Daily life can be brutal on your vehicle&#;s interior, especially for those of us who load up our cars, trucks, and SUVs with gear, kids, or pets.
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Anyone who&#;s ever had to clean spilled coffee or soda out of a carpeted mat or spent their Saturday morning scraping up mud, pet hair, or smashed Goldfish crackers from their carpet knows this pain all too well. Plus, if you live in a snowy climate like I do, life without proper floor mats means soppy, wet carpets loaded with mud and water, de-icing chemicals, and straight-up road salt.
Sounds like fun? I didn&#;t think so.
To help maintain your factory carpet and make it a snap to handle the nastiest messes, the market is loaded with durable, all-weather, easy-to-clean floor mats, but not all floor liners are created equally.
Over the past week, I had the opportunity to put two of the best names in durable floor covering products to the test: the iconic Husky Liners ® WeatherBeater&#;and the equally reputable WeatherTech® DigitalFit Floor Liners. In addition to footwell coverings, I also had the opportunity to install and test Husky&#;s excellent WeatherBeater&#; Cargo Liner against the Weathertech® Cargo Liner.
Since I live in Colorado, it&#;s currently winter, and I enjoy Colorado-y things like spending time outdoors in the Rockies and gardening for spring, it was the perfect opportunity to put each of these popular floor mat offerings through their paces. The results? Well, they may surprise you.
Let&#;s do this!
A good floor mat helps keep your vehicle clean and tidy.
Written and Tested By:
Aidan Pounder Aidan PounderAidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he&#;s not burning through the clutch on his Ford Focus Zx3, you&#;ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
Reviewed By:
Charles NoyesMotor1 Reviews Team Take:
While vehicles come pre-equipped with OEM car floor mats, they may not be the best option for keeping your vehicle&#;s floor clean. The original equipment manufacturer includes floor mats for new cars that may be more for decoration than weather protection.
In this article, we recommend the best car floor mats for cars based on hands-on product testing. Our testing included custom and universal floor mats, or universal-fit mats, in our search to find the highest-quality coverage.
For this review, our team thoroughly tested and evaluated each aftermarket car floor mat based on fit, durability, stability, and water retention. The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars.
Based on our review criteria, the best car floor mats are the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats, VIWIK TPE Floor Mats, Caterpillar CAT CAMT-, WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit, Armor All ZN All Season Floor Mat, OxGord Car Floor Mats, and CustoArmor Tisse Collection.
Brand/ModelCostOverall RatingAwardSmartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats$141.905.0Best Floor Mat for CarsVIWIK TPE Floor Mat$130.894.8Most DurableCaterpillar CAT CAMT-$41.624.5Best Rubber Floor MatsWeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit$604.2Best Flat-Lying Floor MatsArmor All ZN All Season Floor Mat$29.993.8Best Car Mats for WinterOxGord Car Floor Mats$27.953.6Best Affordable Car MatsCustoArmor Tisse Collection$.3Best Custom Car Mats*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
The car floor mats in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Advance Auto Parts, Amazon, RealTruck, and various other floor mat retailers for top products, looking at factors such as material, fit, customer ratings, and prices.
Our product testing team then ordered the car floor mats that best met these standards. The mats we selected had prices ranging from around $20 to $270. A team member tested each product on a Ford Fusion Hybrid SE, taking note of how well the car floor mats fit our testing vehicle, durability, movement while driving, and water retention. Each car floor mat was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested floor mats here.
The Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mat is our top choice due to its fit inside our test vehicle, water retention, and lack of movement. This car floor mat fit easily into place and covered the entirety of the vehicle&#;s floor.
Despite being one of the two car floor mats we tested that didn&#;t feature anti-slip nibs, the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats did not move at all during use. Regardless of our tester&#;s foot positioning or whether they dragged their feet, this car floor mat wouldn&#;t budge an inch.
The Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats are easy to install. The high-edge rims retain any water dragged into the car, and the molded custom-fit design collects any dust or debris from the bottom of your shoes. The only drawback to this product is that it&#;s notably more expensive than most other options.
You can see how the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability5.0Stability5.0Water Retention5.0Overall Rating5.0Below are the pros and cons of the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats:
Pros
Cons
Custom-fit and perfectly molded for the interior of our test vehicle, the Smartliner floor mats could not have been sized any better. Every square inch of the car&#;s carpet was covered, including the side walls of the vehicle.
