The Finest Anti-Fatigue Mats of 2022

Many of the instruments we use within the kitchen are designed for our arms. Balloon whisks with comfortably grippy handles, chef’s knives with simply the correct amount of weight distribution, and even countertop tools, like air fryers, all require handbook use. However cooks who spend a number of time within the kitchen—or undergo from joint or again ache—could also be acquainted with a software made particularly for his or her toes: an anti-fatigue mat.

Anti-fatigue mats are ground mats constituted of foam; they’re meant to assist relieve joint ache, in addition to act as a preventative measure. Whereas they’re not essential for cooking in the best way, say, a skillet is, they’re extremely useful for anybody who spends a chronic period of time within the kitchen.. 

The entire mats we examined got here with producer claims in regards to the mats effectiveness; they might “relieve stress,” “improve circulation,” and “scale back stress in your knees, muscle groups, and joints.” To higher perceive the perform of anti-fatigue mats, we spoke with Austin Sumner, a doctor specializing in Occupational Drugs and the Medical Director of Occupational Drugs on the College of Vermont Well being Community. Anti-fatigue mats are spongy surfaces, he explains, requiring constant corrective foot motion to take care of stability. These small, corrective actions are thought-about dynamic, and higher fight fatigue and ache than extended fastened muscle contraction with non-movement (additionally referred to as static motion) on a agency floor.

“[A] softer floor results in extra dynamic foot motion, higher circulation, and higher rhythmic muscle contraction. Preserving it dynamic, in idea, reduces discomfort,” he says, additionally noting that working barefoot on an anti-fatigue mat might end in extra dynamic motion, thereby boosting its useful results. (Sneakers can lock the foot right into a static, stabilizing place, which is necessary for some actions—like train. However extended static place could cause discomfort, like standing at a kitchen counter).

Though Dr. Sumner doesn’t endorse a specific model of mat, he does prescribe and suggest them clinically to injured staff who’ve to face for lengthy intervals on exhausting surfaces. (Dr. Sumner’s observe is in occupational medication, however he notes that software within the office may apply to the house).

To seek out the most effective anti-fatigue mat, we carried out an in depth Lab take a look at on quite a lot of mats—all out there on-line from widespread retailers, like Amazon, or for direct sale on their very own web sites. We then selected seven of the most effective lab-tested mats for additional at-home kitchen testing, with issues for efficiency, consolation, sturdiness, and ease of upkeep and maintenance. 

The Winners, at a Look

The Finest Anti-Fatigue Mat: Home of Noa Nama Standing Mat

Extremely-plush but agency sufficient to fight hours of labor at a kitchen counter, this mat reminded us of a reminiscence foam mattress: It was essentially the most profitable at molding to our toes with out creating too deep of a melancholy within the foam. With an nearly overwhelming quantity of neutral-toned designs to select from, this one scored excessive marks for aesthetics—a class that issues in a bit of apparatus that’s basically a hardworking rug.

Additionally Nice: GelPro Business Grade Anti-Fatigue Mat

This mat is offered at Workplace Depot, and sure—it’s going to remind you of your coworker’s standing desk mat. Regardless of its lack of design choices (it is available in one coloration: black): It held up extremely nicely towards staining and prolonged weight software. Its sturdiness and barely firmer density than the Nama Mat make it a standout alternative for extended use and chaotic kitchens.

The Exams

To completely assessment the mats, our take a look at was damaged down into three components. We additionally thought-about aesthetics (together with coloration choices, patterns, and texture of the protecting topper), as a result of anti-fatigue mats are each a software and piece of decor.

• Every day Use Take a look at: We used every mat for 2 full days within the kitchen, biking by sneakers, socks, and naked toes. The primary day was located between a reducing board and the range, the place we did fundamental meal prep duties, like chopping greens, searing meat, and whisking sauces. For the second take a look at, we positioned the mat on the sink, the place it was used throughout dishwashing and cleanup. In each cases, we thought-about plushness, texture, grip, and whether or not the underside and floor of the mat have been in any respect slippery. We spent roughly six complete hours standing on every mat.
• Sturdiness Take a look at: We positioned a 15-pound dumbbell in the course of every mat for 4 hours. As soon as the load was eliminated, we famous the depth of the melancholy left behind, and timed how lengthy it took to spring again totally.
• Staining Take a look at: We unfold a mix of 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and 1/2 teaspoon of floor turmeric on a small portion of every mat. After letting it sit for an hour, we adopted producer directions for cleanup to evaluate each ease of cleansing and stain resistance.

What We Discovered

Foam Density Mattered

Mat peak is basically ineffective for selecting the most effective anti-fatigue mat: It’s actually in regards to the density. Some mats, like one made by ComfiLife, have been flimsy, with a low foam density underfoot, and didn’t ship assist. Others, like an extra-long mat by Amazon Fundamentals, have been so agency and industrial-looking, they’d fare higher as an entryway mat.

