Not all tables can withstand humidity and heat. Even the best coffee mug or wine glass will eventually need to be put down, and that’s when you need a coaster to protect the surface of the table. The best coasters effectively protect against humidity and heat, and also add a touch of style to your table.
We looked at the best coasters for performance and style, and tested several popular products for absorbency, stability, durability, and more. We found some great coasters in a variety of styles, made from materials like wool, cork, vinyl, and more. Our favorite is the Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters. This flat coaster is less likely to spill drinks even when placed on its edge, but it’s thick enough to absorb heat and moisture. We also like the Vinylux Upcycled Record Coasters, which effectively protect your tabletop while adding a touch of style.
The Graf Lantz Bierfilzl felt coasters are extremely durable and provide excellent protection for your table from water and heat.
The Graf Lantz Bierfilzl felt coasters are made in the USA from merino wool, which has excellent moisture-wicking properties. This was demonstrated in our water-resistance test: we poured water on the coaster and it soaked up the water without touching the table surface.
Wool is flexible, durable and non-slip. Graf Lantz offers dozens of color schemes, so you’re sure to find something that suits your interior.
Our biggest complaint about the Bierfilzl felt coasters is that they stick to the cups when wet. During testing, when we drank tea, the felt coasters stuck to the cups and fell onto the floor. Felt coasters are also difficult to clean because the wool absorbs stains.
In our tests, the beveled edges of Pottery Barn’s marble coasters did a great job of keeping spills out of countertops and making it easy to place drinks on the countertop without even looking at them.
Pottery Barn’s marble coasters are nearly perfect for protecting your table, except for one major flaw. The beveled edges prevent condensation from dripping and make it easy to place a drink on the coaster.
The marble material adds some weight to the stand, preventing it from sticking to the glass when you lift it. There are four non-slip foam feet on the bottom of the stand, which prevent the stand from sliding and eliminate direct contact with the tabletop, providing additional insulation protection.
The smooth surface of these coasters is easy to clean with a damp cloth and is stain resistant. The biggest downside to this best coaster is that it is not durable. This is the only coaster that will break when dropped onto a tree from 4 feet. The coaster came apart into several pieces. If your home has mostly carpeted floors, this may not be a big deal.
Music lovers and casual fashionistas alike will love placing their coffee mugs on these record stands from UncommonGoods.
Old records gather dust in thrift stores and attics around the world. The guys at Vinylux decided to turn those vinyl records into stylish and functional decor pieces. The “recycled record coasters” are made from old records, cut to the size of the coasters, and laminated to prevent condensation from seeping through the holes in the center and damaging the table. Each set of coasters is individual and contains six random records.
The Upcycled coasters are the thinnest we tested, and they will keep your cup from tipping over even if you accidentally set it on its edge. However, because vinyl is very sensitive to heat, this coaster is not suitable for hot drinks. The flat, nonporous design also allows water to roll off the coaster, including sticking to your cup when you pick it up.
The good thing is that these coasters are easy to clean. Simply wipe with a damp towel to remove any residue without leaving any stains. The vinyl material is also very durable and has passed drop tests without any damage. These stylish little tabletop pieces top our list of the best coasters.
Cocowhoa’s recycled coasters are functional and stylish. Made from recycled sandals, these cork coasters are highly absorbent and won’t stick to your cups or fall off.
Consider the softness of the material many beach sandals are made from, and you’ll understand why upcycling them into coasters is a good idea. Cocowhoa’s recycled cork coasters are absorbent, spongy, and great for protecting your glasses and table.
These coasters belong to Homes senior editor Lisa Sabatini, who calls them excellent. They absorb condensation without allowing it to stick to your cup. The low-profile design makes it easy to set drinks on them, and they also provide a layer of insulation for hot drinks.
They are lightweight and durable, but should be hand washed. They are available in blue and orange and have a terrazzo-style design that is perfect for patios and outdoor spaces.
The Bright Beam Goods Greatest Hits Wrong Lyrics Coasters bring humor and conversation to your drinking experience while keeping your table completely dry and warm.
Bright Beam Goods Error Lyric Coasters are perfect for your coffee table because they’ll instantly become a conversation starter. Each pack contains six cork coasters emblazoned with bizarre hit lyrics, from “Hey Ya” (“Shake like a polar ninja bear”) to “Hotel California” (“Dark lonely road, the chill in my hair”).
The Bright Beam Goods website offers 16 other selections of incorrect song lyrics, including inappropriate lyrics, ’90s-themed lyrics, and animal lyrics.
The best part is that the Mistaken Lyrics coasters work really well. The cork does not absorb water, but is strong enough to keep water from rolling off. It sits firmly on the table, making it easy to place drinks on it, just by feel. Even if you don’t set it down firmly, it is stable and won’t fall over. This coaster also passed our durability test with flying colors.
We don’t like how it sticks to the bottom of the glass when it’s wet. This causes condensation to roll down onto the table and the coasters to fall to the floor as soon as they’re removed. The coasters also get dirty easily and aren’t very easy to clean.
I have tested all of the best coasters in this guide. In addition to using the coasters every day to get a feel for how they work, I also put each model through a series of objective tests. When choosing coasters, the most important factors are water resistance, ease of use, and durability.
Waterproofing: First, I placed a 16-ounce glass of ice water on each coaster and placed a paper towel underneath the coaster to see if any condensation would seep in. Unfortunately, it was a cold, dry time of year when I tested it, so condensation was hard to see. I used an eyedropper to pour a teaspoon of water around each cup to simulate condensation. I then left the water for an hour to see how damp the bottom of the coaster became. I also watched to see if the coaster would stick to the cup when I lifted it, causing water to roll off the coaster and onto the table.
Ease of Use: I used each coaster with different glasses and drinks for several days. I looked closely at how easy and difficult they were to use, including how easy it was to put the glass on without looking at it. I also assessed how easy each coaster was to clean and how easily it glided.
Durability: I had the kids drop each coaster from eye level (about 4 feet) onto a wood floor. The only one that broke was the Pottery Barn marble coaster.
If you want to protect your table from water and heat, we recommend that you choose coasters with a rim or porous surface to prevent water droplets from rolling off. Legs or good insulation at the corners of the table can also improve insulation.
Yes, the porous surface of slate will help absorb small amounts of condensation, thereby protecting your table.
Our favorite is a merino wool coaster, which insulates and repels water. Felt coasters work in a similar way, and all the soft materials protect the tabletop from scratches. Another commonly used material is sandstone coasters. Food editor Lily Alig uses Thirstystone coasters (made from sandstone) and was surprised by how effectively they absorb condensation. The downside is that the coasters take a while to dry completely.
You can purchase a logo and credits license for this article here. Disclosure: This story was written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We feature products and services that might interest you. If you buy it, we may earn a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive free products from manufacturers for testing. This does not influence our decision about whether to feature or recommend a product. We operate independently from the advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Please email reviews@businessinsider.com.