7 Best Leather Desk Pads 2023 - Real Leather Mats to Stop Scratches
/Looking for a leather desk mat to protect your workspace and complete the look of your office?
Not only do leather desk pads look great (the older they get, the better they look!), but genuine leather products are renowned for being long-lasting, easy to clean, and repairable - so while they might cost more than the fabric or faux leather alternative, they are a worthy investment.
Whether for work, writing, or gaming, leather desk pads also have plenty of practical benefits, such as they:
Prevent accidental scratches from your mouse and other items (pens, coins, etc.)
Improve the organization of your workspace, providing a subtle visual border to encourage a clutter-free environment.
Enhance the ergonomics of your workspace - soft leather helps to combat forearm and wrist fatigue during long work or gaming sessions.
Here are my 7 recommendations for the best leather desk mats. I chose these based on design, build, price, and customer recommendations.
Best Overall Leather Desk Mat: Londo Top Grain Leather Desk Mat
Londo is one of those companies that prides itself on delivering quality products at affordable prices, and its non-slip leather desk mat is a fine example of that philosophy.
Crafted with genuine cowhide leather and finished with fine and durable stitching, this desk pad offers a super smooth surface for writing, using your mouse, and resting your forearms.
This desk pad has beautiful rounded corners and measures 28.74 x 13.1 inches (plenty of space for a clutter-free laptop or keyboard/mouse setup) and is available in five different colors: brown, black, damson purple, olive green, and mink.
Best Overall Leather Desk Mat: Londo Top Grain Leather Desk Mat - amazon customer image
Whichever color you choose, the stitching will be white - worth keeping in mind if the complete look of your desk mat is important to you.
Customers report that Londo’s desk mat is also suitable for writing on without issue - no paper pierced or impressions left behind.
Reasons to Buy
Amazing value for money
Quality leather and stitching
Available in several colors
Reasons to Avoid
Reports of marking more easily than other leather desk mats
What Customers Say
“This was an incredible buy for what I received. It came nicely packaged in a fancy rectangular box with the actual desk pad lightly rolled and protectively wrapped in a thick tissue paper.
My mouse glides effortlessly and writing on this beauty feels great. It doesn’t get marred by anything I’ve placed atop it thus far. I did coat it with a nice leather conditioner and I can tell this will last a long time and become more beautiful with age. It’s a great buy!”
If you're looking for a large, luxury leather desk mat that will stand the test of time, then you won't get much better than Decasso's leather desk pad.
Dacasso’s mats are used in some of the most prestigious boardrooms in the world, from the situation room of the White House to the UN Headquarters.
Made from top-grain leather and measuring 38 x 24 inches, Decasso's extra large leather desk mat is handmade by its team of highly experienced craftsmen, who go the extra mile to deliver a superior product that is built to last. It’s available in either black or brown colors.
This desk pad is one of the heaviest around (8.38lbs!) and arrives flat and firm, featuring a rigid core that is guaranteed to never curl or warp.
The pad's internal structure makes it pad about 0.375" thick, and features a soft felt backing to prevent it from slipping on your desk.
This desk blotter has superb scratch resistance, even if writing on it on a single sheet of paper. The luxury leather surface has been hand-pulled around the edges of the mat to give it an elegant and stylish finish.
This desk mat certainly doesn’t come cheap compared to other examples on this list, but if you are after an executive desk mat that looks and feels amazing, then as the saying goes - you get what you pay for.
If you love the style of Decasso's extra large leather desk mat, but don't have the space, it does also offer the same pad in a number of smaller sizes.
Reasons to Buy
Luxury leather desk pad with amazing build quality
Extra large surface area for all your office needs
Reasons to Avoid
Expensive, but you get what you pay for.
What Customers Say
"Absolutely the best REAL leather desk mat. Hand delivered by FedEx, sold by Amazon. I have purchased two Decasso Black Mats before years back and they turned out to be absolutely perfect - great looking, great for writing, great for computer mouse. My son has used one for most of his high school years and it still looks as good as new. If you can afford it, skip the synthetic leather mats and buy the real leather one. You will enjoy it for years."
Several of the leather desk mats featured on this list can be easily rolled up and carried away for travel and business trips.
But what makes Elizo’s product stand out is a small leather strap that keeps your desk mat rolled up neatly, and a bag to keep it protected from scuffs and scratches while on the move.
