Best Placemats

best placemats

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Every kitchen and dining room needs a set (or multiple) of cutlery, accessories, and crockery for food preparation and eating. Placemats are an essential component of this kit. These items are typically set on tables or breakfast bars to protect the surface and add a little style to your meals. You can find hundreds of different designs, including mats for dinner plates and coasters for cups and glasses. If you need to replace your existing products or invest in a new set to brighten your food experience, we have selected seven fantastic options in the below guide.

How We Compared Placemats

To find the right placemats, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Style
  • Material
  • Set Inclusion
  • Cleaning

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Placemat Reviews

YANGQIHOME 6 Pack (Editor’s Choice)

These placemats’ unique 100% natural water hyacinth construction looks fantastic but is also highly practical. They are non-slip, heat-resistant, and have anti-scalding properties too. As a result, everyone in the family can use them safely, including children.

The YANGQIHOME Placemats have a circular design, and the weave creates a lovely, traditional pattern. You receive six items in the set, each with a 35cm diameter, which is large enough for any type of dinner plate.

Due to their style, you could use these items for other purposes, too, such as bases for decorations. We like the cleaning capabilities – you can simply shake the excess food crumbs, and the weave is wipeable with a wet cloth. In terms of storage, the mats may not be foldable, but you can stack them quickly, and the textured surface should prevent slips.

Pros:

  • The set includes six circular placemats
  • 35cm diameter to support larger dinner plates
  • Multiple protection features, including anti-scalding
  • Made from 100% natural water hyacinth
  • Easy to clean by wiping with a damp cloth

Cons:

  • The material could take a while to dry after cleaning
  • You might notice an initial strange natural smell

Nikalaz Leather (Luxury Choice)

The premium recycled leather material these placemats are made from adds a dash of elegance and class to your dining. The substance is embossed on the top side, which gives it anti-slip properties but also interweaves a subtle pattern.

Furthermore, the Nikalaz Leather Placemats have fine stitching around the outside that gives a nice contrast to the bold colour of the main surface. In terms of colours, ten different options are available, including dark burgundy, blue, and red.

Within this luxury set, you get four mats and coasters for a complete dining kit. The placemats are rectangular and measure 40 x 30cm, enough for dining plates or serving dishes. We like the slightly rounded corners of both items too. The leather material also makes this set incredibly easy to clean, as you can wipe the top side with a damp cloth.

Pros:

  • Made from 100% natural recycled leather
  • The set includes four placemat and coasters
  • Elegant design that looks stylish in any setting
  • Simple to maintain and quick to wipe
  • Large placemat size

Cons:

  • Some customers might have reported missing placemats
  • The underside may become sticky when wiped

Eono PVC (Best Value)

If you prefer a flexible material that can easily fold, the dual fabric design of these placemats is an excellent option. Constructed from 70% PVC and 30% polyester yarn, they can be rolled up when not in use for convenient storage in your kitchen cupboards.

The Eono Placemats look great and have a simple but attractive two-tone design. There is a central darker colour where your plate goes and a strip on each side with a lighter shade of the same hue. This makes for a pleasant symmetrical pattern.

The dual-material design makes these items wear-resistant and heat-resistant, and they should protect your table surfaces from scratches. Furthermore, they can withstand temperatures of up to 90 degrees Celsius. 

Pros:

  • Each placemat has a two-tone design with similar colour shades
  • Made from 70% PVC and 30% polyester yarn
  • Ample dimensions
  • The material is both heat and water resistant
  • Available as either a set of four or six

Cons:

  • The mats may take a while to unfold fully after delivery
  • Some foods items could be tricky to remove from the yarn

Maison & White Natural Slate (Best for Style)

The natural slate construction and thick design mean this set is highly durable and will last for years. Slate is heat-resistant, too, which helps reduce the chance of burns and protects your worksurfaces and tables.

The Maison & White Placemats include six dinner mats and coasters that measure 30 x 20cm and 10 x 10cm, respectively. Moreover, to prevent slips and damage to your tables, there are four anti-slip feet underneath in each corner.

The dark slate design looks fantastic and will easily match any kitchen or dining room decor you have. Additionally, to accommodate large family sizes, this option is available as a 12pc set.

Pros:

  • Premium natural slate material for excellent longevity
  • The placemats look fantastic and stylish
  • The set includes both plate mats and coasters
  • Easy to clean and quick to dry
  • Large size for the mats and coasters

Cons:

  • You could notice flecks of slate where you store the placemats
  • They may be quite heavy

JTX Faux Leather (Best for Durability)

If you are bored of traditional square or rectangular placemats, the unusual circular shape of this set will prove an attractive option. The edges are rounded, but they have non-standard sides and therefore don’t give a uniform shape – this means they are quirky and will stand out on your table.

