Turntable mats can improve the sound quality and appearance of your record player, while also protecting your precious vinyl. But how do you know which is the best turntable mat of 2023? That’s what we’re here to decide.
Preview: Our Choice for the Turntable Mat of 2023
Preview: Here's All Our Choices for the Best [X] for [Y] in 2023
- #1: Overall Best Turntable Mat for 2023 | Pro-Ject: Leather It Platter Mat
- #2: Best Cork Turntable Mat of 2023 | Taz Studio: Premium Turntable Slipmat
- #3: Best Rubber Turntable Mat of 2023 | Fluance Turntable Platter Mat
- #4: Best Acrylic Turntable Mat of 2023 | OrangeLit Acrylic Turntable Mat
- #5: Best Wool Turntable Mat of 2023 | Rega - Wool Mat
- #6: Best Felt Turntable Mat of 2023 | Turntable Lab: Switchmat Reversible Slipmat
- #7: Best Glass Turntable Mat of 2023 | #7: Purest Audio PA-602-V2
- #8: Pro-Ject Cork It Turntable Mat
- #9: Leather Deer Hide Turntable Mat | Jakes Turntable Mats
- #10: Audiophile Black Suede Turntable Mat
Some Quick Background
Different Types of Turntable Mats
Why do You Need a Turntable Mat?
Turntable platters tend to be hard surfaces that aren’t very well suited to playing records on their own. A turntable mat helps to reduce static buildup and improve sound quality. They also offer a better surface to keep your vinyl from skipping or scratching during use.
What You Should be Looking For
When choosing a turntable mat, you should be looking for a mat which will work well with your existing system. You need the right fit and material to optimize your setup. Design and aesthetics are an important factor as well.
Here's Our Picks for the Top 10 Best Turntable Mats of 2023
Overall Best Turntable Mat for 2023
The Good
- Eliminates Static Buildup
- Minimizes Wobbling
- Resilient Leather
The Bad
- Expensive Material
- Boring Colors
The Bottom Line
As Louis Sullivan said, form must always follow function. While this mat doesn’t have a snazzy graphic to set it apart from the stock platter, it performs where it counts. This leather mat will reduce static buildup, dampen noise defects, and enhance the sound quality of any record player or turntable. That’s why it’s the best turntable mat of 2023.
Best Cork Turntable Mat of 2023
The Good
- Multiple Stylish Designs
- Holds Record in Place
- Consistent Sound
The Bad
- Cork Chips Over Time
The Bottom Line
This cork turntable mat from Taz Studio is a fantastic option for most setups. It will improve the sound quality of your setup and there are multiple great designs available.
Best Rubber Turntable Mat of 2023
The Good
- Thick Rubber Material
- Univeral Fit
- Eliminates Slipping
The Bad
- Boring Aesthetic
- Flimsy Packaging
- Collects Dust
The Bottom Line
While rubber turntable mats don’t completly elimate static, they reduce it and are nearly indestructible. This is one of the best turntable mats of 2023, as well as a great spacer for a acrylic or glass turntable mat.
Best Acrylic Turntable Mat of 2023
The Good
- Fun Neon Colors
- Recessed Label Area
- Inexpensive
The Bad
- Records Slip
- Collects Dust
The Bottom Line
Acrylic turntable mats offer great static reduction and look fantastic. These turntable mats are available in a variety of neon colors that look great with different lighting. However, due to dust collection and record slipping, they may work best as a spacer for a felt or cork mat.
Best Wool Turntable Mat of 2023
The Good
- Premium Brand
- High Quality Material
- Multiple Color Choices
The Bad
- Boring Design
- Non-Univeral Fit
The Bottom Line
Rega is one of the best manufacturers of turntable and accessories, and these wool mats are a fantastic option for these record players. Wool is a great material, and you’ll be very satisfied with the sound improvement these turntable mats offer.
Best Felt Turntable Mat of 2023
The Good
- Reversible Dual-Design
- Minimalist Design
- Good Static Reduction
The Bad
- Expensive for Felt
- Limited Suppliers
The Bottom Line
Turntable Lab is a cool brand that offers record player accessories without the frills. Although these mats are expensive and hard to find, they are excellent felt mats that look great with any vinyl setup.
Best Glass Turntable Mat of 2023
The Good
- Best Static Reduction
- Heavy
- Looks Great with Every Setup
The Bad
- Expensive
- Works Best with Rubber or Felt Spacer
The Bottom Line
Glass turntable mats are expensive, but they are worth the price. They are heavy, and the won’t collect static or slip. These glass platter mats from Purest Audio add an air of sophistiation to any record player.
Other Great Turntable Mats in 2023
The Good
- Cork is Sexy
- No Static
- No Slippage
The Bad
- Missed Opportunity for Graphic
- Cork Chips
The Bottom Line
Cork record players are tried and true, and offer some of the best sound quality possible for a home setup. Although cork can chip over time, it is cheap and reliable. This mat doesn’t have a graphic, so feel free to add your own design.
The Good
- Excellent Customer Satisfaction
- Premium Material
- Simple Design
The Bad
- Untested Brand
- Thin Material
The Bottom Line
These turntable mats are interesting and incredible. They are made out of a premium material, from a small company. And they have a cultish following. This mat is a great option for any simple setup.
The Good
- Inexpensive
- Suede Reduces Static Better than Leather
- Gentle Material
The Bad
- Boring Looking
- Marks Easily
The Bottom Line
Suede is an unusual option for a turntable mat, but a great one. It offers all the antistatic and non-slip benefits of normal leather, with a gentle surface. This turntable mat will protect your records and your sound quality.
Last Minute Tips
Make Sure the Mat Will Fit Your Table
Not all mats are made to be universal. Some have larger or smaller spindle spacing, and slightly different platter sizes. If you need you can widen a spindle opening with a drill or utility knife. However, you can’t make that opening smaller or make the mat fit a larger platter, so do your homework before buying.
You Can Combine Multiple Mats
Sometimes the best option is an acrylic mat with a felt mat on top. Or a glass mat with a cork spacer. You can combine and rearrange different turntable mats to fit the look and feel you want for your system.
Make Sure the Needle Sits Correctly
When combining mats and spacers, keep the turntable arm in mind. You want to be sure that the arm and needle are sitting correctly so the needle has the correct amount of weight on it. Too little will skip and bounce a lot. Too much weight can gouge your vinyl. Definitly keep that in mind.
