Gear > Accessories

15 Best Desk Pads & Mats for Your Office

By Andrew Peloquin  |  Updated October 13, 2023

15 Best Desk Pads & Mats for Your Office
Courtesy of Grovemade

A desk pad (sometimes called a desk mat or blotter) is an excellent addition to any workspace.

Being a work-from-home guy, they’ve saved my desk more than once over the years. They’ve protected against spills, stains, and scratches, and keep my desk looking classy.

But they also serve another great purpose: they provide an easy organizational solution (everything stays within the dimensions of the pad) that keeps my desk neat and looking good.

Oh, and a bonus: on those hot days, it keeps my arms from sweating excessively (a real problem with glass and wood desks).

Honestly, I’ve used desk pads so long I can’t imagine my working life without them.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • Form and function combined: Desk pads protect your desk, keep your office items tidy, make your workplace more comfortable, and add a touch of flair to even the most humdrum workstation.
  • Sized to organize: Desk pads are specifically crafted to dimensions that accommodate your keyboard and mouse, but some are large enough to also fit your tablet, smartphone, pens and styluses, notepads, and other office essentials.
  • Game-changing features optional: Go for a simple, no-frills desk pad if you prefer, or consider a pad with handy “extras”: built-in charging, cable management, hidden storage, wrist padding, a roll-up-and-take-anywhere design, and more.

In the pursuit of the “perfect” desk pad (one intended to make my desk look classier, tidier, and more professional), I’ve scoured every corner of the internet for the best options for your working setup.

Based on my research, I’ve assembled a list of only the finest desk pads and desk mats on the market that will offer the ideal solution for improving your space.


Best Overall Desk Pad
Grovemade The Desk Pad

Softest Desk Mat
Harber London Microfiber Minimalist Desk Mat

Best Inexpensive Desk Pad
Gorilla Grip Desk Protector Pad

Best Desk Mat for Gamers
Razer Strider Hybrid Mouse Mat

Best Desk Mat for Organization
Orbitkey Desk Mat

Most Luxurious Desk Mat
Smythson Large Desk Mat in Panama

Best Faux Leather Desk Pad
Aothia Leather Desk Pad Protector


Best Overall Desk Pad

Grovemade The Desk Pad


$50-120
 

The Desk Pad by Grovemade offers three different materials, all mats that will both look gorgeously elegant and offer durability for your daily workspace. One uses vegetable tanned leather that feels soft to the touch and is visually appealing as a backdrop to your cutting edge tech. The tanning process ensures the leather’s unique details are preserved, giving it a stylish look that will grow more beautiful as it ages.

The Merino Wool felt pad is ultra-soft and resistant to fraying, with just enough cushioning to ensure your wrists are always comfortable even after hours of typing.

And for those who want something truly different, the Matte desk pads are made using linseed oil-based linoleum, wood flour, calcium carbonate, and pine rosin. The resulting surface is smooth and sleek, with a feel similar to premium-stock paper. Three unique choices, all lovely options to consider to upgrade your desk.





Softest Desk Mat

Harber London Microfiber Minimalist Desk Mat


$60-85
 

I fancy myself a classy bloke, and I can’t resist adding a touch of elegance or two to my workspace. So this lovely Harber London desk mat was one I was excited to try.

Honestly, I haven’t found many better-looking options than this gorgeous microfiber desk mat.

Designed with a minimalist look (no fluff or frills), it’s a sturdy, long-lasting mat that is cloud-soft to the touch and incredibly easy to clean.

The body itself is nicely dense, adding good cushioning for my hands and wrists as well as protection for my desk. The underside grips even glass-top desks to ensure that it stays firmly in place no matter how vigorously I type or move my mouse.

Despite its affordable cost, it’s built with love and attention to detail, handmade by expert craftsmen in Spain. I’ve owned this beauty for 2+ years and haven’t regretted it a single day.





Best Inexpensive Desk Pad

Gorilla Grip Desk Protector Pad


 

What makes this a desk pad worth considering? Simple: the Gorilla Grip Desk Protector Pad is dual-sided. That means that unlike all the other single-sided desk mats on this list, you can always flip this one over if one side begins to wear out.

The faux leather is slip-resistant and won’t slide around your desk, but the surface acts as an integrated mouse pad so you can use any optical mouse on any desk top, be it glass, wood, or metal.

Available in a wide range of colors—from black to white to blue to even pink—you’ve got plenty of options for how you want to add a pop of style and spice to your office décor.





