Short answer: Grounding mat vs grounding sheet comes down to when you want to ground. A mat is best for daytime, at a desk, chair or sofa, and is easy to wipe clean. A sheet is best for sleep, because it covers the bed and keeps you connected while you move. Many people use both.
Key takeaways
- A grounding mat is a small, firm pad for your feet, hands or arms. It suits daytime use.
- A grounding sheet is soft bedding with silver thread woven in. It suits sleep.
- A bed mat sits in between: mat material, but sized to lie across your bed.
- Both plug into the ground hole of a tested outlet, and both need bare skin to connect.
- Mats wipe clean in seconds. Sheets need gentle, cold washing.
What is the difference between a grounding mat and a grounding sheet?
The main difference is where you use them. A grounding mat is a firm pad you rest your feet or arms on during the day. A grounding sheet is soft bedding that connects you while you sleep.
Both work the same way. A cord runs from the product to the round ground hole of a 3 prong outlet. When your skin touches the product, you are connected to the earth, a bit like standing barefoot on grass. If you are new to this, our simple guide to using a grounding mat explains the setup.
Grounding mat vs grounding sheet: side by side
Mats are smooth and firm. Sheets feel like soft cotton bedding. Here is how the four GAYA options compare. Prices and review counts are from our store today.
The two grounding mats
| Grounding Mat | Mat for Bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Desk, chair, sofa | Sleep, wipe clean care |
| Size | 24 x 16 in | 27 in wide, 39 to 76 in long |
| Surface | Carbon leatherette, non slip base | Carbon leather, rubber base |
| Cleaning | Wipe with a damp cloth | Wipe with a damp cloth |
| Cord | 15 ft, included | 15 ft, included |
| Price today | $69.90 | From $62.99 |
| Reviews | 4.8 stars, 1,962 | 4.7 stars, 711 |
The two grounding sheets
| Fitted Sheets | Bed Sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sleep, full bed cover | Sleep, any bed size |
| Size | Twin, Full, Queen, King | 104 x 24 in band across the bed |
| Fabric | 95% organic cotton, 5% silver | 95% organic cotton, 5% silver |
| Cleaning | Cold, gentle wash, air dry | Cold, gentle wash, air dry |
| Cord | 15 ft, included | 15 ft, included |
| Price today | From $87.00 | $99.00 |
| Reviews | 4.3 stars, 602 | 4.9 stars, 49 |
When is a grounding mat the better choice?
A grounding mat is the better choice if you want to ground while awake. It fits under a desk, on a chair or on the sofa, and you can move it from room to room.
It also suits people who do not want to change their bedding or their laundry routine. The GAYA Grounding Mat is 24 x 16 inches, wipes clean with a damp cloth and works on any floor, because the connection runs through the cord. Many people rest bare feet on it while they read or watch TV. Our post on how long to use a grounding mat each day has simple ways to fit it into your day.
When is a grounding sheet the better choice?
A grounding sheet is the better choice if you want to ground while you sleep. Night is the longest stretch of time most of us spend in one place, so it is an easy way to add hours.
A sheet also moves with you. If you turn over at night, some part of your skin is still on the sheet. You have two GAYA options:
- The Grounding Fitted Sheets cover the whole mattress, like a normal fitted sheet. They come in Twin, Full, Queen and King, in gray or white.
- The Grounding Bed Sheet is a 104 x 24 inch band that lies across the middle of any bed, from a single to a California King. It is a good fit if you share a bed or switch mattresses.
"The first thing I noticed was that I stopped tossing and turning. It's like it anchors you during sleep."
Shelley V., GAYA Grounding Bed Sheet review
What about a grounding mat for the bed?
A bed mat is a good middle option. It uses the same smooth carbon surface as a desk mat, but it is sized to lie across your bed where your feet or legs rest.
The Grounding Mat for Bed is 27 inches wide and comes in four lengths: Twin (39 in), Full (54 in), Queen (60 in) and King (76 in). It has a natural rubber base so it stays in place, and it only needs a wipe to clean. That makes it a nice pick for people who do not want to hand wash a sheet. Just keep that spot free of thick blankets or pajama legs, so your skin touches the mat.
Which is easier to care for?
A mat is easier to care for. You wipe it with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, and that is it.
A sheet needs a bit more care, because the silver threads can wear out with harsh washing. Here is what our care guide says for GAYA sheets:
- Hand wash, or use a gentle machine cycle, in cold water only.
