The Criteria: What To Look For In An Anti
Serious Eats / Fred Hardy
The best anti-fatigue mats have a moderately high density, which allows the foam to mold around your feet without a feeling of sinking in. We favored mats with well-constructed, heavier edges to avoid annoying flared corners. A very gently textured topper is ideal for ease of cleaning, but deep grooves will collect crumbs and stains. Super smooth surfaces, while attractive, invite slippingespecially when wearing socks. Finally, aesthetics matter for this tool. We liked mats that offered a variety of colors and patterns, or at least blended into the background with basic colors.
The Surface Texture Was Important For Safety And Maintenance
Serious Eats / Fred Hardy
Some of the mats we tested had a slick, slippery surface. Although it made cleanup easier, we didnt like using these mats in socks or slippers. An accidental slip or slide is annoying at best, but dangerous when working with knives or heat. Since so many kitchen tasks involve one of the two, it’s hard to argue in favor of an ultra-smooth mat topper.
On the other hand, very textured surfaceslike pebbled or waffle-weave toppersmade cleanup unnecessarily challenging. One of the mats we tested had grooves so tiny, only a toothpick could dislodge small crumbs .
Our favorite anti-fatigue mats had slightly different textures that both worked well. The House of Noa mat topper was slightly rough, which discouraged slipping. On the other hand, the Office Depot GelPro mat had a rubbery, grippy texture on its surface that felt virtually accident-proof.
Serious Eats / Fred Hardy
Best Color Selection: Kangaroo Original Anti
Courtesy of Amazon
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Creases from shipping may not come out
Your anti-fatigue mat doesnt have to be a boring black or brown. The Kangaroo Original Premium Anti-Fatigue Comfort Standing Mat comes in a variety of colors, including green, blue, and red, allowing you to choose a product that matches your decor perfectly and still provides the comfort you need.
This highly rated mat is 0.75 inches thick and made from high-quality foam. It features beveled edges and a textured surface to ensure you dont trip or slip on it. The Kangaroo mat wont break down over time and can easily be vacuumed or wiped down if it gets dirty. Our Lab testers did note that the raised diamond pattern on the mat made it a bit of a challenge to clean.
This anti-fatigue mat is lightweight and very comfortable to stand on. The Kangaroo mat holds up well over time, making it a worthwhile investment to protect your feet and legs. Lab testers reported that it was just firm enough and the weight of their feet felt evenly distributed. This is key to preventing the aching and soreness of joints that occurs when you stand for prolonged periods of time.
Price at time of publish: $43
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Sizes: 17 x 24 inches, 20 x 32 inches, 20 x 39 inches, 20 x 48 inches, 20 x 60 inches, 24 x 70 inches | Weight: 3.14 pounds | Material: Rubber | Colors: Beige, Black, Brown, Charcoal, Gray, Hunter Green, Mocha, Navy, Quatrefoil , Red, Sand, Sky Blue
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Reasons To Buy The Best Anti
Right off the bat, we can definitely say that alternating between a sitting and standing stance is good for our body. While sitting on a chair all day will slow down your metabolism and cause full-scale of cardiovascular problems, standing for a long time will eventually bring the same risk. Some of the dangers of prolonged standing are swelling, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and extreme pain in the knees, back, and hips.
This is where anti-fatigue standing mats come into the picture, and to help you make your decision, here are the pros and cons of mats:
- They serve as the cushion between the hard floor and your feet to alleviate the excessive strain on your lower extremities
- They prevent pain, swelling, and other unhealthy effects of prolonged standing
- Most mats made from 100% polyurethane are non-toxic
- Multi-purpose, since some lightweight mats can be moved from one area to another
- Mats with terrains or textures prompt more movement, so you can get a bit of exercise
Pros:
- Most mats are not compatible with swivel chairs, so youd need to push them away when you want to sit
- Youd need to have a standing desk before you can use it as an addition to your workstation
Cons:
Standing Desk: Size & Shape
Your desktops size can really help or hinder your comfort and productivity. Take the daily tools and equipment you use while at your desk into consideration when choosing a desktop. A graphic designer working with dual monitors and a Wacom tablet is better suited for a larger surface space, so your work area doesnt feel restricted. Alternatively, someone using a single thirteen inch laptop may feel that smaller is better, as having too much room can actually encourage clutter and distractions. Its best to get a rough measurement of how much space your desk items will occupy and give yourself at least a few extra inches on each side.
