The Best Editor-Tested Bath Mats That Won’t Get Gross and Grimy

It’s hard not to notice when your bath mat is in need of an upgrade; no one wants to feel perpetually damp fabric underfoot, deal with a sliding mat every time you step out of the shower, or simply look at an eyesore of a rug in your bathroom. Which is why finding the best bath mat is crucial. Besides, just like your other bath linens, they need to be replaced every now and then, which is all the more reason to shop for a new one.

If shopping for a bath mat hasn’t been as easy as adding one that matches the bath towels in your cart — or if doing so has left you wanting more in the way of flair, plushness, absorption, nonslip features, color, etc. — you’re in the right place. We put mats from a range of brands, prices, and purposes to the test to find the best bath mats for your needs. Keep scrolling to find the ones that impressed us the most.

Bath mats are a combination of aesthetics and functionality. Both are important, but think about which one concerns you and your household the most: whether it suits your decor, feels amazing, or takes all the anti-slip precautions. Do you have kids or elderly household family members? How many people need to use the bath mat? How often are you able to wash it? Determining your priorities first can dramatically narrow your scope in terms of shopping for the right bath mat.

As for aesthetics, if you’re into bright colors or bold designs, woven mats tend to offer more possibilities. If you prefer natural materials, a minimalist look, or Scandinavian- or Japanese-inspired decor, wood mats are a solid option. Are you open to prints and designs or would you prefer a more classic look? Does it need to match your bath towels? Do you just care about it staying put, being absorbent, and drying quickly? Perhaps investing in a low-profile stone bath mat (that’ll last years) is best for you.

Once you know the look(s) you’re open to, think about sizing. Will you need something small, large, or could you go for multiple mats? Lastly, how do you want it to feel? Thick, soft, and fluffy? Solid, fast-drying, and sturdy? Somewhere in-between?

Take a look below at the different materials most commonly used for bath mats to find which one could offer you the most in terms of your preferred look, sizing, and feel.

• Cotton: Moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic, this natural material is the most common among traditional bath mats. These have the potential to match your bath towels or be totally unique stand-alone pieces.
• Chenille: Blended from cotton, silk, wool, or other natural or synthetic fibers, chenille bath mats leverage the properties of each material to absorb water quickly, be washer- and dryer-friendly (check care instructions first!), and stay colorfast with a bit of sheen. They’re often soft, even fluffy, with a highly textured appearance.
• Stone: Commonly made from diatomaceous earth, or the naturally occurring mineral found in the sea made from fossilized organisms, stone bath mats air-dry extremely quickly, are resistant to bacteria and mold, need only occasional rinses, and absorb around 150% of their weight in water in an instant.
• Wood: Typically crafted from bamboo, teak, or beech wood, these bath mats are corrosion-resistant and mildew-proof. What they lack in fluffiness, they make up for by not requiring a trip to the washing machine or nearly as many washes overall. Depending on what the wood is coated with, if at all, these bath mats are either water resistant or highly absorbent.
• Nylon: One of the most low-maintenance synthetic materials when it comes to bath mats, nylon can be machine-washed and dried with little fuss. While not usually as soft as cotton, chenille, or some other synthetic fibers, it’s highly durable and great for households with kids or multiple people.
• Polyester: Both water- and stain-resistant, polyester makes a better material for bath mats than it does bath towels or linens that have more sustained contact with our skin. These mats are easy to wash regularly, stay colorfast, and yield designs with cleaner, more perfected lines.
• Memory Foam: Able to quickly contour to the shape of your foot, memory foam bath mats are like absorbent pillows for your bathroom floor. They’re almost always paired with nonslip traction underneath for the best of both worlds: softness and support.

We put a number of bath mats across a range of styles and materials to the test, judging them by the following criteria:

• Functionality: How absorbent is it? Does it capture water quickly? How long can it go between washes? Is it nonslip?
• Look: What style does it best suit? Is the design bold? Does it fade after washing?
• Feel: Is it comfortable to step on? Is it soft or hard? Fluffy or smooth? Does it feel secure to the ground?

