There are few things more wonderful than stepping out of a hot shower, wrapping yourself in your favorite towel and stepping onto a perfectly plush bath mat. But the best bath mats—the ones vetted by interior designers and textile experts alike—do more than just make your feet feel good. They’re highly absorbent, too, easily soaking up excess water and keeping you safe from untoward accidents. Slipping on a wet floor is no laughing matter, after all. Brooklinen’s Bath Mat is our top pick overall, but we’ve got several other fabulous options listed ahead—and one is bound to fit your personal bathroom décor, preferences and budget.
The Dorai bath mat is made using diatomaceous earth, a sustainable material that’s essentially ... [+] composed of minerals that are naturally antimicrobial and wick away moisture almost immediately. Beige Memory Foam Bath Mat
When it comes to shopping for one of these handy mats, you’ll want to take several factors into consideration, including size, design, comfort, grip and value. A good bath mat doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive, but it’s one of those items that tends to get a lot of wear, so you will want to find an option that’s easy to toss in the wash every now and again. The good news: We’ve done most of the legwork for you, scouring specs and customer reviews in order to find the best options on the market in 2023. Ahead, find our curated list.
Size: Choose from two sizes | Material: Turkish cotton | Color options: Choose from four colors
This extra thick, 100% Turkish cotton bath mat is beloved by thousands of shoppers. It offers a plush design that feels light and airy, but it’s still incredibly absorbent and will get your feet dry as soon as you step out of the shower. It also happens to be OEKO-TEX certified, a good indicator of an ethical, more natural manufacturing process. Finally, the mat is sold in five colors and it’s machine-washable: Simply pop it in the wash and follow up with a tumble dry on low to keep it looking its best.
Sizes: 23.6 x 15.4 x 0.4 inches | Material: Diatomaceous earth | Color options: Slate, sandstone
Unlike most mats that are made using synthetic fabrics or wood, the Dorai mat is made from diatomaceous earth, a sustainable material that’s essentially composed of minerals that are naturally antimicrobial and wick away moisture almost immediately. It’s also resistant to getting moldy or developing mildew when waterlogged, which makes it ideal for a wet area like the bathroom. The mat comes with a rubberized pad to ensure it stays in place, and the overall look is minimal and chic.
Sizes: Choose from five sizes | Material: 100% Cotton | Color options: Choose from 30 colors
Hundreds of The Company Store shoppers adore this bath rug thanks to its versatility which makes it a great pick for bathrooms of all sizes and color palettes. In addition to being sold in four basic sizes to accommodate single and double sinks, standing showers and full-sized baths, this bath rug is available in a contour option which works well with pedestal sinks. Sizes aside, it’s sold in literally every color of the rainbow, features a cozy chunky weave that’s soft and absorbent and honestly a joy to step on.
Size: Comes in one standard size| Material: Turkish Cotton | Color options: Choose from six colors
Hundreds of Parachute shoppers consider this simple cotton tub mat to be the best of the best. It’s made with plush, 100% Turkish cotton that quickly absorbs water from your feet without feeling soaked in the process. And while it’s made entirely of cotton, you don’t have to worry about putting any extra TLC into this mat, as it’s machine-washable for convenient care.
Size: Choose from two sizes | Material: Cotton | Color options: Choose from seven colors
If you prefer an ultra-thick, extremely cushy bath mat, this looped option from L.L.Bean is a great choice. It’s designed with 1-inch loops to create a plush underfoot experience that quickly soaks up water—whether just out of the shower or while standing at the sink. That’s the thing about this bath rug: It’s designed with sink sizes (as opposed to baths) in mind. So, whether you have a single or double sink (a shower or a tub), this design will work.
Dimensions: Choose from four sizes | Material: Chenille | Color options: Choose from 14 colors
This plush microfiber bath rug is sold in four sizes, including a runner option, and 14 neutral and spa-like colors (the brightest of which is a serene dark teal). The rug is made of fuzzy chenille microfiber which is soft and cushy to the touch. As such, it works well to cushion the feet, whether fresh out of the shower or standing at the vanity. Best of all, this machine-washable rug stays put. It’s lined with a Melt Back Adhesive that promotes breathability, as well as provides traction.
Size: Choose from seven sizes | Material: Memory Foam | Color options: Choose from 21 colors
Over 23,000 Amazon shoppers have given the Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Mat their 5-star seal of approval. The machine-washable mat is sold in seven sizes (including ultra-long runners) and 21 colors (both neutral and bright). The low pile rug has rounded corners and a rubber backing to ensure it stays put. While the absorbent mat shows foot prints upon walking, it quickly bounces back to maintain it’s crease-free shape.
Size: Comes in one standard size | Material: Recycled wood | Color options: Comes in one color
If you’ve ever been to a high-end spa or luxe outdoor shower, then you’ve likely come across wooden bathmats. Although these mats aren’t known for their absorption abilities, they do offer an undeniably chic entryway and exit from showers and baths. The Lattice Wooden Mat from Crate & Barrel is beloved for its indoor and outdoor use, as well as its smooth finish, which prevents the possibility of splinters. That said, since it’s made of recycled wood chips held together with glue, the mat drains water, rather than soaking it up. As such, after use, shoppers suggest wiping up the floor (unless it’s outside) to prevent pooling.
