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Not all tables can handle moisture and heat. Eventually, even the best coffee mug or best wine glass must be set down, and then you need a drink coaster to protect the surface. The best coasters offer protection from both while adding some style to your table.
We researched the best coasters based on performance and style and tested several popular options for absorbency, stability, durability, and more. We found great coasters made from wool, cork, vinyl, and more in various styles. Our top pick is the Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters. The low-profile coasters make it unlikely you'll spill your drink if you place it on the edge but thick enough to absorb heat and moisture. We also loved the Vinylux Upcycled Record Coasters, which effectively protect your tabletop and add hipster flair.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products here.
Best overall: Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters - See at Amazon
Best marble: Pottery Barn Marble Coasters - See at Pottery Barn
Best upcycled: Vinylux Upcycled Record Coasters - See at Uncommon Goods
Best cork: Cocowhoa Recycled Drink Coasters - See at Amazon
Best novelty: Bright Beam Goods Greatest Hits Mistaken Lyrics Coasters - See at Uncommon Goods
Best overall
The Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters are durable and do an excellent job of protecting your table from water and heat.
- Absorbs water and keeps table dry
- Heat protection
- Thin, but durable
- Doesn't slide around easily
- Sticks to your glass when wet
- Hard to clean
The Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters are made in the US of Merino wool, which has great moisture-wicking properties. This was evident in our water test, where it absorbed the water we put on it without allowing it to touch the table.
The wool is pliant and durable, so it doesn't slide around. Graf Lantz offers dozens of color schemes, so you're sure to find something that matches your decor.
What we liked least about the Bierfilzl felt coasters is that they stick to your glass when wet. During our testing, the coaster would stick and then fall onto the floor as we sipped. We also didn't like how hard it is to clean since the wool absorbs any stains.
Best marble
The beveled lip of the Pottery Barn Marble Coasters did an outstanding job of protecting the table from water in our tests and facilitated easy drink placement without looking.
- Offers superior water protection
- Beveled lip aids in easy drink placement
- Stays in place, but doesn't stick to the glass
- Easy to clean
- Failed our drop test suggesting poor durability
Aside from one major flaw, the Pottery Barn Marble Coasters are virtually ideal for protecting your tables. Their beveled edge keeps condensation from flowing off and makes it easy to place your drink on the coaster.
The marble lends a heft that keeps the coaster from sticking to your glass when you pick it up. On the bottom of the coaster are four grippy foam feet that keep it from sliding and keep the coaster from coming in direct contact with the table, providing an added layer of heat protection.
The smooth surface of the coaster is easy to clean with a damp cloth and doesn't hold onto stains. The major flaw in this pick for the best coasters is that they are not durable. They were the only coasters to break when dropped from 4 feet onto wood. The coaster shattered into several pieces. This may not be a dealbreaker if your floors are mostly carpeted.
Best upcycled
Music lovers and general-interest hipsters alike will love to rest their coffee cups on Record Coasters from UncommonGoods.
- Affordable and durable
- Made from up-cycled vinyl records
- Easy to clean, low-profile design
- Great for gifting
- Sticks to the glass
- Doesn't offer heat protection
Old records are gathering dust in thrift stores and attics around the world. The folks at Vinylux decided to repurpose these vinyl discs for hip, functional decor. The Upcycled Record Coasters are made from old records cut to coaster size and laminated, so condensation can't sneak through the hole in the middle and damage your table. Each set is different, featuring a random assortment of six records.
The Upcycled coasters are the thinnest we tested, protecting your glass from tipping if you accidentally place it on the edge. However, this coaster isn't ideal for hot beverages since vinyl is notoriously heat-sensitive. The flat, nonporous design also doesn't keep water from rolling off the coaster, including when it sticks to the glass as you pick it up.
On the plus side, the coasters are easy to clean. A damp towel wipes clean any residue without leaving stains. The vinyl is also incredibly durable, exhibiting no damage after our drop test. These stylish tabletop additions earned a spot in our list of the best coasters.
