Keeping your workspace optimized can be a challenge, but a high-quality desk mat can help. Made from materials ranging from synthetic leather to cork, the best desk mats help protect your workspace from the occasional spill, increase mouse sensitivity, and can make working a more comfortable experience. Some desk mats can do double duty: the best gaming desk mats, for example, are designed to help users save milliseconds of reaction time. But with so many options available from brands like Logitech, Satecho, and Ikea, it can be a challenge to find the best desk mat for your needs. We vetted seven of the best products to determine the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
We tested each product for the following:
How well a computer mouse works with each desk mat
How well each desk mat stays in place
How resistant each desk mat is to wear and tear
Since joining mybest, she has been in charge of furniture and interior goods and has overseen over 350 product tests for goods such as office chairs and desks. With the personal mission to deliver accurate information by thoroughly testing each product, she works hard to curate the best content that will be beneficial to users.
When you work at a desk all day, poor mouse sensitivity can be frustrating and impact your productivity. We asked five product reviewers between the ages of 20 and 40 to use a mouse to trace out a round shape we prepared. They rated optical mouse compatibility based on the following criteria.Does the cursor move smoothly, just as you intended it to?Do you feel any resistance when moving the mouse around?Mouse used:M331 SILENT PLUS Wireless Mouse M331rBK
A desk mat that easily slips off your desk may make you less productive. That’s why we recommend desk mats with non-slip grips, so you can just set it and forget it. For the slip test, we placed a MacBook Pro on top of each desk mat and moved it in a predetermined direction. Then we observed how much each mat moved from its original location and ranked them accordingly.
Because your skin will be in contact with a desk mat for long periods of time, its level of comfort is important. If you have sensitive skin, this factor is especially crucial. We asked five product reviewers between the ages of 20 and 40 to trace a straight line displayed on a monitor back and forth 50 times and evaluate comfort based on the following criteria:Does your hand feel sticky or sweaty?Does your hand feel any discomfort?Do you feel any pain when you make contact with the edge of the desk mat?
You’ll probably use a desk mat every work day, so you'll want to keep it clean for as long as possible. Many of us like to have water or coffee nearby as we work, but don’t want a spill to damage our workspace. For this test, we checked water and heat resistance, and gave point-based ratings.We poured 10 grams of water on each desk mat, then wiped it off. We checked if there was any difference in weight from before and after wiping.We placed a mug containing 212-degree Fahrenheit water on top of each desk mat, and after 10 minutes, placed a level over where the cup sat to check for any unevenness or signs of deformation.
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
Table of Contents
Desk mats have several useful features that can make working at your desk a more productive and comfortable experience.
Lots of people work from home, at least part time. Given the time you spend at your desk, many workers are looking to spruce up their workspaces to make them more functional and visually appealing. That’s where desk mats come in.
Their rectangular shape sets your hardware off from other desk accessories. Some desk mats are also designed with materials that allow them to double as a mouse pad. And spill-resistant desk mats protect your desk from damage if you knock over your beverage. These mats can also protect your desk from scratches and dents and extend its life.
With a wide variety of styles and colors ranging from cute and fun to sleek and modern, a desk mat might even boost your motivation to work!
Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Desk Mats.
Before buying a desk mat, it’s important to make sure that it will respond well to your computer mouse. We'll explain what features to look for in a desk mat to ensure that compatibility.
Desk mats made from polyester and synthetic leather have a smooth surface that allows your mouse to glide across it. Mats made from these materials don’t have grooves or nicks, so your mouse can perform more precise movements than when using it directly on a desk. A mat also provides more space than a mousepad, so we recommend them for gamers who want excellent tracking during intense sessions when milliseconds count.
On the other hand, desk mats made of cork or felt are more stylish, but the mat surface can be uneven and affect mouse performance. These materials are fine if you use a laptop with a touchpad. But if you primarily use a keyboard and mouse for work or gaming, we recommend you choose a desk mat with a smooth surface for reliable performance.
Using your mouse all day can cause chafing and lead to irritated skin if your desk mat causes friction. Figuring out what materials feel good against your wrists and arms will help you find an option that allows you to work comfortably at your desk for long periods of time.
To test this, we asked five product reviewers to assess whether their skin felt irritated after using a keyboard and mouse with each of the seven desk mats. They confirmed that a smooth polyester or synthetic leather desk mat felt good on the skin. You should be able to rest your arms on the edges of desk mats made from these materials. And since they're soft, you shouldn’t end up with marks on your arms, either.
