for an allergy or asthma household where you want a certified textile and a full allergen barrier, and for anyone who has been burned by a cover with an exposed zipper corner before. The silent jersey knit is also good for light sleepers.
If you plan to keep the encasement on permanently after treatment, the stitched flap is a construction detail that ages better than a strip of hook and loop tape.
Who should skip it
Anyone with a mattress deeper than 13 inches needs a different pattern. Hot sleepers on cooling mattresses will feel the loss of mattress breathability more here than with a bamboo face, so pair it with a breathable sheet and expect to run the room cooler.
5. PlushDeluxe Cotton Terry Mattress Encasement
PlushDeluxe Mattress Encasement 100% Waterproof, Queen, Soft Cotton Terry
Soft cotton terry surface
Waterproof all six sides
Velcro flap over zipper
Fits 12 to 15 inch depth
Pros
- Cotton terry face with no vinyl or PVC feel
- Waterproof on all six sides against spills and bedwetting
- Fine invisible zipper under a velcro flap
- Holds up well over repeated washing
- Free of phthalates
Cons
- Terry runs warm for hot sleepers
- Generous cut leaves extra fabric on thinner mattresses
- Not perfectly seam tight so heavy spills can seep
PlushDeluxe is the one to consider if you refuse to sleep on anything that feels like plastic. The face is cotton terry, and buyers consistently describe the surface as soft and cloth-like rather than vinyl or PVC. For asthma and eczema households that reaction matters more than any spec line.
It is waterproof across all six sides, uses a fine invisible zipper with a velcro flap over it, and is listed as free of vinyl, PVC and phthalates. Several buyers mention that it has survived many wash cycles without the seal degrading, which is the durability question that matters most here.
Heat is the trade. Cotton terry is absorbent, and absorbent fabric holds warmth, so hot sleepers should expect this to be the warmest cover in the roundup. Several reviews report relief from dust mite allergies, and a few report that heavy spills at the seam can slowly seep, so it is not the pick for a bedwetting situation.
It fits 60 by 80 inch mattresses at 12 to 15 inches deep. On anything shallower there is a lot of extra fabric to manage.
How it fits a natural fibre preference
Pick it for a child with eczema, a guest room mattress, or anyone who reacts to synthetic waterproof membranes. The cotton face breaks up the plastic feeling that drives people to remove an encasement after a month, which removes the barrier and defeats the purpose.
It is also a sensible guest room cover, because occasional use means the wash cycle count stays low and the fabric has time to dry fully between uses.
Where it will frustrate you
If you already describe yourself as a hot sleeper, a bamboo blend or a polyester knit will serve you better over an eight hour night. For a bedwetting situation, a coated terry with a tighter seam does a better job than this one.
6. SureGuard Queen Encasement for 13 to 16 Inch Mattresses
Queen (13-16 in. Deep) SureGuard Mattress Encasement – 100% Waterproof, Bed Bug Proof, Hypoallergenic – Premium Zippered Six-Sided Cover
Cotton terry top, PU backing
100 percent waterproof six sides
13 to 16 inch depth
GREENGUARD Gold certified
Pros
- Cotton terry top wicks moisture
- Invisi-Zip and SureSeal closure
- Free of vinyl PVC phthalates and fire retardants
- GREENGUARD Gold certified and lab tested
- One person can install it
Cons
- Terry top dries slowly after washing
- Some movement noise getting in and out
- Small zipper is fragile if forced
This is the certification pick. SureGuard carries GREENGUARD Gold, which is an indoor air quality certification covering low chemical emissions, and it is independently lab tested. If you have chemical sensitivity in the bedroom, that is the differentiator no polyester blend in this roundup offers.
The construction is a cotton terry top with polyester and polyurethane on the other five sides, and the seal uses a branded Invisi-Zip and SureSeal closure. It is free of vinyl, PVC, phthalates and fire retardants. Depth is 13 to 16 inches, which covers most pillow top and deep hybrid mattresses.
Buyers like how easily it goes on and off, and a single person can manage the install. The terry top keeps the feel of the mattress underneath and wicks moisture rather than sitting damp against you.
Two real practical notes. The terry top takes longer to dry than a polyester face, so budget extra dryer time. And the zipper is small, which means sliding it slowly rather than forcing it, because a damaged zipper is a lost seal.
Why the certification matters
GREENGUARD Gold is the standard people look for when they want a chemical sensitive bedroom, and it covers the whole product rather than one component. Combined with the absence of phthalates and fire retardants, it makes this the pick for a nursery, a child bedroom, or any room where air quality is the priority.
