As someone who has been privy to one too many near-accidents, I’ve found that non-slip bath mats make showering—and reaching for slick shampoo bottles—less of a juggling act and a lot more graceful.
The non-slip aspect of bath mats usually comes from one of two backings: a textured surface with extra friction to prevent sliding, and suction cups which stick to your bathroom floors and provide extra grip.
We’ve tested dozens of bath maths both at home and in The Lab here at The Spruce. For this story, we specifically tested non-slip bath mats over two weeks of real world use. From our tests, we found that the best non-slip bath mats were those that didn’t budge with frequent bathing and provided sufficient coverage.
Our favorites were also shortlisted based on comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, safety, and drying time—so you can bid soggy toes and scary slips goodbye once and for all.
Our Top Picks
Most Comfortable:
Best Suction:
Best for Shower:
Best for Kids:
What We Like
Stays securely in place even when wet
Dries quickly
Ample coverage
What We Don’t Like
Slightly slows down drainage
For a sturdy, reliable option, we think the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Safti-Grip Bath Mat is an all-around winner. In testing, we loved that it stayed firmly in place, not budging once—even when wet. With several suction cups on the bottom that stick to the floor and a textured top surface, it has all of the safeguards to prevent your shower from becoming a slip-and-slide.
What Our Tester Said
“The bath mat was much more comfortable that my current bathtub bottom, and it provided enough support that longer showers didn't feel cumbersome."
We also liked how comfortable it felt beneath our feet. In testing, we found that it reduced foot fatigue for longer showers, especially when compared to the bare bath floor without a mat. The thick material feels similar to rubber rain boots and offers plenty of coverage. The quick drying time is also a nice touch, as the mat doesn’t need to be removed and hung to dry every time. It simply dries in place after you’re done bathing.
The neutral beige hue of the mat blends in seamlessly with most bathrooms and styles. After two weeks of testing, we found that there was slight discoloration beneath the mat, but it quickly went away with a wipe or rinse with the showerhead. Our only note for improvement is that this mat doesn’t have a cavity to accommodate for draining, so water can pool around and takes slightly longer to fully drain. Still, we think this this is a wonderful mat from a dependable brand.
Sizes: Rectangular, large | Material: Rubber | Colors: White | Care: Wipe or rinse off, machine washable
What We Like
Strong suction
Easy to clean
Custom indent around the drain
What We Don’t Like
Stays wet when left in tub
The Linoows Bathtub and Shower Mat is another reliable pick with handy features. Like the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Safti-Grip Bath Mat (our best overall pick), it uses suction cups on the bottom to form a strong grip with the shower or bath floor. However, the top has a bubble design rather than a subtle texture, which provides a more bumpy but still slip-resistant surface.
We found the suction to be incredibly strong in testing, so much so that it required some effort to peel off. This mat has a custom indentation to accommodate for the shower or bath drain, so there was no pooling of water or blockages. We saw that water was able to drain efficiently and easily during our tests.
The mat is also easy to clean, with just bathroom cleaner and a rag needed to get it back to squeaky clean shape. However, the mat does stay wet for a while when left in the tub. So for it to fully dry, you’ll have to peel it off and hang it over the tub—which requires an extra step to do everyday. Still, there was no damage or discoloration over time and the mat kept its shape throughout testing.
Sizes: Rectangular | Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Colors: Black, white, brown, gray, pink, teal, blue, navy, clear | Care: Machine washable
What We Like
Cushiony pillow top
Machine washable
Water drains easily
What We Don’t Like
Limited color options
Most bath mats have a textured or “barely-there” feel, but the SlipX Solutions Pillow Top Plus Bath Mat takes things to the next level with its air-filled pillow top. In testing, we loved how cushiony this feature felt underfoot. It enhanced the overall shower experience and felt much more comfortable to stand on compared to the bare floor.
What Our Tester Said
“This would be a great bath mat for those who work on their feet all day. Whenever I stepped into the shower and on the mat, it was almost like my feet were getting a massage."
Still, the mat doesn’t skimp on its non-slip features in favor of comfort. The mat didn’t move at all during testing, with 200 strong suction cups underneath to keep it in place. The water was able to dissipate well despite the strong grip, flowing right off the pillow top and into the drain.