All anti-fatigue mats are constituted of foam, regardless of completely different wording within the advertising and marketing copy for every one. Jargon like “energy-returning” and “Biofoam” is a gross sales level. Though “excessive density” ought to inform you extra in regards to the make-up of the mat (greater density means extra assist), not one of the producers we examined gave precise specs or particulars in regards to the manufacturing. The one strategy to decide a foam mat’s density with out slicing it open is to face on it your self. (Dr. Sumner recommends testing mats in particular person earlier than shopping for, for those who can.) 

Among the mats we examined felt too plush below our toes, reminding us of water beds: feels nice at first, however with extended use turns into unsupportive and posturally problematic. Others have been so dense, there was minimal distinction between standing straight on the ground and utilizing the mat.

The mats we appreciated greatest carried out like reminiscence foam mattresses: completely molding to our toes with light spring again, and with out an excessive amount of of a melancholy.

The Floor Texture Was Necessary for Security AND Upkeep

Among the mats we examined had a slick, slippery floor. Though it made cleanup simpler, we didn’t like utilizing these mats in socks or slippers. An unintentional slip or slide is annoying at greatest, however harmful when working with knives or warmth. Since so many kitchen duties contain one of many two, it is exhausting to argue in favor of an ultra-smooth mat topper.

Then again, very textured surfaces—like pebbled or waffle-weave toppers—made cleanup unnecessarily difficult. One of many mats we examined had grooves so tiny, solely a toothpick might dislodge small crumbs (and neglect about stains).

Our favourite anti-fatigue mats had barely completely different textures that each labored nicely. The Home of Noa mat topper was barely tough, which discouraged slipping. Then again, the Workplace Depot GelPro mat had a rubbery, “grippy” texture on its floor that felt just about accident-proof.

A bit of apparatus that lives in shut proximity to your reducing board or kitchen sink must be straightforward to wash. We discovered that with each day maintenance, the mats have been largely straightforward to take care of. A stick vacuum and damp rag labored simply wonderful for a full day’s price of crumbs, pet hair, and spills, like maple syrup or a blob of yogurt. However when it got here to staining, the darker coloured mats gained out. Our prime decide, the Home of Noa Nama Standing Mat, was a low performer in a turmeric stain take a look at, owing to its beige and pale blue coastal motif. Nonetheless, with dozens of designs to select from, a darker, extra camouflaging sample could possibly be chosen.

High quality Development Decreased Tripping Hazards

Among the mats skilled a slight flare round their edges and corners, whereas others sat firmly and fully on the ground. At first, we wrote off the flare as a minor aesthetic flaw—it appeared sloppy—however after our each day use take a look at, we realized that flared edges is usually a tripping hazard, too. Whereas stepping onto the mat, it was straightforward to journey or scuff the lifted edge, particularly if we had our eyes elsewhere, or have been shuffling our toes. We additionally skilled awkward step-ons and step-offs with one among our opponents, which featured a big bevel and a towering (by comparability) 9/10-inch peak.

Whereas shifting a few kitchen with scorching pans, knives, and different sharp objects at all times presents hazards, a central piece of apparatus that ups the chance issue is pointless. Worth does matter right here: the 2 sturdiest mats have been additionally the most costly.   

Design, Colour, and Sample Choices Matter Greater than You Could Assume

Though it didn’t rank greater than different necessities, we additionally thought-about aesthetics. In contrast to cumbersome or ugly small home equipment that may be tucked away in a closet, anti-fatigue mats double as decor. Most house cooks wouldn’t contemplate shopping for a rug that didn’t match their kitchen design (or at the very least provided a bit persona), so we held the anti-fatigue mats to the identical commonplace.

In fact, appears are subjective. What we discovered engaging will not be your cup of tea. As a substitute, we favored mats with quite a lot of colours and patterns, so cooks might select from a handful of types.

The Standards: What to Search for in an Anti-Fatigue Mat

The very best anti-fatigue mats have a reasonably excessive density, which permits the froth to mildew round your toes with out a feeling of “sinking in.” We favored mats with well-constructed, heavier edges to keep away from annoying (and probably trip-hazardous) flared corners. A really gently textured topper is good for ease of cleansing, however deep grooves will gather crumbs and stains. Tremendous {smooth} surfaces, whereas engaging, invite slipping—particularly when sporting socks. Lastly, aesthetics matter for this software. We appreciated mats that provided quite a lot of colours and patterns, or at the very least blended into the background with fundamental colours.