While researching the best car floor mats, our team found that the overwhelming majority of these products had a strong rubber-like odor that could linger in your car&#;s interior for weeks. This was not the case with the Smartliner floor mats &#; there was absolutely no odor and no smell of rubber out of the box.
Durability
While we didn&#;t test the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats over an extended period of time, we did note the material the mats were made out of and its flexibility to determine the floor mat&#;s durability. The low-density polyethylene material makes for a long-lasting and durable floor mat.
Stability
With its molded design, the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats did not move at all throughout the testing process.
Water retention
The water retention of the Smartliner was head and shoulders above the rest of the car floor mats we tested.
Many find these car mats fit perfectly and are pleased with their durability. There are a few customers who note there are no spikes on the reverse side of this car mat. That means it can slide around some.
The VIWIK TPE Floor Mats come in a close second for our favorite floor mats. These thick, durable floor mats offer excellent coverage and water retention. They are sized to fit and were a near-perfect match for our test vehicle (a Ford Fusion).
These laser-measured floor mats are a significant upgrade from factory floor mats and stand out because of the full back seat coverage they offer. VIWIK floor mats are a good pick if you anticipate lots of backseat spills.
The VIWIK floor mats proved easy to install and fit almost perfectly. The driver-side mat seems a bit large and does impact (very slightly) the feel of the pedals. Thankfully, these mats did not hinder our ability to use the pedals. However, the large size of these mats positions your feet a little further from the pedals than the factory mats, which can take some acclimation to get used to.
You can see how the VIWIK TPE Floor Mat performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability5.0Stability5.0Water Retention4.5Overall Rating4.8Below are the pros and cons of the VIWIK TPE Floor Mat:
Pros
Cons
These floor mats fit well in the front and back of our test vehicle. The only sizing issue is that the driver&#;s side mat is a little large. This does not present a huge issue, but slightly changes the feel of driving the vehicle compared to the factory mats.
The TPE material used to construct these VIWIK mats is odorless. Even when brand new, these mats don&#;t stink.
Durability
These mats are all-weather and resistant to all manner of spills, dirt, and debris.
Stability
Due to the large size and grip design, VIWIK mats do not slip at all once installed. Even when wet, these floor mats remain firmly where they belong.
Water retention
The VIWIK mats use a cupped design which improves water retention. In the back seat, VIWIK mats cover most of the floor so that there is no space for water to leak.
While the VIWIK floor mats have a high price tag, most reviewers feel the cost is worth it. Many claim these mats fit like a glove and are impressed by the durability and large coverage area. The VIWIK mats are also praised for being easy to install.
As we did, some reviewers commented that the driver&#;s side floor mat is not completely flush with the floor.
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The design of the Caterpillar CAT CAMT- car floor mat separates it from the competition. Although not custom fit to our test vehicle, the floor mats covered nearly all of the vehicle&#;s carpet. The CAT CAMT- floor mats are perfect for a pickup truck or off-road vehicle that sees tons of dirt, debris, and slush dragged into the vehicle&#;s interior.
Our team was impressed with the design of this three-piece Caterpillar set. Both the front mats and the backseat mats provided coverage over the test vehicle&#;s carpet floor mats. Additionally, the backseat car floor mats were the best-fitting and offered the most water retention compared to the other backseat car floor mats that we tested.
You can see how the Caterpillar CAT CAMT- performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.5Stability4.5Water Retention4.5Overall Rating4.5Below are the pros and cons of the Caterpillar CAT CAMT-:
Pros
Cons
The trim-to-fit design of these floor mats meant that after a few adjustments, the mats were a near-perfect fit in our test vehicle. These weather mats were one of our top picks in the automotive industry due to how well they fit and the high-edge retention walls.
Featuring high-quality polymers, there was little to no smell from these non-toxic, BPA-free car floor mats. The product description explains that regardless of the heat and if all doors are closed, these mats have no odor and it is safe to sit in the vehicle. Through our testing, we found this to be true.
Durability
The specially designed weather rubber is stain-resistant and can handle just about any type of mess that you drag into your car.
