We Tested the Best Anti-Fatigue Mats—These 7 Feel Like Standing on a Cloud

We Tested the Best Anti-Fatigue Mats—These 7 Feel Like Standing on a Cloud

Standing on a hard, bare floor for several hours, whether it’s because you’re cooking a time-intensive meal on the stove or meal-prepping several ingredients at the counter, is not only exhausting, but it can cause strain to your lower body. It puts “constant pressure on your feet, lower back, and legs,” explains Dr. Kevin Lees, DC, manager of auditing and quality for The Joint Chiropractic.

Enter the anti-fatigue mat. This thick, multi-layered mat provides a cushion between your feet and the hard floor. These mats also help improve traction, reduce slipping, and protect your floors from spills.

Most anti-fatigue mats are fairly bare-bones, yet there are subtle differences between different models that can make them better suited to certain situations. We tested several anti-fatigue mats, spending hours standing on them and rating each based on design, comfort, durability, and ease of cleaning. There are a lot of options to choose from, of varying sizes, styles, and thicknesses, so we selected these top-performing options to help you select the right one for your kitchen.

 

 

Best Overall

Sky Solutions Sky Mat Comfort Anti-Fatigue Mat

Sky Solutions Sky Mat 0.75-Inch Comfort Anti-Fatigue Mat
What We Like
  • Thick cushion provides necessary support
  • Softness creates an ultra-comfortable surface
  • Available in nine colors and three sizes
What We Don’t Like
  • Texture traps dust easily
  • Creases from shipping can be permanent

For a simple yet effective anti-fatigue mat, we chose the Sky Mat. This reasonably priced option comes in three sizes and several colors, letting you choose the best fit for your kitchen. The anti-fatigue mat is 0.75 inches thick and made from the company’s patented foam, which is described as the “perfect blend of support and softness for standing all day,” a claim that held up in our testing.

The mat has a beveled edge to prevent tripping, as well as a nonslip bottom. Even better, the Sky Mat is designed to be durable and is easy to wipe clean if you spill anything on it. During testing, we experimented with spilling flour and molasses on the mat and confirmed that it easily rinsed right off without issues. However, we recommend choosing the black color over the other options so that it’s less likely to show any unsightly dirt. Even after hours of being on our feet, we noted that the mat still felt quite firm and supportive, thanks to its plush memory foam construction.

We also used this mat at a standing desk and still felt comfortable after an hour on our feet. We noted that it’s just as nice to stand on with shoes as it is barefoot. And nothing about that changed in 6 months of using it daily. Overall, this top-rated anti-fatigue mat is an affordable and highly effective product for your kitchen or workspace.

Sizes: 20 x 32 inches, 20 x 39 inches, 24 x 70 inches | Weights: 3 pounds, 3.45 pounds, 7.39 pounds | Material: Soft-foam core | Colors: Black, Blue Diamond, Burgundy, Chocolate Brown, Dark Blue, Green Ombré, Gray, Indigo Deco, Natural Beige, Sedona Red Rocks

Best for High-Traffic Areas

GelPro NewLife Bio-Foam Anti-Fatigue Mat

GelPro NewLife Bio-Foam Professional Anti-Fatigue Mat
What We Like
  • Provides incredible support
  • Firm cushion contours to feet
  • Durable material
What We Don’t Like
  • Shows signs of dirt easily
  • Cushion is thick and can cause tripping

If your anti-fatigue mat is going to get a lot of foot traffic, you need a super durable product like the GelPro NewLife Bio-Foam Comfort Mat. It is more expensive than many other options, but it delivers in terms of both comfort and durability. This anti-fatigue mat has an abrasion- and puncture-resistant surface to increase longevity. No matter how long we stood on it, our feet never sank to the floor.

The mat also features beveled edges and a nonslip bottom, as well as reinforced no-curl edges, although we noted that the pronounced cushion could still cause tripping. Additionally, our testing showed it still attracted dirt rather easily. It is a bit firmer than other mats, but it still offers uncompromising support with nearly an inch of thickness. We would have preferred that the mat be a larger size but still gave high marks for how comfortable and supportive it felt. The mat felt like it really provided the ideal amount of cushioning for our feet.

A minor caveat worth noting is the cleaning process—it took multiple washes and rinses for satisfactory results. This high-quality product comes in five sizes, and its polyurethane foam will always spring back, no matter how many shoes walk across it.

