Keep Your Pillows Clean With These Protectors That Keep Out Dust and Grime

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If you’ve embarked on the dreaded and elusive perfect pillow hunt, you know that they aren’t cheap. And if you’re lucky enough to have found your needle in the haystack of expensive pillows (inevitably after purchasing a few duds), you want to hang on to that thing for dear life. A pillow protector can help.

These covers guard against everything from dust mites to bed bugs to allergens, helping extend the life of your investment and keep your pillow clean. This “is especially great if you have allergies or asthma,” says Shelby Harris, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist and director of sleep health with Sleepopolis. They can also keep your pillow from growing smelly “by blocking sweat, oil, and dead skin cells from soaking in,” she adds.

Meet the Experts: Shelby Harris, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist and director of sleep health with Sleepopolis; and Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network.

The best part about pillow protectors is that they (for the most part) aren’t nearly as expensive as your average queen-sized pillow, so it won’t hurt too much to click “Add to Cart.” And trust us when we say that the extra $10 to $20 is worth it. Keep reading to take the plunge—and your sleep quality—to the next level.

Pillow Protectors

Brooklinen is a reputable brand when it comes to all things bedding—it ranks in quite a few of our best of bedding lists, including our round-up of best cotton sheets. So it comes as no surprise that they have well-loved pillow protectors. The brand promises this one will protect pillows from staining, germs, dust mites, and sweat, and it doesn’t feel scratchy or hard, meaning it won’t impact your pillow’s comfort or support. The thread count is a whopping 500 sateen (a cotton-satin blend), which gives it a smooth sheen, and there’s a sturdy, invisible zipper for easy removal and cleaning.

What Reviewers Say: “These seem to be of excellent quality and I expect they will last well. Meanwhile, they are unnoticeable under the pillow case, with zippers that disappear. I would recommend these.”

AllerZip Pillow Protector

Purvi Parikh, M.D., allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network says if you struggle with allergies, it’s important to find a pillow protector that is tightly woven enough to actually omit dust mites and other allergens, “so none get though and irritate your nose throat and lungs,” she explains. Even then, she recommends washing the one you get weekly in hot water.

This one is a customer favorite for its tight fit that somehow maintains the softness of the pillow inside. A Miracle Membrane traps out allergens, bed bugs, and liquid spills or sweat, while a terry cloth border absorbs any mess, dries quickly, and is soft to the touch.

What Reviewers Say: “These protective cases are so well-made and so air-tight that I’ve had to keep the zipper slightly unzipped about a half-inch so that during the day, the pillow can absorb air and get fluffed up again. Now THAT’s quality!”

4-Pack Standard Pillow Protectors

If you have a lot of pillows to cover, the price may add up. These come in a four-pack and are under $15—a price point you’ll be hard-pressed to beat. Not only that, these are very popular on Amazon— they have almost 20,000 reviews and maintain a 4.6-star rating. Made of sateen cotton, they are soft, not squeaky, and they feature an invisible zipper, making it look like the cover isn’t even there. Also, the striped pattern on them is very hotel-esque, which isn’t necessarily functional, but it looks nice.

What Reviewers Say: “I will order more! Beautifully made, good zipper, perfect fit, sturdy fabric that softens upon washing, nice sateen finish.”

Organic Waterproof Pillow Protector

Waterproof pillow protectors, that are also GOTS-certified organic? Sign us up. This keeps out allergens, bed bugs, and water—allowing you to keep your trusted pillow in tip-top shape. Though lightweight, this protector is durable and features a hidden zipper for easy removal come wash time.

What Reviewers Say: “Amazing quality and I know that I’m protecting my Avocado pillow. Love that it’s organic and worth the wait to receive it.”

Zippered Style Pillow Covers

These affordable pillow covers are made of a tight-woven, 200-thread-count cotton-polyester blend that the brand says will repel sweat if you happen to heat up while sleeping. Just as important: The zipper stays tucked away, so you don’t have to worry about it poking you during the night and disturbing your sleep.

