Best Standing Desk Mat For Your Office & Home Standing Desk Other Reasons To Purchase
And do not worry about the flat mat taking up a lot of space in your home. There are compact mini flat mat models in various designs and wide color range that will fit perfectly into your room. In extreme cases, you can store your standing mat under the bed it will easily fit there and will not be visible to outsiders. So, if you are still looking for quality color mats with durable firmer construction and provided with additional useful features and accessories you will likely need some experts guides. Read the article to the end for getting more useful information.
Our Pick: Ergodriven Topo
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $100.
The novel surface of the Ergodriven Topo provided the most comfort to the feet and legs of standing workers in our tests. Its varied, raised terrain encourages the sort of frequent movement that ergonomics experts recommend. The Topo is easy to slide under a desk and bring back out with one foot , keeping your hands unsoiled and your back pain-free. Its easy to clean and has held up over several years of testing. And because it isnt as wide and flat as standard anti-fatigue mats, it takes up less space under your desk.
Pretty much everyone who tested these mats was initially skeptical of the Topos design, but the benefits became evident within a few minutes of standing and were confirmed after months of use. The back edge and front corners of the Topo are higher than the sides, and the mat has a teardrop-shaped mound in the middle thats squishier than the rest of the materialgreat for massaging your feet. Without even thinking about it, you may end up standing on, pressing against, and heel-digging into all of those sections. I didnt know I had nervous legs, but Im glad this mat taught me that, one coworker said. Its nice because I cant stand straight and normal to save my life, but this made my usual slouching and foot fidgeting comfortable, said another.
The Benefits Of Working From A Sit
Prolonged sitting is known to be bad for your health, and using a standing desk can help to combat health concerns caused by this. A hybrid sit-stand desk such as the Active sit-stand workstation is a great solution, as staying in the same position all day, whether sitting or standing, is bad for your physical health and can cause muscle strain. You can read more about sitting vs standing in the office here.
Standing rather than sitting can encourage more organic movement, and an anti-fatigue mat can encourage you to move even more often, redistributing your weight and helping with blood flow.
However, if you are standing in a non-ergonomic position, aches and pains can still occur. For the optimal result from your working day, varying your positions is the best choice, as this encourages even more movement than either sitting or standing in isolation.
You can read our full guide to the benefits of sit-stand desks here.
Also Check: Does Breast Cancer Cause Fatigue
Things To Consider When Purchasing Your Mat
Size Matters – Softer and thicker may not always be better. Choose a mat that provides some elasticity, but at the same time is not so soft that you feel wobbly or cannot stand on comfortably. Mats that are 1/4 or 3/8 thick will provide very little relief for your feet and back. Halfway-decent mats begin at 5/8, and the very best will be 3/4 thick. Keep in mind, though, the material matters as much as the thickness. A 3/4-thick sponge mat wont provide as much support as a 5/8 thick solid polyurethane mat.
Compression Material compressibility is what determines how comfortable a mat will be for prolonged use. If a mat is too squishy and soft, it will compress too much under your weight, becoming virtually as hard as the floor. They should be soft and have enough cushioning to provide relief and encourage subtle movements throughout the day. On the flip side, a mat that doesnt compress at all, will create too much pressure on the legs and feet.
Grip – Mats should have enough grip against the floor, so that they cannot easily slide, but not be so sticky that you cant reposition them with your foot.
Sloped edges – This lessens the chance of having them become a tripping hazard.
Durable – Mats that are completely sealed, with no visible seams will ensure that no water from an overfilled steam iron or spilled coffee are absorbed into the mat.
Who Should Get An Anti
According to our experts, there are two main groups of people who should consider anti-fatigue mats. The first? People who stand for long periods of time. “If you career involves standing for an hour or more at a time, you should consider using an anti-fatigue mat,” Dr. Radermacher says.
The second group includes people who experience discomfort while standing, even if they’re not standing for very long. ” mats can also be helpful within certain parts of the home,” Dr. Ferri says, adding that many people use them while cooking or cleaning. “They can still be helpful for short periods of timeâespecially if someone has arthritis, back problems, or is experiencing discomfort in that spot.”
Also Check: Can Kidney Stones Cause Fatigue
Do Not Just Fall For Long Warranties
I have seen buyers giving their hearts upon mats that have long durability properties though that is a significant must while you select a mat for your office use, but not the ONLY feature that should be checked.
Some mats have long life designs, but their material is not capable of providing you the same comfort and support that it was providing during its initial use. Such changes in material response are DEFINITELY not welcomed.
So, concentrate more on the material quality and its grip and then move on to durability and the design features.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats
Camryn Rabideau is a lifestyle writer specializing in all things home products. She’s reviewed everything from the latest and greatest kitchen gifts to the must-have cookware essentials for your kitchen. She’s also taken several interior design courses, which has given her an additional angle when it comes to home products.
