10 Best Self-healing Cutting Mats
Cutting mats placed on the top of a table may save the table from bruises and scratches made by knives and other cutting items while cutting. Upon continued usage of cutting mats to shield the table from bruises, one would notice the mat itself being bruised. However, with the use of self-healing cutting mats, the effect of the knives won’t be so apparent. For this reason why many people prefer having them. By the way, self-healing cutting mats do not only protect the table from damage, it also prevents the knife from dulling quickly. If you’re considering self-healing cutting mats for your home, this article is all that you need to get started. On this article, you shall be guided on what to look out for before buying a self-healing cutting mat. Also, you’ll find a comparison table of ten different cutting mats for different purposes. Furthermore, we shall proceed to give you a detailed description of the various cutting mats including its pros and cons. Our best self-healing cutting mats are made by various manufacturers and are durable. We hope that our choices will be helpful to you in making the best decision on your next shopping.
How We Wrote Our List of the Best Self-healing Cutting Mats
Before coming up with a list of the best self-healing cutting mats, we considered some factors that make it the best. One of such factor is the size of the cutting mat itself. The size of the cutting mat determines the level of work that can be done on it without having direct contact with the table. We understand that the factor of size largely depends on what the user wants. Anyways, some of the products on our list have different size options. So, if our review unit doesn’t meet your size expectations, you can check out the other size options. Other than the size we considered texture, thickness, color, and price. With all things being equal, these factors determine which self-healing cutting mats are the best. We also considered consumer’s perception of the product as well. This was done by taking into consideration the reviews it has on various marketplaces.
What to Consider Before Buying Self-healing Cutting Mats
The type: There are two kinds of cutting mats, they are; hard surface and soft surface mats. The latter is referred to as ‘self-healing.’ Self-healing mats are thin and are relatively flexible. These kinds of mats have vinyl on its surface. It tries to close back after sometime whenever a blade is scratched on the surface of the mat. This action is what gave the mat its ‘self-healing’ name. On the other hand, hard surface materials are rugged and rigid. The blade of the material skips over the surface but doesn’t penetrate. One wouldn't be wrong if it referred to the hard type as the resistant type (since that is what it does)
Size: The size of the cutting mat determines its cost (on a general note.) Also, the size can be a major determiner of the amount of work that can be done on the surface of the material. Thus, before getting a self-healing mat, consider the size of your table and your size needs. Doing this will help in preventing wasteful spending.
Thickness: Most of the time, one will find self-healing mats that are 2mm thick. 2 mm mats have a texture that feels plastic, and sometimes they feel either overly smooth or overly rough. 2mm mats are not considered for serious cutting tasks such as straight knife cutting. However, they are still great for working in the home with it. The thickness of a self-healing cutting mat is not a sign of poor quality; rather it is the absence or the deterioration of its lamination on it. On the other hand, if you are looking for professional self-healing mats, go for the ones that are 3 mm or thicker. These can be used for hard core jobs and lasts longer.
Tool Tolerance: Surely, you are going to use a tool on the top of the cutting mats after buying them. Thus you should know the tool a cutting mat is suitable for before buying. If you’re using straight knives, then we think you should get a professional cutting mat. Working with rotary knives only? Then a 2 mm cutting mat will be fine with it.
Thickness | Surface Area | Color | |
---|---|---|---|
Alvin Professional Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 12" x 18", Green/Black (GBM1218) | 0.2 inches (3 mm) | 18 by 12 inches | Green |
Crafty World Professional Self-Healing Double Sided Rotary Cutting Mat, Long Lasting Thick Non-Slip Mat 18" x 24", 12" x 18", and 9" x 12" for Quilting, Sewing, and All Arts & Crafts Projects | 0.2 inches (5.08 mm) | 12 by 18 inches | Green |
Silhouette CUT-MAT-12-3T Cameo Replacement Cutting Mat | 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) | 12 inches by 12 inches | Light blue |
Dahle Vantage 10672 Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 18"x24", 1/2" Grid, 5 Layers for Max Healing, Perfect for Cropping, Sewing, & Crafts, Black | 0.25 inches (3 mm) | 18 by 24 inches | Ash |
Calibre Art Self-Healing Rotating Cutting Mat, Perfect for Quilting & Art Projects, 18x18 (17" grid) | 0.4 inches (10.16 mm) | 14 inches by 14 inches | Green |
Fiskars 18x24 Inch Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat | 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) | 18 by 24 inches | Ash |
Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat, Full 18x24, Best for Quilting Sewing | Warp-Proof & Odorless (Not From China) | 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) | 18 by 24 inches | Green |
OLFA 9881 RM-SG 18-Inch x 24-Inch Self-Healing Double-Sided Rotary Mat | 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) | 18 by 24 inches | Green |
Nicapa Replacement Cutting Mat, 12 by 12-Inch (3 pack ) | 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) | 12 by 12 inches | Ash |
US Art Supply 24" x 36" GREEN/BLACK Professional Self-Healing 5-Ply Double Sided Durable Non-Slip PVC Cutting Mat Great for Scrapbooking, Quilting, Sewing and all Arts & Crafts Projects | 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) | 24 by 36 inches | Green |
Reviews of the Best Self-healing Cutting Mats
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/simple_list]
Alvin Professional Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 12" x 18", Green/Black (GBM1218)
The Alvin Professional Self-Healing Cutting mat provides a wide surface area for cutting purposes. It has a thickness of 5mm which is great for direct knife cutting. On the aspect of cost, this mat is priced below 12 bucks which is something affordable for many.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=0]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Alvin Professional Self-healing mats does its job very well in self-healing. But you should not fold it up when transporting it. Just keep it straight, and you’ll be fine. We recommend this product to anyone looking for the best self-healing cutting mat.