Dimensions: Choose from seven sizes | Material: Memory Foam | Color options: Choose from 22 colors
Over 41,000 Amazon shoppers have given this 3/4-inch memory foam bathroom rug a 5-star review. The reason? It’s soft, absorbent, dries fast, has a non-slip backing and it’s machine-washable. What’s more, it’s sold in seven sizes, including options for tight spaces and expansive bathrooms. Additionally, this rug is available in a ton more bright and vivid colors than neutral shades, which is rare. So, no matter your color preference, there’s an option for you.
Dimensions: Choose from three sizes | Material: Polyester microfiber | Color options: Choose from 10 colors
For a plush underfoot experience that spans the entire length of your shower, bath or double-sink vanity, check out the top-selling Threshold Signature Bath Rug from Target. In addition to being sold in a 24 x 60 inch runner size, it’s also available in two single-sink or shower stall options. The rug is made with supremely soft polyester microfiber, which slightly cushions the feet. Additionally, it has a latex backing that keeps it in place, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping out from under you.
Size: Choose from seven sizes | Material: Polyester | Color Options: Choose from 30 colors
This heavyweight polyester shag bath rug is designed to feel luxuriously soft underfoot. The high-pile weaving is especially cozy during the cooler months of the year, as it keeps feet warm when they’re wet (or dry), plus, it quickly absorbs water without feeling soaked in the process. In addition to being comfortable to the touch, it’s made with safety in mind thanks to its rubber slip-proof backing.
When looking for a bath rug, it’s important to keep the size of your space in mind. If you have a small bathroom, single sink, or stall-style shower, a smaller bath mat will work best. If you have a full-size shower or bath, or a double-sink vanity, opting for a runner will offer more floor protection and a more all-encompassing cozy underfoot experience.
Some bath rug materials are more absorbent than others. What’s more, some can be thrown in the wash while others have to be spot cleaned. Generally speaking, cotton and polyester bath rugs are best in terms of absorption and machine-washable care, while wood is more so about aesthetics than utility.
While many bath rugs are sold in neutral, serene colors, there are plenty of high-quality mats available in bright, vivid hues. Which is all to say: Don’t limit yourself to drab colors if you’re really into color. There’s a cult-favorite bath rug for every color, material, and size preference.
Bath mats are usually available in cotton, synthetic fibers or wood, but the best bath mat for you comes down to personal preferences. While cotton continues to be a popular choice, thanks to its moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic quality, the mats are usually thinner. If you like a plush feel underfoot, synthetic materials like microfiber or chenille are great options, while mats made from wood look elegant and stylish. You could also opt for a bath mat made from diatomaceous earth, a sustainable material that’s naturally antimicrobial and wick away moisture almost immediately.
Bath mats are hardworking bathroom essentials that tend to accumulate dust and dirt, and since they get wet, they’re prone to developing mold and mildew. To ensure your bath mat is clean and hygienic, it’s recommended you wash it at least once a week. If you don’t use your bath mat as frequently or live alone, you can get away with a more relaxed washing routine.
I am a Senior Editor at Forbes, leading our coverage of the workplace, careers and leadership issues. Before joining Forbes, I wrote for the Washington Post for more than a decade covering workplace issues, corporate management, leadership and governance. Prior to that, I was a staff writer and reporter at BusinessWeek, Fast Company and SmartMoney magazines. An Atlanta native, I graduated from the University of Georgia, where I studied history and journalism. Follow me on Twitter @jenamcgregor.
I am a Senior Editor at Forbes, leading our coverage of the workplace, careers and leadership issues. Before joining Forbes, I wrote for the Washington Post for more than a decade covering workplace issues, corporate management, leadership and governance. Prior to that, I was a staff writer and reporter at BusinessWeek, Fast Company and SmartMoney magazines. An Atlanta native, I graduated from the University of Georgia, where I studied history and journalism. Follow me on Twitter @jenamcgregor.
I am an accomplished author, journalist, and photographer who specializes in consumer technologies. Please visit my website at www.JasonRich.com and check out my eBook, \"iPhone 14 Pro Max Digital Photography\" (www.iPhoneBookShop.com). I am also the author of The Remote Worker's Handbook (Entrepreneur Books) that'll be published in March 2023.
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I'm an avid consumer of the tech gear I write about, and I look for products that inspire me. I’ve worked as an editor at Forbes Vetted, PCWorld and PCMag, and as a freelance writer for countless publications. My expertise spans a wide range of consumer tech categories, including laptops, cameras, phones, storage and more. When not diving into the latest gadget, I'm also a book editor, storyteller and sports photographer. I earned my M.S. in Technology Management from Columbia University. You can reach me at melissa@perenson.com.
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