It also suits anyone keeping an encasement on for months after treatment, since certified materials matter most for long term skin contact.
Where to be careful
Slow drying is the biggest inconvenience, and it is why we would pair it with a second cover for rotation. If you move a lot during the night, expect a little sound from the terry, and if you install it in a hurry, take your time with the zipper pull.
7. Degrees of Comfort Bed Bug Encasement for 13 to 15 Inch Mattresses
Bed Bug Mattress Encasement Queen, Mattress Protector, Fits 13-15 Inch
360 degree micro zipper closure
Terry cotton with Scotchgard
TPU backing
Fits 13 to 15 inches deep
Pros
- Micro zipper forms a physical barrier against bugs and allergens
- Premium TPU backing blocks spills and sweat
- Terry cotton top with 3M Scotchgard stain release
- Noiseless with no crinkling plastic sound
- Deep corners allow one person installation
Cons
- Micro zipper is small and needs gentle handling
- Fabric is lighter and thinner than premium terry
- Must be washed gentle and dried low
The 3M Scotchgard stain release finish is what separates this one. It pushes perspiration and spills to the surface instead of letting them soak into the terry, which is the difference between a cover that still looks clean after a year and one that does not. Buyers handling regular spills and sweat report that the treatment works as advertised.
The closure is a 360 degree micro zipper, and it is listed as lab tested as a bed bug barrier. The fit is 13 to 15 inches on a queen, materials are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, and the fabric is repeatedly described as noiseless with no crinkling plastic sound.
Deep flexible corners are a genuinely useful feature here, because they let one person stretch the cover over a memory foam or innerspring mattress without help. That is the practical difference between installing this before bed and scheduling it for a free afternoon.
Trade-offs: the fabric is lighter and thinner than heavier terry options, and the micro zipper is small, so it needs a gentle hand during installation. Care matters too, with a gentle cycle and a low tumble dry protecting the coating.
Best use case
This is the one for a bed where spills are a regular event, whether that is a child, a pet, or a teenager. The stain release finish is not available on most encasements at this level, and it makes the cover look new much longer.
It is also a good pick for a memory foam mattress, where the deep corners prevent the fabric from riding up when you move.
What to watch
Do not force the zipper. Slow is fine, snapping is not, and a void in the seam is what turns an encasement back into an ordinary protector. Buy two if you want to rotate while washing, since the gentle care cycle takes time.
8. DreamField Linen Bamboo Zippered Cooling Cover
Bamboo Mattress Protector with Zipper – 100% Waterproof Queen Size Cooling Mattress Cover – Ultra Soft Jacquard Fabric Breathable Noiseless Mattress Pad Covers – Zippered Mattress Encasement
40 percent bamboo blend
Full perimeter zipper
Queen 60 x 80 inches
Works with latex and foam
Pros
- Bamboo blend feels soft breathable and cool
- Zipper runs around the entire mattress top to bottom
- Silent with no crinkling when moving
- Cooling fabric helps regulate body temperature
- Works with latex memory foam and innerspring
Cons
- Fit depth is not clearly stated so deep mattresses may be tight
- Bamboo blend is less robust than heavier terry or knit
- Bulky for one person to install on a large mattress
Heat is the single most common complaint people have about encasements, and this is the answer to it. The face is a 40 percent bamboo blend, which is the coolest material in this roundup, and buyers describe it as soft, smooth and genuinely breathable rather than merely tolerable.
The zipper runs around the entire mattress so both the top and the bottom are covered, and it is consistently reported as silent. That matters because cooling is pointless if the cover crackles every time you turn over. It suits latex, memory foam and innerspring mattresses alike.
The real caution is sizing. The listed dimensions are queen 60 by 80 inches with no depth given clearly, so on a deep mattress the corners can be a tight squeeze. Measure your mattress height before ordering, and treat an unclear depth listing as a reason to choose a different product.
Bamboo blends also wear faster than heavy terry or knit, and on a large mattress the install is heavy enough that a second person helps. Washing cold on a gentle cycle is the recommended care, and several buyers keep two so they can rotate.
Who will sleep better on this
If you have read the complaints about encasements making people sweat and woke up certain you would be one of them, this is the product to try. The bamboo face is the closest thing to sleeping on a fitted sheet while keeping a sealed barrier.
It also works for a warm climate in a home without air conditioning, where the rest of the bed is a cooling hybrid that an encasement would otherwise smother.
