If you love running in the comfort of your home, finding the best treadmill mats for carpet should be a priority. So many people want to protect their floors by placing the treadmill directly on carpet, but they’re not aware that they’re slowly ruining that carpeting.
Ever since the pandemic started, we’ve been using the treadmill a lot and decided that it’s time to get a good mat protector for the carpet. After doing a lot of research, we found five fantastic products that we review below. You can read about their benefits, drawbacks, key features, and performance, and decide if there’s a potential product for you.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat
- Most Durable: Stamina Fold-To-Fit Folding Equipment Mat
- Best Heavy Duty: SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat
- Best Design: Amazon Basics High-Density Exercise Equipment Mat
- Best Interlocking: BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat
Treadmill Mat for Carpet Buying Advice
Best Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat
Key Features:
- It comes in three sizes: 4’x2’, 6.5’x3’, 7.5’x3.3’
- It’s available in black
- The material is high-quality EVA foam
- Thickness is 0.16”
Pros:
- Non-slippery design that will stay put on your carpets
- The EVA foam is waterproof and sweat-wicking
- Easy to store mat; all you need to do is roll it up
- The maintenance is so simple; just wipe it with a damp cloth
Cons:
- We wish the brand offered more colors and a higher thickness
Finding the best mat for our treadmill didn’t take us long. After talking to a few of our fitness-obsessed friends, we got numerous recommendations about the Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat. Since the price of this product is affordable, we decided to give it a try.
This black, heavy-duty mat exceeded our expectations and is the best overall product on the list. First of all, it’s been great at protecting the carpets and floors. Secondly, it’s so easy to clean. And finally, it’s available in various sizes, and the pricing is affordable.
Although we prefer PVC fabrics for mats under a treadmill, this one is made of a high-quality EVA foam that proved to be excellent. At first, our team was skeptical, but we couldn’t see any major dents, scratches, or damage to the mat, carpet, or floors after using it for a month.
This heavy-duty mat doesn’t feature the highest thickness, but it’s still great at absorbing the shock while you’re running on the treadmill. This is the perfect example that things aren’t always by the book and that products with an average thickness can show superb performance.
If you get sweaty during workouts (who doesn’t?), this mat is very easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about slipping on it because it’s waterproof and anti-slippery. We also noticed that it has a significant noise reduction effect; we could barely hear any sounds while working out or moving on it.
If you want a mat that will keep your carpet free of indentations, will reduce the noise, and won’t move on your carpet, our favorite Sunny Healthy & Fitness mat is worth the try. Let’s not forget that it’s pretty lightweight and easy to store in your home.
- Waterproof: Yes
- Non-slippery: Yes
- Thickness: 0.16”
Most Durable: Stamina Fold-To-Fit Folding Equipment Mat
Key Features:
- Available in a single size: 84”x36”
- Comes only in black
- The material is high-quality closed-cell foam
- The thickness is 0.25”
Pros:
- This is an affordable, quality product
- Textured non-slip surface that will keep the mat in place
- Effortless to clean with a damp towel
Cons:
- The size and color range could be more extensive
The foldable Stamina mat is perfect if you don’t have too much space in your home and often move things around.
This product is just thick enough to support most at-home treadmills without causing your carpet to go flat. We really love the mat’s texture because it grips the carpet and the equipment, not allowing any movement.
We wish the Stamina Fold-To-Fit mat came in different sizes. Currently, the brand only offers a single size and a single color. This size fits well with all at-home workout equipment, but we would also purchase one for weight training if it came in a smaller size.
Its most prominent feature is that it’s foldable. The mat is divided into seven 12” panels, and when folded, it doesn’t take too much space.
If you are tight on space and want a foldable mat to solve that issue, check out this Stamina product. It’s proven to be very durable, non-slippery, and easy to clean.
- Waterproof: No
- Non-slippery: Yes
- Thickness: 0.25”
Best Heavy Duty: SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat
Key Features:
- Available in four sizes
- Comes in black
- The material is a high-quality vinyl
- The thickness is 0.27”
Pros:
- Dampens vibrations to prevent noise and damage to the carpets
- Very durable mat thanks to the high-quality vinyl material
- Made in the US, so it’s a great purchase if you want to support US businesses
Cons:
- The sizing chart is not clear enough on the site
- Expensive
The SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat has been our go-to for a while now. We love that it’s thick enough to protect our carpet and hardwood floors as well.
