The 8 Best Non Slip Bath Mats

For a smooth tub, the Gorilla Grip Clear is the safe default. Hundreds of small suction cups cover the underside, the top has a soft pebble feel, and drain holes run end to end so water doesn't pool beneath it. It goes in the washer on cold and dries hung over the tub edge. Gorilla Grip warns against tiled, textured or freshly refinished floors and bath oils. It's a bit short for a long tub.

Long tubs leave bare spots that shorter mats miss, and the SlipX Power Grip stretches from the drain end toward the back slope. Its suction cups are big and soft, and wide six-sided drain holes let water run off quickly. It's washer-safe and comes in more than a dozen colors. SlipX has sold bath safety gear for decades. The claim of a stronger hold rests on its own comparison, and the cups won't stick over bumps or grout lines.

Rubbermaid's commercial arm sells the Rubbermaid Safti-Grip for gyms, pools and hotel showers, and it brings that sturdier rubber build home. It's made without latex, the top has a ribbed texture for bare feet, and a dense grid of cups holds it down. The seller says it's treated to resist mildew. This medium size suits a stall or the standing spot in a tub. There are no drain holes, so lift it out to dry.

Covering a whole tub floor doesn't have to cost much, and the YINENN Clear proves it. The clear vinyl has a pebble top, about 200 suction cups underneath and drain holes across the sheet, and it can go through the washer. The seller makes few claims beyond that and there's no maker site to check them against, which is the trade-off here. Like any suction mat, it needs a smooth, clean floor.

Textured, pebbled and tiled floors defeat suction cups, so the SlipX Weighted skips them. It stays put through sheer heft and small grippy pads underneath, and SlipX says it won't float up in a full tub. Open slats and channels let water drain, and soft nubs on top steady bare feet. Proof of its grip comes only from the maker. It costs a lot more than vinyl mats and is heavy to lift out and dry.

Shower stalls call for a square, and the Yimobra Square fits the floor of a typical stall. A cluster of drain holes sits at the center, over the usual drain spot, and suction cups fill the underside. Yimobra says to scrub the floor first and press the mat down at several spots. It washes on cold without bleach. It won't hold on tile, mosaic or natural stone, which can hide tiny pores.

Bath time with a toddler is what the Munchkin Soft Spot was made for. The cushioned foam is kind to knees, a curved ridge pattern gives small feet some grip, and suction cups hold it to a smooth tub. Munchkin markets it for grown-ups as well. Foam holds more water than vinyl, so hang it up to dry between baths. No mat replaces an adult within arm's reach of a child in the water.

Adults with sore feet or stiff knees tend to want something softer underfoot, like the Clorox by Duck Foam, a thick, open-weave foam pad. Suction cups hold it to a smooth tub, and it goes in the washer on a gentle cold cycle. Duck says its mildew-fighting treatment only protects the mat, not the people standing on it. Rinse both sides after each bath and hang it to dry. Bath oils make it slide.