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The 4 Best Standing Desk Mats To Support You While You Work
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If you work at a standing desk, you’re probably well aware that being on your feet for long stretches of time can be tough on your back and joints, but the best standing desk mats provide a stable and supportive base from which to work, thanks to materials like foam and gel. Most anti-fatigue floor mats are three-quarters-inch thick, and some even have innovative extras, like 3-D surfaces that encourage you to stretch, or accompanying rugs that add a warm touch to your workspace.
A mat’s thickness is one indicator of how much comfort it will provide, and while options range from half an inch to a full inch, some experts recommend a minimum 0.75-inch thickness, which is likely to provide both support and cushioning for a range of body types and weights.
Material and design are other factors to consider when shopping for the best anti-fatigue mats. Foam is soft, supportive, and affordable, and it provides enough resistance to keep feet from sinking to the floor, but if you don’t mind spending a little more money, a foam mat with a top layer of gel will provide even more cushioning and rebound. And if you’re someone who fidgets — or someone who wants to move more throughout the day — you may be a good candidate for a mat with 3-D contours that encourage you to stretch, balance, and even massage your feet while you work. Finally, if aesthetics are a priority, I’ve included a rug and mat combo that’s just as style-savvy as it is supportive.
For safety, look for beveled edges to prevent tripping, as well as a nonslip base and a decent amount of weight to help keep the mat in place. So if you’re ready for a good foundation while you work, here are the best standing desk mats that provide comfort and support.
1. The Overall Best: A Basic Foam Mat
Gorilla Grip’s anti-fatigue mat is a wallet-friendly option made from high-grade foam that offers a balance of cushioning and firmness during long standing sessions. The material has a soft, pebbled texture that feels nice underfoot, whether you’re wearing shoes or just socks, and the rounded corners and beveled edges may help prevent tripping. The mat’s underside has a durable, textured construction to stand up to extensive wear and tear, and at 1.3 pounds, it offers a decent amount of weight to help keep it in place. This mat is available in a range of colors and sizes to fit any space, or to provide extra room for feet to travel.
One reviewer wrote: “I bought this to use at my new standing desk. It makes it so much more comfortable to stand while I work. I have already recommended this mat to my coworkers!”
- Thickness: 0.75 inch
- Available sizes: 7
- Available colors: 10, including black, taupe, and hunter green
2. The Best For Comfort: A Gel & Foam Mat
The anti-fatigue floor mat from GelPro is composed of a layer of gel atop a foam core that offers great support and rebound. Reviewers reported that the gel layer feels “fantastic” underfoot and is like “walking on clouds,” but still firm enough to offer a solid, balanced surface. The mat’s beveled, rounded edges and nonslip bottom help prevent accidents, as does the mat’s overall weight of 12 pounds, which virtually ensures it won’t budge, no matter where you position it. The textured upper surface of the mat wipes clean, and it comes in more than two dozen design options.
One reviewer wrote: “The mat is like standing on a cloud. It is everything you need it to be while standing for hours at a time. It’s almost better barefoot depending on the thickness of your shoes. Definitely recommend it for both home and office.”
- Thickness: 0.75 inches
- Available sizes: 3
- Available colors and styles: 26, including basketweave black, indigo lattice, and beige damask.
3. The Best Design: A Rug & Mat Combo
If aesthetics are as important to you as comfort, this rug and standing mat combo offers the support of an anti-fatigue mat with the style of a patterned chenille accent rug. Together, they make an attractive alternative to standard mats, and while the mat’s half-inch of foam is thinner than the other styles featured here, it still offers much more support than a bare rug or floor. The slip-resistant mat features beveled edges, and the rug has a special gripping surface on the back side to keep it from sliding around. Plus, the rug is waterproof, stain-resistant, and can be machine-washed for convenience. (Note: Some of the patterns are sold as a standalone rug without the comfort mat, so be sure to read the descriptions closely before making a selection).
One reviewer wrote: “I love this mat. The design is beautiful, it is cushy and comfortable and the corner grips keep it in place. It is extremely easy to clean [...] Everything just wipes off. Highly recommend.”
- Thickness: 0.5 inch
- Available sizes: 2
- Available colors and styles: 6, including khaki, dusty blue, and wildberry
4. The Best To Keep You Moving: A 3-D Contoured Mat
If you fidget while you work, or just want to cut down on the sedentary nature of being on a computer all day, you may want to consider the Terramat from CubeFit. It offers a variety of surfaces to encourage movement and full-body connection, like a raised wedge for stretching your calves, a support track to stretch your arches, a balance bar for yoga-like stretches, and acupressure peaks and massage mounds to soothe muscles. The thickest option on the list, it also has a flat, supportive center for everyday use, but due to the height, it’s best for areas where there isn’t much foot traffic, as it could be a tripping hazard. The material of the mat isn’t detailed by the manufacturer, but it’s waterproof and reviewers reported that it’s “springy” and “supportive.” At 5.5 pounds, it’s heavier than standard foam mats, which helps ensure it will stay in place, whether you're standing or stretching on it.
One reviewer wrote: “This mat has truly changed my life. My back, feel and calves feel so much better being able to stand on this mat all day. It is formatted for easy calf stretching. Rolling my feet on the balls really helps with my plantar fasciitis. My back feels better standing on the comfortable, thick surface. I highly recommend this mat! It is worth the investment!”
- Thickness: 2.7 inches
- Available sizes: 1
- Available colors: 2 (black and brown)
