There is nothing more frustrating than when your desk becomes damaged due to day-to-day use. Whether it gets scratched, stained, or impacted by an accidental spill, it can potentially ruin an otherwise spotless piece of furniture. Fortunately, desk pads provide a solution, protecting your desk while keeping it looking sleek and professional.
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top 3 quick picks for the Best Desk Pads of 2021
- Artistic Rhino II Antimicrobial Protective Desk Pad
- Ice Black CEP Ice Desk Accessories Desk Mat
- Floortex Desktex Glaciermat Glass Desk Pad
Criteria for Choosing the Best Desk Pads
When you are looking at desk pads, there are a few things that they need to do well, with the main thing being that they need to offer adequate protection for your desk. However, there are a few other reasons that these stood out as well, including:
- Protection: As mentioned above, the ability to protect your desk is the most important thing for a desk pad. It needs to be able to prevent scratches, stains, and spills. Additionally, it should not cause any harm to your desk. Therefore, protection is the main thing that was considered.
- Stability: While a desk pad does not necessarily need to have feet or anti-skid measures, it needs to be stable. Of course, that usually does require some sort of dedicated feature meant to keep the desk pad in place. Regardless, desk pads that do not slip and slide were given priority for this list.
- Appearance: A desk pad does not need to be a work of art, but it should be clean, sharp, and even elegant. You want something that can be placed on a nice desk and provide protection without reducing the appeal of a fine piece of furniture.
There are other features that are nice when it comes to desk pads, such as comfort. While not all of them need to have padding, the design should not leave you placing your hand or wrist atop an uncomfortable corner.
The 8 of Best Desk Pads of 2021
The most simple desk pad only needs to do a single thing, which is to protect the area it covers. However, there are plenty of other features that can be found when you are looking at desk pads, so there is a lot more to it than that. If you look at the list below, you will find numerous desk pads that all have their own defining features.
Artistic Rhino II Antimicrobial Protective Desk Pad
When it comes to protecting your desk, the Artistic desk pad featured here should definitely be considered. It is capable of protecting your desk from scratches, stains, and spills, and it is suitable for all desk finishes. It also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. It even provides a smooth, reliable writing surface.
This PVC desk pad is 3/16 inches thick, and it has a low-glare black surface. Moreover, the surface is washable, so it is easy to keep clean. You will not have any problems keeping it in place, either, with it having a soft, anti-skid backing. The overall dimensions of this desk pad are 36 by 20 inches.
PROS
- This PVC desk pad is capable of protecting against scratches, stains, and spills
- It provides a smooth and reliable writing surface for both pens and pencils
- It can be used with any finish
- There are antimicrobial properties infused, and it is easy to clean
- It has soft, anti-skid backing
CONS
- It tends to indent easily
- It readily shows hand perspiration
Ice Black CEP Ice Desk Accessories Desk Mat
If you are looking for a high-quality desk pad that will easily withstand anything you throw at it, this desk mat from CEP is a fantastic choice. It is made from durable materials and has reliable dimensions, with a length of 16.5 inches, a width of 24.8 inches, and a thickness of a little over two inches.
The surface of this desk pad is quite flat as well, allowing you to use any writing instrument comfortably. Moreover, it will not move as you write due to the anti-skid bottom. It does encourage air circulation, though, preventing discoloration of wood desks. Plus, it can be washed, resists heat, and does not show any finger marks.
PROS
- It is made from thick, high-quality material
- The surface has a fine-grained finish and allows for smooth writing
- The bottom has anti-skid properties and encourages air circulation
- Heat will not deform this desk pad
- It will not show finger marks or perspiration
CONS
- The thickness can make it uncomfortable in some situations
Floortex Desktex Glaciermat Glass Desk Pad
There are times when you want something that is both durable and elegant, and the desk mat featured here is exactly that. It is made from reinforced tempered glass, which is both durable and stylish. It will not crack, discolor, or scratch easily. Moreover, the silicone feet give it stability and keep it from directly touching the desk below.
Because it does not touch the desk, you can place pictures and other items underneath, which can be seen through the desk. You can even write directly on the desk pad, wiping it clean afterward. This desk is 24 inches wide and 19 inches in length, and it features straight edges and radius corners.
PROS
- It is made from durable reinforced tempered glass
- There are silicone feet that ensure that it remains stable
- You can place pictures or documents beneath the desk pad
- It adds a great deal of style and elegance
- The material allows you to write directly on the desk pad
CONS
- It is not a comfortable accessory
- Finger stains and smudges are easy to see
Artistic Hide-Away PVC Desk Pad
There are plenty of desk pads out there, but this desk pad from Artistic stands out because of the hidden feature. While it works just fine as an ordinary desk pad, it can also be used to store notes, documents, and any other private things. All you have to do to access the inner section is lift the surface.
