7 of the best baby splash mats for keeping things clean

This splash mat from Lookka has a large surface area, is waterproof and non-slip, and will keep your floors protected from spills and mess. We love that it’s machine-washable, making it easy to clean, or it can also be cleaned by hand.

Reviewers praise how well it catches food and liquids, its large size, and its versatility. Even after a number of washes, reviews suggest that it holds up well, resisting wear and tear. Functional but aesthetically pleasing, it should suit most homes.

Some shoppers did note that this mat isn’t totally non-slip on certain types of flooring, especially when their children are more active, and that it can stain when using certain types of food or paint.

Got a Mamas & Papas Snax highchair? This co-ordinating Mamas & Papas splash mat offers ample coverage for mealtimes and messy play and can be easily wiped clean. Reviewers like the variety of designs (we particularly love the alphabet floral option), appreciate its size and effectiveness, which reduces clean-up time after meals.

While the material is generally easy to clean, some stubborn stains might take more effort to remove, and on certain floor types, the mat can be prone to slipping.

This baby splash mat from Ralphie Bear is adorable. Let your child experience the joy of eating while you sit back and enjoy the cuteness overload. The Ralphie Bear splash mats, made from non-toxic PVC, are perfect for under the highchair, under tables, for arts and crafts, for potty training and even in the garden. The super cute bear print material can be easily wiped clean with soapy water. It will protect your floors and furniture from any splashes and spills during mealtimes, plus it has the added bonus that it’s lightweight and can be folded for packing away or on the go.

Reviewers love the design (us too!) and the mat’s versatility but noted that more intense stains might need more effort to remove them fully. Some reviewers also commented on the size, as they wished it was a larger size to cover a broader area.

Bumkins splat mats are the perfect, affordable solution to keeping your baby’s mess at bay. Acting as a guard or shield against feeding and playtime mishaps, the lightweight and easy-wipe splash mat makes clean-up easy as the mat dries in minutes. It can be wiped clean or machine-washed, so it’s super durable and stain-resistant. The baby splash mat also folds up compactly so it can be thrown into your nappy bag, ready to take with you on your daily adventures. It’s a good size to protect the floor from spillages and keep surfaces clean, while the lightweight material can be put away in minutes; however, it's not as big as many we've tested. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "There are lots of splash mats of a bigger size, but this is big enough to do a decent job and also means it's easy to take to friends' or family's houses. It wiped clean easily and was very quick to fold up and store. The characters on the mat are probably the main reason you'd want to buy this one over any other."

Reviewers praise it for its durability, ease of cleaning and design, noting that it adds a cheerful touch to mealtimes. Some mentioned, however, that it can take a little longer to air dry than some mats, which can be inconvenient if you need it ASAP. Despite being easy to clean, some food stains (like tomato sauce) can be more challenging to remove completely. It's also not non-slip, unlike most of the splash mats we've tested. Sophie Knight continued: "Unlike many of the splash mats I've tested, this one doesn't have any anti-slip features on the bottom of the mat. This meant it moves a lot during mealtimes, especially if you have a child who likes to move around and get in and out of their chair a lot, like mine. It also meant it was quite easy to slip on it as you walked over it."

The TotsAhoy! Non Slip Splash Mat is praised by shoppers for its brilliant grip, combining two high-tech fabrics to ensure it stays put on hard floors and carpets. Easy to clean (you can pop it in the washing machine), waterproof and durable, it’s also a great size, measuring 110 x 110cm. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "I liked the simple design of this splash mat, meaning it'll fit into your decor without worrying about it. It's a good size and wiped clean really easily."

Reviewers value its attractive design, non-slip abilities, and adequate size. However, they did mention a noticeable plastic smell upon arrival, which thankfully dissipates over time. As with many other mats on our list, certain foods can stain the mat if not wiped off quickly.

Waterproof and easy to clean with silicone spots on the bottom to stop it sliding about, there's lots to like about this splash mat from AlleyDesign. As well as being an effective mat for catching mealtime messes, we love that it’s educational, too, as there are fun letter and animal illustrations on it, to introduce children to the alphabet and their favourite creatures.

This splash mat measures 130x130cm, which is bigger than some we've tested, giving lots of floor coverage; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "I loved the animal alphabet design of this mat, meaning we could use it as a play mat once spills have been mopped up. It's fun and characterful. It's easy to wipe clean, although I found the feet of my daughter's highchair left marks on the mat quite easily."

Shoppers appreciate the cute design and the large size of the mat, which allows for interactive mealtimes. However, some mentioned that it does stain easily and that it had an unpleasant smell upon arrival, which did disappear after washing and line-drying.

The WOMUMON splash mat is perfect for under the highchair, over tables for arts and crafts, for potty training, and even in the garden, so you can see why it's highly rated on Amazon. Smaller messes can be easily shaken off or wiped clean with a damp cloth, or if you've got a larger mess to contend with, it can be thrown in the washing machine on a low heat setting. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "I love alpacas so this was a favourite in our house. It's a fun design without being garish. Like all splash mats we've tested, it's wipe clean and easy to unfold and lay down on the floor. This is a good size that easily catches mealtime spillages."

Many reviewers have noted that it protects their floors well and love that it can be thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning. They praise the non-slip backing, but some mentioned that the material is prone to staining. Not an alpaca fan? That’s ok – there are plenty of other designs available, too.