, who wrote the buying guide for this roundup, is a self-taught home chef who has interviewed and learned from famous chefs along the way. However, her real passion is for making home cooking accessible, fun, and comfortable. As part of her research on the more technical aspects of anti-fatigue mats for the kitchen, she interviewed Dr. Kevin Lees, DC, manager of auditing and quality for The Joint Chiropractic.
Our Associate Commerce Editor Rachel Lee assessed testing insights from our Lab and researched each product’s qualities to determine the top picks to recommend in this updated roundup.
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What To Look For In A Standing Desk Mat
Dimensions – Are you looking to cover a small space under your desk or unroll a carpet-sized desk mat? Standing desk mats come in different shapes and sizes, so be sure to select an option that physically fits under your desk but also compliments the way you work. If you move around a bit, you might want to pick up a slightly larger mat for ultimate comfort.
Ergonomics – While some desk mats are entirely flat, others offer 3D features for your feet to rest upon, such as raised edges. These can be used to stretch your feet and alter the way you stand. It’s a good idea to test out some of these ergonomic add-ons to figure out what provides you with the most comfortable experience.
Material – Do you prefer a harder surface to stand on or something a bit softer? If youre working from home, you might be barefoot, and you might want to consider a mat with a soft gel interior for comfort. Otherwise, more rugged mats will better stand up to sneakers and boots.
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Reasons To Avoid Gelpro Nevermove
An adapted balance board thats perfect for fidgety or bored feet at a standing desk.
Some of us get very restless standing at our desks. Compared to a typical anti-fatigue mat, the StrongTek balance board is a bit of a wildcard. Instead of being a soft pad surface, it works as a hybrid between a mat and a balance board.
Compared to a regular balance board for sports, the StrongTek is much easier to stand on and doesnt have a very fine balancing point. You wont be burning that many calories, but that really isnt the point. Its just much less boring and static when you can rock back and forth, shift your weight, and even squeeze in some reflexology at your desk.
Theres a non-slip bottom to stop you skidding, and even a massage ball in the middle to ease away any foot tension that builds during the day. If you want something different than just a squishy mat, this can be ideal. However, if your work involves a lot of high-precision tasks this probably isnt.
Recommended Reading: Does Low White Blood Count Cause Fatigue
Best Anti Fatigue Ultra Comfort Floor Standing Mat
Last but not least is the Standing Logic anti-fatigue mat the quality and ergonomic commercial grade anti-fatigue mat that is recommended by many expert professionals, chiropractors and doctors. The desk mat comes in two different sizes and its cost depends on this mat feature and it is approximately $39.99 $179.96. There are two basic colors available for users and the standing mat comes with a 10-year warranty period that is an undoubtful benefit for any potential user. From the expert s point of view, this model is very ergonomic, comfortable and has a reasonable price.
How We Selected
We spent many hours reading through forums, review sites, and retailers to discover the most loved brands and types of anti-fatigue mats. Only one mat that we chose to test was specifically made exclusively for standing desks, while the other mats can be used in both the kitchen and at a standing desk.
There are dozens of brands that have mats available but only a handful of established companies. We narrowed much of our list by leaning on Amazons popular products that had a four-star or higher rating and filtered out products with excessive negative reviews.
Some review sites we found helped us discover new brands we may have missed, but many of them have not actually tested the mats and just publish stock images and review specs of the products.
Recommended Reading: Sudden Extreme Fatigue And Headache
What Is An Anti
Put most simply, an anti-fatigue mat is any mat with some sort of cushioning that is meant to be stood on for long periods. Most anti-fatigue mats are made of some type of foam cushion â think a really thick yoga mat. The purpose of these mats is to alleviate foot pain from long-term standing as well as relieve pressure on many different body parts that come with standing for long periods. Anti-fatigue mats make it easier to stand for more extended time frames and more comfortable while you do it. Some kitchen tasks require some extra elbow grease, like removing stubborn sink stains or kneading pasta dough, and having a mat under your feet while experiencing that added pressure and stress on your joints can make a world of difference.
Also Great: Imprint Cumuluspro
Note: The original rectangular CumulusPRO we tested isnt available but Imprint is still selling this mat with rounded corners out of the same commercial quality grippy material we love. Weve updated all the CumulusPRO links to this new item.
At a quick glance, the Imprint CumulusPRO Commercial Grade mat looks deceivingly like the other mats, but the experience on this mat is on another level.
Its also important to know that the manufacturer, Imprint, also has a non-commercial version of this mat called the CumulusPRO Professional, which we did not test. This anti-fatigue mat is the only one we tested thats sold as a commercial product. And for what its worth, all products from the Imprint brand are tested and certified by the National Floor Safety Institute and a partner of the American Chiropractic Association. This particular product comes at an extra cost, but the differences were easily spotted during testing.
Runner up: Imprint – CumulusPRO Commercial Grade
The Imprint – CumulusPRO is a commercial-grade mat that is denser and firmer than lesser-grade mats. It remains securely in place, and its beveled edges help prevent tripping.
