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Best doormats: easy-to-clean mats for indoor and outdoor use
Create a warm welcome but leave dirt at the door with our pick of the best doormats to suit all homes and budgets.
By Laura Cooke | Last updated Dec 1, 2023
Unsung hero of the home, but just as important to house hygiene as the very best vacuum cleaner, the humble doormat works overtime to keep Mumsnetters’ kitchen floors free from paw prints and the remains of the school football field. It’s not a particularly glamorous shopping prospect, but finding a good doormat can improve your life, keep your floors dirt-free (so you won't have to break out your best carpet cleaner as often), and will serve you faithfully for many years.
A great doormat doesn’t come cheap, and spending £50-odd on something that’ll be regularly stepped on understandably requires a bit of extra reassurance. That’s where we come in. We’ve traipsed our muddiest wellies across the Mumsnet forums to find the very best doormats our users are evangelical about.
Best doormats at a glance
Best overall: Turtle Mat Olive Design Doormat | Buy now, £60
Best budget: JML Magic Carpet | Buy now, £12
Best colourful doormat: John Lewis Tiger Coir Doormat | Buy now, £15
Best outdoor doormat: JVL Coir Doormat | Buy now, £10
Best indoor doormat: Dunelm Marvel Mat | Buy now, £35
Best for trapping dirt: Hug Rug Bee 2 Washable Doormat | Buy now, £45
Best for pets: Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog Doormat | Buy now, £59
Best for wooden floors: Aoonby Non-Slip Doormat | Buy now, £59
Best absorbent doormat: Lakeland Microfibre Doormat | Buy now, £20
1. Best overall doormat: Turtle Mat Olive Design Doormat
Price on writing: £60 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 60x85xm | Material: Cotton and multi grip | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Comes in a range of appealling designs, from cartoon foxes to florals
Machine washable
What we don't like
Not cheap - but many Mumsnetters would say it's worth the investment
What Mumsnet users say
"Turtle mats are fantastic, stay on the floor, collect the dirt and can be slung in the washing machine, also not cheap and I think a higher price point than hug rugs, but worth the cost in my view" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user Bluntness100
"Another vote for Turtle mats - I have two and going strong after a decade or near enough. That's 4 dogs, two walks a day in mud, grass, streams and anything else that is dirty" - recommended by Mumsnetter Pacif1cDogwood
Our verdict
Beloved by Mumsnetters, the Turtle Mat is nothing short of miraculous when it comes to collecting dirt, absorbing moisture and staying put. Available in a range of patterns and sizes, we like this olive design from their Dee Hardewick collaboration, but there are lots of plain and printed options to choose from. Turtle Mats are machine washable (but leave out the fabric conditioner as it reduces absorbency) and have a non-slip, non-marking MultiGrip backing - plus they last for literal decades. That’s why they’re our pick for the best doormat.
Read next: The best budget vacuum cleaners - our favourite products under £200
Read next: The best carpet cleaners to buy, as rated by Mumsnetters
2. Best budget doormat: JML Magic Carpet
Price on writing: £12 | Buy now from JML
Key specs
Size: Various | Material: not stated | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Both
What we like
Budget-friendly
Thin, but super-absorbent
What we don't like
If you are looking for something stylish, this is not the doormat for you
What Mumsnet users say
"We have a JML Magic Carpet. It's moderately hideous, but does work well, and it's extremely thin. We have low profile doors for wheelchair access and it's the only one I could find (including scouring IKEA) that was both effective as a doormat and thin enough to let the door sweep over" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user acumenin
Our verdict
Good quality doormats don’t come cheap. That’s why we were so impressed with this Magic Carpet from JML. At around £12, it’s a fraction of the price of other quality doormats, but it punches above its weight in terms of absorbency. Thanks to its super-absorbent fibres, it sucks up moisture and retains dirt like magic. While it’s not going to win any beauty contests, it’s a great option if you’re in need of an ultra-thin or ultra-bargainous doormat.
Read next: The best robot vacuum cleaners to buy, as rated by Mumsnetters
3. Best colourful doormat: John Lewis Tiger Coir Doormat
Price on writing: £15 | Buy now from John Lewis
Size: 75 x 45 x 1.6cm | Material: Coir and PVC | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Stylish design
Nice price
Made from tough, hard-wearing coir
What we don't like
Indoor use only
Our verdict
Featuring tigers and a colourful dotty print, this coir pile doormat is as practical as it is pretty and will set a stylish scene in your entrance hall. It's thick and hard-wearing and the tough coir is great at preventing stray flecks of mud and dirt from being traipsed into your home. If you're a fan of animal print but shy away from full leopard in the home, this is a subtle way to add the look to your interiors.
3. Best outdoor doormat: JVL Coir Doormat
Price on writing: £10 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 40x70cm | Material: Coconut hair and latex | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Both
What we like
Hard-wearing - can cope with pretty much anything you throw at it
An eco-friendly choice
What we don't like
Not suitable for machine washing - you'll be in danger of ruining your washing machine if you attempt it
What Mumsnet users say
"Coir mats with rug grippers underneath to stop them moving. Love the look of a coir mat and they're easy to clean by shoving them upside down and letting all the bits fall out." - recommended by Mumsnetter TheHandStandBand
Our verdict
A classic coir mat can be used indoors or out. Its scratchy surface is excellent for scraping muddy wellies on, and this hard-wearing, latex-backed one from JVL is tough enough to withstand all weathers. As well as being ready for anything, coir mats like this one are the eco-friendly choice too. Made from coconut hair and natural rubber latex, you can actually compost it when you’re finished with it.
