When you’re searching for car floor mats, there are two main types that people tend to use: rubber floor mats and 3D floor mats. Whether you use custom fit car floor mats, OEM vehicle floor mats, or sophisticated carpet mats, it is important to consider that each type will offer unique advantages. And while rubber floor mats and 3D floor mats may seem similar to the uninitiated car owner, both have their own set of benefits that make them ideal for different situations.
In this article, we’ll differentiate the two and highlight situations wherein these two types of car floor mats perform best. Here’s a look at the key differences between these two types of car floor mats:
Rubber floor mats are the more traditional type of car floor mat. They’re usually made from PVC or another similar material, and they offer a few key benefits:
Rubber floor mats are designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear. They won’t fade or break down as easily as other materials, which makes them a good choice for people who are looking for a long-term solution.
Rubber floor mats can be wiped down or vacuumed with ease, which makes them low-maintenance and easy to keep clean.
The textured surface of rubber floor mats can help to prevent slipping, which is a plus if you live in an area with snowy or icy winters.
3D floor mats are a newer type of car floor mat that’s usually made from foam and other composite materials. They offer the following key benefits:
The foam material that 3D floor mats are made from is soft and cushiony, which makes them more comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.
3D floor mats can be ordered in a custom size and shape to fit your specific car, which gives you a perfect fit and eliminates the need for a trim.
3D floor mats come in a variety of different designs, colors, and textures, so you can find one that matches your car’s interior perfectly.
So, which type of car floor mat is best for you? If you’re looking for an affordable, durable, and low-maintenance option, rubber floor mats are a good choice. If you’re looking for something more comfortable and stylish, 3D floor mats are a better option, especially because 3D floor mats can also offer the same benefits that come with rubber car floor mats. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Depending on a range of factors, such as personal life, occupation, location, and frequency of use, you can maximize ROI on your car floor mats by knowing which one is most suitable for your daily use.
If, for instance, you are an engineer, farmer, or construction worker, and are in and out of your car often in the field, rubber floor mats would be better because they are durable and easy to clean. That being said, 3D floor mats are just as easy to clean as well.
If you have a pet, 3D floor mats would be best because of the superior traction they offer over rubber floor mats; this will help keep your pet from slipping around inside the car. And if you are a parent with small children, 3D floor mats with a custom fit are ideal, because they will keep your child from slipping and make it difficult for them to remove the car floor mats on their own.
For those who live in places with colder climates, 3D floor mats are the way to go because they offer better insulation than rubber floor mats. This will help keep your feet warmer in the winter months. While for those who live in regions where there is heavy snowfall or the rainy season is all year round, rubber floor mats are the best option as they can withstand constant moisture and will not easily break down. 3D floor mats, when excellently manufactured, can also handle extreme temperature changes.
In general, 3D floor mats offer more advantages than rubber floor mats, but there are still some situations where rubber floor mats would be the better choice. It comes down to understanding your needs and selecting the type of car floor mat that will work best for you:
When it comes to cost, most rubber floor mats are cheaper.
Durability-wise, rubber floor mats will hold up for a long time, but 3D floor mats are just as durable against wear and tear such as heavy foot traffic, frequent spoilage, and spillage.
As for the fit, 3D car floor mats are – without question – the better choice when compared to rubber floor mats or any other mats for that matter. This is because customized 3D floor mats are designed to fit the exact contours of your vehicle.
And when we consider style or aesthetics, 3D floor mats are also often better than most rubber floor mats on the market, as these modern floor mats offer a sense of luxury and a polished interior finish to most vehicles.
Whichever type of car floor mat you choose, make sure to read the care instructions carefully so that you can keep them looking and performing their best for as long as possible.
If you’re looking to buy 3D floor mats for your vehicle, but are unsure which of the top choices will give you top value for your money, then here’s a comparison chart to help you decide. In this table, we compare and contrast three other popular 3D floor mats in the market with our very own KAGU MAXpider. The factors that we’ll consider include:
Style, involves the 3D floor mat’s design such as sporty , l rugged, or delicate, among others.
Material pertains to the material that the 3D floor mat is made from, such as flat rubber, compressed rubber strings, TPR, TPE, or any of the variety of materials available.
Weight how heavy or light the 3D floor mat.
Price or cost of the 3D floor mats (subject to change, of course).
Durability or how much can the 3D floor mat endure and how it fares against wear and tear.
Eco-friendliness, which pertains to whether or not the 3D floor mat is harmful to the environment, how safe it is to use, or how the product is made of non-toxic materials.
