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Under Sink Cabinet Mat Buyer’s Guide: Features, Benefits, Pros and Cons (With Videos)

March 23 2020 – Alex Singer

 

 cabinet mat comparison review xtreme mats

Purchasing a cabinet mat to go under your sink might seem like a simple task. But, take one look on Amazon or do a quick search on Google, and you’ll quickly realize that there are more options to choose from than you probably realized. And, not only are there several different types of under sink cabinet mats to choose from, but there’s a wide range of companies offering them, from ones trying to make a quick buck with a popular product, to those really in the business.

 

While it could be tempting to just quickly purchase the first cabinet mat you find that’s in your price point (and hopefully the right size, too), it’s important to do your homework. Not only does your money matter, but buying a product that either doesn’t work or doesn’t last is frustrating. (Not to mention, constantly replacing items in your home wastes money and materials).

 

Purchasing the right under sink cabinet mat is an important decision because it really can protect your home from costly damage. When an under sink cabinet mat does its job, it not only gives you the time you need to address the problem (like a major leak), but it also protects your cabinets from everyday damage (like product spills). Understanding the differences between the assortment of cabinet mats available for sale today will help you choose a mat that is actually a smart investment for your home or property — not just a quick fix.

 

We looked at eight of the newest and most popular under sink cabinet mats on the market, including our own Xtreme Mats, in order to help customers make a more informed buying decision. During our product research, we quickly realized that there is a huge difference between the performance and quality of all of these products. Some of the products being sold and advertised as “under sink cabinet mats” really aren’t anything better than a piece of fabric with a waterproof backing — not exactly the kind of protection most people are wanting for their homes.

 

As we compared these eight different under sink mats, we looked at several key features to help create this buying guide:
  • Texture
  • Flexibility
  • Retaining Walls
  • Water Sensor Compatibility
  • Maximum Volume Capacity
  • Everyday Use
  • Colors + Sizes
  • Price Point
  • Warranty

For us, these features all matter when it comes to purchasing a quality under sink cabinet mat. Below, we’ll look at the eight different products we tested, giving you an honest look at what makes these mats work — and where some of them really fail.

 

Features, Benefits, Pros, and Cons of 8 Under Sink Cabinet Mats on the Market Right Now

 

 

Product One:

Sold on Amazon at a $30 price point, this under sink cabinet mat features texture on the bottom, which makes it less likely for products stored under your sink (especially paper goods) to get saturated with water in the case of a leak. But, while this mat offers the flexibility you need to make installation easy, it only features three walls, leaving your cabinet still very much vulnerable if a leak were to occur.

 

The other main issue we saw with this mat is that it doesn’t have much rigidity. That means that, if a small leak did occur, it would be nearly impossible to carry the mat out from underneath your cupboard to dispose of the water without spilling it all.

 

The biggest surprise about this product is that it asks buyers to drill a hole through the mat and into the front of the cabinet. This hole is designed to allow water to leak out of your cabinet and onto your floor, alerting you if and when a water leak occurs. While we can’t read your mind, it seems unlikely that homeowners would actually want water on the floor to be the “alarm” that something is wrong.

Here are a few other notes to consider:
  • The mat needs to be trimmed after it is installed so that it fits your cupboard
  • Holds 3.4 quarts of water
  • Material is easy to clean
  • No designated area for water sensor
  • Available in 2 colors — white and tan
  • Available in 10 different sizes
  • No warranty

 

Product Two:

This flexible under sink mat is easy to install, but it is also not very rigid, presenting a problem if you’re trying to remove the mat with a leak or spill on it. Although it’s advertised as having “4 walls”, in reality, it has four 3/8” tall edges, which can’t do much in terms of keeping water on the mat and off your floor. There is also no texture on the bottom of the mat, which means paper products will quickly become saturated and ruined if a water leak or product spill happens.

 

Fully customizable, trimming this mat to fit under your sink actually negatively impacts how this mat performs. As you trim the mat, the retaining “edges” become even shorter than 3/8” tall. And, although the instructions say you can cut the mat to fit around plumbing because the mat itself is hollow, doing this would actually leave your cupboards even more vulnerable to water damage.

 

Available for $29.95 plus an additional $12 for shipping, other product notes include:

  • Mat is easy to clean
  • Available in 6 different sizes
  • Available in 2 colors — almond and black
  • No designated area for water sensor
  • Holds 1 gallon
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty

 

 

Product Three:

An incredibly rigid drip tray, this “mat” is almost impossible to cut without some sort of special cutting tool (scissors or even a strong blade won’t do it). Because this product is so rigid, the fact that it’s advertised as “customizable” in terms of sizing is a bit misleading.

