The 6 Best Grounding Mats for Boosting Well-Being

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Grounding mats, also called earthing mats, are promoted as offering potential health benefits, such as increased relaxation and improved sleep, thanks to their ability to connect you to the earth’s ground. Since you can use these mats while indoors, they’re particularly helpful in the winter, when walking outside in bare feet is impractical.

While the exact benefits that grounding mats offer aren’t yet scientifically proven, grounding mats are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. They’re affordable and easy to use, and you can place grounding mats on or under your desk, on the floor, in your bed and on your couch. We’ve researched the best grounding mats and even tested a few out for ourselves to help you choose the mat that’s right for your needs. Read on to learn about the different types of mats available, why they may be helpful, and what to consider when buying a grounding mat.

Our Picks for the Best Grounding Mats:

• Best for Grounding Mat for Home Office: Hooga
• Most Effective Grounding Mat: Earthing
• Best Budget-Friendly Grounding Mat: ATE Health Grounding Mat
• Best Large Grounding Mat: Earth and Moon
• Best Grounding Mat for Bed: Earthing Mattress Cover
• Best Grounding Mat for Yoga: Earthing Yoga Mat

Best Grounding Mat for Home Office: Hooga Grounding Mat

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: $39.99
• Placement: On or under a desk
• Material: Conductive carbon infused vegan leather, rubber backing
• Size: 24 x 16 inches

The Hooga grounding mat is conveniently sized and is designed for use at home or in an office. The mat can be placed on the ground underneath a desk, or it can be placed on the desk so you can lean your arms on it while you work. Its compact size makes it easily portable while making it suitable for use in areas where space is limited. Editor Rachel Pasche tested this mat for a few weeks during the workday, using it to stand on while working at a standing desk and also as a mat under her laptop. While the effects weren’t wildly noticeable, she did skip her standard post-work nap during the period when she was testing the Hooga grounding mat, which may allude to improved sleep. She didn’t experience any of the tingling sensations reported by some reviewers.

The mat features a rubber backing for durability. That rubber is topped with a conductive carbon infused vegan leather, making the mat comfortable. The rubber backing also serves to help keep the mat from slipping on a slick surface.

The mat’s simple design makes it easy to use. It includes a 15-foot grounding wire to connect to an electrical outlet, so you’ll have plenty of flexibility about where in the room you want to use the mat. Several reviewers described a tingling sensation both during and after using the mat, but the majority of reviews described positive experiences with the mat.

What we like:

• Compact design
• Soft, non-slip surface
• Crafted with a carbon infused vegan leather surface
• Includes 15-foot grounding wire

What to consider:

• Several users describe a tingling sensation

Most Effective Grounding Mat: Earthing Grounding Mat

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: $69
• Placement: Floor
• Material: Vegan leather vinyl-free PU
• Size: 12.5 x 29 inches

The Earthing grounding mat features a compact design and is marketed for use when sitting or standing. It is made with non-toxic, eco-friendly materials, and features a vegan leather vinyl-free resin infused with carbon pigment for conductivity. This pack comes with two grounding mats, so you can use one for your office and one for your bedroom, or give one to a partner so they can experience grounding for themselves. The mats are thin and light, weighing just 2.09 pounds, so they’re easily portable.

Unlike many other grounding mats, this mat includes an outlet tester that can visually confirm that your wall outlet is wired correctly, and that the mat will be grounded when connected to the outlet. A safety adapter plugs into the wall outlet, and the 15-foot coil cord gives you plenty of flexibility in terms of where you decide to use the mat.

The mat’s compact design creates many potential use opportunities. It can be used while sitting at a desk or in a chair. Earthing’s marketing materials also show the mat used in a bed, though its small size might cause shifting in that scenario.

What we like:

• Includes an outlet checker to make sure outlets are grounded
• Generous mat size
• Made with eco-friendly and non-toxic materials
• Very simple installation
• Includes two mats

What to consider:

• Mat is thin and can crease

Best Budget-Friendly Grounding Mat: ATE Health Grounding Mat

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: $29.98
• Placement: Floor
• Material: Vegan PU leather and foam
• Size: 10 x 26.7 inches

This grounding mat is conveniently sized and can be used in several ways. It can be used as a floor mat underneath a desk or a chair, or it can be placed on a desk and used with bare forearms. The manufacturer also includes photos of it used as a foot mat in bed. Since its cord measures 15 feet long, you don’t have to be right next to an outlet to use it.

This grounding mat kit has several notable features. It includes a grounding wristband for an additional grounding alternative, giving it extra versatility. The mat is advertised as having a built-in 100K OHMS resistor for increased safety, but information on this feature and how it works is very limited.

While this kit includes both a grounding mat and a wrist strap, it only includes one cord, meaning you can only use one item at a time. Sharing one with a friend or family member would require the purchase of a separate cord.

