Our trucks are trusted companions, and they’re always there to help us with whatever our day has planned.
For most of them, this means carrying around tools, supplies, furniture, and any manner of things we need moving from point A to point B.
In the process of all this relocating and hauling of cargo, our truck beds can get damaged. This is due to items sliding around, heavy objects putting their weight on the surface, or just general wear and tear from being such a dedicated workhorse.
Enter the truck bed mat: a simple way to protect your vehicle from everything it was designed to do.
What is the best truck bed mat on the market, though?
A quality truck bed mat needs to be reliable, durable, and compatible with your car, so those are the three most important features. From there, you’ll need to find one that suits your budget and the specifications of your truck, with a whole lot of options to wade through.
We’ve taken the hard work from you with our comprehensive list of the best bed mat for truck options, and what makes them so great.
With our hand-picked selection, you’ll have peace of mind that your pride and joy is protected, and never have to drive around with your mind on what’s going on in the truck bed, when it should be firmly on the road ahead.
Our Top Picks for the Best Truck Bed Mat
Although the truck as a vehicle was designed to be tough, that doesn’t mean some extra protection in the right places can’t hurt.
You’ve probably noticed the state of the back of your truck before and grimaced at the thought of all that damage, so we’ve got the solution with our recommendations for the best truck bed mats on the market.
Winner: Husky Liners 16008 Heavy Duty Mat
- Dimensions: 69 x 12 x 12”
- Weight: 32.8lbs
- Material: Rubber
Husky Liners have developed our top pick for the best bed mat for trucks and pickups, with their durable and reliable anti-skid surface and a mat that’s suited to a wider range of vehicles.
Weighing 32.8lbs and made with DuraGrip HD material, it’s been built tough enough so you never have to give a second thought to whether or not your truck is protected, or the cargo you’re hauling.
What’s great about this bed mat is how it fits into the mat of your truck. There are air-dry nibs that allow the air to still get through in between, which also prevents moisture build-up, so there’s no risk of corrosion or rust.
People were thrilled to find this minor feature has so much of a positive effect on their truck, so it’s a bonus feature that saves a lot of headaches.
On the downside, there’s on adhesion on the bottom of the mat, enabling this airflow but preventing it from staying put.
If you don’t choose the exact size to fit your truck, you might find the mat moves more than you’d like, which defeats the purpose of having such a device installed. Therefore, choosing the correct size is crucial with the Husky Liner brand.
The Husky Liners Heavy Duty Bed Mat comes in a range of sizes, and all you have to do is choose one that suits the make and model of your truck.
With an anti-skid surface, the cargo will be gripped tight and prevented from moving around, which means you can put all of your attention on the road and not your truck bed.
Installation is easy and takes mere seconds, and when shopping for the right fit it should slide smoothly into your truck bed. When it’s time to take it out for a clean or any other reason, it can be removed just as easily and in just a few seconds.
Using the fit guide offered by Amazon, you can make sure you’re selecting one that fits your make and model of truck exactly, so there’s no second-guessing at all. This is by far our favorite and most affordable rubber mat for truck bed, and the Husky Liner should be first on your list.
Runner Up:
- Dimensions: 70 x 8 x 8”
- Weight: 34.8
- Material: Rubber
Coming in at the mid-range price is the Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat, always at the top of the pile in truck bed mat reviews.
This rubber compound mat has custom fit applications so that its fits precisely around the wheel wells of the truck, and even gives you the option to adjust its measurements by trimming it down to size. This ensures a perfect fit, even if your car is a little different from what it was made for.
The toughness of this mat is what people love, and it’s the thickest truck bed mat measuring .375”.
Thanks to its width and the durable rubber compound it’s made of, the Dee Zee mat won’t crack, break, or rust, even if it’s left sitting out in direct sunlight for months on end. This type of reliability is why it’s consistently one of the best-rated truck mat options out there.
However, the sizing is somewhat limited compared to other brands, so you may have to work a little harder to find the right fit.
This one, in particular, is for 2015 – 2018 Ford F150s with a 5.5′ bed, which might not be ideal for everyone. If you’re willing to put in the effort to find one that fits, though, you’ll be pleased that you did.
The Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat is adept at resisting spills, so oil and fuel aren’t a problem, and because of its unique thickness, you’ll never make a dent on your truck.