Best Desk Mat for Gamers

Razer Strider Hybrid Mouse Mat


$30-48
 

Gamers (both amateur and professionals), this is the desk mat for you.

I bought this desk pad for my gamer son to test out, and he’s been using it daily for going on three years now.

He loves how spacious it is—it’s designed to accommodate both your full-sized gaming keyboard and mouse—plus its 3mm thickness, which keeps his wrists cushioned to reduce fatigue during his marathon gaming sessions.

Testing it out myself, I’ve found the surface allows my mouse to glide smoothly for faster in-game action and precision movement that takes my (admittedly sub-par) gaming skills to the next level.

As a cool feature, my son can roll it up and store in his backpack—perfect for taking his gaming on the go.

It’s also a water-resistant surface that won’t be damaged by spills or drips (he’s certainly put it to the test with a wide range of sodas, coffees, and energy drinks), and it’s beautifully easy to clean with nothing but a damp cloth or wet wipe.





Best Desk Mat for Organization

Orbitkey Desk Mat


$80-100
 

Orbitkey does things a bit differently with this desk mat. Instead of keeping it minimalist and simple, it goes for “totally tricked out and badass”.

The mat comes with a built-in magnetic cable holder that slides along its full length. I love this feature, as it lets me keep all of my devices fully powered up day and night. The toolbar can also accommodate my smaller gadgets—pens, tablet stylus, USB drives, etc.

Underneath, there’s also a document stash where I can store my most important papers to keep them out of sight but within easy reach.

Made from vegan leather and recycled PET felt, it’s a sturdy, smooth surface that makes writing and typing much more comfortable. You’ll be ready for anything with this mat on your desk.





Most Luxurious Desk Mat

Smythson Large Desk Mat in Panama


$945
 

If you’re willing to pay a (significantly) higher price for a luxury product, this is definitely worth the splurge.

The mat is made from gorgeous crossgrain calf leather that looks stunning right out of the box, and only grows more beautiful as it develops a patina. The leather is light, supple, and resistant to wear, and you’ll find that it’s a work of art in its own right. You can even personalize it to add your own initials or monogram, making it truly yours from the first time you use it.

Thanks to the smooth calf leather bottom lining, it will stay firmly in place on your desk. Whether you write or type, it’s the masterpiece that will elevate your workstation to a degree of professional luxury like nothing else can.





Best Faux Leather Desk Pad

Aothia Leather Desk Pad Protector


$12
 

My wife tried this faux leather desk pad protector on the days she works from home, and she can’t stop raving about it.

The polyurethane material is tough, comfortable, and does a great job of protecting our dining room table from spills and stains. Plus, its dimensions are just right to fit her laptop, mouse, notebooks, pens, phone, and the other items she uses. Everything stays neat and tidy thanks to the desk pad.

The cork underside keeps it from sliding around or shifting out of place. Both sides are easily cleaned, and the desk pad is slim enough to roll up and store out of the way when she’s working from the office. Despite being incredibly budget-friendly, it’s also backed by a 1-year warranty to prove that it doesn’t skimp on quality while cutting costs.






Satechi Eco-Leather Deskmate


$40
 

Satechi is a brand best-known for its tech-friendly accessories, and their Eco-Leather Deskmate is as good as it gets.

Built from polyurethane leather, it’s tough enough that it will shrug off spills and scratches with ease, but it will still feel and look as elegant as real leather. You can eat and drink over the mat without worries, because it’s treated with a water-resistant finish that makes it easy to clean with nothing but a damp cloth.

At 23 inches long and just over 12 inches wide, it’s sized to fit on even the most compact desk. Best of all, it’s our most affordable option and backed by a 1-year warranty to guarantee its quality.






Carl Friedrik Italian Leather Desk Mat


$225
 

My wife wanted me to step up my office décor game, so she bought this luxurious desk mat by Carl Friedrik for my birthday last year. And wow, what a difference it has made.

The Italian-crafted mat is made using vegetable-tanned Vachetta leather by Artigiano del Cuoio in Tuscany, and the leather is brushed and burnished to be both beautiful and durable.

It’s soft to the touch and over the last few months, it has only grown more luxurious as the leather developed its unique patina. I’m excited to see how its look will continue to evolve over the next years of use.

Thanks to the layer of rubber on the backing (underside), I can hammer away at my keyboard trusting the desk mat will stay securely in place all day long.






Saddleback Leather Co Leather Desk Pad


$189
 

Saddleback Leather Co prides itself on manufacturing some of the most unique, durable, and stylish leather accessories around, so it’s no surprise that their beautiful leather desk pad makes it onto this list.

