To find the best anti-fatigue mats, we spent hours researching top-rated options, assessing them on size, thickness, durability, and style. We also spoke to two experts—Dr. Grant Radermacher, D.C., chiropractor at Ascent Chiropractic, and Dr. Brittany Ferri, Ph.D., occupational therapist at Simplicity of Health—to learn more about anti-fatigue mats and what to consider when buying them. “You’ll want to find a mat that’s between 0.5 to 1 inches thick—any thinner, and you start losing the anti-fatigue benefits you’re buying it for in the first place,” says Dr. Radermacher. “Anti-fatigue mats should also have wide tapered edges to prevent tripping hazards.” Our top pick, the ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat, has all the features our experts told us to look for. It’s 0.75 inches thick, boasts a non-slip bottom, and is lined with no-curl edges. Plus, it’s available in several sizes and colors, making it easy to find an option that works for you. Here are the best anti-fatigue mats for cushioning your feet at home or at the office. Who it isn’t for: People who want to spend less on an anti-fatigue mat. Thick, durable, and non-slip, the ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat ticks every box our experts told us to consider. It’s also stain-resistant, easy to clean, and available in a range of colors and sizes, which are nice-to-haves that make it an even better find. This mat is made of high-density memory foam, so it’ll cushion your feet every time you step onto it. And it’s a whopping 0.75 inches thick, making it considerably thicker than the 0.5-inch baseline our experts gave us. Since the mat comes equipped with a non-slip bottom, it won’t slide out from under you as you stand, and thanks to its beveled edges, it won’t curl at the corners—making it easy to move around without tripping. It’s available in three sizes and 13 colors, so you can easily find a version that suits your space. Product Details:
Size: 20 x 32-70 inchesThickness: 0.75 inchesMaterial: Memory foam
Who it isn’t for: Style-minded shoppers who want an anti-fatigue mat that’s colorful or printed. The KitchenClouds Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mat costs half as much as our top pick, but it’s so well-rounded that we’d recommend it even if we weren’t paying attention to price. Made of high-density PVC foam, this mat is sturdy, soft, and supportive. It’s also stain-resistant, water-resistant, and easy to clean, making it a great pick for kitchens and laundry rooms. The mat boasts a non-slip bottom and beveled edges, so it’ll protect against slipping and tripping. And although it’s one of the thinnest options on our list at 0.5 inches, it’s still thick enough to earn our experts’ approval. (It’s also thicker than most of the anti-fatigue mats you’ll find at this price point.) To top things off, this mat comes in three different sizes and four different colors. And since two of those colors are available with textured outer borders, you can decide whether you want a sleek, simple mat or a more decorative one. Product Details:
Size: 17 x 28-60 inchesThickness: 0.5 inchesMaterial: PVC foam
Who it isn’t for: People who want a classic anti-fatigue mat that’s flat and even. The Ergodriven Topo Comfort Mat doesn’t look like the other anti-fatigue mats on our list. That’s because it’s designed specifically for standing desks, giving your feet a supportive place to rest as you knock out a few hours of work. Whereas most anti-fatigue mats are rectangular, this one is shaped like a rounded square, and has edges and a center that slopes upward, inviting you to move around as you stand. You can balance on the mat’s raised corners, massage your feet on its lifted center, or elevate your heels on its back ramp. At its tallest point, the mat is a whopping 2.7 inches thick. And even at its shortest point, it’s 0.85 inches thick, making it one of the thickest mats on this list. It’s also made of high-density polyurethane foam, so it’s soft, supportive, and easy to clean. It’s available in four different colors and two standing desk-friendly sizes. Product Details:
Size: 19-26 x 25-29 inchesThickness: 0.85-2.7 inches thickMaterial: Polyurethane foam
Who it isn’t for: People who want a larger standing mat. The WellnessMats Original Mobile Mat is a classic anti-fatigue mat with an unusual feature: The mat comes with a built-in handle you can use to take it on the go. At nearly two feet long and 1.5 feet wide, this mat is a good size for kitchens, laundry rooms, and workspaces, and since it’s 0.75 inches thick, it meets the most basic requirement on our checklist. Made of easy-to-clean polyurethane, the mat feels soft, sturdy, and supportive. It comes with a non-slip bottom and a non-slip top, and its no-trip beveled edges are ADA-compliant. Put simply, this well-rounded mat would make a great addition to any home. But what really sets it apart is its built-in handle. This hard-to-find feature makes the mat particularly portable, giving you an easy way to tote it to and from the office, in and out of storage, or just around your home. Product Details:
