We spend a lot of time and effort looking for the right rugs, but the rug pad often gets neglected. So, we have compiled a list of the best rug pads for hardwood floors to help you choose. It’s essential to choose a good rug pad that does not lead to a scratched or scuffed flood. Rug pads ensure that the rugs do not wrinkle or bunch up to prevent you from falling. If you buy a low-quality rug, it won’t be suitable for the aesthetics of your home or your health. Inferior rug pads have toxins and low-cost adhesives that stick tight to the floor, staining them and spoiling their finish. Available in various styles, colors, and designs, there’s something for everyone. Keep scrolling to pick one that protects your rug and also your flooring.
11 Best Rug Pads For Hardwood Floors
1. Best Dual-Sided: Gorilla Grip Rug Pad Gripper
This rug pad for hardwood floors has the unique feature of being dual sided so it holds firmly to your rug as well as your hardwood floor to prevent your rug from slipping and sliding. This 5 x 8 feet rug pad is non-adhesive and slip-resistant which doesn’t allow your rug to bunch or fold over. It’s not visible under the rug, and because it’s so soft and dense, your rug feels cushioned when you step on it. It’s ideal for most hard floors including tiled and hardwood floors, and it protects them from damage, scuffs, and scratches. It features an open grid design which enhances breathability, offers noise protection, prevents dust from collecting under the rug, and also makes vacuuming easier. For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video. Pros
Easy to install Versatile Strong grip Available in all sizes for standard rugs Size can be customized by trimming Helps keep rugs flat
Cons
Not suitable for acrylic, vinyl, natural stone, lacquered, porous, stairs or refinished surfaces
2. Best Slip-Resistant: Mohawk Home Rug Pads
This dual surface felt rug pad for hardwood floors measures 5 x 8 feet and protects floors from scratches, abrasions, and the pile of your carpet from furniture indentations. This 0.25-inch thick rug pad has a rubber backing that’s slip-resistant and prevents the rug from wrinkling and bunching. This keeps the surface of the rug smooth, making it easy to vacuum. Made from recycled synthetic fibers, this pad will not discolor or stain your hardwood floor and it gives extra cushioning to your carpet so that it feels plush and luxurious. It has tapered edges to prevent your rug from curling and this even reduces chances of tripping. Know more about this product in this video. Pros
Easy to size Safe for all floor types Absorbs noise Reduces wear and tear of rug Ideal for houses with kids and pets Green label certified
Cons
It may initially have a chemical smell.
3. DoubleCheck Rug Pad: DoubleCheck Rug Pad
The best way to avoid accidents like tripping or slipping on a rug is to use this rug pad for hardwood floors under your carpet or rug. This rug pad has a powerful grip and adds cushioning to your rug without being obvious. This 2 x 10 feet rug pad can be cut and customized to your carpet size and it won’t stain your floor. It gives support and breathability to your carpet as well as holds it in place, which reduces the wear and tear of your carpet and adds to its longevity. These rug pads are also odorless, easy to clean, and are hand washable. They work great on wooden, tile, vinyl, and laminate floors. Pros
Versatile Premium material Durable and strong Prevents wrinkling and bunching of rug Perfect for households with kids and pets Makes vacuuming easier
Cons
Might leave a sticky residue on the floor over time
4. Best Long-Lasting: Ninja Rug Pad Gripper For Hardwood Floors
This 5 x 8 feet extra thick rug pad has super grip and is ideal to place under rugs so that they don’t slip, bunch, or skid. They provide cushioning to the rug and are great for families with kids and pets so that there are no falls or injuries. This rug pad for hardwood floors has a durable, lightweight, and non-adhesive construction, making it very long-lasting. It also protects your floor from scratches and scuffs. Its open weave construction gives it breathability so that dust does not collect and vacuuming is easy. They are not only perfect for hardwood floors but also work well on tiles, laminates, and acrylic surfaces. Pros
Easy to install Versatile use Maximum coverage Can be cut to customize size
Cons
Not for use on lacquered, natural stone, vinyl, acrylic, porous, or refinished surfaces
5. Best Mesh Design: Puroma Area Rug Pad
This product is designed to provide an underlay for your area rugs so that they do not slip and cause tripping accidents. Crafted with thin polyvinyl, this area rug pad adds cushioning to rugs, protects the floor from scratches, reduces noise, and adds to the longevity of your carpet. Made of PVC, it features a mesh design that adds to its breathability and prevents moisture and dust from building up. This rug pad is durable and thick and makes vacuuming easier. Suitable for hardwood floors, laminates, and tile flooring, they are easy to use. Though these rug pads are pre-cut to fit different sizes, they can be trimmed conveniently with scissors to meet your personal requirements. Pros
Non-adhesive Cost effective Versatile use Easy to customize Large surface area for better grip Ideal for households with kids and pets
Cons
Some may find it too thin.
6. Best Hypoallergenic: Rugpadusa Rug Pad
This 8 x 10 feet dual surface rug pad for hardwood floors is 0.25 inches thick and has felt on one side and rubber on the other. It’s safe for all floors and protects their finish while giving a cushy effect to your area rug. It features a slip-resistant, natural rubber backing that grips the floor and keeps the rug securely in place. The pad comprises 14 ounces of rubber and 22 ounces of heat-pressed felt per square yard which adds to insulation and soundproofing. The felt is 100% recycled and needle-punched so that there is no build-up of moisture. The rubber backing does not damage or stain the hardwood flooring. This rug pad is safe to use on laminate, tiles, stone, concrete, and bamboo as well. Pros
Odorless Low VOCs Hypoallergenic No glues No PVC No non-stick adhesives Can be easily trimmed with scissors Available in non-standard sizes and shapes as well
Cons
The rubber backing may not take heat well.