3D Mats KAGU MAxpider
Weathertech 3D Floor Mats
Tesmanian All-Weather Floor Mat
AMIACOR All-Weather Floor Liner
Style
Black carbon fiber design texture with a premium feel
Black rubbery texture with sneaker sole traction patterns
Black rubberized plastic texture and basic vertical lines
Black basic footrest design with a rubberized texture
Material
Top material is made from waterproof thermoplastic rubber, while the middle layer is made from a semi-hard XPE foam, and the bottom layer is the patented MAXpider anti-skid technology
TPE or thermoplastic elastomer
TPE or thermoplastic elastomer (tri-extruded composition)
TPE or thermoplastic elastomer
Weight
5 pounds
8 pounds
15 pounds
5.24 pounds
Price
$146.56-$185.69 (custom-fit depends on car model and year)
$117.99
$149.99
$148.93
Durability
Highly durable
Durable
Durable
Highly durable
Eco-friendliness
100% odorless, non-toxic, and BPE-free; improved soundproofing with the middle layer’s cushioning
100% odorless, non-toxic, and BPE-free
100% odorless, non-toxic, and BPE-free
100% odorless, non-toxic, and BPE-free
It’s also worth noting how the prices can change depending on one’s vehicle, especially for custom-fit floor liners. If price is an important factor for you as a car owner, it helps to consider the benefits are worth the cost. Durability alone can bring in a good ROI as these car mats can last for years with properly maintained.
Given a wide range of options when it comes to choosing floor mats for your vehicle, it helps to know which of these factors are important to you. Consider the unique advantages and how each floor mat will perform, whether it’s rubber or 3D floor mats. That being said, choose the 3D floor mats that give you the functionality you desire while also going for the design or style that you want to see every time you get into your vehicle.
A custom-fit 3D car floor mat like the KAGU will always fit the exact interior contours of your vehicle’s flooring because it’s digital measured to be that precise. Its carbon fiber design texture adds to the premium feel of the material and gives your vehicle that natural flooring look.
Given the benefits of 3D floor mats, we know that our products can provide you with an improved driving experience for a better quality of life, especially if you get into your car daily. Not only does our product line, such as the KAGU, offer top-tier comfort through the middle layer’s cushioning, but it also allows you to enjoy less foot fatigue while dampening noise. Meanwhile, the top layer gives your vehicle the style and protection that your interior flooring needs through a carbon fiber texture design made from thermoplastic rubber. And lastly, the bottom layer, which features our patented Maxpider tech, keeps your car floor mats secured in place to prevent skidding for safer driving.
The custom-fit 3D floor mat is designed to fit into your vehicle as if it were factory-made, which gives your interior flooring that sleek, durable, and comfortable ride. Enjoy different color options and unique benefits from each type of custom fit car floor mats in-store.
Check our products and don’t hesitate to send us a message for any inquiries. Be sure to also visit our blogs page for more on car floor mats!
A good floor mat helps keep your vehicle clean and tidy.
Written and Tested By:
Aidan Pounder Aidan PounderAidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
Reviewed By:
Charles NoyesMotor1 Reviews Team Take:
While vehicles come pre-equipped with car floor mats, they may not be the best option for keeping your vehicle’s floor clean. The original equipment manufacturer includes floor mats for new cars that may be more for decoration than weather protection.
In this article, we recommend the best car floor mats for cars based on hands-on product testing. Our testing included custom and universal floor mats, or universal-fit mats, in our search to find the highest-quality coverage.
For this review, our team thoroughly tested and evaluated each car floor mat based on fit, durability, stability, and water retention. The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars.
Based on our review criteria, the best car floor mats are the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats, VIWIK TPE Floor Mats, Caterpillar CAT CAMT-9013, WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit, Armor All 78840ZN All Season Floor Mat, OxGord Car Floor Mats, and CustoArmor Tisse Collection.
Brand/ModelCostOverall RatingAwardSmartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats$141.905.0Best Floor Mat for CarsVIWIK TPE Floor Mat$130.894.8Most DurableCaterpillar CAT CAMT-9013$41.624.5Best Rubber Floor MatsWeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit$604.2Best Flat-Lying Floor MatsArmor All 78840ZN All Season Floor Mat$29.993.8Best Car Mats for WinterOxGord Car Floor Mats$27.953.6Best Affordable Car MatsCustoArmor Tisse Collection$2693.3Best Custom Car Mats*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
The car floor mats in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Advance Auto Parts, Amazon, RealTruck, and various other floor mat retailers for top products, looking at factors such as material, fit, customer ratings, and prices.
