The Best Bath Mats, According To Rigorous Testing (2024)

Bath mats provide a comfortable spot to dry off when you step out of the shower while helping to keep water off your bathroom floor. To find the best bath mats, I tested 18 top-rated options, and the Brooklinen Tufted Bath Rug stood out as the winner thanks to its plush, quick-drying surface and nonslip base. For a more budget-friendly option, the Utopia Bath Mat is a simple yet well-made choice that comes in a convenient pack of two.

Here are the best bath mats I tested:

You might notice that some products are called “bath mats” while others are labeled as “bath rugs.” The difference comes down to functionality versus aesthetics: “A bath mat is primarily designed for functionality—its main purpose is to absorb water and provide a nonslip surface when stepping out of the shower or bath,” explains Nahoum Houri, head of product development at Riley Home. “A bath rug, on the other hand, tends to focus more on aesthetics and comfort.” Both are great options for your bathroom, but bath rugs may require a bit more maintenance to keep them looking fresh.

Best Bath Mat Overall

A Plush, Nonslip Mat That Dries Quickly

Brooklinen Tufted Bath Rug

Our score:9.5|Dimensions: 21 x 34 inches|Material: 100% cotton| Weight:1,700 GSM|Colors: Smoke or White

Best for:

  • A super-soft, cushioned feel
  • Highly absorbent material
  • A faster drying time
  • Good slip resistance

Skip if:

  • You want a variety of color options

Over the course of testing, it became clear that very few bath mats met all the criteria I was looking for. For instance, if a mat was plush, it usually dried slowly, but if it was quick-drying, it was often thin and slid around the floor easily. The Brooklinen Tufted Bath Rug was one of the few options that excelled in every test, proving to be soft, absorbent and nonslip, which is why it’s my top overall recommendation for your bathroom.

This bath mat has a plush cotton surface that’s delightful to step onto after a warm shower, and it’s highly absorbent, soaking up water in seconds. During testing, I noticed that liquid drains into the mat’s channels, preventing the plush surface from becoming too soggy, and it dries much quicker than other thick mats. It was typically dry within a few hours, while other mats needed to dry overnight. Additionally, its nonskid backing makes it more slip-resistant than most options, and it held up well in the wash, coming out looking like new.

My only complaint is the limited color options—it’s available in White or Smoke, which might not suit more vibrant bathroom styles.

Best Budget Bath Mat

A Basic Option That Comes In A Two-Pack

Utopia Bath Mat

Our score:8|Dimensions: 21 x 34 inches|Material: 100% cotton| Weight:1,000 GSM|Colors: 12 options

Best for:

  • A two-pack of matching mats
  • Quality materials for a low price
  • A wide range of color choices

Skip if:

  • You want a nonslip option
  • You prefer a cushioned mat

The Utopia Bath Mats are a top pick for value. While they feature a basic, no-frills terry-cloth design, these mats are thick, well made and come in a pack of two—perfect if you have a larger bathroom or want to keep a spare on hand. In testing, I found that the cotton fabric is highly absorbent, quickly soaking up water and keeping the floor dry. Thanks to their thinner construction, the mats also dry fairly quickly, typically within six hours. They’re available in a wide range of colors, which match the brand’s best-selling bath towels.

However, there are a few caveats to consider. The fabric doesn’t offer much cushioning underfoot—it feels more like a regular towel—and the mats tend to slide around, since their reversible design lacks grip. If slipping is a concern, you might want to pair the mat with a nonslip rug pad, which is inexpensive and can easily be cut to fit.

