11 Best Bath Mats for Beating Mildew, Tested by AD (2026)

The Best Bath Mats Will Help Your Feet Find Dry LandFrom absorbent, art-piece rugs to handsome stone surfacesStriped, solid, or scalloped, we’ve curated up a selection of bath mats that can meld to assorted design aesthetics.Photo: Jong Hyup; Styling: Christina AllenWhether you’ve recently remodeled your bathroom or just want to make your existing one look less, well, sad, the best bath mats can do a lot to inject personality in the dampest, most poorly lit room of the home. The lowly bath mat often gets overlooked among the other finer details, like the shower curtain, or the plush bath towels, but trust us that the right underfoot accessory will do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to how your bathroom makes you feel. Damp and waterlogged fabrics are an immediate mood-killer after a hot shower, but a plush, absorbent one or a solid stone or wood surface can do wonders for soaking in moisture and keeping you dry and one degree of separation away from a cold tile floor.To narrow down the finest ones for a range of abodes, our staffers put several of them to the test within our very own city apartments (that are notorious for being poorly aerated). Below, our definitive and growing list of bath mats that we feel are super absorbent and beautifully designed, along with a few additional picks that we haven’t had the chance to try but think you might like a whole lot.Our Top Picks for the Best Bath MatsBest OverallDorai Bath Stone MatRead moreBest Plush Bath MatQuince Turkish Cotton Non-Slip Bath RugRead moreBest Budget Bath MatBrooklinen Reversible Looped Bath MatRead moreThe Best Bath Mats, OverallMore Bath Mats to Check OutFAQsBest OverallDorai Bath Stone MatDimensions: 26.5" x 1.6"Materials: Compressed diatomaceous earth and recycled paperColors: Slate, sandstoneCare Instructions: For mild stains or scuffs, get your product damp and use the included sanding paper (150 grit or similar) to gently ‘wet sand’ off any marksTester: Julia Harrison, shopping writer“I try not to be too hyperbolic in my product reviews, but I will literally never use another bath mat after meeting the Dorai. Its unassuming yet elevated design blends into your bathroom tile situation, and at just under two feet, it suits a small bathroom as well as a large one. The accompanying rug pad guarantees a non-slip surface—not that it’s so much of a concern when your bath mat is made from stone. It’s one of few products I’ve come across in my life that works exactly as advertised, absorbing water in less than two minutes. And I mean: a lot of water. It’s completely impervious to mold or yuckiness, which I can’t say of any other bath mat. Plus its simple design blends easily with any style.”Best Plush Bath MatQuince Turkish Cotton Non-Slip Bath RugDimensions: 21x 34,” 24 x 40”Materials: 100% long-staple Turkish Aegean CottonColors: White, birch, sage, charcoalCare instructions: Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low and remove promptly.Tester: Nashia Baker, senior shopping editor“I've tried a few Quince bath mats and this is the best by far. The backing keeps me from slipping and sliding when I step out of the shower, and the semi-long-tufted pile in Turkish cotton is lightweight but still soft enough to give my feet a plushy place to land. It's one of the more durable options I've tried—some of my old mats would get discolored after just a few months of washes but this is standing the test of time. The design is pretty simple overall, but I like it so it doesn't clash with the rest of my modern bathroom decor. I have a set of two in the birch colorway and love how the inset border adds a bit of visual interest without doing the most.”Best Budget Bath MatBrooklinen Reversible Looped Bath MatDimensions: 20" x 31" (standard size), 24" x 40" (oversized)Materials: 100% Turkish cottonColors: Four colors availableCare Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low (do not bleach)Tester: Audrey Lee, shopping editor“Brooklinen’s bath mat is reliable, well-made, and will easily blend in with your existing bathroom decor. What this mat may lack in bells and whistles, it certainly makes up for in practicality. The terry cloth material isn’t overly plush but feels nice underfoot—similar to a more densely woven towel. It typically takes around an hour for the mat to dry after I’ve used it. The best part about this mat is how easy it is to wash—you can toss it in with your other towels and not have to worry about any shedding or non-slip coating coming off in the washer or dryer.”Editor’s note: We’ve linked the updated version of Lee’s tested bath mat, as her old one is on last call. This bath mat employs the same materials and construction as Lee’s tested pick.Best Basic Bath MatParachute Classic Turkish Cotton Tub MatDimensions: 20" x 31"Materials: 100% Turkish cottonColors: Four colors availableCare Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry on lowTester: Rachel Fletcher, contributor“This 100% Turkish cotton bath mat feels much more expensive than its $59 price tag thanks to the thick plushness underfoot. I was a little concerned that something so dense might be constantly damp or take forever to dry but I’ve found it to be quite the opposite after using it for more than a year. I absolutely love Parachute’s waffle towels (they’re the only ones I’ll use!), so I was pleased that their bath mat was a high quality option too.”Best Shag Bath MatCoyuchi Shag Organic Bath RugDimensions: 2' x 3'Materials: Organic Turkish cottonColors: Slate, alpine white, undyed, fossilCare Instructions: Machine washable in cold water and suitable for low-heat dryingTester: Nashia Baker, senior shopping editor“Stepping on this Turkish cotton bath mat feels like slipping into my favorite pair of sheep fur-lined slippers (even though it’s made entirely of organic cotton). It’s the perfect plush landing spot after a shower, and my feet feel dry pretty instantly after stepping off the mat. I hardly ever feel the need to sop up any excess water with a towel. I also like that it’s available in a range of muted colors to choose from to match a bathroom’s aesthetic. I opted for the slate gray to go along with my shower curtain that’s designed with a few darker hues.”Best Striped Bath MatHommey