Do you need a gun cleaning mat?
If you own a gun or a collection of guns, you definitely need a gun cleaning mat.
This mat does more than protect your gun from scratches, it also helps protect the surface of your work area from staining, scratching, or other damage.
Some gun cleaning mats also double as carrying cases.
They come with pockets in which you can store your firearms and gun cleaning tools eliminating the need to carry an extra bag particularly if you are going to the range.
Other mats come with other types of features and these features are designed to help you in one way or the other. If you want a plain mat with no additional features but does what it is intended to do well, that up entirely up to you.
There is a range of options to choose from and one key factor that determines the type of mat to buy includes the size of your firearm.
This being said, we have reviewed some of the best gun cleaning mats you can buy for your pistols, revolvers, and rifles. This review is for newbie shooters and expert shooters looking to buy their very first gun cleaning mat.
We hope that the information we have provided, although it’s not comprehensive, is going to be helpful.
Top Pick
Sage & Braker Gun Cleaning Mat
- Large Size
- Easy to Rolls Up & Clean
- Extremely Durable
Gun Cleaning Mats Comparison Chart
| Photo | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sage & Braker Gun Cleaning Mat | Size: 69” x 16” Thickness: 1/2” Features: 4 Pouches, Leather Straps & Buckles | Check Price |
| TekMat TEK-36-AR15 | Size: 36” x 12” Thickness: 3 mm Features: Dye-Sublimation Printing | Check Price |
| Real Avid AVGLOCKSM | Size: 19” x 16” Features: Parts Tray & Magnetic Section | Check Price |
| UsefulThingy AR-15 Gun Cleaning Mat | Size: 36” x 12” Thickness: 0.12” Features: Full Diagram of AR-15 | Check Price |
| Ultimate Rifle Build Gun Cleaning Mat | Size: 17” x 11” Warranty: 100% Lifetime Warranty Features: Stitched Border & Waterproof Printing | Check Price |
5 Best Gun Cleaning Mats (as of April, 2024):
1. Sage & Braker Gun Cleaning Mat Review
Sage & Baker produces some of the best gun cleaning products in the market.
And if you are the type of hunter or shooter who prioritizes quality over anything else, then you can’t go wrong with Sage & Braker.
And this mat by Sage and Braker is the Ferrari of gun cleaning mats.
Not only does this gun cleaning mat look good, but it is also designed with a purpose. And that purpose includes being able to clean your guns without scratching them.
The mat also comes with pouches where you can store your guns and gun cleaning equipment. The pouches are roomy and can hold several gun cleaning brushes and bore snakes.
They can also hold your gun lubricants and gun cleaning solutions. So it’s more than a mat, it also doubles as a carrying case.
The mat is made of thick leather, wool, and waxed canvas. The wool helps protect your gun from the surface you are cleaning it on. It also helps protect the surface itself from damage from your guns or cleaners and lubes.
The cleaning surface is padded to prevent cleaners or lubes from soaking into the mat.
The thick leather and waxed canvas pouches help protect your tools and guns from scratching or other damage. These materials are extremely durable and hardwearing. So this is a mat that can give you years of use.
Another great aspect of the mat is its large size. The mat is 69 inches long, 16 inches wide, and one and a half inches thick. It’s big enough to clean your largest guns on.
The mat comes with leather straps and quality buckles to keep your tools in place. It rolls up easily into a compact carrying case that you can move around with effortlessly.
And you don’t have to worry about cleaning it. You don’t need a special cleaning agent to clean the mat. Soap and warm water are pretty much all you need to clean up any grime and dirt.
The only real downside is the price tag. The mat costs a lot more than similar products.
Main Features
- Made from Waxed Canvas, Heavy Wool & Thick Leather
- Large Size 69” x 16” x 1/2”
- For Store Handguns & Gun Cleaning Tools
- Handsome & Functional Design
- Protects Gun From Being Scratched
- Protecting Surfaces From Cleaners, Lubricants & Oils
- Easy to Use, Rolls Up & Clean
- Four Pouches
- Leather Straps & Quality Buckles
- Extremely Durable
Pros:
- Made of thick leather, wool, and waxed canvas
- Large enough to accommodate large guns
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Comes with pouches to store handguns and gun cleaning tools
- Rolls up easily
- Padded surface to protect the mat from staining
- Protects your gun from being scratched
- Protects the working surface from gun cleaning solutions, oils and lubes
- Beautiful and functional design
- Extremely durable
Cons:
- It is expensive
2. TekMat TEK-36-AR15 Gun Cleaning Mat Review
TekMat makes gun cleaning mats for just about any type of gun.