The pad’s top surface is made from full grain leather, which retains many of its unique details, marks, and discolorations to ensure each pad is truly one-of-a-kind. The full grain leather is also next-level tough and fully waterproof.

The pad features a neoprene middle layer that adds just the right amount of “bounce” to make for more comfortable writing or typing, and a suede base that keeps it from sliding around. It’s thick enough that it will level out any coarse-grain wooden desk, and heavy enough that you’ll feel the gravitas it conveys.

And just so you know it’s peerless quality, it’s backed by a 100-year warranty that ensures it will be repaired or replaced.






Overlook Hotel Pattern Desk Mat


$14
 

Add a pop of color and life to your workstation with this unique desk mat. The Overlook Hotel Print desk mat features an eye-catching pattern in bright colors matching the flooring in the iconic hotel from The Shining, and the fact that it’s dye sublimation printed means that even after years of use, the color won’t fade and the image won’t lose its allure.

The base of the mat is a sturdy rubber that will protect your desk, keep the mat from sliding around, and ensure maximum durability. On top, however, you have a fabric that can be washed by hand to maintain cleanliness. Available in three sizes (10 x 16, 12 x 22, and 18 x 36 inches), it’s a great solution to livening up a boring cubicle or a plainly decorated home office.






UPLIFT Writing Desk Pad


$45
 

For those who work on the go a lot, this is the ultimate portable desk pad to carry in your backpack.

The 36 by 20-inch surface is perfect for your desk at home, the office, shared workspace, even your favorite coffee shop, and it comes with its own built-in strap and fastener that can be used to secure it once rolled up or keep your cables organized when in use on your desk.

The pad is made from polyurethane leather and is double-sided, each side with a slightly different texture and feel so you can customize your writing surface exactly the way you like it. Like all UPLIFT desk products, it’s covered by a 15-year warranty and retails at a price point you can definitely love.






Killspencer Desk Mat


$125
 

Killspencer does something different and special with its desk mat: it uses extra-thick, ultra-tough bullhide leather. I love how the leather has a higher density than the average cow hide, which means it not only feels heftier to the touch, but it will be significantly more durable and resistant to damage.

One thing I noticed in my research is that each mat also features unique details—blemishes, discolorations, and marks from the leather—that enhance the beauty and individuality of the product. Plus, it’ll only grow more beautiful over time as the leather develops a patina.

For guys like me who are looking for American-made quality, this is the desk pad to consider. It’s built entirely in the USA using American-sourced materials, featuring hand-painted edges and solid stitching that won’t break or wear away even after years of use. Sturdy and stylish, it’s an absolutely amazing desk pad.






KeySmart TaskPad


$100
 

I love a multi-functional device, so when I saw this was a desk pad and a wireless charging solution in one, I knew I had to give it a try.

The desk pad features a designated section that has a built-in wireless charging pad. All you have to do is set it in the right spot, make sure the desk pad is plugged in (cable provided), and give it time to top up your phone. You can keep your phone fully topped up while at work, plus have somewhere safe and convenient to store it close at hand.

The polyurethane “faux” leather looks good, feels wonderfully smooth to the touch, and is both anti-scratch and stain-resistant. I particularly like how easily my mouse slides across the surface—no sticking or struggle, just easy gliding.

It has a bit of cushioning to reduce pressure on my wrists while I type. As a guy who’s struggled with carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain, that’s a game-changer.






Gallaway Leather Desk Mat


$25
 

If you need a writing surface that’s comfortable, user-friendly, and adds a touch of elegance to your home office, the Gallaway Leather Desk Mat is just the thing.

Made with a faux leather top and non-slip felt base, it’s tough, thick, and will stay securely in place no matter how hard you attack that paper with your pen. It also comes in a gift box, which makes it a great gift idea for those hard-working guys in your life who need a bit of class to spruce up their home office.






Leander Black Leather Desk Mat


$90
 

Add a touch of elegance to your workspace with this gorgeous Leander Desk Mat. Fashioned from premium-quality British Wickett and Craig vegetable-tanned full-grain leather, it’s as sleek and stylish as it is sturdy.

The premium felted wool base keeps it from sliding around and protects your desk from scuffs and scratches.

You’ll love how portable it is—just roll it up, pack it in your briefcase or backpack, and take it with you anywhere you go. The more you use it, the more it will develop a gorgeous, unique-to-you patina and grow into a truly eye-catching addition to your workspace at home, the office, and everywhere you go.





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