A walk-in shower calls for a mat that fits its surface and handles water safely. Suction-cup mats are designed for the shower floor, but they need a smooth, clean surface to grip. Plush bath rugs are better suited to the floor just outside the shower, where they can absorb drips and cushion your feet. The picks below include both types, so check each mat’s intended use and your shower-floor material before choosing.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Size | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| GORILLA GRIP Clear Shower Mat | Smooth shower floors | 35 × 16 inches | Suction cups and drainage holes |
| homerella Non-Slip Bathtub Mat | Smooth shower floors and tubs | 35 × 16 inches | Drainage holes and included drying hooks |
| GORILLA GRIP Chenille Bath Rug | Outside the shower | 24 × 17 inches | Plush, absorbent pile |
| OLANLY Chenille Bath Rug | Outside the shower | 30 × 20 inches | Soft chenille with TPR backing |
| OLANLY Microfiber Bath Rug | Outside the shower | 30 × 20 inches | Thick microfiber pile |
Our Picks: Best Bath Mat For Walk In Shower reviews
1. GORILLA GRIP Clear Mat: Best for Smooth Shower Floors
This clear vinyl mat is designed to sit inside a tub or shower. Hundreds of suction cups help hold it against the floor, while drainage holes let water pass underneath and toward the drain. Its pebble-textured surface adds grip underfoot, and the flexible material can be machine washed and air dried.
At 35 by 16 inches, it offers broad coverage for a mat of this type. The clear finish may suit a bathroom where you want the shower surface to remain visible. Its main limitation is the surface requirement: the manufacturer says to use it only on smooth, clean, non-textured, non-tiled surfaces. That rules it out for many tiled or textured walk-in showers, and the suction cups need to attach properly before use.
Pros:
- Large 35-by-16-inch size
- Suction cups help secure it on suitable surfaces
- Drainage holes allow water to flow underneath
- Machine washable and easy to air dry
Cons:
- Not intended for textured, tiled, or other non-smooth surfaces
- Not recommended for newly refinished shower floors or tubs
Verdict: Choose this mat if your shower floor is smooth and clean and you want a washable, in-shower option with drainage.
2. homerella Non-Slip Mat: Best for Easy Drying and Storage
The homerella is another 35-by-16-inch mat intended for use inside a tub or shower. It has more than 250 suction cups, a textured upper surface, and large drainage holes. Its flexible vinyl is described as BPA-free and latex-free, and the mat is machine washable on a cold cycle.
A useful extra is the pair of adhesive hooks included for hanging the mat to dry or store it. This can be handy when you want to clear the shower floor between uses. As with other suction-cup mats, the surface matters: the manufacturer advises using it only on a clean, smooth surface, not on textured or tiled floors. The instructions also advise against using bath oils with the mat.
Pros:
- Large format with suction cups and a textured top
- Drainage holes help water circulate beneath the mat
- Includes two hooks for drying and storage
- Machine washable and made from BPA-free, latex-free vinyl
Cons:
- Not suitable for tiled, textured, or otherwise uneven surfaces
- Requires a smooth floor and careful placement of the suction cups
Verdict: This is a practical choice for a smooth shower floor if you value the included hooks and want to hang the mat up after use.
3. GORILLA GRIP Chenille Rug: Best Plush Landing Mat
This 24-by-17-inch chenille rug is designed for the bathroom floor, not for placement inside a wet shower. Its nearly one-inch pile is intended to feel soft and cushiony underfoot while absorbing water from your feet as you step out. A textured thermoplastic rubber backing helps keep the rug in place on a suitable floor.
The rug is machine washable and dryer-safe, which may make routine cleaning easier. Its compact footprint can work well beside a shower when space is limited, although it provides less coverage than the larger OLANLY rugs in this lineup. The backing is intended for hard floors, and the product is listed as not water resistant, so it should not be used as a submerged or in-shower mat.
Pros:
- Soft, high-pile chenille surface
- Absorbent pile helps catch water outside the shower
- Textured TPR backing
- Machine washable and dryer-safe
Cons:
- For use outside the shower, not on the shower floor
- Smaller than the two 30-by-20-inch rugs in this guide
Verdict: Pick this rug for a soft, easy-care landing spot outside a shower, especially when you need a more compact size.
4. OLANLY Chenille Rug: Best for a Larger Soft Landing
OLANLY’s 30-by-20-inch chenille rug is made for the area outside a shower. Its high pile is designed to feel cushioned and absorb moisture from wet feet, while the TPR backing is intended to grip hard floors. The chenille is OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified, according to the product information.
The larger footprint gives you more room to step onto than the smaller GORILLA GRIP rug. It is machine washable and can be tumble dried on low. For the backing to grip as intended, the floor beneath the rug should be dry; placing any bathroom rug on a wet floor can reduce traction. It is not a replacement for a mat made to attach to the shower floor.
Pros:
- Larger 30-by-20-inch surface
- High-pile chenille for a soft feel
- Absorbent and machine washable
- Textured TPR backing designed for hard floors
Cons:
- Designed for outside the shower, not for standing on in the shower
- Backing grip works best when the floor underneath is dry
Verdict: Choose this OLANLY rug if you want a larger, soft, washable mat to catch drips beside your walk-in shower.