The Finest Anti-Fatigue Mat: Home of Noa Nama Standing Mat

What we appreciated: This mat has simply the correct amount of plush and is available in over two dozen designs and coloration choices. Of the fashions we examined, Home of Noa additionally provided the best array of mat sizes. Whereas it could be straightforward to fall for the corporate’s shiny advertising and marketing (the web site is extremely polished), our testing cemented this as our prime decide. It had essentially the most luxurious, cushion-like really feel below our toes with out being too gentle to really present assist. The perimeters stayed firmly placed on the ground, and the just-barely-textured floor minimized slipping with out being a ache to wash. 

What we didn’t like: The sunshine coloring of the mat meant deeply hued stains have been apparent. However fundamental each day cleanup (a fast swipe with a stick vacuum and wipe with a moist rag) saved the mat wanting nearly brand-new. It’s the priciest choice of the bunch.

Worth at time of publish: $139 (for the 20 x 48 inch mat).

Key Specs

• Supplies: Excessive-density foam (per producer)
• Dimension choices: 20 x 32”, 20 x 48”, 20 x 72”, 30 x 72”, 30 x 108” 
• Thickness: 3/4-inch on the highest level
• Care directions: Use all-purpose cleaner or gentle dish cleaning soap and water; dry fully

The Finest Anti-Fatigue Mat: GelPro Business Grade Anti-Fatigue Mat

What we appreciated: This a severe mat that may deal with heavy use and mess, and would work nicely in an workplace or laundry room area, too. The mat topper was barely rubberized, with a really grippy really feel that made us really feel assured to prepare dinner in socks. Actually, the GelPro outranked each mat within the staining take a look at and sturdiness take a look at, and stood neck-and-neck (or fairly, toe-to-toe) with the Home of Noa in our each day use take a look at. It’s comfortably heavy, well-made by a good workplace provide firm, and carries a certification by the Nationwide Ground Security Institute, a corporation that goals to “assist within the prevention of slips, trips-and-falls by schooling, analysis, and requirements growth.”

What we didn’t like: The dearth of customizable choices was disappointing. Whereas black works simply wonderful at a standing desk or storage workbench, it’s going to fall quick for cooks with sturdy design opinions or a themed kitchen. Whereas barely lower than the Home of Noa mat on the similar dimension, it nonetheless prices simply over $100.

Worth at time of publish: $101.

Key Specs

• Supplies: “Power returning biofoam” (per producer)
• Dimension choices: 20×32”
• Thickness: 3/4-inch at highest level
• Care directions: None given

The Competitors

• Gorilla Grip Anti-Fatigue Cushioned Consolation Mat: Though we appreciated its number of colours and patterns, this mat had lower-density foam than its opponents, making it light-weight and never supportive sufficient for long-term use. The beveled edges and corners curled up barely, which might trigger tripping.
• Amazon Fundamentals Anti-Fatigue Standing Mat: Regardless of its interesting XL size, this mat’s ultra-firm texture wasn’t a lot better than standing straight on the ground. Because of its industrial aesthetic and nearly excellent stain resistant topper, we felt it could fare higher as an entryway mat or at a storage workbench.
• Sky Options Anti-Fatigue Mat: This mat was the least costly—and poorest performer—of all we examined. A slick, slippery floor, too-hard firmness, and sloppily printed design have been an excessive amount of to compromise, even in change for an sub-$25 price ticket.
• FEATOL Anti Fatigue Standing Mat: Though this mat had the tallest profile of any we examined, it was removed from the comfiest. Its textured, intricate waffle-weave sample additionally made it unimaginable to wash—the grooves have been a magnet for stains, pet hair, and crumbs.
• ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue Ground Mat: A slight sheen and texture on the floor highlighted the stain throughout our cleansing take a look at. Its light-weight development, flared corners and poor spring again made it an underwhelming choice.

FAQs

What dimension anti-fatigue mat must you purchase? 

Anti-fatigue mats are available quite a lot of sizes. Some, like Home of Noa, supply a number of lengths and widths. However for many kitchens, the usual 20 by 32 inch mat will work simply wonderful close to your reducing board or by the sink. If the design of your kitchen permits for an extended size, it might be price shopping for one which covers a bigger footprint. However, for essentially the most half, you gained’t want additional width—20 inches is loads of room to work earlier than straying too removed from the counter.

What’s one of the best ways to wash an anti-fatigue mat? 

For on a regular basis cleansing, use a moist fabric to wipe the mat free from crumbs and spills. Larger messes will be cleaned with a delicate multi- or all-purpose cleaner. It’s greatest to dry the mat instantly with a dry fabric or towel. Keep away from dampening the underside of the mat; for those who do, permit it to dry fully earlier than you place it again on the ground. Each mat we examined additionally stood as much as the vacuum (with out an agitating beater bar). 

Will an anti-fatigue mat ease again ache?

Based on Dr. Sumner, an anti-fatigue mat’s spongy texture results in “extra dynamic foot motion, higher circulation, and higher rhythmic muscle contraction.”