In spite of the bevel Ive tripped over the edge of the mat several times when stepping away from my desk and can also see how someone might trip over the mat when walking close to my desk, so Ill be returning it. Surprisingly, the Royal Mat didnt bottom out with shoes or barefoot. While this mat will likely survive the average abuse from an office worker, many of the standing mats we tested for half the price included better warranties than the Eco Pro. You will find that we provide the positives and negatives on all of the products so that you know what to expect with each mat. Its important to look at the details of the warranty. The three layer design also presents another opportunity for peeling at some point, which will expose the less dense PVC foam hidden inside. Doesnt bottom out in shoes or barefoot While all of the flat mats were all safe, the topo mats safety varied quite a bit. Doesnt slide around as easily as the less expensive options Our goal is to provide you with honest feedback to base your buying decision on. Manufactured with a high-quality polyurethane and strong integral skin, it should hold up well over its lifetime. Strong integral skin that prevents peeling, Heavy users will bottom out with shoes and barefoot One of most well-known brands in the category, No integral skin or vinyl covering for added durability Great value, Can be too firm for some users Here are some of the most important things I learned during my review process. Provides good bounce even with vinyl covering Not great for side standing options. TerraMat LitePrice: Starting at $45.99 (Buy on Amazon), Good side and back standing options Your email address will not be published. While the KANGAROO mat can definitely be used in the office, this is a better product for kitchen applications. If you get a longer flat standing desk mat dont forget that it will need to find a home when not in use. While it is currently the number one sold anti-fatigue mat on Amazon, I still had some skepticism. The LiClound standing desk mat was the first non-flat mat that I tested to include two massage balls. I carelessly put one foot on the mat and went for a ride. Reports of peeling from top layer This is all about feel and will vary between users. For users that are over 65, some of the smaller topo mats will be too compact. This is the second mat to hit the list that is manufactured in the USA. My experience with bottoming out was the same with shoes and barefoot. Wont slide around the floor easily, Better for kitchen applications than standing desks Inner core is made from high quality polyurethane, Can be too firm for some users This is the ideal construction to offer good support and a high level of durability. The second tier of mats included polyurethane for the core, with a layer of material like vinyl over the top for added durability. Strong integral skin that prevents peeling You need to be able to touch it, test it and experience it for extended periods before you can make a reliable review for it. Considering this mat only comes with a one year warranty, the lack of a proper skin for protection will lead to the polyurethane breaking down. Made with a three layer construction 11 Best Standing Desk Converters for 2022. This mat also comes with a lifetime warranty, but unlike the CumulousPro, they wont provide a full refund ten years down the road. Firm topo features that dont collapse when you stand on them Through the injection molding process, the mat is heated on the outside surfaces to create a thick and flexible integral skin. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a08cb6a1914f4bcf527964fbf2d8b75f" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Greg Knighton is the President of BTOD.com with over 15 years experience in the office furniture industry. The mat bottomed out, but was still soft on the top so it had a squishing sensation that felt like it should be soft. Topo standing desk mats or non-flat standing desk mats are the most recent evolution in this category. Reports of peeling from top layer Sky MatPrice: Starting at $34.99 (Buy on Amazon), Includes lifetime warranty that replaces defective mat In case it doesnt, the seven year warranty from ErgoDriven will provide a free replacement. This mat featured the tallest front and side elevation changes in the category. What is a standing desk mat? The firm topo features dont collapse when weight is applied and it offers good support. Provides good amount of bounce Over time the smell will subside and eventually most will no longer notice the smell. While this might not be a surprise for those that already own this mat, the fact that it only comes with a five year warranty was disappointing. I found that this mat was best used without shoes. One of the most comfortable topo mats with shoes There was only one flat mat that I tested that included a polyurethane material with an integral skin. During scratch testing we found the the polyurethane material easily chips and broke apart without a layer of protection. I looked at how the mats reacted on both a hard surface, like hardwood, and low pile carpet that is commonly found in commercial offices. Even with the vinyl covering, the CumulousPRO mat still provided good bounce during testing and didnt bottom out with shoes and barefoot. There were major differences in quality from one mat to another. Each of these non-flat standing desk mats with integral skin rated at 70 or better for their overall quality score. The GelPro Eco Pro was our number one rated flat standing desk mat for 2022. Each shoe offers different levels of support and so these results can vary significantly. No elevation change on back of mat VARIDESK MatPrice: Starting at $60.00 (Buy on Amazon), Made from high quality polyurethane Least expensive full size non-flat mat we tested Who is BTOD.com and The Breakroom Blog? It was as close to standing on a hard surface as you will find from a non-flat