7+ Best Desk Mat Designs For 2023

So, you are shopping desk mats and wondering which is the best. I don’t blame you. With seemingly endless options on the internet and over 7,000 listings on Amazon alone, who has time to filter through all of them?

I do! I specialize in home office setups and have worked remotely for over five years. I have learned firsthand how a quality desk pad improves performance, physical comfort, and the overall look of a workspace, making your desk a place you want to be and get more done. 

Here is my list of the best desk mats out today. I provide a full range of material options so that you find one you enjoy most.

What Are the Best Desk Mats?

In this list of desk mats, I explain each material’s benefits of each material. I update this list regularly so that you have the latest and greatest designs. 

1. Graf Lantz Mosen Merino Wool Desk Pad: Best Desk Mat in Felt

This desk pad made by Graf Lantz uses only Merino wool felt, the highest quality wool available. The dyes are also non-toxic and free of potentially harmful chemicals. The material is beautiful and has a satisfying thickness to it.

The Amazon link shows two sizes and two colors (granite and charcoal), but there are more options on the company’s website (sage, mahogany, and orange.) Still, I recommend the charcoal for maximum cleanliness.

What I love most is that the product doesn’t have a logo on its top, a cleaner-looking option than many other felt pads on the market.

Product Details

• Material: 100% Merino wool
• Sizing: 31″ x 19″ or 24″ x 12″
• Pricing: $94

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Softest wool material.
• Two sizes and up to five colors.
• Well-known for its beauty.
• No brand logo for an ultra-clean appearance.

Cons

• Pricing is higher than other felt options.
• Slips on the surface. Try safe adhesive. 

Why I Recommend Felt on a Desk Mat

Felt is all about softness. The texture is inviting on the hands and wrists and gives your desk a cozy feeling in a modern, minimalistic aesthetic.

I have owned a few felt mats and enjoyed their look and feel, but I benefited from darker-toned designs. Felt picks up stains from food, drinks, and sweat more easily, requiring more cleaning, which I don’t want to bother with. I also found that threads get caught on some mouse designs, such as inside the seam of the battery lid. You will benefit from a smoother mouse with minimal catch areas. 

Also, felt tends to slip around the desk, so you may need another way to keep it from slipping, such as tape. Some people find it a bit itchy, but I got used to it.

If you live on the eco side of the street or value natural desk materials such as those used in Japandi, felt can come as 100% wool felt or blended with other eco materials like cork for backing. Note that some are synthetic, so look at the product details carefully.

2. Aelfox Cork & Cork Desk Pad: Best Desk Mat in Cork

This desk pad has cork on both sides, each with a slightly different texture. Choose the side you love best. If stains ever come, you have a second chance with it by flipping it over. The company touts the finer cork design for strong moisture resistance. 

The same product comes in other faux leather options on one side, which can be a fun option if you like to change things up at your desk, but if you are the eco-type, this isn’t a strong option since it is tricky to recycle.

Product Details

• Material: 100% cork
• Sizing: 31.5″ x 15.7″
• Pricing: $16

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High-quality cork.
• Dual-sided cork design: more cork for your dollar.
• Low price point.
• Water-resistant.

Cons

• It creates more drag on your mouse than other options.
• Some other design options on the same Aelfox page are not eco.

Why I Recommend Cork for a desk mat

Cork is another strong choice for creating a natural look because it is a natural product. Cork is bark from a cork oak tree. Once the bark is removed from the trunk, the tree grows new bark, making it an eco option. 

Still, not all cork mats are eco-friendly because some come on reversible plastic backing. Choose one that only uses cork for a true eco-product.

Cork is one of the most affordable desk pad materials and has a cushiony feeling like a tatami mat for your hands instead of your feet. 

There are some challenges with cork. Low-quality mats can flake and come apart. It also becomes less durable over time and might chip or peel with heavy use. It also isn’t as smooth a surface for your mouse as other designs, which creates some resistance, but you will get used to it. 

Cork can also show stains from drinks, but wiping it with a slightly wet cloth or sponge helps. You can also use a matching coaster with it, but I don’t use one and haven’t seen any issues yet.

Cork is a terrific antidote to modern desks’ stark, less natural look. I currently use a cork as my main mat and have been impressed with the look, feel, and comfort.

3. Dacasso Pad Without Side Rails: Best Desk Mat in Leather

This high quality leather desk pad is real leather with all its benefits, but it is also ultra-clean in look and doesn’t show stitching around the edge. I was surprised to find so many leather mats with unattractive white stitching, so this was a sigh of relief. 

It is also extremely comfortable for typing, writing, and using a mouse. and it stays put on your desk.

It comes in two colors (black and chocolate brown) and in four sizes.

This beautiful product provides a clean look that complements most desks. It comes at a high price point, but that is par for the course when buying quality leather.

