The 8 Best Desk Mats in 2024: Tested and Reviewed

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Once you get one, you'll never go back.

Anyone who likes to decorate every square inch of their space will appreciate the best desk mats for two reasons: first, and probably foremost, they keep your work area organized by creating unofficial vignettes on the surface, and second, they add a level of visual interest that monitors and keyboards do not. So, what makes a desk mat worth the investment? Well, it depends on what you are looking for. Do you like a monogram? Do you prioritize luxury materials? Do you want something durable that can handle an iced coffee spill? No matter what your preference, you will find something that suits your taste and your desk here.

Ahead, each of the House Beautiful editors tested out a different desk mat to see which one does, in fact, reign supreme. Sadly, we didn't want to crown one better than the rest because we couldn't unanimously agree, which pretty much means that all nine we tried are worth getting. From luxe leather ones with a hand-foiled monogram to a $20 alternative that is super easy to wipe clean, there are plenty of top contenders below. Trust us; once you opt for a desk mat, you'll never go back.

This Leatherology pick is a great option for anyone who's never felt the need for a desk mat. After all, what purpose does a desk mat even serve, you may be wondering? Assistant Editor Meghan Shouse is with you. She, too, had never experienced a desk mat, so when she decided to bite the bullet and get one, she wanted one of the best on offer. "It smelled good, the way new leather does, and provides a nice texture on my desk without sitting too high where it feels awkward or uncomfortable to type. I got the Oxblood color and it's exactly what I wanted for a moody splash of red in the sea of white that is my desk and the office in general," she says. Shouse, like anyone with a large desk that could use some delineation here and there, uses hers to decorate. "I wouldn't say it's helped me organize my desk, but it makes it look a lot better and has inspired me to add some other accessories to my Amazon cart." What's more, she says the premium leather has not scratched at all, even with a mouse on it.

More often than not, the cheapest option of anything isn't known for its long-lasting qualities. That said, every now and then, we happen upon a piece that is both affordable and durable, and this desk mat is one of them. "I've had the Anecdote leather desk mat for nearly a year, and I continue to be pleasantly surprised by its durability. I love that this mat is available in myriad colors, but I chose the light blue to match my planner (also by Anecdote)," Digital Editor Kate McGregor says. Like plenty of people who order a desk mat to both stay organized and perhaps break up the monotony of a big white (or wood) desk, McGregor wanted to incorporate a pop of color into her desk setup. "I ordered the blue as a solution to the stark whiteness of my work environment (only made worse by in-office lighting). The color was exactly as pictured online, and the leather grain has a high-quality feel." What's more, McGregor says that the soft underside may not be finished with rubber, but it doesn't slide at all. Her only qualm? "The mat came rolled up, which meant it took a few days for all of the edges to lay flatly (I stacked my planners on top to aid the process)." It's also big enough to eliminate the need for a mouse pad or coaster. "Although I'm prone to spilling coffee, and there are a fair few mug rings in the corner where I keep my drink, I haven't noticed any scratches or discoloration, and it's actually helped me keep my desk neater thanks to its clean lines."

While some people opt for a desk mat to protect their precious desk, and a few use a desk mat to keep themselves organized, others simply like the look of one; it makes their desk feel a little more elevated. "Having this mat on my desk definitely made me feel fancy. The color was true to the site; it came rolled but lay flat immediately, and it has a nice matte finish," explains Deputy Managing Editor Sarah Esgro. "So far, It's stood up against a morning coffee spill and greasy lunch fingers without so much as a spot of discoloration." Of course, no product is perfect. She does admit that the size was a little unexpected. "I will say that it is very large. It wouldn't fit on my home desk, but it helps define my work area on my office desk."

Of course, a desk mat can be subtle and not garner too much attention, but if you like a little extra pizzazz at your workstation, why not go for something a bit bold? That was Performance Marketing Associate Rhea Park's goal when she incorporated this bright and colorful design onto her own desk at the House Beautiful office. "The mat is large enough to accommodate my giant desk and looks like how it is advertised online. I've never had a desk mat before, so I've found that it helps me organize my space and look neater and more put together overall." She does admit, however, that the white part of the mat is prone to a bit of mess because, well, it's white. So, if you tend to spill, this may not be the best option for you."

Nothing feels more luxurious than a monogrammed, well, anything. From towels to purses, Mark & Graham is famous for its bevy of stylish leather goods that are finished off with a freshly embossed or foiled monogram. When Commerce Editor Nashia Baker bought her desk mat, a monogram was at the top of her mind in her decision-making process. "I thought this leather desk mat looked so sleek as soon as I took it out of the package. The color matched the online description, and the custom monogram was a bonus to make the desk mat stand out even more," she says. "The desk mat itself has helped me keep my work essentials in order, like my laptop and planner. It's gotten a little dirty from things like snack crumbs, but I thought it was easy to clean with a gentle cleaning spray and a soft cloth to get it looking as good as new."