Where it is not the answer
It is not the pick for a very deep mattress because the depth is not specified. Nor is it the pick for a rough use case with pets and heavy spills, where a coated terry with stain release outlasts a bamboo blend.
9. Moonsea Queen Terry Mattress Protector, 10 to 14 Inch Pocket
Queen Mattress Protector Zippered,Soft Terry Surface Mattress Encasement
Queen 60 x 80 inches
10 to 14 inch depth pocket
Reinforced stitching at zipper
Waterproof on all six sides
Pros
- Waterproof on the top all four sides and the bottom
- Soft stretchable knitted terry
- Reinforced stitching and a zipper that resists sticking
- No puffing or crinkling noise
- Easy to install alone and dries quickly
Cons
- Runs large on thicker mattresses and leaves slack
- Thin fabric attracts pet hair and dirt
- Pocket depth tops out around 14 inches
This is the shallow mattress answer. The pocket runs 10 to 14 inches, which covers a very common innerspring and older pillow top mattress that deeper patterns miss. Several buyers with 11 and 12 inch mattresses report that this one fits properly when thicker covers did not.
The construction details are solid for the tier. Stitching is reinforced around the zipper, and owners report that it resists sticking and popping, which is the failure that makes an encasement useless. It is also genuinely quiet, with no puffing when you sit up, and it washes well and dries quickly, a real advantage in rotation.
Two practical notes. It runs large on thicker mattresses, which leaves slack you have to smooth out under the fitted sheet. And the fabric is thin enough that it attracts pet hair and dirt quickly, so most owners put a sheet on top shortly after fitting, which is normal and does not compromise the seal.
Installation alone on a queen is straightforward according to buyers, which makes this a good first encasement if you are doing this yourself for the first time.
When this is the right depth
Measure from the top of the mattress to the bottom of the box spring, including any topper, and if that number is 10 to 14 inches this is one of the few covers in the roundup with a range that will swallow it without a fight. Older mattresses and standard innersprings are exactly the profile it targets.
It is a good fit for a rental property where a deep cover would be wasted money and a shallow one would not seal.
Where it stops
Anything deeper than 14 inches is outside the pocket, and a cover that will not reach the bottom seam is not a bed bug encasement regardless of how good the fabric is. Budget for a fitted sheet on top, because the thin terry shows dirt fast.
10. MATTSHIELD Ultimate 3 Piece Defense Kit
MATTSHIELD Ultimate 3-Piece Kit – Bed Bug-Proof Mattress Cover Queen Size 100% Cotton Top + 2 Pillow Protectors with Zipper – 6 Sided Waterproof Encasement, Total Defense Kit
Mattress encasement plus two pillow protectors
100 percent terry cotton
12 to 17 inch depth fit
Velcro guard and zip tie
Pros
- Covers the mattress and two pillows in one set
- Soft terry cotton with no loud plastic noise
- Velcro guard plus zip tie leaves no possible gap
- Waterproof layer on all six sides
- Fits 12 to 17 inch deep mattresses
Cons
- Material feels thin and average for the price
- Loose fit on thicker mattresses and harder on a heavy king
- Extra fabric gathers under the fitted sheet
Pillows are a hiding place people forget, and this set handles them. You get one queen mattress encasement plus two zippered pillow protectors, which closes the two spots bed bugs most often occupy besides the mattress. Pillow protectors for bed bugs are worth adding even when the mattress is covered, and we have a dedicated roundup on them in our best pillow protectors for bed bugs guide.
The mattress cover uses a zipper under a velcro guard with a zip tie, so there is no line of weakness. The surface is 100 percent terry cotton at 300 thread count, with a waterproof layer across all six sides, and it fits 12 to 17 inch deep mattresses, among the deepest ranges here.
The feedback is positive on closure and quietness and less enthusiastic on material. Owners describe the fabric as thin and average for the price, and the fit runs loose on thicker mattresses so extra fabric gathers under the sheet. Installing it alone on a heavy king is genuinely difficult.
Several buyers recommend owning two sets so one can be washed while the other stays on the bed, which is the rotation strategy we recommend in the care section below.
Why the bundle matters
For a bedroom where a previous infestation showed up on the pillow as much as the mattress, this solves two problems in one order. It is also convenient for a guest room, since you protect the spare mattress and its pillows at the same time.
It suits short term rental setups, where a complete sealed kit is simpler to track than a loose collection of covers.
What to check before buying
Confirm the depth range covers your mattress including any topper, and expect a loose fit on anything above 15 inches. If you sleep warm, the terry face will be the warmest of the bundled options, so a sheet on top and a cooler room help.