4. Best indoor doormat: Dunelm Marvel Mat
Price on writing: £35 | Buy now from Dunelm
Key specs
Size: Various available Material: Cotton, polyester and latex | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Machine washable for easy cleaner
Various sizes available
What we don't like
Designed to blend in with your decor - if you are after a statement piece, you may want to look elsewhere
What Mumsnet users say
"We have a Marvel Mat runner from Dunelm. Gave up on the idea of getting the kids to actually wipe their feet so went for something longer they needed to walk across! Machine washable and so far has come out looking great again and unlike our previous mat actually seems to stay put rather than make its way down the hall" - recommended by Mumsnet user gigglingHyena
"My Dunelm washable Marvel mat still looks good after 8 years" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby
Our verdict
With it’s brilliant non-slip backing and soft, carpet-like pile, Dunelm’s Marvel Mat blends right in with your decor. There are lots of patterns available - from modern geometric designs to shaggy block colours, these mats can be placed by doorways, but won’t look out of place elsewhere in the house. They stay put, thanks to their latex backing, and save your floors from anything your pets or family members might traipse in.
Read next: The best women's wellies to buy, as worn by Mumsnetters
6. Best doormat for trapping dirt: Hug Rug Bee 2 Washable Doormat
Price on writing: £45 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 85x65cm | Material: Cotton microfibre, recycled tyres | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Easy to clean - can be vacuumed and machine washed safely
Lovely design
What we don't like
Can't be used outside - these bees need to be kept indoors
What Mumsnet users say
"We've literally just unpacked our new Hugrug. We now have 3. There's lots of choice, they don't slip around on the floor and they hold mud really well. Mostly it hoovers off when dry, but they also go in the washing machine and come out looking as good as new. The dog likes them too, and now has one for his spot in the kitchen where he watches us cook (and waits for anything we drop ?)" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user whereiwanttobe
Our verdict
Soft and hard-wearing, Mumsnetters love Hug Rugs for their super absorbent powers. Keeping mud and dirt out of your home, left to dry they can be hoovered clean, and occasionally chucked in the washing machine. We like this cute bee pattern - 10% of its sales go to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust - but darker colours will hide dirt more effectively.
7. Best doormat for pets: Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog Doormat
Price on writing: £59 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 89x66cm | Material: Microfibre | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Super-absorbant - great for soggy doggies
Reduces bad smells
Available in a range of sizes and colours
What we don't like
Only suitable for indoor use
What Mumsnet users say
"It’s made a big difference keeping my kitchen floor clean" - recommended by Mumsnet user purpleprincess24
Our verdict
With its long microfibre pile that dogs will love to roll on, this Dirty Dog Doormat from Dog Gone Smart can hold a staggering seven times its weight in moisture. In addition to its usefulness as a doormat, it can be used in the car, to line crates and as a food mat. The smart fabric contains antibacterial properties which work to reduce smells, making this an all-round winner for dog owners.
8. Best doormat for wooden floors: Aoonby Non Slip Doormat
Price on writing: £59 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: Various available | Material: Polypropylene and rubber | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Stays put and doesn't travel
Doesn't get caught up when you open the door
What we don't like
Can't be machine washed - sweep or vacuum to clean
Our verdict
For a doormat that stays put and won’t mark or scratch your wooden floors, this one by Aoonby is great. Made from dense polypropylene and rubber, it won’t shed and can be swept or hoovered clean. It’s nice and thin, so it won’t get in the way of your doors opening, and it absorbs dirt and moisture well.
9. Best absorbent doormat: Lakeland Microfibre Doormat
Price on writing: £20 | Buy now from Lakeland
Key specs
Size: Various available | Material: Microfibre | Suitable for indoors/outdoors: Indoors
What we like
Affordable
Machine washable
What we don't like
For indoor use only
What Mumsnet users say
"Another vote for the Lakeland ones. Go through the washing machine nicely. I have a doormat then a runner! They do trap a lot of dirt" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user Pashazade
"Lakeland micro fibre runners are good" - recommended by Mumsnet user pinkprosecco
Our verdict
Looking for a hardworking doormat that can withstand regular machine washing? Look no further than this microfibre number from Lakeland. Able to hold up to 750ml of grimy water, it’ll happily go in the washing machine as often as needed, dries quickly and looks as good as new. It has anti-slip backing so it won’t slide around, and it traps dirt like the best of them.
Should doormats be inside or outside?
It depends on the doormat. If you go on regular muddy walks, have dogs or kids, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have one of each.
What type of doormat is best for outside?
Tough coir mats are best for outside - their thick fibres are perfect for scraping the worst off muddy boots.
What type of doormat is best for inside?
An absorbent mat with a non-slip back is best for indoor use. Acting as a barrier between your floors and incoming feet (and paws), the soft fibres suck in moisture and trap dirt, protecting your floors and carpets.
What’s the best way to clean a doormat?
Once dry, most doormats can be hoovered or shaken outside to get rid of excess dirt. Every now and again, absorbent indoor mats can go in the washing machine - but don’t forget to leave out the fabric conditioner as this can damage the fibres, reducing absorbency.
What’s the best doormat to buy?
Turtle Mats are the best doormats to buy. They suck up water and trap dirt better than any of their competitors, and they last for years and years.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which doormats were rated by Mumsnet users. We compiled a list of the best mats based on absorbency, practicality and value for money.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which doormats were recommended by expert review sites such as Which? - and what customer reviews said about them too. For this, we consulted feedback left for top retailers including Amazon, Lakeland and Dunelm.
Having collated all that information, we picked the best doormats that we thought would make the best buys.
About the author
Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on home care content.
Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021 and has recently taken over responsibility for floor care and laundry content. She writes buyers guides, including what to consider when buying a robot vacuum cleaner, cleaning articles and tests products, including the Henry Quick vacuum and the Beldray 60m Rotary Airer, to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.
Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.
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