The best mat for you will depend on its intended location and purpose. Different mats have different benefits, like scraping, preventing static shock, providing cushion, or soaking up liquid.

Some workplaces consider the installation of resilient floors, which is flooring with a built-in springiness that acts like a wall-to-wall anti-fatigue mat. This is an expensive decision, but can increase productivity (as opposed to having a large number of individual mats) because constant changes in elevation on the ground can lead to trip and falls in the workplace, which provide and even greater injury hazard than standing still for prolonged periods.

Resilient floors and the simple, singular anti-fatigue mats are extremely easy to clean and maintain, and require little active preservation. To maintain a single mat, they can be wiped clean or mopped, along with the floors around them. Resilient flooring can be hosed down or mopped like other floors. The general instruction for maintenance of the mats is to "clean as needed." This can be done using an affordable all-purpose cleaner. There is no need to rinse the surface of the mat, but it is important not to employ cleaners that contain oil, vinyl, hydrocarbons, or wax, as these can damage the mats and reduce their efficiency.

On the whole, anti-fatigue mats are resilient and long-lasting. They are engineered to withstand incisions from sharp heels and are built to carry heavy weights. They respond well to changes in pressure, making frequent passage between matted and non-matted passages irrelevant in terms of functionality and durability.

Anti-fatigue mats are generally very long lasting, but this durability fluctuates with the circumstances of its placement. Placing the mat in a highly populated factory can cause a great deal of wear-and-tear. An anti-fatigue mat will survive for much longer (without significant changes in efficiency) in a home kitchen or garage, where it’s being used occasionally by little more than one family.

Despite their cost-effectiveness, it is important to consider whether an anti-fatigue mat is necessary. For instance, buying an anti-fatigue mat to place in front of the kitchen sink can be a worthwhile investment, but only if you spend a good deal of time standing in that location each day. If not, the mat most likely will not be of great use to you and will have very little effect on shock absorption and joint fatigue. Nevertheless, an anti-fatigue mat is a quick and easy way to prevent the development of various physiological ailments in the feet, legs and lower back.