Best Standing Desk Mat: How Often You Should Use
In general, there are no strict restrictions on the frequency of the flooring desk mats use it all depends on your personal needs and well-being. If you have a sore body after sitting on office chairs or a back-straining interaction with electronics, then it makes sense to take a mini mat, take off your shoes and put your feet down on its surface. If you have found yourself in the kitchen preparing dinner and felt tired in your legs, then it would be good to put a mini rug down on the floor and stand on it while you are standing at the kitchen table or stove. So this is a great solution for relieving stress after sitting on a chair or standing. More active mats, including a balance board and various terrain options, are just as good to use without shoes every time you feel like youve been sitting still for too long. The standing mat is ideal for stretching stiff limbs, improving blood circulation, massaging tired muscles after a trip to the gym, or simply making the daily kitchen routine more pleasant thanks to the soft layer of the mat that contacts your skin. Again, use the floor mat only when you feel the necessity. But be careful and do not train too hard, especially when using massage terrain mats. And also check that your mat sits firmly against the floor to prevent any accidents.
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
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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Gelpro New Life Advantage Anti
New Life Price: Starting at $49.95
New Life Pros and Cons
Pros |
Worst value in the category |
New Life Advantage Summary
What we liked
The final product to make our list is the GelPro New Life Advantage. This is actually a product that we have access to and have chosen not to sell. The core of the GelPro New Life Advantage is made from high-quality polyurethane. The mat is also manufacturer in the USA at the GelPro factory in Texas.
What we didnt like
The New Life Advantage is easily the softest mat of the group. Measured to only be .661 thich, this is the second thinnest mat we have tested. Unfortunately, anyone over 140 lbs. will have issues with bottoming out in shoes or barefoot. Considering it comes with a short two year warranty and higher than average price tag, the New Life Advantage is the worst value in the flat mat category.
Gorilla Grip Original Premium Anti
Material:Size tested:REASONS TO BUY
The Gorilla Grip Original Premium Anti-Fatigue mat boasts reliable support in a non-toxic package. We tested the smallest size they make, but this mat is offered in six other dimensions, making it one of the most accomodating models we tested. We also appreciate the variety of colors offered, which include prints, stripes, and solids.
As with nearly all the flat mats we tested, the Gorilla Original was hard to push under the desk with one foot, partly because it boasts a grooved bottom surface that doesn’t slide easily. Yet, we noticed that the mat did travel on hard surfaces. We were surprised to see that one of the mat’s corners showed significant lift early on during testing, which could pose a tripping hazard. The mat’s pebbled surface could trap smaller bits of dirt after prolonged use. While not a mat for everyone, the Gorilla Original is an option if phthalate-free construction is a priority and you want a more varied color palette or more size options.
Material:Size tested:REASONS TO BUY
Gorilla is also the brand behind the Gorilla Grip Kangaroo Original mat. Its construction is similar, and it, too, comes in an array of sizes and colors. The Kangaroo has a slightly firmer and more supportive feel. Its surface is also smoother, which gives it a slippier feel if you’re in socks but makes it a breeze to clean.
Material:Size tested:REASONS TO BUY
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The Perfect Companion To A Standing Mat
Standing mats are decidedly passive accessories, but theres also now an active standing accessory to complement them. See our detailed review of the Gymba Muscle Activation Board, which lets you split your time between passive and active standing, together reducing your sitting time that much more every day. By activating core and leg muscles while standing the user can stave off low back pain, swelling feet and even the propensity to develop varicose veins , while reaping all the health benefits of working unseated.
Do I Really Need A Mat For My Standing Desk
In short, you dont really need a mat for your standing desk, but quality mats offer more comfort while standing for long periods. While testing standing desks and standing desks converters previously, we found that it was quite uncomfortable if you were missing a mat, even more so with a stiff one. Thats why you should look for a cushioned mat that doesn’t slip. Certain mats have topographic features that can also make standing while working more ergonomic, too.
Even if youre only standing for a few minutes, you could benefit from a standing desk mat . Standing desk mats can be used in basically any situation that involves standing such as food prep, dish-washing, cashiering, and so on.
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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.
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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The 5 Best Standing Desk Mats Of 2022
We researched dozens of mats before buying the 10 best standing desk mats available today for meticulous hands-on testing. Finding the ideal mat that supports your legs and feet may feel like it’s straight out of Goldilockshow to find the one that’s just right for you? Our home office experts spent hours standing on flat and raised mats to see when our legs tired, rolled chairs on and off them, and tested all the included features, such as foot massagers and balance boards. Our recommendations are based on our extensive hands-on testing to help you find the ideal standing desk mat that’s just right for you.
Your Fully Questions Answered
Is a standing desk mat worth it?
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In general, research shows that yes, a standing desk mat is important to use and worth it if youve made the switch to a standing desk workspace. Why? Because anti-fatigue mats reduce stress on your body from hard floor surfaces, and provide needed cushion and support. Aside from being more comfortable for your feet, your joints, knees, hips, and on-up your skeletal frame, also benefit. If improved posture and healthier workflow is important to you, using a standing desk mat will be valuable to you.
What makes a good standing mat?
