Best kitchen mats: Australia’s 2023 edition

What to look for in your search for the best kitchen mats, next year and beyond.

Commercial and home kitchens need slightly different types of mats. Commercial kitchens see cooks standing for longer periods, and are more prone to spills and slips, trips, and falls. Home kitchens generally need a single mat, whereas commercial kitchen mats might cover the room.

The best kitchen mats are anti fatigue and non slip, but you might also need other features. Here’s how to choose the best one for your application. If we’ve missed one, or you want a more personalised recommendation, feel free to get in touch.

 

Anti Fatigue Mats

The most common kitchen mats are anti fatigue mats. These protect your muscles from fatigue, and your bones and joints from pain and stiffness.

Standing on solid surfaces for extended periods jams your body into a static position. By preventing the subtle readjustments our bodies make every second, this position can lead to long-term pain, injury, and illness.

By providing a soft, comfortable surface to stand on, anti fatigue matting prevents seizing. This has been proven to reduce muscle fatigue, lower back pain, and even prevent miscarriage.

There are a few things to look for in the best anti fatigue mat, including:

• Comfort: A more comfortable work environment is the main reason you are investing in anti fatigue matting, so it should be your number 1 requirement. Not all anti fatigue kitchen mats are made equal, so make sure yours does its job.
• Stability: While comfort is critical, stability should be too. A comfortable mat that makes you unsteady is dangerous in most kitchens. Choose a mat with a low profile and sturdy structure that won't make you wobble while you cook. This is particularly important in commercial kitchens where workers wear work boots and blogs.
• Durability: The right mat will last as long as you need, which is why we always recommend investing in a high-quality product. You will save money in the long run when your mat does not need replacing after 6 months. The most durable mats are made from nitrile rubber. Natural rubber will snap in half when folded, but nitrile is sturdy and hardwearing.
• Slip resistance: As you are walking onto and over the mat, you need something that will prevent slips, trips, and falls too. Non slip backing and a textured surface are important for holding them in place and creating friction with your feet.
• Grease and oil resistance: As you probably expect liquids or oils to be spilt, make sure these won't cause your mat to deteriorate. A high nitrile rubber content will make a mat resistant to grease and chemicals.
• Water drainage: Inside areas like kitchens see water spillage, so your anti fatigue kitchen mat needs to be able to remove this. Holes or channels drain the water away from the mat’s surface, preventing it from pooling and causing an accident.
• Bevelled edges: To prevent trip accidents, as well as slips, your mat should provide a seamless transition from the floor to its surface. In commercial kitchens, this also makes it easier for wheeled traffic to pass over.
• Single-moulded: This goes for all matting, but the best kitchen mats are moulded from a single piece of rubber, rather than having multiple joins. This makes the mat more durable and better at protecting your people.

 

The best kitchen mats

1. Best anti fatigue kitchen mats

It’s the most common one, so we’ll start with anti fatigue kitchen mats. The most durable mat is the one that will last the longest, so go for something with as high a nitrile rubber content as possible. We recommend 100% nitrile anti fatigue kitchen matting.

You need something that will offer comfort and safety without getting in the way. Something with a solid surface that is easy to mop clean at the end of service.

Example: High Comfort Durable Anti Fatigue Mat

 

2. Most sustainable

Kitchen mats aren’t the most environmentally-friendly option out there. But some choices are better than others.

The best kitchen floor mats that are great for the planet are the ones that produce the least waste. Anything made from recycled rubber is making a significant contribution to reducing the amount of waste in landfill. That’s a great start.

Example: Non-Marking Easy Clean Comfort Mat

 

3. Best commercial kitchen mats

Commercial kitchens see a lot of grease and oil being spilt. Your mat needs to be able to protect workers from slipping on substances, without deteriorating from contact with them. More water and other liquids mean better draining systems are needed, so commercial kitchens need anti fatigue mats with holes.

Protection against slip and trip accidents is critical for busy kitchens, so rubber with grippers lining the underside is ideal.

Example: Anti Slip Nitrile Rubber Comfort Mat

 

4. Best custom-sized kitchen mat

Just like no two kitchens are the same, your matting needs aren’t either. That’s why we offer a range of custom-sized kitchen mats. Anti fatigue mat runners are made on rolls, which are then cut to your desired length.

Custom-sized matting is ideal as it can cover any area, but you will sacrifice the bevelled edges that prevent trip accidents.

Example: Non slip Anti Fatigue Safety Mat Runner

 

5. Best value for money

Sometimes, you need to cut costs. And that doesn’t have to mean you can’t get a great product. Non slip and greaseproof matting might be all your kitchen needs, and it can be cost-effective. Look for something containing nitrile to ensure it has both of these features.

A benefit of cheaper matting is that they usually have a simpler design. Single-hole designs make it easier to clean. The double holes get food and liquid stuck much easier, so cleaning is more difficult (and more difficult usually means more expensive).

Example: Non-Marking Easy Clean Comfort Mat

 

6. Best kitchen mats for hardwood floors

Hardwood floors are uncommon in commercial kitchens, but not unheard of. These need a carpet-surfaced mat to clean and dry feet in the doorway. This mat is responsible for keeping grease and liquid off shoes, and therefore away from any customer-facing areas.

Carpet-surfaced matting with a non slip rubber backing is ideal. This is also the best kitchen mat for tile floors.

Example: Nylon Twist Pile Rubber Backed Mat

 

How to choose the best kitchen mats

There are heaps of different factors influencing your purchasing decision, but we can help you find the best quality suppliers. Some of the things you can ask about are:

• Samples: Samples should be a standard, and if a mat supplier is unwilling to provide them, their products are unlikely to impress. This goes for most products, if a provider is confident in their products’ great quality, they will readily offer proof of it.
• Reviews: Reviews are a great way to get a feel for any brand, but make sure they are legitimate customers. Nowadays, businesses post fake reviews on their own sites, so use impartial websites like Yotpo, Trustpilot and ProductReview.
• Guarantees: Guaranteed satisfaction or trial and cool-off periods indicate a high level of confidence in a product. If low-quality products were easy to return, their suppliers would make no profit.
• Warranties: Longer warranties mean longer-lasting products. If a company is willing to replace a product within a certain period, it means they are confident they won’t have to.
• Additional services: Ask your supplier if they offer additional services, such as installation, measuring and aftercare. A good quality manufacturer cares about where their products end up.
• Customer service: If a provider offers great service before you buy, they are more likely to offer great service if you need them later on. If the people you interact with are helpful and engaged beforehand, it’s a great indicator that returns and queries will be easier.

To get a feel for the customer service level you can expect to receive, ask questions before you buy. Some questions you might want to ask are:

• Is this mat covered by a warranty?
• What happens if I want to return it?
• What traffic level is this mat suitable for?
• Is this mat resistant to {insert substance}?
• Does this mat drain water?
• Can this mat withstand wheeled traffic as well as pedestrians?
• What applications is this mat meant for?
• Is this product right for my {insert application}?
• Are there any other products you recommend?
• Do you have a product guide you can share with me?
• Can you help me measure/assess my area?

 

Still not sure? We can help

If you’ve read this post and you’re still not sure what you’re looking for, we can help you find the perfect kitchen mat. You can reach us on 1300 628 746 or at [email protected]. During work hours, you can also get in touch using the chat function below.

For more information on buying non slip mats, check out the non slip matting buying guide.