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A rug pad isn’t just extra cushioning, it’s also a great way to protect your floors from damage and ensure your rug doesn’t move around. The main reason for using a rug is safety.
“A rug pad keeps the rug from moving and prevents people from sliding,” said Tyler Del Vento, founder and principal designer of TDV Design. “It also helps keep the rug flat so it doesn’t lift up at the corners or bunch up in high-use areas.”
To find the best carpet pads, we tested them in our lab. In addition to Del Vento, we also spoke with Debbe Daley, CEO and owner of Debbe Daley Designs, for more information.
We tested 16 carpets, rating them on factors such as efficiency, cushioning, durability, odor, and floor type. For more information on how we test carpets, see the testing process below.
The Loloi Loloi-Grip Carpet Underlay is undoubtedly the best carpet underlay as it has received high marks in tests for durability, quality and value. The carpet underlay is made from recycled materials and is suitable for all types of flooring, including linoleum, tile, carpet and hardwood.
It comes in 13 sizes, from 2 x 4 feet to 12 x 18 feet, allowing you to accommodate a variety of items, even large rugs. At ¼ inch thick, it’s not the most comfortable option, but we still think it provides good cushioning and keeps your rug securely in place.
Wool carpets seem less slippery and safer to walk on if you put a wool rug underneath them. When we tested it, we pushed it with our feet, but it didn’t move. If you need to adjust it to the shape of the carpet, you can use regular scissors, but you’ll have to make small cuts instead of one long, straight cut.
When it comes to vacuuming with a vacuum attachment, we have mixed feelings. Although the carpet will stay in place when vacuuming with an attachment, the best results are achieved by moving the cleaning from the carpet to the floor. If you do the opposite and move from the floor to the carpet, the effect is more difficult, but still doable.
Product Details: Material: Polyester and Polypropylene | Thickness: ¼ inch | Dimensions: 13 sizes (2′ x 4′ to 12′ x 18′) | Floor Compatibility: Carpet, Vinyl, Wood, Linoleum, Tile
At just 0.125″ thick, it doesn’t add much depth, making it ideal for low-pile carpets near doors or high-traffic areas.
Thinner carpet pads aren’t for everyone, but they’re the best choice for smooth, low-pile carpets near doors or in high-traffic areas. The nuLoom Brody Carpet Pad is only 1/8″ thick and is one of our favorite pads because it makes our wool carpets completely slip-resistant.
It also has a nice pattern that makes it easy to cut into straight lines during testing. When we dropped a 35-pound weight on the carpet, it left a noticeable dent after 10 minutes, so it’s probably not a good idea to place it under heavy furniture.
It is Green Label Plus certified, meaning it has low chemical emissions. We didn’t notice any odor even when we looked at it up close. Carpet pads come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including squares, rounds, ovals, and long strips.
Our only problem is the lack of cushioning, which is a plus for providing a gap between the carpet and the door, but it is not suitable for carpets that we often stand on for a long time, such as a kitchen rug. The rugs are available in oval, rectangular, round, oblong and square shapes.
Product Details: Material: Recycled Synthetic Fiber | Thickness: 1/8″ | Sizes: 24 Sizes (2′ x 4′ to 12′ x 15′) | Floor Compatibility: Hardwood, Tile, Laminate, Linoleum, Concrete, Carpet
It will add a comfortable feel to any rug and is available in a variety of thicknesses.
Mohawk Home Anti-Slip Carpet Pads are available in a variety of thicknesses to give your carpet a softer feel. It is made of felt and features a simple grid pattern that helps keep the rug stable thanks to the durable rubber backing.
We tested the ⅜” thick version, which significantly increased the comfort level of the rug—a good choice for areas with heavy use or long periods of standing, such as the kitchen.
Additionally, our tests showed that it is a good choice for placing under heavy furniture, such as a sofa or dining table, as the weight will only exert minimal downward pressure. However, we think it could use some extra grip underneath, as the carpet was a bit slippery when we stepped on it with our feet.
The rug also clumps up when we vacuumed it. Overall, if you’re looking for a comfortable, soft rug to stand on, we think this is one of the best options, although it’s not the most stable.
Product Details: Material: Felt and Rubber | Thickness: ¼”, ⅜”, ½” | Dimensions: 38 sizes (2′ x 10′ to 12′ x 15′) | Floor Compatibility: Carpet, Hardwood, Vinyl, Laminate, Tile
The RugPadUSA Cloud Comfort memory foam pad outperformed many pads we tested and was one of our favorites. First, it’s 7/16″ thick, so it’s soft and supportive. If you’re looking for a flatter option, a ¼″ thicker option is available.
It’s also water-resistant, so it can protect your wood floors from moisture if a liquid spill occurs. In our testing lab, the carpet pad did a great job of stabilizing a slippery, deep-pile carpet. It also makes vacuuming easier by holding the carpet in place, which is good because not many of the options we tested were vacuum-friendly.
During weight tests, we noticed some minor indentations on the pads. While these indentations will disappear within 10 minutes, we do not recommend placing heavy furniture on the carpet as this may cause deeper grooves to form over time that are difficult to remove.