Everything sticks to its surface which prevents rolling supplies and it features tightly compressed rubber fibers in its construction that keep it safe from damage, even deflecting UV rays when left in the sun.
The small rubber cleats located underneath the mat serve two purposes, both of which are very handy for this type of mat support.
First, they help to keep it adhered to the truck bed, and secondly, they ensure that moisture and air can flow freely. This stops the buildup of rust that many truck bed mats cause, but also gives you added peace of mind that everything will stay put where it is.
Using Amazon’s fit guide you can come close enough to pick the right size for your truck or rely on the handy trimmable sizing that Dee Zee offers. For a resilient truck bed mat that costs a little extra, the Heavyweight Bed Mat from Dee Zee is a champion.
Alternative: Westin Rubber Truck Mat
- Dimensions: 64 x 8 x 8”
- Weight: 45lbs
- Material: Rubber
If heavy-duty is what you had in mind for the best rubber truck bed mat, the Westin is one of our top picks.
This is a seriously heavy mat weighing around 45lbs, and it’s designed to fit in a range of cars, with a 6.5ft bed being the most popular size. The Westin Rubber Truck Mat has been heavy molded to fit perfectly in your truck and relies on universal sizing to help you find the right one.
Although expensive, the durable and toughness of this mat are what sets it apart from the rest.
If you need something a lot stronger than the average truck bed mat reviews have shown, the Westin is a customer favorite. Its weight alone is over 10lbs heavier than the competition, proving just how tough it is.
What lost this mat some points though, was the fit that some people reported in their trucks.
Not everyone found it had a perfect fit, even when they shopped for the same size, and although it didn’t affect the functionality or protection, it was noticeable enough to see some puckering in the parts that didn’t lay flat.
If you’re a perfectionist, having this happen could be enough to make you return the whole product altogether.
The Westin Rubber Track Mat is made with a heavyweight rubber, and even lifting it into your pickup will show you how tough it is. With this laid in the back of your truck, you’ll keep it safe from spills, scratches, and moving objects, and it has a ribbed, non-slip surface that ensures everything stays in place.
The shape of the Westin Truck Mat has been heat molded which gives it a unique shape, but as found earlier, it might not be ideal for everyone.
Although expensive, it’s clear the quality and craftsmanship are second to none in this mat, and it will do a fine job preserving the value of your truck for years to come.
Shipping is free of charge when you order on Amazon, and you’ll get the option of free returns, so even if the size causes a problem you’ll still be protected.
Best Tailgate Mat: BDK Heavy Duty Tailgate Mat
- Dimensions: 60 x 19.5
- Weight: 12.87lbs
- Material: Rubber polymer
The tailgate is an oft-forgotten part of the car that requires just as much protection as the bed mat, and if you want to start protecting it too, our top pick is the BDK Heavy Duty Tailgate Mat.
Made with an advanced rubber polymer, it’s built to last through extreme weather conditions and even protect against water, and BDK promises that it will never crack, fade, or split.
What makes this a standout against other tailgate mats is how easily you can adjust the size to fit your pickup.
Unlike others that come in set sizes, leaving you to figure out which one is right, you can easily trim down the edges of this using scissors to get the perfect fit. This saves a lot of headaches and gives you the benefits of a custom-made tailgate mat without the hefty price tag.
On the downside though, it’s not the thickest or strongest, so for people who seriously use and abuse their trucks, they might want to reconsider.
It will still protect your tailgate and is good for everyday wear and tear, but anyone looking for an extreme level of care will need an upgrade to something more expensive and heavy-duty.
The BDK Heavy Duty Tailgate Mat measures 60 x 19.5” giving you ample mat space to work with.
The installation process takes just minutes, and you’ll be able to screw it down yourself to keep it firmly in place. If you ever have to remove the mat, it comes apart just as easily and can be stored away until you need it again.
This heavy-duty tailgate mat from BDK is made with a ½ thick polymerized latex and weighs around 13lbs, capable of standing up against the elements and lasting for years in your truck with the right care.
With this in place, you’ll never have to worry about dents or dings again, as your BDK will be secured and taking the brunt of the force.
For a simple but effective tailgate mat, the BDK is by far our favorite pick.
