The best standing desk mats for your home or office

If you want a standing desk mat that will keep you moving throughout the day, the Ergodriven Topo is your best bet. Crafted from durable polyurethane foam with a slightly textured finish, the Ergodriven Topo comes in two sizes and a choice of four different colors. What makes this standing desk mat special is the presence of ridges and contours that encourage you to move your feet and change your standing position frequently throughout the day.

The original mat measures 29 x 26.25 inches, so it's big and awkward. If you have more limited space, or you're under 5'4", then there's the Mini which measures 25.2 x 19.2 inches. Ergodriven offers suggested exercises and instructional videos that show you how you might change positions throughout the day to get the most from it, but what I really like about this mat is that it encourages subconscious movement. I found myself moving frequently without really thinking about it.

I definitely moved around more and felt less fatigue when standing for a prolonged period of time. Some of the stretches the mat encourages feel good, particularly on the calves and lower back. It works just fine with bare feet, socks, or shoes. It's pretty easy to slide it around with your foot when you want to move it, but it grips well when you're standing on it. I also found it pleasant to rest my feet on when I was sitting.

Both the Ergodriven Topo and the Mini version are a bit of an investment, but the impressive seven-year warranty and free 30-day exchange or return period make it less of a risky purchase.

Pros: Contoured to promote movement, comes with suggested exercises, high-density foam for comfort, very durable

Cons: Large size can be awkward in smaller workspaces

You don't have to spend much on a standing desk mat, as the Royal Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat proves. It has beveled edges and comes in a few different colors, ranging in size from 20 x 32 inches up to 24 x 72 inches. It grips well, so it's especially good for hard floors. There are 0.75 inches of squishy foam inside with a lightly textured top layer that's easy to wipe clean. This is a popular mat for the kitchen, but the smaller sizes also work well for standing desks, especially if you have limited space.

This mat helps reduce fatigue when you stand for long periods and alleviates aches in the soles of your feet. It works best with bare feet or socks, and sneakers or flat shoes should be okay, but anything with a heel isn't going to work so well. Because it's constructed with separate top and bottom layers sandwiching the foam, it won't be quite as durable as mats that are one piece.

The Royal Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat comes with a 30-day free trial period and a lifetime warranty, so you can have it replaced if it wears out.

Pros: Affordable, thick foam for comfort, lifetime warranty

Cons: Separate layers can wear out

The Kangaroo Standing Mat comes in a very wide range of sizes and an even wider range of different colors and patterned finishes, but all are thick and comfortable. It has a textured underside that provides some grip, with 0.75 inches of foam inside and a stain-resistant textured material on top. Sizes start at 20 x 32 inches and go all the way up to 70 x 24 inches. This mat is a popular option in the kitchen, but it can work very well with a standing desk too.

The edges are beveled to help reduce tripping risk and the lightly textured surface adds some grip. Compared to the legions of flat, rectangular standing desk mats out there, the textured finish and the choice of colors or patterns help the Kangaroo stand out.

It's comfortable to stand on for long periods to reduce fatigue, and you can use it with or without shoes. While you can choose a color or design or you like, know that it's a second layer on top of the mat so it won't be as durable as one that's constructed from a single material.

While the smaller size of the Kangaroo Standing Mat is relatively affordable but they can get quite expensive at the larger sizes. Kangaroo also offers a 10-year guarantee, so if you run into any issues with the durability, you can claim a free replacement.

Pros: Thick foam for comfort, various sizes, lots of finishes, 10-year guarantee

Cons: Relatively expensive at larger sizes, separate layers can wear out

If you're concerned about a mat that will degrade or become less comfortable to use over time, then the highly durable Imprint Cumulus Pro is one to look at. Available in a few different sizes and finishes, with confusing model names, the Imprint Cumulus Pro is an unobtrusive, rectangular mat that will blend in with your home or office. Beyond size, the choice largely amounts to plain black or a slightly textured grey or black, with sharp or rounded corners. All the mats have beveled edges to reduce the risk of tripping and a good 0.75-inch thickness.