Leave it to one of our favorite retailers, West Elm, to come out on top with its Memory Foam Bath Mat. The best bath mats deliver when it comes to style, feel, and function — and this option checks every box. It comes in four soft hues, with a textured pattern on top that has a boho feel to it. Still, it’s just subtle enough that it won’t overwhelm your bathroom like a traditional print might. That texture is on a removable cover, which means you don’t have to toss the whole thing in the wash. The interior is absorbent memory foam, which will keep the floor dry and make for a super-plush stepping surface right out of the shower.

“I enjoy how cushiony and soft it feels underfoot,” Haley, AT’s commerce SEO writer, says. She ended up gifting it to her parents because it was slightly too large for her bathroom, so don’t forget to measure! “I honestly wish this mat could fit into my space just for its comfort, and the fact that it has a removable cover makes washing it super easy,” she adds.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want an low-maintenance bath mat; those who are looking for a mat that’s as stylish as it is cozy.

Specifications: 

• 100% cotton shell and 100% polyurethane foam insert
• 20″x34″
• Available in 3 colors
• Machine wash cold on gentle cycle; tumble dry low

AT’s senior home editor, Zee, said this L.L. Bean bath mat was the best he’d ever used in his life — so you know it’s good. In his review, Zee said the thick woven cotton bath mat is heavy duty. “It feels super plush and becomes superabsorbent when I step onto it,” he wrote. It comes in three sizes, which is great if you need something suited to a small bathroom. 

The mat also features a full latex backing, which not only keeps it from slipping; it also prevents water from seeping through onto your floor. “This has stopped me from smelling a ‘musty’ scent one often gets when you leave a wet towel on the ground,” Zee added. 

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a high-quality, heavy-duty bath mat with exceptional absorbency that’s also machine-washable and sized for tiny bathrooms. 

Specifications: 

• 100% cotton 
• Available in two sizes: 21″x34” and 30″x50″
• Available in seven colors 
• Machine wash and dry on low
  

Senior shopping editor, Britt, was understandably skeptical about an all-white bath mat — you’d think a white mat would be impossible to keep clean and pristine. But that’s not the case with the Weezie Signature Bath Mat, she said. “Eventually, the bath mat does get dirty enough to need a wash, but that’s as easy as tossing it into the washing machine along with the towels,” she wrote in her review. “So far, its bright white color hasn’t dulled … I’m no longer worried about ruining my white bath mat now that I’ve seen how well it has held up over the years.”

Made of 100% long-staple cotton, the Signature Bath Mat has a plush, cushiony texture that doesn’t skimp on absorbency. There’s a hanging loop to help it dry while it’s not in use (it dries quickly, according to Brit) and little grippy dots at the back to help prevent slipping. Weezie thought of everything! The stylish piping detail and monogram options give it an undeniably fancy look, too. 

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a high-quality, luxe-looking bath mat that’s also easy to keep clean. 

Specifications: 

• 100% long-staple cotton 
• 21”x34”
• Available in nine colors 
• Machine wash cold; tumble dry low 

A lower price point doesn’t mean lower quality, and this Gorilla Grip Bath Mat proves it. Its fluffy, high-pile chenille feels soft and cozy underfoot, and it’s designed with a textured rubber backing to keep it in place. “I was impressed by the dozens of size and color options, including that elusive sage I was hunting down,” wrote L. Daniela, an AT contributor, in her review. “Once I felt it in person, I knew this would be the luxurious touch my bathroom was missing.” 

What’s more, Gorilla Grip’s bath mat is machine-washable and quick-drying, so keeping it looking (and smelling) clean is refreshingly easy. 

The plentiful color options mean you’ll easily find a mat made to match your bathroom decor, and because the mats are fade-resistant, you don’t have to worry about them losing their vibrancy over time. There are even 13 different sizes to choose from, so there’s a bath mat for bathrooms of all sizes. Plus, $12 is a small price to pay for an instantly cozier bathroom — why not add it to your next Amazon order? 

