Best standing desk mats of 2024 | TechRadar

Comparing the best standing desk mats from anti-fatigue options to balance boards

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The best standing desk mat will bring comfort and prevent fatigue from setting in, offering a more relaxed space for your feet.

Paired with the best standing desk or best standing desk converter that we've tested, these under-desk mats provide welcome relief when sitting or standing for long periods of time. In our view, the Vari ActiveMat is the best standing desk converter that's reasonably priced, simply designed, and comfortable to use.

Check out our round-up below, where we've reviewed each mat and balance board for ergonomics, durability, portability, and anti-fatigue extras such as massage balls and acupressure points to relieve foot pain. Get comfortable in your workspace with the best office chairs hand-tested by us.

For more savings, see our round-up of the best Prime Day standing desk deals and Prime Day office chair deals.

Best overall

This standing desk mat has curved edges that make it great for stretching your feet and legs while you work.

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Best for large feet

This standing desk mat is wide enough that you can stand on the massage points when using it barefooted or in the middle when wearing shoes.

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Best on a budget

Despite being one of the cheapest option on this list, this is available in a variety of colors and different sizes to perfectly match your desk

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Best for sore feet

Features a massage ball at its center to relieve stress on your arches as well as massage points on either side to promote blood circulation.

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Best for portability

A great budget option for those who intend to move their standing desk mat between their workplace and home

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Best for active users

You need to actively balance while using this standing desk mat, to help you engage your core while working and the massage points at either side.

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The ActiveMat from Vari features a non-slip bottom and is made from a high-density material so that it won’t lose its shape or break down easily over time. However, the main attraction is this standing desk mat’s dynamic shape and raised side panels that allow you to easily stretch out your feet while working.

According to Vari, it also allows your feet to explore and engage different muscles while standing. Although it is one of the more expensive options on this list, Vari does offer a 25 percent discount on it and one other accessory when you purchase it alongside the Vari Electric Standing Desk or the Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk.

The mat weighs 10.6 pounds (4.77kg) and you'll want to be careful when walking around it because the raised edges could trip you.

The Ergonomic Anti Fatigue Mat DM1 from FlexiSpot is a slightly less expensive option that features plenty of cushioning to allow you to work comfortably. This standing desk mat is also wide enough that you can stand on the massage points when using it barefooted or in the middle when wearing shoes.

In addition to the massage points on either end, there are also mounds at the front which you can use to massage your toes. The DM1 may not have a handle but it is light enough that you can bring it with you while the no-skid design prevents it from moving when in use.

The DM1 is quite suitable for tall folk (6 feet and above). Although it is thick, it is still flexible and provides anti-fatigue benefits for your joints and spine.

Despite being one of the cheapest option on this list, the Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat is available in a wide variety of colors and a number of different sizes to perfectly match your desk. In fact, it’s the only standing desk mat we’ve seen that comes in patterns which could be perfect for those that want to add some extra visual flair to their workspace.

The Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat is made from high-density memory foam for cushioned comfort and all-day support. A non-slip bottom helps keep it in place while its beveled edge with anti-curl prevents tripping.

Thanks to the high-quality material it's made of, you won't be subject to strong, toxic odors. It’s also very easy to clean, which means it can be used in the kitchen as well as in your home office.

If you have a lot of foot pain or even suffer from plantar fasciitis, then you should consider the Fenge Anti-Fatigue Standing Desk Mat as it features a massage ball at its center to relieve stress on your arches as well as massage points on either side to promote blood circulation.

This standing desk mat is also an eco-friendly option since it's made from natural rubber which increases wear resistance and makes it easier to clean. While there are plenty of features to help reduce fatigue, you won’t be able to choose a color that matches your desk or get it in a bigger size.

The mat is fairly easy to clean, though, because it's stain resistant and waterproof. Other than your standing desk, you can use the Fenge Anti-Fatigue mat in your kitchen, living room, or behind a counter.

The Mount-It! Anti Fatigue Floor Mat is another great budget option especially for those that intend to bring their standing desk mat back and forth between their workplace and home. However, unlike the Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat, it’s only available in one size that may be too narrow for those with longer legs.

Still though, the Mount-It! Anti Fatigue Floor Mat is easy to clean as the rubberized gel foam it's made from is water and stain resistant, and this standing desk mat is available in brown and red as well as black.

Although its portability is a plus, the compact size could limit movement for some people, especially taller invidiuals.

This mat comes in three colors: black, red, and brown, but you'll have to shell out a little extra for the red and brown variations.

Who says standing desk mats can’t be fun to use? The FEZIBO Anti-Fatigue Balance Board is somewhat of an outlier on this list as it doesn’t remain in place by itself while in use.

Instead, as the name suggests, you need to balance while using it. In addition to helping with fidgeting, the FEZIBO Anti-Fatigue Balance Board can help you engage your core while working and the massage points at either side also help reduce fatigue.

Surprisingly, this standing desk mat can double as a piece of exercise equipment since FEZIBO includes resistance bands that can be attached to the holes at either end.

The manufacturer also claims that this anti-fatigue mat will warm your feet within a few minutes because of the wobble exercise it facilitates. The movement will improve your blood circulation and relax your muscles.

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 you’ll 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.

Once you’ve been using a standing desk mat for some time, you may want to mix things up and even get some additional benefits to your posture, core and balance by using a balance board instead. These are also especially useful for those who often find themselves fidgeting or moving about while working. Some balance boards (like the FEZIBO Balance Board detailed above) even include acupressure points or a massage ball so that you can relieve aches and pains in your feet while standing.

It’s also a good idea to keep the original packaging as you may need to test out several standing desk mats before you find the one that works for you. Alternatively, you can own more than one and alternate based on the work you’re doing. For instance, you may want to brainstorm on a balance board while getting your ideas together and then switch to an anti-fatigue mat when it comes time to get to work.

We've tested, reviewed, and rated a wide range of office and home office tech and furniture, including the best monitor stands, the best under-desk treadmills, and the best laptop stands. When testing these, we're looking at how each can make your workspace more comfortable and adapted to your needs.

We've tested the best standing desk mats across various aspects, starting with their thickness and anti-fatigue features. We checked what type of materials the mats used, how durable they were, and whether they had features like stain and water resistance that made them easy to clean.

We considered their size to assess what heights they'd be best suited for. We checked if they had anti-fatigue features like raised side panels, stretching panels, massage points, and massage balls.

We also checked how portable they were, what colors they came in, whether they had anti-slip bottoms, and their pricing.

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After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.