There is something truly unsettling about stripping your pillows for wash day only to be greeted by yellowed pillows staring back at you. HuffPost has previously investigated why pillows accumulate yellow discoloration: it is the physical consequence of sweat, oil, skin cells, and even skincare products that have rubbed off your face—natural secretions that are part of being human. Although such shedding of oils and cells is largely inevitable, one item can help prevent your pillows from turning that dingy yellow: a pillow protector.
Why Use a Pillow Protector?
HuffPost Life contributor Anna Rahmanan spoke with allergist Dr. Neeta Ogden about the benefits of adding a pillow protector to your bedding setup. According to Ogden, pillow protectors “will provide a barrier between you and the allergens that can lurk in pillow fibers over time, including animal dander, mold spores, dust mites, and pollen drifting in from outside.” A pillow protector adds an extra layer of fabric between your skin, your pillowcase, and your pillow. This can be a huge benefit for those who want to keep their pillows looking brand new while protecting themselves from exposure to allergens.
Top-Rated Pillow Protectors
We have rounded up some reviewer-favorite options from Amazon, Walmart, and Target for folks who are ready to invest in a pillow protector but do not know where to begin. Read on for some of the best picks available right now.
1. Probably the Best Affordable Pillow Protector on the Market
This bestselling two-pack, which has 24,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, is likely the best you will find at an affordable price point. Its knitted jersey material is so soft and comfortable that Amazon reviewers report they forget the protectors are even on their pillows. A TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) coating covers all sides of the pillow protector to ensure they are completely waterproof, while their double-hemmed stitching and zip closure seals off allergens and bugs. Plus, they are available in a range of neutral and bold colors to keep this bedding addition feeling fun and not simply utilitarian. Grab a two-pack in eight sizes, including options for body pillows and toddler pillows. Starting at $9 on Amazon.
2. A Quiet, Soft, Reviewer-Favorite Option with 12,000 5-Star Amazon Ratings
With over 12,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, these waterproof quilted protectors are a tried-and-true option for pillow protector loyalists. They are impressively durable yet soft, and only get softer with time, according to one reviewer. Their auto-lock zippers ensure they stay secure over your favorite pillows. Their most important feature? They are quiet: “They do NOT sound crunchy like the old school plastic covers,” one reviewer writes. As a result, you will not hear or feel the pillow protector while resting your head—a quality so impactful that reviewers’ finicky toddlers sleep well on them, too. Plus, they are machine washable. Starting at $10 on Amazon.
3. An Option You Can Wash on Hot
These AllerEase protectors come highly recommended, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Amazon. They are zippered, comfy, offer full-barrier protection, and are designed to be extra durable—so durable that you can confidently wash them in hot water. Available at Amazon for $25, Walmart for $25, and Target for $9.
4. A Highly-Rated Pack That Protects Equally Well Against Allergens and Bugs
Boasting a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Amazon, this Guardmax option is so effective that everyone from multiple-property owners to folks in bug-infested rentals swear by them. They will keep your pillows protected from liquids, allergens, dust, and even the worst-case scenario for any tenant or homeowner: bugs and bedbugs. With locking zippers and soft, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking fabric, they create a seal over your pillow so nothing will get through to your pillowcase or your skin. A second high-range laminate lining underneath the primary fabric ensures that nothing gets through. They are also designed to wash up easily in washing machines. Starting at $15 on Amazon, $16 at Walmart, and $25 at Target.
5. A Cult-Favorite Option That Is Worth the Splurge
Coop Sleep Goods' pillow protector has earned rave reviews: users say it is “beautiful,” “thick, fluffy,” and “the softest pillow protector ever.” In addition to guarding your pillow from moisture, dust, and dirt, the zippered sleeve is designed to feel luxuriously soft and breathable, keeping folks who sweat or drool during sleep comfy and cool. It is Oeko-Tex-certified, meaning it has passed safety tests and been found free of harmful substances, making it an ideal option for people with sensitive skin. Since it is machine washable, the protector requires minimal effort to keep clean. Available in five sizes. Two-pack: $45 at Amazon and Target; single: $25 at Coop Sleep Goods.
6. A Crisp, Cooling Version with Antimicrobial Support
With a satin-cotton outer layer and antimicrobial inner layer, this Marlow protector works to minimize night sweats while prolonging the life of your pillow. It is “well worth the money,” writes a reviewer named Ruth M.; “My only regret,” according to another, Krystol H., “is that I should have purchased these sooner.” Available in two sizes and multiple pack sizes, the zippered piece is also washer and dryer friendly. Starting at $29 at Brooklinen.
7. A Hypoallergenic, Cotton Protector for Hot Sleepers
This pick, with a 100% cotton outer shell, wicks away moisture while blocking your skin and your pillow from dander, dust, mildew, dust mites, sweat, drool, and more. Thin and lightweight with a noiseless waterproof backing, it is an ideal option for folks who sleep hot and are looking to prevent perspiration from yellowing their pillows. It is also a great choice for prolonging the life of pricey down pillows: reviewers love how well this protector keeps feathers from escaping or poking through “like needles” into their skin. Starting at $34 on Amazon.
8. A Doctor-Designed Two-Pack
This “sleep defense” protector was designed by a doctor to provide health-care-quality bedding protection to homes. This option features extra-secure seams, super-soft knit polyester, and a thick waterproof layer to ensure no saliva, sweat, or other liquids make their way to your pillow or your skin. It is also carefully designed to still be breathable, so you will be able to sleep comfortably and cool. Starting at $24 on Amazon.
