We extensively researched the top options available online and had our tester evaluate our top picks on design, comfort, grip, and value. Backed by our testing, our favorite is the Frontgate Resort Skid-Resistant Bath Rug, an absorbent, plush, and grippy mat that’s also easy to clean in the washing machine. Here are the best bath mats. What do buyers say? 300+ Frontgate reviewers rated this product 5 stars. We tested all of the mats in this roundup, and Frontgate’s Resort Rug was a clear winner, receiving a perfect score in all categories! Bath mats are often either aesthetically pleasing but relatively low-quality or basic-looking but actually high-end. This one, however, is the best of both worlds. As Saana Baker, a San Francisco-based textile expert, notes, cotton is ideal for bath mats, as it’s low-maintenance and naturally absorbent, especially with a looped weave like this one has. Woven from exceedingly strong long-staple cotton yarns, the Resort Bath Rug is a step up from most cotton mats. It’s nearly 2 inches thick with a high-pile surface to offset the low loops. The result? An incredibly soft and undeniably luxurious texture that feels amazing between the toes.We also like that it has a slightly grippy latex-treated backing, providing slip-resistance without compromising the blankety feel. What’s more, you can throw it in the washing machine, and the long-staple cotton gets softer with every wash. This bath mat is more expensive than most others in its category, but considering the quality, we wouldn’t say it’s overpriced. Price at time of publish: $59 for 21" x 34" Size: Comes in four sizes | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Cotton | Color: Comes in 23 colors | Return policy: 90 days | Thickness: 1.8 inches This mat is machine washable and even vacuumable on a lower suction mode. We also appreciate that it comes in lots of sizes and colors. One thing to note is that while the microfiber is highly absorbent, it doesn’t dry quite as quickly as others in its category. In our tests, this rug took longer to dry after consecutive showers. Price at time of publish: $30 Size: 31.5 x 19.8 Inches | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Chenille | Color: Comes in 21 colors | Return policy: 30 days | Thickness: Not listed Though the shag-like surface feels great underfoot, the Classic Cotton Bath Mat looks like your average bathroom rug. Our tester noted that the appearance was not as high-end as other options on this list, rating it a four out of five in value. Having said that, it’s undoubtedly sturdy but also lightweight and soft with a non-skid backing to help it stay in place on your bathroom floor. Price at time of publish: $40 Size: 21 x 34 inches or 30 x 50 inches | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Cotton | Color: Comes in seven colors | Return policy: 365 days | Thickness: 1 inch All in all, this 100 percent cotton bath mat is a high-quality product with an authentic appeal. But as Tina Martindelcampo notes, “If you prefer a stylish, more traditional style rug for a bath mat, then make sure you put a rug pad underneath to keep it from slipping.” Our tester also noted that the weave makes this product feel more like a mat than a rug, and rated it a three out of five for comfort and overall value. Price at time of publish: $75 Size: 41 x 19 inches | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Cotton | Color: White | Return policy: Not listed | Thickness: Not listed Made of microfiber with a notably grippy and protective TPR (thermoplastic rubber) backing, this mat is machine washable. However, the manufacturer recommends air-drying it to avoid warping the rubbery back. In our tests, this bath mat earned a score of four out of five because it shed considerably, which called for more frequent vacuuming. Price at time of publish: $23 Size: 32 x 20 | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Microfiber with TPR backing | Color: Comes in five colors | Return policy: 30 days | Thickness: 1 inch This bath mat has a heavy-duty rubber backing, protecting your floors from water damage and preventing you from slipping. We also like that it’s machine washable and comes in an array of sizes and colors. The price is about average, though the smaller sizes are budget-friendly. Price at time of publish: $30 Size: Comes in ten sizes | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Chenille | Color: Comes in 45 colors/patterns | Return policy: 30 days | Thickness: 0.01 inches Thanks to an anti-skid backing with grippy rubber dots, this budget-friendly mat stays in place while protecting your floors from moisture damage. It’s also machine washable and even vacuumable using low suction. However, in our tests, we found that the larger sizes of this bath mat were a little awkward to wash in a standard washing machine, earning it a four out of five in that category. Price at time of publish: $30 