Choosing the best winter garage floor mat for wet and snowy weather is an important consideration for protecting your garage from the icy grip of winter. The proper mat will keep damaging road salts and deicing fluids away from your bare concrete.
In addition, they work well to keep the garage floor clean and dry. A dry floor prevents slip-fall accidents from water that can pool up and freeze overnight on the garage floor. Lastly, they do a great job of keeping your garage clean from winter weather residues.
*** Newly Updated Fall 2023 ***
Manufacturers of winter snow mats and containment mats are continually making improvements. As a result, we have updated this popular article. We work hard to keep you informed with the latest information about the leading garage floor winter mats that we can recommend for your review.
Best Garage Winter containment mats for snow
If you live in a climate with regular snowfalls, then a containment mat would be the best choice by far. Unlike traditional garage floor mats, these mats are designed to hold gallons of water, snow, and ice. They work well for those days when the bottom of your car resembles more of a snow plow than your daily vehicle.
Snow, ice, and water are collected on the mat instead of your garage floor. They contain all the liquids that drop from the sides and bottom of your vehicle, hence the name.
After reviewing a variety of available containment mats, we have a few different brands that we recommend.
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AutoFloorGuard containment mat
First on our list is the AutoFloorGuard containment mat. These unique and efficient mats were the first to be introduced to the market. They still get great reviews. In fact, the AutoFloorGuard is one of our favorite winter containment mats.
What makes these mats unique is the material used. They are constructed of a very durable PVC-coated Polyester Scrim fabric instead of vinyl plastic sheeting. It’s the same type of material that is used for tarps in the commercial trucking industry. The results are a tough and flexible mat. Because it is made of fabric and not plastic sheeting, it isn’t measured in mils of thickness like vinyl mats are.
The edges of the mat are constructed of round high-density foam that is heat-sealed into the mat. This creates a 1.25” tall dam that allows you to drive over the edges without damaging them. The tall round sides will retain gallons of water from snow and ice without fear of it spilling out onto the garage floor.
These mats are less expensive than the heavy-duty Park Smart mats and you don’t need to assemble any parts. You just roll it out, unfold it, and you are ready to go. They also roll up fairly easily to store away again for the next winter.
AutoFloorGuard has continued to make improvements to its mats over the years. The biggest change was incorporating a heavier Polyester Scrim fabric for increased durability and wear. We believe this is in response to competing with the TruContain mat that we reviewed below.
Along with the more durable fabric, they include a free telescoping squeegee. Additionally, they have increased their limited warranty from 90 days to one year. Again this competes more directly with TruContain.
Lastly, they also include what they call their new Stay-Put-Corners. This is a large square piece of hook and loop Velcro. It is glued to each corner of the underside of the mat and the garage floor.
The idea of the Stay-Put-Corners is to keep the mat in place and prevent mat creep. It also helps to limit the bunching up of the mat from turning the wheels of your vehicle while not moving. It’s a novel idea and seems to be hit or miss for how well it works.
One other feature that we like about the Auto Floor Guard mat is the ease of removing liquids and snow from it. All that is required is to use a broom or squeegee to push water and snow right over the rounded edges and out the garage door.
All mats come in black and have four different sizes to choose from. Compact is 7’9”x16’, Midsize is 7’9”x18’, SUV/Truck is 8’6”x20’ and XL is 8’6”x22’.
We recommend purchasing AutoFloorGuard containment mats directly from the company for the best customer service and free shipping. Currently, you can get $10 off the purchase price using the coupon code: HeavyDuty
In addition, they are the only company we are aware of that will accept custom-sized orders. These special order mats are manufactured in the U.S. at their plant in Perrysburg, Ohio.
You can also find AutoFloorGuard mats at Amazon. Just keep in mind that you can’t get the same customer service from Amazon as you can when purchasing directly from the company.
One important fact to be aware of is that containment mats such as these will not withstand studded snow tires or chains. We would recommend purchasing the 50 mil protector strips that we mentioned above if your winter tires are studded.
TruContain Containment Mat
The TruContain Containment Mat by Garage Flooring LLC was introduced a couple of years after the AutoFloorGuard mat. It is still considered one of the best values of all the containment mats that we have reviewed to date. There are a few reasons why we like this mat.