We love marble on pretty much everything, including kitchen islands, bathroom counters, and, yes, even desk mats. Of course, this one is not actually marble, but it looks just like the real thing. Assistant Social Media Editor Bianca Bonetti says, "My desk definitely looks more aesthetically pleasing, and I love that I don't need a separate mousepad because this desk mat is so wide, which is something to keep in mind if you don't have a huge desk." At 36 inches wide, it's definitely for those with bigger spaces to spread out, but, as Bonetti said, if you have this sprawled across your desk, you really don't need anything else to protect your surface, like a mouse pad or a coaster." Because it's neoprene, though, it's hard to write on directly. Bonetti says, "It's squishy neoprene material, so you can't write on a piece of paper without stabbing through it (the paper)." And just in case your pen does break through a piece of paper and stain the desk mat, toss it in the wash.

"Full disclosure: I bought these as a set of placemats, but since I have only two barstools at my island and no dining table, I knew I'd use the other two placemats as desk mats: one for me and one for my boyfriend, as we both work from home several times per week. After all, laptops scratch and I love my at-home desk too much to ruin it!" Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "I love that the set comes in four different colors. I use the green one and my boyfriend uses the black one. They're great: They don't slide around, they protect my desk and kitchen island, and because they're made of faux leather (even though it feels real), they're easy to clean." This set comes in various colors, so feel free to get four mix-and-match options or four of the same shade.

Another bold option that has already become a House Beautiful favorite is the Printworks desk mat. Digital Designer Soumi Sarkar admits, "Okay, this Printworks Desk Pad is everything. I really wanted a desk mat that would (a) protect my desk from scratches and avoid the harsh feeling of moving my mouse around on the bare surface, and (b) brighten up my workspace, and this one checks both of those boxes!" What attracted her most were the fun colors and wave-like shape, neither of which are too distracting for the workday. She does note that it is prone to stains if you are a spiller, but "it's nothing a laundry pen can't fix," she notes.

To help narrow down the candidate pool of the best desk mats, I first asked our team of editors for their tried-and-true picks. We all have different tastes when it comes to design and also work in various types of spaces, from our office in midtown Manhattan to our own setups at home, so you can trust these choices are varied and come in a range of prices. We made sure to pick only the styles that we love and even waxed poetic about them so you get a better sense of why you should make the purchase.

A few factors played into our honest reviews—namely how long we've had them, pros, cons, whether or not it was worth the price, and more. We'll start with perhaps the most important element: timeline. We asked all testers to use their desk mat for at least two weeks before sending their detailed feedback. After all, anything could work for a few days, but after living with something you may spill on for a full two weeks, you'll start to notice the faults and misgivings. Luckily, none of us had any glaring issues that negatively impacted our personal experiences, which is saying a lot because we tested quite a few products. That said, because no product is perfect, we wanted to get the truth about any cons, including lead times and durability.

Desk mats may seem like an easy purchase, but there are a few elements to consider before adding one to your cart. First, and arguably the most important, is size. If you want to skip the coasters and mousepads, get something plenty wide. That said, anything too wide will spill over the edges of your desk and look a bit sloppy. The same goes for a desk mat that's too small: It won't look proportional. The second consideration to think about is material. If you tend to spill things, don't go with leather, which absorbs material and leaves stains. On the other hand, if you like to jot down notes with a pen and paper, skip the neoprene materials because your writing utensil of choice will go right through it.

Think of your desk mat like you would your pillows: Down may seem like the obvious answer when it comes to luxury, but if you are prone to neck pain, down will become a nightmare. The same goes with desk mats: Leather isn't necessarily the best option, depending on what you need. That said, if you want something luxurious, don't spill very often and go with leather. On the other hand, if your desk has seen more than a few coffee spills or lunch stains, you may want to consider a material that can handle the mess and the washing machine, like neoprene or rubber.

House Beautiful is dedicated to finding the best pieces for your home, no matter what your budget or design preference is. As a shopping editor on a non-stop mission to incorporate the best of the best decor into my own home, I am constantly surveying my favorite brands' new releases to test for myself. When it comes to recommending products, I love to combine my own expertise with thorough research and testing to give you first-person accounts of the market's best home products. Plus, the editors at House Beautiful have covered desk and work setups, and organizing from all angles, from what professional organizers recommend tossing to home office design ideas. Our editors make sure every story is well-researched, and if needed, testing is involved so that you can feel good about the products we're recommending.

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