The Best Heated Mattress Pads Do More Than Warm Up Your Bed Every Night

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

Whether you live in an old house with less-than-stellar insulation, are glamping in a tent or treehouse, or just want to snuggle up throughout winter—extra warmth can be had at the press of a button. A heated mattress pad should serve one major purpose and do it well: heat your bed. But the best ones come with additional features that make them easy to use, improve your night’s sleep, and even protect your investment (re: mattress) by adding a barrier between it and bare skin. And in 2022, modern technology offers up options that are not only totally waterproof but smart enough to track your sleep cycle while you snooze. That’s why our top picks for the best heated mattress pads range from simple to cutting-edge, all making your bed even cozier to slip into. 

Our Favorites

• Best overall: The Company Store Quilted Heated Mattress Pad 
• Best value: Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad 
• Best heating and cooling: Sleep Number Dual Temp Individual Layer
• Best two-in-one: Brookstone Heated Mattress Pad 
• Best water resistant: Serta Waterproof Electric Mattress Pad
• Best smart features: Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover

Best Overall: The Company Store Quilted Heated Mattress Pad

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Material: Cotton blend, synthetic fill | Remotes: 2 | Settings: 10 | Automatic timer: No | Mattress height: Up to 22 inches

Why we chose it: This mattress pad includes all our favorite features—dual controllers, 10 temperature settings, and a five-year warranty—at an accessible price. 

This mattress pad has all the features you’d expect of a standard offering, but with added bonuses that make it a standout pick. Constructed with a breathable cotton exterior instead of the more popular polyester blends means you’re much less likely to wake up sweating (and even if you did, the pad is machine washable for easy laundering). We love how light and breathable this option is, despite its synthetic—though hypoallergenic!—fill. 

While it comfortably fits any mattress with a depth up to 22 inches, if you and your partner happen to sleep on a king or queen, you’re in luck. For these sizes, the pad comes with dual controllers to individually adjust the right or left side, a big plus if you happen to run a little warmer (or cooler) than your S.O. And if you think you need to choose between heating or mattress protection, think again—this pad is constructed similarly to a traditional fitted sheet, so it provides a comprehensive barrier between you and your mattress. 

Best Value: Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad 

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Material: Polyester | Remotes: 2 | Settings: 10 | Automatic timer: No | Mattress height: Up to 18 inches

Why we chose it: Not sure if you need all those fancy features yet? This standard heating pad is perfect for first-time users. 

Available at big-box retailers everywhere, you’re likely familiar with Sunbeam—a purveyor in heating pads, heated mattress pads, and heated blankets. This model not only includes dual remotes for queen and king mattresses (so you can dictate the temperature of your side of the bed separately), but a preheat setting means you’ll never have to wait for your bed to feel nice and toasty to start with (or worry about forgetting to click it off thanks to a safety switch that shuts it off after 10 hours). 

Part of what makes the cost so affordable, however, is the fact that this mattress pad is made with polyester. It’s supersoft but not as breathable as other options made with cotton. It’s also a bit thin, so if you, like some reviewers, happen to be able to feel the individual heating wires inside the pad as you sleep, try adding a mattress protector or topper on top of the pad instead of under. 

Best Heating and Cooling: Sleep Number Dual Temp Individual Layer 

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Material: Synthetic | Remotes: 1 | Settings: 10-plus | Automatic timer: Yes | Mattress height: Any

Why we chose it: For those who want an initially warm bed but a cool night’s sleep, this mattress pad is best in class. 

Unlike traditional options, this heated mattress pad works by circulating air with a fan that sits under the bed, so you won’t have to worry about wires poking through or waiting for the product to fully heat up or cool down. Plus temperatures can be adjusted with a wireless remote up to 25 degrees warmer or eight degrees cooler. 

While this mattress pad is half the size, covering only one side of the bed, Sleep Number does offer a discount when you purchase two pieces. It fits any standard queen, king, or California king mattress of any height and is also compatible with mattresses on adjustable bases. Despite the high price tag, Sleep Number offers a 100-night trial should you decide to part ways. 