The Imprint Cumulus Pro Commercial Couture Strata is the best looking of the bunch thanks to the synthetic leather look that gives it a light texture, but it's also the most expensive. It won't slip, but it's easy to move when you need to, and the thick foam is comfortable to stand on for long periods. At 24 x 36 inches, it's also a good size for a standing desk and can slide under out of the way when you sit down.

The great thing about all of Imprint's standing desk mats is that they come with a lifetime warranty, so you can exchange or return whenever you like with no questions asked.

Pros: Thick foam for comfort, very durable, firm, lifetime warranty

Cons: Not much choice in size or finish

The Vari ActiveMat is designed especially for use with standing desks and it offers quite tall angled ridges on three sides. If you're looking for a standing desk mat to encourage movement and stretching, then this is a good choice. The edges are all curved and the underside is non-slip, so it won't slide around.

Measuring 35.5 x 23.75 inches the Vari ActiveMat has peaks that go all the way up to 3.25 inches in height. It's quite firm, but it's comfortable to stand on. The raised side panels are good for working those ankles and stretching muscles, reducing the build-up of any aches or pains. The Vari ActiveMat does a good job of offering the best of both worlds, with a flat foam panel in the middle that's comfortable to stand on for long periods and raised edges around the sides for when you want to stretch.

It does come with a free 30-day return period, but the Vari ActiveMat is relatively expensive, and there's only a one-year warranty.

Pros: Thick foam for comfort, raised edges for stretches, combines benefits of flat and contoured mats

Cons: Limited warranty

The Sky Mats Genius Mat is like an activity center for your feet. It's designed to get you moving, stretching, flexing, and even rolling to keep those muscles engaged and cut down on fatigue. Made from thick foam, it enhances your comfort when you're standing for long periods, and the array of ridges, dimples, and undulating surfaces will have you changing position frequently.

The Sky Mats Genius Mat measures about 23 x 25 inches, so it's fairly compact. There's only one design with a matte black finish featuring a blue rollerball embedded in the middle. This acts like a massage tool or a fidget spinner for your feet, so this is a great mat for people with a lot of nervous energy. It's also fun to play with when you're seated, and it slides easily under your desk. Although it's described as non-slip, the underside is smooth, so it may not grip hard floors quite as well. It also works much better with bare feet or socks than it does with footwear, though flat shoes will be fine.

The Genius Mat has a 30-day return policy, but you might be expected to pay the shipping costs. Sky Mats also offers a lifetime warranty, so you should be able to claim a replacement if it wears out.

Pros: Innovative rollerball design and massage points are good for fidgeters, thick foam for comfort, lifetime warranty

Cons: Only one size and design

You'll find a world of standing desk mats out there, many of which are worth a look if you've yet to see your ideal mat. Here are a few of the best standing desk mats that just missed out on our list. These options didn't quite measure up in terms of comfort, features, or sometimes value, but they are popular alternatives.

• Sky Mats Comfort Floor Mat: These plain, rectangular standing desk mats offer thick foam for comfort, beveled edges for safety, and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. They grip well, wipe clean easily, and come with a lifetime warranty.
• ComfiLife Anti Fatigue Floor Mat: This basic, rectangular standing desk mat comes in two sizes and a range of colors. It's thick and comfortable to stand on for long periods, wipes clean easily, has an anti-microbial surface, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Butterfly Standing Desk Mat: With a butterfly design, this is one of the most eye-catching standing desk mats around. The shape also promotes movement, with massage points that stimulate blood flow in your feet, it's easy to clean, and it comes in a few different colors.
• CubeFit TerraMat: This thick standing desk mat has a balance bar, massage mounds, a power wedge, and acupuncture pressure peaks to stimulate your feet and encourage movement. It works well, but there are a couple of alternatives that we prefer.
• Amazon Basics Standing Comfort Mat: Available in plain black or patterned finishes, these small mats are designed for standing in the kitchen or to use with standing desks. They reduce standing fatigue and wipe clean easily, but feel a bit too squishy and can slide around on hard floors.

Cut down on the time you spend sitting every day and get on your feet with one of the best standing desks. A good standing desk is easy to adjust to different heights and encourages you to move around more, reducing the risks of a sedentary lifestyle.

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