However, as mentioned, it is also great as an ordinary desk pad, providing protection against scratches, stains, and spills. It is also quite durable due to the PVC material used to make it. There is even a two-channel pen holder for convenience. The size of this desk pad is 24 inches by 19 inches, and it comes in black.
PROS
- There is a hidden area that you can store various things
- It works as an ordinary desk pad, preventing things like scratches to the desk
- The PVC material is durable
- There is a two-channel pen holder
CONS
- There have been some complaints of the top portion of the hide-away warping
- It shows dirt and debris quite easily
Lorell Desktex Anti-Static Desk Pad
Lorell’s desk pad is another example of a simple yet effective product that will protect your desk from things like scratches and stains. Plus, it does not indent easily and remains clean fairly well. You might even be interested to know that the company uses 25% renewable energy when they are making these desk pads.
The writing surface provided by this desk pad is quite smooth as well, so you can easily write on top of it. It resists copy lifting on top of that, which is nice. Another great part about this desk pad is that the vinyl used to make it is phthalate-free and cadmium-free. This black desk pad has a width of 36 inches and a length of 20 inches.
PROS
- It is effective at protecting your desk from scratches and stains
- The desk pad does not show indents easily
- The surface is smooth, making it easy for you to write
- There is no phthalate or cadmium in the vinyl
CONS
- It is not the most durable option out there
Allsop ErgoEdge Deskpad
If you have to use the desk space you have to the fullest, or if you simply want something that focuses on ergonomics and comfort, then the Allsop ErgoEdge desk pad is the way to go. It features a wrist rest that hangs over the edge of the desk, which improves comfort dramatically, especially for those who own standing desks.
While ergonomics and comfort are the focus of this desk pad, it does just as good of a job protecting your desk as it does at improving your comfort. Moreover, it is large enough to fit everything you need, having a width of 16.5 inches and a length of 29.5 inches.
PROS
- It provides a great deal of extra comfort, especially at standing desks
- It protects your desk from scratches, stains, and spills
- The size is large enough to fit everything you need on it
- The foam material used is resilient
CONS
- It is not as effective at protecting your desk as some of the other desk pads
Rolodex Wood Tone Desk Pad
When it comes to desk pads, it is all about efficiency, but the Rolodex desk pad featured here adds a touch of solid wood that lends an elegant, sleek look to any desk. However, it is not just about looks, with this desk pad protecting your desk from daily wear and tear. It also provides a smooth writing surface that keeps your work looking neat.
The solid wood that is on this desk pad is meant to act as a pencil ledge. Plus, the entire desk pad is made to be sturdy, with the desk pad having a felt back and non-skid pads that protect your desk and keep everything stable. The base color of this desk pad is mahogany, and the length and width are 19 and 24 inches, respectively.
PROS
- The solid wood on this desk pad adds an elegant touch
- The pad protects your desk from daily wear and tear
- It provides a smooth, reliable writing surface
- The felt back and non-skid pads keep it stable
CONS
- There have been some complaints about receiving scratched desk pads
Carver Desk Pad with Wood End Panels
The final desk pad on this list is another choice for those who love wood and want to add a touch of style to their desk. In fact, unlike the previous desk pad, this one has two wood panels, which are on each side instead of at the top. Moreover, it utilizes hand-finished mahogany panels that are quite durable and reliable.
The wood panels will not damage your desk, and the rest of the pad does a great job providing at protecting your desk from things like scratches and stains. The desk pad also provides a smooth surface to write on. It is also big enough for those who have a lot of surface area to cover, having a length of 21 inches and a width of 38 inches.
PROS
- The hand-finished mahogany panels are durable and stylish
- The panels and desk pad protect your desk from damage
- It provides a smooth surface for easy writing
- It is a large desk pad that covers a lot of surface area
CONS
- The two wood ends and the rest of the pad are flimsily held together
How to Shop for a Best Desk Pads
Now that you have taken a look at some of the best desk pads on the market, it is time to buy your own. However, there are quite a few things to think about, from whether the desk pad matches your desk to the features involved. Consider these things when shopping for a desk pad:
- Appearance: The appearance is vital when you are buying a desk pad. After all, you want something that will provide protection while still looking good. Of course, that might not be important in every situation, but it is nice to have something that is both functional and appealing.
- Size: Another important factor to consider when you are purchasing a desk pad is the size. You need to know what size will fit your desk without looking awkward, how much space you need to protect, and what all you will be putting on the desk pad. Once you know the size you need, things become easier.
There are other things that you can consider, such as how much dirt you expect to see and whether the desk pad you are looking at will show dirt easily. However, as long as you consider the size, appearance, and overall durability, you should not have a problem finding something that works for you.
In Conclusion
There is nothing better for protecting your desk than a desk pad, and there are plenty of choices out there, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. When you are buying a desk pad, just be sure that you get something that you will not mind looking at for years to come.