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The best kitchen mats are pleasing to the eye and comfortable on the feet. These top picks are just the right fit for your space—in more ways than one! ANTI-SLIP STICKER
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Whether it’s from hours spent prepping family dinners or from hand-washing dishes, aches and pains are the unfortunate byproduct of long hours spent in the kitchen. Between hard flooring and improper footwear (any other barefoot home cooks out there?), it can feel impossible to completely eliminate foot fatigue for those of us who adore cutting out cookies as a hobby. However, there’s always a solution. And relief comes in the cloud-like form of the best kitchen mats.
While perhaps not as pretty as one of the best kitchen rugs, a good kitchen mat offers support and comfortable materials that minimize pain. That alone makes it well worth having one at the sink and other frequented cooking stations. However, not all kitchen mats offer fatigue-fighting benefits.
In order to find the best kitchen mats that do pull their weight, our Product Testing Team put seven top-rated kitchen mats to work. We spent two days in the Product Testing Lab spilling liquids, standing and shuffling around. We also partnered with the Taste of Home Test Kitchen to do an additional test that analyzed each mat’s comfort level after several days of standing.
In the end, we found the four best kitchen mats that offer joint support, a solid amount of traction and add a finishing touch to any home cook’s safe space.
Topping our list of the best kitchen mats is our best overall option from Wayfair, the Abdulraheem Anti-Fatigue Mat. It earned the highest marks across the board, especially in care, absorbency and shipping. The mat comes in four colors—Cranberry, Black, Navy and Truffle—along with two different sizes. The smaller size is perfect for plopping in front of the sink, while the larger runner size is ideal for folks with a longer kitchen. Of the two sizes available, we tested the smaller option.
The meat of the mat is polyurethane and foam, while the top has a matte finish that gives it a sleek, leather-like look. It’s extra cushy thanks to the foam mid layer, and the backside feels spongy with a little texture for additional grip. Better yet, it was the easiest cleanup job out of all the mats we tested. This one wiped down with a dry paper towel, though we went over the top layer with a wet rag to reduce any residue.
“My feet feel pretty normal for a day’s work, so that’s nice that the mat can keep up with our heavy-duty commercial ones,” says Maggie. “Overall, this is a nice mat. The cushioning is nice, and I think the color is complementary to many kitchens.” Her only critiques had to do with the length (which is easily remedied by snagging the longer size) and the slightly slippy bottom.
Despite this, our Product Testing Team found this mat the most stable of the PVC mats we tested on hardwood. It’s heavier, so it’s sturdier and harder to slide around. The sloped edge also makes it less likely to trip over. Whether you’re standing for hours at a time or once in a while, it’s a great choice for regular use.
Seeking something eco-friendly, yet also supportive enough to soothe sore feet? Made of the same material as the brand’s signature insoles, the Fulton Standing Mat is a perfect blend between comfort and aesthetic. This stylish and sustainable option utilizes vegan cactus leather to give an upscale buckskin look without the high price point or complicated care instructions. It also comes with complementary dishcloths—cute!
Our team found the vegan leather super easy to wipe down with a microfiber rag and soapy water—it surprisingly didn’t stain whatsoever during the spill tests. Inside, a cork and foam composite offer a slight bounce without being too soft to give support. The most surprising (and our favorite) feature are the two suction cup-like circles on the bottom, which keep it situated firmly in place.
“I liked this immediately when I stepped on it,” says Catherine. “My usual mats are soft and squishy. While they feel good, this mat was firm and supportive. My feet are usually really sore and my back aches if standing in one place for too long. I didn’t feel the fatigue and throbbing in my feet that I usually have at the end of the day.”
Some folks may consider the best kitchen mat a luxury, but we say it’s actually a kitchen essential that everyone should have. Fairly priced and with support that’s a cut above a kitchen rug, this KMAT two-piece set offers the best bang for your buck.
Despite being on the inexpensive end of the spectrum, this set includes two waterproof mats in your choice of 11 different shades and patterns. Like the pricier options, it’s also super easy to clean any spills with a damp rag and the stain-resistant material prevents any seepage. Between the smaller mat and the larger runner, this set covers quite a bit of surface area, making it a solid pick for larger kitchens. Don’t have a use for two mats? Consider putting one in the laundry room or at your standing desk instead.
That said, Test Kitchen team member Sarah Tramonte found it to be best for non-commercial use, as it didn’t provide enough support for her eight hour days standing in the Test Kitchen. That’s unsurprising as it’s thinner than the other mats we tested—a compromise that has a lot to do with the lower price. She notes that it’s better suited “for a home cook who only cooks maybe an hour or two a day.” Those who need a little extra support should invest in a couple of rug pads for additional comfort and slip-resistance.