This bath mat also dries quickly when hung over the tub. Plus, it’s machine washable–making it easy to throw in your washer without having to do too much handiwork.
In testing, we found that laundering the mat didn’t cause it to lose its grip or shape. It was also easy to maintain with a quick rinse and wipe down. The only downside is that there are limited colorways to choose from compared to options like the Linoows Bathtub and Shower Mat (our best value pick).
Sizes: Rectangular | Material: Rubber | Colors: Cream, gray | Care: Machine washable
What We Like
Expansive floor coverage
Powerful grip
Plenty of color options
What We Don’t Like
Corners may lift
Looking for a powerful suction that won’t budge? The Gorilla Grip Patented Bath Tub Shower Mat fits the bill, perfect for high-traffic bathrooms and large households. We love that the mat covers the entire bath or shower floor. It has a comfortable, cushy feel underfoot—although not as noticeably soft as options like SlipX Solutions Pillow Top Plus Bath Mat (our most comfortable pick).
Still, its strong suction more than makes up for it, providing an excellent grip. We like that there are 300 suction cups on the bottom of the mat to keep it secure, as well as hundreds of drainage holes which allow water to easily and quickly pass through it—without soap and moisture building up.
There are a myriad of color options to choose from, so you can customize this mat to your bathroom aesthetic. Just note that the corners lifted in testing—both in tubs with rounded edges as well as rectangular shower floors, which can make it look unfinished. Despite that minor inconvenience, we this this is a solid choice.
Sizes: Rectangular | Material: Polyester, plastic, rubber | Colors: Several neutral, vibrant, translucent, and opaque hues | Care: Machine washable
What We Like
Central drain hole
Slight cushioning
Excellent traction for shower floors
What We Don’t Like
Hair and water can get stuck underneath
Visible creases from packaging
For showers without a tub, we like the SlipX Solutions Extra Large Square Shower Mat for its snug fit and strong traction. This bath mat stayed secure for the entire testing period. Even when water was running, the suction cups stayed stuck.
We also liked that the slight cushioning of this mat made it pleasant to stand on. We found that we could stay in the shower for longer periods of time (especially on hair-wash days), thanks to the more supportive, soft surface. The handy drainage hole also helps prevent water blockages.
The thick, durable materials of this mat stayed intact throughout the duration of testing. It was easy to maintain: a simple rinse with a shower head did the trick.
However, there were a few downsides compared to other options in our roundup.For one, hair can get stuck on and underneath the mat. Plus, some water lingers underneath the mat so it has to be removed to fully dry off and lift off any hair. There were also some creases still visible after two weeks due to how the mat was folded in its original packaging. Still, we think it’s a comfy pick perfect for shower stalls.
Sizes: Square | Material: Vinyl | Colors: Black, gray, blue, clear, tan, and translucent options | Care: Machine washable
What We Like
Lays completely flat
Easy to clean
Large, grippy surface
What We Don’t Like
Faint plasticy smell
With little ones using the bathroom, it’s no surprise that bath time can involve some surprise splashes. So to keep young, active feet from slipping, we like the AmazerBath Bath Tub Mat. We tested this in a household with kids, and found that the mat had a strong suction, preventing slips as they stood up to get out of the tub.
What Our Tester Said
“It's definitely more comfortable than the previous mat we were using. It offered a lot of cushion and laid pretty flat, even though we had it rolled up between uses."
The mat also comes in a large size, which allows for ample floor coverage—in other words, no step goes unchecked. We liked that the mat was comfortable both to stand and sit on. It had plenty of cushion and laid completely flat on the floor. This means there are no lifted corners (aka tripping hazards) to worry about.
The 176 draining holes in this mat ensure water drains efficiently and that the mat itself dries quickly. We also like that it’s so easy to clean, since things can get messy with kiddos. The mat doesn’t get that dirty on its own to begin with, and can be tossed in the washer whenever you need a deeper clean. At just under $20, the mat offers great value. There are even cute, kid-friendly animal prints and alphabet patterns you can choose from. Our only note was that there was a plasticy smell that faded but still slightly lingered on the mat, even after multiple washes.
