The Best Bathtub Mats

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber
Published on
May 20th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben has over a decade of experience in cleaning projects of all types along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning and leading teams goes back as far as he can remember.

The Cleaning Institute

Most people probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about bathtub mats, but they’re an important part of bath and shower safety. A good bathtub mat can also make the bathing experience more comfortable, and so our team of testers, motivated by our 35 years of experience, looked for the best bathtub mats. They were reviewed according to construction, ease of installation, and effectiveness, and our testers chose Rubbermaid Commercial SaftiGrip Bath Mat as their top pick.

Testing Categories

Construction: A bathmat shouldn’t fall apart easily. At the same time, it should be made of materials that are safe for children and adults to use. Most would avoid buying bath mats that had harmful chemicals in them, and this was something our testers looked for.

Installation: Bathtub mats need to be installed properly for best results. Otherwise, people could slip and fall if the mat moves around, which is the very thing that users are trying to avoid. Testers made sure that installation, according to package instructions, was sufficient for ordinary use.

Effectiveness: Our testers used these bathtub mats on tub and shower floors and reviewed them for how they felt, whether they actually reduced slipping, and whether they interfered with tub drainage. Many testers noted the shape of the mat made a difference, as did the size of the bathtub mat.

Top Pick

Rubbermaid
Commercial
SaftiGrip Bath Mat

The textured plastic bath mat is 28” by 16”, & latex-free. It’s held in place by dozens of suction cups that stick to the bottom of the tub or shower stall, & it’s about one quarter-inch thick.

Price Check

Most notable upside: Strong suction cups keep this bathtub mat firmly in place. Testers felt very secure using this mat. It’s sturdy and can withstand years of use. The plastic doesn’t have any smell.

Biggest downsides: The mat can attract mold if not picked up from the tub and cleaned after every use. Some testers felt the suction cups through the mat, making for an unpleasant experience. There are no drainage holes in the bathtub mat. This bathtub mat won’t work on tiled surfaces.

5
Construction
5
Installation
5
Effectiveness

Honorable Mention

Gorilla Grip Original
Patented Bath,
Shower, Tub Mat

Hundreds of suction cups hold this 35” by 16” antibacterial bathtub mat in place. Tiny holes allow water to drain from the mat, and it’s machine washable so you can keep it fresh and clean.

Price Check

Most notable upside: Drainage holes reduce mold and mildew growth. It’s BPA, phthalate, and latex-free. Installation is easy, just press it into the tub.

Biggest downsides: The mat doesn’t feel cushiony or soft under your feet. Installation requires pressing on a considerable number of suction cups - more than 300.

4
Construction
4
Installation
4
Effectiveness

Green Pick

Yimobra Original
Bath Tub and
Shower Mat

The extra-long bathtub & shower mat is family-friendly & environmentally conscious, as it’s phthalate, BPA, & latex-free. It’s machine washable, so it’s easy to keep looking & feeling fresh & new.

Price Check

Most notable upside: Machine washable makes it easy to keep clean and mildew-free Small holes in the mat allow for drainage during use. Gives confidence that you won’t slip and fall. The curved edge allows for placement right next to the drain.

Biggest downsides: It’s important to prep the tub before laying it down, or the suction cups won’t stick properly. This mat doesn’t work on textured surfaces or tiled surfaces. If mat is left down between showers, dirt accumulates under the mat. Pulling up and re-pressing all the suction cups can be a hassle after each use.

5
Ease of use
4
Durability
5
Effectiveness

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Bathtub Mats

Perhaps the most important thing to know about bathtub mats is that they need to be installed properly to ensure your safety. If your mat comes to you rolled up, make sure it’s completely flattened before trying to place it in your tub or shower stall – this may take a day or two.

Prepare the tub by cleaning it thoroughly by scrubbing away any mildew or soap scum. The bathtub mat’s suction cups need a clean and smooth surface to adhere effectively. Lightly wet the surface of the tub and place the mat where you want it. Press down a few suction cups at a time, working your way outward from the center of the mat.

After the tub or shower is used, it’s a good idea to pull up the bathtub mat, rinse it well, and hang it up to dry. This will help reduce the mold and mildew growth that can leave the mat stained, soiled, or smelly.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Bathtub mats are often considered a safety item, but if you’re not careful, they can be dangerous, too. Be cautious about what bath and body products you use in the shower; some things, like bath oils or body lotions, can leave the mat slippery or slick. Depending on the bath and shower products you use, you might need to give the mat a regular scrub down or run it through the washing machine, if your mat is machine washable.

When storing your bathtub mat, hang it up if possible. This will keep dust from settling on it if you’re not using it for a while, and keep it out of direct sunlight, which can often have a destructive effect on plastics, weakening them or fading them. If you notice that your mat is deteriorating in any way, discontinue use; make regular inspections part of your routine, and look for small tears, cracks, or powdering of the plastic.

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The Best Bathtub Mats

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Rubbermaid
Commercial
SaftiGrip Bath Mat

Construction

Installation

Effectiveness

Gorilla Grip Original
Patented Bath,
Shower, Tub Mat

Construction

Installation

Effectiveness

Yimobra Original
Bath Tub and
Shower Mat

Ease of use

Durability

Effectiveness

All Our Picks

Rubbermaid
Commercial
SaftiGrip Bath Mat

Gorilla Grip Original
Patented Bath,
Shower, Tub Mat

Yimobra Original
Bath Tub and
Shower Mat

Tips for Effective Bathtub Mats

A Note About Safety and Storage

The Best Floor Cleaner

The Best Wet Mop

The Best Dry Mop

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Bathtub Mats

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Rubbermaid CommercialSaftiGrip Bath Mat

Construction

Installation

Effectiveness

Gorilla Grip OriginalPatented Bath, Shower, Tub Mat

Construction

Installation

Effectiveness

Yimobra OriginalBath Tub andShower Mat

Ease of use

Durability

Effectiveness

All Our Picks

Rubbermaid CommercialSaftiGrip Bath Mat

Gorilla Grip OriginalPatented Bath, Shower, Tub Mat

Yimobra OriginalBath Tub andShower Mat

Tips for Effective Bathtub Mats

A Note About Safety and Storage

The Best Floor Cleaner

The Best Wet Mop

The Best Dry Mop

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Rubbermaid
Commercial
SaftiGrip Bath Mat

Gorilla Grip Original
Patented Bath,
Shower, Tub Mat

Yimobra Original
Bath Tub and
Shower Mat

Rubbermaid
Commercial
SaftiGrip Bath Mat

Gorilla Grip Original
Patented Bath,
Shower, Tub Mat

Yimobra Original
Bath Tub and
Shower Mat