After you get through taking a hot shower or bath, there’s nothing more comforting than letting your wet feet hit the surface of a comfy bath mat. Besides preventing you from slipping on the bathroom floor, bath mats also help you keep your bathroom floors clean.
When choosing a bath mat, interior designer Pamela O’Brien adds the following tip, “I recommend nice quality mats that have a bit of thickness. When tossed into the laundry along with towels and sheets, they come out soft and fluffy. Plus, they last for a very long time.”
Pamela O’Brien is an award-winning, luxury interior designer, writer, speaker, and the owner of Pamela Hope Designs Interiors in Houston.
Besides thickness, we also recommend considering material, size, and care. To help you find the perfect bath mat, we tested 16 different options in the lab and at home for up to six months, evaluating them based on comfort, quality, durability, value, and ease of cleaning.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Genteele Memory Foam Bath Mat at Amazon $32 $20 Jump to Review Best Budget: Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Mat at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Cotton: L.L.Bean Premium Cotton Bath Mat at L.L.Bean $50 Jump to Review Best Plush: Lifewit Microfiber Bathroom Rug at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best Design: Southern Living Seville Bath Rug at Dillards.com Jump to Review Best Stone: Dorai Zen Bath Stone at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best Nonslip: Gorilla Grip Original Chenille Bath Mat at Amazon $37 Jump to Review Most Absorbent: Brooklinen Bath Mat at Brooklinen $29 Jump to Review
$32 $20 at Amazon View on Walmart What’s Great About It Absorbent
Withstands pet stains
Comfortable
What Could Be Better Requires additional drying time
Easy to slip on
Earning the top spot in our roundup is the Genteele Bath Mat. The soft material provided a nice cushion and contorted to fit the shape of our feet. Once we stepped off the mat, it quickly bounced back to its original appearance.
Even after turning the mat sideways, there was no leakage (the water was locked into the fibers of the mat). This mat also held up to pet stains—after tossing it in the wash, there was no change in appearance or texture.
While we loved this bath mat, we noticed it takes a little longer to dry. On the back of the mat, there are small plastic dots that help to grip the floor and keep you from falling. However, we wish that they were larger and closer together to keep you from slipping.
Size: 17 x 24 inches; 20 x 32 inches; 22 x 36 inches; or 22 x 42 inches | Material: Polyurethane, memory foam | Thickness: 0.75 inches | Colors: 12
$10 at Amazon $28 at Walmart View on Sears.com What’s Great About It Prevents mold growth
Non-slip backing
Durable
What Could Be Better Lighter colors show dirt and other debris
At an inexpensive price, this is a great pick for anyone looking for a bath mat that doesn’t slide around. This mat prevented us from falling with its non-slip backing, and no matter how often we placed our wet feet on it, the water absorbed quickly.
Even better, it also quickly dries off (which limits the chances of mold growth). After cleaning, there were no signs of loose threads or wear and tear, and the bath mat’s comfy texture remained unchanged.
While this mat is available in 21 colors, we tested it in a cream color. This color shows dirt, hair, and other residue very quickly. However, since this option was easy to clean, the only issue that you may run into is having to frequently launder it.
Size: From 24 x 17 inches to 70 x 24 inches | Material: Memory foam, microfiber | Thickness: 0.75 inches | Colors: 21
$50 at L.L.Bean What’s Great About It Easy to clean
Water and odors evaporate
Sleek
What Could Be Better Corners are prone to curl up
Backing gradually loses its texture
While not as plush as memory foam, cotton bath mats are still a great addition to your bathroom. Compared to our Best Overall pick, this one has a more premium appearance. Initially, this mat felt soft and plush under our feet. We also appreciate that water and foot odor are quick to evaporate from the bath mat’s fibers.
However, the fibers did start to flatten with time. Even though the mat still felt soft, it didn’t have the same comfortable feel it had when we first bought it. But once we removed it from the dryer, the plush texture was restored. On the other hand, the backing of the mat can start to lose its effectiveness over time. We also found that one of the corners tended to curl up.
Size: 21 x 34 inches and 27 x 44 inches | Material: Cotton | Thickness: 0.63 inches | Colors: Bluestone, Sea Sage, Silver Moon, White
$25 at Amazon $20 at Walmart View on Sears.com What’s Great About It Remains in place
Lasts a long time
High-quality
What Could Be Better Short size
If you’re looking for a simple yet plush bath mat without too many extras, check out the Lifewit Bathroom Rug Mat. What makes this bath mat stand out is the very soft microfiber material. After getting out of the shower, it was always comfortable to step on. It does take about 30 minutes for the mat to dry out. But, no matter how wet it gets, the anti-slip backing keeps the rug in place. Even if you accidentally splash water on it, we found that water doesn’t leak through the mat.
We’ve had this mat for a few months now and the quality hasn’t changed. This along with other factors makes us believe that this is a high-quality bath mat that will last for a long time. We only wish that the size of this mat was a little longer for our bathroom.
