Five-Sided vs Top-Only Mattress Protectors

Five-sided designs protect the sleeping surface and four sides; top-only waterproofing focuses on the horizontal surface.

Five-sided makes sense when

Edge spills, children or pets make side exposure realistic. Sleep & Beyond currently advertises five-sided waterproofing on its organic-cotton protector.

Top-only may be enough when

Your main concern is routine perspiration or small center-of-bed spills and you prefer the simplest construction.