Runner Up: BedRug Tailgate Mat
- Dimensions: 29 x 9 x 9”
- Weight: 2.29lbs
- Material: POlypropylene
If you’re after the best tailgate mat to protect you and your truck at the same time, the number one recommendation is the BedRug Tailgate Mat.
This is a premium alternative made with high-quality polypropylene designed to look like fabric, making it durable and resistant to chemicals, gas, oil, and bleach. Measuring 29 x 9 x 9″, this model is made to suit more types of cars and pickups, with a special contouring shape to get the perfect fit.
The best thing about this tailgate mat is a feature that often gets overlooked, and that’s how comfortable it is. BedRug has designed this so it’s soft and supportive on your knees, so when you’re jumping up and reaching in to grab the cargo you’re hauling, there’s no damage done to you either.
Although it looks like carpet fiber, it’s made of polypropylene, so it has the same durability as the rest of the tailgate mat.
However, for a more expensive brand of tailgate mat, it appeared the adhesive wasn’t strong enough for some users. People commented that they would have preferred the option to drill it safely to the tailgate, otherwise a stronger type of glue to be used.
This just means you’ll have to keep an eye on it and check the adhesion every few months to make sure it’s stuck in place if you think it’ll be a concern.
The BedRug Tailgate Mat is a lightweight alternative to other products, weighing just over 2lbs but being capable enough to protect your truck.
It’s installed with hook and loop fasteners, and you contour it to the specific shape and width of your truck’s tailgate and bed, so it fits more trucks than other brands.
BedRug has made this mat with slip and spill-resistant fiber so nothing will damage your car, nor will it be able to move around.
The polypropylene is UV resistant as well, so even if you spend hot days working in the sun, it’ll never show signs of aging. BedRug also designs truck bed mats should you want something matching, and can be used with other plastic liners or spray in products.
To get the BedRug Tailgate Mat includes free shipping and the other bonus when buying from Amazon is you can use their free fit guide service.
You just put in the make and model of your car and they’ll tell you the right size and whether it fits, so there’s no second-guessing. The Bedrug is the softest and most defensive tailgate mat on the market, for those who like to keep themselves protected as well.
Best Truck Bed Mat FAQs
Investing in a truck bed mat is the easiest way to protect your vehicle from daily wear and tear. If you’ve never owned one of these mats and are thinking of purchasing one, check out some commonly asked questions to see what they’re all about.
What Is A Bed Mat?
A bet mat is a durable rubber device that’s placed in a truck bed and fitted to the exact size.
Their purpose is to prevent objects from moving around as you drive, protect the paint finish, and stop any hazardous spills like gasoline, oil, and chemicals from reaching the vehicle itself.
Are Bed Liners Worth It?
Having a quality bed liner or truck bed mat installed is essential if you ever plan on carrying anything in the back of your vehicle.
Even those who don’t regularly carry heavy loads or anything that can do damage would do well with a liner, for peace of mind and to keep their truck in good condition.
Which Is Better Spray In Or Bedliner?
A spray-on liner and lay in bed liner each come with its pros and cons, so it depends on the vehicle’s owner as to what is best.
A spray-on coating can be helpful if it’s applied correctly but doesn’t offer the same amount of protection as a thick, rubber bed liner. Based on what you’ll be using your truck to carry, either might be a smarter option.
Do Bed Mats Cause Rust?
An incorrectly installed bed mat might cause rust in a truck, as it may allow moisture and water to get trapped underneath it.
Ensuring that a mat has been installed correctly keeps it airtight which prevents moisture build-up, so there’s no chance for rust or corrosion to develop in the first place.
A Protected Truck is a Happy Truck
Our trusty trucks are with us most of the day, whether we use them for work or just personal errands. We help friends move furniture, carry supplies to and from the worksite, and even carry our four-legged friends in the back so they can come along with us on our day.
As an expensive investment and one we want to last as long as possible, it makes sense to have these dependable vehicles fitted with the best pickup truck bed mat so they can continue to help us out in our day to day lives. For such a small cost, it can have a huge impact and protect your investment in a simple way.
Long days of hauling cargo are standard for trucks, and with the exposure to chemicals, heavy items, and scratches and spills, the simple addition of a bed mat can be a game-changer.
With any of our top picks for the best bed mat, you’ll be doing yourself and your beloved truck a favor, ensuring that it’s with you in top condition for years to come.