Size: 32 x 20 inches | Material: Microfiber | Thickness: 1 inch | Colors: Black, beige, blue, white
View on Dillards.com What’s Great About It Feels warm and soft
Highly resistant
Effectively absorbs water
What Could Be Better Lacks extra padding
Who says your bathroom has to be boring? With this Southern Living Seville Bath Rug, you can quickly upgrade your bathroom’s decor. We found that this rug gives our bathroom a cozy feel, and thanks to the neutral color, the mat easily blended in with our decor.
Besides the lovely design, this bath rug always felt soft and warm whenever we stood on top of it. Even though this mat is much thinner than our other options, it still absorbed the majority of water that was splashed onto it. We never had to worry about the mat moving around because the rubber backing kept it in place. Despite cleaning the rug and having it in our bathroom for a long time, each part of this rug is still in great condition.
All in all, we’ve enjoyed this bath rug and the additional styles that come with it. Although this rug lacks additional padding, we still believe that this is a great addition to your bathroom.
Size: 21 x 32 inches; 24 x 42 inches; or 24 x 60 inches | Material: Polyester | Thickness: 0.5 inches | Colors: Terracotta, Gray, Natural, Taupe
$90 at Amazon View on Doraihome.com View on The Container Store What’s Great About It Water quickly evaporates from the surface
Low maintenance
Elevated appearance
What Could Be Better Grooves can trip you up
As the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. Our Best Stone pick is the perfect replacement for your old, matted-down bath mats. Instead of having to wipe our feet on the mat, this option simply removes the water as soon as our feet touch it.
Once we stepped off the mat, the water quickly evaporated in about five seconds. When it was time to clean it, all we had to do was some spot cleaning to remove dirt or other residue.
This bath mat does have grooves on top of it, and one time, we stubbed our toe on them when we were getting out of the shower. While we did run into this issue, we plan to continue using the mat.
Size: 15.4 inches x 23.6 inches | Material: Diatomaceous earth | Thickness: 0.4 inches | Colors: Sandstone, Slate
$37 at Amazon $20 $16 at Walmart View on Gorillagrip.com What’s Great About It Plush texture
Easily absorbs water
Perfect for small bathrooms
Becomes softer over time
Grippy backing
What Could Be Better Requires more time to completely dry
With all the moisture and excess water, your bathroom can easily become a slippery place. But with a nonslip mat like this one, you’re less likely to experience any accidents.
We found that this plush mat collected most of the water that dripped off of us, resulting in less water on our bathroom floor. And when our shower door was dripping, this mat did a great job of absorbing the water droplets. When we cleaned our bathroom, we generally shook the mat to remove dirt. However, when we put it in our washer, it came out fluffy and free of any damage.
This is the perfect bath mat for someone who needs a comfortable mat that won’t take up too much space in their bathroom. The only issue that we came across was that it took a couple of hours for the mat to completely dry.
Size: From 24 x 17 inches to 70 x 24 inches | Material: Chenille | Thickness: 1 inch | Colors: 28
$29 at Brooklinen $34 at Zola What’s Great About It Feels like a bath towel
Oeko-Tex certified
Maintains its color and material
What Could Be Better Stains are difficult to remove
No one likes to step on a soaking wet bath mat, and with this option, you won’t have to. While it did a great job at absorbing the excess water from our feet, it also dried off quickly. After stepping out of the shower, we could only see our footprints for a few minutes before they vanished.
We were also surprised by how well it absorbs water because it’s a thin mat. Even though it’s not as plush as other options, this Oeko-Tex-certified mat feels like a bath towel, which makes it a comfortable pick. Also, we never had any issues with discoloration, fading, or wear and tear.
Regarding cleaning, you can place this mat in your washer and dryer, which makes it a perfect choice for those who have busier schedules. We do caution that some products may permanently stain this bath mat—we accidentally spilled some of our self-tanner on the mat, and it never came out.
Size: 20 x 31 inches | Material: Turkish cotton | Thickness: 0.25 inches | Colors: 7
Our Best Overall pick is the Genteele Bath Mat. Not only did it hold up well against excess water and pet stains but it was comfortable to step on. This is also a very flexible mat because it conformed to the shape of our feet and changed back to its original appearance when we stepped off of it.
For a more budget-friendly option, it’s best to go with the Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Mat Rug. This particular bath mat did not slide around on the floor and was comfortable to step on. We also liked how quickly it absorbs water and that it dries off quickly as well.
We tested 16 bath mats in the lab and evaluated them based on performance, comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. Before washing the mat, we thoroughly examined it for any imperfections. When checking the comfort of the mat, we placed it on the floor and used our feet to push it around to see if it would remain in the same spot or not.
Next, we took off our shoes and socks and stood on the mat to check the softness. To check to see if the bathmat would convert back to its original shape, we stood on the mat for one minute. After stepping off, we inspected the mat to see if our feet had affected the shape of the mat or not.
