Bertech-1059 ESD Mat Kit (Made in USA), 2.5 Feet Wide x 6 Feet Long x 0.094 Inches Thick, Blue, Includes a Wrist Strap and Grounding Cord, RoHS and REACH Compliant

If you work on computers or other electronic items, one of the most important tools you can have on your test bench is a high-quality anti-static mat to protect your gear’s sensitive electronic components from static electricity.I’ve used a number of different anti-static mats over the years. Some of them were good, some of them not so good.I’m always eager to try new out ones, and I received one of the best I’ve ever used last week for review: the Bertech 2′x3′ Anti-Static Mat Kit with Wrist Strap and Grounding Cord.When the package arrived, I opened up the box unrolled the mat. Although it was tightly rolled and the ambient temp quite chilly, it took just a few minutes for it to begin laying nice and flat on my test bench. I connected the “snap” end of the included grounding cord to the mat and the other end to the face plate screw on a nearby outlet.bertech-antistatic-mat-kitNext, I clipped the alligator clip on the end of the wire on the wrist strap to the other snap on the anti-static mat. Everything looked and worked great, although I would have preferred a wrist strap with a snap that matched the one on the mat instead of an alligator clip.At 2′x3′, this anti-static mat is the perfect size for the work area of my test bench. It easily holds a desktop PC (laid flat on its side) along with various tools, screws, and computer parts. Nothing is cramped and everything I need fits on there nicely.Note: If this mat happens to be too large for your particular workspace, you can easily cut it to fit.I was particularly impressed with the quality of the mat. It’s made from a thick sheet of tough anti-static vinyl that I believe should last for several years even with moderate to heavy use.Bottom line: I believe this Bertech 2′x3′ antistatic mat is a good value for the money.

Mat is very easy to assemble and easy to use. It has connects for the ground and wrist strap on both ends so you can use it left or right handed. I don’t really like using the receptacle screw as the ground connection point though and would have preferred it had the plug in type so there is no doubt the ground wire is touching the ground inside the receptacleWould recommend

Mine has been in storage since 2015. I just got it out and it works great. Mat stays flat even after staying coiled in package for years.The strap has 1 MEG ohm to end of coiled cable. Do not expect a continuity with your meter. It is designed for a slow drain to ground. This setup works great for assembly of a PC or computer systems or assembly/troubleshooting of electronic boards.Keep in mind that this is not a soldering mat. The description emphasizes static and grounding with no mention of soldering. I see a couple bad reviews related to soldering which is a little unfair. Get yourself a different mat for dripping solder. The material for the mat has to be different and likely more expensive to do both.

I used this when repairing larger pinball circuit boards and keep the sharp solder joints on the back of the board from scraping a table I was working at. I suppose a piece of cardboard would have worked as well, but this had the benefit of being ESD-safe. Another advantage of this mat though is it allows you to flip a circuit board around quickly front to back and provides a slight amount of cushion compared to it being flipped on a hard surface. So not as jarring on the board or components when you're making repairs.Unfortunately didn't buy one of these mats until later in life, so plenty of tables were scratched and I only used it for a short amount of time while prototyping new boards or doing repairs on old boards. But if I had to do it all over again I'd pick one of these up in a heart-beat!It's not cheap, but it's a one-time buy for years of use. And if you're repairing a lot of boards, then it's well worth it!

Unlike my last antistatic mat, this one is made in the USA and the quality shows. It is a good size and the accessories are well made. It flattened itself out within around 12 hours. It does have that "beachball" smell, but that dissipates after a couple of weeks. Well worth the money.

Having lived with this mat for several months now, I can finally give an informed review. In short, these are an excellent product! No issues whatsoever. My mat has weathered spilled flux, alcohol, and a constant rain of molten solder blobs. It takes them all in stride. No complaints at all and I liked these enough to purchase two more as gifts for fellow techies. Pair these mats with a high-quality wrist, heel or ankle strap and you have a very capable antistatic workstation on a budget.Update after 2 years: This product still gets 5 stars even after 2 years of use. In fact, I just bought another as I’m expanding the test and debug bench.The only thing I would change in my comments is the mat can be melted if you persist on soldering directly on it. In fairness, this should be expected as any good tech knows you shouldnt be soldering directly on it anyway. For this use you need a silicone mat designed for that purpose.Still a really good value, and I’m pleased with its long-term performance. ZERO “zapped” components in 2 years says it works as intended!