The 7 Best Outdoor Rugs, Tested and Reviewed

After using the Safavieh Courtyard Collection Area Rug on an uncovered deck with lots of inclement weather and foot traffic for weeks, we’re confident it belongs in the top spot on our list. Through thunderstorms, pool water, dirt, debris, and falling leaves, it held up and cleaned off beautifully.

It’s machine-woven from polyester and polypropylene fibers, which have been treated to stand up to stains and exposure to the elements. Upon arrival, there were no loose threads or snags, and it stayed firmly in place throughout our various tests. It also laid completely flat (and stayed that way) after just five minutes—without a rug pad underneath, we saw zero curled edges or lifting.

When the rug inevitably got dirty, we used a power washer to clear off debris and remove embedded dirt. We loved that it looked equally nice when it dried. While we noticed a few edges of the rug looking dirtier after using it for a few weeks, we found that regular power washing cleans it off almost entirely. For a high-traffic area without protection from the elements, we expected a bit of wear and tear. However, we were extremely satisfied with the rug’s durability in the face of daily rain, sun, and even mud.

We tested the 8 x 10-foot option and found it very easy to lift and maneuver—another plus of this pick. Despite its large size, we didn’t need an extra hand to move or lay out the rug. Plus, we love that there are tons of other size options to perfectly fit your space, including circular, runner, and accent rug sizes.

_{Dimensions: 32 sizes available | Shape: Square, round, runner | Material: Polyester, polypropylene | Care: Hose down, spot treat | Colors: 10 options available}

The Rugs.com Border Outdoor Rug is our best budget pick because it’s an affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice style or quality. After weeks of exposure to sun and foot traffic on an outdoor deck, it still looks as good as new without the need for cleaning or vacuuming.

We placed an outdoor furniture set over this rug, but the parts not covered with tables and chairs still looked incredible after weeks of exposure to the elements. We even felt comfortable walking on it with bare feet, which also speaks to the comfort of the rug. Many outdoor rugs can feel rough or scratchy, but this one felt high-quality and sturdy without discomfort. It also never shed or frayed.

When installing this rug, it did curl a bit in the corners. We used weights to push it down for two days for good measure. Afterward, the rug laid completely flat without issue. While it didn’t rain while testing this rug, we poured water on it, and it repelled instantly. It was then easy to soak up with a paper towel, so we’re confident in this rug’s ability to withstand storms in the future.

We recommend adding the outdoor rug pad, which we used while testing. The rug itself does not have an anti-slip backing, so this prevented the rug from sliding around under our feet. The rug comes in three natural shades and 12 square, round, and rectangular sizes.

_{Dimensions: 12 sizes available | Shape: Rectangle, square, round | Material: Polypropylene | Care: Not Listed | Colors: 3 options available}

The quality, look, and water-absorbing qualities of this rug from Pottery Barn make it worth the splurge. The gorgeous rug has a simple striped design with fun fringe edges and looks beautiful enough to display in your living room or back patio as we did. However, for being so attractive, this rug was equally durable and weather-resistant, to our pleasant surprise. We were also impressed by the feel of this rug compared to other outdoor rugs we’ve used in the past: It was one of the softest outdoor rugs we’ve ever tested. 

We experienced a few huge rainstorms while testing this recycled polyester rug and it immediately soaked up all the water, but it did dry in the sun quickly, just a few hours later. We had a similar experience with dog pee. In this case, we soaked up as much as we could, added some soapy water, and rinsed the rug down. It remained unchanged. Otherwise, this option has not collected much dirt or mud over time. If collecting dirt and debris is a major concern, we recommend choosing a dark color from the beginning.

While you can buy a rug pad separately, the heavy rug stayed in place for us on a concrete patio topped with patio furniture. Speaking of the weight of the rug, we recommend asking a friend to help carry it to your desired location and lay it out. Luckily, the rug lies completely flat right out of the package, which means less work for us. It also didn’t shed or fray at all.

_{Dimensions: 4 sizes available | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Recycled polyester | Care: Hose off, blot spills | Colors: 5 options available}

Ruggable has tons of excellent rugs—it’s one of our favorite places to shop for rugs—but if we could only choose one, we’d go with the Outdoor Rainier Dark Wood Rug. While not as cushioned as indoor rugs, we found this option softer than other outdoor rugs we’ve tried. Plus, the pattern mimics an indoor rug, which we love for transforming your outdoor space into a cozy living area.