What Reviewers Say: “They do not give a crinkling sound like some other brands of pillow protectors. You can put a pillowcase over them. You can sleep on these without feeling uncomfortable. I will be purchasing additional sets.”

Waterproof Pillow Protector Zippered

Not all pillow protectors are created equal when it comes to bed bug riddance. Pillow protectors for bed bugs must be dense and tightly woven enough, as well as smooth enough, to inhibit them from nesting and multiplying. This set is made of high-quality jersey knit fabric for comfort but then covered in a thermoplastic polyurethane coating to make it water- and bug-repellent. Over 21,000 five-star ratings can attest to its efficacy.

What Reviewers Say: “They are very well priced and high quality. You would never know they are waterproof. They are not crunchy and noisy like most waterproof bedding. They are so soft and look and feel like cotton covers. Very smart buy.”

Maximum Bed Bug and Allergy Protection Pillow Protector

Prevention Deputy Editor Emily Goldman uses this pillow protector to keep her pillows safe—and to help keep her feather pillows contained. She says, “It has a zipper for easy changing, doesn’t crinkle under my pillow cover, is soft to the touch, and does a great job of trapping any feathers that come loose.” She also loves that it protects against bed bugs, allergens like dust and pollen, and that you can wash it on hot in the washing machine, so you can be sure to get it really clean!

What Reviewers Say: “These are really nice pillow protectors! I have down pillows and was having problems with other pillow protectors letting feathers out. These seem to keep everything contained!”

Zippered Pillow Protectors

The best kind of pillow protector is one you forget is there, and this set does just that. At a thread count of 600, the sateen material is as soft as another pillowcase under your main one, yet it doesn’t sacrifice protecting power against staining and dust. That luxurious detail would make you think they’re not washing machine-friendly, but they totally are. And they emerge from the wash just as plush, if not more-so.

What Reviewers Say: “These are much better than I expected. Very soft, a nice thickness that adds a little more padding. Very nice quality. Small zippers, almost as if they are not there. Very pleased!”

True Temp Pillow Protector

Sleep Number is all about a customizable sleep environment, and that’s true down to pillow protectors. This one’s name speaks for itself: It claims to keep your pillow cool all night long thanks to special volcanic minerals embedded into the fabric that work to circulate heat and humidity away from your body. No need to turn your pillow to the cool side halfway through the night. In addition to that feat, it works like any other protector and blocks out all the bad stuff like allergens and dust mites.

What Reviewers Say: “Comfortable. The pillow cover is made of good quality material. I get hot easily and the protector seems to stay cool. It adds softness to the pillow.”

Quilted Pillow Protector

If you want to get really fancy with your pillow protector, or if you already have an Avocado pillow and want a sleeve to match, this is your pick. Its quilted texture makes it ultra plush and extra supportive, and the making of it is climate neutral-certified, so you can rest easily knowing you made a sustainable choice. The 400 thread count cotton is weaved with a single-ply for the most protection possible.

What Reviewers Say: “I love this thing. Anything that is a sleep upgrade is a life upgrade. I can't believe a pillow casing made my pillow more this noticeably more comfortable, but it did.”

How to choose the best pillow protector

Consider number of pillows: Many pillow protectors are sold in multiples, so if you’re looking to stock up for all the bedrooms in the house, buying them in as big packs as possible is the way to go.

Think about function: What’s your main reason for buying a protector? To prevent staining, or trap out allergens? Some protectors serve one purpose better than another, so pay attention to the fabric weave and fine prints.

What is the best material for pillow protectors?

Most pillow protectors are made of sateen, which is a tightly woven satin-cotton blend that is secure enough to protect your pillow while still remaining soft and comfortable.

Do you need to wash pillows if you use pillow protectors?

It’s never a bad idea to wash your pillows, but protectors will cut down the frequency. How often you wash them will depend on how soiled your pillows get and your personal cleaning preferences.

How we chose the best pillow protectors

We spoke with Shelby Harris, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist and director of sleep health with Sleepopolis; and Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network for their recommendations and criteria regarding what to look for in the best pillow protectors. We then scoured the internet for best-selling pillow protectors that met their criteria.

Why trust us?

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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