Our product testing team then ordered the car floor mats that best met these standards. The mats we selected had prices ranging from around $20 to $270. A team member tested each product on a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE, taking note of how well the car floor mats fit our testing vehicle, durability, movement while driving, and water retention. Each car floor mat was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested floor mats here.
The Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mat is our top choice due to its fit inside our test vehicle, water retention, and lack of movement. This car floor mat fit easily into place and covered the entirety of the vehicle’s floor.
Despite being one of the two car floor mats we tested that didn’t feature anti-slip nibs, the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats did not move at all during use. Regardless of our tester’s foot positioning or whether they dragged their feet, this car floor mat wouldn’t budge an inch.
The Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats are easy to install. The high-edge rims retain any water dragged into the car, and the molded custom-fit design collects any dust or debris from the bottom of your shoes. The only drawback to this product is that it’s notably more expensive than most other options.
You can see how the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability5.0Stability5.0Water Retention5.0Overall Rating5.0Below are the pros and cons of the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats:
Pros
Cons
Custom-fit and perfectly molded for the interior of our test vehicle, the Smartliner floor mats could not have been sized any better. Every square inch of the car’s carpet was covered, including the side walls of the vehicle.
While researching the best car floor mats, our team found that the overwhelming majority of these products had a strong rubber-like odor that could linger in your car’s interior for weeks. This was not the case with the Smartliner floor mats – there was absolutely no odor and no smell of rubber out of the box.
Durability
While we didn’t test the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats over an extended period of time, we did note the material the mats were made out of and its flexibility to determine the floor mat’s durability. The low-density polyethylene material makes for a long-lasting and durable floor mat.
Stability
With its molded design, the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats did not move at all throughout the testing process.
Water retention
The water retention of the Smartliner was head and shoulders above the rest of the car floor mats we tested.
Many find these car mats fit perfectly and are pleased with their durability. There are a few customers who note there are no spikes on the reverse side of this car mat. That means it can slide around some.
The VIWIK TPE Floor Mats come in a close second for our favorite floor mats. These thick, durable floor mats offer excellent coverage and water retention. They are sized to fit and were a near-perfect match for our test vehicle (a 2018 Ford Fusion).
These floor mats are a significant upgrade from factory floor mats and stand out because of the full back seat coverage they offer. VIWIK floor mats are a good pick if you anticipate lots of backseat spills.
The VIWIK floor mats proved easy to install and fit almost perfectly. The driver-side mat seems a bit large and does impact (very slightly) the feel of the pedals. Thankfully, these mats did not hinder our ability to use the pedals. However, the large size of these mats positions your feet a little further from the pedals than the factory mats, which can take some acclimation to get used to.
You can see how the VIWIK TPE Floor Mat performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability5.0Stability5.0Water Retention4.5Overall Rating4.8Below are the pros and cons of the VIWIK TPE Floor Mat:
Pros
Cons
These floor mats fit well in the front and back of our test vehicle. The only sizing issue is that the driver’s side mat is a little large. This does not present a huge issue, but slightly changes the feel of driving the vehicle compared to the factory mats.
The TPE material used to construct these VIWIK mats is odorless. Even when brand new, these mats don’t stink.
Durability
These mats are all-weather and resistant to all manner of spills, dirt, and debris.
Stability
Due to the large size and grip design, VIWIK mats do not slip at all once installed. Even when wet, these floor mats remain firmly where they belong.
Water retention
The VIWIK mats use a cupped design which improves water retention. In the back seat, VIWIK mats cover most of the floor so that there is no space for water to leak.
While the VIWIK floor mats have a high price tag, most reviewers feel the cost is worth it. Many claim these mats fit like a glove and are impressed by the durability and large coverage area. The VIWIK mats are also praised for being easy to install.
As we did, some reviewers commented that the driver’s side floor mat is not completely flush with the floor.
*SuncentAuto promotional code valid through 4/28/24
The design of the Caterpillar CAT CAMT-9013 car floor mat separates it from the competition. Although not custom fit to our test vehicle, the floor mats covered nearly all of the vehicle’s carpet. The CAT CAMT-9013 floor mats are perfect for a pickup truck or off-road vehicle that sees tons of dirt, debris, and slush dragged into the vehicle’s interior.