The JTX Placemats are constructed from faux leather, which is brilliant for cleaning. Furthermore, it allows for easy storage as you can simply roll them up when not in use. Additionally, each side has a different texture, so they are suitable for multiple purposes.

Within the set, you receive four placemats and coasters; in terms of size, they are both large enough to support any time of crockery. We like that they are available in multiple colours too – the different hues are subtle and will match room schemes easily.

Pros:

  • Non-standard rounded size for a unique set
  • It includes four placemats and coasters
  • Made from high-quality faux leather
  • Quick to clean either with a cloth or soft brush
  • Dual-sided with different textures on each side

Cons:

  • The colour may be different to what’s pictured
  • Some customers might have reported missing placemats

Pimpernel Lunchtime (Best Retro)

If you want to add a dash of retro styling to your mealtimes, the traditional epic designs of these placemats are perfect. Within the set, you get six different coverings – each of which features an iconic city and type of establishment, such as the London Tea Room and Paris Bistro. They look amazing, and the colours are superb too.

The Pimpernel Lunchtime Placemats are not only attractive, but they are also practical. Each item is made from hard-wearing cork with a laminate top surface on which the design is printed. As a result, they are durable but easy to clean. You can simply wipe them with a wet cloth and manually dry them.

The mats are 30.5 x 23cm, which is more than enough for a large dinner plate, and the cork backing helps protect your tables from scratches.

Pros:

  • Each placemat has a different retro design
  • Made from durable and lightweight cork
  • The items are heat-resistant and will protect your work surfaces
  • Easy to clean due to the laminated top
  • Decent rectangular size

Cons:

  • The design could eventually peel off
  • Some customers might have reported damaged products on delivery

Tendak Felt (Best Complete Kit)

The extensive set included in this package is perfect if you have a larger family or regularly have parties. Inside, you receive six large placemats, six circular coasters, and six cutlery bags. The items are well-presented and look fantastic with a simple speckled design and a dark-grey colour.

The Tendak Placemat Set is made from premium polyester felt that is environmentally friendly. Furthermore, it is soft to the touch and suitable for children. This fabric is heat-resistant up to 120 degrees Celsius, so it should also protect your table surfaces.

We like the non-slip properties, which should prevent cutlery and crockery breakages and potentially spilling hot food and drinks. Additionally, this durable felt should last for a long time without fading or degrading.

Pros:

  • Made from environmentally friendly polyester felt
  • They should not fade over time and is durable
  • The set includes cutlery holders, placemats, and coasters
  • The material is non-slip and also absorbs water
  • Simple and elegant speckled design

Cons:

  • Some customers may have reported damaged packaging
  • They might not be the easiest to clean

How to Choose Placemats

As you know, there is a dazzling array of designs and styles, so you may find it difficult to select a set for your home. Fear not – we understand this and can help and have listed four important considerations to make when buying placemats in the buying guide below.

Style

Possibly the most important feature is the style of the placemats. There are hundreds of patterns, colours, and designs to pick from. Some mats have a simple single-colour design, while others may feature photographs. Alternatively, you can buy items made of varying materials to achieve a completely unique look.

Consider the decor in your kitchen and dining room (or where you will use the placemats). You should then be able to select a set that matches or that you simply like the look of.

Material

Next, the material of these accessories plays an important role. There are many common substances placemats are made from, including corkboard, slate, leather, fabric, weave, and felt.

Each has pros and cons, and this is largely personal preference. However, you should consider the viability of the different materials too. For example, weaved placemats are incredibly durable but may not quickly dry when wiped. In contrast, a corkboard with a laminate top is easy to clean but might not be as robust and long-lasting.

Set Inclusion

What is included within the set is essential, as this determines how many people can use it and if you need to acquire any additional items. Commonly, a set contains a minimum of four rectangular placemats you use to dine with. This is seen as the slightest possible amount as it is perfect for a family of four.

In contrast, many sets come with six or more pieces which are great for larger families and parties or used for serving food. Additionally, you can find packages that have coasters and even cutlery holders.

Cleaning

Finally, your placemats will undoubtedly get dirty and require cleaning. Therefore, look at how easy you can wipe them and if they can be automatically washed too.

Some materials are perfect for wiping, such as laminated corkboard and leather. In contrast, other surfaces like felt and weave may be more difficult to sponge.

Summary

Our top pick is the YANGQIHOME 6 Pack Placemats with their incredible style and traditional woven design. In this package, you get six circular placemats with a diameter of 35cm which should be more than enough for even larger dinner plates. The 100% natural water hyacinth material is suitable for all, highly durable and should last for years. Additionally, they have heat-resistance, anti-scalding, and non-slip features to help protect your cutlery and dining table. Lastly, for cleaning, you can simply wipe them with a damp cloth, and they should dry naturally.

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