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A nonslip backing to prevent falls is a non-negotiable after our testing.
The Spruce
I recommend looking for this to prioritize safety and prevent watery messes while enhancing your bathrooms design.
These mats were quick to dry and didn’t lose their non-slip grip over six months of use.
It hasn’t gained any stains or deteriorated in quality, maintaining its softness and absorbency over time.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
It’s also great at catching water droplets when we step out of the shower or tub.
The mat should also be air-dried instead of tossed in the dryer.
If you’ve got the option to, I recommend alternating between air drying and machine drying.
We loved how the Lifewit Microfiber Bathroom Mat felt like a plush rug under our feet.PHOTO: The Spruce
No drops fall off or seep through it.
We also loved the thick memory foam, which feels like stepping on a cloud.
Despite its high absorbency, we found this bath mat still dries quickly.
Regular stepping, dripping, and standing on its surface didn’t lessen its absorbency either.
We think making the rubber dots larger and closer together would fix this.
This bath mat is, however, easier to care for than our overall best pick.
It can be both machine-washed and machine-dried.
You may want to air dry it, though, to better preserve its non-slip backing.
The textured rubber backing has an almost stick-to-the-floor quality, standing out compared to our other picks.
It can be machine-washed and dried, and we liked that it retained its grip and color over time.
They offer different yet impressive characteristics compared to their fabric counterparts.
The Sutera Stone Bath Mat stood out to us for its fast-drying capabilities.
Fabric bath mats can’t measure up to the speedy drying time of this hard-surface option.
The diatomaceous earth material is naturally moisture-wicking and absorbent.
Otherwise, water may pool on or around the mat.
Still, the material absorbs water quickly, and the design does not show water marks.
It still feels smooth underfootits more a matter of personal preference.
We liked how well the mat fully absorbed water.
Plus, initially, it didn’t slip and slide at all.
This bath mat is more expensive at $50, too.
The bath mat is also easy to launder; it can be machine-washed and dried.
After a few months of use at home, we noticed it had lost some of its softness.
For a deeper cleanone that’ll remove any buildupvinegar will do the trick just like it will with towels.
Like stone mats, bamboo offers a hard, smooth surface rather than a plush, soft one.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
However, it is less cool to the touch than stone.
We loved this mat’s sturdy construction.
We also like the natural, sleek design, which infuses instant earthiness to a space.
The non-slip backing on the Genteele Memory Foam Bath Mat wasn’t as effective as other options we tested.PHOTO: The Spruce
However, the slats allow water to seep through, making thebathroom floorwet and slippery underneath.
Bamboo is overall less absorbent of water compared to stone and fabric, so it takes longer to dry.
Best of all, the upkeep of bamboo bath mats is seamless.
All it requires is a quick swipe with a cloth.
It maintained its quality and softness over six months, and we love its reasonable price point.
We also love theSutera Stone Bath Matfor its fast-drying capabilities and sleek style.
All these tests allow us to compare their comfort, absorbency, and drying time.
We also use the mats at home and assess them for the same qualities over six months.
This longer time frame allows us to learn more about how the mats perform in different bathrooms.
Some mats also became very heavy from washing, or shed a lot of lint in the dryer.
In this case, vacuuming fabric mats when completely dry can be better for care and maintenance.
Stone mats have a smooth texture and are cool to the touch.
These fabric-alternative mats also have sleek designs, like theSutera Stone Bath Mat, our best stone pick.
The other alternative material on our list is bamboo.
The fabric mats in our roundup have a rubber backing with small dots to create friction and prevent sliding.
Over time, the grippy nature of any bath mat’s rubber underside can fade.
A nonslip mat can be beneficial under stone mats for extra security and may need to be purchased separately.
And we suggest keeping thickness in mind when thinking about size, too.
The thickness of your mat has pros and consa thicker mat is plusher but takes longer to dry.
A thinner one, on the other hand, has less cushion but a faster drying time.
I also recommend considering how close your bath mat will be to your bathroom door.
-Emma Phelps, editor at The Spruce
Why Trust The Spruce?
For this roundup, I evaluated testing insights from months of at-home testing over the last three years.
I carefully inspected key details from testing, like drying time, absorbency, and durability.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Despite not being as plush as other options on our list, the Gorilla Grip Bath Rug has a great texture.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The back of this stone bath mat is smooth and a separate non-slip mat keeps it in place on the floor.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
This bath mat had a pleasant texture and design, but its backing lost some effectiveness over months of use.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The cracks on the ToiletTree Products Bamboo Mat allow water to seep through, but the surface wasn’t slippery.PHOTO: The Spruce
We used a hygrometer to measure the moisture left on each mat after 15 minutes.The Spruce
All of the mats on our list easily absorbed water we pour directly on them.The Spruce
Stone bath mats dry almost instantaneously and can be especially great for damp bathrooms.The Spruce
We look for a non-slip backing on all the bath mats we test.The Spruce
Avoid over-washing your bath mat. This can lead to the backing losing its non-slip grip.The Spruce
