The 10 Best Tatami Mats
Special Honors
Haiku Designs Raku Tatami Mat The Haiku Designs Raku Tatami Mat was made to go on top of the company's Raku Tatami platform bed and makes a good alternative to a box spring. It consists of four layers of tightly-woven grass straw that has good breathability and a light, pleasant aroma. haikudesigns.com
Life Changing Products Sleeping Japanese Mat Made with some of the traditional materials associated with tatamis, the Life Changing Products Sleeping Japanese Mat has a rush grass surface, foam filling, and cotton edges, so it stays cool while providing support. The sections of this durable choice fold up and stack on top of each other for easy storage, and it has a moisture-resistant barrier on its base. lcpshop.net
Editor's Notes
October 09, 2020:
In creating our list of tatami mats, we looked for mostly authentic models, but we were also open to products that captured the spirit of this traditional Japanese product while diverging from the expected materials. Since these items often go on the floor, it was important that they were durable. We included a range of thicknesses, so those looking for anything from a place to practice yoga to a surface to have a full night's rest should find something to their liking.
If you are searching for a tatami mat to improve your sleeping environment, you may like the Oriental Furniture Solid. It is thick and supportive enough to be placed on a platform bed frame or beneath a futon on the floor. The MustMat Double-Sided, which is soft, well-padded, and easy to fold, makes a good futon base too, for overnight guests. While not quite as thick, the Miina Traditional Floor Mattress can also offer a clean surface to put a futon on.
Including some items that stayed true to the original design was important to us, so we added the Ikehiko Igusa, the Fuli Yoga, and the Ikehiko Six-Piece Set, each of which are made with rush grass. While tatami mats are known for their pleasant earthy aroma, that is the only smell we wanted coming off our products, which is why we removed the Giantex Area Rug. It has a strong chemical odor and we didn't feel it deserved a spot here.
If you need one of these pads primarily as a place for you or your children to crawl, lie, or play on the floor, then the Maxyoyo Memory Foam is a good choice. It's just thick enough to boost comfort when you're on top of hardwood or tiles, and has a non-slip base. The backing on the InterDesign Natura rubs off over time, and can even stick to floors, so we eliminated it. We also removed the Tatam Traditional, because it fades and warps in the sun.
November 21, 2018:
As someone who recently spent a few nights sleeping on traditional Japanese tatami, I can confirm that even a thin choice can be surprisingly comfortable because of how easily it breathes and how soft it is when paired with a futon. The selections here range from portable options that fold up to thick choices meant as permanent bedding. There is a top choice for each need, so when making your pick, consider where you want it to go. However, it is important to note that many of these are not made of bamboo, so if that's important to you, your options may be limited.