The 6 Best Rug Pads That Work On All Floor Types

Material: Polyester and polypropylene | Thickness: 0.25 inches | Floor compatibility: Carpeting, vinyl, wood, linoleum and tile

Pros: 

• Trim-to-fit design
• Low-profile look
• Works on all surfaces

Cons: 

• Less cushioning than other options
• Prone to wrinkling

Ultra-thin and grippy, the Loloi Grip Rug Pad checks all our boxes. At 0.25 inches thick, this pad is nearly invisible beneath rugs, maintaining a grip on virtually all surfaces—from carpeting and hardwood to tile and linoleum. It’s available in more than a dozen size options and has a trim-to-fit design that allows you to further customize it to your space. (For optimal performance, Hall recommends trimming your pad to 1-2 inches less than the size of your rug.) Due to its thin construction, this option provides less cushioning than other pads—a con for households with kids or those who’d like more underfoot support. Additionally, larger sizes can be prone to wrinkling because of how they are packaged. Nevertheless, we appreciate that it’s made in the USA with 100% recycled materials.

Material: PVC-coated polyester | Thickness: Not listed | Floor compatibility: Carpeting, vinyl, wood, linoleum and tile

Pros: 

• Provides both cushioning and grip
• Easy to customize size

Cons:

• Fewer sizes to choose from
• Measurements may be slightly off

With its balance of comfort and security, the Better Homes & Gardens Cushioned Non-Slip Area Rug Pad is a solid all-around option that also comes in at a lower price point than many of its peers. This pad is made with PVC-coated polyester, which has an extra-grippy feel and can be trimmed to fit your runners, area rugs, bathroom rugs and more. While there are fewer sizes to choose from (and some customers report the measurements being off), like many of the other picks on this list, you can trim this pad to your liking.

Material: Felt and rubber | Thickness: 0.25, 0.5 or 0.38 inches | Floor compatibility: All (tile and hardwood recommended)

Pros: 

• Grippy rubber back
• Three felt thickness options to choose from
• Easy to trim

Cons: 

• Might smell after unpacking

Thanks to a plush felt layer and non-slip rubber backing, the Mohawk Dual-Surface Rug Pad excels at holding rugs in place on hardwood and tiled floors. It also comes recommended by interior designer and co-founder of Unique Tiles, Kamil Kozorys, who praises its “soft and plush feel” and grip. This rug pad is available in three thickness options and more than two dozen sizes—and if that isn’t enough customization for you, you can also trim it to your liking. While this is our top pick for hardwood, if you’d like to use it on carpeted flooring, simply flip the pad upside down so the felted side is on the bottom.

Material: Polyester, acrylic adhesive | Thickness: Not listed | Floor compatibility: Carpeting

Pros: 

• Low-profile design
• Superior grip

Cons:

• More involved install time
• Not reusable

When securing a rug on top of carpeting, grip is generally more critical than cushioning. Unlike many rug pads designed primarily for hard surfaces, this pick from Slip-Stop has a slimmer appearance that won’t add unnecessary bulk or cushioning to your floors. But what it lacks in cushioning, it makes up for in grip, effectively preventing rugs from slipping or bunching on carpeted floors. Installation is straightforward: simply unpack, flip the rug over, unfold the gripper, and lay it out on the bottom of the rug before flipping it back over and into place. For larger rugs, having a helper can make this process easier, but it can still be done solo. As with many other options, this pick is available in various sizes and is easily trimmable to be customized for the perfect fit. Just note that it can only be used once, as the adhesive weakens in strength with multiple uses.

What the experts say: “Many people make the mistake of choosing a thick felt pad on carpeted floors which can make the rug too raised and uneven,” says Kozorys. “I always suggest using a thinner non-slip pad in this case.”

Material: Felt and silicone | Thickness: 0.06 inches | Floor compatibility: All hard floors

Pros: 

• Low-profile design
• Good grip
• Easy to customize size

Cons: 

• Limited size options
• Measurements slightly off

True to its name, the Anti-Slip Thin Rug Pad from Ifrmmy stands out for its ultra-thin profile, making it an excellent choice for areas where door clearance is a concern (or where a low-profile pad is preferred). This pick has double-sided silicone grips on each side, effectively gripping both the rug and the flooring to prevent slipping, buntings and more. The pad works well on all hard surfaces and can be trimmed to best fit your rug. Just note that there are somewhat limited size options, and some customers reported that the measurements were slightly off.

Material: Memory foam | Thickness: 0.25 or 0.44 inches | Floor compatibility: Hard floors

Pros: 

• Extra-plush feel
• Customizable size

Cons:

• Measurements can be slightly off
• Slight smell after opening

If you’re looking for the ultimate cushioning, the Cloud Comfort Rug Pad from Rug Pad USA delivers. Available in your choice of thicknesses, this pick offers an uber-soft feel and gives your floors extra protection from pets, kids, and heavy furniture and home gym weights. Customers note that it also gave their rugs a more elevated look, giving even the thinnest of rugs a more finished look. Just note that, as with many memory foam products, there’s a slight off-gassing period. It also works best on hard floors, though you can use it on carpeted flooring if needed.