11. Mattressentials Zippered Queen Encasement for 14 to 16 Inch Mattresses
Zippered Queen Mattress Protector (14″-16″ Depth) – Bed Bug Waterproof Mattress Cover, Premium Quality Hypoallergenic Encasement White
Six sided velcro sealed zipper
Polyester blend, 300 thread count
2 pounds, noiseless
Waterproof and hypoallergenic
Pros
- Six sided zipper with a velcro seal so nothing gets in
- Waterproof barrier blocks liquids and moisture
- Soft noiseless breathable stretchable fabric
- Shields against dust allergens and pet dander
- Zipper wraps three sides for easy installation
Cons
- Depth specific sizing must be matched to mattress height
- Polyester blend less breathable than cotton or bamboo
- Smaller review base so long term durability is less documented
This is a specialist pick for a very deep mattress. The pattern is built for 14 to 16 inches, a range that straddles the line between a tall pillow top and a genuine deep hybrid, and the fit is specific rather than a broad stretch range.
The closure is a six sided zipper with a velcro seal, and buyers report that nothing got in over their period of use. The fabric is a 300 thread count polyester blend, described as soft, completely noiseless and easy to stretch, and the zipper wrapping three sides makes installation simpler than a bag style encasement. The warranty is 3 years.
Depth specific sizing cuts both ways. It guarantees a correct seal on a matching mattress, but if you order the wrong variant the cover simply will not reach, and the first thing to check is the height of your mattress including the topper.
The polyester blend is less breathable than the cotton and bamboo options, so it is not the choice for a hot sleeper. The review base is also much smaller than the category leaders, which means long term durability is less well documented.
How to size it correctly
Measure at the thickest point of the mattress, which is usually the middle third where the comfort layer is deepest. If that measurement is between 14 and 16 inches, this is a well matched cover, and the three side zipper makes fitting it a manageable one person job.
It is worth the effort for a bed that is hard to replace, because a deep mattress with an unmatched cover fails at exactly the seam you were trying to protect.
Where the smaller review base matters
With a few hundred reviews rather than tens of thousands, you are relying on build specification more than on a long record of wash cycle durability. For a permanent post treatment encasement, a heavily reviewed pick is the safer bet.
12. Amazon Basics Zippered Mattress Encasement, Queen
Amazon Basics Zippered Mattress Encasement – Waterproof, Queen
360 degree zippered coverage
12 inch pocket, reinforced seams
GRS certified recycled polyester
Quiet PU backed fabric
Pros
- 360 degree zip creates a solid barrier against bugs and mites
- Waterproof protection against spills and accidents
- Quiet polyester with polyurethane backing
- Zips far down the side so it installs alone
- 71 percent GRS certified recycled polyester
Cons
- 12 inch depth can run tight on very thick mattresses
- Can run small on plush or heavily padded mattresses
- Polyester surface less soft than cotton terry or bamboo
This is the straightforward option, and the recycled material is a genuine differentiator. 71 percent of the polyester carries Global Recycled Standard certification, which is a verifiable claim rather than a marketing line, and it is the only product here that makes it.
The long zipper runs far down the side, so it is easy to slip on alone, which is the most common practical complaint about mattress encasements. Buyers report it holding up over repeated washes and handling dog accidents and spills without leaking to the mattress.
Depth is the limitation at 12 inches, and it recurs across reviews. On a plush or heavily padded mattress a few buyers report it running slightly small, so check your mattress height before ordering rather than after.
The surface is polyester rather than cotton terry or bamboo, and while reviewers find it quiet, they do not call it soft. Expect a crisper feel than the natural fibre options in this roundup.
Why pick this one
It is a good fit for a standard depth mattress where you want a certified recycled material and a straightforward product without extra features. The reinforced seams at 12 inch pocket depth add a little durability in the area that usually gives first.
For a student room, a first apartment, or a guest bed, it delivers the core requirement, a complete 360 degree sealed barrier, at a straightforward configuration that is easy to inspect for tears.
Where it will not fit
Any mattress deeper than 12 inches, including most modern hybrids with a thick comfort layer. The polyester face also runs warmer than bamboo, so hot sleepers should look at the cooling pick instead.
How to Choose a Bed Bug Mattress Encasement?
Four questions separate a real encasement from a fitted sheet with marketing behind it. Ask them in this order, and skip the rest of the product description if the answer to any of them is vague.