Measuring 31 x 15.6 inches, this leather desk pad is made from full grain leather and combines two layers of premium leather (0.11 inches of thickness total) for a sturdy and durable work or writing surface.
The edges of the desk pad have undergone a process called saddle stitching, which is renowned for its toughness. And with a full suede bottom, it’s not going to shift or slide once it’s in place.
When you buy Elizo’s leather desk blotter, you’ll also receive a leather drinks coaster, plus a collapsible tray that’s the ideal size for holding your keys, coins, and watch.
Elizo’s desk blotter is available in multiple colors including black, bourbon, copper, walnut, and cognac. The full grain leather has not been buffed or sanded, so that it shows off its natural characteristics and ages well - developing a beautiful patina over the years.
This desk mat comes with a one-year extended warranty and replacement guarantee. With its quality build and bundled accessories, it not only makes a lovely purchase for yourself, but also a gift for a loved one.
Reasons to Buy
Great build quality
Leather strap and case for travel
Superior stitching
Reasons to Avoid
Can’t buy the mat on its own, if that’s what you prefer!
What Customers Say
“Not the first desk pad I’ve purchased, but is definitely the last one. It’s beautiful quality and robust. Highly recommend.”
Leather Nomads is a family business that prides itself on producing elite, handcrafted leather products - and that includes its Ultimate Leather desk mat, which comes in an XXL size that has plenty of room for even the biggest laptop.
Made from premium full-grain leather, this desk protector is available in three different sizes and five color options.
The three different sizes are:
Large (23.6" x 15.7")
Extra Large (31.5" x 15.7")
XXX-Large (36.5" x 15.7"
And the color options are black, brown, grey, chocolate, and pink.
As well as a suede underneath to provide extra grip and prevent the mat from slipping on your desk, it also features a heat-resistant upper layer. So if you're using a laptop on top of the desk pad, this will help to prevent it from overheating while you work.
What's more, this desk cover mat has a special coating that forms water droplets when liquid is spilled on it. This makes cleaning up any accidents a breeze.
While most of the leather desk blotters on this list come with at least one year's manufacturer warranty, Leather Nomads offers a whopping 5-year warranty. If there are issues, they will replace it.
Your Leather Nomads desktop mat arrives in a beautiful presentation box, making it an ideal gift. And inside, you'll also receive a leather drink coaster and two genuine leather chamois for cleaning your laptop screen or monitor.
Reasons to Buy
Beautiful presentation box makes this mat a lovely gift
Bonus leather chamois and coaster
Multiple sizes for all kinds of keyboard and monitor/laptop setups.
Reasons to Avoid
The mat’s edges aren’t as smooth as other examples on this list, with a risk of it fraying.
What Customers Say
“I’m very impressed with the quality and feel of this leather. It arrived in very nice packaging (suitable for a gift) I’ve got it on my desk and so far my only complaint is that I wish they made one even bigger than the XL. I would buy this again for myself or as a gift.”
A number of the leather desk pads on this list are perfectly suitable for writing on, but Contact’s hand-made desk protector with a classic look will ensure you can sit comfortably to write for hours.
Cut from a whole cowhide (imported from Italy and 0.08 inches thick), this desk mat is incredibly soft and has a lovely texture. Despite this, its surface is strong enough that the nib of a pen will not penetrate the paper as you write.
Contact’s leather blotter comes in just one color, a deep, rich brown, However, it is available in a variety of sizes ranging from 16 x 2 inches on the small side, all the way up to 36" x 17” in the largest size.
The product available today is actually an upgrade, made by Contact after customer feedback.
Reasons to Buy
Beautiful dark brown leather.
Rolls up easily for portability.
Available in multiple sizes.
Reasons to Avoid
Not as durable against scratches as other leather desk mats.
What Customers Say
“I've been researching for mats that I could roll up if I wanted to move where I was writing, but it to be firm enough to handle just one page or piece of paper that is not card stock. This mat is perfect in its thickness: for rolling up; its firmness: for a single normal 20lb bond sheet - printer paper to be written on with ultra fine 0.38mm pen or 0.5mm mechanical lead pencil; and the texture and beauty of the mat itself has me thrilled for the next time I can write!”
This one’s a bit out of left field, I’ll admit! In truth, any of the leather desk mats on this list would be suitable for fast and accurate mouse movement while gaming. However, the design and packaging of Renaciente’s product helps to set it apart.
