• Most record players require you to add a mat (a.k.a. a “slip mat”) between the platter and the record to reduce static and vibration.
• Turntable mats can be made from several different materials, including felt, rubber, cork, and acrylic.
• Generally speaking, I recommend rubber mats for new and casual listeners, but each material has advantages that make it ideal for specific use cases.

If you have a record player that frequently pops, skips, or sounds a little warped, your first instinct may be to bring it to a repair shop. Before you take that step, though, take a look at the platter and ask yourself, “do I need to throw a mat on that?”

An essential accessory for any vinyl fan, a turntable mat acts as a thin buffer between your record and the player. That little layer absorbs static and vibrations that might otherwise reverberate through the vinyl and prevent the stylus from properly tracking the grooves. Even if you have the right equipment and have cleaned off your records, those disruptions can cause skips, warping, and even damage your albums.

Having a mat, any mat, is essential. That said, the quality and material you choose can impact record playback. As a result, there are a surprisingly large number of options out there, made with different materials that prioritize performance, durability, and easy maintenance. Picking the right one will ensure you get the performance you want from your player with as little hassle as possible.

Felt

Felt mats are incredibly affordable and gentle on your records. Felt was originally popularized by DJs, who wanted to spin and scratch their records without messing up the turn of the platter or the player’s belt drive mechanism.

Like most mats, felt does a solid job of reducing vibration, preventing skips or scratches. It also comes in the widest array of style-forward colors and printed designs, so if you want to add a splash of personality to your record player, felt is the way to go.

There is one big issue with felt, though—the movement can generate static, which will generate small crackles or pops in the playback. Felt also tends to attract dust, so you will need to clean your player more frequently. That said, no other material offers the same level of design variety nor is as widely affordable.

Rubber

Rubber mats provide a grippier surface than felt, which keeps the records in place as they rotate. They’re thicker and heavier than felt, which makes them better at dampening vibrations. That’s especially helpful for older records with minor damage on the grooves, where any dust or movement could affect the sound. And like felt, rubber mats are fairly cheap, so adding one to your setup isn’t a big spend.

The biggest problem I’ve noticed using a rubber mat is that it can be hard to clean. Like felt, rubber can generate additional static and attracts dust, but the rubber surface also holds that dust until you physically wash it.

Cork

Cork mats are the record collector’s mat of choice. They reduce vibrations and eliminate static better than any other material I’ve tested, and the natural feel of cork holds records firmly in place.

Unlike felt and rubber, though, cork doesn’t last forever. Over time, the material can degrade, disintegrating or changing shape. These issues can change how the record sits on the player, which means you’ll have to replace it every so often. How long they last depends on the quality of the cork: A cheap one may begin disintegrating after a period of months, but the high-quality version from legacy brands like Fluance or Audio-Technica should last for years before you notice any serious degradation.

Long story short: If you go for a cork mat, go for the good stuff. Realistically, you’re better off buying a good (but affordable) felt or rubber mat than a budget-tier cork one.

Acrylic

If longevity and stability are your top priorities, acrylic is the way to go. These mats guarantee a smooth surface while offering solid vibration reduction and static dampening. (Though maybe not as solid as the other materials.) They’re also far easier to clean than the other mat materials. Dust comes off instantly with a single wipe.

That said, the rigid design makes acrylic less durable than felt or rubber. Without flexibility, the mat is more likely to break. Overall, this is the “set it and forget it” choice: It may not do the best job, but requires the least maintenance.

So Which Should You Buy?

Realistically there isn’t a wrong answer here. Having a turntable mat is the most important thing. That said, I’ve tried multiple different options on my own setup and I prefer rubber. It’s flexible, durable, and drastically reduces vibrations. While cork may provide better “performance,” it also requires more short- and long-term upkeep. Rubber feels like a sound compromise for most casual vinyl lovers who want the best possible sound without having to think too much about their gear.