To help you find the best of the best, we placed 14 of the top outdoor doormats in the home of our tester, who evaluated them—in dry and wet weather—on design, quality, durability, effectiveness, and value. Then, we combined our tester’s notes with our writers’ and editors’ own research to bring you this list. Our best overall pick, the Food52 Coir Rope Knot Doormat, is made of durable coir, and has a very attractive design, a slim profile that fits at most doors, and is reasonably priced. Backed by our testing, here are the best doormats. Out of all of the doormats we tested, our top choice is the Food52 Coir Rope Doormat. It lived up to the advantages of a coir doormat. But unlike many standard coir options, this one’s attractive design makes it look more than utilitarian. Our tester’s perfect 5 transcended aesthetics—the weave helps trap more dirt than your standard doormat. Made of natural fiber, this doormat does shed a little bit, as noted by our tester and written on the tag itself. However, we think the durability, style, and overall value of this rug make it worthy of the best overall pick. It also comes in two sizes, which makes it an excellent choice for nearly all-size doors. Price at time of publish: $59-$95 The coir is roughly 0.5 - 1 inch tall, so most doors easily clear it without issue. If you find that the mat begins to look lackluster, you can vacuum it to remove any stuck debris. You can also rinse it with a garden hose on a gentle shower head setting and be sure to allow it to completely dry before replacing it by your entryway. This doormat has a non-slip backing, but when considering placement, keep in mind that it may slide around on especially slick surfaces like waxed or laminate flooring. Price at time of publish: $13 Not a fan of the Coco Mata design? Not a problem. Ruggable has tons of doormat cover designs to choose from Plus, once you purchase the rubber mat, you can purchase the interchangeable covers separately for a truly customizable doormat experience. As mentioned, the doormat cover is machine washable, but you do have to line dry it if your dryer doesn’t have an air fluff setting. The inked designs are also UV-resistant, so they’ll truly stand the test of every season’s weather. Price at time of publish: $149 But even more than its enviable style, this doormat is ultra-durable. The ropes are woven extremely tight, so it isn’t susceptible to premature wear, no matter how many people wipe their feet on it each day. Another nice bonus: Because it’s made of nautical rope, the mat doesn’t absorb excess water (great for rainy or snowy climates) and is mold- and mildew-resistant. If there’s any downside, it’s that there’s no rubber on the back. Because of this, the doormat does tend to slide around a bit—a factor The Rope Co. does mention in the product listing. Our tester found it was best to put this mat right up against the door, so you can still get the traction you need to wipe your shoes. You can also purchase a rug pad separately, if you’re looking for the most traction, especially during slippery weather. Price at time of publish: $115-$170 It’s very effective for the most part and has a nice design. The elegant fleur-de-lys pattern looks right at home just about anywhere. Price at time of publish: $68 Still, in wet weather, the wood dries very quickly. And overall, it’s excellent at removing debris from shoes. Though our tester doesn’t live in a sandy area, she noticed this doormat would be perfect for these locations because the dirt and debris fall between the slats rather than become trapped in fibers. To clean the sand (or other dirt and debris) away, you can simply lift up the mat and give the area a quick sweep or vacuum. Overall, the mat is extremely heavy and durable, so it doesn’t slip and slide as you wipe your feet. Just be careful about where you place this mat—our tester didn’t have any issues with the material staining the floor, but a small number of buyers experienced this. Price at time of publish: $90 The microfiber is also very soft, making it appropriate for sensitive paws and bellies compared to traditional coir or rope mats. The best part of this doormat is its fully machine washable and dryer safe design, which also has a non-slip backing, without the latex coating that often deteriorates over time. While this doormat is overall wonderful, we do wish it was more suitable for outdoor use (aside from enclosed porches), however, we don’t fault it for this based on its otherwise stellar design. Price at time of publish: $45-93 This mat lacks a bit in efficacy, though—our tester found that although it removed debris from shoes, the glossy texture made it difficult to adequately dry the mud and wetness. In fact, the mat even became a little bit slippery in wet conditions. That said, it’s super easy to wipe down, so you can dry it in a flash. Price at time of publish: $75 The rubber backing is textured, so it’s less likely to slip on less-textured surfaces, however it may still slip on freshly waxed flooring or high-shine tiles. The raised border around the mat also helps contain rain water—up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard—so that the mat doesn’t soak through. Be sure to to allow the doormat to fully dry, if it is exposed to excessive rain or snow. If the mat becomes caked with mud, you can rinse it with a hose, and you can also vacuum it to pick up dry debris. Price at time of publish: $35
What to Look for in an Outdoor Doormat
Size
Doormats come in a wide range of sizes, so make sure you choose the right one for your doorway. There’s no hard and fast rule about exactly how big it should be, but it should look balanced at the door. It’s a good idea to measure your doorway and then shave off a few inches. Also, some doormats are much thicker than others, so double-check the height of your door frame before purchasing a mat.
Shape
Similarly, doormats come in different shapes. Some are rectangles, and others are half-moon-shaped. “A doormat is often overlooked as simply a “functional” piece but it can be such a warm and welcoming beacon for your home,” says Hilde Leiaghat, CEO and Founder of Pom Pom at Home. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through with a fun doormat shape or pattern. The shape you select is largely a matter of personal preference, but keep in mind that rectangular mats typically cover more surface area. Therefore, they are good choices if your doorway is particularly busy.
Material
Typically, outdoor doormats are made of durable materials that can withstand dirt and water and don’t fall apart with heavy wear. Coir and rubber are some of the most popular since they’re exceptionally durable and good for all kinds of weather. Other common materials include jute, faux coir, and synthetic fibers. You should also consider how often you’d prefer to replace your doormat, as some materials like coir, and other brush-like mats, tend to fall apart and are more difficult to keep clean for longer periods of time. “The worst [mats to clean] are the brush or sisal mats,” says Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care. “They can’t be cleaned, usually end up falling apart, and should just be replaced when they show evidence of wear.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has spent nearly 15 years writing about household products such as outdoor doormats. Brigitt has a big family of six, which means there’s always traffic in and out of her home—and the four kids tend to bring a lot of dirt with them. A quality doormat is a must-have at each entry point to help keep her floors just a little bit cleaner. For this piece, she tested 14 doormats, from a variety of retailers, at high and low price points. Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, assisted in updating this roundup with new products. While these products are not tested, they were thoroughly researched to meet the needs of their specific category. Researched picks were evaluated based on their durability, design, price point, and innovation. For this update, Emma also contacted Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care, who provided commentary on the easiest types of doormats to clean and the types of doormats that may require more frequent replacing. Hilde Leiaghat, CEO and Founder of Pom Pom at Home, also provided expert commentary for this roundup. Emma has the Project 62 Stripe Tufted Doormat and appreciates its affordable, durable, and effective design.
What is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
