Standing and seated VR experiences are very popular right now and with standing VR experiences, there is a risk of hitting your furniture. If you’ve ever bumped into walls or hit your furniture while playing VR games, having a VR mat can prevent this from happening.
A VR mat is a specialty mat designed for VR use. Most VR mats have embossed markings to help you stay in the mat and prevent you from bumping into stuff. You can use a VR mat when using a standalone VR headset or cabled VR headsets.
If you are looking for the best VR mat, the XPACK VR mat is great because of its embossed shapes located at the front of the mat. It is also made of anti-fatigue cushioned foam which can help reduce fatigue, especially if you are on your feet while playing.
In this article, we have 3 other VR mats that you can choose from and we will also talk about other alternatives for VR mats that you can use for your play area. We also have a buying guide so you can make informed decisions before buying a VR mat. If you want to know more about our recommendations in detail, read on!
What Is A VR Mat?
A virtual reality mat is designed specifically for VR use. Virtual reality gaming requires a lot of physical movement and it can cause players to bump into furniture if they are not careful. For those with limited space, there is a higher risk of hitting objects in the room which can cause injuries or damage.
A VR mat is designed to keep the player in a designated playing space without the worry of hitting objects. As the name implies, a VR mat is a mat with features that can help players have more enjoyable and safe gameplay.
Most VR mats have embossed lines and ridges that can help you orient yourself better when you are standing on the mat. While most VR headsets have a virtual boundary, a VR mat creates a true physical presence for the players to be able to play in a safer space. These VR mats can also be used with any VR system.
Best VR Mats For Standing Or Room-scale VR Game Play
| Image | Product | Pros | Cons | Price |
 | VR Mat – ProxiMat ® Space Station Theo 35″ – Super Soft Large Mat for Virtual Reality | – Anti-fatigue – Has home-centering buttons for positioning – Good for smaller play areas | – The top surface is sticky – Mat moves on the carpet | Check Price |
 | XPACK VR Mat – 35″ Round Anti Fatigue Mat – Virtual Reality Matt Helps Determine Direction and Position of Your Feet During Game, Prevents Players from Hitting and Breaking Objects in Surroundings | – Has embossed shapes for positioning and direction – Anti-fatigue – Non-slip surface | – Falls apart easily with regular use | Check Price |
 | ZYBER VR Mat Compatible with Oculus Quest 2 Accessories, 39.4″ Round Anti Fatigue Large VR Mat for Meta Quest Pro, Playstation 5 VR Headset | – Anti-fatigue cushioned foam – Comfortable – Has markings and ridges on the center and on the edges of the mat | – Expensive | Check Price |
 | VR Mat – ProxiMat ® Metaverse Portal 42″ – X-Large Mat for Virtual Reality – Play with Both Feet on The Mat | – Comfortable – Larger and offers more play space – Has buttons for space orientation | – Falls apart with regular use | Check Price |
ProxiMat Space Station Theo VR mat ®35″
This ProxiMat Space Station Theo VR mat is made with anti-fatigue memory foam and is soft enough to allow you to play for long periods of time. The anti-fatigue memory foam helps reduce leg and foot fatigue caused by standing for a while.
This mat has a physical home-centering button with formed ridges that will help keep you centered during your VR gameplay. There is another button toward the front of the mat that can help you feel if you are already close to the edge of the mat. The buttons on the mat are removable if you need a mat for activities such as yoga and floor exercises.
This mat comes with a strap and sticky velcros that go on the bottom to prevent it from slipping. This ProxiMat VR mat is 35″ in diameter and perfect for smaller play areas such as dorm rooms.
Most users have said that this VR mat prevents them from hitting or bumping into their furniture. Users have also said that the mat is comfortable and great for longer gaming. However, some users said that the mat moves around when placed on the carpet and that the top is too sticky for their liking.
| Pros | Cons |
| Anti-fatigue | The top surface is sticky |
| Has home-centering buttons for positioning | Mat moves on the carpet |
| Good for smaller play areas |
XPACK VR 35″ – 35″ Round Anti Fatigue Mat
If you move around your playing area and are occasionally hitting furniture or two, this XPACK VR 35″ mat might be for you. This mat has embossed shapes at the front so you can determine where your direction is without having to take off your headset.
The mat has a non-slip surface so you do not have to worry about slipping and sliding while playing. This mat also has anti-fatigue cushioning which can let you play comfortably for a long period of time. This cushion will help reduce fatigue, especially if you are playing standing or room-scale VR games. With a non-slip bottom surface, you can be sure that the mat will stay in place as you play.
