The 10 Best Retractable Awnings
The 10 Best Retractable Awnings
A good door mat is one of those things you don’t think about until you don’t have one. Suddenly, you’re tracking in mud, leaves, and who-knows-what else all over the floors you just cleaned. It’s the first line of defense for keeping your house from becoming a mess, especially if you have kids or pets.
I’ve gone through my fair share of them over the years. Some fall apart after one bad winter, others just push the dirt around instead of trapping it. And some are just plain ugly. So, I decided to really figure out which ones actually do the job.
After trying out a bunch and talking to neighbors, I’ve got a solid list of the best door mats you can get. These are the ones that hold up to heavy foot traffic, bad weather, and muddy boots without looking trashed after a few months.
The Ubdyo Extra Durable Outdoor Doormat costs around $30, and it’s a fantastic all-around choice for pretty much any climate.
I like its simple, no-fuss design. It’s made of plastic and rubber, so it does a great job scraping mud and grass off shoes before they come inside. Since it’s waterproof, it dries out super fast after a rainstorm, which is a big plus.
Cleaning this thing is a breeze. I just spray it down with the hose and it looks brand new. It’s held up really well on my back patio where the kids are constantly running in and out from the yard.
The Downside: It’s not very absorbent, so it won’t soak up a ton of water from wet shoes. And if you have really thick, caked-on mud, the grooves aren’t quite deep enough to get it all.

At about $45, the L.L.Bean Waterhog is a classic for a reason, especially if you live somewhere wet. I have one of these at my front door, and it’s been a workhorse through two rainy seasons.
This thing is like a sponge. It can hold a ton of water, and the raised border acts like a little dam to keep moisture and dirt from spilling onto your porch or floor. It’s heavy, so it doesn’t slide around, and it comes in a bunch of nice designs that actually look good.
The Downside: Because it traps so much gunk, cleaning it can be a chore. Hosing it down doesn’t always get everything, so sometimes you really have to scrub it to get it clean.
For about $25, the Gorilla Grip doormat is a really solid choice for everyday use, either inside or out. It’s got thousands of five-star reviews online, so I had to check it out for my garage entrance.
The deep grooves are great for trapping dirt, and the material is soft enough that it feels fine if you step on it with bare feet. It’s held up to the sun without fading, which is more than I can say for a lot of other mats I’ve tried.
The Downside: When I first unrolled it, the rubber edges were curled up a bit. They flattened out after a day or two in the sun, but it was a little annoying at first.

Okay, this one is a bit of a splurge at $95, but if you want something that looks really stylish at your front door, the Chilewich shag mat is it. It looks much more modern than a typical bristly mat.
The little tufted vinyl loops are tough. They scrape shoes clean but also hide the dirt really well, so the mat doesn’t constantly look filthy. It’s heavy-duty and feels like it’s built to last for years, even with people coming and going all the time.
The Downside: The colors can look a little different in person than they do on the website. Mine was a bit darker than I expected, but I still liked it.
This mat is around $50, and it is an absolute beast. If you have a workshop, a farm, or just a really, really muddy yard, this is the one you need. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.
It’s made from recycled tires linked together, so it’s practically indestructible. The open-weave design lets dirt and mud fall right through, so the surface stays clean for scraping the next pair of boots. You can just lift it up and sweep the mess away.
The Downside: It has a very utilitarian, industrial look. I wouldn’t put this at my main front door, but it’s perfect for a back entrance or mudroom.
If you have a double door or a wide entryway, this TrafficMaster mat is a great find for about $40. It’s hard to find good-quality, extra-large mats that don’t cost a fortune.
The ribbed texture is good for scraping off loose dirt and absorbing some water. It’s made from recycled materials, and the dark charcoal color does a good job of hiding dirt so it doesn’t look messy all the time. It stays put and covers a ton of space.
The Downside: The pile is pretty low, so it’s not the best for getting mud out of deep boot treads. It’s more for surface-level dirt and moisture.
For about $26, this Plus Haven mat gives you that classic, natural fiber look. I’ve always liked coco coir mats for their scraping power.
The abrasive fibers are awesome for getting caked-on mud and dirt off your shoes. It’s got a thick, lofty profile that really hides the debris until you have a chance to shake it out. It’s simple, effective, and looks welcoming.
The Downside: It sheds. A lot. Especially when it’s new, you’ll find little fibers getting tracked inside for the first couple of weeks. It eventually calms down, though.
You can’t beat the price on this StyleWell mat, which is only about $17. If you just need something cheap and functional for a side door or basement entry, this is a solid pick.
It does a decent job. The grooved border around the edge helps clean shoes, and since it’s low-profile, you can easily vacuum it or just hose it off. It’s nothing fancy, but it stops some dirt from coming in.
The Downside: Because the main surface is flat, every little leaf and piece of dirt is really visible. The edges can also start to look a little frayed after a season of heavy use.
This Sand & Stable mat costs around $35 and has a nice, classic striped style that looks great on a front porch. It’s made from coir, which is fantastic for scraping dirt.
The texture really pulls debris from shoes, and it’s pretty good at absorbing a bit of water, too. It’s a simple, attractive mat that does what it’s supposed to do, especially if you don’t get a ton of rain.
The Downside: Like other coir mats, it sheds quite a bit. It also takes a long time to dry out if it gets completely soaked, so it’s better for covered porches or drier climates.
For around $25, this mat is perfect if you want a more decorative look. The rubber scrollwork design is really elegant and looks much nicer than a plain utility mat.
Even though it’s decorative, the raised design does a surprisingly good job of scraping dirt off shoes. Being made of rubber, it’s completely waterproof, won’t hold odors, and is super easy to rinse clean with a hose.
The Downside: The black rubber shows dirt, dust, and pollen very clearly. You’ll probably find yourself hosing it off frequently to keep it looking its best.
When I’m picking a door mat, I mostly think about three things: material, texture, and how easy it is to clean. The material really depends on the weather here. For our rainy winters, a rubber or synthetic mat like the Waterhog is best because it won’t stay soggy and get mildewy. For drier spots, I don’t mind a natural coir mat.
Texture is everything for getting mud off. A completely flat mat is useless. You need some kind of bristles, grooves, or raised pattern to actually scrape the bottom of your shoes. The deeper the grooves, the better it works on heavy-duty boots.
Finally, it has to be easy to clean. Most of the time, I just want to be able to shake it out or blast it with the garden hose. If I have to get out a scrub brush and soap every time, I’m probably not going to do it, and the mat will just stay gross.
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