A quilted pillow protector is a zipped pillow cover with a thin layer of filling stitched into a diamond pattern, and a plain pillow protector is a single layer of fabric with no padding. Choose quilted for extra softness and for feather pillows, and plain for a smooth, quiet layer you won't notice. This guide compares the two on feel, warmth, feather pillows, washing and price.
| Quilted protector | Plain microfibre protector | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Polycotton, diamond-quilted over a thin anti-allergy filling | 100% brushed microfibre, single layer |
| Feel through the pillowcase | A little extra softness | None, smooth |
| Closure | Full zip | Full-width zip |
| Feather pillows | Stops feathers poking through | Not described as feather-proof |
| Size | 50 x 75 cm | 50 x 75 cm |
| Price, 2 pack | £9.99 white | £8.49 |
What is a pillow protector?
A pillow protector is a zipped cover that goes on the pillow, under the pillowcase, to keep sweat, dust and allergens out of the filling. It stays on when the pillowcase comes off for washing. NHS allergy leaflets recommend zipped covers that fully enclose the pillow for people with a house dust mite allergy.
Both kinds in this guide are full protectors: they zip all the way round the pillow, so there's no open flap. Our guide to what a pillow protector does covers whether you need one at all.
Are quilted pillow protectors better?
Quilted pillow protectors are better for softness and for feather pillows, and plain protectors are better if you want nothing between you and the pillow's own feel. Neither is better at keeping a pillow clean, because both zip shut. The choice comes down to feel and the pillow underneath.
The quilting does 2 jobs. It holds a thin filling in place, so the protector adds a little padding you can feel through the pillowcase. And the tightly woven shell stops quills poking through, which is why it suits duck feather pillows. Our quilted pillow protectors come in white, bamboo, cooling and copper versions.
Do quilted protectors make pillows hot?
A quilted protector adds a thin layer of filling, and any extra filling holds in a little more warmth. The layer is thin, so the difference is small, but if you already sleep hot, a plain single-layer protector adds the least. Our microfibre protector needs no plastic membrane, so it stays breathable and quiet.
Plastic-backed waterproof protectors are the ones that trap heat. Neither of our pillow protectors has a plastic layer.
Which protector suits feather pillows?
A quilted protector suits feather pillows. A tightly woven quilted shell stops feather quills working through the pillow's cover and into the pillowcase. Our product page states that the quilted protector stops feather leakage from older pillows. A thin single-layer protector isn't described that way.
Our duck feather pillows have a double-stitched, feather-proof 100% cotton cover of their own. A quilted protector over it adds a second barrier as the pillow ages.
Which protector suits hollowfibre pillows?
Either protector suits a hollowfibre pillow, because hollowfibre doesn't have quills to escape. Choose plain microfibre if you like the pillow's own feel, and quilted if you want it a touch softer. Our hotel quality, quilted, textured and satin stripe pillows are all hollowfibre and all fit a 50x75 cm protector.
Do quilted protectors have a zip?
Yes, our quilted pillow protectors close with a zip that fully encases the pillow. The microfibre protectors have a zip along the full width. A full zip matters more than the fabric: a flap opening, like a housewife pillowcase, leaves a gap for dust and mites to get in.
Will a pillowcase fit over a pillow protector?
Yes, a standard pillowcase fits over a 50x75 cm protector. A 50x75 cm pillowcase is cut to the same size as the protector, so it's a close fit, and a quilted protector makes it a little closer. The pillowcases in our duvet cover sets are 54x77 cm, which leaves room to spare over either kind.
A 48x74 cm pillowcase is the snug size. It fits a bare standard pillow well, but over a quilted protector it can be tight at the corners. If you use quilted protectors, choose 50x75 cm cases or larger.
Can a quilted protector go on a quilted pillow?
Yes, a quilted protector fits a quilted pillow. Our quilted pillows are 48x74 cm with a diamond-quilted cotton-polyester cover, the same size as any standard pillow. The two quilted layers add a little extra padding. If you want the pillow to feel exactly as it was made, use a plain microfibre protector over it instead.
How do you wash pillow protectors?
Wash a quilted protector at 40°C and tumble dry low, as its care label says. The microfibre protector machine washes and dries. Wash protectors less often than pillowcases, and straight away after a spill. For a house dust mite allergy, NHS leaflets say a 60°C wash kills mites, so check the label before washing hotter.
Keep a spare set. With 2 protectors per pillow, one can be on while the other's in the wash. Both kinds come in packs of up to 8.
What size pillow protector do you need?
A standard UK pillow needs a 50x75 cm protector. A standard pillow is 48x74 cm, so a 50x75 cm protector fits it with a little room, and a standard pillowcase still goes over the top. Both of our protectors are 50x75 cm. Our chart of UK pillow sizes covers king and square pillows.
How much do quilted and plain protectors cost?
Our plain microfibre protectors start at £8.49 for 2, and our quilted protectors start at £9.99 for 2 in white. Bamboo, cooling and copper quilted versions cost more.
| Pack | Microfibre | Quilted white | Quilted bamboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | £8.49 | £9.99 | £13.99 |
| 4 | £13.99 | £11.99 | £16.99 |
| 6 | £15.99 | £14.99 | £19.99 |
| 8 | £19.99 | £18.99 | £22.99 |
In packs of 4 and up, quilted white costs less than plain microfibre. See all our microfibre pillow protectors for the smooth option.
Written by the Adam Home team in the UK.