Sizes: 20 x 32 inches, 24 x 36 inches, 20 x 72 inches | Weight: 5 pounds, 7 pounds, 11 pounds, 6.5 pounds, 17 pounds | Material: Polyurethane foam | Colors: Earth, Midnight, Stone

Best Budget

FEATOL Anti Fatigue Mats Comfort Standing Pad

FEATOL Standing Desk Mat Foam Cushioned Anti Fatigue Mats Comfort Standing Pad
Orig. $36$32 at Amazon
What We Like
  • Ergonomic design
  • Durable surface
  • Thickest of our recommendations
What We Don’t Like
  • Texture makes it hard to clean

At 0.9 inches, this mat is the thickest one in the roundup, and it certainly shows with its cushy comfort that brings instant relief to your tired feet. The polyurethane foam material and ergonomic design make this an incredible value of a kitchen essential.

We were impressed with how cushiony this mat felt for its price—even after hours of standing on it, we felt no fatigue or soreness. The thickness of the gel and memory foam construction make it feel like your feet almost sink into the mat, and that held up nicely for the full 6-month test period. Plus, the PU leather surface boasts a surprisingly durable quality for a low price, featuring water- and puncture-resistant abilities.

Size: 20 x 32 inches | Weight: 5.14 pounds | Material: Foam | Colors: Black

Best Color Selection

Kangaroo 3/4″ Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat

Kangaroo 3/4" Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat
Orig. $43$40 at Amazon
What We Like
  • Ample color options
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Textured surface
What We Don’t Like
  • Less durable
  • Creases from shipping may not come out

Your anti-fatigue mat doesn’t have to be a boring black or brown. The Kangaroo Original Premium Anti-Fatigue Comfort Standing Mat comes in a variety of colors, including green, blue, and red, allowing you to choose a product that matches your decor perfectly and still provides the comfort you need.

This highly-rated mat is 0.75 inches thick and made from high-quality foam. It features beveled edges and a textured surface to ensure you don’t trip or slip on it. The Kangaroo mat won’t break down over time and can easily be vacuumed or wiped down if it gets dirty. We did note that the raised diamond pattern on the mat made it a bit of a challenge to clean.

This anti-fatigue mat is lightweight and very comfortable to stand on. It’s quite firm, which is key to preventing the aching and soreness of joints that occurs when you stand for prolonged periods of time. It might even be a little too firm: We hoped it would break in a bit in long-term testing, but it was no softer after 6 months than when it was new.

Sizes: 17 x 24 inches, 20 x 32 inches, 20 x 39 inches, 20 x 48 inches, 20 x 60 inches, 24 x 70 inches | Weight: 3.14 pounds | Material: Rubber | Colors: Beige, Black, Brown, Charcoal, Gray, Hunter Green, Mocha, Navy, Quatrefoil (Gray/White), Red, Sand, Sky Blue

Easiest to Clean

Amazon Basics Premium Anti-Fatigue Standing Comfort Mat

AmazonBasics Premium Anti-Fatigue Standing Comfort Mat
What We Like
  • Thick and comfortable
  • Foam layer contours to feet
  • Stain- and abrasion-resistant
What We Don’t Like
  • Slides around

If you’re going to use an anti-fatigue mat in your kitchen, it’s important that you can easily wipe off any spills. This 20 x 36-inch Amazon Basics mat has a stain- and abrasion-resistant surface, making it far easier to clean than other mats we have tested. It ensures your mat will remain as good as new, despite being located in a spill-prone area. We appreciated how easily messes were able to be rinsed right off and didn’t leave any stains or discoloration. It’s low-maintenance and uncomplicated to take care of. If you’re used to hardwood floors, this will be like standing on a cloud.

Its foam layer will conform to the contours of your feet as you stand. In our testing, however, we found that while it’s easy to clean and offers good support for the price, its slick surface prevents it from staying in place. In addition, we observed that while the mat felt cushy enough, we did not notice a drastic difference between it and the bare floor. However, we still preferred standing on it over the ground. Just keep this in mind if you prefer a kitchen mat that is extra thick and dense.

Size: 20 x 36 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Material: Foam | Colors: Black, Dark Brown

Best Industrial

Cactus VIP Cloud Anti-Fatigue Mat

Cactus Mat 2200-35 VIP Cloud Anti-Fatigue Mat
What We Like
  • Grease-proof
  • 5-year quality guarantee
  • Comfortable for extended hours
What We Don’t Like
  • May be too large for home
  • Heavy

This professional-grade pick lives up to the quality standards of an industrial kitchen, so trust that it’ll be more than efficient for whatever your need is. It may be too large for most standard home kitchens, but it’s ideal for the workplace.

The Cactus Mat provides reliable comfort for long hours spent on your feet working and cooking. It’s guaranteed to protect your back and legs from any pain or aching. Our testers emphasized the firm and supportive qualities of this mat and felt it was a worthwhile value. They also gave high marks for the mat’s textured surface that grips your shoes to prevent slipping. It’s an ideal thickness that provides even support throughout the bottom of your feet.