7. Best Non-Adhesive: Aurrako Non-Slip Rug Pads
This rug pad is perfect for hardwood, carpeted vinyl, and tile floors with area rugs. It keeps them in place and prevents them from skidding or bunching under kids and pets while playing. They are low profile, lightweight, and non-adhesive, constructed of high quality PVC, have a good grip, and do not stain the floor. They are available pre-cut for all standard sizes and can be trimmed easily at home for unique shapes and sizes. This area rug pad for hardwood floors measures 2 x 10 feet and offers good support because of its superior thickness, breathability, and keeps rugs flat. It reduces wear and tear of your rug, increases longevity, and is easy to vacuum. Pros
Versatile use Easy to install Durable and strong Open grid design
Cons
Some feel its thickness and grip could be better.
8. Best Environmentally-Friendly: Enjoy Holiday Non-Slip Area Rug Pad Gripper
This rug pad for hardwood floors has an innovative open mesh design that prevents moisture and dust from building up and makes it easy to vacuum your rug. Its non-slip surface keeps your rug in place and prevents scratches on your expensive flooring. It also protects your kids and pets from nasty falls when they play on it as the rug is held firm and stable. Made from premium PVC material, it doesn’t damage or stain your floors and gives good cushioning to your rug. It’s available in various pre-cut sizes and can be customized by trimming them easily at home with scissors. Pros
No chemical fumes No VOCs Environment-friendly Durable and strong
Cons
Might stick to the floor
9. Best Durable: Mayshine Basics Felt + Rubber Rug Pad
This 0.25 inches thick rug pad for hardwood floors is a combination of felt and rubber that prevents your rugs from slipping and sliding, and is safe for other types of flooring and finishes as well. Crafted with high quality material, it’s long-lasting, durable, and suitable for floor heating. The felt layer is rough and grips the base of your carpet while the rubber backing grips the floor and keeps your carpet stable. It’s available in several pre-cut sizes, but can also be trimmed at home to customize the size. Pros
16-inch thick felt Premium construction Provides good cushioning Makes vacuuming easier Safe for children and pets
Cons
The rubber backing may not adhere well to a hardwood floor.
10. Best Customizable: Mockins Non-Slip Premium Grip Rug Pad
Crafted with an open square grid, it has a very high suction and doesn’t slip or shift when there are sudden movements or pressure. This keeps your family and pets from falling and hurting themselves while exercising, walking, or playing on them. They also provide good cushioning to your rug while keeping it stable and preventing damage to both your rug and hardwood flooring. This area rug pad is easy and simple to use and can be reversed and used on both sides because of their design. The size can be customized by cutting them with scissors at home and they are extremely simple to vacuum. Pros
Versatile use Great for all floor surfaces Strong and durable Weighs just 8 pounds
Cons
Doesn’t work well with carpets
11. Best Easy-To-Vacuum: Everythry Non-Slip Rug Pads Gripper
Constructed with high quality and high density PVC material, it can endure high traffic and is long-lasting enough to keep your rugs in place for years. It features an open grid construction, has high breathability, and prevents accumulation of moisture and dust under your rug. It protects both your rug and floor from damage and provides great cushioning. Its powerful grip provides great suction, makes vacuuming easily, and prevents pets and family members from tripping and falling. This area rug pad for hardwood floors is available in 6 sizes and can also be customized by cutting them at home with scissors. Pros
Versatile use Hand washable Weighs just 3.97 pounds Prevents indentations on rugs caused by furniture
Cons
May have a chemical smell upon unpacking
Now that you have been through our review of the 11 best rug pads for hardwood floors, let us give you a few tips on how to choose one so that you can protect both your rug and your flooring.
How To Choose The Right Rug Pad For Hardwood Floors
Material
The first thing to keep in mind is to get a rug pad that’s designed specifically for rugs and not wall to wall carpets. Carpet rug pads are often made of PVC and this can cause discoloration in hardwood floors and many other floorings. Also they do not have a rubber backing that is so important to prevent area rugs from slipping and sliding. The best material for area rug padding is natural rubber, felt, and a combination of natural rubber and felt. Jute is also used sometimes but it tends to have a peculiar smell and is expensive. Rubber and felt are perfect for rugs with a flat weave as the needle punched surface adheres to the rug, and the rubber doesn’t allow it to slip on the floor. If you are placing a rug on a carpet, you should get a polyester rug pad with a vinyl backing.
Size
The rug pad should be ideally 2 inches shorter than the rug all around so that it doesn’t show on the sides. The sizes of rug pads vary between 2×3 feet to 8×10 feet, and a few manufacturers have a size chart to choose the size according to the size of your rugs. Most rug pads are easy and convenient to trim with scissors so that you can customize them according to your requirements.
Thickness
If you are looking for cushioning for your rug, you should go for a rug pad that’s at least 0.5 inches thick. Thinner pads work better on tile floors rather than hardwood floors as they don’t give much protection.
Safety and comfort
Ensure that the rug pad has a good grip so that it adheres to both the rug and the floor well so that the rug cannot slip or slide and thus prevent you from tripping and falling. Also it should be plush enough to give sufficient cushioning to add to the comfort when you sit, exercise, or walk on it.
Things to avoid
Rug pads in various colors should be avoided as they can stain the flooring. Also products with adhesives can damage the finish of your floor as the glue sticks to it.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah writes on household items, books, and more. He has researched and compared several products to create a list of the best rug pads for hardwood floors that are durable and stylish. These rug pads ensure your rug doesn’t wrinkle and protect your floors from damage. He has also provided a detailed buying guide to help you choose a suitable product for your home.
Recommended Articles:
Best Area Rugs And Runners Best Bathroom Rugs Best Baby Floor Mats Best Baby Foam Play Mats