Keep in mind that this mat is more expensive than many of the other items we’ve selected. But we think this mat is worth the money if you’re looking for great cushioning and quality. Available in 26 sizes.
Product Details: Material: Memory Foam | Thickness: 7/16″ or ¼” | Sizes: 24 sizes (4′ x 6′ to 12′ x 18′) | Floor Compatibility: Hardwood, Polyurethane Finish, Stone, Tile, Concrete, Laminate, Vinyl
These rug clips from Gorilla Grip attach to floors and rugs to prevent rug edges from curling on hardwood floors. In our testing, we liked how well they held the rug in place and reduced wrinkling; we were also able to vacuum the rug without any issues.
We tested the stickiness of the Gorilla Grips by removing the adhesive and reapplying it to a different area of ​​the carpet after 10 minutes. While we found that the strips still stuck to the carpet, we’re not sure if they’ll remain effective after long-term use.
We also noticed that it took a lot more effort to get the gripper off the floor than we expected. But the good news is that we didn’t notice any residue or damage to the floor. We also didn’t notice any strong odors. Important note: these are only suitable for hard floors, not carpets.
Product Details: Material: Not Specified | Thickness: Not Specified | Size: 8″ x 2″ per strip | Floor Compatibility: Hard Floors
Our top recommendation is the Loloi Loloi-Grip Carpet Pad, as it outperformed other carpet pads we tested, earning top marks for durability, quality, and value. Plus, it’s comfortable and provides plenty of cushioning.
We first evaluated the rugs without pads to ensure an accurate comparison. We pulled them apart and pushed them with our feet to see how much movement they had. We then walked on the rug to assess cushioning, support, and stability. We also vacuumed all of the rugs.
When we started using the carpet pad, we unpacked it, checked it for strong odors, and placed it under a test rug. If necessary, we cut the carpet pad to size with regular or utility scissors, paying attention to the ease of cutting.
We repeated the steps we took at the beginning of the test, this time placing the pad under the carpet and recording our observations of the difference in feel and stability.
Finally, we placed a 35-pound dumbbell in the center of the carpet (with the carpet on top) to simulate furniture. After 10 minutes, we removed the weight and checked the carpet and pad to make sure they had retained their shape.
RugpadUSA rugs are made from natural rubber and are easily cut to size with regular scissors. The cushion is soft, making the rug springy and comfortable to walk on. However, while it is non-slip, it does not hold corners very well, which can create a tripping hazard.
If you’re looking for a simple mat with good traction, this is a great choice. In our testing, the mat held up well, but the edges didn’t hold up very well. Another downside is that the mat moved around a lot when we vacuumed. It also doesn’t have much cushioning.
This mat is perforated for easy cutting and is very thick. What we like is that there is no smell, even at close range. However, we found that the carpet backing did not provide enough grip, causing the carpet to slide during testing.
The best rug materials are felt, rubber, or a combination of the two, says Del Vento. Felt rugs with a rubber backing offer the best of both worlds. “The rubber holds both the rug and the floor securely in place, preventing the rug from shifting,” she says.
She added that carpeting made from synthetic materials may release gases or potentially harmful chemicals into the air. “I recommend looking for carpeting that is labeled as ‘low VOC’ and/or made from natural materials,” Del Vento says.
When choosing carpet with an adhesive backing, she advises buyers to make sure that solvent-based adhesives are not used, which can damage the surface of the wood floor.
Carpet pads are typically between ¼ and ½ inches thick. The ideal thickness depends on the type of carpet, where it is installed, and personal preference. Del Vento says there are no hard and fast rules, but he notes that “in general, low-pile carpeting should have thinner pads.”
When choosing the right rug, the type of floor is important. For hardwood, tile, or stone floors, felt or rubber-backed felt can provide both cushioning and stability. “Make sure the rug backing doesn’t have any solvents, adhesives, or coatings that could react with the floor surface,” says Del Vento.
If you have vinyl flooring, you should always check the label to make sure the rug you choose is compatible. For heated floors, Daly recommends choosing natural rubber and felt, as they won’t melt or stick to the floor, but will allow heat to penetrate the surface of the rug.
When choosing rugs, the first thing to consider is their thickness. “For plain weave rugs, use a ¼-inch thick pad because plain weave rugs are thinner,” says Daly. “Using a thicker pad will only add height to the rug and create a tripping hazard.”
Rug padding should generally be 1 to 1 1/2 inches smaller than the rug itself, since the padding shouldn’t show through. To ensure a proper fit, use collecting paper to draw straight lines on the rug padding, then trim it with heavy-duty scissors, says Del Vento.
Daly adds, “If the carpet is very thick, dense, and has a high pile, the pad length and width should be at least 3 inches shorter to avoid tripping. For higher pile carpets, using a smaller pad will allow the edges of the carpet to lie flat on all sides.”
Carpet pads protect floors and carpets from damage caused by everyday use and wear and tear from heavy furniture. They also provide extra cushioning, making the carpet more comfortable, and prevent it from sliding across the floor, minimizing the chance of tripping.
No, carpet pads won’t make your carpet softer, but they do improve the comfort of your carpet by adding cushioning, Daly says. This can improve the condition of your legs and feet, especially if you stand for long periods of time.