standing desk mat. 18 Best Flat and Non-Flat Standing Desk Mats For 2022. With a lot of similarities to the CumulousPro, the higher price tag might be hard to justify unless you want a softer mat that is made in the USA. There was no rhyme or reason to many of the warranties that existed either. There is a major difference in how the mats feel with and without your shoes on. Seven year warranty period, Can be too firm with shoes and bare feet The warranties varied significantly and didnt always align with a products level of quality. Using a lower quality PVC foam, the Sky Mat is likely to have its foam break down earlier than the higher quality Polyurethane foam alternatives. Very comfortable without shoes The fifth aspect was how much elevation change the mat had from its lowest to highest point. Similar to the OFM Topo mat, the Ergohead had slipping issues when used on low pile carpet and hard surfaces. I am very happy with it! Coming in right behind its bigger brother is the Topo Mini from ErgoDriven. Offers good front and side standing options Because of this, the non-flat mats ended up having lower overall scores than the flat mats. Tends to be hard with shoes and bare feet. By the time you reach the final year of the warranty, you can expect to only get back 20% of the Eco Pros value. I found that during my scratch testing, the Sky Mats top layer was durable enough to resist most scratches. Top layer of vinyl holds up well to scratch tests My biggest concern is how it will hold up to rocks in your shoes. Short warranty period When he is not at the office helping customers he enjoys golfing, skiing, snowmobiling and spending time with his family. Least expensive TerraMat, Second most firm non-flat mat that we tested They give you the opportunity to stretch and relieve pressure built up in your feet. 5 Comments. While the LiCloud was comfortable in shoes, I found it to be a little to soft with bare feet. Without getting an opportunity to try the VARIDESK comfort mat, I would have never known how uncomfortable it was. Comfortable with shoes on, Heavy users will bottom out with shoes and barefoot If you spend another 20% you could get a much better quality mat. Made with low quality PVC foam and constructed with a three layer design, the Royal Mat is likely to have durability problems. The mat provided a good amount of support with shoes on and I didnt find myself bottoming out. My rating included six different aspects of the non-flat mat. They tend to offer a little better cushioning than most dress shoes. This is also the most firm mat in the category;, with shoes and barefoot I found it to be uncomfortable. While the topo features are smaller than the larger alternative, they are still firm and wont collapse when you stand on them. Lifetime warranty, Can be too firm with shoes Firm topo features that dont collapse when you stand on them will have issues with bottoming out in shoes or barefoot. Having now spent over 100 hours standing on these mats, through the good and bad products, I definitely gained a new appreciation for them. Greg Knighton I wore sketchers for the testing and they included the comfort sole. Short warranty period The lowest quality mats didnt offer much support and would easily bottom out. One of the most expensive options available. This mat is best fit for lightweight users that are shorter than 55. Each mat was cut to see the inner material inside the mat. The LiCould mat was also constructed from a high-quality polyurethane material with a strong integral skin to prevent peeling. The warranty on these products might not be as big of a concern because most mats retailed under $100. Firm topo features that dont collapse when you stand on them Front massage bar can be uncomfortable barefoot I found that when I didnt wear shoes I was able to really take advantage of the topo mat features. Strong integral skin that prevents peeling Mat tends to slide around a lot on carpet and hard surfaces. Some of the companies that offered long warranties had bad feedback, with customers stating the companies did not get back to them for warranty support. The Topo features high quality polyurethane construction with a durable integral skin. Depth available for flat space is limited This is tough because many wear different shoes. The Terramat Lite offers the smallest footprint of the group of non-flats mats we tested. Small users will find it tough to use sideways, as the side topo features have a large distance between tem. Firm topo features that dont collapse when you stand on them Over the course of the last two months I have personally tested 20 of the most popular flat and non-flat standing desk mats available. There have been products that I thought would be really great based on their specs but ended up being subpar. Compare The Best Flat Standing Mats of 2022, Compare The Best Non-Flat Standing Mats of 2022, Full list with review summaries and pros/consfor each mat, Best non-flat/topo standing desk mats 2022. Thanks for the review. High-quality polyurethane construction, No integral skin for added durability Doesnt slide around as easily as the less expensive options Short one year warranty period. Depending on the amount of breaks you take and the comfort of the shoes you wear, your feet can take a beating early in the process. They have recently updated their warranty, now offering a full lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. Strong integral skin that prevents peeling Thank you so much for your great reviews. Back not tall enough for calf rises The ErgoGo mat was also the least expensive full size non-flat mat that we tested. It featured a polyurethane design with an integral skin to prevent peeling. Softest mat in the category Made with a three layer construction Its important to consider the construction of the mat to give a better insight on how long it will last. Good all-around for front, side and back standing