Best cork
The Cocowhoa Recycled Drink Coasters are functional and stylish. Made from recycled sandals, the cork coasters are absorbent and stay in place instead of sticking to your glass.
- Doesn't stick to your glass
- Durable and low profile
- Made of recycled materials
- Few design options
Think of the squishy material of many beach sandals, and you'll understand why recycling them into drink coasters is a great idea. Cocowhoa's recycled cork coasters are absorbent and spongy, offering great protection between your glass and table.
Senior home editor Lisa Sabatini owns these coasters and calls them amazing. They absorb condensation without sticking to your glass. The low profile means you can easily set your beverage down, but it still offers a layer of insulation for hot drinks.
They're light yet durable, though you do have to handwash them. They come in two colors, blue and orange, with a terrazzo-style design that's especially nice for patios and outdoor spaces.
Best novelty
The Bright Beam Goods Greatest Hits Mistaken Lyrics Coasters bring humor and conversation to your drinking experience while doing a sufficient job of protecting your tables from moisture and heat.
- Holds condensation well
- Good heat protection
- Low-profile design that doesn't slide around
- 17 different lyric sets
- Hard to clean
- Sticks to glass when wet
The Bright Beam Goods Greatest Hits Mistaken Lyrics Coasters are the best coasters for coffee tables because they're instant conversation starters. Each package features six cork coasters with mistaken lyrics from great songs ranging from "Hey Ya" ("Shake it like a polar bear ninja") to "Hotel California" ("On a dark desert highway cool whip in my hair").
The Bright Beam Goods website offers 16 other mistaken lyric set options, including inappropriate, ' 90s-themed, and animal-based lyrics.
Best of all, the Mistaken Lyrics coasters work pretty well. The cork doesn't absorb the water but is abrasive enough to keep it from rolling off. It stays in place on your table, and it's easy to place your beverage on it by feel alone. Even if you miss, it's low-profile enough that your drink won't tip. The coaster also passed our durability test with flying colors.
We didn't like that it stuck to the bottom of a glass when wet. This would cause condensation to roll onto the table, and the coaster would fall on the floor once it was released. The coaster also stains easily, and there isn't a simple way to clean it.
How we test coasters
I tested all of the best coasters in this guide. In addition to using the coasters casually to get a feel for how they work in daily use, there are many objective tests I put each one through. The most important factors to consider when picking a coaster are water protection, ease of use, and durability.
Water protection: First, I placed a 16-ounce glass of ice water on each coaster with a paper towel underneath to see if condensation would somehow make its way through. Unfortunately, I tested in the dry, cold season, and condensation was hard to come by. Using a dropper, I created fake condensation by distributing a teaspoon of water around each glass. Then, I let the water sit for about an hour and assessed how moist the paper towel was underneath. I also noted if the coaster stuck to the glass when I lifted it up, which could lead to water rolling off the coaster onto a table.
Ease of use: I used each coaster with different glasses and beverages for a few days. I paid close attention to what made them easier or harder to use, including how easy it was to place a glass on the coaster without looking. I also evaluated how easy each coaster was to clean and if it slid easily.
Durability: I enlisted my child to drop each of the coasters from eye level (about 4 feet) onto hardwood flooring. The only coaster that broke was the Pottery Barn Marble Coaster.
FAQs
What type of coasters work best?
If you want to protect your table from water and heat, we recommend looking for a coaster with a lip around it or a porous surface that will keep water from rolling off. Feet on the corners or good insulation will also add protection against heat.
Do slate coasters absorb water?
Yes, the porous surface of slate will help absorb minor amounts of condensation, protecting your table.
What material is best for drink coasters?
Our top pick is made of merino wool, which insulates your table from heat and water damage. Felt coasters perform similarly, and all soft materials protect your tabletop from scratches. Sandstone is another popular material. Kitchen editor Lily Alig uses the Thirstystone Coaster (made from sandstone) and is amazed at how effectively it absorbs condensation. The disadvantage is that it takes a while for the coaster to dry fully.