Our team was impressed with the design of this three-piece Caterpillar set. Both the front mats and the backseat mats provided coverage over the test vehicle’s carpet floor mats. Additionally, the backseat car floor mats were the best-fitting and offered the most water retention compared to the other backseat car floor mats that we tested.
You can see how the Caterpillar CAT CAMT-9013 performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.5Stability4.5Water Retention4.5Overall Rating4.5Below are the pros and cons of the Caterpillar CAT CAMT-9013:
Pros
Cons
The trim-to-fit design of these floor mats meant that after a few adjustments, the mats were a near-perfect fit in our test vehicle. These weather mats were one of our top picks in the automotive industry due to how well they fit and the high-edge retention walls.
Featuring high-quality polymers, there was little to no smell from these non-toxic, BPA-free car floor mats. The product description explains that regardless of the heat and if all doors are closed, these mats have no odor and it is safe to sit in the vehicle. Through our testing, we found this to be true.
Durability
The specially designed weather rubber is stain-resistant and can handle just about any type of mess that you drag into your car.
Stability
Whether our product tester shuffled his feet or purposely attempted to dig his feet into the heel pad to move the floor mats, he could barely manage to make these floor mats shift or move at all. However, they are not affixed into place so may shift slightly.
Water retention
Due to its rugged ridges and high walls, the CAT CAMT-9013 car floor mats held water exceptionally well. Though not as good as the Smartliner car floor mats we tested, these mats were head and shoulders above others when it came to water retention.
The majority of reviewers like this car mat because it works and is inexpensive. This car floor mat protects upholstery and is easy to clean. Some do feel that these mats are thin and won’t hold up indefinitely.
The WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit Floor Mat was one of our review team’s favorite mats to use and test. These car floor mats prove that you don’t need a complicated design for a car floor mat.
The water retention of the car floor mats is good considering that there aren’t high retention walls on the mats. Although there are driver-side and passenger-side-specific mats, the fit in our test vehicle wasn’t as precise as other options.
Our testing team was pleasantly surprised at the versatility of these WeatherTech car floor mats. Without being too bulky or needing high retention walls, these best-selling car floor mats do a great job of keeping dirt, debris, and messes within the confines of the floor mat itself.
You can see how the WeatherTech Universal performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.0Stability5.0Water Retention3.5Overall Rating4.2Below are the pros and cons of the WeatherTech Universal Floor Mat:
Pros
Cons
The trim-to-fit design of the floor mats meant that after making some adjustments, these floor mats fit well in our test vehicle. Though we hoped for a more closely fitting floor mat due to the specific side of the car design of each front mat, these mats fit relatively well.
These car floor mats are made out of a virtually odorless latex material. Through unboxing and testing, we noticed little-to-no odor of rubber.
Durability
Built from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), we didn’t need to test these mats over an extended period of time to know they’ll last. These mats are up to ISO 9001 and FMVSS302 standards, meaning you can trust that they will last for a long time.
Stability
With its patented MatGrip retention device, there was absolutely no movement from these car floor mats. Molded-in nibs attached to the bottom of the mats provide further peace of mind that they won’t move or slip under your pedals.
Water retention
Our team was pleasantly surprised at the water retention of the WeatherTech car floor mats. However, other mats performed slightly better in this category. Due to the shape of these mats, they will not hold back as much water as a cupped design.
Most point out how easy it is to clean WeatherTech floor mats. The rubber is very thick and effectively keeps water off your carpet.
The Armor All 78840ZN All Season Floor Mat is the only sub-zero weather-specific floor mat that we tested. These car floor mats are designed to withstand temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit without the mats curling, cracking, or hardening.
The car floor mats feature patent-pending anti-slip technology in the form of the Carpet Claw, which secures the mats in place and prevents them from moving. Additionally, the floor mats are manufactured by an industry leader in car care for the past 50 years.
Through rigorous testing, we found the Armor All 78840ZN All Season Floor Mat to be a great option for car floor protection.
You can see how the Armor All 7880ZN performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.0Stability4.0Water Retention3.5Overall Rating3.8Below are the pros and cons of the Armor All 7880ZN:
Pros
Cons
The trim-to-fit design of these floor mats meant that there were adjustments needed for the mats to fit. After cutting and trimming, the mats worked well in our test vehicle.
Though other car floor mats came with notices in the product description about the potential odor of the mat, these did not. Upon unboxing this product, our testing team was met with a strong odor of burnt rubber and chemicals. However, following testing, these car floor mats no longer smelled at all. We recommend letting the mats air out before installing them in your vehicle.