If you have a pistol, revolver, or rifle, TekMat has a cleaning mat for each type.
So if you have an AR-15, you may consider getting this TEK-36-AR15 gun cleaning mat by TekMat.
The design of the mat is exceptional and its quality is outstanding.
The mat’s surface is made of thermoplastic fiber and this is to protect your gun from scratching. The surface has an exploded view of an AR-15 rifle imprinted on it showing all the parts of the rifle, which have also been labeled.
And the imprint is of such great quality that it does not fade quickly. Some users say that you say that they have used the mat for more than 6 months and they have not seen any sign of fading.
The backside of the mat is made of neoprene rubber to prevent the mat from slipping.
The rubber is 3mm thick and it also helps protect your work area from staining or damage from cleaners and gun lubes.
The mat is waterproof and oil resistant. It is also large. It is for an AR-15 rifle after all and it measures 12 inches by 36 inches. So there is adequate space to dismantle and clean your rifle without needing to place the parts on a different mat or surface.
Although the mat is quite thick, you can roll it up easily, but you need something like a rubber band to keep it folded since it cannot fold.
You can wash the mat as it is washable. You don’t need any type of special cleaning agent. You only need water and soap to clean the mat.
But it is recommended that you don’t throw it in a washing machine to clean it as that could shorten its lifespan.
Main Features
- For AR-15 Gun & For Long Guns
- Soft Thermoplastic Fiber Surface
- Size 12” x 36” & 3mm Thick
- Neoprene Rubber Backing
- Protect Work Surface
- Prevent From Sliding
- Waterproof & Scratchproof
- Non-Slip, Durable & Washable
- Oil Resistant Dye-Sublimation Printing
- Easy to Use & Rolls Up
- Black Mat Imprinted With AR15 Exploded View
Pros:
- It has a thermoplastic fiber surface to protect your gun from scratches
- It has a thick non-slip back
- It is large enough to accommodate an AR-15 comfortably
- It is waterproof and oil resistant
- It is washable
- It rolls up easily
- It is durable
- It is affordable
Cons:
- The edges are prone to fraying
- It does not fold
3. Real Avid AVGLOCKSM Gun Cleaning Mat Review
The Real Avid AVGLOCKSM Smart Mat is a user-friendly and functional mat that new and expert shooters would appreciate.
This is a mat you can place on a kitchen table or any other surface and it won’t slip since it has a non-slip backing, which also protects surfaces from damage.
The mat is designed for Glocks and it is 19 inches by 16 inches in size. It has a padded surface that does not absorb gun cleaning solutions or oils.
The surface is also shock absorbent. So even if you bang your Glock on the mat, neither of them is going to get damaged. Plus it also protects your pistol from scratches.
There is an inbuilt tray made of plastic where you can place small parts of your Glock when you disassemble it. And it is partitioned into compartments some of which are magnetized to keep the micro parts of your gun in place.
So if you place the mat on a table and you accidentally bump on the table, you can be assured that those tiny parts won’t roll off the mat falling onto the ground. And as you can imagine, finding them can be a real headache.
On the mat’s surface, there are imprinted graphics that show step-by-step instructions on how to disassemble a Glock for cleaning.
This is something newbie shooters can find to be very helpful. And the graphics are big enough that you can read them with ease.
The mat is washable, but avoid putting in a washing machine to protect the structural integrity of the mat. Use water and soap to clean it and leave it out to dry.
A major drawback with the mat is that it’s not heat-resistant. So you might want to avoid placing your gun on the mat right after shooting it or placing it near a source for heat as it may melt.