Size: 18 x 22 inchesThickness: 0.75 inchesMaterial: Polyurethane foam
Who it isn’t for: People who want a slip-resistant mat. Many anti-fatigue mats are merely water-resistant, but the Kangaroo Anti-Fatigue Mat is genuinely waterproof—and that’s not the only reason we’re recommending it. The mat is also thick, supportive, and easy to clean, so you don’t need to skimp on versatility just to get the water resistance you’re looking for. Like many other mats on this list, this mat is 0.75 inches thick. Since it’s made from high-density foam, it feels incredibly soft and supportive underfoot. The mat’s slightly ribbed top gives you plenty of traction, and its textured bottom cuts down on slipping and sliding, although it’s not advertised as slip-resistant. These features—plus the mat’s availability in six sizes and 24 colors—make this mat one of the most versatile options on our list. Product Details:
Size: 17-24 x 24-70 inchesThickness: 0.75 inchesMaterial: Foam
Who it isn’t for: People who want a more affordable mat. Thick, sturdy, and easy to clean, the Nama Standing Mat from House of Noa is a great anti-fatigue mat. It’s 0.75 inches thick and made of high-density foam, so it’s just as cushioned and supportive as a classic anti-fatigue mat—but unlike the competition, this mat is lined with a layer of fabric. This feature makes the mat feel soft rather than smooth, and look more like a rug than a therapeutic mat. Despite its fabric top, the mat is still water-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. Plus, it’s equipped with the non-slip bottom and no-curl beveled edges you’d expect from an anti-fatigue mat. There are 21 patterns and colors to choose from, as well as nine bundles if you want a set. Each mat comes in five sizes, and pattern options range from traditional and farmhouse to modern and bold, so you’re sure to find one that suits your style and the decor of the room you’re shopping for. Product Details:
Size: 20-30 x 32-108 inchesThickness: 0.75 inchesMaterial: Fabric-lined foam
Who it isn’t for: People who want a colorful or printed mat. Made of oil-proof, slip-resistant material, the M+A Matting Hog Heaven Anti-Fatigue Mat is the sturdiest mat we came across. And since it’s available in several extra-large sizes, it’s also the biggest mat on our list. Whereas many popular anti-fatigue mats are made of high-density foam, this one is made of nitrile rubber—a material Dr. Radermacher specifically recommended for its longevity. This sturdy material is oil-proof, grease-proof, and slip-resistant even when wet, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for a commercial-grade, heavy duty mat for high-traffic areas. Despite its durability, this mat is as comfortable and supportive as any other. It’s the thickest mat on our list at 0.875 inches, and thanks to its textured top and no-curl edges, it’s certified slip-resistant by the National Floor Safety Institute. The mat is available in just one color (black), but it comes in four different sizes: 2 by 3 feet, 3 by 5 feet, 3 by 12 feet, and 4 by 6 feet. For context, the second widest mat on our list is just 2.5 feet wide, and the longest one is only nine feet long. So in addition to being remarkably thick and durable, this mat is also one of the biggest you’ll find. Product Details:
Size: 24-48 x 36-144 inchesThickness: 0.875 inchesMaterial: Closed-cell nitrile rubber
Who it isn’t for: People who want a mat that’s at least 0.5 inches thick. When one anti-fatigue mat isn’t enough, you can usually score a great deal on a set. We recommend the HappyTrends 2-Piece Anti-Fatigue Mat set because it’s available in three different size combinations and four different colors, making it easy to find a pair that suits your space. The mats are made of PVC foam, so they’re sturdy, water-resistant, and easy to clean. Plus, they come equipped with non-slip bottoms and no-trip beveled edges. Unfortunately, they’re only 0.47 inches thick, so they fall a little short of our expert-recommended thickness baseline. That said, since they’re only 0.03 inches off and otherwise well-rounded, we’ve decided to give them a pass. One of the things we like most about these mats is that they come in four colors and three size combinations. Finding one anti-fatigue mat that suits your space is hard enough—finding two is even tougher. So, we appreciate that you’ll have several options to choose from as you consider this two-piece set. Product Details:
Size: 17 x 28-39 inches, 17 x 28-47 inchesThickness: 0.47 inchesMaterial: PVC foam
How to Shop for Anti-Fatigue Mats Like a Pro
Size
Anti-fatigue mats are typically sized to comfortably fit the area around your kitchen sink, usually measuring between 20-24 inches by 30-36 inches. Most mats come in at least a few sizes though, so if you need something slightly larger (like if you’re standing at your desk) or smaller, you have options. Plus, some mats come in a runner size in case you want a long mat to cover both the sink and food prep area. Consider your needs and room size and go from there.