Stability
Whether our product tester shuffled his feet or purposely attempted to dig his feet into the heel pad to move the floor mats, he could barely manage to make these floor mats shift or move at all. However, they are not affixed into place so may shift slightly.
Water retention
Due to its rugged ridges and high walls, the CAT CAMT- car floor mats held water exceptionally well. Though not as good as the Smartliner car floor mats we tested, these mats were head and shoulders above others when it came to water retention.
The majority of reviewers like this car mat because it works and is inexpensive. This car floor mat protects upholstery and is easy to clean. Some do feel that these mats are thin and won&#;t hold up indefinitely.
The WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit Floor Mat was one of our review team&#;s favorite mats to use and test. These car floor mats prove that you don&#;t need a complicated design for a car floor mat.
The water retention of the car floor mats is good considering that there aren&#;t high retention walls on the mats. Although there are driver-side and passenger-side-specific mats, the fit in our test vehicle wasn&#;t as precise as other options.
Our testing team was pleasantly surprised at the versatility of these WeatherTech floor liners. Without being too bulky or needing high retention walls, these best-selling car floor mats do a great job of keeping dirt, debris, and messes within the confines of the floor mat itself.
You can see how the WeatherTech Universal performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.0Stability5.0Water Retention3.5Overall Rating4.2Below are the pros and cons of the WeatherTech Universal Floor Mat:
Pros
Cons
The trim-to-fit design of the floor mats meant that after making some adjustments, these floor mats fit well in our test vehicle. Though we hoped for a more closely fitting floor mat due to the specific side of the car design of each front mat, these mats fit relatively well.
These car floor mats are made out of a virtually odorless latex material. Through unboxing and testing, we noticed little-to-no odor of rubber.
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Durability
Built from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), we didn&#;t need to test these mats over an extended period of time to know they&#;ll last. These mats are up to ISO and FMVSS302 standards, meaning you can trust that they will last for a long time.
Stability
With its patented MatGrip retention device, there was absolutely no movement from these car floor mats. Molded-in nibs attached to the bottom of the mats provide further peace of mind that they won&#;t move or slip under your pedals.
Water retention
Our team was pleasantly surprised at the water retention of the WeatherTech car floor mats. However, other mats performed slightly better in this category. Due to the shape of these mats, they will not hold back as much water as a cupped design.
Most point out how easy it is to clean WeatherTech floor mats. The rubber is very thick and effectively keeps water off your carpet.
The Armor All ZN All Season Floor Mat is the only sub-zero weather-specific floor mat that we tested. These car floor mats are designed to withstand temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit without the mats curling, cracking, or hardening.
The car floor mats feature patent-pending anti-slip technology in the form of the Carpet Claw, which secures the mats in place and prevents them from moving. Additionally, the floor mats are manufactured by an industry leader in car care for the past 50 years.
Through rigorous testing, we found the Armor All ZN All Season Floor Mat to be a great option for car floor protection.
You can see how the Armor All ZN performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.0Stability4.0Water Retention3.5Overall Rating3.8Below are the pros and cons of the Armor All ZN:
Pros
Cons
The trim-to-fit design of these floor mats meant that there were adjustments needed for the mats to fit. After cutting and trimming, the mats worked well in our test vehicle.
Though other car floor mats came with notices in the product description about the potential odor of the mat, these did not. Upon unboxing this product, our testing team was met with a strong odor of burnt rubber and chemicals. However, following testing, these car floor mats no longer smelled at all. We recommend letting the mats air out before installing them in your vehicle.
Durability
Made from heavy-duty rubber, these car floor mats are built to withstand sub-zero temperatures without losing their original form. They are built to last.
Stability
There was little to no movement of these car floor mats when kicked or when feet were shuffled.
Water retention
Though the retention walls were of average height, these car floor mats performed well in our water retention test. Our team credits the slats in the design of this car floor mat with retaining water.
Reviewers appreciate the value of the Armor All floor mats. They are durable and thick, refusing to curl or crack in even the most extreme temperatures. Some think the backseat mats are a little small, especially in larger vehicles like SUVs.
The OxGord Car Floor Mat is a great option if you&#;re looking for a car floor mat that won&#;t break the bank. These were some of the cheapest car floor mats that we tested, though the price doesn&#;t reflect the quality of the mats. The product is simple, yet effective.