Main Features
- Protect Kitchen Table From Scratches
- Helpful, Clearly Printed Graphics
- Size 19″ x 16″
- Soft & Padded Surface
- Glock Takedown Directions
- Parts Keeper Tray
- Magnetic Tray Section for Small Parts
- Non-Slip Backing
- Oil & Solvent Resistant
- Easy to Use & Rolls Up
- Step-By-Step Instruction
Pros:
- It is washable
- It repels gun oils and cleaners
- It is easy to clean and maintain
- It protects your Glock from scratches
- It protects the work surface you place it on from getting damaged
- It is shock absorbent
- It has a non-slip back
- Inbuilt tray with some magnetized compartments to keep small parts of your gun in place
- It is affordable
Cons:
- It is not heat-resistant
4. UsefulThingy AR-15 Gun Cleaning Mat Review
This is an UsefulThingy AR-15 Gun Cleaning Mat that is quite fancy.
It comes with an exploded diagram of a disassembled AR-15, with each part clearly labeled.
There is also a section on the mat that gives an overview of a Colt AR-15, which includes specifications and notable features.
So it’s a great mat to help you know more about your rifle particularly if you are a newbie shooter or hunter. Plus you are not going to struggle to make out what’s written. The graphics are easily readable.
The mat is made of a thick, tough, and durable material.
It is well padded and it has a smooth surface that absorbs any gun cleaning solvent and gun oil that would otherwise leak on the surface of your work area. And by doing this it protects this surface from getting damaged.
The top part of the mat is designed to also protect your rifle from scratches and other damage.
The back of the mat is made of neoprene rubber to prevent it from slipping and to also prevent solvents or oils from getting onto the surface of your work area.
The size of the mat is 36 inches by 12 inches. There is enough room to place all the parts of your rifle when you take it apart for cleaning.
The mat is washable. You can wash it easily using soap and water. But do not wash the mat using a washing machine as that may cause some damage to the mat over time.
Overall, this is a gun cleaning mat worth buying especially if you are a newbie shooter. It’s durable and as long as you take good care of it, it can last you a long time.
Main Features
- For Rifle, Shotgun Or Handgun
- Great Size 36″ x 12″ x 0.12″
- Protection From Scratches & Damage
- Protects Table & Counter Tops
- Soaks Up Any Oil & Solvent
- Sturdy, Durable, Long Lasting As New
- Easy to Carry & Rolls Up Quick
- Rolls Up Nicely For Your Range Bag
- Oil Resistant & Non-Slip Bottom Layer
- Full Exploded Parts Diagram Of AR Type Rifle
- 100% Money Back Guarantee For 60 days
Pros:
- Sturdy and durable
- Protects your AR-15 from damage
- It has a non-slip bottom to protect the mat and gun from slipping
- It has an absorbent surface to keep cleaners and oils from getting to the surface of your work area
- The surface of the mat is imprinted with an exploded diagram of an AR-15 with clearly labeled parts
- Ideal for newbie shooters
- It is affordable
Cons:
- Some users don’t like that the bottom part of the mat absorbs liquids
5. Ultimate Rifle Build Gun Cleaning Mat Review
This Ultimate Rifle Build Gun Cleaning Mat is designed for gun owners who are looking for a quality gun cleaning mat that is not expensive.
This mat is reasonably priced and its a lot cheaper than many similar products.
The mat is designed for cleaning pistols, so it only measures 11 inches by 17 inches and it is 5mm thick.
The top part of the mat has an imprint of the American flag. The imprint is of high quality and it does not fade easily even when you pour cleaners on it.
The mat’s surface is made of polyester and it has a waterproof coating. It absorbs any excess cleaning solvent, lube or oil and does a great job of protecting your pistol from damage.
The bottom part is made from rubber. So it doesn’t matter what surface you place the mat on, it stays in place since its non-slip.
And it also protects any spillage of gun lube or cleaning solvent onto your work area keeping the area clean and protected from damage.
The mat rolls up easily. But you would need a rubber band or a thick string to keep it folded. It is washable but does not use your washing machine to wash it, as it may get damaged.
Aside from all that, the mat comes with a lifetime warranty.
Main Features
- Perfect for Gunsmith or Hobbyist
- Large Protective Surface 11″x 17″
- For Gun Cleaning Or Mouse Pad
- Stitched Border
- Black Polyester Top With Waterproofing Coating
- White Heat Transfer Printing Prevents Smearing
- Non-Slip Natural Tree Rubber Backing
- Exclusive URB Design
- 100% Lifetime Warranty
Pros:
- It is durable
- It looks great
- It absorbs excess gun cleaning solvent, oil or lube
- It is waterproof
- It has a non-slip bottom to keep the mat and gun in place
- It protects pistols from damage
- Prevents leakages onto the surface of your work area
- It is extremely affordable
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Some users don’t like the thinness of the mat
Buyer’s Guide
You have decided you want a gun cleaning mat, which is great. Every gun owner should own one. But since there many available options, how do you tell which mat is suitable for you?