Keep in mind this mat requires more effort to clean due to its hefty size and the holes on the textured surface. Our process for cleaning this mat involved dragging it outside and mopping it in order to get a thorough clean. But we think it is a worthwhile trade-off for how spacious the mat is.

Size: 60 x 35 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | Material: Nitrite rubber | Colors: Black

Best Decorative

SoHome Cozy Living Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mat

SoHome Cozy Living Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mat
What We Like
  • Affordable price
  • Fun design
  • Easy to wipe clean
What We Don’t Like
  • Light color may show dirt

Not a fan of the plain-looking kitchen mats and want to add a fun flair to your kitchen? Look no further than this decorative mat. The memory foam construction makes for just the right amount of squish underneath your feet. However, we observed during testing that this half-inch mat was not as thick as some of the other options, so it felt a bit less supportive. We also noticed that the light color may be prone to accumulating dirt, but that’s nothing a quick wipe-down can’t fix.

Although it might not feel the most luxurious out of the bunch, this mat is definitely the most eye-catching and attractive. Overall, if you’re seeking a cute anti-fatigue mat that gets the job done, this is the one for you.

Size: 20 x 36 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Material: Foam | Colors: Grey

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Sky Solutions Anti-Fatigue Sky Mat because it hits the sweet spot between firm and soft. It’s thick, grippy, and comes in a range of sizes and colors. Looking for something suited to high foot traffic? Look no further than the GelPro NewLife Bio-Foam Comfort Mat. This firm, durable option is almost an inch thick, offering outstanding support even after several hours of use.

How We Tested

Based on extensive online research, we chose 16 top anti-fatigue mats to purchase and test in our Lab. (In order to make the comparison as fair as possible, we chose a 36-by-20-inch size when available—or as close to it as possible.) We spent hours pitting them head-to-head in structured tests, then continued to use them in day-to-day kitchen operations over the next 6 months. We arrived at our final picks after considering the results of both short- and long-term testing.

We Observed

  • Short-Term Performance: We tested the mats intensively while doing all the Lab work for our nonstick cookware testing. We worked standing on each mat for 1 hour, then recorded notes about pain or comfort in our feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, and shoulders. We repeated the tests two more times, so each mat was tested for three separate 1-hour sessions on three separate days.
  • Cleaning: We dirtied the mats in an identical way by drizzling 3 tablespoons of molasses and sprinkling a 1/4 cup of flour over each one. After letting them sit for 12 hours, we cleaned the mats following the manufacturer’s directions, noting how easy or difficult cleaning was and whether any stains were left behind.
  • Long-Term Performance: After completing the initial round of tests, we continued to use the mats in our everyday Lab operations. We examined them after 2 months and again after 6 months, noting whether there’d been any deterioration, damage, or other changes in quality.

We Rated

  • Design: We looked at characteristics including size, shape, texture, material, weight, and thickness to evaluate each mat’s overall design. We considered how easy it would be to set up the mat in different types of kitchens, as well as if it would be easy to trip over or skid around on a kitchen floor.
  • Comfort: Anti-fatigue mats are made to not just be comfortable on the feet but also to reduce stress on the entire body, and to do so over a long period of time. We looked at whether the mats made all of our joints feel less impact from the stress of moving around the kitchen, but also whether we felt less fatigue across the hours we used them.
  • Value: After our short-term tests were complete, we revealed the retail prices of each mat and compared them to each other and to the average. We also kept size options in mind, comparing prices for multiple available sizes in addition to the single size we tested.

Other Options We Tested

  • KMAT Cushioned Anti-Fatigue Mat: This KMAT anti-fatigue mat received low marks on comfort and ease of cleaning from our testers. It has a cool design and comes at a fair price, but our testers were disappointed by its lack of support and comfort. They remarked that it was hard and thin and made one feel flat-footed.
  • Ninja Brand Premium Floor Comfort Mat: Although this Ninja Brand mat looks attractive with its textured surface and color options, it failed to deliver impressive results during testing. The cushioning did not provide even support, and our tester reported that the heels of her feet could feel the floor through the mat.
  • Sky Solutions Oasis Anti Fatigue Mat: We featured another mat from Sky Solutions in this roundup that performed great overall, but this specific Oasis model fell short of expectations during testing. Although it claims to be nonslip, testers found that it was prone to slipping around and needed more traction on the bottom. It also was not as soft or cushiony as expected. The textured surface gives your feet a better grip on the mat but makes it harder to clean.
KMAT Cushioned Anti-Fatigue Mat on tile flooring
 

What to Look for in an Anti-Fatigue Mat

Material

Most are constructed with various soft materials like foam, gel, or even both. Dr. Kevin Leesrecommends polyurethane, which is a foam found in many commercial mats designed to stand up to continual usage. The top surface is typically protected with some kind of cover—often waterproof vinyl or polyurethane. This also helps with cleaning up and protects the mat from spills.

