Best Standing Mats and Anti-Fatigue Pads

What Is an Anti-Fatigue Mat and Why Do I Need One?

The huge increase in popularity of standing and adjustable desks over recent years has meant that more and more workers, both in offices and other environments are spending less time on seats and more time on their feet. This has brought challenges as well as benefits and health professionals have confirmed that standing in a stationary position can be just as detrimental as sitting still for hours on end. Some standing desk users have found themselves suffering from foot pain, back pain, and muscle and joint issues as a result of standing still for extended periods. The solution is not to revert back to a traditional seated posture but rather to find a way to adequately support the body in a standing position and to vary the posture and move regularly throughout the day. The anti-fatigue mat for standing desks was designed to do exactly this, cushioning the feet, energizing the legs, and helping users to gain the maximum benefit from using a standing workstation.

The Best 5 Standing Desk Floor Mats

What are the Kinds of Standing Desk Mats?

With new products coming to the market all the time,  it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you, so we outlined the characteristics of the different types of products to help you choose the best anti-fatigue mat for standing desks. There are two main types of anti-fatigue surfaces on the market right now:

Flat Standing Mats

As well as being economical, flat units are often minimalistic and plain which makes them fit into most office environments. Some use gel fillings, polyurethane or compressed foam to provide springy and supportive surfaces to stand on. Flat terrains can vary in their effectiveness. This type of unit is often a cheap choice but it isn’t always the best anti-fatigue mat for standing as a flat, cushioned surface may do little more than enhance comfort for the feet and legs. Most flat models do little to encourage or increase movement throughout the day. However, this variety of anti-fatigue terrain can be suitable for people who are not using their standing workstation for prolonged periods of time. They can also be a good choice for occasional desks.

3D Anti-Fatigue Mats

3D terrains tend to be more unique and innovative than their flat counterparts. However, in general, there are fewer size and color options available and they may not fit in as seamlessly into every workplace. This type of standing surface features varying terrain heights and multiple protrusions and is designed to encourage movement as well as to enhance comfort. Different manufacturers include different features but some versions will facilitate stretching as well as providing massage and toning features. In contrast with flat terrains, 3D variants will usually add at least a couple of inches to the floor area and sometimes this can be a trip hazard in an office environment. Additionally, the height of these can often mean that users will need to adjust their workstations to accommodate this. These are ideal for people who wish to improve their overall fitness and burn calories while working. Anti-fatigue floor mats reviews for 3D models show that customers love them.

How Did We Choose the Best Standing Desk Mats?

We closely assessed the pros and cons of the different models on offer, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each unit. As well as evaluating customer reviews on these products across multiple sites, we looked closely at the manufacturing materials and technical specifications so that we could shortlist the best anti-fatigue mats. Once we shortlisted a standing desk pad, we then scrutinized all aspects of the product using a wide variety of measures to ensure that our opinions and advice are accurate and up to date. The following is the list of criteria that we used to choose the products which made it to the top of our list of the four best standing desk terrains available on the market today.

Construction Material and Appearance

Performance is important but it is not the only thing people take into account when purchasing office furniture. To identify the best standing mat, we compared the aesthetic appeal of different options and picked products which will fit into a wide variety of different kinds of work environments. We also considered the availability of different sizes and color options which give customers the opportunity to customize their purchases to best fit into their workplace. We closely inspected the material used to manufacture each standing desk pad to evaluate its durability, longevity, and resilience to standard office use. Environmentally friendly materials are important to a lot of customers and that’s why we looked at the carbon footprint of manufacturers, favoring items that were constructed without the use of toxic chemicals. We also examined how easy it is to maintain the surface, looking for standing terrains that are easy to wipe clean, sweep, or vacuum. Since ergonomic mats are subjected to continuous impact and weight every day, we prioritized models that will hold their shape and keep their appearance over time.

Quality and Eco-Friendly Materials

Performance is important but it’s not the only thing people take into account when purchasing office furniture. To identify the best standing mat, we compared the aesthetic appeal of different options and picked products which will fit into a wide variety of different kinds of work environments. We also considered the availability of different sizes and color options which give customers the opportunity to customize their purchases to best fit into their workplace. We closely inspected the material used to manufacture each standing desk pad to evaluate its durability, longevity, and resilience to standard office use. Environmentally friendly materials are important to a lot of customers and that’s why we looked at the carbon footprint of manufacturers, favoring products that were constructed without the use of toxic chemicals. We also examined how easy it is to maintain the surface, looking for standing terrains that are easy to wipe clean, sweep, or vacuum. Since ergonomic mats are subjected to continuous impact and weight every day, we prioritized models that will hold their shape and keep their appearance over time.

Comfort and Ease of Use

When it comes to standing mats for work, comfort is clearly a high priority and in our quest to identify the best desk pad, we looked for products with an appropriate balance of support and cushioning to prevent foot and leg strains and pains. With standing pads, softness is not everything.  We evaluated customer reviews and compared reports of short and long-term improvements in the foot, joint, and back pain. We also considered how easy or difficult it is to use each product on a daily basis, looking at practical aspects like changing the position of the product and how easy or difficult it is to step on or off the terrain.  As well as this, we used anti-fatigue mat reviews to identify any practical issues such as difficulties in cleaning the item, surface movement, or trip hazards. Finally, we assessed the impact that the additional height of the unit might have upon existing office furniture like standing or adjustable work surfaces or chairs.

Positive Impact on User Movement While Working

Health professionals have stated time and time again that standing still for long periods of time is just as harmful as sitting in a stationary position. That’s why the products which scored highest for us were those which encouraged users to move regularly throughout the day. A standing surface that is simply comfortable does little more than allow users to stand still for long so we placed a lot of value on the items which do more than that. Some of the best anti-fatigue products are equipped with innovative features to ensure that users regularly change position, move their feet and legs and stretch throughout the day. We studied reviews closely to find out realistically how much of a positive impact on fitness, energy, and general wellbeing each unit is likely to make and we looked particularly closely at negative reviews to identify any potential issues which could arise.

Value for Money, Warranties and Customer Service

We carefully considered the price of each product we assessed, estimating the longevity of the unit, and determining a value for money. As well as looking at the price tag, we investigated the after-sales experience available to customers if something should go wrong. We believe that a good warranty is the sign of a manufacturer who is truly prepared to stand by their product and that’s why we scrutinized the small print of warranties and guarantees to see exactly what was covered, under which conditions and for how long. We looked at shipping charges and conditions, lead times between ordering and dispatch, and any return shipping fees, should customers need to send the product back.

We compared all of this data to compile our list of the four best standing desk surfaces with the intention of helping you to discover the right product for your lifestyle and workstation and where to buy anti-fatigue mats.