Based on the same design as the Auto Floor Guard containment mat, the TruContain mats were manufactured with a heavier Polyester Scrim fabric. We could feel the difference when we compared the two. Now that AutoFloorGuard has increased the weight of their material, the TruContain mats are now comparable in thickness
Not to be outdone, TruContain has now released an optional heavy-duty version of their already successful standard containment mat. Called the TruContain HD, this mat is manufactured with 33% heavier Polyester Scrim fabric than their standard mats.
This newer HD mat was first tested in the harsher winter climate of Canada. In addition, the width of the HD mats in the popular compact and midsize car sizes is approximately 9” wider than the standard mat. This was done to increase the volume of water and snow that it will hold.
The heat welds for the high-density foam edging are very high quality also. Originally, TruContain had elected to move the welds to the underside of the mat instead of the top. This produced a nicer look and provided better protection of the welds from the elements.
However, since they now include their own version of adhesive corners, the mat design was inverted so that the glossy side is now down. This allows for good adhesion of the velcro corners to the mat.
Besides the optional heavier Polyester Scrim fabric and high-quality welds, the TruContain mat comes in what we think is a more attractive dark grey color instead of black. As before, they include a free squeegee attachment with each mat shipped.
A standard screw-in broom/paint handle is recommended for the best results. They were not impressed with the testing of the telescoping handle. You can find inexpensive handles here on Amazon or at your local home improvement center.
Finally, TruContain backs its mats with a 1-year warranty. This is all achieved at a similar price point as the competition. As a result, we feel TruContain is one of the best overall values for a winter containment mat.
You have four different sizes to choose from in their standard line. They are 7’9”x16’, 7’9”x18’, 9’x20’, and 9’x22’.
There are three sizes in the TruContain HD (heavy-duty) line. These are 8′.6″x18′, 8′.6″x20′ and 8′.6″x22′.
The TruContain line of mats can also be purchased from Amazon. Just click on the image for the Standard or HD mat to view the available sizing. Like the AutoFloorGuard brand, you will get much better customer service when purchasing directly from Garage Flooring LLC.
One other point to consider with this style of containment mat is that it is very easy to store after winter. Just fold it lengthwise and roll it up like a large sleeping bag. It’s that simple.
Top Budget Winter Garage Floor Mat
If a containment mat is what you need but the budget is tight, then the Neorexon winter and snow garage mat may be a better choice for you.
The Neorexon mat incorporates the same basic design as the AutoFloorGuard and TruContain mats. In addition, it includes a squeegee with a 3-piece handle and 6 velcro adhesive pads instead of 4. The best place to purchase the Neorexon mat is from Amazon.
While these are nice features to have, there are a few reasons why this mat is less expensive and considered a budget choice.
Instead of using the more durable polyester scrim polyvinyl, the Neorexon mat uses a standard polyvinyl material. It actually weighs less than the other mats in similar sizes.
The raised rolled edges are not as tall as well. At 1.18” they will hold less water and snow. Furthermore, the Neorexon mat uses an elastic sponge foam instead of dense closed-cell foam. Sponge foam is not as resilient and can begin to lose its shape and flatten out over time from driving over it.
Lastly, there is no mention of the seams being heat welded. They appear to be manufactured with a roll press using pressure-sensitive polyvinyl glue.
Despite these shortcomings, the price may be right for you to protect your garage floor through winter.
Garage mats for light snow and rain
For those of you who get the occasional snowfall and don’t feel the need to contain such large amounts of water and debris, there are a few more mats that are worth your consideration.
Garage Grip™️ Carpet Mat
The first would be the Garage Grip™️ Carpet Mat. This is a commercial-quality garage flooring carpet mat made from the same materials used for containing spills at oil and gas well sites. We did a review of the Garage Grip Carpet Mat and were fairly impressed by it.
Besides containing snow and water, the Garage Grip mat is anti-slip as well. You can squeegee or use a broom to push water and snow out the garage door.
In addition, the commercial materials and quality construction are designed to withstand 18-wheelers and heavy machinery. This means it is extremely durable and will last for years.
Available in a variety of sizes, you can price the Garage Grip Mat here.