Bath MatDimensions: 60cm x 90cmMaterials: 100% Australian cottonColors: 22 colorsCare Instructions: Warm machine wash. Cool tumble dry.Tester: Lauren Arzbaecher, shopping producer“My post-shower wavy hair routine involves handling sopping wet tresses (water dripping everywhere is inevitable), and the sizable width of Hommey’s bath mat saved me from having to wipe dry my bathroom floors afterwards. The brand’s quintessential colorways rev up the otherwise muted tones of my bathroom—the blackberry and terracotta are my personal favorites for a burst of color that doesn’t feel too childlike. Though for households with children, I could see this mat likewise being a great choice for when bath time gets extra splashy.”Best Design PickKassatex Chairish Bath MatDimensions: 22” x 34”Materials: 100% cottonColors: Eight variationsCare Instructions: Machine wash cold. Dry on low-medium heat.Tester: Jamie Spain, travel bookings editor at Condé Nast Traveler“The design of the mat is the most interesting part. It really brightens up a room, and the scalloped edge gives it a bit of a unique shape while still blending in with the rest of my bathroom decor seamlessly. It also comes in a wide array of colors which is appreciated since the fun colors are kind of the biggest draw for this item. However, I think I’d like it to be the slightest bit thicker since it feels a bit thin.”More Bath Mats to Check OutThough we haven’t had a moment to test all the bath mats in the world, we do have our eyes on a few more from our favorite retailers. Here, a couple more options to bookmark if you’re in the market for a handsome bath mat that will keep you dry and might even put a smile on your face as you groggily get ready for the day.West Elm x Emma Chamberlain Stripe Washable RugDimensions: 5'x8', 6'x9', 8'x10', 9'x12', 2'x3', 2.5'x7'Materials: 100% cottonColors: Arctic blue, dark aegean, light bordeaux, honeyCare Instructions: Machine wash delicate. Tumble dry low.We liked Emma Chamberlain’s West Elm collab so much we gave it its own article. Among our many favorites—the pigeon pitcher sits atop our market editor’s desk as we speak—was this simple rug. For our purposes, we also think it’s a great fit as a bath mat. The low-pile, tight-weave piece references a Zapotec rug or kilim in contemporary colorways that make it perfect as a low-key bathroom accent.Parachute Organic Tassel Bath RugDimensions: 21" x 34"Materials: 100% organic cottonColors: Onyx and pewter, Warm grey, Natural and onyx, Natural and toastCare Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low.This Parachute bath mat references both the Indian Dhurrie—a flat-weave, low-pile rug—and the Moroccan Berber in its sandy color palettes and fringe tendrils. It’s grounding, low-impact, and very tasteful, the sort of bath mat that does its job quietly and with simple aesthetics in mind. For bathrooms designed for calmness and reflection (see: long, pensive baths) this mat is just the right choice.Loretta Caponi Striped Fish Bath MatDimensions: 19.9"L x 29.7"WMaterials: CottonColors: N/ACare Instructions: Machine wash at 30°CDie-hard fish decor aficionados will meet their match with Loretta Caponi's mat that pays homage to sea life. And if you think this bit of bathroom decor is a real catch, just know that matching washcloths, hand towels, and bath sheets are available from the brand. The priciest pick on our list, this satin trim bath accessory comes in at over $300, so it’s understandable if your wallet urges you to just keep swimming.Ralph Lauren Polo Bath RugDimensions: 17"x24", 21"x34"Materials: Woven cottonColors: Eight variationsCare Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low.Whether you consider this an ironic preppy or a completely genuine fixture in your bathroom—it’s cute. We trust Ralph Lauren to make high-quality, long-lasting fabrics because some of us are wearing our parent’s hand-me-down oxfords to work. 100% woven cotton and a tight weave give us the impression that this has solid absorbency and a bit of weight—something you’ll need so as not to slip across the floor.FAQsHow Often Should I Replace My Bath Mat?According to our friends at Parachute: “If you use it daily, you should replace your bath mat once a year or so.” That said, if you’re consistently washing and caring for your mat, you may be able to keep it even longer (especially if it’s a mat in a guest room or room that’s used less).How Do I Care for My Bath Mat?Think of these like clothing—different styles require specific care instructions. While some bathroom mats, like Brooklinen’s, can easily be thrown into the wash with your other towels, others should be washed in their own cycle (usually styles which feature non-slip backing). More dust-prone fabrics like high-pile options may require low maintenance upkeep like a brush or a quick vacuum between washes. We recommend referencing the care instructions that can typically be found on the packaging or the website product page.What Are the Best Quality Bath Rugs?The best bath mat and bath rugs will depend on your space and personal preferences. If you ask Harrison, nothing beats diatomaceous earth, a stone-like material that absorbs water in less than a minute. Baker might tell you her super-absorbent Quince bath mat reigns supreme. No matter what you’re looking for, our list has options to satisfy all tastes, from modern stone designs to 100% wool or cotton bath rugs options that are likely to deliver on absorbency and durability.What Are the Top-Rated Bath Mats for Preventing Slips in the Bathroom?If you’re in the market for the grippiest bath mat possible—a valid concern especially for more senior shoppers—Amazon’s gorilla grip bath mats have received stellar reviews for their ability to stay solidly in place. Plus, you can lay a more appealing bath mat over top to maintain both style and grip at once. Beware, however, of possible mildew growth underneath gorilla grip mats, as the plastic can harbor heat and humidity—best to rinse these off every once in a while!Audrey is the shopping editor at Architectural Digest based in New York City. She enjoys recommending products, writing about interiors, and catching up on last year’s Oscar-nominated films. Before joining AD she previously held roles at Business Insider and The Strategist. ... Read More