First off...what exactly is a platter mat?
Platter mats (also known informally as slipmats), are the thin and circular objects that listeners put on top of their record platter before taking their disc out on a spin. Platter mats are there to protect a record's surface to avoid any unwanted damage like scratches, while also "reducing the rumble” through dampening any mechanical noises from your turntable’s motor.
Platter mats can offer a variety of unique colors, patterns, materials, and designs which allow you to personalize how your table can look when no records are spinning. As appealing as each factor may be for one's turntable set-up, it's very important to consider what you, the listener, would want in experiencing a higher fidelity experience. So check out our guide to browse through what type of slipmats you'd think is best for you!
#1: Felt Platter Mats
Felt material platter mats are some of the more common type of mats that one would be familiar with. Most modern turntables already come with a standard felt mat that comes in a standard color of black, while others may feature the logo of the turntable's brand. Other felt mats would include colorful and intricate graphics that make your turntable feel more personal and styled for you.
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#2: Cork Platter Mats
Made up of a natural & relatively inexpensive material, cork platter mats are what arguably may improve sound quality significantly. Because it creates such a smooth contact between the disc & the platter, resonances from the player's mechanisms are dampened significantly, while also reducing the slipping of the record as well for a great listening experience.
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#3: Rubber Platter Mats
Although it's still included in the lightweight class, Rubber Platter Mats are much more firm than standard felt mats. With it's firmness, it has a much stronger grip onto the platter–allowing for the record to be flat and isolated from any type of vibrations. Rubber mats result in a deeper & warmer sound without any static interference, making it great if you'd like something closer to the original recordings of the record.
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#4: Acrylic Platter/Mats

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#5: Leather Platter Mats
Leather platter mats are known for their mild dampening qualities, along with a subtle uplift in bass response. With leather, one can really get creative with the material as it comes in a wide variety of finishes and styles–adding a touch of class to anyone's turntable set-up. Despite their quality, durability and long-lasting nature, leather mats are always going to be one of the more expensive options of mats out there.
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#6: Glass Platter
With a clear finish that's sleek from top to bottom, glass platters are an appealing upgrade to one's turntable set-up. Glass platters provide a smooth surface for one's records that also provides a richer sound output. Like it's nature, others have noted that the sound quality is often more transparent (but also harder) than when using other types of platters.
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So what exactly is the best type of platter mat?
That's up to you!
Every listener looks for different things that make their listening experience unique and personalized to their liking. Whatever pros and cons you'd like to weigh out, the ultimate decision about what platter mat you'd like to use is entirely your decision. So keep spinning!