Best Looped Bath Mat

A Super-Soft And Absorbent Pick

Parachute Looped Bath Rug

Our score:9|Dimensions: 21 x 34 inches|Material: 100% Turkish cotton| Weight:1,200 GSM|Colors: Six options

Best for:

  • A mat with a soft, cushioned feel
  • Highly absorbent cotton construction
  • Two-sided reversible design

Skip if:

  • You want something nonslip
  • You have pets who might claw at the rug

You’ll love sinking your toes into the Parachute Looped Bath Rug, which offers a wonderfully soft, plush feel. The surface is covered in thousands of large loops made from Turkish cotton, creating a tactile experience while also quickly absorbing water to keep your feet dry. The rug has a simple, neatly finished design, and I appreciated that it’s double-sided—you can just flip it over if one side gets dirty. After a quick spin in the wash, the mat came out looking fresh, with its loops fluffed back up and the cotton feeling soft again.

In terms of slip resistance, this bath rug falls somewhere in the middle. Its substantial weight keeps it from shifting around as easily as lighter mats, though it will still move if pushed with your foot. Additionally, the large loops make the fabric a bit more delicate than other options, so if you have pets that might scratch or claw at it, the material could pull.

Best Stone Bath Mat

A Surprisingly Comfortable Mat That Dries In A Flash

Dorai Bath Stone Mat

Our score:9|Dimensions: 15.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inches|Material: Diatomite| Weight:N/A|Colors: Slate or Sandstone

Best for:

  • A hygienic, low-maintenance mat
  • Super-fast drying time
  • Stable, nonslip surface

Skip if:

  • You like a soft, cushy mat
  • You have marble floors

I was initially skeptical about the concept of a stone bath mat, but after testing the Dorai Bath Stone Mat, I’m officially a convert. Crafted from diatomaceous earth, this unconventional design has a ceramic-like feel and absorbs water just as quickly as any cotton mat I tried. However, its standout feature is its quick-drying ability—while most fabric mats took several hours to dry out, the Dorai Bath Stone Mat was dry to the touch in mere minutes! Even after pouring half a cup of water on its surface, it dried within about 20 minutes.

While it may not provide the plush comfort of fabric mats, this stone mat is incredibly stable, thanks to the included nonslip pad, and it stays at room temperature, ensuring it isn’t cold underfoot. Plus, it’s low-maintenance: You won’t need to wash it, and it won’t develop mold or mildew, making it a more hygienic option than many others. If it ever gets stained, you can simply sand down the surface to remove any unsightly marks

Best Padded Bath Mat

A Unique Two-Piece Design With A Padded Base

Ruggable Bath Mat

Our score:8.5|Dimensions: 22 x 32 inches|Material: Polyester (top layer)| Weight:Not listed|Colors: Nine solid colors and 20+ patterns

Best for:

  • A padded, nonslip base
  • A cushioned design that’s more hygienic
  • An array of colorful designs

Skip if:

  • You’re on a budget
  • You prefer a high-pile mat

Ruggable’s unique bath mat offers a comfortable and hygienic choice for those who prefer a padded mat. Its two-piece design features a polyester cover available in a variety of colors and cheerful patterns, which attaches to a cushy, nonslip base using a Velcro-like construction. This innovative top layer includes an inner lining that prevents moisture from soaking through to the base, helping to combat mold growth—a common issue with memory foam mats. During testing, I found the design to be comfortable, highly absorbent and stable underfoot.

The top of this bath mat is made from a low-pile polyester fabric that feels similar to chenille. While it may not be the plushest option available, it remains soft underfoot and effectively absorbs water. The nonslip base was among the most stable of all the mats I tested, and the top portion is machine-washable, making it easy to maintain alongside a load of towels. The main downside is its price; at $129, it’s the most expensive option I evaluated.

Best Plush Bath Mat

A Thick, Soft Rug That Comes In Several Sizes

Frontgate Resort Collection Skid-Resistant Bath Rug

Our score:8|Dimensions: Four sizes|Material: 100% cotton| Weight:2,700 GSM|Colors: 25 options

Best for:

  • An extra-thick, plush feel
  • Nonslip backing
  • Lots of color and size options

Skip if:

  • You want something quick-drying

The Frontgate Resort Collection Skid-Resistant Bath Rug is a thick and luxurious option that provides ample cushioning when you step out of the shower. It was the plushest mat I tested, featuring high-pile cotton fibers that are soft and cozy underfoot. The rug also has a nonslip treatment on the back, preventing it from sliding around on the floor. Available in four sizes and 25 colors, it’s easy to find the perfect match for your bathroom.