However, for a budget pick, the performance is definitely worth raving about. After all, having a thin kitchen mat is certainly better than having no mat at all!
We’re obsessed with the current bamboo kitchen trend (hello, bamboo cutting board stove cover!) and that love extends to kitchen mats, too. Despite arriving with some damage to the box (ship happens, after all), the Anji Mountain Bamboo Mat is our pick for the best kitchen mat made from bamboo. Of the two we tested, this one offered a better value and sturdier build. Plus, it looks so chic and comes in a variety of sizes that fit kitchens both big and small.
Bamboo slats make up this mat, giving it its organic look. We love that the slats make it possible to fold the mat in half for storage. The underside is also slip-resistant thanks to a layer of soft felt and little bumps of a rubbery, nonslip material that pepper the surface. We love the inclusion of the felt, which prevents scratches and other damage to the floor beneath. It stays put very well, and only moves with lots of pressure applied.
The bamboo slats repel water, offering additional protection to the kitchen floor. The spaces between the slats are a rubbery material that prevents moisture from seeping through. One drawback of this is that dirt and grime can slip between the slats, making the mat a bit more difficult to clean than its PVC counterparts. However, any staining that seeps into the cracks isn’t noticeable with the mat laid flat.
For a bamboo kitchen mat, this pick performed very well. We also expect it to last quite a while longer than some of the PVC mats we tested. Overall, we found this mat a great value and perfect for those who prefer a more sustainable, organic aesthetic.
The first thing to consider before making any purchases is whether to opt for a kitchen mat or a kitchen rug. “Mats might be considered the easiest to clean, as they can be cleaned right after spills occur,” says design professional, Susan Serra. However, she goes on to say that for those who want an authentic material and style to complement their kitchen design, mats may not be the best option.
On the flip side, mats often offer much more comfort and support than a thin kitchen rug. This is useful for folks that spend a lot of time washing dishes at the sink or cooking up complicated meals that take hours of work.
Another important consideration is the size and placement. “Take a good look at the location where you will place a kitchen mat, for example, in front of a cooktop or sink, and look for a size that allows a few steps each side of the center,” advises Susan. While longer mats may cover more of the floor, they can also look a bit clunky and unappealing. In addition, Susan warns that “a rug that is narrow, long and thick can easily be a tripping hazard.”
Our team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best coffee subscriptions to the best flower delivery services. We take our testing seriously, and only recommend products we love—regardless of popularity or brand name.
For this article, we also spoke with Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS and President at Susan Serra Associates, Inc., where she provides kitchen and dining design services. She’s also Founder of Scandinavian Made, a store for both new and vintage handwoven Swedish rugs. Susan is an award-winning kitchen design professional who has been designing kitchens since 1986.
In order to find the best kitchen mats, we tested seven different kitchen mats from seven different brands, focusing on bestsellers with positive reviews. We tested every mat for the following features:
In order to go beyond the product listing and get a full picture of each pick’s performance, we brought each of the seven mats into our Product Testing Lab. The Product Testing Team ran a full profile on each kitchen mat by thoroughly testing each mat in every category. They enlisted the help of the Taste of Home Test Kitchen team to double check claims of comfort and pain reduction.
Tests include a number of hands-on experiments with the following tests holding the most weight: Checking for creases upon arrival (and how easily they flatten); how well each rug absorbs (or repels) 1/4 cup of water splashed onto it; a pass/fail test checking for slippage; how well each pick holds up to its own recommended care instructions after we rub in some yogurt, oil and dirt; whether it offers additional comfort during long periods of standing vs. a hard floor.
Three of our prospects didn’t perform to our standards over the two day testing period, but four earned high marks across the board. Those are the four that made this list of the best kitchen mats. Each pick offers something a little different, so we feel comfortable saying that this list has something for everyone. Even better? You can be certain that each pick performs as expected. Thanks, testing team!
Some folks may prefer a thicker, bouncier mat. However, for others, thicker mats actually increase the pressure on their feet. Susan mentions that it’s helpful to stand on several types and brands of mats if you’re uncertain about the thickness you need. This helps you to find one that’s most comfortable, but does not have too much of a bounce.
Most kitchen mats have a memory foam core. Natural materials like bamboo lend a soft, organic look, but may not be best for those that consider themselves a bit messy in the kitchen. Susan agrees, noting that “rug materials that are easy to clean are the best option to use in the kitchen.” Most rubber or memory foam mats easily wipe down with a wet cloth, giving them a bit more longevity.
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