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Say farewell to desk clutter.
If you struggle to maintain a clutter-free workspace, a desk mat can help keep your desk organized and tidy by providing a dedicated space for your laptop, mouse, keyboard and any notebooks or loose paper. Not only can a desk mat improve the aesthetics of your workspace, but it can also help protect your desk from any stains, spills and general wear and tear. Most desk mats feature an anti-slip grip to keep everything on your work surface in its rightful space, and the majority eliminate the need for a mouse pad.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our analysts and experts test a variety of products for your home and office, ranging from laptops to smart pens and desk chairs. When selecting the best desk pads, our pros narrowed down the field by researching the best models on the market, looking for ones that featured high-quality materials, sizable surface areas and positive customer reviews. We noted extra features such as wireless charging and cable management. Whether you own a standing desk or have a traditional setup, these are the best-selling desk mats from top-rated brands that impressed our experts.
After reading about our picks, learn more about what you should keep in mind while shopping for one. If your desk is in need of a more serious makeover, consider adding a standing desk converter or even an under-desk elliptical.
Our pros love the minimalist, timeless design of this synthetic leather desk mat featuring beautifully stitched edges. It's offered in three classic colors that are guaranteed to suit any workspace. While we haven’t tested this pick in the Lab, our experts agree that this desk mat is not only easy to clean, but its water-resistant surface will protect your desk from any accidental spills, crumbs or stains. While it’s not large enough to support both a monitor and keyboard, it’s ideal for laptop use and scribbling notes. But if you prefer a desk pad with a bit more color, you can also opt for the Dual Sided Eco-Leather Deskmate model.
If you’re looking for a desk pad that’s super affordable and comes in unique color combinations, our experts recommend this pick from YSAGi. The PU leather will help protect your desktop from any scratches or accidents while bringing your desk to life with a spark of color on both sides — when one side gets worn down, you can start fresh with a new color. We like that this desk pad is offered in three sizes (small, medium and large) so you have room for all of your office essentials and that it can be used as a mousepad.
This desk pad is for those who love the luxurious look, smell and feel of real leather. While the Grovesmade leather desk pad doesn’t come cheap, it has a professional, elegant feel. It's compatible with optical mice and able to be used as a writing surface, and we like that the leather desk pad’s material is both soft and unique in its appearance. It’s offered in five sizes so you have the choice of one that’s compatible with a keyboard and mouse or a larger size that covers your desk more fully and has adequate room for a laptop stand or monitor.
If you want a desk mat with a cozy, comfortable feel, this pick from Oakywood is made from Merino wool felt that will feel soft on your hands and wrists while typing or writing. Not to mention Merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking and anti-microbial, so sweaty hands will be no match for this desk mat. It's offered in both grey and black as well as two sizes, so it fits a range of desks. We like that it features an anti-slip cork grip beneath the felt to ensure everything stays in place. Our experts do, however, suggest being cautious to not spill liquids onto this desk mat as the absorbent material makes it harder to clean and wipe off than others.
This desk mat is the solution to any messy workspace. Our experts love that it features not only a document hideaway space where you can store notes and any loose papers, but there’s also a toolbar for pens and other small tools. The toolbar even features a magnetic cable holder that you can move around to where you’d like so cables are always kept in place and out of the way. We also like that the water-repellent vegan leather surface makes cleaning up any condensation or spills super easy.
This lovely leather desk pad is offered in four classic shades of Italian leather and three sizes, including extra-long for particularly large desks. It features a soft exterior and microsuede bottom that makes it lightweight and easy to roll up and transport. Our pros think it makes a great gift, not only because it will look sleek on any desk but because there is a personalization option that lets you add the owner's initials in various sizes and fonts.
Love your desk as is but want to protect it from any scratches and damage? This frosted clear desk mat offered in three sizes is the perfect solution. Our experts like that you can place notes, photos or calendars underneath the desk mat to decorate your space, making this a great choice for students or creatives. We also like that the desk pad features rounded edges and an easy-to-clean smooth writing surface. Just keep in mind that you likely won’t be able to use your mouse on the desk pad’s surface, but the brand does include a free mousepad with your purchase.
This all-black desk mat is as functional as it is sleek. Our analysts love that it offers smart features like wireless charging so you can simply place your smartphone or AirPods down on the mat when your battery needs a boost. Made from PU leather, the mat’s surface is water-resistant, anti-scratch and stain-proof, according to the brand, so you no longer need to clutter your desk with coasters. The material is also ideal for tracking precise mouse movement. While wireless charging isn’t a necessary feature for all, our pros agree that it helps keep everything consolidated and eliminates the need for additional chargers and cables around your workspace.
If you’re a gamer or know one, this desk mat was created to optimize your performance (and look just as cool). The desk mat itself is made from a soft, micro-textured cloth which, according to the brand, is the ideal material to ensure high precision movements when you’re in a fast-paced game that requires speed and control. The non-slip rubber bottom of the mat keeps it from budging even during quick mouse movement. But the feature that really impressed our tech experts is the Razer Chroma color synchronization, which enables you to sync the desk mat’s surrounding lights with the game you’re playing along with smart lights, your keyboard and other Chroma-enabled devices.
✔️ Material: Desk pads are made from a variety of materials, including leather, faux leather (oftentimes labeled as polyurethane or PU), felt, plastic and more. If you want a more affordable desk pad that is resistant to stains and spills and is easy to wipe down, look for synthetic materials with a smooth, water-resistant surface such as PU or plastic. If you prefer a desk pad that has a soft or cusioned feel, consider upgrading to a desk pad made from genuine leather or felt. ✔️ Size: First decide what tools or devices you plan to place on top of your desk pad. Do you want to use a laptop, keyboard and mouse, or would you prefer to have a slightly larger desk pad that has room for a monitor or papers you can scribble on? Most desk pads come in multiple sizes so you can choose what suits your work surface best.
✔️ Design: Because you’ll be looking at and using your desk pad for multiple hours every day, don’t skimp on design. Make sure the color of your desk pad suits your taste and works well with your office setup. If you want stains and spills to be less noticeable, opt for a darker shade. Lastly, ask yourself whether you prefer a desk pad with rounded or straight edges.
✔️ Extra features: Some desk pads come with more bells and whistles than others. While most have anti-slip bottoms to keep your desk pad from sliding, some come with built-in wireless chargers for your devices or personalization options like embossed initials. There are even desk pads with built-in lights that can sync up to your gaming setup.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski tests and reviews all of the best gadgets and home products to hit the market, from under-desk bikes to home robots. With a B.A. from George Washington University and a Master’s in Communications from Sciences Po Paris, Olivia is dedicated to staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations in order to help GH readers make better buying decisions.