This mat is slightly thicker than our top pick. When it comes to performance, they’re pretty similar. The only thing we noticed is that the treadmill can move slightly on this one, but it’s only a few millimeters.
The brand only uses non-toxic ingredients when producing its mats. If you want to be sure the materials you bring home are as clean as possible, this mat should be your choice. It’s safe for pets and kids, so you can use it to create a playing corner for your little ones.
One of the things that we found really confusing is the sizing of the SuperMats mat. There is no sizing chart and four options to choose from, but they don’t include the exact measurements. Before you purchase, get in touch with the seller to see which size fits best for your space.
Everyone who needs a heavy-duty vinyl mat to protect their floors and absorb vibrations has to check this one out. It’s not the most affordable product but does an excellent job at preventing floor and carpet damage.
- Waterproof: No information
- Non-slippery: Yes
- Thickness: 0.27”
Best Design: Amazon Basics High-Density Exercise Equipment Mat
Key Features:
- Available in three sizes: 2.5’x6’, 3’x8.5’, 4’x6’
- Comes in black
- The material is high-density PVC
- The thickness is 0.2”
Pros:
- One of the most durable mats we’ve tried
- Protects your treadmill from dust and dirt
- Great for all kinds of exercise machines
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Has an unpleasant smell
Only sold on Amazon
The Amazon Basics High-Density Exercise Equipment Mat is a great product made of high-density PVC. We found it to be the best treadmill carpet protector for our offices.
Although the brand doesn’t list it as anti-slippery, we didn’t notice the mat moving on the carpet. Our equipment stayed in the same spot, and the carpet beneath it looks as good as new.
We used this one for our office covered with carpet, and we have to say that we like the overall performance. The surface is sleek, smooth, and prevents dust and dirt from getting into the parts of the treadmill.
If your goal is to find a sleek mat that will do its job protecting the carpets, this one is it. The material is highly durable and doesn’t let dirt get into the machine.
- Waterproof: No
- Non-slippery: No
- Thickness: 0.2”
Best Interlocking: BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat
Key Features:
- Comes in seven sizes: 24 square ft. and ½” thick, 48 square ft. and ½” thick, 144 square ft. and ½” thick, 96 square ft. and ¾” thick, 24 square ft. and 1” thick, 72 square ft. and 1” thick
- Available in three colors: black, grey, blue
- Made of high-density EVA foam
- Two levels of thickness: ½” and 1”
Pros:
- Pieces are easy to put together
- Surface is non-slippery
- Comes in various sizes, colors, and thickness options
- Water-resistant
- Made without toxic phthalates
Cons:
- This mat is not as durable as previous products
The BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat is made of lightweight pieces that feature a thickness of either ½” or 1”.
Although the BalanceFrom mat is not the same design as previously mentioned products, it can do an excellent job under your treadmill. The EVA foam material is water-resistant, non-slippery, and easy to clean.
We love that this puzzle mat is available in various colors, sizes, and even two levels of thickness. We found it so easy to assemble, but it wasn’t as durable as the other mats.
If you’re looking to cover larger surfaces and want a high-thickness mat, this is the one!
- Waterproof: water-resistant
- Non-slippery: Yes
- Thickness: 1/2’”/1”
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
 Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.8 | It comes in three sizes: 4’x2’, 6.5’x3’, 7.5’x3.3’ It’s available in black The material is high-quality EVA foam Thickness is 0.16” |
 Stamina Fold-To-Fit Folding Equipment Mat View on Overstock –> View on Amazon –> | Most Durable Overall: 4.7 | Available in a single size: 84”x36” Comes only in black The material is high-quality closed-cell foam The thickness is 0.25” |
 SuperMats Heavy Duty Equipment Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Heavy Duty Overall: 4.6 | Available in four sizes Comes in black The material is a high-quality vinyl The thickness is 0.27” |
 Amazon Basics High-Density Exercise Equipment Mat View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Best Design Overall: 4.7 | Available in three sizes: 2.5’x6’, 3’x8.5’, 4’x6’ Comes in black The material is high-density PVC The thickness is 0.2” |
BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Interlocking Overall: 4.8 | Comes in seven sizes: 24 sq. ft. and ½” thick, 48 sq. ft. and ½” thick, 144 sq. ft. and ½” thick, 96 sq. ft. and ¾” thick, 24 sq. ft. and 1” thick, 72 sq. ft. and 1” thick Available in three colors: black, grey, blue Made of high-density EVA foam Two levels of thickness: ½” and 1” |
The Complete Treadmill Mat for Carpet Buyer’s Guide
Material
The two most common materials for mats are rubber and PVC.