Users have said that they were able to play longer because of the cushioned surface. Most users have also said that the mat really helped them stay in place and that the mat does not move while they are gaming.
| Pros | Cons |
| Has embossed shapes for positioning and direction | Falls apart easily with regular use |
| Anti-fatigue | |
| Non-slip surface |
ZYBER VR Mat
The next VR mat on our list is a little larger than the ProxiMat Space Station Theo and XPACK VR mat. The ZYBER VR mat has a diameter of 39.4″ and this allows for more space so you can move freely when gaming.
This mat has a 15mm thick PU foam material that is durable and shockproof to keep you comfortable. It can also reduce fatigue when you play for long periods of time.
This ZYBER VR mat has several markings in the center and on the edges so you will always have an idea of where you are in the mat. This will keep you from going out of the mat and prevent you from bumping into walls.
This VR mat is suitable for most floorings and carpets. The mat’s pattern will also help with the friction when placed on the floor so you do not have to worry about the mat moving.
| Pros | Cons |
| Anti-fatigue cushioned foam | Expensive |
| Comfortable | |
| Has markings and ridges on the center and on the edges of the mat |
ProxiMat Metaverse Portal ® 42”
If you want an even larger VR mat for your play area, one of ProxiMat’s line of VR mats has a 42″ diameter which can be great if you move around a lot.
Since the ProxiMat Metaverse Portal is a larger mat, you can move around safely without worrying about getting one foot off the mat. You will be able to focus on your game and have an enjoyable virtual reality experience.
Like the ProxiMat Space Station Theo VR mat, this mat also has two buttons. One is in the center and the other is placed north facing on the mat. These buttons will keep you centered and have more space awareness for more safe and enjoyable gaming.
Users have said that the mat is nice, sturdy, and very comfortable to use while gaming. However, it does fall apart quickly when used regularly.
If you have a need for a larger VR mat, you may want to check this out.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comfortable | Falls apart with regular use |
| Larger and offers more play space | |
| Has buttons for space orientation |
Buying Guide
A VR mat can be a nice accessory to include in your VR room. You need to consider several factors before buying one for your play area.
Size
Choosing the size of a VR mat can make or break your experience. If you move a lot during gaming, consider getting a bigger VR mat so you can move freely without worrying about stepping off of the mat.
On the other hand, smaller VR mats are good if you do not have a spacious area. While movement may be limited in smaller VR mats, it can prevent you from bumping or hitting the wall or furniture.
Durable
VR mats should be durable to withstand regular use. Durable VR mats make for a safer gaming experience. All VR mats on our list are durable but of course, it will depend on how often you will use the mat. If you won’t use the VR mat often, it will not likely wear and tear quickly.
Comfort
Another important factor to consider before buying a VR mat is its comfort. Virtual reality experiences are often standing and it is tiring to be on your feet for longer periods of time. Most VR mats have an anti-fatigue cushioned foam to keep you comfortable. VR mats that help reduce fatigue will let you have an enjoyable and immersive VR experience.
Slip-resistant
VR mats should be slip-resistant on both the top and bottom surfaces. Since most standing VR experiences need some form of movement, you should be at ease and confident that you will not slip on the mat when playing VR games.
Some mats are suitable for most floorings and carpets while other mats do not. Slip-resistant mats are a must if you move a lot when gaming.
Markers
What makes VR mats different from regular mats is the markings or embossed lines. These markings help you have an idea of the space in the mat. You will be able to feel the markings with your feet and you will be able to avoid stepping off the mat. This helps set boundaries so you can avoid bumping into walls or hitting the furniture.
Cost
VR mats are designed for VR use and they can get expensive. If you are okay with spending at least 50 dollars or more on a VR mat, it can be a good addition to your VR space. VR mats can be worth the money if you want to have a safer VR experience.
VR Mat Alternatives
For players who are not sold on VR mats but still like to have something to use, there are alternatives for VR mats to make your VR experience safer.
Foam floor mats are a great alternative for VR mats as you can customize your mat size. These interlocking tiles are usually used for kids’ flooring and they are cushioned so you can have a more comfortable game.
Yoga mats are also great for VR gaming as they are often non-slip on both the top and bottom surfaces. Yoga mats are usually rectangular in shape but you can also find circular yoga mats if that is what you prefer. One problem with the yoga mat is that it can sometimes twist.
Anti-fatigue kitchen mats can also be used in place of a VR mat. It is both firm and soft so you can have the stability and comfort when playing VR games. A regular rag or a smaller carpet can work too as long as it does not have a slippery surface.
Conclusion
The XPACK VR mat is a great option if you are looking for a VR mat. It has embossed markings that will help you stay on the mat. The anti-fatigue cushion on this mat will also help reduce fatigue for more comfortable gaming.
The VR mats on our list can be used with many VR headsets such as Quest, HTC Vive, and PSVR. If VR mats are not your thing, you can also use a foam floor mat, a yoga mat, or even a regular rug as an alternative.
We hope this article helped you decide which VR mat is best for you. If you have any other questions, let us know via the contact form on our website. Happy gaming!