This thick cotton rug excels at absorbing water, with most liquid soaking into the lowered channel around the edges. However, due to its density, it retains moisture longer than other options—I found it still slightly damp to the touch 24 hours after my absorbency test. To avoid mold or mildew growth, it’s advisable to hang it up to dry or launder it frequently.

Best Nonslip Bath Mat

A Plush Cotton Option That Doesn’t Shift Around

Riley Plush Bath Rug

Our score:8.5|Dimensions: 21 x 34 inches|Material: 100% cotton| Weight:2,000 GSM|Colors: Seven options

Best for:

  • A mat that doesn’t shift around
  • Plush, soft fabric
  • Good absorbency

Skip if:

  • Curled corners are a deal-breaker

The Riley Plush Bath Rug excelled in slip resistance during my testing. Made from cotton, this rug features a thick, plush front with a “racetrack” stripe that absorbs water quickly. Its back has a textured, woven surface with an anti-skid latex treatment, ensuring the mat stays securely in place when stepped on. Even when I pushed it with my foot, the rug remained stable on the tile flooring.

Despite its effectiveness in preventing slips, the latex treatment is thin enough to allow the mat to dry quickly. After the absorbency test, the fabric dried overnight, similar to many other mats I tested. The only downside was that the corners curled slightly after washing, but they relaxed and laid flat again after a day or so.

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Other Bath Mats I Tested

During testing, I tried out a total of 18 different bath mats, including options from a variety of well-known bath brands. These are the other products I tested and why they didn’t earn a top spot:

  • Sutera Stone Bath Mat: Like the Dorai Bath Stone Mat, this model is made from diatomaceous earth and excels at absorbing water and drying quickly. However, when I poured a large amount of water onto the stone surface, the liquid traveled down the grooves and spilled onto the floor. Despite this, it remains a good choice if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly stone bath mat.
  • Boll & Branch Plush Bath Mat: This organic cotton bath mat features a simple and elegant design, with a more substantial weight compared to other terry-cloth options. Its thick construction provides decent cushioning, but it tends to shift around quite a bit and takes a long time to dry—up to 12 hours when it’s wet.
  • Brooklinen Bath Mat: If you’re looking for a basic cotton bath mat, this option is a solid choice. Made from midweight terry cloth, it’s both absorbent and soft, and it comes in two sizes. However, it didn’t score higher due to its thin fabric, which tends to slide around the floor easily when stepped on.
  • Coyuchi Shag Organic Bath Rug: Another super-plush option, this rug is extra soft and lets you sink your toes into its high-pile fabric. It wasn’t as absorbent as the Frontgate bath rug, though—water often beads up on the surface instead of soaking into the material.
  • Riley Signature Spa Tub Mat: This mat features a thick double layer of terry cloth that feels pleasant underfoot, and I appreciated the neat, reinforced edging around its perimeter. However, it wasn’t the most absorbent option—despite being made from 100% cotton—as water pooled on the surface for several seconds before soaking into the fabric. Additionally, it tends to slip around quite a bit on the floor.
  • H.Versailtex Bath Rug: This polyester chenille mat is soft and plush underfoot, absorbing water easily and drying slightly faster than many others. However, its shaggy surface tends to trap a lot of hair, and the nonslip treatment on the back wore off after a few washes.
  • Lands’ End Cotton Non-Skid Bath Rug: Thanks to its laminated bottom, this bath rug is truly nonslip and stays securely in place on the floor. However, its medium-pile cotton construction isn’t the most absorbent, with large amounts of water often beading up on the surface. Additionally, it developed a slightly musty smell over the course of testing.
  • Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Tub Mat: This tub mat is as basic as they come—essentially just a rectangular piece of terry cloth with finished edges. It has a medium weight, and while the material is soft and absorbent, it feels somewhat overpriced for what you get.
  • Coyuchi Air Weight Organic Twill Bath Mat: Touted as a quick-drying option, this textured bath mat didn’t dry any faster than regular terry-cloth options during testing. It’s also thin, lacks cushioning and doesn’t stay in place well due to its lightweight fabric.
  • Gorilla Grip Memory Foam Bath Mat: This memory foam bath mat is plush underfoot, but I have concerns about mold and bacteria potentially growing inside it. Water seeps right through the velvet fabric into the foam interior, and it takes a long time to dry. Additionally, there’s no way to remove the cover to check on or replace the foam. Overall, it doesn’t seem very hygienic, and I would recommend several other cushy options before this one.
  • Cozy Earth Premium Plush Bath Mat: While I appreciated the soft feel of the bamboo-cotton fabric, this bath mat had several issues. It arrived with multiple loose strings, and the material is thin, causing it to slide around the floor frequently. Additionally, it’s available in only one color, which I found less than appealing.