On the other hand, desk mats made of felt or cork don't feel good on the skin. Our testers reported that felt desk mats were itchy, and cork types felt rough. So we recommend that people with sensitive skin avoid felt and cork desk mats.
You may be wondering if using a mouse on a desk mat for a long time can make your hands and arms sweat. Surprisingly, the number of people who said their hands got sweaty on any material due to frequent mouse use was quite low. Our product testers were especially happy with desk mats made with polyester, so we recommend picking one for a comfortable experience at your desk.
A desk mat that slides all over the place is likely to distract you from your work. That’s why we recommend you look for a slip-resistant desk mat that features strong anti-skid adhesive materials on its underside.
A desk mat that slides off the edge of your desk may affect your ability to concentrate on your work. So we recommend picking a desk mat with non-slip grips. During our testing, we learned that desk mats made with non-slip grips didn’t slide because of the friction between the non-skid material and the desk. The grips were made with a material that’s bumpy and similar to rubber.
However, only two of the seven products in our comparative testing actually had non-slip grips. Many products don't, and they slide around if you move your computer. Our rankings note which products come with non-slip grips, so be sure to look them over before making a purchase.
Since a desk mat is an essential part of your workspace all day, every day, it’s important to pick one that both complements your decor and stands up to wear and tear. Fortunately, the seven desk mats we tested all resisted heat and water well. That said, the degree of water resistance ranged depending on what material the desk mat was made from. So look for a desk mat with a high level of water resistance. We’ll explain more below.
Can’t imagine settling into the workday without a cup of coffee in hand? Prepare for those inevitable spills by choosing a desk mat with strong water resistance. That protection will make it harder for stains to soak in, and will help you keep your workspace clean.
Our testing showed that the desk mats that featured the best water resistance were from Logitech and Satechi. When we spilled water on these mats, most of it bounced on the surface and could be quickly wiped away, which kept these mats looking as good as new.
On the other hand, we recommend you avoid desk mats that are made with sponge-like material. These mats absorb liquids and stain easily, particularly in the case of a beverage like coffee. So if you like to keep a drink handy while you work, we recommend you choose a desk mat that will repel liquid instead of absorbing it.
To test for heat resistance, we filled a mug with water heated to 212 degrees Fahrenheit and set it on top of each desk mat. Fortunately, none of the mats showed any trace of deformation from the heat. So you can rest assured that the desk mats on our list can stand up to a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Products | Image | mybest Score | Click to purchase | Key features | Main Score | Details | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mouse Maneuvering | Slip Resistance | Feel | Durability | Surface material | Backside material | Width | Depth | Thickness | Weight | Water resistance | Heat resistance | Optical mouse compatible | Non-slip grip | Packaging method | ||||||
1 | Logitech Logitech Desk Mat - Studio Series|956-000047 | ![]() | 4.88 | mybest's Top Choice! Won't Slide Around and Makes Using a Mouse Easy | 4.79 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.83 | Recycled polyester | Rubber | 27.5 in. | 11.8 in. | 2mm | 10.09 oz. | Rolled | |||||
2 | RAZER Razer Gigantus V2 - XXL | ![]() | 4.33 | Currently unavailable | Slip Resistant and Comfortable for Long-Term Use | 4.15 | 5.00 | 3.22 | 4.74 | Micro-weave cloth | unknown | 37 in. | 16 in. | 4mm | unknown | unknown | ||||
3 | Satechi Satechi|Eco-Leather Deskmate|ST-LDMN | ![]() | 3.91 | Mouse Glides Smoothly But Mat Lacks Slip-Resistance | 4.65 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 4.69 | Polyurethane (PU) leather | PU leather | 23 in. | 12.2 in. | 3mm | 1 lb. 11 oz. | Shipped flat | |||||
4 | Orbitkey Desk Mat|DKMT-MD1-BKBK | ![]() | 3.83 | Comfortable for Long Work Sessions, Prone to Slipping | 4.79 | 3.00 | 3.57 | 4.67 | Vegan leather | Recycled PET felt | 14.5 in. | 27 in. | 4.9mm | unknown | unknown | unknown | Rolled | |||
5 | KeySmart TaskPad | ![]() | 3.70 | Comfortable for Long Sessions, Doesn't Stay Put | 4.36 | 3.00 | 3.57 | 4.43 | PU leather | PU leather | 35.5 in. | 16.5 in. | unknown | unknown | unknown | Rolled | ||||
6 | Graf & Lantz Mosen Large Merino Wool Felt Desk Pad|4501CH | ![]() | 3.35 | Surface Lacks Smoothness for Comfortable Mouse Control | 3.29 | 3.00 | 3.57 | 4.39 | Merino wool felt | unknown | 31 in. | 19.5 in. | 3mm | unknown | unknown | unknown | Rolled | |||
7 | IKEA Susig Desk Pad|904.574.86 | ![]() | 3.28 | Hinders Mouse Responsiveness and Prone to Slipping | 3.15 | 3.00 | 3.57 | 4.32 | Cork | Cork | 25.5 in. | 17.75 in. | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | |
Optical mouse compatible | |
Non-slip grip |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Studio Series desk mat by Logitech comes in three colors and a rare two-year warranty.