Best Two-in-One: Brookstone Heated Mattress Pad 

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Material: Cotton, polyester | Remotes: 2 | Temp settings: 10 | Automatic timer: Yes | Mattress height: Up to 15 inches 

Why we chose it: If you’re looking for a fluffy, breathable mattress pad, this product provides the best of both worlds. 

If you’re one half of a couple and your partner prefers a much different sleep environment than you (we’re talking toasty versus frigid), consider a heated mattress pad that allows for opposites to attract. While most of the options on this list allow one person to heat up their side while the other remains un- or less heated, we were most impressed by the cotton-polyester blend that’s machine washable for easy cleaning. This is particularly helpful for those who don’t wish to be heated at night, since it’s more breathable than an entirely synthetic pad.  

And while this pocket depth may only cover up to 15 inches, it’s a win-win solution if you happen to have a thinner, more affordable mattress. The pad adds plenty of fluff, upping the luxe factor and offering the same amount of cushion you’d expect from a mattress topper. 

Best Water Resistant: Serta Waterproof Electric Mattress Pad

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Material: Polyester, cotton | Remotes: 2 | Temp settings: 10 | Automatic timer: Yes | Mattress height: 18 inches 

Why we chose it: For sweaty sleepers (or accident-prone kids), this pad will warm you up and protect your mattress from any, er, errant liquids. 

Getting into a warm bed is initially the epitome of comfort, but that can all change if you’re woken up in the middle of the night dripping in sweat. Sure, heating yourself up when you get into a bed that’s already warm and cozy may help you fall asleep more quickly, but sometimes that can lead to middle-of-the-night sweats, in which case you’ll want a waterproof mattress pad that completely protects the mattress underneath (especially if you tend to sleep through these moments). We found the 80/20 polyester-cotton blend makes this pad a bit less breathable than an entirely cotton one, but rest assured, if it starts to smell, you can throw it in the wash for easy cleanup. 

Best Smart Features: Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover 

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Material: Synthetic foam | Remotes: 2, plus a smartphone app | Temp settings: From 55 to 110 degrees | Automatic timer: Yes | Mattress height: Up to 16 inches

Why we chose it: If you’re looking for beyond the basic heating and cooling features, this mattress pad can do it all, even replace your alarm clock.  

Instead of circulating air, this mattress pad actually circulates water (requiring a refill every two months) throughout its hidden grid to keep you warm (up to 110 degrees!) or cool (down to 55 degrees) at night. It also tracks a host of important sleep data (for each person)—including sleep stages, time asleep, respiratory rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability—and compiles it into daily reports sent to your phone. But our favorite feature? The silent vibrating and gradual temperature-change alarm, which you can program to wake you up with a shift in temperature and gentle vibration that your partner won’t feel. The trial period is a quick 30 days, so be sure to give it a solid test during that time. Although, with a mattress pad that offers all the bells and whistles of a sleep tracker, we’d wager you’ll have a hard time returning it. 

How We Chose These Products

The best heated mattress pads function with electricity to deliver maximum heating and cooling benefits, unlike some that do so naturally with your body’s own temperature. We also only included products with reputable return policies, trial periods, and warranties, with most offering defect coverage up to five years. All the mattress pads we chose allow for dual temperature control in (at minimum) queen, king, and California king beds, so partners can customize their sleep experience separately from each other. Safety was also a top concern, so we only picked mattress pads with auto-off switches or timers. Lastly, top-of-the-line tech was something we looked out for, separating the average heated pad from the exceptional one.

Our Shopping Checklist

Design and Material

The mattress pads we chose are made from several different materials, including cotton, polyester, and synthetic foam. Traditional heated mattress pads use wires that run through the pad in a grid, and while these models are effective and affordable, they should be used with caution as there’s always wiggle room for unwanted overheating. Other models can heat and cool by circulating either air or water into the mattress pad with an electronic base that sits under the bed, though these innovative upgrades also increase the price.  