The type of rubber used in the production of mats is called EVA foam. This is a high-performance material that is great for people who love weight training, because it provides excellent sound isolation. In other words, each time you place the weights on the mat, you won’t be waking everybody up.
However, this fabric is more susceptible to damage from heavy objects such as a treadmill. Heavy-weight equipment can cause permanent dents in an EVA foam mat.
PVC is another commonly used material with fantastic performance. It’s usually more suitable for heavy-duty mats because it is very durable. It also reduces sound, is easy to clean, and works on various flooring types and carpets.
Size
Size is a factor that many people often overlook. You can’t just go online and purchase any size mat to place under your treadmill. You first need to measure the treadmill and see which mat size will fit best.
The primary purpose of these mats is to protect your floors and carpets from heavy equipment. As long as the mat is bigger than the treadmill and covers the entire floor area where the equipment is placed, you should be fine.
Since you won’t be buying new mats each month, you should get a large one to fit all of your equipment and leave extra space for new equipment purchases.
If you have a tight budget, you’ll use this mat to place the treadmill on and also to work out with weights. This means that instead of buying separate mats, you can buy a large one and save money.
Thickness
Thickness is one of the most essential features of these mats. Treadmills are heavy and need proper cushioning if you don’t want them to scratch and damage your floors and ruin your carpets.
Your new mat should be at least 1/5 inches thick. Opting for the thickest mat on the market is unnecessary; instead, try to find a product with a thickness over 1/5 inches.
The thicker the mat, the more expensive it will be. Even if you opt for the most affordable product, make sure that you check the cushioning first. If it’s too thin, maybe it’s a good idea to save up more money before buying a mat.
Maintenance
Most mats for treadmills are pretty easy to take care of. These products are usually made of moisture-wicking and waterproof materials, which only require a quick wipe.
Before buying a product, you should read in-depth reviews or talk to friends and family members who have positive experiences with easy-to-clean mats. All brands label their mats as easy maintenance, but that’s not always the case.
Non-Slip Design
Non-slippery designs are the safest choice for you, your carpets, and your floors. If a mat is slippery, chances are the treadmill will move while you’re running. That can cause friction between the mat, carpet, and floors, and lead to scratches or damage.
It’s best if the mat has a non-slip base so that it can grip the carpet and stay put ,no matter how fast you run or how often you use the treadmill.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the mat you’ll buy should be created for carpet. Often, brands label their products as suitable for use on all surfaces, but it’s better if your purchase is made explicitly for carpet use.
Waterproof Or Water-Resistant
If you’re looking to buy one of these mats, chances are you use a treadmill or other heavy exercise machine. It’s no secret that when we work out, we tend to sweat. Sweat can quickly get on the mat and cause a mess and an unpleasant smell.
This is the main reason why you want to look for waterproof or water-resistant material. It will make it much easier for you to clean the mat, plus it will prevent an unpleasant odor. This material type will prevent water from getting to your carpets and floors as well.
FAQs
Putting a treadmill directly on your carpet can cause damage to it. Appropriately protecting the carpet with a mat will save you from having to replace or repair it.
Treadmills are heavy and cause pressure to the carpet fibers. It doesn’t matter if it’s made of natural or synthetic fibers; there will definitely be damage. After moving the treadmill, you’ll notice marks on the carpet that are sometimes impossible to remove.
Getting a mat is a one-time investment that will protect both the floor and carpet, prevent dust and dirt from gathering under the treadmill, and protect the treadmill machine.
Final Thoughts
Did these reviews help you find an excellent treadmill mat for your home to use on the carpet? Some of the tips you should remember are that the material should be high-quality, thick enough, water-proof/water-resistant, sweat-wicking, and easy to clean.
Each time we review products, we want to finish off with the best one. This time it’s the Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat because it’s very durable, affordable, non-slippery, comes in various sizes, and it’s easy to store.
If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with mats for treadmills, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
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