The best standing desk mat will perfectly complement more flexible workspaces - with anti-fatigue mats and balance boards helping you stay more comfortable when you're working on your feet all day.
The Vari ActiveMat is my top choice overall. My team and I have always had great experiences with standing desks from this company, so expect aa brilliantly designed mat for standing desks with this one. For cheaper alternatives, I especially like the Sky Solutions Anti-Fatigue Mat and the large-sized FlexiSpot Anti-Fatigue Mat, both of which are well-priced. However, if you're looking for something more mobile, I've included our best under-desk treadmill - the Lifespan TR1200, which like a balance board helps keep you active at work.
Whether you're using the best standing desks and best standing desk converters my team and I have tested, each model here is perfectly designed for comfort at home and in the office. For this round-up, I've reviewed overall size, ergonomic designs, materials and cushioning to identify the standing desk mats that will provide all-round support when at your desk.
Update: In my latest update, I've rejigged the line-up to bring my pick for cheap standing desk mat into the #2 position and added new retailer links for all products. I've also removed two mats no longer available, switching them out for a larger-sized mat from FlexiSpot and an under-desk treadmill for those who prefer staying active at work.
The quick list
Best standing desk mat overall
This standing desk mat has curved edges that make it great for stretching your feet and legs while you work.
Best standing desk mat on a budget
Despite being one of the cheapest option on this list, this is available in a variety of colors and different sizes to perfectly match your desk
Best large standing desk mat
The low- to mid-range price isn't the only reason this standing desk mat stands out - it's also pretty large, measuring 39in x 20in.
Best standing desk treadmill
If you're looking for a more active alternative to a static mat, the Lifespan TR1200-DT3 impressed us with its performance.
Best portable standing desk mat
A great budget option for those who intend to move their standing desk mat between their workplace and home
Best standing desk mat balance board
You need to actively balance while using this standing desk mat, to help you engage your core while working and the massage points at either side.
Best standing desk mat overall
The ActiveMat from Vari features a non-slip bottom and is made from a high-density material so that it won’t lose its shape or break down easily over time.
According to Vari, it allows your feet to explore and engage different muscles while standing. However, the main attraction is this standing desk mat’s dynamic shape and raised side panels that allow you to easily stretch out your feet while working. Just be careful the raised edges don't get in the way if you're particularly active when using it. The mat weighs 10.6 pounds (4.77kg), so it's relatively portable, but not the lightest around.
Like many Vari products we've tested out, the ActiveMat is at the higher end, price-wise, which may put off some. However, my team and I have had some very good experiences with products from this brand, and the premium price tends to correspond to good design and manufacture.
Best standing desk mat on a budget
Despite being one of the cheapest option on this list, the Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat is available in a wide variety of colors and a number of different sizes to perfectly match your desk. In fact, it’s the only standing desk mat we’ve seen that comes in patterns which could be perfect for those that want to add some extra visual flair to their workspace.
The Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat is made from high-density memory foam for cushioned comfort and all-day support. A non-slip bottom helps keep it in place while its beveled edge with anti-curl prevents tripping.
Thanks to the high-quality material it's made of, you won't be subject to strong, toxic odors. It’s also very easy to clean, which means it can be used in the kitchen as well as in your home office.
Best large standing desk mat
If you're looking for a broad standing desk mat, you can't go wrong with the MT1 / MT1B from FlexiSpot. This anti-fatigue mat measures a pleasant 39 by 20in (or around 99 x 50.8cm), giving you plenty of space to move around without stepping off the surface of the mat.
At 41lb, it's noticeably heavier than many of the best standing desk mats here, but that's expected for a mat this size, especially one made of PU+PVC. Support and cushioning here is delivered with a soft material foam, while the underside features diamond-shaped ridges to prevent it slipping during use.
It comes from FlexiSpot, which has produced many of my favorite standing desks. My team and I have always found these to be well-priced and well-designed, and I'd expect nothing less from the MT1 and MT1B standing desk mats. That's another reason why I've included it in this round up, as it's reasonably priced compared to a lot of others on the market, retailing for around $75 / £40.
Best standing desk treadmill mat
This might not be for everyone, but if you'd prefer to stay active while working at your standing desk, the Lifespan TR1200-DT3 remains the best treadmill for under the desk that we've tested out. Worth a look if you think a standing desk mat may not meet all your requirements.