Of course, even if you work with multiple monitors and other devices, that doesnt necessarily mean you have the physical space for an expansive desktop. If youre confined to a small space or cubicle, organizational tools like cable management, a filing cabinet, and monitor arms can help maximize your space.
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D Topographical Standing Desk Mats
This type of mat became available of recent. They are designed and manufactured especially for people who stand on their feet for long periods to work. 3D topographical standing desk mats come equipped with 3D like features that help them provide increased comfort and support to the workers who use them. The 3D features afford the user many opportunities where comfort is concerned as they allow the user to switch from one posture and stance to another.
The 3D features of this type of mat can help massage the balls and soles of your feet while you work among other things.
Standing desk mats make switching stances while working seamlessly and very convenient. This is quite important as standing rooted to one spot can lead to health complication such as a reduction in heart rate, sore legs, stiff legs as well as blood pooling. This issues that may arise with standing for hours on your feet are eliminated when you use a 3D topographical standing desk mat which encourages you to fidget and constantly move your feet.
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Best Flat Standing Desk Mat: Comfilife Anti Fatigue Floor Mat
The ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue floor mat has a simple and sleek design. The flat surface doesnt include different terrains or acupressure beads, but it provides an effective solution for a wider range of needs.
The high-density foam inside the mat provides 3/4 of cushioning, more than some of the competitors. This extra foam helps reduces the stress on your back, neck, and especially knees and feet on hard surfaces. The mat is quite squishy as a result: whether you view that as a pro or a con will come down to personal preference.
The mat comes in three sizes, and you can quickly find one that suits your work area. The smaller ones are ideal for compact spaces like home offices where you dont move around a lot, while the larger ones allow more mobility in bigger spaces like kitchens and garages.
Speaking of moving about, tripping is less of a concern than some of the other models weve mentioned, thanks to the beveled edges. The non-slip bottom is also handy if youre using the mat on polished flooring or anywhere else that slipping is a concern.
Were fans of the lifetime money-back guarantee and vivid range of colors that we dont have to pay a premium for. Those colors maintain their vibrancy over time as well, thanks to the strain-resistant surface thats easy to clean.
Its a plain mat that would probably benefit from a few extra design elements, but thats really not a big deal if form over function isnt your priority.
Pros
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What Other Ergonomic Products Can Help You Work More Comfortably
There are some other ergonomic products which can help you to work more comfortably and productively.
A keyboard tray is a wonderful choice to make sure that your keyboard is not laying too flat against your desk. This can help to ensure your wrists and arms are at a good angle, reducing the chances of carpal tunnel syndrome and other strain injuries.
If you are working from a laptop, an external keyboard can help you to set up your screen, so it is more comfortable to view. This means you are also unlikely to hunch to use your keyboard and can see your screen at a better height.
Laptop and monitor stands can ensure you arent straining or slouching and that your screen is placed at eye-level.
What Are Standing Mats And Why Are They Useful
You may have heard about standing mats but are not quite sure of the benefits here is some info! Standing mats are designed to provide comfort and support for your feet and ankles whilst standing at work. This can be either you have a standing desk or also if you work inn a job that requires you to be standing for long periods say in a factory line or maybe in a kitchen etc. The standing mat would allow you to work for longer periods before feeling the need to take a break or sit down for a while. Standing for long periods on hard surfaces can be quite stressful on the joints and veins of your lower limb, leading often to people needing to take time off work due to various complications from standing. Standing mats are mostly used on hard floors like cement or wood.
Standing desk mats are a great way to take your standing desk to the next level. They provide support for your feet, which is crucial when you’re standing for long periods of time. There are many styles and designs of standing mats so I have selected a few below for your to view and select depending on your work set up and needs.
CubeFit TerraMat – Standing Desk Mat for Home Office – Mat Standing Desk Office Accessory – Ergonomic Mat Designed for Comfort, Balance, & Massage.
Topo Comfort Mat by Ergodriven – The Not-Flat Standing Desk Anti-Fatigue Mat with Calculated Terrain | Standing Desk Mat | Comfortable Standing Mat | Office Mat | Desk Accessories | Obsidian Black.
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Calculated Terrain Mats For Standing Desks
Lo and behold, theres a new wrinkle to the conventional anti-fatigue standing mat that goes beyond the usual expansion of colors, sizes, and designs. So-called calculated terrain mats are a subcategory of standing mats exploding onto the scene. Check out our new review category, Calculated Terrain Standing Mats to see how these mats stack up against one another.