Every Ruggable rug comes with a grippy rug pad, and we love that both the rug and its paid laid completely flat right out of the box. The rug pad is a few inches smaller than the cover, so you’ll never see it peeking out.

We used this washable rug on two outdoor patio spaces, where it was exposed to wind, rain, sun, dogs, and muddy shoes. For spills and quick rainstorms, we found the water pooled on the surface and easily soaked up with a towel or rolled off. After absorbing water during a big storm (which happened a few times during testing), the rug dried nicely in the sun after a few hours without bunching or shrinkage.

Like all the brand’s offerings, this one is conveniently machine washable—just make sure your washer has a big enough drum to accommodate the size you get. You can also tumble dry it, but to ensure it lies flat after washing, you might want to smooth it back out and air-dry it in the sun instead. We found spot cleaning and hosing off the rug when dirty worked perfectly, too.

_{Dimensions: 5 sizes available | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash | Colors: 3 options available}

We love this design-forward rug from Rifle Paper Co. that instantly makes a statement in your outdoor seating area or other space. Made in collaboration with Loloi Rugs, it has a vivid monstera print specially treated to resist fading from the sun and continuous wear. But, if you don’t love the Monstera design, Rifle Paper Co. sells two other indoor/outdoor rugs.

This power-loomed rug comes in six sizes and is treated for mildew resistance (ideal for areas with a pool). The top is made with 100 percent wool, giving it a soft, plush feel that we love, and the wool has natural oils that make the rug extra water-resistant.

After testing this rug for six months on a partly covered patio, we can confidently say it’s durable and weather-resistant. The green colors remained vivid even with sun exposure—a pleasant surprise. We found the rug does soak up water during rainfall, but it dries quickly.

Plus, we like that its lightweight nature makes the rug easy to lift and move around if needed; yet it still stays in place without the edges curling. The non-slip backing, on the other hand, stayed firmly secured to the ground, preventing bunching or sliding. When it inevitably got dirty, cleanup was easy; we used a broom to sweep away crumbs and dirt. On occasion, we spot cleaned areas with a brush.

_{Dimensions: 6 sizes available | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Polypropylene | Care: Spot treat | Colors: 1 option available}

An easy way to experience more value from an outdoor rug is to opt for a reversible option, like the Tillie Indoor/Outdoor Rug from Urban Outfitters. With a bold geometric print, this rug is made of 100 percent recycled plastic that’s UV-, mold-, and mildew-resistant. When used on our outdoor patio in the hot summer sun, the fabric never overheated under our feet and the woven texture allowed for airflow for quick drying after rainfall. Even when our deck remained damp, the rug felt completely dry the day after the rain.

Despite its length, this rug is lightweight and easy to move, but we liked that it didn’t bunch up easily during testing. When the rug inevitably got dirty with debris and leaves, we brushed and washed it without heavy scrubbing. We do wish you could hose it off for a deeper clean, but the manufacturer advises against this.

After six months of rain, wind, and snow exposure, the rug still looks brand new. However, we did notice over time that the rug’s edges began to rise, which could be a tripping hazard. To combat this, we recommend placing patio furniture on the corners.

We didn’t love that there’s not much difference in the appearance of the two sides. This makes the reversible factor more functional and ideal for messes and stains but it didn’t offer the design versatility we initially expected.

_{Dimensions: 2 sizes available | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Recycled plastic | Care: Spot clean | Color: 1 option available}

The nuLOOM Wynn Rug is 100 percent polypropylene braided into an extra-strong flat weave. Designed with high-traffic indoor or outdoor areas in mind, it’s ideal for families with kids and pets. In addition to being exceptionally resilient, it’s remarkably soft with the flexibility of a traditional rag-braided rug, which we loved during testing.

The lightweight rug was easy to move around and install in our space, but we think it’s best on a flat patio or deck because we could still feel large rugs under our feet when walking. Unfortunately, this option was not quick-drying and still felt wet the day after a rainstorm. Therefore, this might be best for a covered patio or in a climate with little rainfall.

The textured design offers an organic, down-to-earth touch to outdoor dining and sitting areas. It’s easy to maintain too: Thanks to its water-resistant design, the Wynn can be hosed down and spot-cleaned using a synthetic carpet-cleaning solution. We blotted one stain from a spill, and that was enough effort to remove it completely, and it handled vacuuming and sweeping without issue.

_{Dimensions: 20 sizes available | Shape: Rectangle, oval, round | Material: Polypropylene | Care: Hose off | Colors: 39 options available}