5. OLANLY Microfiber Rug: Best for a Thick, Cushioned Feel
This 30-by-20-inch rug uses dense microfiber pile that is nearly one inch thick. It is intended to cushion your feet and absorb moisture after a shower, making it a floor mat for outside the shower rather than an in-shower safety mat. The product information also notes OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification for the microfiber.
The rug has a TP rubber backing and is designed for machine washing. The care instructions recommend cold water on a gentle cycle, with low tumble drying or air drying. To help the backing grip, place it on a clean, dry floor and make sure the backing itself is dry before use. Compared with the OLANLY chenille option, this one uses microfiber and has a dense pile, so the choice mainly comes down to the surface feel you prefer.
Pros:
- Thick, dense microfiber pile
- 30-by-20-inch size for a broader landing area
- Designed to absorb moisture and dry between uses
- Machine washable with clear care instructions
Cons:
- For the floor outside the shower, not inside it
- Backing traction may be reduced if water is trapped beneath the rug
Verdict: Go with this rug if cushioned microfiber and a generous landing area matter more to you than having a mat that attaches to the shower floor.
How to Choose a Bath Mat for a Walk-In Shower
Decide where the mat will go
First, choose between a mat that sits inside the shower and a rug that goes outside it. Suction-cup mats are made to grip the shower floor and let water drain beneath them. Plush chenille and microfiber rugs are designed to absorb drips on the bathroom floor. Do not treat a soft bath rug as a substitute for an in-shower mat.
Check your shower-floor surface
Suction cups need a suitable surface to hold. The two in-shower options here specify a smooth, clean floor and warn against use on textured or tiled surfaces. If your walk-in shower has small tiles, grout lines, a textured pan, or a refinished floor, check the mat’s instructions carefully before buying. A suction mat that cannot attach securely is not the right fit.
Measure the area before choosing a size
The two shower mats measure 35 by 16 inches. That may provide useful coverage on a compatible shower floor, but measure your available space and make sure the mat will not interfere with the drain or shower door. For a rug outside the shower, consider the distance between the shower opening, vanity, and other fixtures. The options here range from 24 by 17 inches to 30 by 20 inches.
Consider water flow and drainage
For a mat inside the shower, drainage holes let water pass underneath and toward the drain. Keep the drain area clear and remove the mat periodically so you can clean and dry the floor beneath it. For an outside rug, absorbency is useful for catching drips, but the rug and floor still need time to dry.
Think about cleaning and drying
Both in-shower mats in this guide can be machine washed, and the listed rugs are also machine washable. Follow each product’s care instructions: they differ on drying methods and wash settings. A mat that can be lifted, hung, or washed more easily may be a better match for a busy bathroom.
Choose the right feel and backing
A textured vinyl mat is designed to provide a different underfoot feel from a plush chenille or microfiber rug. Pick the style that suits its location: a grippy, drain-through surface for a compatible shower floor, or a soft, absorbent surface for stepping out. For rugs with rubber backing, the product information advises using a clean, dry floor for the best grip.
Use mats as one part of bathroom safety
A bath mat can add traction or absorb water, but it cannot remove every slipping risk. Follow the product’s setup instructions, check that a suction mat is secure before use, and keep the surrounding floor as dry as possible. If the mat shifts, curls, or cannot grip your shower surface, stop using it there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a suction-cup mat in any walk-in shower?
No. The two in-shower mats listed here require a smooth, clean surface and are not recommended for tiled or textured floors. Check your shower-floor material and the manufacturer’s instructions before using one.
Can I put a chenille or microfiber rug inside the shower?
The chenille and microfiber products in this guide are bath rugs for the floor outside the shower. They are designed to absorb water and cushion your feet, not to attach to a wet shower floor.
How do I help an in-shower mat stay in place?
Use it only on a surface the manufacturer approves. Clean the floor, wet it if the instructions call for that, and press the suction cups firmly into place. Check that the mat is secure before stepping on it.
What is the difference between a shower mat and a bath rug?
A shower mat is intended to sit inside the tub or shower and may use suction cups and drainage holes. A bath rug sits outside the shower and is usually made to absorb drips and feel soft underfoot.
How often should I clean a bath mat?
Follow the care label for the specific product. The in-shower mats and rugs listed here are machine washable, but wash settings and drying methods vary. Lift an in-shower mat regularly to clean and dry the floor underneath.
Which option is best for a tiled shower?
Neither suction-cup mat in this guide is recommended for tiled surfaces. If you are considering another type of in-shower mat, check its instructions for compatibility with tile and grout before use. A bath rug can go outside the shower, but it will not provide coverage inside it.
Final Recommendation
For a smooth, clean walk-in shower floor, the GORILLA GRIP clear mat is a straightforward choice with broad coverage, suction cups, and drainage holes. The homerella is a strong alternative if its included drying hooks appeal to you. If your shower floor is tiled or textured, do not assume either suction mat will work there; choose a suitable in-shower product for that surface and use a chenille or microfiber rug outside the shower to catch drips.
