Wherever you’re working from, switching to a standing desk can help alleviate the aches and pains that come from sitting down all day. But while working at a standing desk does take pressure off your back, standing for long periods can also put some strain on your feet, knees, and legs. That’s where a standing desk mat, which can help you stand comfortably for a lot longer, comes in. It will “aid in increasing circulation, improving posture, and decreasing joint compression in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back, thus decreasing pain and discomfort.” Sometimes called an “anti-fatigue” mat, it will also help you use your standing desk for longer periods of time because it’s more comfortable than standing on a hardwood or carpeted floor without one, adds chiropractor Dr. Randi Jaffe. So I asked three chiropractors about the best standing desk mats to add to your work-from-home setup.
Best overall| Best less expensive | Best budget | Best massaging | Best flat | Best multiple sizes | Best balance board mat
What we’re looking for
Material: Dr. Adam Lamb of Lamb Chiropractic, a New York City–based practice, says to look for a mat that is made of foam or a high-density polyurethane.
Thickness: According to Manhattan Medicine chiropractor Dr. Jasmine Bhoola, a standing desk mat should be at least a half an inch thick to best alleviate pressure from joints.
Size: And, of course, you also want to note the size of each standing desk mat to make sure you have enough floor space to accommodate it.
Best overall standing desk mat
Polyurethane | .85 inches | 26.2 x 2.7 x 29 inches
This mat really encourages “subconscious movement,” explains Jaffe, ensuring that you don’t stay in one position for too long, which can lead to a decrease in blood flow, poor posture, and more pressure on your joints, especially your knees. The mat incorporates different textures and levels that allow you to stretch your calves and even utilize the center ball to stretch and massage the foot all while working or on a Zoom call, she adds. “It slides easily with the push of one foot, which is helpful if you are going from sitting to standing throughout the day and need to reposition it all while being secure and sturdy when you are standing on it,” she says, concluding that it’s a “sound investment in improving your ergonomics and overall health.” And if you have less space, Topo also makes a mini-model that has the same varied topography design as its original Comfort Mat, above, but is smaller (and more affordable).
Best less expensive standing desk mat
Polyurethane | .85 inches | 25.2 x 19.2 x 2.5 inches
And if you have less space, Topo also makes a mini-model that has the same varied topography design as its original Comfort Mat above but is smaller (and more affordable).
Best budget standing desk mat
Memory foam | .75 | 20 x 39
For an even more affordable option, Jaffe likes this mat from Sky Solutions, which she says is a good bang for your buck. It also comes in 15 colors so your mat can complement your home-office décor.
Best massaging standing desk mat
Polyurethane |1 inch | 27.36 x 23.62 x 3.07
“Standing is better than sitting, but if you’re just standing in one place, that’s not great for you either,” says Lamb, who also recommends getting a standing desk mat that will encourage you to move as much as possible. He recommends looking for standing mats that have ample room to stand with your feet flat, also have some sort of raised or textured surface, massaging aspect or other features that encourage you to move your feet around, stretch and improve circulation, while also decreasing fatigue. He loves this one, which includes a balance bar, as well as a massager ball.
Best flat standing desk mat
Memory foam | ¾ inch | 20 x 32, 20 x 39, or 24 x 70 inches
Lamb says that a more standard desk mat is typically flat, and while the simple design doesn’t encourage as much movement as the other mats on this list, it does provide some extra cushioning to relieve pressure on your joints. Not only is this mat well cushioned and comfortable, it is slip resistant, even if it’s on a hardwood floor.
Best standing desk mat in multiple sizes
Polyurethane | .75 inch | 20 x 32
Depending on the size of your floor, you might want to better customize the area size of your mat. This one, recommended by Jaffe, is great because it comes in six different sizes.
Best balance board standing desk mat
Foam and hardwood | 2.6 inches | 20.87 x 13.39 inches
If you tend to get fidgety or just like being able to shift your weight while working, this standing mat–balance board hybrid may be the right choice. Lamb calls it a “great addition” to your home office, especially for those who are looking for even more activity while working — although he does note that new users would have to ease into using one regularly, so you may want to consider buying the balance board in addition to one of the stabilized mats above. The mat also has a ton of thoughtful design touches, including a slip-resistant rubber bottom, a rolling massage ball, and a grid of massage points to relieve tension in your feet.
Some standing desks to pair with your mat
Our experts
•Dr. Jasmine Bhoola, Manhattan Medicine chiropractor
•Dr. Randi Jaffe, chiropractor
•Dr. Adam Lamb, chiropractor and founder of Lamb Chiropractic
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