ArmorAll and DryMate Mats
Next is the ArmorAll Garage Floor Mat. These work well at absorbing liquids from snowmelt and provide a soft anti-slip surface.
Made with waterproof, bonded backing, these mats will not let snowmelt, road salts, or deicing fluids reach your floor. The material is made of 50% recycled fabric that can hold up to 5 times its weight in liquids.
They are available in a variety of sizes for small utility vehicles, motorcycles, or ATVs and two larger sizes for cars and trucks. You can purchase them here from Amazon.
DryMate mats can be cleaned with a vacuum once dry or use a wet vac on them when wet. You can also drag them onto your driveway and hose them down with soap and water if needed.
G-Floor Ribbed Mat
Lastly, there is the ribbed garage floor mat by G-Floor. Though technically not a containment mat for snow or water, the ribs work fairly well at holding moderate amounts of liquid if you have a level floor. They will also allow for natural drainage towards the garage door if your floor is slightly sloped.
They can be mopped dry or use a wet vac to remove water and debris. A squeegee does not work as well due to the raised ribs on the surface. A broom is a better choice.
Made of thick polyvinyl, they are available in a variety of sizes from 7.4’x14’ to 10’x24’ and come in a standard 55 mil or commercial 75 mil thickness. The ribs help to create an added non-slip benefit as well. You can find them here on Amazon.
Best outdoor Winter mat
With all the talk about winter mats, we thought we would share you with what we think is one of the best outdoor mats available. Some of our family members have purchased these and have been thoroughly impressed.
Made of recycled materials, this mat does not have a rubberized or foam backing. You need not worry about it deteriorating or leaving imprints on your garage floor, entryway, or porch.
It is especially nice to use on an epoxy garage floor coating. The stiff bristles do a great job of cleaning the underside of your shoes from loose snow, mud, and other gunk. Debris from the bottom of your shoes falls through the slats and is neatly deposited on the floor. Just lift up the mat and sweep up or vacuum the debris away.
Though a bit pricey, this mat is designed to last for years. It may well be the best investment for a floor mat that you could make in the long run. You can price it here at Amazon.
Important Winter Containment Mat Tip
If you are protecting your bare concrete with a winter containment mat for your garage floor, then the one recommendation we have is to seal the concrete first. It will pay for itself the first winter.
The sealer will help protect your concrete from freeze-thaw. Freeze-thaw is the leading cause of pitting and spalling due to water and road salts. It’s easy to apply and is inexpensive as well.
A great product that we recommend is PS104 from Concrete Sealers USA. It’s a concrete densifier with a siliconate sealer added.
Not only will it protect your concrete from winter damage, it will also harden the concrete surface. This will make cleanups easier and provide some stain resistance from spills and automotive fluids as well.
You can price PS104 here.
Final thoughts
Just remember to be smart when choosing which is the best winter garage floor mat for you. If you deal with an abundance of snow then a containment mat is what you really need.
Our advice is to always purchase the heavy-duty or commercial-grade mat if it’s an option and your budget allows for it. The few extra dollars are money well spent. We’ve heard more stories from people who purchased a cheap mat that didn’t make it through the winter, while others are on their third or fourth winter with the better mat.
If you only deal with light snowfalls or water that needs containment, then the Garage Grip, DryMate fabric mat, or BLT ribbed mats may be a better choice.
Mike M says
Maybe that will sound like a dumb question, but will these mat will resist to studded tire? I’m in Quebec, Canada where winter are pretty hard, and I have studded winter tire.
I’m guessing that they won’t resist, but i’m asking…in case of…
Shea says
Hello Mike. No, it’s not dumb question at all. Most actual “containment mats” will not stand up to repeated use of studded snow tires. The mats that will stand up to studded snow tires are the polyvinyl mats such as the ribbed ones. They will not hold as much water, but they are easy to clean water and other debris out with a large push broom.
Myles says
we have a two car garage with a central drain, and would like to have a single car mat (rubber) wide enough for both cars with raised edges that would direct water to the central drain and then down into a 4″ pipe under the garage that takes the water outside the home (with waterproof seal where the mat comes to the drain hole). Could we have such a thing custom made, and by whom?
