If you can't remember the last time you changed your bath mat or even where it came from, you're definitely overdue for a new one. Besides looking grubby, an old, out-of-date design can also harbor germs, earning you aesthetic and hygienic minus points for your bathroom decor. With an abundance of bath mats on the market, though, I totally understand that you might be looking for some inspo. So, let me help.
Quick Menu:
1. Stone bath mats
2. Memory foam bath mats
3. Bamboo bath mats
Up there with your fluffy bath towels and your cute bathroom trashcan, a chic rug or mat beside your tub is essential. Besides preventing unwanted water slips or sopping bathroom floors, a cute bath mat can instantly elevate your bathroom, no matter how dingy it might be RN. Renters, listen up!
Oh, and you've probably noticed that the world of bath mats has come a long way from what it used to be. Where once, traditional, shag-piled pieces reigned supreme, nowadays, fast-drying, science-led designs rule the roost. From laidback to rustic via maximalist and cutesy, there's a serious glut of options out there to pick from. I've put in the hours searching the web for only the freshest and finest shower rugs so you don't have to. Each is serving up a minimum of four stars alongside a bevy of shining reviews, so you can trust it to deliver. So, let's get into it!
The best bath mats to buy
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing.
Stone bath mats
No, it's not what you think. Forget those old-school pebble designs, these are the ingenious diatomite delights designed using natural sedimentary rock that's extremely absorbent as well as quick drying. Yep, we're talking 60 seconds before it's bone dry again.
Size (in.): 24 x 16
Made from: Diatomite
Washable? Wash with water and air dry
Price: From $54.99
Available in a selection of hues, spanning neutral to more poppy colorways, this slatted piece is a wonder worker, absorbing water and drying at unheard-of speeds. Bound together with a thin layer of plastics, it's easy to fold away, promising smart antibacterial properties, too. Where reviewers were concerned, this nailed the brief, bringing a mildew-free bath mat that's as sleek as it is functional. Oh, and we can't forget to mention that it's a handmade design. The best part? It won't collect hair. Count me in.
Size (in.): 27.6 x 17.7
Made from: Diatomite and rubber
Washable? Machine wash, vacuum, or detergent scrub
Price: From $24.99
Honestly, this is adorable. A flexible diatomite design, it's low to the ground although exquisitely cushy, featuring a soft recycled sponge below its surface. As well as offering a non-slip bottom and anti-crack artwork, this Pop Art-inspired piece is guaranteed to start conversations, injecting some much-needed life into an otherwise tawdry bathroom. Add to this its anti-mold and anti-shed credentials, and you have one serious combination of function and form. The reviewers' verdict? Fast absorption, slip-free use, and a vibrance that looks just as great as the photos.
Size (in.): 23.62 x 15.35
Made from: Diatomite
Washable? Clean with running water
Price: From $29.99
Your solution to a more efficient bathing regime, this bacteria-resistant design is both easy to clean and great at preventing stains. Aside from its exceptional water absorption and drying capacity, it's also an environmentally friendly pick, using no chemicals, just natural diatomaceous earth. According to reviewers, it's a breeze to vacuum, requires minimal washing, and it's far softer than you'd think. Personally, this would be my go-to. It's cool, savvy, and futuristic, a trio of qualities I can't say no to.
Memory foam bath mats
No, it's not just memory foam mattresses that have taken the interior world by storm, but also memory foam rugs. Yep, these handy designs help absorb the motion of your feet landing on the pile, molding to them, before returning to their original form. Saggy, slippy designs, farewell. Hello, stylish and robust.
Size (in.): 20 x 34
Made from: Polyester
Washable? Machine wash and tumble dry
Price: From $18
Whether you opt for the aqua stripes (my personal fav), navy, white, or any of the other hues on offer, this cushioned comfort is serving seriously secure footing, especially with its PVC backing. As for its looks, it doesn't get much finer than that chenille weave. Oh, and the memory foam works a treat, promising a truly plush feeling below your feet. I could see this in any bright and airy rental, bringing seaside vibes aplenty in the aqua colorway. As for reviews, shoppers found its thickness perfect and washing a piece of cake.
Size (in.): 15.75 x 23.62
Made from: Coral fleece polyester
Washable? Hand wash or machine wash on a low cycle
Price: From $9.99
With an impressively low price tag, this adorable design is a must for anyone who needs a little cuteness in their day-to-day life. Replete with an embossed Hello Kitty-inspired design, this is soft on foot thanks to its slow-rebound memory foam, plus majorly absorbent. Oh, and you'll be glad to hear the statement hue doesn't fade, promising pink purr-fection for years to come. Shoppers found it ideal for small bathrooms, praising its anti-slip bottom and shape maintenance.