The OxGord mats come in several color options, including ridge-black, beige, and gray.
Our product testing team was surprised at the durability of the OxGord car floor mats, though we were hoping for a better fit inside our test vehicle. Though the mats don&#;t feature high retention walls or anti-slip technology, they work well at keeping your car&#;s carpet clean and will stay in place.
Albeit being about $5 more expensive than the Armor All floor mats, these are a cheap option for everyday use as opposed to the Armor All ZN, which are designed specifically for winter use.
You can see how the OxGord floor mats performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability4.0Stability4.0Water Retention3.0Overall Rating3.6Below are the pros and cons of the OxGord Car Floor Mat:
Pros
Cons
Featuring a trim-to-fit design, these car floor mats weren&#;t as wide as we were hoping. Though trimming down the mats with a pair of kitchen scissors made them fit our test vehicle better, especially on the driver&#;s side, they left a little too much of the car&#;s carpet uncovered for our liking.
The product description details state that you will likely need to air these mats out before installation. This is due to the fact that the OxGord Car Floor Mats come fresh from the factory, and smell like it. The reason this floor mat didn&#;t score lower on our odor criteria was because of the notice in the product description.
Durability
Made from an advanced formula rubber, these mats should last a long time. The high-quality rubber mats are relatively lightweight, but our team believes they&#;ll stand the test of time.
Stability
Although the bottom of the floor mats features relatively understated anti-slip technology, our team could barely get the mats to shift under our feet. The OxGord car floor mats prove that you don&#;t need fancy designs to keep your floor mats in one place.
Water retention
Though these car floor mats will be easy to clean, they won&#;t be great at keeping slush, snow, or water off of your vehicle&#;s carpet. The low height of the exterior retention walls means dirt and water can slosh out of the mat itself and onto the car&#;s carpet.
Large grooves make this mat easy to clean. Several reviewers mention that these floor mats seem especially durable for the price. Like us, a few people say the OxGord floor mats don&#;t perfectly fit their vehicle.
The CustoArmor Tisse Collection is an incredibly high-quality car floor mat. It features the classic diamond design that CustoArmor is known for but dons an updated facelift. With several color combinations to choose from, it&#;s clear to see why the Tisse Collection is our pick for the Best Custom Car Mats in .
CustoAmor offers free worldwide shipping on its Tisse Collection of car floor mats, with an ETA of only 15 to 20 days. You can pick any combination of front seat, back seat, trunk, and even seat back mats for full protection of your car&#;s interior.
The CustoArmor Tisse Collection was easily the most stylish car floor mat that we&#;ve tested. Its eye-catching design and odorless material make it a great option to give your car&#;s interior a facelift.
You can see how the CustoArmor Tisse Collection performed in each of our testing categories below:
Review CategoryScore (Out of 5.0 Stars)Durability3.5Stability3.5Water Retention3.0Overall Rating3.3Below are the pros and cons of the CustoArmor Tisse Collection:
Pros
Cons
This floor mat features a custom-fit design specially built for one of our testing vehicles, a BMW X5. However, we deducted points in this category as it didn&#;t fit the interior cabin as well as other custom-fit floor mats we&#;ve tested.
We were pleased with the fact that there were no warnings of foul odors emanating from the floor mat in the product description nor from customer reviews. We also didn&#;t smell anything while testing this car floor mat.
Durability
Made from woven carbon fiber, these car floor mats feel incredibly well-made. Due to its lack of ability to hold water within the mat itself and its propensity to slide, we think you&#;d wear through these mats quicker than you&#;d expect. That said, those who choose to purchase from CustoArmor probably aren&#;t looking for as much weather resistance as style, so a lower rating in this category should not deter certain drivers.
Stability
One of the main drawbacks to this car floor mat is the fact that it slips underneath your feet. While we don&#;t believe these mats will slip and bunch up to the point it affects your driving, it&#;s something to be wary of.
Water retention
Although this CustoArmor car floor mat is eye-catching, it isn&#;t designed for water retention. If you&#;re looking for a floor mat to contain all of the dirt, water, and debris that you drag into your car, this mat isn&#;t the best choice.
With a few hundred reviews on the manufacturer&#;s website, customers seemingly have nothing but positive things to say about the CustoArmor Tisse Collection. Reviewers speak to how well these mats fit their car and the quality of material used in construction. A large number of reviewers also mention the quality of CustoArmor&#;s customer service team.