What helped this desk mat ascend to the top of our list were the high ratings our testers gave it for slip resistance and comfort. The underside has an anti-skid rubber base that won't budge if you move your computer around, so your workspace will remain intact and you can focus on your tasks. This mat’s surface is also sensitive enough to allow you to perform detailed cursor movements smoothly with your mouse.
Our testers were also very satisfied with how this mat felt, thanks to its soft surface that doesn’t stick to the skin. The cloth edge didn’t irritate the wrist—even when working all day on a keyboard. This mat is also designed with good water resistance, which makes it a great option for the spill-prone.
We highly recommend this top performer. Not only is this desk mat non-slip, it doubles as a mouse pad and may help you increase your work productivity.
Surface material | Recycled polyester |
---|---|
Backside material | Rubber |
Weight | 10.09 oz. |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | |
Optical mouse compatible | |
Non-slip grip |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Gigantus V2 XXL desk mat from Razer comes in four sizes and three design options. What sets this desk mat apart is that you can choose a size that best fits the dimensions of your desk.
The underside has anti-skid material that keeps this mat in place even if you move your computer or mouse. So this mat shouldn’t slide around or slip off the edge of your desk. And the mat’s soft, smooth surface will go easy on your wrists and arms during a long workday.
When it came to mouse maneuverability, our testers only gave this desk mat a passing rating. You should be able to use it for general computer tasks, but for precision work such as illustrating, its hardness made it less sensitive and difficult to work on. This mat also isn’t water resistant and its sponge-y inner material absorbs liquids, so it may stain easily.
Surface material | Micro-weave cloth |
---|---|
Backside material | unknown |
Weight | unknown |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | |
Optical mouse compatible | |
Non-slip grip |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Eco-Leather Deskmate from Satechi features a sleek and elegant design. We love that this versatile desk mat is foldable and can also be used as a writing surface.
Our testers gave it high marks for mouse maneuverability. The smooth surface allowed testers to make precise movements with the mouse when illustrating, without any lag, so this desk mat is great for detailed work. Another bonus is that the surface material stays dry even after extended use, making this desk mat a great choice for long gaming sessions.
Additionally, it’s both heat and water resistant, so you don’t have to worry about sipping coffee while you work. That said, this model doesn’t come with slip grips, so it may slide when you move your PC even slightly.
Surface material | Polyurethane (PU) leather |
---|---|
Backside material | PU leather |
Weight | 1 lb. 11 oz. |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | |
Optical mouse compatible | unknown |
Non-slip grip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Orbitkey Desk Mat features a compact, built-in tray, so you can keep pens and other small work supplies close at hand. Its layered design makes it easy to organize your desk, with a compartment designed to hide documents but keep them nearby.
Our testers gave this desk mat high marks for mouse maneuverability. The mouse glided over its smooth surface, making it easy to use for long work or gaming sessions. Plus, the material is soft and has some give for extra comfort. This mat also features a magnetic cable organizer for streamlining all those cords.
Additionally, this mat is heat and water resistant. Its surface also doesn’t stain easily, so it should look clean and inviting for a long time. However, this mat falls short when it comes to slip resistance. The underside is made from felt and lacks grip strength, so moving your PC means that the mat is coming with it. This mat may also be challenging to use on narrow desks.
Surface material | Vegan leather |
---|---|
Backside material | Recycled PET felt |
Weight | unknown |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | unknown |
Optical mouse compatible | |
Non-slip grip |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The TaskPad desk mat from KeySmart has a synthetic leather design. It also features a built-in wireless charging pad, which lets users charge devices like phones and headphones by placing them on the mat.
Our testers rated this desk mat highly for comfort. Although it’s made of synthetic leather, our arms and hands didn't get sweaty when using it for long sessions. The surface was also smooth enough for easy mouse maneuverability. That makes this desk mat a great option for anyone creating illustrations, as its surface is sensitive enough for precision movements without any lag.
