Step-by-Step Guide on How to Choose the Right Game Mat

What Is a Game Mat

A game mat is a specially designed surface that originated and gained popularity during the Renaissance. The purpose of a game mat is to enhance the gaming experience for tabletop players, including protecting the tabletop and game components, reducing noise from collisions between game pieces and the table, and alleviating visual fatigue. Felt game mats are an example of this. Felt mats were the go-to choice for dice and card games during the Renaissance. In dice and card games, felt mats effectively protected the tabletop, dice, and cards, reduced the noise from dice rolling, and helped relieve player fatigue during long gaming sessions.

With the further development of casino games and the emergence of iconic modern board games like Monopoly and Settlers of Catan, directional game mats such as role-playing game mats and card game mats began to appear. Game mats started incorporating thematic designs, such as space, to better align with the themes of the games.

How to Choose the Right Game Mat

Material

Neoprene is a material I strongly recommend considering for game mats. Game mats made from neoprene excel in five key areas: slip resistance, tactile feel, durability, ease of cleaning, and portability. Brands like BOXKING and Allplay also use neoprene for their game mats. No matter what type of tabletop gamer you are, choosing a neoprene game mat will not disappoint.

Size

Game mats generally come in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large/custom. These sizes roughly correspond to the following dimensions: 2′ × 1.2′, 3′ × 2′, 3.5–4′ × 2.5–3′, and 5′ × 3′ or larger. Based on these standards, there are generally two approaches for choosing the size of a game mat: selecting according to the number of players and the type of game.

Regarding the number of players:

• 1-2 players: Typically, a small or medium game mat is recommended.
• 3-6 players: A medium or large game mat is recommended.
• 6 or more players: A large or custom game mat is best.

Regarding the type of game:

• Card games: Typically, a small or medium game mat is recommended.
• Strategy or large-scale board games: Typically, a large game mat is required.
• Role-playing games or miniature war games: Often require large or custom mats.

The most important aspect of a game mat is that it can accommodate all the components of the tabletop game. Additionally, the mat should not be much larger than the tabletop, as an oversized mat may slip around during play.

Design

You can choose a game mat design based on your personal preferences. The design of the mat mainly impacts the player's immersion in the game, which means the choice should align with both personal taste and the theme of the game. Ultimately, it all comes down to your own preferences.

The Best Game Mats

Here are some of the highest-rated game mats. If you're still finding it difficult to choose, you can select from these top options, or even take a look at the game mats in person.

BOXKING

BOXKING offers a comprehensive range of game mats. Not only do they provide mats made from neoprene and velvet + elastic rubber, but they also offer medium and large sizes such as 3×5 feet and 4×6 feet. Additionally, they feature themed options like space, Mars, and prairie, and even offer reversible mats with different themes on each side. BOXKING is all about meeting your specific game mat needs, making their mats a highly worthwhile option to consider.

• 3×5'Velvet Playmat–5mm Thick: A game mat made of Velvet+Elastic Rubber, featuring a non-slip surface.
• 4×6' Velvet Playmat – 5mm Thick: A game mat made of Velvet + Elastic Rubber, featuring a non-slip surface.
• 3×5' Ironside Solid Color Playmat: A game mat made of Neoprene.
• 4×6' Kingswood Solid Color Playmat: A game mat made of Neoprene.
• 3×5' Double-sided Thematic Playmats: Made with Neoprene, featuring six thematic designs: Grassland/Ocean, Cosmos/Mars, Desert/Ice.
• 4×6' Single-Sided Game Table Playmat – for Board Games & RPGs: Made of Neoprene, available in six themes: Mars, Ocean, Grass, Ice, Desert, Space.

GamerMats

GamerMats is a highly specialized game mat brand. Each mat from GamerMats features a smooth fabric surface and a rubber backing, with size options ranging from 36 inches to 72 inches, ensuring reliable functionality. GamerMats also offers unique fantasy, sci-fi, and two-player themed designs. If you're a fan of these themes, be sure to check if GamerMats has the perfect game mat for you.

TABLEWAR

TABLEWAR's biggest highlight is its battle-themed designs. On TABLEWAR's website, you'll find a wide variety of combat-themed game mats. As a game mat brand, TABLEWAR also uses neoprene for the backing and offers size options of 6×3 feet, 3×3 feet, and 6×4 feet.

Allplay

Allplay features game mats with a beveled edge design and offers theme illustration options, making their mats both durable and stylish. However, a downside is that Allplay only provides small and medium size options. Like others, Allplay mats are equipped with neoprene and non-slip rubber backing.

Game Mat Holders For Reference

I've provided two types of game mat holders for your reference. One is the BOXKING Game Mat Holder, while the other is a fitness mat rack used as a game mat holder. You can choose between the two, or get inspired by them to find a game mat holder that suits you better.

• Playmat Hero (Hanging Playmat Holder) $35: BOXKING's dedicated hanging playmat holders. It holds up to eight playmats of any size. It includes adjustable straps to accommodate playmats of varying thicknesses.

• First Place Adjustable Wall Mat Rack $42.95: This adjustable wall-mounted rack was originally designed for yoga or fitness mats, but it's also suitable for rolled-up playmats. A First Place Adjustable Wall Mat Rack can hold up to 12 hanging mats.