What we like:

• Vegan leather and foam maximize comfort
• 15-foot grounding cord for plenty of positioning options
• Includes a grounding wristband
• Features a built-in OHMS resistor for safety

What to consider:

• Only includes one cord for the mat and wrist strap

Best Large Grounding Mat: Earth and Moon

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: $69.99
• Placement: Bed
• Material: Polyurethane, vegan leather
• Size: 35.43 x 23.62 x 0.06 inches

This generously sized sleep mat is suitable for use in bed or on a couch. It can also be used on a desk or under your feet while sitting, giving you several different use options. The cord size isn’t specified, but the kit does include an outlet tester so you can verify that your outlets are appropriately grounded for use with the mat.

The mat features a polyurethane that is breathable, soft and comfortable, while also being durable. The manufacturer states that the mat won’t scuff or fray, and since the mat is just 0.06 inches thick, it’s thin and flexible enough for use in bed without feeling bulky. The mat can be easily cleaned with a mild soap and water, and won’t lose its conductivity during cleaning.

This kit includes some helpful extras that most brands don’t offer. In addition to the outlet tester, grounding cord, and adapter, it features a cylindrical case useful for mat storage or transportation. Some reviewers noted that the case is made of cardboard, so it may not be highly durable or strong. The kit also includes a lava rock grounding bracelet, and many reviewers praised the quality of the beads.

What we like:

• Includes an outlet tester and case
• Includes a lava rock grounding bracelet
• Large size for multiple usage options
• Easily cleaned with soap and water

What to consider:

• Reviewers report that the case isn’t durable
• Length of the grounding cord isn’t specified

Best Grounding Mat for Bed: Earthing Mattress Cover

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: $239
• Placement: Bed
• Material: Vegan leather and foam
• Size: Available in twin, full and California king

The Earthing Mattress Cover is designed specifically for use in bed, and it solves many of the problems that occur when you try to place a smaller mat in bed. This mat is available in twin, full and California king sizes, so it offers comprehensive coverage for your bed. It also features straps that help to hold it securely to the mattress, preventing it from shifting and bunching during the night.

This mattress cover is made with eco-friendly, non-toxic materials, including a vegan leather vinyl-free PU resin. That resin is infused with carbon pigment for conductivity, and it’s paired with a closed cell foam for cushion and comfort, so it’s ideal for sleeping.

The kit includes a 15-foot coil cord, so you can easily reach a nearby outlet. It also includes a safety adapter and an outlet tester, which many other kits exclude, as well as a copy of the book, Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever.

What we like:

• Available in multiple sizes
• Eco-friendly and non-toxic
• Features vegan leather and foam for comfort
• Straps hold the cover in place

What to consider:

• More expensive than other mats
• Users describe the mat as hot during the summer

Best Grounding Mat for Yoga: Earthing Yoga Mat

Key Features & Specs:

• Price: $89
• Placement: Floor
• Material: Polyurethane, PU leather, natural rubber
• Size: 26 x 71 inches

I received the Earthing Yoga Mat from the manufacturer to review in my home. The mat is packed in a cardboard box, and the instructions, including diagrams, are clearly printed right on the box’s interior. I appreciated that the packaging didn’t contain any plastic bags, styrofoam or other materials that couldn’t be recycled.

The mat is heavier than your typical foam yoga mat, but it’s also larger. It’s made of a combination of polyurethane, PU leather, carbon for connectivity and rubber for cushion. The mat has a dense feel to it, and while it’s comfortable underfoot, I found that it lacked some of the cushion I’d prefer when laid over a hard floor. It’s available in a 3.5-millimeter or five-millimeter thickness, so you can choose the option that you most prefer.

I found that the mat’s smooth surface offered ideal traction, helping to keep me from sliding but not being so “sticky” that I couldn’t move easily on the mat. According to Earthing, the mat’s surface is free of vinyl and phthalates.

The mat includes an outlet checker, and that checker uses a series of lights to indicate whether the outlet is properly grounded. The code for interpreting the lights is printed right on the checker, and I found it very easy to understand. I used the checker on seven outlets in my home and found they were all correctly wired.

Using the mat is very easy. The magnetic snap cord easily attaches to the snap on the underside of the mat, and because the cord is 15 feet long, I didn’t feel at all restricted in terms of where I was able to use the mat.

I tested the mat for about a week, using it for about 30 minutes per day. I did a combination of yoga and sitting on the mat, always in bare feet. I can’t say that I noticed any significant differences in using the mat, but I may have slept better during my last three nights of testing the mat.

What we like:

• Available in two thickness options
• Can be easily cleaned with soap and water
• Includes an outlet checker
• Sustainable packaging

What to consider:

• Mat has a very dense feel

What Is A Grounding Mat?

If you’ve ever enjoyed the relaxing effects of walking outdoors barefoot, you’ve experienced grounding. Grounding, also called earthing, occurs when your skin makes direct contact with the Earth’s surface or with a grounding system. Walking barefoot (and no, wearing barefoot shoes is not the same as going barefoot) is often described as enhancing health and promoting a sense of wellbeing, but walking barefoot outdoors isn’t always practical or safe, especially during the winter.

