Molly Miller has over 3 years of experience as an editor for home and lifestyle brands including HGTV and BHG. As a mother, homemaker, and shopper, she is constantly on the hunt for the best products that can bring simplicity and beauty to everyday life.
Some home decor items, like curtains or the perfect coffee table, take time to find so you can organize your space in the best possible way. Other decorations, like doormats, often fall by the wayside.
However, door mats are your first line of defense against dust, dirt, and other debris from entering your home, so choosing an effective and stylish door mat will not only keep your floors in tip-top condition, but will also add extra sparkle to your entryway.
To find the best rugs for both indoor and outdoor use, we tried several noteworthy styles around the house. During our tests, we exposed these rugs to all the elements, including sun and rain, muddy dog ​​paws, teenagers, and the grime of New York City streets.
We tested a variety of mats to determine which ones can withstand everyday use, wind and rain, and assessed their quality, style and value for money. To learn more about how we test mats in our lab, check out our testing procedures below.
This simple doormat is ideal for most homes thanks to its slim profile, non-slip backing and understated design. We live in a beautiful rural area close to a gravel road, so we had to put this doormat through its paces, exposing it to dirt and dust.
Although we were initially skeptical about the thickness of the mat, over time we came to appreciate its low profile and smooth edges; it doesn’t move or slide as you massage your feet, and you don’t have to worry about tripping. We found that the pads didn’t discolor or wear out, even with daily use.
This is definitely not a decorative rug and may not suit everyone’s preferences. It looks and feels more practical and would be best placed in a closet or back entryway. We also found that after hosing down the rugs, it took about six hours to dry completely in the shade.
Because of the long drying time, we were a little concerned about the rug’s durability after heavy snowfall or rain. But overall, this simple doormat does exactly what we expect: collects dirt and dust, lies flat under the door, and creates a classic, minimalist entryway look.
Product Details: Size: 35″ x 23″ | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Polypropylene | Care Instructions: Spray with water.
This striking modern rug costs less than $30, but still has timeless appeal. While it’s not the most durable option we recommend, we think it’s one of the most stylish. It’s impressively thick, and we love its simple striped pattern. Our entryways are virtually weatherproof, which we think is ideal for longevity.
We rate this mat as medium-durability and primarily used as a front door decoration. We were pleased with its durability and functionality for everyday tasks (commuting, running errands, etc.). However, we were disappointed with the size of the mat, which did not match the length of the door.
We also found that coir rugs tend to shed a lot, which is common, but worth noting. We like its accessible front décor, thanks to its bold striped pattern and natural fibers. While it may not be ideal for direct air contact, we were pleased with its durability and ability to withstand light to medium stains from daily use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 18″ x 30″ | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Coconut Coir | Care Instructions: Hose Down
No matter the breed or size of your dog, they will inevitably get dirty while out and about, so a quality doormat is a must for any dog ​​owner. We praised the Muddy Mat for how effectively it kept sand and dirt off our dog’s paws, and think it’s worth the money. Our only complaint is that we didn’t order a larger size.
We also felt that the soft chenille material might not last long outdoors, although we only tested the mat indoors, in front of a constantly swinging tailgate. We found that the mats did a more than adequate job of soaking up all the moisture, dirt, and dust from our pup’s paws.
Even in high traffic areas, we found that the rug did not curl or slide. We could easily and quickly clean it with a vacuum cleaner. While this rug is not durable enough to leave outside for long periods of time, it is certainly durable and functional enough to clean your pets and keep your floors clean.
We also love that this mat comes in four colors and five sizes, including a runner, and has a thick layer of plush that’s super absorbent, so it makes it easy to dry your dog’s paws after a rainy day walk.
Product Details: Size: 18″ x 28″ | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Microfiber | Care Instructions: Machine Wash.
If you’re looking for something more aesthetically pleasing and aren’t too concerned about longevity, we highly recommend this West Elm rug. It’s modern, bright, and cheerful, and pairs beautifully with both neutral and eclectic colors.
In fact, what struck us most was that its bright and colorful geometric pattern fit perfectly with our own interior design style. We also noticed that the overall quality of the rug felt much more expensive than its $29 price tag would suggest.
Although we only tested this rug indoors, we have no doubts about its functionality. The non-slip backing kept the rug securely in place even in the carpeted hallways of our apartment, and we didn’t notice any dirt on the floor.
While this rug may be too thick to fit under some doors, we had no problem getting it under our apartment door. The care instructions only recommend vacuuming, shaking, or hosing down. We found that vacuuming was the easiest and most effective method.
Finally, we recommend this coir rug for low to medium traffic areas where you want a pop of color and a secure place to put away debris.
Product Details: Dimensions: 30″ x 18″ | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Coconut Coir | Care Instructions: Shake to clean, vacuum or hose down.