Shea says
Hello Myles. No, we don’t know of anyone that offers custom sizes like that. Developing a seal for drains would be problematic as well. Our suggestion is to use two mats on both sides of where the drain is and just squeegee the water out the sides of the mat towards the drain.
Mike says
AIRE Industrial is another player with their Park It Pad. Similar to the Auto Floor Guard and Tru contain, except that they use a sealed in rope for the perimeter edge because foam tends to break down and flatten the more it is driven over.
Shea says
Hi Mike. Yes, we are aware of the Park It Pad. We are not the biggest fan of them, however, due to the relatively shorter rolled edges. They just don’t hold as much liquid. This can be potential problem for garage floors that are not perfectly level. It will also require cleaning them out more frequently. For our readers who are interested, you can find them here.
Dawn Widdicombe says
Any reviews on the Floor Defender Pro mats?
Shea says
Hello Dawn. No, we have not got our hands on one yet to review. Like some others out there, the Floor Defender mats appear to have shorter edges that are not as tall as some of the other containment mats. This reduces the amount of liquid that they will hold, especially if the floor is not level.
Max says
Love your site and articles!
I really don’t like the park smart system as it’s a pain to assemble and disassemble. I have been reading good reviews of the Floor Defender roll out garage containment mats and before I purchase I was wondering about your thoughts on if it might be better than Tru Contain. I like that The Floor Defender containment mats come with Velcro adhesive strips to keep the mats in place.
Shea says
Hi Max. The TruContain mat as well as the Auto Floor Guard mat are constructed of very durable PVC coated polyester scrim fabric. If you look it up, you can find all kinds of information about what it is, how it is constructed, and how it is used in various industries. There is some confusion to what the Floor Defender mat is actually constructed with. It states that it is constructed with something called anti-skid nylon, which we have never been able to find any information about. However, under specifications it states the mat uses vinyl coated polyester which could be another term for polyester scrim. We don’t know if it’s just bad marketing on their part or what, but it does not make us confident that it’s a better mat than the ones we list. The velcro adhesive strips sound like a good idea at first, but we have found time and time again that materials with adhesive for concrete always pull up and never work well in the long run. It may indeed be a good mat, but we have not listed it for the reasons stated.
LD says
Our garage floor isn’t level so the melted snow runs under our cabinet. What type of floor mat would you suggest that could help drain the water towards the garage door
Shea says
Hi LD. A garage mat is not going to help fix the slope issue of your garage. However, a containment mat such as the TruContain or Auto FloorGuard will contain the water in the mat. You will just need to line up one end near your garage door so that you can sweep the pooled water in the mat out the door.
Richard Troha says
I am concerned about moisture being trapped between the mat and the garage floor. This seems like a good place for water to mold and stink. How is this addressed?
Shea says
Hi Richard. The mats don’t leak and are designed to contain the water. You should not have water under the mat. However, should you collect moisture under the mat, the polyvinyl scrim material is highly resistant to mold and mildew and should not be an issue.
Paul Thulin says
Hi Richard, Is the mat described as, “Best Outdoor Mat” made to drive on or is it just an outside mat? It seems like a well built product and what caught my eye is it does not leave marks on a professionally finished garage floor. Minnesota Winters!
Shea says
Hi Paul. It’s a mat for foot traffic that can be placed in the garage or outdoors.
DJ says
Is there a good option for a containment mat for a tractor with chains on for winter? He backs the tractor straight in and does not turn the wheels. However will he need to still put something on top of a containment mat? Which mat would you recommend?
Shea says
Hi DJ. Containment mats will get punctured by studded snow tires and chewed up by tractors with chains. You would need to place a polyvinyl parking mat inside the containment mat. Trim to fit and make sure it’s laid right at the front of the raised edge. You would need a thick polyvinyl mat like this type here. They are the thickest mats at 110 mils.
LYNN FORTNEY says
Is this a typo? TruContain Mat: “One other point to consider with this style of containment mat is that it is very easy to store for the winter.” I thought the whole point of these mats is to use them in the winter. I’m looking for the best solution for snow melt in a garage with a floor sloping towards the back of the house. For use mainly for a snow machine, sometimes
vehicle.
Shea says
Lol… Hi Lynn. Thanks for pointing that out! Yes, it’s a typo and we just went back and fixed it. It was meant to say “store after winter”.