Thickness
Both of our experts had the same advice: Look for an anti-fatigue mat that’s thick. Anti-fatigue mats are supposed to cushion your feet and stimulate your muscles, and a thin mat can’t do that as well as a thick one can. Dr. Radermacher recommends looking for a mat that’s between 0.5-1 inches thick.
Material
Anti-fatigue mats are often made of PVC or polyurethane foam. These materials are comfortable, supportive, and durable, plus water-resistant and easy to clean. But if you’re looking for the sturdiest mat you can find, Dr. Radermacher recommends a different material: closed-cell nitrile rubber. “For a high-quality, heavy-duty anti-fatigue mat that’ll last, look for closed-cell nitrile blended cushion mats,” he says. “They’ve been shown to last longer than traditional PVC foam mats.”
Non-Slip Features
A great anti-fatigue mat shouldn’t slip, slide, or cause you to trip, so keep an eye-out for non-slip features. These include non-slip bottoms, textured tops, and no-slip beveled edges, all of which increase the safety of your mat.
Questions You Might Ask
How do anti-fatigue mats work?
Anti-fatigue mats work in two ways: They cushion your feet to keep you comfortable, and they subtly stimulate your muscles while you stand. “Anti-fatigue mats put a bit of cushioning between you and the floor, reducing the impact the joints [in your back, hips, knees, and ankles] have to absorb,” says Dr. Radermacher. “More importantly, the flexibility of anti-fatigue mats encourages subtle lower body movement, as your feet and legs adapt to keep you balanced.” This causes the muscles in your legs to contract and relax, promoting blood flow and cutting down on swelling.
Who should get an anti-fatigue mat?
According to our experts, there are two main groups of people who should consider anti-fatigue mats. The first? People who stand for long periods of time. “If you[r] career involves standing for an hour or more at a time, you should consider using an anti-fatigue mat,” Dr. Radermacher says. The second group includes people who experience discomfort while standing, even if they’re not standing for very long. “[Anti-fatigue] mats can also be helpful within certain parts of the home,” Dr. Ferri says, adding that many people use them while cooking or cleaning. “They can still be helpful for short periods of time—especially if someone has arthritis, back problems, or is experiencing discomfort in that spot.”
How do you clean an anti-fatigue mat?
Since many anti-fatigue mats are water-resistant, you can usually clean them by wiping them down with soap and water. That said, different mats have different care needs, so before whipping out the cleaning supplies, be sure to check your mat’s care instructions to find the best way to clean it.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist, a contributing writer for Real Simple with seven years of experience writing lifestyle content. To decide which anti-fatigue mats to feature, Lindsey spent hours researching top-rated options, assessing them on size, thickness, durability, and style. For expert advice on how anti-fatigue mats work and what to consider when buying them, she turned to Dr. Grant Radermacher, D.C., chiropractor at Ascent Chiropractic, and Dr. Brittany Ferri, Ph.D., occupational therapist at Simplicity of Health.
