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Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Even when you're standing in place, you're likely going to move around a bit. This mat accommodates that with ridges to keep your legs comfortable.
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Pros
Variety of ridges for different standing positions
Unlike other standing mats that may include ridges for moving around, this is simply a piece of foam. It's plenty effective, especially for the price.
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This is a great mat for getting a mini leg workout while you're working. It's just not exactly a comfortable mat for when you stand in one place.
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With most Americans sitting around for an average of eight hours a day, you may have considered getting a standing desk to add extra movement into your workday. While doing so may make you feel more focused and energized, standing all day is no easy feat, especially if you are standing for long periods on a hardwood floor. To make things more comfortable, you’re going to need a cushioned floor mat to provide better support.
We spent weeks using the best anti-fatigue mats on the market and discovered the Ergodriven Topo(available at Amazon) is not only one of the most comfortable floor mats to use, but it's also shaped to accommodate a variety of stances. If you can't imagine cushioning your feet with our top pick, don’t worry, there are plenty of options on our list.
These are the best standing desk mats we tested ranked, in order:
Ergodriven Topo
Cubefit TerraMat
Royal Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat
Amazon Basic
GelPro Anti Fatigue Mat
CumulusPRO
Sky Mats
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
Thanks to the Ergodriven Topo's various slopes, slants, and raised surfaces, you can stand however you like—crossing your legs or standing straight.
Best Overall
Ergodriven Topo
The Ergodriven Topo is the perfect standing mat for those who can't stay still. Thanks to the various slopes, slants, and raised surfaces, you can stand however you like—crossing your legs or standing straight. I find that I frequently change positions throughout the day, which takes the pressure off of my heels, back, and legs. Not only is it the most comfortable mat we tested (even after standing on it for several hours), it's also very easy to move into place and it didn't slide around during testing.
Pros
Variety of ridges for different standing positions
The Royal Anti-Fatigue is one of the few basic anti-fatigue mats that didn’t move around or provide any discomfort after standing on it for hours on end.
Best Value
Royal Anti-Fatigue Mat
Offering no frills but a ton of comfort, the Royal Anti-Fatigue Mat is a great mat for standing on at work or while washing the dishes. It's one of the few basic anti-fatigue mats that didn’t move around or provide any discomfort after standing on it for hours on end. However, its simplicity and lack of special features (no levels or ledges) prevented it from earning the top spot. However, this mat is more affordable than some of the other models on this list, earning it our Best Value badge.
For testing, I worked at the iMovr Lander, which is the best standing desk we tested. I stood on each standing desk mat for a full workday.
The Tester
I’m Courtney Campbell, an e-commerce writer here at Reviewed, and I spend most days sitting at my desk, sifting the internet for the best deals on the best products around. After spending many hours testing standing desks, I learned a thing or two about how important it is to have a comfortable workspace. Despite having found a great standing desk to work at, I wasn't satisfied with the anti-fatigue mat that I was using with it--I found myself fidgeting and shifting on it, constantly. It left me determined to find a standing desk mat that would make standing more enjoyable.
The Tests
The tests mostly involved—you guessed it—standing. I worked at the iMovr Lander, which is Reviewed's favorite standing desk, and stood on each mat for a full workday. I marked the spot of each mat with tape to determine whether or not it slid around during the day and took into consideration how easy it was to move each mat, which is necessary when switching from a standing to sitting position.
Most importantly, I ranked each product on initial comfort and if that comfort lasted throughout the day. Bonus points were given to mats with special features like raised surfaces or massage balls.
Do I Really Need a Mat for My Standing Desk?
In short, you don’t really need a mat for your standing desk, but quality mats offer more comfort while standing for long periods. While testing standing desks and standing desks converters previously, we found that it was quite uncomfortable if you were missing a mat, even more so with a stiff one. That’s why you should look for a cushioned mat that doesn't slip. Certain mats have topographic features that can also make standing while working more ergonomic, too.
Even if you’re only standing for a few minutes, you could benefit from a standing desk mat (also known as anti-fatigue mats). Standing desk mats can be used in basically any situation that involves standing such as food prep, dish-washing, cashiering, and so on.
Flat vs. Topographic Standing Desk Mats
There are two major kinds of standing desk mats: Flat and topographic. Flat mats are your basic rectangular mats and will provide cushion whether you’re standing for five minutes or five hours. Topographic mats feature various raised surfaces like mounds and wedges encourages additional movement while standing. These would work best for those who tend to fidget and want more out of their standing experience.
Other Standing Desk Mats We Tested
CubeFit TerraMat
The Cubefit TerraMat is another great mat for those who tend to move around a bunch. It has a balance bar, massage mounds, and a power wedge, which help with exercises like calf raises. Not only is the mat easy to move around, but it also didn’t shift when standing on it. While there’s a lot we like, it lost the initial comfort after standing on it all day.
The AmazonBasics is a good standing desk mat for those who want something basic. Even without any mounds or raised bars, this mat is still comfortable enough to stand on for several hours. Plus, I didn’t slip while using it. While I’m not a huge fan of the criss-cross pattern that spans the length of the mat, it might look good under a sink while washing dishes.
Initially, I was pretty excited to sample the GelPro mat, as it feels like you’re stepping on a cloud. However, almost immediately after using it, I noticed scuff marks and imprints on my boots. Not to mention that it’s more expensive than the other mats we tested and there are no special features. Despite the initial comfort, it didn’t feel any more comfortable than some of the other mats.
The CumulusPro's wavy design is really cool and stylish, but its performance didn't match the look. This mat is very stiff and hard, making it very uncomfortable to stand on after 30 minutes or so. It also moved quite a bit during usage, especially when I shifted my foot off of the mat in an attempt to make it more comfortable.
With its balance bars, wedges, and a rolling massage ball, the Genius Mat seems like it’d be a comfortable experience. However, after standing on the mat for a full workday, it leaves a lot to be desired. It’s lightweight and easy to move, sure, but it slid all over the place during testing. Also, its coolest feature—the rolling massage ball—isn’t all that useful unless you’re shoeless, which you can't really do in an office environment.
Courtney is an editor and shopper with a passion for finding the best things on the internet. She's a foodie and will talk about the latest batch of kombucha she's brewing to anyone who will listen. She has previously worked for Country Living, Woman's Day, and Our State Magazine.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.