The progenitor of this new style of mats for standing desks, the Topo Mat from Ergodriven, has quickly been knocked off its pedestal by the TerraMat from CubeFit, which offers more standing space and more engaging surface features for your feet. See our comprehensive round-up of all Non-Flat Standing Mat Reviews.
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
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Getting The Most Out Of Your Anti
Even with a mat, try to avoid standing for hours on end. The best way to use your anti-fatigue mat at your standing desk is to alternate between sitting and standing. Experts have suggested switching between these two options every few hours and working your way up to four hours of standing.
Whilst standing, try and vary your position a little to keep your circulation going and your muscles loose like shifting your weight and going up on your tippy toes. Dont forget to take breaks and go for little walks refill your water bottle or go hug your kitty.
If you really want to up your ergonomic workstation to make yourself comfortable for all-day work, consider getting yourself a portable laptop stand and monitor arm.
How Did We Pick The Best Standing Desk Mat For 2022
Quality
The first aspect of the mats that I scored was its overall quality. Depending on the construction of the mat, I looked for defects in the material and if it was a single piece mold. Each mat was cut to see the inner material inside the mat. The highest quality mats were made from single piece polyurethane rubbers with an integral skin. The second tier of mats included polyurethane for the core, with a layer of material like vinyl over the top for added durability. The lowest quality products used PVC foam with a vinyl covering and a third layer of high-density foam on the bottom. This higher density foam is used to protect the lower quality foam and creates a stickier bottom to prevent sliding. The better quality mats tended to have more bounce in them. This improved overall comfort and allowed the mat to quickly return to its original state when the user lifted their weight from the mat. The lowest quality mats didnt offer much support and would easily bottom out.
Comfort with Shoes
There are two aspects with comfort that I looked at. The first was with your shoes on. This is tough because many wear different shoes. The size of shoe you wear will also impact how far you sink into the material. Each shoe offers different levels of support and so these results can vary significantly. I wore sketchers for the testing and they included the comfort sole. They tend to offer a little better cushioning than most dress shoes.
Comfort without Shoes
Versatility
Safety
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Why You Should Purchase An Anti Fatigue Mat
Many people find the move to standing in workplaces rewarding. Sitting is considered by many to be the new smoking as more and more is learned about the negative health effects of sitting.
Investing in a good standing desk mat may encourage more employees to make the transition to standing, and will enhance the experience for those who already do. Here are some reasons to make the investment:
- Back Pain Relief: Standing increases pressure on the spine, which can cause muscle tightness and spasms, which lead to back pain. A well-cushioned mat will reduce this pressure on the spine.
- Posture: Your standing posture, like your sitting posture, is directly tied to your back comfort. Anti-fatigue mats can assist your spine in maintaining angles and postures that have been shown to lessen back discomfort.
- Assist with Joint Pain: Standing all day can lead to poor circulation in the legs., which can lead to hip, knee, and other joint pain. Mats that are textured encourage movement, which will keep the blood flowing.
- Foot Fatigue: Standing for long periods of time causes stress on the feet, especially on hard surfaces. This can lead to swelling, bad arches and other foot pain and problems. Mats are cushioned to reduce the stress on feet, and some have additional features like massage points and balance boards.
How Much Usage Will The Mat Get
Not all workspaces have the same amount of foot traffic. The second factor to consider when looking for the right anti-fatigue mat is how much daily wear and tear your mat will be exposed to.
However, there are still levels of workspace traffic that can affect the durability of a mat, and each level has products specifically designed to withstand that traffic.
- Light Traffic. Light traffic mats are meant to provide ergonomic relief to individual workers who spend long periods of time in one spot. Light traffic mats are best for indoor use and may need to be replaced more often than medium or heavy traffic mats.
- Medium Traffic. Medium traffic mats are designed to withstand more weight and wear and tear than light traffic mats. If multiple people will be working on the same mat, people will be walking continuously on the mats or light equipment like carts will be on the mats, then consider a medium traffic mat. Suited for both indoor and outdoor use depending on the application.
- Heavy Traffic. Heavy traffic mats are rated for the most weight and the most wear and tear. If your industry involves lots of employees coming and going or heavy equipment that will be rolled over, set on or potentially dropped on the mats, then a heavy traffic mat may be right for you. Considered the best value, heavy traffic mats need to be replaced less frequently than other mat types.
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