Product Details

• Material: 100% leather desk pad
• Sizing: 34″ x 20″, 38″ x 24″, 30″ x 19″, 34″ x 20″
• Pricing: $221

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ultra-clean leather look.
• Smooth surface.
• No unattractive seams around the edge.
• Four sizes and two colors.
• Comfortable typing, writing, and mouse navigation.
• Stays put.

Cons

• You won’t achieve a heavy patina.
• The ultra-clean look shows scratches more easily.

Why I Recommend Leather for a desk mat

Leather brings a premium, sophisticated look to your desk setup. It is also durable and ages gracefully. Since they are skin, they also repair themselves from scratches, at least to some extent. Even with some scratches, some leather develops a rich patina over time.

Leather comes at a higher price than other options and requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. Still, it is the leader in creating a luxurious space. If you want to look professional or achieve a masculine home office design is your goal, leather is hard to beat.

4. YSAGi Desk Pad: Best Desk Mat in Vegan Leather

If you want to add more color to your desk to liven up your office, this desk pad is for you. The pad is dual-sided and has a different color on each side. You get 20 different combinations for a total of 39 color options. All have a leather-like finish and come in four sizes. You are sure to achieve a look you love.

Since it is PU leather, the material is easy to clean, and your mouse glides along the top quickly. It is also highly cost-effective. All these benefits have made this one of the top pics on Amazon.

Product Details

Material: Vegan leather/PU Leather

• Sizing: 4 sizes
• Colors: 39 color options
• Pricing: $9.99

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extensive color options.
• Dual colors on each mat.
• Easy to clean.
• Cost-effective.

Cons

• PU leather does not last as long as real leather.
• A slightly sticky feel when using a mouse. You may need a mousepad.

Why I Recommend PU Leather for a Desk Mat

Also called PU leather, vegan leather offers the aesthetic appeal of genuine leather without using animals. It is also more resistant to stains.

If you are concerned about the environment, the material should be recycled. It also may not feel as luxurious as genuine leather, especially for low-priced desk pads. In terms of durability, vegan leather is often the lowest.

5. Grovemade Matte Desk Mat: Best Desk Pad In Natural Matte

If you love PU leather and the look of matte desk pads, Grovemade has gone above and beyond with this natural alternative. Made of a blend of linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flower, and calcium carbonate, the desk pad is mounted on a cork base for cushion and stability. It is remarkably durable and beautiful while being good for the world. It’s the Superman of desk pads.

Grovemade has a strong reputation for making quality products, and this one is no exception. Their unique, natural product in the pad (described above) creates an eco work area without sacrificing functionality. The matte finish looks elegant and doesn’t show fingerprints. It is also a solid surface. You won’t need to worry about indenting while writing.

The Grovemade matte desk pad comes in five sizes and ten colors, making it easy to find a size and look that fits you and your work area best.

Product Details

Material: Linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flower, calcium carbonate, and cork.

• Sizing: 5 sizes
• Colors: 10 colors
• Pricing: $50

Pros & Cons

Pros

• A natural alternative to PU leather.
• Five sizes and ten colors.
• A clean, matte finish that complements most surfaces.

Cons

• The cost may be a drawback for some, but the quality is there.
• Felt and leather are softer on the hand.

Why I Recommend Grovemade

I own a few Grovemade products and have been impressed with the quality of their work. Their reputation is spot on. The fact they take an eco-approach in intelligent and inventive ways just seals the deal for me.

6. Logitech Desk Mat: Best Desk Mat in Rubber

Logitech is well known for its computer products (I currently use a Logitech keyboard and mouse), so it makes sense that they would make a quality home for other products they make. This is the case with the Logitech Desk Mat. The rubber material has an anti-slip base, is spill-resistant, and is durable enough to take on desk products adequately.

The clean look also looks great on desktops and in modern settings. The mat comes in three colors (mid-gey, lavender, and dark rose.)

Some have complained that the stain resistance is not up to par, but I love the look overall. 

Product Details

• Material: PU leather
• Sizing: 27.5″ x 11.8″
• Colors: 3 colors: mid-gey, lavender, and dark rose.
• Pricing: $19.99

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Anti-slip design.
• Spill-resistant.
• Durable.

Cons

• The stain-resistant feature is not 100%.
• At first, it smells like rubber, but the smell dissipates over time.

Why I Recommend Rubber for a desk mat

Rubber mats are highly durable, water-resistant, and provide excellent grip. Rubber is often made of latex – a white liquid drained from rubber tree bark- but sometimes it can be synthetic.

Rubber desk pads sometimes have a rubbery odor and may not offer the same aesthetic appeal as other materials. Still, their durability, stain resistance, and grip blend are perfect for desks.

7. Journey ALTI Wireless Desk Mat: Best Smart Desk Mat

Today, you can find many smart desk pads, but few combine clean design and the ability to charge multiple products. You can easily charge your smartphone and earbuds at the same time while keeping them at a comfortable distance from your keyboard or laptop. Set your electronics on the right or left section.