Let us take a look at the features you need to consider when selecting a gun cleaning mat.
Size of Gun You Own
One key factor to consider when purchasing a gun cleaning mat is the size of your firearm. You can get gun cleaning mats for pistols and revolvers, but you cannot use these mats to clean a rifle since they are small in size.
But you can use a rifle gun cleaning mat to clean a handgun since it’s large in size. So before purchasing a gun cleaning mat make sure that its big enough to accommodate the size of your firearm.
Otherwise, you don’t want to end up buying a mat that is too small for your gun. But if the mat is large, that should not be a problem.
Additional Features
Some gun cleaning mats come with graphics imprinted on them. And usually, the graphics are of the gun the mat is designed for.
You can get a mat that has an exploded view of an AR-15 or a Glock, and these graphics come with step-by-step instructions on how to disassemble the gun.
Some mats come with inbuilt trays that have magnetized compartments to store the smallest parts of your gun when you are taking it out for maintenance.
Others come with pouches where you can store your gun cleaning tools. These types of mats are extremely handy because they double as gun cleaning mats and carrying cases.
You simply place your guns and gun cleaning tools in the pouches, roll up the mat and strap it and you are good to go.
So every gun cleaning mat is unique in its way. And if you are looking for one that comes with extra features be ready to part with some extra cash.
These features come at a cost, but when you compare what you are getting for the amount, the price tag is going to seem trivial.
Cost
Gun cleaning mats varying in prices. You can get a quality gun cleaning mat for a few bucks. Then there are those that cost a couple of hundred bucks. Usually, the expensive types come with extra features and that is what you are really paying for.
So it all depends on what you want and what you can afford. If you want a mat with fancy additional features, you are going to spend more than you would if you are to buy a plain and simple gun cleaning mat.
Cleaning a Gun Cleaning Mat
Gun cleaning mats are not hard to clean or maintain. Many of them are made of materials that are leak-proof, but despite this maintaining them properly gives them a longer life.
Many gun cleaning mats don’t need special cleaners or detergents. In fact, you don’t need anything more than soap and water to remove grime and dirt.
You may use a soft brush or sponge to scrub dirt and slime off the mat, but other than that, you pretty much don’t need anything else.
You may also choose to throw the mat in a washing machine if you don’t have the energy or time to clean it yourself. The problem with that is that over time, the mat’s durability will be reduced significantly.
So it’s not recommended to wash a gun cleaning mat in a washing machine.
When to Replace a Gun Cleaning Mat
A quality gun cleaning mat should be extremely durable. This is why when buying a mat, you should never compromise on quality despite the cost of the mat.
But you also need to do your part. If you don’t maintain your mat properly by cleaning it every time you use it, its longevity is going to reduce considerably.
And you may find yourself buying a new mat every now and then and not because of its quality but because you just don’t treat it right.
So proper maintenance can increase the life of your mat.
On another note, if you use your mat regularly to clean your guns, and you use some harsh cleaners, after some time the mat may change in appearance. It may look faded or feel rough to the touch. When you notice these signs, its time to replace the mat.
Tips on How to Maintain Your Gun Cleaning Mat
- Wash it after every time you use it to extend its life
- Avoid using harsh cleaners or detergents to clean your mat to prevent fading and other damage
- If the mat is not resistant to heat don’t place it near a source of heat or place a hot gun on it as it may melt
- Use mild soap and warm or cold water to clean your mat
Conclusion
Having discussed different the best types of gun cleaning mats you can buy for different types of firearms. We would like to end this article by pointing out that gun cleaning mats are extremely beneficial.
Even if you own a gun that you don’t use regularly, that should not deter you from getting a mat that helps protect your gun from damage when cleaning it.
Because would you rather own a scratched up gun or buy a gun cleaning mat? We believe that’s a no brainer. If you own a gun and you don’t have a mat, consider getting one. It is going to be of great use to you when you need to clean your gun.