 

Available on Amazon for between $48 and $72 (depending on size and not including shipping costs), this product does have the benefit of having a textured surface, which means it will better protect your under-sink products. It does have the problem, however, of having only three retaining walls and just a small edge in front. That means that it holds less water than other products before it all starts to spill over the front edge.

  • Easy to clean
  • Holds 1.7 quarts
  • Available in 12 sizes
  • Available in 2 colors — almond and silver
  • No designated area for water sensor
  • No warranty

 

 

Product Four:

So flexible that you can fold it, this $59.95 Amazon product has a couple of major problems. While it’s easy to install because it’s so flexible, you can’t remove it to take water or products out of your cupboard quickly. This under sink cabinet mat also doesn’t have a textured surface, which means all of your paper products will be saturated before you’re notified about a leak or spill. It’s also only available in one (36”) size and one color (bone white).

 

It does have 4 retaining walls, which helps it to outperform other mats on the market. The front wall, however, is rather flimsy, which is why water spills out more quickly than other mats its size.

  • Easy to clean
  • No designated area for water sensor
  • Holds 1 gallon
  • Available in just 1 size and color

 

Product Five:

We were surprised to find this product being sold as an “under sink cabinet mat” because, in reality, it’s just a piece of fabric with waterproof plastic backing! No walls and only able to hold 4 cups of water, it’s really just like putting a towel under your sink. But, because it is just a piece of fabric, it’s only being sold for around the $10 price point — and it’s really easy to cut to the size you need.

 

The biggest problem with this mat is that it provides a false sense of security to the people who buy it. It really won’t do much in terms of keeping anything under your sink or in your kitchen protected from water damage.

  • Available in 2 colors — grey and pattern
  • Holds 4 cups of water
  • No warranty

 

Product Six:

Not an under sink cabinet mat at all, this is really just a boot tray that people use as a quick fix. Why? Because it’s cheaper, has four walls, and features a textured surface. The problem with using a boot tray as an under-cabinet mat is that it’s really not maximizing the capacity underneath your cabinet. While you can place it directly under your sink’s p-trap, there’s a limited amount of products you can put on it. And, if a leak or spill happens somewhere else, then your boot tray really isn’t doing much good at all.

On Amazon, you can find most boot trays with walls selling for less than $15.

 

 

Product Seven:

One look at this product’s reviews will hopefully send an intelligent shopper the other direction. Similar to the cookie tray you’d find in a box of Oreo’s, this “under sink cabinet mat” is loud, thin, and flimsy. Yes, it has four walls and it will hold some water, but, in most cases, having this under your sink when a leak happens will only cause more problems.

 

If you’re curious, you can find them on Amazon for under $20.

 

 

Product Eight:

And, finally, we arrive at our Xtreme Mats. Flexible and easy-to-install, our mats have the advantage of being maneuverable while still being rigid enough to be sturdy. Created with four real walls around the side of the mat, the Xtreme Mat actually contains water and spills — our 36” mat holds an impressive 3 gallons of water. And, because it holds so much, it means that you have more time to get home and address a leak than you do with any other mat.

 

The texture on the Xtreme Mat is important because it keeps any of your products from sitting directly on the bottom. So, if you’re using our water sensor (and every Xtreme Mat comes with a water sensor included with the purchase), you’ll be alerted to a leak or spill before any of your paper goods or products get damaged.

 

We include water sensors with each Xtreme Mat purchase because they really do add another level of protection for your home. We love using water sensors so much that we’ve even included a designated space for a water sensor right in our mat.

 

Xtreme Mats also have a sophisticated design, especially when you take a closer look at our walls. Our mats have three side edges that flare out and a front edge that sits at a 90-degree angle. This design helps to prevent water from spilling out the front of your cupboard and onto the floor. We’ve also taken great care of our design to make sure that our mats fit snugly under your sink. While most other mats have inside measurements that change from manufacturer to manufacturer, Xtreme Mats feature a consistent minimum and maximum size. The minimum size is the size that needs to fit in your cupboard, while the maximum size allows for a little more wiggle room.

 

Our largest mat is sold for $62.95, which includes free shipping and your free water sensor. We recommend replacing our water sensors every two years. (They are available for purchase on our website, too).

 

Other Xtreme Mats features:

  • Easy to clean material
  • Available in 2 colors — dark grey and beige/almond
  • Lifetime warranty + plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 11 sizes, including kitchen and vanity depth

 

At Xtreme Mats, we really do believe we have the best under sink cabinet mat on the market. Super practical, high-performing mats are all we do, which means we’re focused on creating products our customers love — and that we’re proud of, too.

 

If you don’t see a size you need, email our customer service at customerservice@xtrememats.com and we will work with you to find a solution. And, if you need to bulk order Xtreme Mats for your apartment complex, we also have special pricing available.

 

When it comes to buying under sink cabinet mats, no other company can compete with our quality or our customer service!