Journey ALTI Wireless Desk Mat

The charging station is also detachable, making it possible to set it elsewhere when needed. The mat is also two-sided, with one side made of felt, allowing for a two-toned look with your charging station.

You can also pull up the top to set reference papers inside the mat while keeping your desk clean and organized.

You will still need to contend with a power cord leading from your desk pad to a power plug, but the overall look is immaculate. This desk pad comes in two colors: black and light grey.

Product Details

• Material: Vegan leather and felt
• Sizing: 26.8″ wide mat and 3.9″ wide charger, both 14.6″ deep
• Colors: 3 colors: black and light grey
• Pricing: $129.99

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Charging for two devices at a time.
• Removable charging station.
• Dual-sided design.
• Paper storage.
• Install payments are allowed.

Cons

• This is a high-priced desk pad.
• An oversized desk pad that takes up desk space.

Why I Recommend Smart Technology for a Desk Mat

Smart Technology is proving to be helpful in every room of a home, including home offices. Smart desk mats integrate wireless charging, enhancing the functionality of your workspace in a small footprint.

Smart desk pads are typically more expensive and rely on power sources. They may only be compatible with specific devices.

What Is a Desk Mat?

A desk mat, aka a desk pad or desk blotter, is a flat piece of leather, rubber, cork, plastic, or felt underneath your keyboard and mouse. It can be small enough to sit under a keyboard and mouse, such as on a corner desk, or large enough to include most desk accessories, such as on an executive desk.

How Can a Desk Mat Benefit You? 

Desk mats are one of the best ways to improve your workspace at little expense. They boost your work performance by creating a more comfortable area underneath your wrists, creating a softer, smoother, and quieter work area for typing, navigating your mouse, handling desk equipment, or writing. They also act as a barrier for improved desk protection, preventing scratches, scuffs, and other damage to your desk surface, extending its lifespan.

Another key aspect of a desk pad is improving the look of your desk so that you enjoy working there longer. Desk pads come in various sizes, designs, and colors, helping you personalize your workspace according to your preferences. It often works as the basis of your desk’s look, creating an aesthetically pleasing and inspiring work environment.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Desk Mat

Here are some traits I look for when shopping for desk pads. Prioritize the ones you value most. 

Softness: A soft desk pad ensures comfort for your wrists and hands during extended use.

Non-slip design: A non-slip design ensures the mat remains firmly in place, preventing unwanted movement during tasks.

Waterproof: A waterproof desk pad offers protection against accidental spills, keeping your workspace dry and safe.

Durable: Durability ensures the mat withstands daily wear and tear, offering long-lasting performance.

Easy to clean: An easy-to-clean mat allows for quick maintenance, keeping your desk looking neat and tidy.

Beauty: A beautiful desk pad enhances the overall aesthetics of your workspace, reflecting personal style and taste.

Functionality: This ensures the mat looks good and meets specific needs, such as cord management or device accommodation.

The Best Desk Mat is Your Landing Pad for Growth

So there you have it, the best desk pads out there today. Select the one in the material you love or has the look and features you love most. Whichever you choose, you get a desk mat that will improve the look of your desk and keep you more comfortable and productive throughout your day. You’ll be amazed how much it helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What material is Used on the Best Desk Mat?

Desk pads are made from a range of materials, such as leather, felt, cork, silicone, and rubber. The best material depends on the experience and look you want to achieve. For instance, leather offers a premium feel, while felt looks and feels soft under your hands. Cork brings a more natural aesthetic.

How do I clean my desk pad?

Felt desk pads can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Leather mats should be cleaned with leather cleaners or a damp cloth and then conditioned to prevent drying out. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific care guidelines.

How big should a desk pad be?

The size depends on your needs. If you have a compact setup, a smaller mat will suffice. If you have an extensive setup or want ample mouse movement, a larger desk mat is best. Be sure to measure your keyboard and mouse and add more room for other items you want on it. 

Can a desk pad improve mouse precision?

Absolutely. A good desk mat works like an ultra-large mousepad, giving you a consistently flat surface for improved mouse tracking and more precision, especially for gaming and graphic design tasks. 

Is there a difference between a mouse pad and a desk pad?

A mouse pad is generally smaller and designed specifically for mice. A desk pad is larger, often accommodating both a keyboard and a mouse. 

Can desk pads prevent keyboard and mouse wear on desks?

Yep – this is its primary function. You can significantly prolong the life of your desk at very little cost. 

Are there desk pads with built-in wireless charging?

Some modern desk pads include built-in wireless charging zones, letting you charge compatible devices directly on the mat. It’s a whole new world. 

Will a desk pad prevent my devices from slipping?

Yes. The top surface offers a slight resistance to prevent devices like keyboards and mice from sliding around. Most desk pads also have a non-slip base to stay in place. 

How often should I replace my desk pad?

The lifespan of a desk pad depends on the type of material, the quality of that material, and how often the mat is used. With regular use, a quality mat should last several years. Replace it when it shows significant wear or no longer meets your needs.