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A rug pad not only provides additional cushioning, but also effectively protects the flooring from damage and ensures that the rug does not shift. The main reason for using a rug is safety.
“A rug pad keeps the rug from shifting and prevents people from sliding,” says Tyler Del Vento, founder and principal designer of TDV Design. “It also helps keep the rug flat and prevents it from separating in corners and bunching up in high-use areas.”
To find the perfect carpet pad, we tested it in our lab. In addition to Del Vento, we also spoke with Debbe Daley, CEO and owner of Debbe Daley Designs, for more information.
We tested 16 carpets, evaluating their efficiency, cushioning, durability, odor, floor type and more. More information on carpet testing methods can be found in the testing procedures below.
The Loloi Loloi-Grip carpet pad is undoubtedly the best carpet pad as it scored highly in tests including durability, quality and value for money. Made from recycled materials, this mat is suitable for all types of flooring including linoleum, tiles, carpet and hardwood.
It comes in 13 sizes, from 2 x 4 feet (about 6.1 x 1.2 meters) to 12 x 18 feet (about 3.6 x 5.6 meters), allowing you to accommodate a variety of rug sizes, even larger ones. This material is only 1/4 inch thick, so it’s not the softest, but we still think it provides good cushioning and keeps the rug securely in place.
Wool rugs are placed under wool pads to make them less slippery and safer to walk on. During testing, we pressed the rug with our foot and it didn’t even budge. If you need to adjust the rug to size, you can use regular scissors, but make small cuts rather than long, flat ones.
When it comes to vacuuming with a vacuum attachment, we have mixed feelings. While the vacuum attachment holds the carpet in place and makes cleaning easier, the best way to vacuum is to move from the carpet to the floor. If you do it the other way around, vacuuming from the floor to the carpet, it’s a little more difficult, but still doable.
Product Details: Material: Polyester and Polypropylene | Thickness: ¼ inch | Dimensions: 13 sizes (2′ x 4′ to 12′ x 18′) | Flooring Compatibility: Carpet, Vinyl, Wood, Linoleum, Tile
At only 0.125 inches thick, it doesn’t add much depth, making it a good choice for low-pile carpets near doors or high-traffic areas.
Thinner carpet pads aren’t for everyone, but they’re the best choice for smooth, low-pile carpets used near doors or in high-traffic areas. The nuLoom Brody Carpet Pad is only 1/8″ thick and is one of our favorite pads because it makes our wool carpets completely slip-resistant.
It also has a nice pattern and was easy to cut into straight lines during testing. When we dropped a 35-pound weight on the carpet, it left a noticeable dent after 10 minutes, so it’s probably not a good idea to place it under heavy furniture.
It is Green Label Plus certified, meaning it has low chemical emissions. Even from close range, we couldn’t detect any odor. Carpet pads come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including squares, rounds, ovals, and long strips.
Our only issue is the lack of cushioning, which is a plus for providing a gap between the rug and the door, but it is not ideal for rugs that we often stand on for long periods of time, such as a kitchen rug. The rug is available in oval, rectangular, round, elongated and square shapes.
Product Details: Material: Recycled Synthetic Fiber | Thickness: 1/8″ | Sizes: 24 Sizes (2′ x 4′ to 12′ x 15′) | Floor Compatibility: Hardwood, Tile, Laminate, Linoleum, Concrete, Carpet
It will add a comfortable feel to any rug and is available in a variety of thicknesses.
Mohawk Home’s non-slip rug pads are available in a variety of thicknesses to give your rugs a softer feel. It’s made from felt with a simple grid pattern, and a durable rubber backing helps keep the rug stable.
We tested the ⅜” thick version, which significantly increased the comfort level of the rug—a good choice for areas with heavy use or long periods of standing, like the kitchen.
Additionally, our tests show that it can be placed under heavy furniture such as a sofa or dining table, as the weight will only cause minimal dents. However, we feel that the bottom could be more grippy, as the carpet is a bit slippery.
We also had issues with the carpet wrinkling when we vacuumed it. Overall, we think this carpet is one of the best options if you’re looking for a comfortable, soft rug to stand on, although it’s not the most stable.
Product Details: Material: Felt and Rubber | Thickness: ¼”, ⅜”, ½” | Dimensions: 38 sizes (2′ x 10′ to 12′ x 15′) | Floor Compatibility: Carpet, Hardwood, Vinyl, Laminate, Tile
The RugPadUSA Cloud Comfort memory foam pad outperformed many pads we tested and was one of our favorites. First, it’s very thick—7/16″—so it’s soft, comfortable, and supportive. If you’re looking for a flatter pad, there’s a ¼-inch option.
It’s also water-resistant, protecting hardwood floors from moisture even if liquids are spilled on them. In our testing lab, this pad completely stabilized a slippery, deep-pile carpet. It also makes vacuuming easier because the carpet stays in place, which is helpful since few vacuums we tested support this feature.
During the weight tests, we noticed a few small dents in the carpet. Although these dents will disappear after 10 minutes, we do not recommend placing heavy furniture on the carpet, as this may cause deeper dents over time that are difficult to repair.