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a soft yet durable bath mat that’s inexpensive and easy to maintain. 

Specifications: 

• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
• Chenille, Thermoplastic Rubber 
• Available in 13 sizes 
• Available in 25 colors 
• Machine wash; tumble dry low 

Feel may be a priority for you over everything else — if so, you’ll want to go with our Best Plush pick. In fact, you’ll get two mats for virtually the price of one if you do, which is a major bonus. Lavish Home’s Memory Foam set includes one oversized bath runner and a standard mat, so those with larger bathrooms can appreciate a uniform look. Your feet will comfortably sink into the foam core, while the exterior’s chenille fabric feels soft to the touch and wicks away moisture. They won’t budge from where you place them, either, thanks to the rubber backing. “It’s so soft and cushy,” says Terri, AT’s executive editor. “The pile really holds its shape after use and washing.”

Who It’s Best For: Those who want their bathrooms to feel as cozy as possible; those with more ground to cover in their bathrooms.

Specifications:

• Memory foam and polyester chenille
• 32″x21″
• Available in 11 colors
• Features anti-slip rubber backing
• Machine washable

At first glance, you might do a double take at the sight of a stone mat sitting outside of a shower. Dorai’s Zen Bath Stone isn’t your typical bath mat, but it instantly creates a luxe look and feel to a bathroom while producing maximum results. Made from the brand’s patented material, Diomat — diatomaceous earth and recycled paper — it’s created to feel like natural stone. Despite the hard material, the bottom has a rubberized bottom pad that prevents the mat from slipping or scratching floors. It works to remove water altogether without generating mold and mildew by absorbing 150% of its weight in moisture, which evaporates in seconds.

“When I step on the Dorai Bath Stone Mat, the bottoms of my feet dry instantly. No joke — they’re bone-dry. And any water that drips off my body is immediately soaked up in the stone,” Mark, AT’s former commerce director, said. No more trails of water when you forget something!

Read our full review of the Dorai Zen Bath Stone.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want something seriously long-lasting; those who want the quickest-drying mat option; those who don’t necessarily need a plush bath mat.

Specifications:

• Diomat (diatomaceous earth and recycled paper)
• 23.6″x15.6″
• Available in 2 colors 
• Features anti-slip bottom pad
• Rinse to clean; use included sander to buff away stains and scuffs

*Honorable Mentions: Dorai also has a larger version of its mat called the Dual Stone Bath Mat. Mila, our commerce coordinator, has as many positive things to say about that model as Mark did about the standard one. “I’d say it takes within less than 10 seconds for my feet to get completely dry,” she confirms.

Another one we loved was the Me Mother Earth Stone Bath Mat, which is a great alternative if you want a more affordable stone option. “I love how I can literally see the mat soak up the water after I step out of the shower,” Britt says. “I haven’t experienced any mold, mildew, or bad odors with this mat either, which is always a plus.”

Wood might not be the first material that comes to mind when thinking of a quality bath mat. These days, wood furniture and other products are mass-made with cheap particle boards, synthetic laminates, or veneers. However, when we put The Citizenry’s version to the test, it passed with flying colors. It’s hand-crafted in Japan with its native hinoki wood, which is known for its soft feel and — get this — aromatic scent that it releases when wet. 

It’ll give your bathroom a spa-like vibe every time you shower, according to Britt. “If you want to add some calming style to your bathroom, this is the bath mat to buy,” she says. “Plus, even though the mat is smooth, it has anti-slip feet on the bottom so it doesn’t slide around.”

Who It’s Best For: Those who want to give their bathrooms a beautiful bathroom upgrade; those who don’t mind sacrificing cushion for a material that’ll last longer with proper care.

Specifications:

• Hinoki cypress wood
• 24.4″x17.75″
• Available in 2 sizes 
• World Fair Trade Organization certified
• Wipe with a damp cloth to clean

Additional reporting by Kendall Cornish.

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