Is it a full six-sided encasement? The top, all four sides and the bottom must be enclosed by a closure you can unzip completely. Anything that is a sheet with elastic, a topper, or a wrap that stops short of the bottom is not an encasement, no matter what the listing says.
Is the zipper properly sealed? Look for a full length zipper with a protective flap stitched or fastened over it. An exposed zipper pull leaves an opening wide enough for a nymph, which is the stage most people actually introduce into a home.
Has it been tested? Lab testing and third party certification are different things. Look for names you can verify, such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold, or a stated lab test of the bed bug barrier. Be sceptical of the phrase bed bug proof on its own, because that is a marketing claim rather than a standard.
Is it toxin free? A significant number of bed bug products are treated with pesticides, and those covers can irritate skin and airways, particularly for children and allergy sufferers. Polyurethane and TPU backing is a membrane, not a pesticide, and covers that are free of vinyl, PVC and phthalates are the safer default.
How to measure your mattress depth
Measure at the thickest point of the mattress, which is usually the middle, and include any topper in the total. A mattress that is 10 inches and a topper that is 3 inches need a 13 inch cover, not a 10 inch one.
Then match the number to the product pattern rather than assuming a queen fits every queen. Depth ranges in this roundup run from 10 to 14 inches, 12 to 15, 12 to 17, 12 to 18, 13 to 15, 13 to 16, 14 to 16, and a single 15 inch pattern.
If your mattress is deeper than any listed range, do not stretch a cover to fit. A seam that does not close is a seam a bug gets through, and you will have paid for nothing.
Box Spring and Bed Frame Coverage Checklist
Enclosing the mattress is the part everyone does. It is also the part that fails most often in practice, because bed bugs live in the frame, the box spring and the gap between the two, and a mattress encasement does nothing about any of it.
Work through this list before you consider the job handled. Enclose the box spring or foundation with its own full encasement, because the foundation has seams and dust liners that hold bugs just as well as a mattress.
Treat the bed frame itself next. Vacuum the frame, the headboard, the slats and the area where the frame meets the wall, then steam clean the joints. If the frame is upholstered, an encasement cannot seal it, and a professional treatment is the only route.
Check the wall junctions and the skirting board behind the head of the bed, which is where migrating bugs travel between rooms. Reduce the gap between the frame and the wall if you can, since a small gap is an open highway.
Encase the pillows too, since pillows and headboards are among the most common places bugs are found. Then keep the encasements on for the full period your pest professional specifies rather than taking them off once the visible signs disappear.
One more practical step. Inspect the encasement zipper and seams every few weeks for the life of the setup, because a single split seam undoes the barrier just as effectively as never installing one.
What Not to Buy for Bed Bugs
A fitted sheet with a pest resistant claim is the most common mistake, and it is easy to make because the packaging often uses similar language. A fitted sheet has no closure and no bottom panel, so a bug walks under the elastic hem with no obstacle at all.
Skip mattress toppers sold as bed bug proof. A topper adds a new hiding place with unwelded seams, and a cover over a topper that is not itself encased leaves the freshest, softest surface on the bed exposed.
Be careful with partial wraps and bed bug blockers. These are treated fabrics that rely on a chemical, and they are not a mechanical barrier. They also carry the irritation risk for sensitive users, and a genuine encasement works by keeping bugs away from a host, not by poisoning them.
Also avoid anything that describes itself as bed bug proof without naming a closure. If the listing does not tell you how the bottom panel is sealed, it is not an encasement.
For a full comparison of how the layers differ, including protectors and toppers, start with our mattress protector roundup for bed bugs.
Breathability, Heat and Sleep Comfort
The loudest complaint about encasements in bedding and pest control forums is heat. People describe waking up soaked, covers that sit like a sealed bag, and sleep that is worse than the infestation they were treating. It is the number one reason people quietly remove an encasement and lose their protection.
Heat is a physics problem. A waterproof membrane slows evaporation, and a sealed six-sided cover removes the airflow your mattress normally relies on. On a cooling hybrid mattress the difference is especially noticeable, because you are adding a layer to something designed to move air.
Fabric choice is the lever you control. Bamboo blends are the coolest, cotton terry is soft but warm because it absorbs, and polyester knits sit in between. The cooling pick in this roundup is the bamboo blend, and the cotton terry options are the right call for sensitive skin rather than for temperature.
Three habits help. Put a breathable sheet over the encasement so the membrane is not against bare skin, run the room a couple of degrees cooler than you normally would, and keep the encasement out of direct afternoon sun on a bed that sits under a window.