Size: Comes in eight sizes | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Memory foam with microfiber cover | Color: Comes in 21 colors | Return policy: 30 days | Thickness: 1.69 inches The material is naturally absorbent, though you can expect some water to drip through when you step out of the tub or shower. For this reason, it’s best if your bathroom flooring is water-resistant (if not waterproof). We also like that it has tiny rubber grips on the back to help it stay in place and that it rolls up for easy transport and storage. Our tester noted that this wood tub mat only comes in one size, though, which may be limiting for some customers. Price at time of publish: $40 Size: 32 x 20 | Shape: Rectangle| Material: Wood | Color: Brown | Return policy: 90 days | Thickness: Not listed This 100 percent cotton bath mat was handwoven in Bogotá, and it shows. It has a stunning authentic appeal, and the weave is notably sturdy with a slight stretch. The backing isn’t grippy, but you have the option to include an anti-slip mat with your order. While the Cali is priced relatively steep, the quality is unmistakable, and it’s definitely a sight for sore eyes. In terms of care and maintenance, our tester liked that this bath mat is machine washable but noted that it must be air-dried. Price at time of publish: $65 for Small Size: 60 x 20 | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Cotton | Color: Comes in four colors | Return policy: 30 days | Thickness: Not listed The Crochet Trim Bath Mat is made of 100 percent cotton with a cut-pile surface and a doily-like trim. It’s got a slightly rubbery, anti-slip backing and can be washed in a standard washer. Measuring 24 inches in diameter, it’s ideal for accenting a small bathroom, clawfoot tub, compact shower, sink, or vanity. If you have a larger bathroom, though, you may need a more sizable rug. Our tester gave it a four out of five for design based on its appearance and size and noted that the orange color appears slightly lighter in person (it’s more of a golden hue). Otherwise, this rug earned a perfect score in comfort, washability, and overall value. Size: 24 inches | Shape: Round | Material: Cotton | Color: Comes in two colors | Return policy: 30 days | Thickness: Not listed
What to Look for in a Bath Mat
Size
When shopping for a bath mat, one of the most important things to consider is size. Make sure you get something small enough to fit comfortably in your bathroom but also large enough to be functional and not just decorative. It’s a good idea to measure your bathroom, as well as your bathtub and/or shower before ordering a rug. The mat doesn’t have to span the entire length of your shower or bath, but it should cover the area where you step out. “Think about your space and how you’ll use it,” says Saana Baker, a San Francisco-based textile expert and creator of The Textile Eye. “Would a long runner be nice in the space, or perhaps two smaller mats?”
Material
Cotton tends to be more absorbent than polyester, but polyester dries super quickly and resists shrinking, plus chenille polyester weaves can be very absorbent. There’s also microfiber, which can hold several times its weight in water, and has a more velvety soft feel than cotton. Another option that’s growing in popularity is wood, which is generally more expensive but requires no upkeep and gives any bathroom a spa-like feel.
Non-Slip Backing
Another important feature is an anti-skid backing. “When purchasing a bath mat, it’s important to look for one that has some anti-slip or grip bottom so that it doesn’t move or cause you to slip,” says Tina Martindelcampo, a Decorist designer. The grippy backs of bath mats are typically made of rubber, thermoplastic, or latex, all of which offer excellent slip resistance. These materials also help protect your floors from water damage—an important factor to consider if you’ve been repurposing a towel as a bath mat.
Care Instructions
Most textile bath mats are machine washable, though some have to be hand-washed or spot-cleaned. If you want a low-maintenance rug, make sure to confirm it can be washed and dried—many machine washable rugs can’t be put in the dryer since the heat can destroy the non-slip backing.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019 and has several years of experience covering interior design and home goods. She’s well-versed in the unique qualities of various textiles and can speak confidently on each material’s softness, absorbency, sustainability, and maintenance requirements. For this roundup, she consulted with Saana Baker, a textile expert, and Tina Martindelcampo, an interior designer at Decorist, for recommendations and insight. She reviewed dozens of options from a variety of brands, personally tested 13 bath mats, and considered the appearance, size, material, non-slip backing (or lack thereof), and care instructions before making her final selections.