Size and Fit

Mattress pads are generally made like fitted sheets and can accommodate mattresses with heights from 10 to 22 inches. They’re also sized to fit on standard mattress sizes, namely twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. 

Heating and Control

Most standard mattress pad models provide roughly 10 temperature settings, generally ranging from slightly warm to relatively hot. Others can be adjusted by exact temperatures between 55 and 110 degrees. These controls are typically adjusted through either a singular or dual set of remotes, the latter allowing two people to adjust the temperature on each side of the bed. And anytime heat is involved, safety is of top importance: All of the mattress pads we chose also have an auto-off switch (the standard is 10 hours), so it won’t overheat or stay on all day should you forget to turn it off. 

Care and Maintenance

Easy cleaning was a top feature we kept in mind when putting together this list, making sure to include multiple choices that are machine washable, but the ones that aren’t can be spot-cleaned for stains as needed. If you want to deodorize the pad, try spritzing a 50-50 mix of water and distilled white vinegar and airing it outside. Alternatively, you can sprinkle borax or baking soda onto it, let it sit for a few hours, then simply vacuum it up. Be sure to also regularly check on the electrical cords on the pad—if fraying or breakage occurs, discontinue use and contact the brand for support. 

Ask Domino

Q: Can I use a heated mattress pad on a memory foam mattress?

We wouldn’t recommend it. According to Holly Saarie, mattress and bedding buyer at Raymour & Flanigan, “Heated mattress pads should be avoided when sleeping on a memory foam mattress, as it may reduce the life of the memory foam.” The Company Store states its heated mattress pad should not be used on memory foam because it can break down the material. According to Tempur-Pedic, “due to the temperature sensitivity of the Tempur material, adding high heat can hinder its ability to react to your body temperature and conform to your body shape.” However, if you have a traditional mattress made from wool, cotton, or a blend of synthetic fibers, you shouldn’t need to worry about cranking the heat up. A good compromise is the Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover, which is made with cushy foam and can be used on any mattress, or Saarie recommends “sticking to a heated blanket so the heat is not in direct contact with the mattress.”

Q: What are the differences between mattress pads and mattress toppers?

Mattress pads are “often used to protect your mattress investment and provide waterproof or water-resistant protection,” says Melissa Danielson, who is on Casper’s product development team. “Many versions will provide a little extra comfort with quilted fiber or foam, as well as the addition of cooling properties to the sleep surface.” On the other hand, “mattress toppers are used to upgrade an older mattress or improve comfort, support, or feel.” Toppers, like Casper’s version, are often sold in profile heights ranging from 1 to 3 inches and generally made with viscoelastic memory foam.

Q: What’s the difference between a heated mattress pad and a heated blanket?

A heated mattress pad goes right onto your mattress like a fitted sheet, while a heated blanket operates like a regular blanket, draped over you. The benefit of a mattress pad is that it will stay put throughout the night, keeping you warm regardless of tossing and turning, while a heated blanket has the propensity to be accidentally kicked off or slip off the bed. 

Q: How long does a heated mattress pad last?

Most of the mattress pads we’ve included in our list carry warranties of up to five years, and according to reviews, you can expect them to last about that long or longer.  

Q: What’s the best way to cozy up a bedroom? 

“A cozy bedroom is really all about the sleep ecosystem,” says Danielson. “Consider adding a few new pillows with a different feel or materials, since you may not be the same sleeper each night. Changing out your sheets and a new duvet can help with temperature and moisture management.” 

The Last Word

The best heated mattress pads are ones with dual temperature controls for partners to adjust their own sleep environment and auto-off switches or timers, and come with two easy-to-use remotes. Our overall choice is The Company Store Quilted Heated Mattress Pad for its large range of heat settings, breathable cotton construction, and machine washability.