The Best Anti-Fatigue Mats

We loved that this mat was very flexible, which allowed it to lie flat instead of buckling or folding under our weight. Its gently sloping beveled edges gave it a low profile and kept us from tripping over it, and its moderate thickness and firm foam provided hours of consistent support. It was also heavier than any other model we tested; this, combined with its strong no-slip backing, ensured that it didn’t budge an inch. We also loved the feel of its smooth surface, which repelled stains and odors more effectively than the other mats we tested. While this mat didn’t feel sticky underfoot, its one weakness was a slight tendency to attract flour and dust, which was easily remedied with a simple sweep or scrub.

This model excelled in almost every test. We liked that its no-slip backing kept us from sliding around. Its beveled edges sloped gently down to the floor, which prevented us from tripping as we walked over it. We loved how flexible and cushy this mat was, and both traits helped it withstand regular use and additional durability testing. It was also fairly easy to scrub clean, although it did stain when we covered it with turmeric. This mat remained supportive for hours, but it was a touch too soft for some testers.

This moderately thick mat was both plush and flexible, with a pleasant springiness that kept us comfortable for long periods of standing. It had a no-slip backing that gripped the floor well and prevented the mat from sliding around. Its low profile also successfully kept it flush with the floor, reducing the potential for tripping. Its smooth surface was easy to sweep and scrub clean, though its navy blue exterior did show more stains than other models we tested.

This mat did an impressive job repelling liquid and dry messes, and it didn’t stain as badly as some other models we tested. It also held up to our durability tests fairly well, though it did suffer a few punctures from our meat-tenderizing mallet. While it provided a fairly good level of support, its rigid construction caused it to buckle and its edges to fold up slightly when we stood in the center of the mat. The steep bevel on the edges, combined with the mat’s thickness, made it a tripping hazard for some testers.

We liked that this mat was durable and that its surface held up well to both long-term use and abuse testing. Its beveled edges tapered gradually, so it didn’t feel like a tripping hazard as we walked over it. We liked this mat’s design, one of dozens offered by the brand, but its light color stained badly and the mat retained odors during our cleaning tests. Most important, some testers found that this mat felt a little too thin and flimsy to provide sufficient support for extended periods of time.

We were impressed by this mat’s fairly firm yet supportive structure, which held up and remained comfortable over time. It repelled stains and debris fairly well and was very easy to scrub clean. We liked that it was a bit longer than the other mats we tested, which allowed us more space at the counter. Its beveled edges kept us from tripping, but its no-slip backing was essentially a failure; the mat slid all over the place. Its surface also got slightly damaged in our durability testing.

This mat felt simultaneously too thick and too soft. While it was initially comfortable, we found that it compressed over time and didn’t provide adequate support. It was also rigid and had a tendency to fold up slightly as we applied pressure. Its no-slip backing was mostly ineffective. The crosshatched pattern and sticky exterior also trapped and accumulated debris, making it hard to clean.