If you need a rug that effectively blocks water, dirt and dust, Waterhog is the perfect choice. Recognized for its quality, durability, design and size, this practical and stylish rug effectively blocks dust even in a busy hallway.
Raised sides help keep water and dirt out, while the decorative 3D pattern also helps trap dust. We were also impressed by how easy it is to clean: just give it a gentle shake and vacuum.
With two dogs and three teenagers coming and going in and out of our home, we needed a doormat that was both functional and beautiful. We were very pleased with the performance of this mat, and after testing it, it still looked like new, with no discoloration or fiber loss.
The raised edge holds up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard, and the non-slip rubber backing keeps the rug securely in place. It also comes in a wide range of colors, styles, and sizes, including decorative designs and basic utilitarian styles, long and large cushions, and rich and neutral tones.
But quality doesn’t come cheap. This is one of the more expensive options we tested, and we think it’s worth the investment. We always consider price when recommending a product, and even though it’s more expensive, we think this rug is great value for money.
This mat impressed us in every way – performance, functionality, style, absorbency, durability and quality.
Product Details: Dimensions: Small: 18″ x 27″; Medium: 23″ x 35″; Large: 35″ x 59″; Extra Large: 45.5″ x 71.5″ | Shape: Rectangle | Materials: Recycled polyester, rubber | Care Instructions: Shake to clean, vacuum, sweep or hose down.
The vintage style has a charming look and personalized details, and the style can be easily changed.
Not only does the Letterfolk tile rug have a vintage feel, it’s also customizable, easy to maintain, and will add personality to any entryway. (This rug also comes highly recommended by Cristina Martinez, founder and principal designer of Cristina Isabel Design, one of the experts we spoke with.)
This rug comes with a removable hexagonal tile backing (dishwasher safe!) and comes in over 20 colors, so you can style and customize it however you want. What we really love about this rug is its versatility—it can be used as a bathroom rug, kitchen rug, or laundry room rug.
While this rug is a little more expensive than others, the cost per use is actually quite low considering you won’t have to buy a new rug just for holiday decor or to keep up with fashion. We love changing up our rugs to create unique designs depending on the season.
During testing, we left the mat outside and exposed it to heavy rain and direct sunlight for more than eight hours a day. Despite prolonged exposure to wind and rain, we did not notice any color changes or damage to the tiles. It is also easy to spray and clean.
The mat always stays in place thanks to its thick, non-slip vinyl construction. However, the rubber-like material makes the mat heavy and a bit cumbersome to move. Although this mat is weather-resistant, it is not ideal for dirty areas such as thick mud and snow.
This decorative-focused rug isn’t as functional as some other options. For example, it doesn’t absorb water, and the tiles can come off if someone rubs them roughly with their shoes. So we think Letterfolk floor rugs are more suited for decorative purposes.
Product Details: Dimensions: 30″ x 18″; 36″ x 24″ | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Rubberized Vinyl | Care Instructions: Brush clean; Tile is dishwasher safe.
This doormat features classic black piping and a bold monogram for a simple, yet timeless and striking look. The natural coconut shell fiber structure is more durable and has a distinct texture that resists shoe scratches, wind, and rain.
We particularly liked the thickness of this mat, which makes it feel more durable and premium. However, it is worth noting that it does not have an anti-slip backing, which made us concerned that it might slip in very wet conditions.
We laid the mat out on a covered concrete porch where there isn’t a lot of traffic and lots of sun. While we haven’t noticed any wear, shedding, or color change in her particular habitat, we think the mat is durable enough to withstand more frequent use.
Overall, we were very impressed with its quality. The thick coconut shell fiber is very resistant to water, sunlight, and daily walking. We think this functional mat is great value for money due to its classic design and roomy size.
Product Details: Dimensions: 24 x 39 inches | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Coconut Coir | Care Instructions: Use a blower or shake out the mat.
After testing several mats in rain, sun, and everyday traffic, we ultimately chose the All-Purpose Anti-Slip Mat as the best mat of all, thanks to its practical design and simple appearance. We also like the LLBean Everyspace Recycled Water Hog Mat because it’s well-made and comes in a wide range of sizes and styles.
We tested these mats over a three-week period to see how they held up to rain, dust, sunlight, foot traffic, and pet paws. We placed these mats indoors and outdoors in high- and low-traffic areas and cleaned them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
We evaluated door mats based on durability, quality, appearance, and value for money. When evaluating quality and durability, we looked at size, thickness, material, and appearance after testing.
We recorded how much wind, rain, and foot traffic the mats withstood, as well as how well they held up to daily wear and tear. We also provided feedback on the mats’ aesthetics, such as whether the mats were more functional than decorative, and whether the mats were more utilitarian.