For performance, we poured 1/4 cup of water on the bath mat. Instead of pouring the water in one area, we poured it towards the middle of the bath mat. After pouring water onto the mat, we took our fingers and slowly pushed the mat away from us to mimic someone stepping out of the shower and onto the bath mat. As we were doing this, we checked to see how easily the mat moved around or if it remained in the same spot. After waiting for 15 seconds, we lifted the bath mat to check to see if there was any excess water underneath. To further check performance, we held the bath mat sideways to see if water would drip from the mat or not.
Our next series of tests were performed to evaluate cleaning and durability. For the machine washable mats, we added a mild detergent to them. We also cleaned some of the mats together if there was enough space in the washer and dryer.
Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, we either washed them on a warm, normal cycle or a cold, delicate cycle. For the drying process, we either dried them on a low or medium heat setting. After removing them from the dryer, we inspected them for any signs of loose threads, fraying, or discoloration. We washed and dried each bath mat twice to check to see how durable the mat was.
For the next part of our testing, we repeated the same series of tests as we did in the beginning. The only change that took place was letting the bath mat air dry for 15 minutes. Once time was up, we inspected them to see how wet or dry they were.
After our lab tests were complete, we brought up the top performing mats and continued testing them for six months in our home, evaluating how well they held up to everyday use and regular washings.
Size and Thickness Before purchasing a bath mat, it’s important to consider the layout of your bathroom. We recommend measuring your bathroom floor so you will know which type of bath mat to purchase. But, as a general rule, for powder rooms, half baths, and small bathrooms, it’s best to choose a bath mat that’s 2 by 3 feet or 3 by 5 feet.
For larger bathrooms, we suggest purchasing a rug that’s 27 by 48 inches or larger. Regarding placement, O’Brien says that she likes to put smaller bath mats near the shower or tub because they are easier to pick up when it’s time to wash them. If you’re having trouble deciding between a thin or thick bath mat, note that thicker bath mats, like the Lifewit Bathroom Rug Mat, tend to last longer than thin ones.
Another factor that you should consider is how the bathmat makes the space look as a whole. O’Brien says, “I often include a rug as a focal point in the middle of the bathroom. This is to anchor the space, look pretty, and provide a warmer surface for bare feet. I leave the job of drying feet to the smaller bath mats that are easy to dry and launder.”
Material Based on our list, it’s clear that bath mats come in many different materials, such as memory foam, bamboo, cotton, and polyester. As you’re shopping for a new bath mat, it’s important to think about the pros and cons of each material and select the one that matches your day-to-day routine. Cotton bath mats like the L.L.Bean Premium Cotton Bath Mat are very soft and absorbent. Some cotton bath mats also have an anti-slip feature that prevents someone from slipping. On the other hand, their color is more likely to fade and they can shrink over time. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to wash them at temperatures below 104°F.
Memory foam bath mats are another comfortable option. They naturally adjust to the shape of your feet and have a non-slip feature. This type of material is also known to quickly dry off, therefore limiting the amount of bacteria that can grow on it. Unfortunately, these bath mats can lose their texture over time due to machine washing. Polyester mats are easy to clean, but don’t absorb water well.
It’s also good to know that most bath mats have some sort of coating on the back. This coating makes the bath mat more durable and prevents the mat from sliding around. Generally, you’ll come across bath mats that have thermoplastic rubber material, hot melt spray, PVC mesh, or latex. Thermoplastic rubber material (TPR) and latex are more sustainable than other types of coatings. Bath mats with hot melt spray weigh much lighter and are safe to put in your washer. Most of the time, you’re going to find PVC mesh coatings on the back of sponge bath mats. Since this type of coating has an uneven texture, the bath mat may wear out faster than other options.
Care When it’s time to clean your bath mats, O’Brien mentions that she follows the manufacturer’s instructions. While some bath mats are machine washable like the Gorilla Grip Bath Rug, it’s also important to know how to clean one by hand. We recommend beating the bath mat to remove any loose dirt and apply a stain remover to visible stains. From there, grab a large container and fill it with cold water. Be sure to add some detergent to the container as well. After that, place the rug inside the container and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then agitate the rug for a few minutes to remove any leftover debris. Finally, let the mat air dry.
Do bath mats get moldy? Similar to other fabrics that are frequently exposed to moisture and humidity, bath mats can develop mold. To prevent this from happening, it’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. After you get through cleaning your bath mat, make sure that they stay dry.
O’Brien adds, “I find most bath mats will dry naturally on the floor if they aren’t overly wet. However, hanging them over the side of a tub or shower will help them to dry before the next use.”
How often should you clean a bath mat? Since we frequently use bath mats, it’s very easy for dirt, bacteria, mold, mildew, and other pathogens to accumulate and grow on them. To keep your bath mats clean and free of pathogens, it’s recommended that you wash them at least once a week.
How often do you need to replace a bath mat? As a general rule, it’s recommended that you replace bath mats every two or three years. However, O’Brien mentions that if you purchase high-quality ones, they tend to last longer than other options.
This article was written by Moriah Mason, a writer for Southern Living who specializes in product reviews and shopping content. For this roundup, we tested 16 bath mats in the lab, evaluating them based on comfort, value, durability, cleaning, and performance. For expert insight, Moriah spoke with interior designer Pamela O’ Brien.
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