During the team's time with this unit, it proved to be incredibly comfortable to walk on during the work day (and no, you won't need to wear running shoes to experience that comfort). Reviewer Matt felt the wide belt gave plenty of tread-space, while the six shock absorbers helped keep things relaxed in use. The included console also lets you set goals for walking times.
It's quiet, but not whisper-quiet, when the motors are whirring. And, more pertinently, it's admittedly more expensive than a static mat - a lot more, in fact, at around $1000 / £1000. However, if you prefer activity over anti-fatigue, this is the place to rest your feet.
Read our full Lifespan TR1200-DT3 review
Best portable standing desk mat
The Mount-It! Anti Fatigue Floor Mat is another great budget option especially for those that intend to bring their standing desk mat back and forth between their workplace and home. However, unlike the Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat, it’s only available in one size that may be too narrow for those with longer legs.
Still though, the Mount-It! Anti Fatigue Floor Mat is easy to clean as the rubberized gel foam it's made from is water and stain resistant, and this standing desk mat is available in brown and red as well as black.
Although its portability is a plus, the compact size could limit movement for some people, especially taller invidiuals.
This mat comes in three colors: black, red, and brown, but you'll have to shell out a little extra for the red and brown variations.
Best standing desk mat balance board
Who says standing desk mats can’t be fun to use? The Fezibo Anti-Fatigue Balance Board is somewhat of an outlier on this list as it doesn’t remain in place by itself while in use.
Instead, as the name suggests, you need to balance while using it. In addition to helping with fidgeting, the Fezibo Anti-Fatigue Balance Board can help you engage your core while working and the massage points at either side also help reduce fatigue.
Surprisingly, this standing desk mat can double as a piece of exercise equipment since Fezibo includes resistance bands that can be attached to the holes at either end.
The manufacturer also claims that this anti-fatigue mat will warm your feet within a few minutes because of the wobble exercise it facilitates. The movement will improve your blood circulation and relax your muscles.
My team and I have reviewed a few Fezibo standing desks, and a lot like FlexiSpot, they offer good designs at a relatively low price. Expect that trend to continue with this balance board.
How to choose the best standing desk mat for you
In order to find the right standing desk mat for your needs, you first have to ask yourself some basic questions: How long do you plan on standing while working each day? Do your feet cramp up often? Will your standing desk mat stay in one location or do you need something more portable? Do you also want to improve your balance and coordination while working at your standing desk?
Once this is done, you then need to take your current desk into account. Besides finding a standing desk mat that matches or compliments the color of your desk, it should also be the correct width so that you can place it right between the legs of your desk. Thickness is another important aspect to consider as a standing desk mat that is too thin will lead to fatigue faster while one that is too thick may make it more difficult for your monitor or laptop to be in the center of your field of vision when standing up.
As you’ll be standing on your mat either in shoes or with bare feet, it also needs to be easy to clean. Most standing desk mats can be wiped down with a mild mixture of soap and water but if you find yourself cleaning often, its color and texture could deteriorate more quickly.
Once you’ve been using a standing desk mat for some time, you may want to mix things up and even get some additional benefits to your posture, core and balance by using a balance board instead. These are also especially useful for those who often find themselves fidgeting or moving about while working. Some balance boards (like the FEZIBO Balance Board detailed above) even include acupressure points or a massage ball so that you can relieve aches and pains in your feet while standing.
It’s also a good idea to keep the original packaging as you may need to test out several standing desk mats before you find the one that works for you. Alternatively, you can own more than one and alternate based on the work you’re doing. For instance, you may want to brainstorm on a balance board while getting your ideas together and then switch to an anti-fatigue mat when it comes time to get to work.
How we test the best standing desk mats
We've tested, reviewed, and rated a wide range of office and home office tech and furniture, including the best monitor stands, the best under-desk treadmills, and the best laptop stands. When testing these, we're looking at how each can make your workspace more comfortable and adapted to your needs.
We've tested the best standing desk mats across various aspects, starting with their thickness and anti-fatigue features. We checked what type of materials the mats used, how durable they were, and whether they had features like stain and water resistance that made them easy to clean.
We considered their size to assess what heights they'd be best suited for. We checked if they had anti-fatigue features like raised side panels, stretching panels, massage points, and massage balls.
We also checked how portable they were, what colors they came in, whether they had anti-slip bottoms, and their pricing.