Durability
Made from heavy-duty rubber, these car floor mats are built to withstand sub-zero temperatures without losing their original form. They are built to last.
Stability
There was little to no movement of these car floor mats when kicked or when feet were shuffled.
Water retention
Though the retention walls were of average height, these car floor mats performed well in our water retention test. Our team credits the slats in the design of this car floor mat with retaining water.
Reviewers appreciate the value of the Armor All floor mats. They are durable and thick, refusing to curl or crack in even the most extreme temperatures. Some think the backseat mats are a little small, especially in larger vehicles like SUVs.
The OxGord Car Floor Mat is a great option if you’re looking for a car floor mat that won’t break the bank. These were some of the cheapest car floor mats that we tested, though the price doesn’t reflect the quality of the mats. The product is simple, yet effective.
The OxGord mats come in several color options, including ridge-black, beige, and gray.
Our product testing team was surprised at the durability of the OxGord car floor mats, though we were hoping for a better fit inside our test vehicle. Though the mats don’t feature high retention walls or anti-slip technology, they work well at keeping your car’s carpet clean and will stay in place.
Albeit being about $5 more expensive than the Armor All floor mats, these are a cheap option for everyday use as opposed to the Armor All 78840ZN, which are designed specifically for winter use.
You can see how the OxGord floor mats performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.0Stability4.0Water Retention3.0Overall Rating3.6Below are the pros and cons of the OxGord Car Floor Mat:
Pros
Cons
Featuring a trim-to-fit design, these car floor mats weren’t as wide as we were hoping. Though trimming down the mats with a pair of kitchen scissors made them fit our test vehicle better, especially on the driver’s side, they left a little too much of the car’s carpet uncovered for our liking.
The product description details state that you will likely need to air these mats out before installation. This is due to the fact that the OxGord Car Floor Mats come fresh from the factory, and smell like it. The reason this floor mat didn’t score lower on our odor criteria was because of the notice in the product description.
Durability
Made from an advanced formula rubber, these mats should last a long time. The high-quality rubber mats are relatively lightweight, but our team believes they’ll stand the test of time.
Stability
Although the bottom of the floor mats features relatively understated anti-slip technology, our team could barely get the mats to shift under our feet. The OxGord car floor mats prove that you don’t need fancy designs to keep your floor mats in one place.
Water retention
Though these car floor mats will be easy to clean, they won’t be great at keeping slush, snow, or water off of your vehicle’s carpet. The low height of the exterior retention walls means dirt and water can slosh out of the mat itself and onto the car’s carpet.
Large grooves make this mat easy to clean. Several reviewers mention that these floor mats seem especially durable for the price. Like us, a few people say the OxGord floor mats don’t perfectly fit their vehicle.
The CustoArmor Tisse Collection is an incredibly high-quality car floor mat. It features the classic diamond design that CustoArmor is known for but dons an updated facelift. With several color combinations to choose from, it’s clear to see why the Tisse Collection is our pick for the Best Custom Car Mats in 2024.
CustoAmor offers free worldwide shipping on its Tisse Collection of car floor mats, with an ETA of only 15 to 20 days. You can pick any combination of front seat, back seat, trunk, and even seat back mats for full protection of your car’s interior.
The CustoArmor Tisse Collection was easily the most stylish car floor mat that we’ve tested. Its eye-catching design and odorless material make it a great option to give your car’s interior a facelift.
You can see how the CustoArmor Tisse Collection performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability3.5Stability3.5Water Retention3.0Overall Rating3.3Below are the pros and cons of the CustoArmor Tisse Collection:
Pros
Cons
This floor mat features a custom-fit design specially built for one of our testing vehicles, a 2009 BMW X5. However, we deducted points in this category as it didn’t fit the interior cabin as well as other custom-fit floor mats we’ve tested.
We were pleased with the fact that there were no warnings of foul odors emanating from the floor mat in the product description nor from customer reviews. We also didn’t smell anything while testing this car floor mat.
Durability
Made from woven carbon fiber, these car floor mats feel incredibly well-made. Due to its lack of ability to hold water within the mat itself and its propensity to slide, we think you’d wear through these mats quicker than you’d expect. That said, those who choose to purchase from CustoArmor probably aren’t looking for as much weather resistance as style, so a lower rating in this category should not deter certain drivers.
