Wirecutter - Our favorite coasters

Studio Art and Stone

When I moved into my first apartment, I was thrilled to finally get the chance to decorate my own space. When it comes to home decor, coasters aren’t usually the first item one thinks of. So when I found some that caught my eye, I realized how fun they can be if you pick a design that speaks to you.

I found these Persian Tile coasters at the Rubin Museum of Art, and I just had to take them home. The museum no longer sells them, but they’re available through the Studio and Stone site. The coasters are made by Studio Vertu, which produces Botticino marble coasters celebrating eastern design traditions. I love that each one has slightly chipped paint for an antique effect, so guests may wonder if I picked them up while thrifting. To prevent sliding, the marble coasters also have cork underneath.

—Sri Rain Stewart, updates writer

Jasmine Kasheboon Khoury

We had to buy coasters, and we had to buy them fast. When we moved into our house, all of our furniture was wood, and we were using cut-out pieces of foam to protect our things. I sifted through endless options on Etsy before finally coming across these Avatar Coasters, which I bought immediately. If you’ve seen Avatar: The Last Airbender, you’ll recognize them right away. If you haven’t, you’ll still think they’re cool wooden coasters. I also love how lightweight and thin they are. The only downside is there’s no protective wax on them, but you could always add one yourself. We’ve used these coasters for over a year, and there’s still no visible wear and tear on them—or on the surfaces they’re protecting.

—Jasmine Kasheboon Khoury, software engineer

Katherine Taylor

I came across these coasters after following and buying paintings from artist Katherine Taylor. I commissioned my first piece of art from her, and loved it so much that I had her paint another piece for my sister. I’m a Jamaican-American woman, so it meant a lot to me to have art in my home made by someone who comes from a similar background. Katherine Taylor’s style is vibrant and has a nice island feel to it, too.

When I saw she was also creating custom-painted coasters, I had to get a set for my friend. He loves Drake, and I noticed she was painting a lot of sets based on artists’ album covers, so I had her make a set for him. He loves them—but it did take him a while to actually use them because he thought they were too pretty to put a cup on.

—Amari Pollard, social and community manager

Graf Lantz

I love the modern hues of these gorgeous felt Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Merino Wool Felt Round Coasters, which are also a popular pick in our gift guides and among staff. They come in enough color combinations that I was able to find a four-pack of blues, which all complement the room’s attention-grabbing statement shag rug without stealing the show. Like a lot of coasters, they have a habit of sticking to the bottom of wet dishes, but at least they don’t make a clattering noise when they fall. Their biggest flaw is holding onto cat hair with an annoying ferocity. These coasters are also toddler magnets—my 1-year-old can’t get enough of knocking them off the table.

—Signe Brewster, editor

West Elm

I have only one prerequisite for coasters: They must not stick to a glass when you pick it up. I've been using simple ceramic and stone coasters for years, and I’ll never go back. I’ve tried knit, felted, and other kinds of coasters, but the heft and porous surface of stone is one of the best solutions I’ve found for the sticky-coaster issue. These West Elm Made Solid Talavera Tile Coasters are similar to coasters I bought at Marshalls, but mine have a vegetable-tanned leather bottom instead of felt.

—Dave Gershgorn, senior staff writer

Gabriella Gershenson

I resisted coasters for a long time because I thought most of them were unattractive. Once I realized that water rings on my coffee table were even less attractive, I launched a fairly extensive search to find coasters I actually liked. I ended up purchasing a set from the Japanese company Saito and never looked back. These are my forever coasters. They're as handsome as I had hoped, and they almost resemble mini Eames Molded Plywood Coffee Tables. These coasters are lightweight and sturdy, they don’t break, and they do the job of preventing contact between cup and table. They’re even big enough to rest a wine bottle on.

A pronounced indentation means they hug the base of your glass, and though they’re wood, they can withstand some moisture—which is kind of the point! When I’m not using these coasters, they fit in a snug stack and blend in with my home decor. They add a touch of polish but are ultimately discreet, which a coaster should be.

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—Gabriella Gershenson, editor

Elissa Sanci

When my partner and I moved away from New York City, a close friend gifted us these carved, wooden City Map Coasters so we’d always have a little piece of home with us. Ours depict a map of New York, but these handmade beauties can be customized to represent dozens of cities and countries around the world. These coasters have since become my go-to housewarming gift for anyone who has recently relocated to a new city.

This Etsy seller allows you to mix and match maps within a single order, which makes it easy to send along reminders of the place someone has just left while also celebrating their new home. These are also excellent coasters. Because the lines of the maps are carved into the wood, condensation collects along the grooves, so the bottom of your glass won’t stick to the coaster.

—Elissa Sanci, trends writer

Orox Leather Co.

Every time I visit Portland, Oregon, my friend introduces me to something unique and locally made, which I inevitably want. On my last visit, it was a saddle bag, made by fourth-generation leather makers Orox. After eyeing her bag for three days, I broke down and went to buy one. The store also gave me four free Oregon Landmark Coasters with my purchase—and I love them.

Each coaster is embossed with beautiful line drawings of Oregon landmarks. The colors of the leather are rich and lovely, reminding me of the leather book covers my dad had as a child. They’re also not easily damaged by liquids like I thought they would be. But the company says to expect a change in their appearance as the leather naturally ages with use (as with most leather products).

—Polina Grinbaum, senior engineering manager