Like most of the other mats, its edges are beveled to help reduce the chances of users tripping over the mat when walking by. And it was one of the few mats that didnt shift beneath our feet during testing saving you the trouble of having to reposition every so often.
Key takeaways:
Recommended Reading: Anti Fatigue Kitchen Runner Mats
Terramat Standing Desk Mat By Cubefit 814/100 Rating
TerraMat Price: Starting at $99.99
TerraMat Pros and Cons
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Can be too firm with shoesThe most expensive option we testedDoesnt offer a lot of side standing options |
TerraMat Summary
What we liked
The TerraMat standing desk mat by CubeFit is my overall favorite product from the non-flat standing desk category. With the largest flat space of any mat tested, the TerraMat can easily replace your standard flat anti-fatigue mat. High-quality construction with one of the thickest integral skins we measured, the TerraMat should have no problem lasting a long time. There are a ton of of topo features and large elevations changes throughout the mat. I found that this mat was best used without shoes. If safety is a concern, the TerraMat was the most stable topo mat that we tested. They have recently updated their warranty, now offering a full lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. This is great news as the best product now comes with the best warranty in the class.
What we didnt like
The only real shortcomings I found with the TerraMat were the side standing options and firmness while wearing shoes. With only two massage balls, there werent any other options for side standers. While wearing shoes I found that the TerraMat was a bit too firm for me.
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Mat tends to slide around a lot on carpet and hard surfacesDepth available for flat space is limitedBack not tall enough for calf risesSecond most expensive non-flat mat we have tested |
OFM Topo Mat Summary
What we liked
What we liked
Thickness Of Comfort Mats
Thicker isnt necessarily better when it comes to standing desk mats. Thick foam might be too cushiony, and employees might have to move their legs up and down unnecessarily just to perform basic movements. Thick, soft mats may actually make fatigue even worse.
One key consideration when you purchase an anti-fatigue mat is the flooring underneath it. If you have carpeting or a wood floor, buy a mat that isnt as thick. If your floor is hard concrete, definitely go for the sturdy foam rubber variety. You can still purchase a good foam mat without having one that gets in the way of basic movements.
Most mats are one inch or less in thickness in the areas where you stand. Some polyurethane mats have raised portions on the edges so you can grip them easier when you move them. Mats that are thicker around the edges tend to last longer because they are less susceptible to nicks and dings that might take chunks out of the mat itself.
The best anti-fatigue mats you can buy come with five-year warranties, or even better, 10-year warranties, as with the CumulusPRO. Those are the ones that deserve your investment because companies back five to 10-year warranties with high-quality craftsmanship and durable materials.
Once you buy a cushioned mats for standing, you need to know how to take care of it so it lasts a long time.
Also Check: Extreme Fatigue And Low Blood Pressure
Best Overall: Sky Solutions Sky Mat 075
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Thick cushion provides necessary support
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Softness creates an ultra-comfortable surface
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Available in nine colors and three sizes
Who else recommends it? Forbes also picked the Sky Solutions Sky Mat Comfort Anti-Fatigue Mat.
What do buyers say? 92% of 30,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
For a simple yet effective anti-fatigue mat, consider the Sky Mat. This reasonably priced option comes in three sizes and several colors, letting you choose the best fit for your kitchen. The anti-fatigue mat is 0.75 inches thick and made from the companys patented foam, which is described as the perfect blend of support and softness for standing all day.” The mat has a beveled edge to prevent tripping, as well as a nonslip bottom.
Further, the Sky Mat is designed to be durable and is easy to wipe clean if you spill anything on it. Our Lab testers experimented with spilling flour and molasses on the mat and confirmed that it easily rinsed right off without issues. However, they do recommend choosing the black color over the other options so that it’s less likely to show any unsightly dirt. Even after hours of being on their feet in the Lab, testers noted that the mat still felt quite firm and supportive, thanks to its plush memory foam construction.
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
“After testing several anti-fatigue mat options, it was evident upon my first use that the Sky Mat is softer and thicker than most competitors.” Rachel Ellison, Product Tester
Gorilla Grip Phthalate Free Anti Fatigue Mat
Do you know what Gorilla Grip mats is known for?
Their outstanding durability! Gorilla grip manufactures materials that would not lose grip or compress after a certain duration of time. They can last as long as up to 5 years long if taken proper care of. Also, the rubber and PVC combination is waterproof and can be vacuumed to clean it.
The surface is porous in order to avoid slip hazards. Beveled edges have been provided to the mat hence letting station machinery land safely over it and then walk past it without any trouble.
However, one major drawback was reported is the lack of stability in this mat. This does not mean that it would not stay at its place but that it may not efficiently respond while you try to move from one part of the mat to the other.
It is available in 15 amazing designs. Some are plain solid colors, while others have staple patterns over them. I would rate the beige design highly favorite for office use because it has got a very professional aura.
7 sizes are available to choose from, each having the standard 3/4 inches thickness.
- Foam may break down due to improper rough use
Also Check: What Can Cause Dizziness And Fatigue