Keep in mind that this mat is more expensive than many of the other products we recommend. But if you’re looking for superior cushioning and high quality, we think it’s worth it. Available in 26 sizes.
Product Details: Material: Memory Foam | Thickness: 7/16″ or ¼” | Sizes: 24 sizes (4′ x 6′ to 12′ x 18′) | Floor Compatibility: Hardwood, Polyurethane, Stone, Tile, Concrete, Laminate, Vinyl
These rug clips from Gorilla Grip securely attach to floors and rugs, preventing rug edges from curling on hardwood floors. In our testing, we loved how securely they held the rug in place, reducing wrinkles, and how easy and hassle-free they were to vacuum.
We tested the stickiness of Gorilla Grips by removing the adhesive and then reapplying it to another area of ​​the carpet after 10 minutes. While we found that the tapes still held onto the carpet, we’re not sure how effective they will be in the long run.
We also noticed that it took a lot more effort to lift the gripper off the floor than we expected. The good news is that we didn’t notice any residue or damage to the floor. We also didn’t notice any strong odors. It’s important to note that these tools are only suitable for hard floors, not carpets.
Product Details: Material: Not Specified | Thickness: Not Specified | Size: 8″ x 2″ per strip | Floor Compatibility: Hard Floors
Our top recommendation is the Loloi Loloi-Grip Carpet Pad, as it outperformed other carpet pads we tested, scoring top marks for durability, quality, and value for money. It’s also very comfortable and has plenty of cushioning.
We first evaluated the rugs without cushions to make an accurate comparison. We laid out the rugs and walked on them to see how much movement they had. We then walked on the rug to assess its cushioning, support, and stability. We also vacuumed all of the rugs.
When it was time to use the carpet pads, we unpacked them, checked for strong odors, and placed them under a test rug. If necessary, we cut the carpet pad to size with regular or utility scissors and recorded the ease of cutting.
We repeated the steps we took at the beginning of the test, this time placing the pad under the carpet and recording our observations of the difference in feel and stability.
Finally, we placed a 35-pound dumbbell in the center of the carpet (with the carpet on top), simulating furniture. After 10 minutes, we removed the dumbbells and checked to see if the carpet and rug had retained their original shape.
RugpadUSA mats are made of natural rubber and are easily cut to size with regular scissors. The mat is soft and flexible, making it very comfortable to walk on. However, although it is non-slip, the four corners are not properly secured, making it easy to trip over.
If you are looking for a basic carpet pad with good traction, this is a good choice. In testing, the carpet held up well, but the edge grip was lacking. Another downside is that the carpet will shift when you vacuum. And the cushioning is not very good.
The mat is perforated for easy cutting and is very thick. What we like is that there is absolutely no odor, even at close range. However, we found that the backing of the mat did not provide enough grip, causing the mat to slide during testing.
The best rug materials are felt, rubber, or a combination of the two, says Del Vento. Felt rugs with a rubber backing offer the best of both worlds. “The rubber holds both the rug and the floor securely in place, preventing the rug from shifting,” she says.
She added that carpeting made from synthetic materials may off-gas or emit potentially harmful chemicals. “I recommend choosing a rug that is labeled as low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or made from natural materials,” Del Vento says.
When choosing adhesive-backed carpet, she advises buyers to make sure they are not using a solvent-based adhesive, which can damage the surface of wood floors.
Carpet pads are typically ¼ to ½ inches thick. The ideal thickness depends on the type of carpet, where it’s installed, and personal preference. Del Vento says there are no hard and fast rules, but notes, “As a general rule, low-pile carpet should have a thinner pad.”
When choosing the right rug, the type of flooring is important. For hardwood, tile, or stone floors, felt or rubber-backed felt will provide both cushioning and stability. “Make sure the carpeting doesn’t contain adhesives or solvent-based coatings that could react with the floor surface,” says Del Vento.
If you have vinyl flooring, be sure to check the label to make sure the rug you choose is compatible. For heated floors, Daly recommends choosing natural rubber and felt, as they won’t melt or stick to the floor but will allow heat to penetrate the surface of the rug.
When choosing rugs, the first thing to consider is their thickness. “For a plain weave rug, you should use a 1/4-inch thick pad because plain weave rugs are thinner,” says Daly. “Using a thicker pad will only add height to the rug and create a tripping hazard.”
Carpet padding should generally be 1 to 1.5 inches smaller than the carpet itself so that the padding is not visible. To ensure the correct size, use a tool to draw straight lines on the carpet padding, then trim them with heavy-duty scissors, Del Vento advises.
Daly adds, “If the carpet is very thick, dense, and has a high pile, the carpet pad should be at least 3 inches smaller in length and width to prevent tripping hazards. For high-pile carpets, using a smaller pad will help ensure that the edges of the carpet are even on all sides.”
Carpet pads protect floors and carpets from wear and tear caused by everyday use and heavy furniture. They also provide extra cushioning, making the carpet softer and more comfortable, and prevent it from sliding across the floor, minimizing the chance of tripping.
No, pads don’t make carpets softer, but Daly says they do improve the comfort of carpets by adding cushioning. This can greatly improve the comfort of your legs and feet, especially when standing for long periods of time.