options, Unknown warranty period I have also reached out to them for more information on their warranty and have yet to receive a response. This is only a good standing desk mat for those who want a firm mat and need to stay under $30 for their budget. Not getting any type of warranty support means the Royal mat will likely find a garbage can. If you are in a shared work environment, you will want to keep these mats tucked under the desk. This post will introduce you to each type of mat, what I learned about each and their corresponding ranking based on criteria that Ive found to be most important to these types of products. The size of shoe you wear will also impact how far you sink into the material. To be honest, the only reason I would recommend it is for those that are on a tight budget. Easily the most comfortable mat to stand on, its great with shoes and barefoot. Selling for 20% less than the more popular brands, the Ergohead standing desk mat does a lot of the same things the more well-known products do. Thats okay though, because CumulousPros warranty was over the top. This is the first mat in the list to offer good comfort in shoes and barefoot. I would be surprised if the warranty wasnt at least two years, based on others in the category. I have made multiple attempts to reach out to the Butterfly Mat reps and havent had any luck. They advertise a seven year warranty and I couldnt find any negative feedback linked to not fulfilling that guarantee. How much does an office chair cost in 2022? If youre less than 53, some of the topo features may be hard to reach on the non-flat mats. While the warranty is better on the Topo, I would have to problem recommending the TerraMat over ErgoDrivens most popular product. With the rise of standing desks came the need to create a more comfortable standing option. One of the biggest concerns I have with the OFM Topo mat is safety; it was hands down the most slippery mat to use. At only .624 thick, the VARIDESK mat is the thinnest mat we have tested. There are two aspects with comfort that I looked at. Making the transition to a standing desk can certainly be easier said than done. Eco Pro is manufactured from high-quality polyurethane with no vinyl layering required for added durability. No warranty information available from manufacturer Buying Tips and Guides Best non-flat/topo standing desk mats 2022. Doesnt offer a lot of side standing options. How did we pick the best standing desk mats for 2022? It included a massage bar on the front of the mat that also provides an elevation change. Finally, the last aspect looked at the overall firmness rating which is important in taking full advantage of the terrain features. You are the only person out there who tested these mats with and without shoes! Thinking about safety with an anti-fatigue might seem a little odd. If you are over 240 lbs., there is a good chance most of the mats will be too soft. This allowed your heels to dig into the mat and led to my feet bottoming out. With the mat in my hands, it felt like this could easily be the best value in the bunch. Topo mats have the opportunity to be much more versatile, with multiple shapes and massage components. Back terrain lacking elevation change ErgoHeadMatPrice: Starting at $79.99 (Buy on Amazon), High-quality polyurethane construction While this product is the least expensive option, if warranty is a major concern, I would proceed with caution. Thanks for the helpful reviews. The only real shortcomings I found with the TerraMat were the side standing options and firmness while wearing shoes. Low quality PVC foam breaks down quicker than polyurethane. Reports of peeling from top layer The topo mats tended to be firmer than the flat mats and many of them were uncomfortable with shoes on. For me personally, I found that it was a little too firm with shoes and barefoot. I think this is still an investment and having a solid warranty is important. High-quality polyurethane construction Overall, this is a product that most should at least consider during their search for a flat anti-fatigue mat. With reports of peeling of the top layer of vinyl, you will want to make sure you register for that lifetime warranty. Without an integral skin or vinyl layer over the top, the VARIDESK mat is susceptible to damage from everyday abuse. Topo MiniPrice: Starting at $69.00 (Buy on Amazon), Small flat space for standing Large flat space for standing I found there was no give at all and it made my experience less than enjoyable. If you are a lighter user this may not be an issue. I saw some negative reviews regarding durability, but you also pointed out that they now have a lifetime warrantyso I didnt let the reviews deter me. ButterflyMatPrice: Starting at $89.00 (Buy on Amazon), High-quality polyurethane construction The Best Standing Desk Converter For 2022, The 5 Best Varidesk Alternatives And Competitors. If you want a soft mat, this is not the product for you. Without shoes I found myself bottoming out, especially when putting weight on my heels. Without an integral skin or layer of vinyl added for protection, the VARIDESK Active Mat appears to be susceptible to damage from normal use in the office. The flat mats had no issues staying in place, so I was surprised when it happened. The mat was the second softest non-flat mat that I tested and the most comfortable with shoes. These are more commonly referred to as anti-fatigue mats. Strong integral skin that prevents peeling Required fields are marked *. Uplift 900 Desk vs. VertDesk v3: Which is better? High-quality polyurethane construction A standing desk mat isnt a new invention, well at least the flat version. This is an important aspect of this type of mat; too soft and you wont be able to put any weight onto the terrain features without them flattening out. This type of material breaks down quicker than high quality polyurethane and wont offer as much bounce in the mat. Once