Size (in.): 18 x 30
Made from: Memory foam
Washable? Machine wash and tumble dry
Price: From $19.99
A real all-rounder, this lightly curved rectangular piece comes with anti-slip rubber backing and promises superb water absorption. Available in yellow, gray, green, or white, it's a pared-back classic, finished with subtle indented stripes, serving understated cool in buckets. For me, the yellow is an instant win, enhancing a bathroom's visual panache in seconds. As reviewers report, it's super bright — just what a tired rental bathroom needs — and soft AF to walk on. Shoppers also confirm that this would be best suited to small or mid-sized bathrooms, which suits me and you just fine.
Bamboo bath mats
As well as looking understated and rustic, the bamboo bath mat is a hardy design, offering resistance to mildew, mold, and stains alike. Another benefit, is, of course, you needn't machine wash it, and it's a renewable material — eco points! So, here are the coolest ones out there.
Size (in.): 27 x 16
Made from: Bamboo and rubber
Washable? Clean with warm water and air dry
Price: From $31.99
Resistant to mildew and water, this bamboo mat dries at exceptional speed thanks to the latticed structure, which aids ventilation. On its bottom, you'll find non-slip pads to prevent unwanted accidents, too. As for the bamboo itself, this is all-natural, so you can trust you're getting real quality. Oh, and did we mention this craft design is handmade? As far as reviews go, this has fared very well, earning praise for its beautiful design and lack of dust buildup.
Size (in.): 31.8 x 18.1
Made from: Bamboo
Washable? Spot clean with a cloth
Price: From $52.99
Prefer a lick of paint? Well, this crafty piece has your back, arriving with rubber feet below and an easy-clean waterproof surface. Again, that slatted design works wonders at speeding up dry time while the construction is aptly sturdy. Fitted with smooth edges, this features no burs, so you needn't fret over unwanted splinters. Word on the street? It's almost unmovable when stepped on, and it drains with ease. Expect plenty of use from this, too, say reviewers.
Size (in.): 21.5 x 13.75
Made from: Bamboo
Washable? Use a damp cloth and mild soap
Price: From $24.99
Sometimes, you can't beat a classic, and this number is a case in point. In the traditional spa-style design, this natural bamboo wood piece comes fitted with handy non-slip pads on its base, plus a slatted design to accelerate the drying. Because of its robust construction, it resists warping and bending and can withstand even the wettest of floors without skidding across the room. Add to this, its tiny but delightful sizing, and you have one small but mighty classic. And yes, reviewers were very pleased by its resistance to dirt (helped by its elevated design) and simple care requirements.
FAQs
How often should you get a new bath mat?
On average, you should be switching yours every six months or once a year, minimum. "Over time, constant use and frequent washing or cleaning cause fraying edges or other noticeable signs of wear," explains Design Ideas Guide's Ana Ro, a home decor and interior expert. "The surface texture flattens over time, and the material itself can deteriorate due to exposure to moisture, cleaning agents, or sunlight." As soon as this starts happening, you'll want to start shopping for another or risk losing its non-slip properties. As well as this, it's of course good hygienic practice to refresh your mat. Indeed, some bath mats get so used and dirty that even the washer can't save them.
How do you dry a bath mat after a shower?
Good question! If it's a bamboo design this is obviously less of a concern, but for fabric ones, you'll want to hang it somewhere. "I usually hang or spread it out on a drying rack to allow air to circulate around the mat and dry fast," says Design Ideas Guide's Ana Ro, a home and interior buff. "When drying out bath mats made of plastics, avoid direct sunlight because exposure to sunlight would degrade and damage the material." Oh, and as is the case with any fabric items, air drying is your best approach — it's natural, after all. Final tip? Avoid "walking or placing any weight on it until it’s completely dry."
Where to buy a bath mat
Still searching for the best bath mat? Don't worry. We've pulled together the top retailers for this exact query below, so you're sure to find something.
- Amazon bath mats
- Etsy bath mats
- H&M bath mats
- Target bath mats
- Urban Outfitters bath mats
- Walmart bath mats
- Wayfair bath mats
How we chose these bath mats
Taking the time to pore through reviews and reams upon reams of products, we sourced only the top bath mats, paying close attention to the shoppers' reports. Indeed, if anything had less than a four-star rating or didn't actually improve a user's life, we weren't interested. Besides these criteria, we always consider practicality and style. Our holy trinity? Good looks, great performance, and value for money.