Check out this pen on Amazon.
Crafty World Professional Self-Healing Double Sided Rotary Cutting Mat, Long Lasting Thick Non-Slip Mat 18" x 24", 12" x 18", and 9" x 12" for Quilting, Sewing, and All Arts & Crafts Projects
Want the best cutting mat for quilting? Go for the Crafty World Professional Self-healing mat. Unlike most other cutting mats, both sides of this mat can be used for cutting. The good side of this mat is that both sides don’t slip off when used for cutting.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=1]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Having a double-sided mat saves you some extra space on the top of your table. So if you have a tight space, then go for this mat. Its clear grid lines and super self-healing properties make it one of our best self-healing cutting mat.
Check out this pen on Amazon.
Silhouette CUT-MAT-12-3T Cameo Replacement Cutting Mat
The silhouette CUT-MAT-12-3T is a transparent cutting mat which measures 12 inches by 12 inches. It is a self-healing which does the job of protecting the knife and table very well. Its surface is calibrated with grid lines in inches which aid in the measurement of materials placed on it.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=2]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
We love the silhouette CUT-MAT-12-3T for its sticky surface which helps us in keeping the material intact for cutting. This feature makes it one of the best cutting mats for quilting.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Dahle Vantage 10672 Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 18"x24", 1/2" Grid, 5 Layers for Max Healing, Perfect for Cropping, Sewing, & Crafts, Black
The Dahle Vantage 10672 is a brown colored self-healing cutting mat measuring 18 by 24 inches. It has up to 5 layers which give the best healing property on a mat. It is a self-healing mat for professional tasks measuring 3 mm in thickness.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=3]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The Dahle Vantage 10672 Self-Healing Cutting Mat is great at shielding a table from scratches and assisting in cutting materials. It is one of our best self-healing cutting mats under $15.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Calibre Art Self-Healing Rotating Cutting Mat, Perfect for Quilting & Art Projects, 18x18 (17" grid)
In addition to being self-healing and well calibrated on the surface of the mat, self-healing mats have to be elegant. This is exactly what Calibre Art Rotating Self-Healing Cutting Mat had in mind when they make their mats. Its appearance looks great, and the surface is easy to use.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=4]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The Calibre Art is one of the best of its kind in the cutting mat niche. Its neatly calibrated lines and anti-slip base makes it a pleasure to use. We recommend this product to people looking for the best self-healing cutting mats.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Fiskars 18x24 Inch Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Coming from the stables of Fiskars is one of the best self-healing cutting mat for quilting. The surface is brown and its base is non-sticky. On its surface are brown lines which calibrate the mat in inches.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=5]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Fiskars self-healing mats are great for its big font sized calibrations and its well and its bias lines. We recommend it for people who need gridlines that are bold enough to read on low light.
Check out the price on Amazon
Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat, Full 18x24, Best for Quilting Sewing | Warp-Proof & Odorless (Not From China)
Some people complain about their self-healing mats not being able to straighten it after being warped. Well, if you are among such persons, then this self-healing mat from Calibre Art is for you. It is designed to resist warping, and it is also odorless too. It is priced above 30 bucks per piece, but we think that’s not too bad for a mat made outside China.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=6]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The Calibre Art Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat is one of the most durable mats we’ve ever tested. Its low odor and its superb self-healing feature are among the best we’ve ever experienced.
Check out this product on Amazon.
OLFA 9881 RM-SG 18-Inch x 24-Inch Self-Healing Double-Sided Rotary Mat
The OLFA 9881 RM-SG is a self-healing mat that measures 18 inches by 24 inches, and it is calibrated on both sides. On the aspect of self-healing, this mat does it better than other competitors in the marketplace.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=7]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The OLFA 9881 RM-SG is a great choice for cutting especially when you make use of a rotary cutter. It is, in fact, our best rotary cutter for quilting.
Check out the different options available on Amazon.
Nicapa Replacement Cutting Mat, 12 by 12-Inch (3 pack )
Does bigger always mean better? Well, that’s not always the case with a cutting mat. In fact, the Nicapa Replacement Cutting mat is an exception to the phrase “bigger is better”. So what are the special features? Well, let’s find out below.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=8]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Don’t have enough cash to spend and are looking for the best bargain ever? I think you should consider the Nicapa Replacement Cutting Mat. It has a 4.5-star rating after over 500 reviews on Amazon. In fact, this is the best cutting mat if size does not bother you.
Check out the pack options and their prices on Amazon.
US Art Supply 24" x 36" GREEN/BLACK Professional Self-Healing 5-Ply Double Sided Durable Non-Slip PVC Cutting Mat Great for Scrapbooking, Quilting, Sewing and all Arts & Crafts Projects
We mentioned earlier that professional mats are usually thicker than non-professional ones. However, they have to be bigger too. The US Art Supply 24 x 36 inches is not lacking in those qualities. It has great build quality, and it comes in two different color options.
[content-egg module=Amazon template=custom/bigcart_notitle limit=1 offset=9]
Product features :
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you’re looking for a big sized mat, this is one of the best self-healing cutting mats for it. Its surface area and precise calibrations make it ideal for the professional. Just make sure that you don’t roll it up, and you’ll be fine with it.
Here's a video of DIY Cutting Mat :
Conclusion
Having a good cutting mat that heals automatically is vital for your cutting tasks. However, it is vital to have a glimpse of the best self-healing cutting mats by reading our reviews. Now that you’ve through the best self-healing cutting mats on our list, it is time for you to make a decision. For us, the cutting mats on our list are perfect. So which is your best cutting mat? That’s a question for you (the reader) to answer.
Don't forget to check out some of our recommended articles:
10 Best Pen for Writing on Wood
5 Useful Tips for Home Improvement on a Budget