Stability
One of the main drawbacks to this car floor mat is the fact that it slips underneath your feet. While we don’t believe these mats will slip and bunch up to the point it affects your driving, it’s something to be wary of.
Water retention
Although this CustoArmor car floor mat is eye-catching, it isn’t designed for water retention. If you’re looking for a floor mat to contain all of the dirt, water, and debris that you drag into your car, this mat isn’t the best choice.
With a few hundred reviews on the manufacturer’s website, customers seemingly have nothing but positive things to say about the CustoArmor Tisse Collection. Reviewers speak to how well these mats fit their car and the quality of material used in construction. A large number of reviewers also mention the quality of CustoArmor’s customer service team.
Those with negative feedback complain the mats arrived creased, but several note that a steamer solves this problem.
After we tested several options ranging in price, we determined that Smartliner offers the best floor mats for most with the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats because they’re built to fit your specific make and model and offer unmatched water retention.
Unless your vehicle comes with high-quality rubber or plastic floor mats, upgrading is generally a good idea. Not only does a premium floor mat protect your carpet, but can make cleaning spills much easier.
Our team recently connected with Robert Harper, Director of Product Development and Tech Support at detailing company Ziebart International, and he gave us some insight into floor mat material that professional detailers appreciate.
“I recommend [plastic floor mats] to everybody,” he said. “Some trucks are now coming with things like the Weather Guard floor mats, but if yours didn’t I would strongly recommend [upgrading]. Because you can spill that gallon of milk in there and then just pick up the floor mat and dump it out. And they’re easy to clean as well – easy for us [professional detailers] to clean. And they keep the floors looking much better in the long run.”
The best car floor mat depends on your needs. Are you looking for a floor mat to decorate the interior of your vehicle? Do you want a mat that’s going to protect your car’s carpet and is easy to clean? Consider the following before making your purchase.
Not every driver is worried about the coverage of the driver’s side floor mat, but rather the backseat. With kids and all manner of sporting equipment and other gear commonly occupying the backseat, we tested not only the front mats but also the backseat mats in determining our rating for our sizing criteria.
Pictured below are each company’s backseat mats so you can decide for yourself whether they will offer as much coverage as you need.
The best car floor mat for your vehicle is one that fits it well, lasts long, and doesn’t move while you’re driving. We stand by all of our recommendations as we’ve physically tested each of the floor mats listed above. We recommend products from a variety of price points for a range of needs and wants.
Here are our picks for the best floor mats for cars in 2024:
Below are some common frequently asked questions about floor mats for cars:
After thoroughly researching and testing the best floor mats for cars, we found that the Smartliner Custom Fit floor mats were the best. The Smartliner mats dominated our various tests and were a noticeably better option than other floor mats we tested.
The WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit that we tested is certainly worth the price for many buyers. While other car floor mats may be better equipped to handle adverse weather conditions, the WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit strikes a nice balance between standard and heavy-duty floor mats.
Floor liners, by definition, must be custom-fitted to your vehicle. This means that floor liners offer more comprehensive coverage over your car’s carpet and better water retention than standard car floor mats.
Mats or liners with a non-slip backing are preferred to help minimize any movement within the vehicle’s footwell. Rubber mats are simpler to clean, although carpeted mats allow drivers to match their vehicle’s upholstery.
To test car floor mats, we installed them in our test vehicle. In some cases, we trimmed mats to fit as suggested by the instructions. Once installed, we assessed each floor mat’s water retention, stability, and overall durability.
Stability
A car floor mat should not move as little as possible once installed. Some floor mats come with hooks, velcro, and other fastening mechanisms to ensure it doesn’t shift while driving. Taking each floor mat for a test drive, we noted how much each floor mat slipped, if at all.
Floor mats that remain completely stationary score best in this category.
Water Retention
To mimic dirt, grime, and slush that’s dragged into the vehicle cabin, we poured water into each floor mat, noting how much it could hold or absorb. Floor mats able to hold the largest volume of water score best in this category.
Durability
We bent, folded, and manipulated each floor mat to test its durability. We also considered online customer reviews to get an idea of the longevity of each floor mat. Floor mats made of the toughest materials, and with many customer reports of longevity score best in this category.
How We Score Products
Every floor mat we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here’s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
Aidan PounderAidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
Charles NoyesAs a member of both the APA and IMPA, Charles Noyes has devoted himself to creating and refining quality content covering automotive products and accessories, motorcycle products, RV products, and more. As the lead editor serving the product review team, he has personally reviewed, critiqued, and fact-checked over 200 product reviews.