Those with negative feedback complain the mats arrived creased, but several note that a steamer solves this problem.
After we tested several options ranging in price, we determined that Smartliner offers the best floor mats for most with the Smartliner Custom Fit Floor Mats because they&#;re built to fit your specific make and model and offer unmatched water retention.
Unless your vehicle comes with high-quality rubber or plastic floor mats, upgrading is generally a good idea. Not only does a premium floor mat protect your carpet, but can make cleaning spills much easier.
Our team recently connected with Robert Harper, Director of Product Development and Tech Support at detailing company Ziebart International, and he gave us some insight into floor mat material that professional detailers appreciate.
&#;I recommend [plastic floor mats] to everybody,&#; he said. &#;Some trucks are now coming with things like the Weather Guard floor mats, but if yours didn&#;t I would strongly recommend [upgrading]. Because you can spill that gallon of milk in there and then just pick up the floor mat and dump it out. And they&#;re easy to clean as well &#; easy for us [professional detailers] to clean. And they keep the floors looking much better in the long run.&#;
The best car floor mat depends on your needs. Are you looking for a floor mat to decorate the interior of your vehicle? Do you want a mat that&#;s going to protect your car&#;s carpet and is easy to clean? Consider the following before making your purchase.
Not every driver is worried about the coverage of the driver&#;s side floor mat, but rather the backseat. With kids and all manner of sporting equipment and other gear commonly occupying the backseat, we tested not only the front mats but also the backseat mats in determining our rating for our sizing criteria.
Pictured below are each company&#;s backseat mats so you can decide for yourself whether they will offer as much coverage as you need.
The best car floor mat for your vehicle is one that fits it well, lasts long, and doesn&#;t move while you&#;re driving. We stand by all of our recommendations as we&#;ve physically tested each of the floor mats listed above. We recommend products from a variety of price points for a range of needs and wants.
Here are our picks for the best floor mats for cars in :
Below are some common frequently asked questions about floor mats for cars:
After thoroughly researching and testing the best floor mats for cars, we found that the Smartliner Custom Fit floor mats were the best. The Smartliner mats dominated our various tests and were a noticeably better option than other floor mats we tested.
The WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit that we tested is certainly worth the price for many buyers. While other car floor mats may be better equipped to handle adverse weather conditions, the WeatherTech Universal Trim To Fit strikes a nice balance between standard and heavy-duty floor mats.
Floor liners, by definition, must be custom-fitted to your vehicle. This means that cargo liners offer more comprehensive coverage over your car&#;s carpet and better water retention than standard car floor mats.
Mats or liners with a non-slip backing are preferred to help minimize any movement within the vehicle&#;s footwell. Rubber mats are simpler to clean, although carpeted mats allow drivers to match their vehicle&#;s upholstery.
To test car floor mats, we installed them in our test vehicle. In some cases, we trimmed mats to fit as suggested by the instructions. Once installed, we assessed each floor mat&#;s water retention, stability, and overall durability.
Stability
A car floor mat should not move as little as possible once installed. Some floor mats come with hooks, velcro, and other fastening mechanisms to ensure it doesn&#;t shift while driving. Taking each floor mat for a test drive, we noted how much each floor mat slipped, if at all.
Floor mats that remain completely stationary score best in this category.
Water Retention
To mimic dirt, grime, and slush that&#;s dragged into the vehicle cabin, we poured water into each floor mat, noting how much it could hold or absorb. Floor mats able to hold the largest volume of water score best in this category.
Durability
We bent, folded, and manipulated each floor mat to test its durability. We also considered online customer reviews to get an idea of the longevity of each floor mat. Floor mats made of the toughest materials, and with many customer reports of longevity score best in this category.
How We Score Products
Every floor mat we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here&#;s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
Aidan PounderAidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he&#;s not burning through the clutch on his Ford Focus Zx3, you&#;ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
Charles NoyesAs a member of both the APA and IMPA, Charles Noyes has devoted himself to creating and refining quality content covering automotive products and accessories, motorcycle products, RV products, and more. As the lead editor serving the product review team, he has personally reviewed, critiqued, and fact-checked over 200 product reviews.
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