While this desk mat is heat resistant, it’s not water resistant. If you like a beverage while you work, you’ll need to be careful with this desk mat, as it may stain if you spill. We were also disappointed to see that the top and bottom sides are made of the same material, and that the underside lacked any slip resistance. Our verdict? To make the most of this desk mat, you need a large workspace.
Surface material | PU leather |
---|---|
Backside material | PU leather |
Weight | unknown |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | |
Optical mouse compatible | unknown |
Non-slip grip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Mosen Large Merino Wool Felt Desk Pad by Graf & Lantz features a stylish design made from felt. It's available in six colors, so you can choose the one that best fits your desk decor.
Our testers noted that the mat didn’t cause their arms to become sweaty even after a long period of use. That said, its fabric caused an irritating prickly sensation against the skin. This mat also doesn't have the best water resistance, which means you should take extra care not to spill anything on it and risk staining it.
When testing mouse maneuverability, we found that the mat felt bumpy when moving the mouse over it. Using a mouse on this desk mat for long work days may also cause wrist fatigue. We also discovered that both sides of this desk mat are made of felt, so it can't grip the surface of a desk and will likely slide around.
Surface material | Merino wool felt |
---|---|
Backside material | unknown |
Weight | unknown |
Water resistance | |
---|---|
Heat resistance | |
Optical mouse compatible | unknown |
Non-slip grip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Susig Desk Pad by Ikea is made of cork, which gives it a stylish look. And you can start using it right out of the box.
That said, this mat didn’t perform well in our mouse maneuverability tests. The surface is slightly uneven, so it can snag the mouse. So it’s difficult to control the cursor, which may impact your productivity. We also found that this desk mat soaks up liquids, so it’s likely to stain easily.
When testing slip resistance, we found that this desk mat slides around easily since both sides are made from cork. One plus is that this desk mat doesn't make your arms or hands sweaty during long periods of use. Unfortunately, since the surface is rough and the edges have a ripped, uneven surface, this mat may start to hurt your wrists after extended use.
Surface material | Cork |
---|---|
Backside material | Cork |
Weight | unknown |
We collected seven of the hottest-selling desk mats from stores such as Amazon, Walmart, and Staples and put them to the test. We determined which of these products were the best of the best. mybest defines the best desk mat as one that provides your computer mouse with good response sensitivity, is non-slip, feels good on the skin, and doesn't wear easily.
In order to determine which products fit the above description, we ran tests on the following four criteria.
Mouse Maneuvering
Slip Resistance
Feel
Durability
Products we tested
When you work at a desk all day, poor mouse sensitivity can be frustrating and impact your productivity. We asked five product reviewers between the ages of 20 and 40 to use a mouse to trace out a round shape we prepared. They rated optical mouse compatibility based on the following criteria.
Does the cursor move smoothly, just as you intended it to?
Do you feel any resistance when moving the mouse around?
Mouse used:
M331 SILENT PLUS Wireless Mouse M331rBK
A desk mat that easily slips off your desk may make you less productive. That’s why we recommend desk mats with non-slip grips, so you can just set it and forget it. For the slip test, we placed a MacBook Pro on top of each desk mat and moved it in a predetermined direction. Then we observed how much each mat moved from its original location and ranked them accordingly.
Because your skin will be in contact with a desk mat for long periods of time, its level of comfort is important. If you have sensitive skin, this factor is especially crucial. We asked five product reviewers between the ages of 20 and 40 to trace a straight line displayed on a monitor back and forth 50 times and evaluate comfort based on the following criteria:
Does your hand feel sticky or sweaty?
Does your hand feel any discomfort?
Do you feel any pain when you make contact with the edge of the desk mat?
You’ll probably use a desk mat every work day, so you'll want to keep it clean for as long as possible. Many of us like to have water or coffee nearby as we work, but don’t want a spill to damage our workspace. For this test, we checked water and heat resistance, and gave point-based ratings.
We poured 10 grams of water on each desk mat, then wiped it off. We checked if there was any difference in weight from before and after wiping.
We placed a mug containing 212-degree Fahrenheit water on top of each desk mat, and after 10 minutes, placed a level over where the cup sat to check for any unevenness or signs of deformation.
No. 1: Logitech|Logitech Desk Mat - Studio Series|956-000047
No. 2: RAZER|Razer Gigantus V2 - XXL
No. 3: Satechi|Satechi|Eco-Leather Deskmate|ST-LDMN
No. 4: Orbitkey|Desk Mat|DKMT-MD1-BKBK
No. 5: KeySmart|TaskPad
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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