Sizes: Rectangular | Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Colors: Several neutral, vibrant, translucent, opaque, and animal print options | Care: Machine washable
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Safti-Grip Bath Mat, a secure, comfortable option with a quick drying time. It offers ample coverage and is machine washable. We also love the SlipX Solutions Pillow Top Plus Bath Mat for its cushiony pillow top and strong grip.
How We Tested the Non-Slip Bath Mats
We shortlisted these non-slip bath mats based on their performance in terms of comfort, durability, ease of cleaning, safety, and drying time over two weeks of at-home testing. The Spruce has tested dozens of bath mats and counting, both in The Lab and at home. For this list, we specifically evaluated non-slip bath mats that go inside a shower or tub. This included 10 unique products used over 300 showers and 38 hours.
We asked testers to use the mat while showering, bathing, or bathing small children or animals at least three times a week during the testing period. We gathered insights on if the mat stayed in place, how well the mat fit in the area, if it was comfortable to stand and sit on, and how the mat held up over time.
We also took note of how the mats were affected by cleaning, how much time it took to dry after use, and how quickly the water drained. Any damage to the bath mat from ripping, flattening, or becoming discolored were also observed.
Many of the non-slip bath mats were selected for their ability to stay securely in place, maintain a strong grip, feel comfortable underfoot, and easily clean. We also picked mats based on their ability to enhance the overall bathing experience and promote a feeling of safety.
What to Look for in a Non-Slip Bath Mat
Choose a Secure, Non-Slip Backing
A secure backing on non-slip bath mats typically comes in the form of a textured surface which provides friction, or suction cups which grip to the shower or bath floor. All of our top picks feature suction cups, as we found these had a powerful grip that didn’t budge—even when wet or the water was running.
Some of our favorite bath mats feature a textured top and suctioned bottom for extra security, like the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Safti-Grip Bath Mat (our best overall pick).
Research Size and Thickness
You’ll want to choose a mat size and thickness that is best suited for your space. If you have a shower, a square shape is often optimal—though you’ll want to make sure you measure the dimensions of your shower floor to be sure. Our best for shower pick, the SlipX Solutions Extra Large Square Shower Mat, is set in this square shape.
On the other hand, rectangular shapes are more common for tubs. Almost all of our top picks have a rectangular shape option to ensure there is full coverage on the bath floor, so that no step is susceptible to slipping. We especially like the AmazerBath Bath Tub Mat (our best for kids pick) for its large surface that lies completely flat.
As far as thickness goes, a thicker mat typically means there’s more cushion and durability while a thinner mat offers a barely-there feel. The choice for this comes down to your personal preference with texture.
Opt for Comfort and Durability
Certain features can make a non-slip mat more comfortable. For instance, options like the SlipX Solutions Pillow Top Plus Bath Mat (our most comfortable pick) have a plush air-filled pillow top for a cloud-like feel. A thicker mat can make it more comfortable to stand on for long periods of time or hair-wash days, too.
As far as durability goes, a thick mat is still key, as well as choosing the right material. Most of our favorites are all constructed from rubber, PVC, or vinyl to ensure they can stand up to hot water, large splashes, and frequent cleaning.
One More Thing
The bottom of a non-slip bath mat is where soap can hide and mold can grow. To ensure your mat stays free of mess and in tip-top shape, it’s important to regularly clean it. We cleaned our mats once a week. Many of our picks just needed a rinse in the shower. For a deeper clean, you can also use disinfectant wipes, or a bathtub cleaner and microfiber cloth. Of course, if your mat is machine washable (as all of our picks are), you can simply toss it in the washer, and let it air dry without getting your hands dirty.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Shagun Khare, a freelance home writer specializing in areas such as bathroom design, flooring, and lifestyle. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2021. Khare grew up using various non-slip bath mats, both in her own abode and her grandparents’ home.
As a self-professed klutz, she understands the importance of a strong suction and grippy surface. For this story, she analyzed testing insights from real-life settings, specifically evaluating the mats’ durability, comfort, and value.
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