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A quality standing desk mat is anti-fatigue in that it offers comfort, cushion, and stabilitythat means it doesnt slip or move around. It should also fit well with the size of your standing desk. The best standing desk mat will also return energy to an otherwise static posture. There are different designs of quality standing mats, and each offer various physical benefits. Options range from a simple, cushioned energy-return foam mat, to more contoured version with peaks-and-valleys-like terrain to encourage ergonomic movement, and find its natural alignmentall while standing at your workspace.
Do you need an anti-fatigue mat for a standing desk on carpet?
How long do anti fatigue mats last?
Products
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Additional Best Anti Fatigue Desk Mat Features
Experts after testing many types of rating standing desks come to the conclusion that the best commercial-grade desks offer some extra characteristics that must be taken into account if you do not want to waste your money on one of the useless accessories that will be just standing in the corner of your room. Each of us remembers a treadmill or any other new exercise machine that we purchased for constant training, and as a result, they stand in your house as unnecessary accessories and take up space, right? So, according to the expert opinion, your mat should not become such a treadmill, you should use it every time you feel the need for it. Therefore, its construction should be functional and support all the features you need.
From first sight, anti-fatigue desks for standing may seem simple. However, there is a list of key criteria that we have learned by testing different options that make a mat better or worse and on which each expert says we should pay close attention. A quality mat provides sustainable and comfortable standing at any standing desk and helps you to become healthier and save beauty even if you just slide your feet along the desk mat from time to time sitting on the chair. Here are the five main criteria we use to evaluate the best standing desk based on the expert opinion.
Who Can Benefit From Best Mat For Standing Desk
As youve already understood, everyone, from busy employees to those wearing tight shoes for a long time, can benefit from a well-made standing desk mat. Place the standing desk next to your chair or at the kitchen, and you will make sure that you have successfully allocated your budget for such a cushion. It is important to understand that the mats are designed for different purposes, which is not always explained in detail on selling sites such as Amazon and others. So keep reading our review that reveals the features of each of the solutions, whether it is a mat for a large workshop or a private kitchen.. Each floor mat appeals to a broad audience because of its simplicity and immediate results:
- Office workers who have opted for a sit-stand workstation.
- Home-based freelancers who want to start small with their fitness journey instead of sitting in their chairs.
- Anyone standing without sufficient moving for long periods .
- Housewives who care about their wellbeing while taking care of the house and cooking meals.
- New moms who sometimes spend several hours waiting for their newborn to fall asleep.
- People with a habit of wearing high heels.
- Those who attack importance to the wellbeing.
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What Is A Standing Desk Mat
A standing desk mat isnt a new invention, well at least the flat version. These are more commonly referred to as anti-fatigue mats. They have been used in various industries over the years, with many recently finding their way into home kitchens. Flat anti-fatigue mats are made from varying materials that include PVC foam and polyurethane. They are designed to offer a soft, yet supportive standing surface for extended periods of standing. With the rise of standing desks came the need to create a more comfortable standing option. Standing desk mats have softened the hard surface found in most offices, creating much more comfortable standing positions for users.
Within the last few years, as the standing desk market has matured, products used with standing desks have evolved as well. Topo standing desk mats or non-flat standing desk mats are the most recent evolution in this category. Promoting movement with the use of various shapes and elevation changes, topo standing desk mats have made standing more fun.
How To Choose The Best Standing Desk Mat For You
In order to find the right standing desk mat for your needs, you first have to ask yourself some basic questions: How long do you plan on standing while working each day? Do your feet cramp up often? Will your standing desk mat stay in one location or do you need something more portable? Do you also want to improve your balance and coordination while working at your standing desk?
Once this is done, you then need to take your current desk into account. Besides finding a standing desk mat that matches or compliments the color of your desk, it should also be the correct width so that you can place it right between the legs of your desk. Thickness is another important aspect to consider as a standing desk mat that is too thin will lead to fatigue faster while one that is too thick may make it more difficult for your monitor or laptop to be in the center of your field of vision when standing up.
As youll be standing on your mat either in shoes or with bare feet, it also needs to be easy to clean. Most standing desk mats can be wiped down with a mild mixture of soap and water but if you find yourself cleaning often, its color and texture could deteriorate more quickly.
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Best Overall Standing Desk Mat
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The Winner Is The Sky Solutions Comfort Anti Fatigue Sky Mat
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer. Shes an expert on all things home, including kitchen appliances, grills, and other cooking gadgets.
Rachel Lee grew up in Southern California, enjoying tacos and acai bowls at the beach before joining Dotdash Meredith as an Editorial Commerce Producer in March 2021. In her free time, she loves exploring cool rooftop bars and speakeasies in every city she goes to, especially NYC.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
After extensive Lab testing, the Sky Solutions Comfort Anti Fatigue Sky Mat is our top choice. Perfect for the kitchen or the workplace, this mat is thick, comfy, soft, and it comes in multiple sizes and colors. If you have a high-traffic area, check out the GelPro NewLife Bio-Foam Comfort Mat, which testers found to be highly durable and offered outstanding support.
Standing on a hard, bare floor for several hours, whether its because youre cooking a time-intensive meal on the stove or meal-prepping several ingredients at the counter, is not only exhausting, but it can cause strain to your lower body. It puts constant pressure on your feet, lower back, and legs, explains Dr. Kevin Lees, DC, manager of auditing and quality for The Joint Chiropractic.
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