- Air dry. Do not tumble dry or iron.
- Do not use bleach, fabric softener, dryer sheets or detergents with oils.
- Wait at least one hour after lotion or body oil before you lie on it.
The good news is that silver naturally resists odors, so a grounding sheet does not need washing as often as a regular sheet.
What does the research say about grounding while sleeping vs sitting?
The research is small, but studies have looked at both. None of them compared a mat to a sheet directly.
- A 2004 pilot study had 12 people with sleep, pain and stress complaints sleep grounded in their own beds for 8 weeks, using a conductive mattress pad. Their nighttime cortisol levels went down, and most reported better sleep. There was no comparison group.
- A 2015 study had 40 adults sit in a recliner for 1 hour, either grounded or with a fake connection. Neither the people nor the researchers knew who was grounded. Pleasant mood improved more in the grounded group.
- A 2020 review counted about 20 earthing studies. Many are small, and several authors work in this field.
So early research has looked at grounding during sleep and during rest, but it is too small to say one is better. For more on the science, read Do grounding mats really work?
Can you use a grounding mat and a grounding sheet together?
Yes, and many people do. A common routine is a mat under the desk or chair by day and a sheet or bed mat at night.
Each product needs its own cord to a grounded outlet. Before you start, check each outlet with an outlet tester, and touch a conductivity pen to the mat or sheet to confirm the connection. If an outlet is far from the bed, a longer grounding cord helps. For more setup and safety tips, see Are grounding mats safe?
How to choose: a quick guide
| If you... | Start with |
|---|---|
| Sit at a desk or in a chair for hours | Grounding Mat |
| Want to ground while you sleep and like the feel of cotton | Grounding Fitted Sheets |
| Share a bed or have an odd mattress size | Grounding Bed Sheet |
| Want to ground in bed but prefer wipe clean care | Grounding Mat for Bed |
| Want to ground day and night | A mat for the day plus a sheet or bed mat for the night |
Ground day and night
The GAYA Grounding Mat is $69.90 and comes with a 15 ft cord. Two mat bundles include an outlet tester, a conductivity pen and an extra grounding cord. For the bedroom, choose the Grounding Fitted Sheets, the Grounding Bed Sheet or the Grounding Mat for Bed.
Free US shipping over $60, ships within 48 hours, 90 day money back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for sleep, a grounding mat or a grounding sheet?
For sleep, most people find a sheet or a bed mat easier, because they cover more of the bed and keep you connected as you move. A small desk mat only works while your skin touches it. The Grounding Fitted Sheets cover the whole mattress, and the Grounding Bed Sheet lies across the middle.
Can I use a grounding mat in bed instead of a sheet?
Yes. Put the mat where your feet or legs rest and make sure your skin touches it. The Grounding Mat for Bed is made for this. It is 27 inches wide and comes in Twin to King lengths, so it lies across the bed.
Do grounding sheets work through pajamas?
Skin contact gives the best connection. Thin cotton may let some connection through, but synthetic fabric like polyester usually blocks it. Leaving your feet, legs or arms bare is the simple fix.
Can I use a grounding mat and a grounding sheet together?
Yes. Many people use a mat at their desk or chair during the day and a sheet or bed mat at night. Each one needs its own cord to a grounded outlet.
How do I wash a grounding sheet?
Hand wash or use a gentle cycle in cold water, then air dry. Do not use bleach, fabric softener, dryer sheets or detergents with oils, and do not iron it. A grounding mat only needs a wipe with a damp cloth.
Is a grounding mat or a grounding sheet cheaper?
A mat usually costs less. Today the GAYA Grounding Mat is $69.90 and the Grounding Mat for Bed starts at $62.99. The Grounding Fitted Sheets start at $87.00 and the Grounding Bed Sheet is $99.00.
More from the Grounding Resources blog
- Grounding sheets for sleep: what to expect the first week
- How to use a grounding mat: a simple daily guide
- How long to use a grounding mat each day
- Are grounding mats safe? Side effects and simple safety tips
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making changes, especially if you have a medical device or condition.
Written by Grace Holloway for the GAYA Team. GAYA makes grounding products for calm, everyday living. Our team reads the research and answers customer questions every day. Our goal is to help you decide honestly, whether or not you buy from us.
Photo: Unsplash.