How I Tested The Best Bath Mats

While searching for the best bath mats, I selected highly rated products from popular bath brands, as well as bestsellers from retailers like Amazon. I tested a total of 18 mats over the course of three weeks, putting each one through a series of tests to evaluate its comfort, absorbency, stability and ease of maintenance.

  • To test each mat for comfort and everyday performance, I used it in my bathroom after a shower. I considered how it felt underfoot, whether it offered any cushioning and if dirt or hair got trapped in it. I also got my partner’s input on each mat’s feel and comfort for a second opinion.
  • Many people like bath mats that are slip-resistant, so I noted whether each mat had a nonslip backing or treatment. I also tried to push each mat across the tile floor with my foot to see how easily it shifted.
  • I also ran an absorbency test with each bath mat, pouring half a cup of water onto the surface and allowing it to absorb. I noted how long it took to soak up the liquid, and after 30 seconds, I picked the mat up to see if any water had seeped through onto the floor or if water ran off the surface.
  • After the absorbency test, I left each mat on the floor and timed how long it took the fabric to dry, checking in on it every two hours. Once dry, I checked for musty odors and any signs of mold.
  • At the end of testing, I washed the mats according to their care instructions, noting any issues and if the mat showed any signs of wear.

How To Pick The Best Bath Mats

Material

There are several common materials that are used to make bath mats, each of which has its own benefits.

  • Cotton: The most popular bath mat material, cotton is a natural fiber that’s soft, durable and highly absorbent. It washes well and will last for years if properly cared for, and most cotton bath mats are reasonably priced, as well.
  • Polyester: A synthetic fiber, polyester—also called microfiber—is inexpensive, durable and colorfast, so it won’t fade over time. Polyester bath mats may not be as absorbent as cotton, but they do generally dry a bit faster.
  • Diatomaceous earth: Stone bath mats are a recent trend, but they’re not actually made from rock. Instead, these mats are made from diatomaceous earth, a highly porous mineral that comes from fossilized remains of aquatic organisms. The end result is a material that feels like ceramic and absorbs water instantly, and it also has the added benefit of being quick-drying, which can help to prevent growth of mold and bacteria.

Drying Time

Bath mats are designed to absorb water from your body after a shower or bath, but they also need to dry quickly: “A good bath mat should soak up water efficiently and dry quickly to prevent mildew and maintain hygiene,” says Houri. If a mat stays damp for too long, it can develop unpleasant odors or, worse, get moldy.

For fabric bath mats, the material’s weight is often a good indication of how quickly it will dry. Fabric weight is measured in grams per square meter (GSM), and the heavier the material is, the longer it will take to dry. For example, the Frontgate Resort Collection Skid-Resistant Bath Rug has a weight of 2,700 GSM—the heaviest option I tested—and it needed a full 24 hours to completely dry off.