you start to bottom out you lose the ergonomic principles associated with an anti-fatigue mat. While the GelPro Designer Comfort mat didnt rank as highly as its close cousin, the Eco Pro, it doesnt mean that it was a bad product. Short warranty period This might not be an option for some users in public offices. Short one year warranty period. Made with a three layer construction Bottoms out with shoes and bare feet The first was with your shoes on. The mat is also manufacturer in the USA at the GelPro factory in Texas. The creators of the first topo mat, ErgoDriven is definitely a pioneer and we might not be talking about non-flat mats. Thinnest mat we tested No matter the brand, all of the mats came out of the box with a strong odor. Flat anti-fatigue mats are made from varying materials that include PVC foam and polyurethane. The next three rated the amount of options when standing straight, sideways and backwards on the mat. Best value of non-flat mats we tested There were some mats that were definite safety hazards in the office. This higher density foam is used to protect the lower quality foam and creates a stickier bottom to prevent sliding. With only two massage balls, there werent any other options for side standers. That is a good idea. Large elevation changes on the side and back of mat offered good variation for different standing positions. Beyond that, they just become uncomfortable and could potentially lead to discontinued use. While wearing shoes I found that the TerraMat was a bit too firm for me. Star massage can be uncomfortable for some. Offers good elevation changes for front, side and back standing options Designer ComfortPrice: Starting at $75.99 (Buy on BTOD), Softest mat we tested that didnt bottom out The mat also had issues with bottoming out when I was bare foot, especially when putting a lot of weight towards your heel. Doesnt slide around as easily as the less expensive options With a lifetime warranty that will either replace or provide a full refund to the end user at any point during ownership. It is hard to believe how much different the Lite mat felt from the full size Terramat. The Skyflat standing desk mat by Sky Solutions was a bit of a surprise for me. Please call our sales department for the most accurate pricing. However, if you go with some of the cheapest options I found the smell lasts longer than better quality products. Within the last few years, as the standing desk market has matured, products used with standing desks have evolved as well. This was easily the softest standing desk mat we tested that didnt bottom out with shoes on. Considering it comes with a short two year warranty and higher than average price tag, the New Life Advantage is the worst value in the flat mat category. Comfortable with shoes on This allows us to provide a large number of detailed pictures and first-hand information on the products. What is the Strongest Standing Desk Surface. Made from the same material as the larger mat, the strong integral skin will have no problems holding up to daily office abuse. Low quality PVC foam breaks down quicker than polyurethane. Center ball too soft to offer much support ErgoDrivenTopoPrice: Starting at $99.00 (Buy on Amazon), High-quality polyurethane construction Unfortunately, anyone over 140 lbs. Pricing on the Learning Center is for reference only. Can be too firm with shoes and bare feet There are a ton of of topo features and large elevations changes throughout the mat. Inner core is made from high quality polyurethane, Has a two layer construction with vinyl covering How much space do you need is an important question to ask yourself. With only one year coverage from GelPro, this was a bit of a disappointment. With an overall score of 40 with shoes and 30 without, this mat might be a good fit for those looking for a cush non-flat mat. Even though it was small, it was still able to provide a nice solid connection to the floor. By the end, you should have a better idea which mat is best for your specific needs. Adding a standing desk mat to your new or existing setup can help create a more comfortable working environment. If a warranty is important in your buying decision, make sure the company backing the warranty has a good amount of history. When I first received the VARIDESKStandup desk mat, I never would have thought it would find its way this far down the list. Cutting open the Sky Mat, one of the first things I noticed, when compared to the first two mats on our list, was the foam inside the mat. Im not sure how this would hold up to power users that stand for three to four hours a day. Too soft for proper ergonomic support Mat tends to be slippery on hard and carpeted surfaces. Your email address will not be published. Inner core is made from high quality polyurethane High-quality polyurethane construction Thanks again. The second best standing mat on our list comes with a price tag that is nearly $20 less than the price of the GelPro Eco Pro. Weve gone through the entire buying and testing process for you. Made in the USA, Second thinnest mat we tested This type of design also reduces the opportunity for peeling that can be found on mats that use multiple layers. This is not very reliable for providing the most accurate information because you dont truly know how a product is going to perform until you use it. While the OFM Topo has a lot going for it, the lifetime warranty that OFM has given it provided a massive boost in the rankings. The versatility rating on standing desk mats was only for the topo mats. The second aspect of comfort I looked at was how the mat felt without shoes on. The Original KANGAROO comes with a ten year warranty that will replace your mat due to manufacturer defects, no questions asked. There is a lot more to standing desk mats than one likely considers. Utilizing a two layer construction, the vinyl top coat is a major concern and they are known to peel over time.