The best coasters

• Coasters protect your furniture from unsightly water rings and they add a hint of fun to your decor.
• The Thirstystone Cinnabar Coasters are the best coasters you can buy because they solve the ongoing problem of sweaty drinks that leak all over your furniture thanks to an attractive sandstone material that also absorbs liquid.

I used to believe all coasters were basically the same, functionality-wise. How different could squares of material designed to hold your mugs or water glasses really be? When I shopped for them in the past, I typically focused on style rather than asking myself, will this keep condensation from leaking all over my glass coffee table?

But a coaster shouldn't just elevate your decor, they should also leave you stress-free knowing glasses won't leave stains on your furniture.

As such, I've been inspired to hold my coasters to a higher standard. Thanks to the commentary of many intrepid online shoppers and my own experiences, I've rounded up the best coasters money can buy. Some of them look extra chic, but all of them protect your favorite pieces of furniture from coffee stains and water rings.

Here are the best coasters:

• Best overall: Thirstystone Cinnabar Coaster
• Best dishwasher-safe: Enkore Set of 6 Coasters
• Best quirky: Record Coasters
• Best marble: Crate + Barrel Set of 4 Marble Coasters
• Best porcelain: Lifver Absorbent Stone Coaster Set

Updated 8/7/2020. We updated prices and links and added a selection of relevant buying guides.

The best overall

Thirstystone Cinnabar Coasters quickly absorb water and protect your furniture while still looking stylish.

Coasters often seem to fall into one of two camps: hideous and effective, or super cool and inefficient. At the bare minimum, most coasters will prevent your nice furniture from water damage and staining. Some of them just do that job better than others, and Thirstystone Cinnabar Coasters are the best of the best.

Thanks to a water-absorbing sandstone, Thirstystone basically swallows up the condensation from your cold beverage so that it doesn't eventually slide off the surface of the coaster and onto your table. Each one is unique, thanks to the natural grain of the sandstone, and the material prevents cups from sticking to the coaster when you lift them.

The thickness of the sandstone also prevents heat transfer from, say, a steaming cup of coffee to the surface below it.

Pros: Natural sandstone material looks pretty and unique, absorbs water and protects furniture from heat, doesn't adhere to your glass

Cons: Breakable

The best dishwasher-safe

Enkore Silicone Coasters do the dirty work of keeping your favorite furniture safe from liquids, and are easily cleaned with a trip through the dishwasher.

Let me be clear: Enkore's silicone coasters are only second on this list is because, in my opinion, they are fairly ugly. And not ugly in a cool way, like chunky slides; ugly in an ugly way. They come in both black and rainbow colors.

But they really work. And, hey, they'll hardly be noticeable once you put a glass over the top, right? These oversized coasters are 4.3 centimeters in diameter as opposed to the typical 4 centimeters. They come in sets of six and they're made of dishwasher-safe silicone.

The material will also cling to all surfaces, minimizing the chance of spillage.

Pros: Durable silicone material clings to surfaces, dishwasher safe, larger than the average coaster

Cons: Not the most attractive

The best quirky

Music lovers and general-interest hipsters alike will love to rest their coffee cups on Record Coasters from UncommonGoods.

Maybe your furniture isn't that delicate or you're buying a set of coasters as a gift and want to get something unique and attractive. Either way, you'll want to check out these Record Coasters, available at UncommonGoods.

They are made using actual record labels, giving them an authentically vintage look. Each set of six comes with different record labels, so no two sets are alike. You can't choose which records you get, though, which may be a downside depending on your taste.

These coasters don't offer any special features, but they will keep your surfaces free of damage from glasses and bottles. Plus, the labels are sealed so that condensation won't damage them, so they should last a long time.

Pros: Cool design made from real vintage records, sealed to protect the records from water damage

Cons: You can't pick the labels on the records, material won't absorb liquid

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