If you want a hygienic bath mat or have a bathroom with poor ventilation, you may want to opt for a quick-drying product like the Dorai Bath Stone Mat.

Slip Resistance

Most thin terry-cloth bath mats move around on the floor, and if you’re concerned about slipping, it’s better to choose a skid-resistant option. However, our experts recommend against anything with a built-in nonslip backing. “Bath mats should be cotton that doesn’t have polyester or any backing behind it—those backings trap mold and mildew,” says Bennett.

Instead, many brands have started treating the bottoms of bath mats with a nonslip coating, which gives it a slightly tacky feel while still allowing moisture to evaporate. Alternatively, you can pair your mat with a nonslip rug pad, which generally costs only a few dollars.

Style

Of course, there’s also the aesthetic aspect to consider when purchasing a bath mat. You can find options in a wide range of colors and sizes to match your decor. “If you have a very neutral bathroom, find something with color and pattern,” says Bennett. “If it’s a room that has a lot of color, reverse that and find something more neutral.”

Some mats also have decorative edges, and there are also options like the Parachute Looped Bath Rug that have a textured surface to create more visual interest.

My Expertise

I’m a professional product tester with eight years of experience, and home textiles are one of my specialties. I’ve tested all types of linens throughout my career, including everything from bath towels to flannel sheets. I also have a background in textile science, which I studied as part of my college degree, so I have an in-depth understanding of different fibers and their benefits, types of fabric constructions and textile manufacturing processes.

For more insights on choosing the right bath mat, I spoke with a few experts during the testing process. Nahoum Houri, head of product development at Riley Home, provided insights on the benefits of certain materials, and interior designer Colleen Bute Bennett of CBB Design Firm explained how she chooses bath mats for her clients. Additionally, Michelle Piombino, principal scientist for Purex, offered tips on caring for bath mats to prevent them from getting moldy.

What Type Of Bath Mat Material Is Best?

Cotton is generally the best material for bath mats, as 100% cotton fabric is soft, absorbent, easy to clean and durable. “Cotton is the most common choice due to its softness and absorbency,” says Houri. You can find thin terry-cloth mats made from cotton, such as the Utopia Bath Mat, but there are also thicker, plush cotton options like my top pick, the Brooklinen Tufted Bath Rug.

Are Wood Bath Mats Better Than Fabric?

Wooden bath mats serve a different function from fabric mats. Wood doesn’t absorb liquid as quickly as fabric, and because these mats generally have a slatted design, water will drip down onto the floor when you step out of the shower. They may be nonslip, but wood mats don’t offer any padding underfoot. As such, they’re not the most comfortable or functional option for your bathroom and are mostly used for aesthetics: “I don’t use wooden bath mats—I think they’re uncomfortable," says Bennett. “But then again, if they’re used for decor in a Japanese bathroom, it might make sense.”

Are Memory Foam Bath Mats Worth It?

The soft cushioning of memory foam might sound appealing when you step out of the bath, but this material isn’t the most hygienic option. When water soaks into the foam, it may take a long time to dry out, especially if the mat has a nonslip backing that prevents evaporation. Over time, this may cause the memory foam to develop mold or mildew.

If you’re looking for a padded bath mat, we recommend the Ruggable Bath Mat, which has a two-piece design. The nonslip base offers a comfortable layer of cushioning, and the washable top layer prevents moisture from seeping into the cushy lower pad.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bath Mat?

To prevent mold and mildew growth, it’s important to wash your bath mat regularly and ensure it dries out between uses. “To keep bath mats in top shape, be sure to give them a wash every one or two weeks,” says Piombino. “Since bath mats soak up water and live in one of the dirtiest areas of the home—the bathroom floor—it’s important to clean them regularly to tackle the unpleasant odors that can build up over time.”

The Best Bath Mats, According To Rigorous Testing (2024)
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