Size also affects comfort. A cover that is much deeper than your mattress traps a pocket of air, and that pocket is what makes covers balloon when you sit up. Ordering the depth that actually matches the bed removes that problem before it starts.
If your frame choice is part of the problem, airflow around and under a bed matters more than most people expect. Our bed frame picks for hybrid mattresses cover bases that keep air moving.
Caring for an Encasement After Treatment
Cleaning an encasement is not a casual laundry job, and the failure mode here is well documented. Home dryers and washers run hotter than the covers are built for, and a cover that shrinks, delaminates or loses its coating has lost the barrier that justified the purchase.
Follow the care instructions on your specific cover first, since they differ. Where instructions allow, wash on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, and dry on low heat. Never move a coated encasement straight to high heat, because the membrane and the face fabric are bonded and one high cycle can warp that bond.
Air dry on a rack whenever you can, especially for cotton terry models, which take longest to dry in a machine and can develop a smell if they are stored damp. The terry picks in this roundup are the ones most worth air drying.
Buy two covers for the same bed if you can. Rotation means one is always sealed on the mattress while the other is clean and drying, which matters most in the months when an encasement stays on permanently.
Inspect the zipper, the flap and the seams after every wash, and after any move or furniture drag. Any tear in the closure means the encasement is now a mattress protector, and it should be replaced rather than patched.
As for how long to keep one in place, follow the timeline your pest professional gives you, and treat the encasement as permanent until the follow up inspection is clear. Bed bugs can survive a long time without feeding, which is exactly why a shortened post treatment window is where re-infestations come from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bed bug proof mattress covers actually work?
They work as a mechanical barrier, not as a treatment. A full six sided encasement keeps new bugs out of a clean mattress, and if bugs are already inside it seals them in where they cannot feed, so they eventually die. It does not stop bugs crawling onto the bed, does not stop bites, and does not treat an active infestation on its own. Efficacy depends on the closure, the stitch integrity and the depth matching your mattress.
Can you still get bed bugs with a mattress encasement?
Yes. An encasement only protects the mattress. Bed bugs live in box springs, bed frames, headboards, baseboards and neighbouring furniture, and they can be introduced from hotels, used furniture or a shared building. Treat the frame and foundation, encase pillows, reduce the gap between the frame and the wall, and keep the encasement on for the full period your pest professional specifies.
Will a mattress encasement kill bed bugs?
No, it does not kill anything. It removes access to a host, so trapped bugs starve over weeks to months depending on life stage, and new bugs cannot get in. A person who encases the mattress and stops there will usually find bugs surviving elsewhere in the room. An encasement works as part of a treatment plan that covers the frame, the foundation and the surrounding areas.
Is there a certified bed bug mattress encasement available?
Certification is rarer than marketing suggests. Most bed bug proof claims are not a standard anyone verifies. Look instead for named third party certifications such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or GREENGUARD Gold, or for a stated independent lab test of the barrier, and for a full length zipper covered by a protective flap. In this roundup the Guardmax and SureGuard covers carry the named certifications.
What is a high-quality bed bug mattress encasement?
A high quality one is fully six sided, so the top, all four sides and the bottom are enclosed. The zipper runs the full perimeter and sits under a stitched or fastened protective flap. Seams are reinforced or welded. The fabric is tightly woven and, ideally, not treated with a pesticide. It is machine washable so it can be cleaned between treatment cycles, and the depth range genuinely covers your mattress plus any topper.
How deep should a bed bug mattress encasement be?
It should be at least as deep as your mattress measured at its thickest point, plus any topper. A 10 inch mattress with a 3 inch topper needs a 13 inch cover. Most covers in our roundup fit 10 to 18 inches depending on the pattern, so measure before ordering. A cover that cannot reach the bottom seam is not a bed bug encasement, however good the fabric is, so never stretch a shallower pattern to fit a deeper mattress.
Bottom Line on the Best Encasement Mattress Covers for Bed Bugs
The Utopia Bedding Waterproof Queen Encasement is our top pick in the best encasement mattress covers for bed bugs roundup, because its 15 inch depth, full wrap-around zipper and quiet knitted face cover the widest range of real mattresses with one order. For sensitive lungs, the SureGuard is the certified option, and for hot sleepers the bamboo DreamField cover is the one people actually keep on the bed.
Pick the one whose depth range matches your mattress, encase the box spring as well, and keep it on for the full timeline your pest professional gives you. That last step is where most re-infestations come from.