There’s a lot more to an average mattress pad than meets the eye. These seemingly simple bedding accessories can add years onto the life of an average mattress and they can even make one a great deal more comfortable to sleep on.

Not all mattress pads are alike, however. Some are designed to offer nothing but protection for the mattress itself. Some provide an extra layer of comfort. Still other mattress pads do both quite well, offering both protection from spills and dirt while also making sleep much easier to come by. Let’s look at all three types:

Protection: There are a variety of mattress pad designs out there that are meant to offer nothing more than an extra layer of protection to keep a mattress clean and in good working order for years to come. These range from wool mattress pad designs to cotton mattress pad creations. There are even plastic designs and magnetic mattress pads that can serve this purpose well. In the case of wool mattress pads, these can sometimes serve to add a level of comfort by helping ensure the bed is warm.

Comfort: A heated mattress pad will protect the surface of the bed, but it’s real purpose is to offer a level of comfort that’s undeniable, especially to those who enjoy warmth or who have aching muscles. These electric mattress pad designs are often meant to go under a sheet, but some might sit on top. A foam mattress pad that’s thin in design might not offer a lot of protection for the surface of the mattress itself since liquids can still spill inside, but they can offer a nice layer of extra comfort, as well.

Both: Memory foam mattress pad creations are generally thick enough to provide for both a big layer of extra comfort and some mattress protection, too. Finding the best price memory foam mattress pad isn’t very difficult with the popularity of these items, too. Memory foam mattress pads can be found in all price ranges with some even rivaling magnetic mattress pad creations for affordable pricing.

Whether it’s a foam mattress memory pad visco creation or electric mattress pads being sought or something entirely different, these pads are generally the best when they both protect and serve. Extending the life of a typical mattress while offering an extra layer of comfort, mattress pads are smart considerations for just about any bed going.