8 Best Bath Mats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Tested by Amy Marturana Winderl

A bath mat is one of those items you buy partially out of necessity. After all, you need something to step onto with your wet feet after a bath or shower. Yet it's also something that will remain on display in your bathroom even when you're not using it to dry off, and you'll likely step on it multiple times a day. So when you really think about it, a bath mat is so much more than just a bath mat, and finding the best one for your space is definitely important.

It can also feel like a wild goose chase: The options are seemingly endless. Bath mats come in every fabric, color, shape and size combination you can dream of. We tested a little bit of everything to find the best out there, keeping in mind important features like material, care and maintenance, and more.

How We Tested

To find the best bath mats available on the market, we began by thoroughly researching top-rated options from a variety of retailers across the Internet. We read reviews from real customers to ensure we tested and reviewed the very best bath mats as well as customer favorites. We purchased 20 different options to put through our rigorous testing process.

Comfort Test: First, we stood on each mat after getting out of the shower as well as while standing at the sink. We observed each one and took note of how the material felt, how comfortable it was, and whether the mat slipped on the floor underneath or stayed put.

Water Test: Next, we spilled multiple cups of water on each mat and observed how well it absorbed the liquid and whether or not it leaked through the back. We considered how well the mat would absorb any water dropped from getting out of the shower.

Drying Test: We then left the mats out and checked back every few hours to see how long they took to dry. We also observed each mat for any mildew smells or clumping of the material while the mat was drying.

Cleaning Test: Finally, we washed and dried each mat according to the manufacturer's instructions and took note of any pilling, pulling, unraveling or other signs that the mat did not hold up in the wash.

What to Consider When Buying a Bath Mat

• Size: Before buying a bath mat, measure the area outside of your bathtub or shower or in front of your sink or toilet — wherever you plan to use the mat — to figure out what size you need. A standard bath mat is 20x30 inches, but those may not be the best dimensions depending on where you're going to put it. You also may need to consider the height of the mat if the bathroom door needs to open over it.
• Material: Stepping onto a scratchy or uncomfortable bath mat is an easy way to ruin an otherwise relaxing post-shower vibe. You want your bath mat to feel soft and plush — and, dare we say, spa-like? So, material matters. It also matters because some fabrics dry quicker than others. Most of the bath mats we tested were made of cotton or polyester (microfiber or chenille), with a few memory foam options thrown in the mix, all with varying weaves and densities that affected how soft and luxe they felt under our feet. In general, we found that denser, plusher bath mats were more comfortable but tended to stay wet for longer, whereas thinner and lightweight mats dried out quicker. All materials of the bath mats did a pretty bang-up job of absorbing water; memory foam tended to hold onto moisture the longest since the mats were quite thick.
• Care and Maintenance: Like any other bath linen, a bath mat needs to be washed and dried regularly so that it continues to look and smell squeaky clean. Being able to put your mat in a washing machine and dryer will make that process way more convenient than if the mat needs to be hand washed or hung dry. It's also important that the mat holds up throughout many washes so that you don't need to replace it regularly and end up spending more than you need to on this bathroom staple. This may seem like a no-brainer, but the mat has to actually fit in your washing machine in the first place — an issue we ran into during our testing process.
• Nonslip Backing: When it comes to special features of a great bath mat, nonslip backing — usually in the form of a thin plastic or rubber layer — is at the top of our list. This keeps your mat from slipping and sliding on hardwood or tile floors. Some bathroom floors will be slicker than others, so this may be more of a concern for some people and not others. But overall, it's important to consider this feature during your hunt for the perfect bath mat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you wash your bath mat?

While there's no hard-and-fast rule, washing your bath mat every couple of weeks should be sufficient to keep things clean and get rid of any smells or bacteria. It's also a good idea to hang the mat in between uses to help it dry quicker and reduce the chance of something (bacteria, mold, etc.) growing. If you use your bath mat multiple times a day, it's constantly getting soaked and not fully drying out in between uses, and/or multiple people in one household use it, you should throw it in the wash more often.

Which bath mat material is best?

We found that both cotton and polyester bath mats were great at absorbing water, and dry time depended more on how thick the mat was versus the material it was made of. Memory foam mats were the most comfortable to stand on, but they also stayed wet for longer. Ultimately, the best bath mat material comes down to personal preference on feel, how wet you plan for the mat to get and if you're able to hang it to dry in between uses.

What's the most absorbent bath mat?

In our testing, we found the Legends Hotel Regal Cotton Bath Rug to be the most absorbent bath mat. During the water test, we noticed that the bath mat started absorbing the water instantly and did a great job at maintaining the water in the mat without leaking.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Amy Marturana Winderl is a writer and editor who covers health, fitness and lifestyle topics for multiple publications including SELF, Women's Health, Men's Health, Livestrong, Wondermind and more. She is also an ACE-certified personal trainer and a PRONatal pre/postnatal performance training specialist. Amy lives in Central New York with her husband and daughter. When she's not working or momming, she's probably trying a new recipe, working on a DIY home renovation or obsessing over her houseplants.

Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts

HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.