7 Best Turntable Mats In the UK

Record players are a popular way to enjoy music, and turntable mats are a great way to protect your audio equipment. Turntable mats also help to reduce feedback and background noise, ensuring that you get the best sound quality out of your favorite records. But not all turntable mats are created equal; some are better than others in terms of sound quality, durability, and cost. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of turntable mats available on the market and make recommendations for the best ones you can buy.

What is a turntable mat?

A turntable mat is a circular piece of material placed on top of a record turntable to help reduce vibration and improve sound quality. Many materials and designs can be used for a turntable mat, including cork, leather, and rubber. Each type of material has its unique benefits and drawbacks, so choosing the right one for your needs is important.

The different types of turntable mats

Turntable mats come in a variety of materials, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the most common types of turntable mats:

Rubber mats: Rubber mats are the most popular type of mat, as they offer good grip and isolation from vibration. They are also relatively inexpensive. However, they can be prone to slipping, and some users find them too soft, which can degrade sound quality.

Felt mats: Felt mats are a good middle ground between rubber and cloth mats. They offer good isolation and grip while still being relatively affordable. However, they can absorb dust and other particles, degrading sound quality over time.

Cork Turntable Mats: Cork is a natural material that has excellent vibration-damping properties. It is also very thin, which helps to keep your records level on the platter.

Foam Turntable Mats: Foam mats are not as effective at absorbing vibrations as cork or rubber but are much cheaper and lighter. They can be a good option if you are on a budget or don't mind sacrificing some sound quality.

Glass Turntable Mats: Glass mats are becoming increasingly popular due to their elegant look and excellent sound quality. They help to reflect unwanted vibrations away from the record and provide a smooth surface for the stylus to glide over. However, glass mats can be expensive and fragile, so they may not be the best choice for everyone.

AcrylicTurntable mats: Acrylic mats offer the best sound quality of any mat but are also the most expensive. Acrylic mats can help lighten the highs and tighten the lows. "For me, modern releases, rock, and metal go well with acrylic," says Livberov.

Leather Turntable Mats: Popular leather turntable mats are usually made of medium-thick soft suede, generally 2mm to 3mm thick, and most of them have a multi-layered soft texture. Many people find leather carpets their favorite simply because they enjoy the music as listeners, and many immediately notice an improvement in sound quality over the original carpet.

The Best Turntable Mats

1. Hudson Hi-Fi Premium Acrylic Turntable Mat

Weighing only 10 ounces, this 3mm acrylic mat is not only stylish but also greatly reduces unwanted static and noise.

The resonance is also noticeably lower, especially on sheet metal. Leather helps hold records better, isolates vibrations, provides a more precise, transparent sound, and even improves bass. This mat will fit any 12" table.

This rolling mat is from Hudson, a New York-based company that makes various types of mats and offers hi-fi enthusiasts a wide variety of cleaning products, install, measure, and better sound insulation.

2. Hudson Hi-Fi CoRkErY Recessed Turntable Platter Mat

Another great option from Hudson Hi-Fi, the Cork stacks up against some of the other mats in terms of its features, but it also brings its advantages to turntables.

Cork is a non-conductive, breathable, lightweight natural material that is soft to the touch but moderately hard. It doesn't pick up dust like other mats and is still easy to clean. It greatly reduces static build-up for a clearer sound, and the rubber is injected for added durability.

Because cork has no resonance, it works especially well on steel plates and is light, reduces friction, and absorbs vibrations without dampening or deadening the sound like felt boxes.

3.  Acrylic White Turntable Mat by Pro Spin

The acrylic pad is 3mm thick and produces a crisp and punchy sound even on the oldest recordings. This is a huge improvement over the factory-installed rubber pads, eliminating noise and absorbing static and distracting noise.

It performs just as well at 33 1/3 at 5 rpm, which is apparent from the first listen. The sound is less "machine gun," and at only 6 ounces, it won't weigh you down either.

4. Fluance Turntable Platter Mat (Rubber Black)

The secret weapon for audiophiles looking to maximize their transition experience. Durable silicone rubber provides a  flat, scratch-resistant 11.75-inch surface. Hear your records exactly as the artist intended them.

The quality of the damping ensures that your records are isolated from unwanted subtle vibrations in the turntable, giving it a deep and full tone. The open center allows the vinyl to lay flat on the turntable, regardless of label thickness, to maintain integrity of the disc during playback.

 It is compatible with all turntables. It works with all standard 12-inch turntables and fits on your turntable spindle. You can pair it with the high-fidelity belt-driven Fluance RT80/81 turntable for a pure listening experience.

5. 7-inch Turntable Platter Mat Rubber Silicone Turntable Slipmat Pad

It is compatible with all turntables. For use with all standard sprockets that match the turntable shafts. It is 7" in diameter by 2mm. It is made with a silicone rubber compound that provides a flat, scratch-resistant surface and a 7" diameter non-slip surface.

Hear your recordings exactly as the artist intended them. The damping properties ensure that your record remains isolated from unwanted subtle vibrations on the platter, resulting in a deep and full sound from your turntable.

6. PRO SPIN Orange Glow Acrylic Turntable Mat

No more harsh white noise; enjoy crisp sound while playing your favorite vinyl records. This vinyl pad provides professional-grade sound insulation and helps reduce static and cracking.

 Enjoy the loudest and fullest sound from your vinyl records with this turntable. It creates a firm grip on the recording and isolates vibrations to help achieve a more accurate vocal response.

It makes your record player the focal point of your home. This acrylic LP turntable mat has a classic orange finish, giving your setup plenty of style points. Is this turntable right for your turntable? The orange acrylic turntable is 3mm thick and 300mm long to fit standard 12" turntables.

7. Pro-Ject: Leather It Turntable Mat

The Pro-Ject: Leather It Turntable Pad gives you the perfect sound you're looking for. This special turntable gives you the widest bass sound you want so that you can enjoy a full-circle sound. Perfect for music lovers who want to hear all aspects of the music they love.

If you choose this leather disc, you don't have to worry about vibrations interfering with your music. This special turntable cushion reduces the vibration caused by the turntable.

Conclusion

Turntable mats are one of the most important accessories for any vinyl-lover. They help protect your records from scratches, dust, and dirt while providing an optimal surface for your stylus to rest. We hope that this article on the best turntable mats has given you some insight into what is available and how they can make a difference in sound quality. Whether you’re new to vinyl or already have some experience with it, investing in a high-quality turntable mat is sure to improve your listening experience.