Grounding mats were created as an alternative. These mats are connected to a grounded wall outlet or a grounding rod in the soil outside of a home. The mat itself is conductive, and it only touches the ground wire of an electrical outlet, which essentially connects it directly to the earth.

By touching your bare skin to the mat, you are grounding your body. Grounding mats can be used as yoga mats, as a standing desk mat, as mats on top of a desk and more. The goal is to touch your bare skin to the mat for a period of time, often for half an hour or more, to enjoy the supposed benefits of grounding.

How Grounding Mats Work

Grounding mats work by creating a connection between your body and the earth. They establish this connection through the grounding port of an electrical outlet. The mats don’t connect to the top two prongs of your electrical outlet, so they don’t conduct electricity.

By creating a connection between your body and the earth, grounding mats simulate the connection you would have when walking barefoot outdoors. The idea is that the earth’s electrons create a natural negative electric charge. By touching your body to the ground, or grounding it, you’ll dissipate static electricity and receive a charge of energy. Essentially, your body synchronizes with the earth’s natural frequencies.

Benefits of Grounding Mats

Grounding mats are marketed as having many purported benefits, including increased relaxation, an improved overall sense of wellness, reduced stress levels, improved circulation and even decreased pain and inflammation. Other suggested benefits include improved mood, better sleep quality and improved wound healing.

Research on whether these claims are accurate is limited. A study published in the Journal of Inflammation Research examined the effects of grounding on inflammation, immune response, wound healing, and the prevention of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The report cited several existing studies, but these studies had limited participants, so their results are not entirely reliable.

For example, one small study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine looked at 12 participants who had pain and difficulty sleeping found that the subjects experienced normalized cortisol profiles and improved sleep when they slept grounded for eight weeks. Another small study published in the Journal of Inflammatory Research of 12 participants suggests that grounding may help to speed healing and reduce pain.

Natural Grounding Techniques

While grounding mats provide a convenient way to ground your body indoors, outdoor activities that involve direct skin contact with the earth can also establish grounding:

• Walking barefoot on grass
• Walking barefoot on the beach
• Sitting outside with bare feet on the ground
• Pressing your bare hands into the earth, such as when gardening
• Swimming in a pond or ocean
• Lying on the grass with your bare arms pressing against the earth

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Grounding Mats

We used the following criteria to choose the best grounding mats.

Material quality

We considered the overall quality of the mat material. Most mats are made of a combination of rubber and leather. We looked for materials that are designed to not only be durable, but that are also comfortable underfoot. We also gave bonus points for mats that had rubber backings to help prevent them from sliding on slick surfaces.

Size of mat

We also evaluated the mat size. In some cases, a smaller mat is more convenient, since it can be used under or on a desk and is easily transported and stored. In other cases, a larger mat, such as a yoga mat, offers more grounding opportunities and can also function as a workout mat. We considered how the mat’s size affected its potential use.

Connection type

Grounding mats have several connection options, including the ability to plug them into an electrical outlet or the ability to connect them to a grounding rod outside of your home. We looked for a connection that was simple and easy to establish, and we also looked for a mat that included a longer connection wire so you didn’t have to use the mat right next to the outlet.

Comfort of use

We considered the mat’s overall comfort, too. We gave bonus points to mats that are highly comfortable, since they encourage prolonged use.

Price

We evaluated mats available at a wide range of price points and considered whether the mat’s price was appropriate in the context of its overall quality, performance, and convenience.

Grounding Mat FAQs

Does grounding your body really work?

There is limited scientific research confirming whether grounding your body has any positive health effects. A 2015 report in the Journal of Inflammatory Research evaluated and summarized several existing studies, but those studies had very small sample sizes, so their findings are unreliable.

How long should I use a grounding mat?

Most manufacturers recommend using a grounding mat for at least 30 minutes per day. The practice of grounding a bed, or using a grounding mat in bed (we suggest pairing the mat with a set of cozy bed sheets), is also becoming popular, allowing you to ground yourself for several hours at a time.

Is it possible to use a grounding mat too much?

Since there is so little research around grounding, there aren’t yet usage guidelines or warnings about potential over-usage.

Do you need bare skin to touch a grounding mat?

Grounding mats are designed to be used with bare skin, so plan on removing your socks or placing the mat against another area of your body, like your bare hands or arms.

Takeaway: Is a Grounding Mat Worth It?

Grounding mats may offer many benefits, from increased relaxation to improved mood and sleep. Research on the true effects of these mats is limited, but plenty of users have written reviews describing positive effects they experienced after using the mats. Our picks for the best grounding mats feature quality construction and designs that work for different uses, from yoga mats to mats that you can place on or under your work desk. If you’re looking for a simple way to reconnect with the world and potentially enjoy health benefits, then you might want to try one of these mats.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.