First, this blotter comes with a hand-painted hummingbird design, which against the plain leather of its competitors, helps it stand out. And I think it’s something that certain gamers might enjoy, to inject some fun and personality into their desk setup.
Perhaps more importantly though, Renaciente’s desk protector comes packaged completely flat - not rolled up like most leather mats are. This guarantees a super flat surface for your keyboard and mouse right from the off, which I know gamers and streamers will appreciate.
This mat is 24.5 x 18 inches and made from thick rawhide leather, providing a smooth surface and the joy of a rich patina that will develop over the years.
Renaciente has been making natural and long lasting products since 1947, and this leather mat is a testament to that ethos. It is 1/8 thick and one full piece of leather.
Reasons to Buy
Beautiful, whimsical design
Quality-made with rawhide leather
Impressive customer service
Reasons to Avoid
Not for those who want a blank leather mat (although those options are also available).
What Customers Say
“This is a very nice quality leather desk mat with a great writing surface. Unlike many vendors, this company ships the mat in a flat custom box vs a rolled tube, so you don’t have issues with the ends curling up. I also like there are no side rails that just accumulate dust and debris.”
Best Faux Leather Desk Pad: Aothia PU Leather Desk Pad for Office
I know this is a list for real leather desk pads, but if your budget doesn’t stretch that far or if faux leather is a sacrifice you’re willing to consider, then Aothia’s faux leather mat might be worth considering.
With over 55,000 Amazon reviews averaging 4.7 stars out of 5 (at the time of writing), Aothia’s faux leather desk pad dominates the market on the site, and it’s not hard to see why.
Costing under $20 and available in 17 different colors, this faux PU leather desk mat comes in a hue to suit any home office setup - from black and brown to pink, purple and yellow.
Protecting your desk from scratches and spills, Aothia’s desk pad comes in three different sizes: 31.5 x 15.7 inches, 23.6” x 13.7” inches and 36” x 17” - giving you plenty of space for your keyboard, mouse, phone, and other desktop accessories.
The back of the mat had a special cork-suede design to prevent slipping (more than 70% more than double-sided leather, its makers claim).
Unlike real leather, Aothia’s faux leather laptop desk pad is water-resistant to protect your desk from liquid spills and easy to clean with a wipe of a wet cloth.
However, since this desk mat is a synthetic product, it won’t have the same durability as real leather, nor will it develop the same luster over time.
And for added peace of mind, this desk blotter comes with a one-year warranty, with an exchange or full refund if you’re not happy.
Reasons to Buy
Cheap and good-looking faux leather desk mat.
Available in loads of different colors
Pick from three different sizes
Reasons to Avoid
Not as durable as real leather desk mats
Arrives folded up and may require flattening before use.
What Customers Say
“This desk blotter is perfect for protecting the finish on my new desk. Good size, fits under my laptop with plenty of room on the right for my wireless mouse and a beverage. Came rolled up in a sealed box. Unrolled easily and lays perfectly flat. Highly recommend it!”
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Best Leather Desk Pads: Frequently Asked Questions
A genuine leather desk mat doesn’t come cheap, so here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about them, to help you buy with confidence.
Are leather desk mats worth it?
As I mentioned just above, real leather desk pads are more of an investment piece than a throwaway buy. But what you get is a quality product that not only looks great (and will look even better as the leather ages), but also something that is soft, comfortable, and will protect your desk for years.
Are leather desk mats good for gaming?
Yes. Leather desk pads provide a super smooth surface for quick and accurate mouse control, which makes them perfect for gaming. Their impressive stability means your keyboard won’t be slipping around either.
How to flatten a leather desk pad?
Most of the leather desk mats on this list are delivered rolled up. And while it’s likely they will roll out pretty flat out of the package, that’s not always the case. To flatted a leather desk pad, simply place a pile of heavy books around the edge that is curling up and leave it overnight. Check that the mat has flattened, and repeat the process if necessary.
How to clean a leather desk mat?
The easiest and quickest way to clean leather desk mats is by giving them a gentle wipe with a damp cloth and drying away the moisture with a dry cloth. To keep your genuine leather mat looking its best, you should condition it once in a while with a leather conditioning balm or leather conditioning oil. This will prevent your desk pad from drying out and cracking. My personal recommendation is Chamberlain's Leather Milk, a healing balm that prevents and restores dry, cracked, and scratched leather. It's available at Amazon here.
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
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