Size and Thickness

Whatever material is used, Lees also recommends paying attention to the size of the mat. Most mats are designed to allow one person to stand in place fairly comfortably but not move around. If you want the ability to move back and forth at a kitchen counter, for example, without leaving the mat, consider looking for longer, runner-style mats.

“Thickness is important for the length of time you are using the mat,” Lees explains. Look for mats that are at least 0.625 inches thick, with 0.75 inches being better. But don’t go overboard: Mats that are too soft and squishy can have a compressing effect, “leaving you feeling as if you are back standing on the hard floor,” he says.

Anti-Slip

Many mats feature an anti-slip design on the base. Acting like a built-in rug pad, this will keep you from slipping. Lees refers to this as “travel control” and notes that anti-slip features are especially important in areas where a mat could get wet (like a kitchen) or on slick floors, like hardwood or tile.

Durability

“Mats made from cheaper materials are not always cheaper,” says Lees. Look for signs the mat will last, like using durable materials. A sealed bottom and top will protect it from breaking down and help it stand up to everyday spills. Also, consider what kind of wear and tear your mat will be subjected to: If you want a mat to stand on while folding laundry barefoot, you’ll need considerably less tough materials than someone who may need to stand in heels at work for hours without puncturing the mat.

Usage

Consider how the placement of your mat will affect its everyday usage. A mat made for the kitchen, says Lees, is typically squishier and designed with bare feet in mind. While they feel great, they might not be ideal for standing on for more than a few hours. For standing in shoes, a firmer mat that won’t lead to sinking may be better.

Design

While most anti-fatigue mats aren’t winning any beauty awards, it’s possible to find more options in an array of colors and even patterns. You can match your mat to colors in your kitchen or simply find one that closely matches the floor, helping it blend in.

“Mats made for kitchens in your house tend to be softer and made for wearing socks or bare feet. They also are not made for standing for more than an hour or so. Mats that have ‘travel control’ are made to not slide on the floor. This may be important for people using them on tile or wood floors. And, beware of mats that can curl on the edges, as this can lead to a tripping hazard.” adds Dr. Kevin Lees, DC, manager of auditing and quality for The Joint Chiropractic

Types of Anti-Fatigue Mats

Commercial

Commercial mats, often made of polyurethane, typically feature protection on the top and bottom to stand up to wear and tear from shoes, office furniture, and high-traffic areas. They may not be as soft as mats designed for home use but can be the best option for standing for long shifts.

Ergonomic

To further increase motion, some anti-fatigue mats aren’t made flat to encourage more movement and stretching. A sloped area may allow you to stretch your calves as you work, for example, or grooves help your feet stay aligned. These are often intended for standing desks and work best for people in more stationary positions, not those moving around washing dishes or folding laundry.

Kitchen

For home use, kitchens are one of the most popular places to use anti-fatigue mats. Cooking can often require a lot of standing (which is also why a pair of kitchen shoes or chef shoes can be a huge help for tired feet, too). Tile floors are also great for cleaning up spills and splashes but don’t do our feet any favors. Anti-fatigue mats designed for kitchens are often nonslip as well as thick and comfortable, and great for bare feet and socks.

FAQs

Can you put a chair on an anti-fatigue mat? 

Most anti-fatigue mats are designed for standing and would be difficult to wheel an office chair on. Regular chair legs may also puncture or damage the cover on a mat. If you want a mat for an office desk or other area where you may sit and stand, look for a small mat that can go in front of your chair.

How long do anti-fatigue mats last? 

A high-quality anti-fatigue mat can last several years. Heavy use may limit the mat’s lifespan to two to three years if placed in a high-traffic area. Dropped items, wearing shoes that may puncture a mat—like heels—and even wearing regular shoes on a mat may lead to premature wear and tear.

Are anti-fatigue mats waterproof? 

Most anti-fatigue mats are designed for use in dirty areas of the house, like kitchens and workshops. Splashes and spills won’t hurt a mat, but that doesn’t mean they are always completely waterproof. If a mat was somehow submerged in water or a bigger, messier spill occurred, you should dry it out. If all else fails, you may need to replace it.

How do you clean an anti-fatigue mat? 

Most mats have a water-resistant covering made of a material like PVC or vinyl. You can simply wipe it clean as needed. Most anti-fatigue mats cannot be fully submerged in water or washed in a washing machine.

Can anti-fatigue mats be trimmed? 

Anti-fatigue mats typically have three parts: a nonslip base, a foam or gel interior, and a water-resistant cover. Trimming the mat would expose the foam core, allowing it to get dirty and absorb spills. Your best bet is to buy the correct size mat to fit your needs.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *