10 Best Dj Slipmats 2024 For Controlled Mixing, Cutting & Scratching

So, you’re a DJ.

One inexpensive, small piece of gear that often ends up playing a critical role in a DJ’s set is the slipmat, which sits between the turntable and record.

Slipmats come in a variety of designs and help with controlled mixing, cutting, and scratching during performance.

In this guide, we look at the best DJ slipmats, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about them.

Dr. Suzuki Mix Edition Slipmat Pair – White

The Dr. Suzuki Mix Edition slipmat pair features a debossed logo, shock resistance, and a noise-reducing design.

This slipmat was developed with mix and routine DJs in mind – DJs who demand more control and find the Skratch Edition mats too slick.

The Mix Edition mats are thicker and are resistant to shock. They are also slightly smaller than the record, which can help prevent the mat from sticking to your records as you’re switching.

Some DJs said these were the best slipmats they’d ever used. Critical users were few and far between, so these praises seem to ring true.

Item weight: 3.53 ounces

Package dimensions: 12.2 x 12.2 x 0.12 inches

Technics Slipmat 60658 Duplex 3

The Technics slipmat 60658 Duplex 3 is made of felt. It resists dust and other particles to help protect your records.

This is a dependable and durable slipmat and is a solid choice for DJs and vinyl lovers alike.

Many users were satisfied with the Technics slipmat, though some found it wasn’t as dust resistant as advertised.

Item weight: 0.32 ounces

Package dimensions: 12.52 x 11.89 x 0.24 inches

Technics Slipmat 60642 Headphone

The Technics slipmat 60642 Headphone is basically the same as the previous item, except with a different design. It features a felt construction, is durable, and is also dust resistant.

Most buyers thought it was a quality slipmat and even said it was a great deal for the price. Some weren’t as thrilled with the quality of the slipmat though, offering a bit of a conflicting perspective.

Item weight: 0.352 ounces

Package dimensions: 12.76 x 12.2 x 0.47 inches

Technics Tecman Slipmats 2

Pac-Man fans are sure to get a kick out of the Technics Tecman slipmats, with their nostalgic, retro game inspired design.

Aside from the design, though, this slipmat basically features the same specs as the other Technics mats already mentioned.

Most reviewers enjoyed the mat for its design and even loved giving it away as a gift.

Some found the slipmat to add static to their records, so that’s a good thing to beware of.

Item weight: 0.32 ounces

Package dimensions: 12.76 x 11.81 x 0.31 inches

Dr. Suzuki TTM 7 Inch Slipmat & Slip Sheets

Designed with scratching in mind, the Dr. Suzuki TTM 7 slipmat (with slip sheets) offers a smooth response with no resistance.

This slipmat has been cut to fit Solid Cutz SPIN, PT01 and other stock platters. It also helps records sit snugly on the slipmat to minimize wobble and warping. The slip sheets come with the Dr. Suzuki logo.

Although we couldn’t find many reviews of this product, those who did leave a review said these were smooth, great quality, and ideal for cutting records.

Item weight: 0.739 ounces

Package dimensions: 7.32 x 6.97 x 0.16 inches

Pro Spin Black Turntable Mat – Acrylic Slipmat For Vinyl LP Record Players

The Pro Spin black turntable acrylic slipmat can improve the sound quality of LPs by reducing pop and static thanks to anti-static professional sound dampening and natural absorption.

If you would prefer white to black, this product is also available in white.

Overall, the slipmat gives you a tighter bass response, and it’s perfect for 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM records. It also keeps your record flat while it’s playing.

Positive reviewers said they liked the quality, sturdiness, and flatness of the slipmat. They also found the anti-static feature to work well.

Others said it wasn’t quite the quality they’d hoped for, and it did not work properly for their setup.

Item weight: 6.4 ounces

Package dimensions: 12.95 x 12.36 x 0.28 inches

Serato DJ Slipmat (OSA-SM-WHT-BR)

The Serato OSA-SM-WHT-BR DJ slipmat was designed and manufactured by Q-Bert’s Thud Rumble. They are super thin, synthetic “Butter Rugs,” which offer slickness and grip for cuts and backspins.

These slipmats mostly attracted rave reviews, with some DJs saying they are essential for scratch DJs. They even said they were slick while offering great tracking.

We couldn’t find any negative reviews worth mentioning.

Item weight: 3.2 ounces

Package dimensions: 0.12 x 12.3 x 12.3 inches

Serato DJ Slipmat (OSA-SM-BLK-BR)

As you might have guessed, the Serato OSA-SM-BLK-BR is basically the same thing as the previous item, except in black. But we thought we’d add this one to the list, since you can’t easily find the white or black slipmats from the same product page.

The Butter Rugs feature a thin plastic layer fused with synthetic material for reduced friction, and perfect resistance for scratching, juggling, and mixing.

The slipmats come in a wide spine card jacket for easy transport.

Reviews were a little split. Some found these to be of excellent quality, with an ideal thickness and design that cuts like butter.

Some buyers, however, found these slipmats to be a little flimsy for their tastes.

Item weight: 1.58 ounces

Package dimensions: 0.12 x 12.3 x 12.3 inches

Tamwell Tunrtable Mat For Audophile And DJs

The Tamwell turntable mat is a solid replacement mat for any brand of turntable. This mat helps keep your records flat as they are rotating, and according to the manufacturer, its quality should satisfy any audiophile or DJ. An anti-static cloth is included.

Customers indeed thought it was a great replacement slipmat.

Item weight: 8.4 ounces

Package dimensions: 11.73 x 11.65 x 0.43 inches

SDO Slipmats Communication – DJ Turntable Slipmat

The SDO Slipmats Communication is marketed as a standard DJ turntable slipmat. It has been made with scratching in mind, and features a quality, vibrant design.

It comes with a medium density polyester fibers design, and it measures 11.75” in diameter with a 2.8mm thickness.

Users loved the quality of this mat as well as its price point.

Item weight: 2 ounces

Package dimensions: 12 x 12 x 0.25 inches

What Should I Look For In A DJ Slipmat?

Slipmats are individual for a variety of reasons. Your buying decision is going to be determined by the types of records you use, whether you’re scratching or to what degree, other techniques you use, and what brands you ultimately want to represent.

If you’re an experienced DJ, then you probably have some idea of what you like already.

If you’re a beginner, then it’s often best to stick to the main brands and find a popular product that others have had a good experience with (not advanced, specialty, custom, or budget options).

Although not an expensive piece of gear, there are a few criteria worth thinking about when shopping for a slipmat. They are as follows:

• Material
• Thickness
• Weight
• Design
• Budget

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Material

Sometimes overlooked, material is actually quite important when thinking about which slipmat to buy.

Some of the most common materials for slipmats include cork, felt, arylic, plastic-synthetic, polyester, rubber, leather, and so on.

Although we could get into the pros and cons and nuances of each material, which are ideal for different kind of DJs, and so forth, most of those questions are answered in the criteria that follow.

The main thing to know is that materials do make a difference.

Thickness

The thickness of a slipmat is quite important, because if it’s too thin, it can drag the table’s speed. A thinner slipmat also can’t provide adequate absorption of vibrations and other noises.

If the slipmat is too thick, or too rigid, it can lift your vinyl. And that can result in skips and bounces that interrupt your performance.

Some DJs add a piece of plastic beneath their mat, which can help with record slide, even if the thickness of the slipmat is not optimal. Some slipmats even feature plastic on the underside (of course, the topside usually features a synthetic design).

The main issue with plastic, though, is that it can add a “whoosh” to your sound. So, there are pros and cons to everything.

Weight

The weight of the slipmat also affects performance, and often goes hand in hand with its thickness.

A heavy slipmat will drag the deck platter, which can result in slower rotations.

A lightweight slipmat usually weighs about two ounces, while a standard slipmat weighs about 16 ounces.

Lighter slipmats are generally made of felt, cork, or synthetic-plastic materials. Heavier slipmats come with a rubber or leather construction.

It seems relatively obvious, but thinner, lighter slipmats usually don’t last as long as heavier slipmats. This will depend a lot on the brand, their manufacturing process, as well as the materials the slipmat is made of though.

Design

A DJ is typically design and brand conscious. They are representing a certain style to attract a specific audience, and they want their gear to represent them well, too.

When you don’t have a record on your deck platter, what will be visible to you and your audience is your slipmat.

For some DJs, this might not be much of a consideration. But for others, they will likely want to find a slipmat that’s on-brand and represents their personality.

The good news is there are plenty of slipmats to choose from, so you should be able to find something you like if you keep looking.

The only thing to look out for would be slipmats that are of a cheaper quality, since their designs could wear off, and depending on how the designs were applied, they could end up sticking to your precious records.

Budget

The products featured here are not in a price range that should break the bank. Most are in the $14 to $40 range, and if you’re buying in the $40 range, you’re generally getting two slipmats.

So, while we would normally warn you against going into debt, we can’t imagine a slipmat is going to set you back too far.

But we do know that DJ gear can add up. And if you want to stay current with the latest products, your monthly expenditures are probably high already.

So, it’s always good to spend responsibly.

Also, when buying slipmats, it’s always good to match up the cost against the product to ensure what you’re getting is fair for the asking price.

What Do Slipmats Do?

Slipmats have been designed to rest between your turntable and record. This material is what allows you to move your record while the turntable is still rotating. This also prevents the turntable from rotating at a different speed.

When a turntable is slowed or brought to a complete stop, it can take several seconds for the platter to get moving again. As you can imagine, that can bring the party to a halt. So, changing the speed at which the turntable rotates during a performance is generally not an option.

Slipmats can also help protect your vinyl from the metal turntable below it. That means you can hold the record and spin it around.

For scratching, DJs often prefer slipmats with coatings that make them extra slippery. And there are even slipmats for different sizes of records, depending on what you’re using.

Slipmats often have compelling designs on them too, so DJs can represent their favorite brands while they’re getting the dance party underway.

What Are The Best DJ Slipmat Brands?

There are many brands that make DJ slipmats, some of which aren’t even represented in this guide.

So, by no means should the following list be considered comprehensive.

But the following two brands are among the most recognizable when it comes to DJ slipmats.

Dr. Suzuki

The Dr. Suzuki brand name is well-reconized among DJs. If anything, they are considered a legend and a pioneer in the industry. They have slipmats suited to every need – mix, party rock, mash-up, juggle, scratch, battle, or otherwise.

Serato

Serato is probably best known for their DJ software, expansion packs, and hardware. Fortunate for us, they also make vinyl, apparel, and other DJ related accessories.

So, no matter what your DJ gear needs might be, Serato is a good place to look.

Top Dj Slipmats, Final Thoughts

It takes time and experience to figure out which DJ slipmats are right for you. Take some time to experiment and test before taking a slipmat to an important gig. You’ll have a much better idea of what to expect should anything go wrong.

Slipmats are individual as they are universal to DJs. What works for you, won’t necessarily work for another, especially in terms of design.

Fortunately, you should be better equipped to find what you’re looking for now. Happy shopping!