Best Heated Snow Melting Mats for Porch Steps
Icy porch steps are the most dangerous part of winter at most houses. Heated snow melting mats plug into an outdoor outlet and melt about 2 inches of snow an hour, so the steps stay clear while you sleep.
They cost more up front than a bag of rock salt, but they do not chew up concrete, stain wood, or burn your dog's paws. A starter setup for a few steps and a landing usually runs a few hundred dollars.
Here are the mats worth buying, plus the power unit you need and a roof cable to stop the drip line that refreezes on your steps.
Best Overall Walkway Mat: HeatTrak Residential 20x60
HeatTrak is the name most people know, and the 20 by 60 inch walkway mat is the workhorse of the lineup. It fits a typical front landing or the path from the driveway to the door.
The rubber surface is textured for grip even while snow is melting on top of it. Mats connect with watertight cables, so you can start with one and add more next winter.
It is built to stay outside all season. Roll it out in December and leave it plugged in through March.
HeatTrak Heated Snow Melting Walkway Mat 20 x 60
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1,000+ reviews
Portable heated walkway mat that melts about 2 inches of snow per hour and links to other HeatTrak mats.
Shop on Amazon →Best for Stairs: HeatTrak Heated Stair Mats 10x30
Steps are where people actually fall, and HeatTrak's 10 by 30 inch stair treads are sized for a standard porch or deck step. Each one daisy chains to the next with a sealed connector.
Four or five treads plus a walkway mat at the top covers most front entries. Grommets in each corner let you secure them so they do not slide on wood steps.
Buy one more tread than you think you need. The bottom step collects the most slush.
HeatTrak Heated Snow Melting Stair Mat 10 x 30
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1,000+ reviews
Connectable heated stair tread with a non slip rubber surface sized for standard porch steps.
Shop on Amazon →Best Plug and Play Doormat: HeatTrak Heated Entrance Mat
If you only want one spot clear, the HeatTrak 40 by 60 inch entrance mat is the simplest option. Unlike the walkway mats, it includes its own GFCI power cord, so there is nothing extra to buy.
It is big enough to stand on while you dig for keys with an armful of groceries. It also stops the melt and refreeze cycle right at the door where boots track snow in.
This is a great first purchase if you are not sure you want a whole system yet.
HeatTrak Heated Snow Melting Entrance Mat 40 x 60
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1,000+ reviews
Large heated entrance mat with a built in GFCI cord, no separate power unit needed.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Heated Snow Mats
- Turn them on before the storm. Mats melt snow as it lands far better than they melt a foot that already piled up.
- Use a GFCI outdoor outlet. Plug the power unit into a covered GFCI outlet and keep connections off the ground where water pools.
- Count your amps. Each power unit handles a limited number of mats, so check the amp rating before you chain a long run.
- Skip the salt. Salt on top of heated mats is not needed and can wear down the rubber and your steps.
- Store them flat. Lay mats flat or loosely rolled in spring so the heating elements do not crease.
Best Made in USA Alternative: Summerstep Residential Walkway Mat
Summerstep is made in the USA by Powerblanket, and the 24 by 60 inch residential mat is a little wider than HeatTrak's standard size. It draws 310 watts and keeps the surface about 40 degrees above the air temperature.
The tacky rubber feels grippy underfoot, and Powerblanket estimates it costs under 2 dollars per snow day to run. It needs Summerstep's own SMPC GFCI power unit, sold separately.
Stick with one brand for a whole run, since the connectors are not cross compatible.
Powerblanket Summerstep WM24x60C-RES Heated Walkway Mat
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1,000+ reviews
Made in USA 24 by 60 inch heated walkway mat with an anti slip rubber surface.
Shop on Amazon →Best Add On for Roof Drip: Easy Heat 80 ft Roof Deicing Cable
Plenty of icy steps start on the roof. Snow melts, drips off the gutter right above the porch, and freezes into a sheet by morning.
Easy Heat's pre assembled 80 foot cable clips along the roof edge and down the gutter so the water keeps moving. It plugs into a standard grounded outdoor outlet.
Pair it with heated mats and the porch stays clear from the roofline down.
Easy Heat 80 ft Roof and Gutter Deicing Cable
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Pre assembled roof and gutter heat cable that stops meltwater from refreezing over porch steps.
Shop on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Do heated snow melting mats really work?
Yes. Quality mats like HeatTrak and Summerstep melt about 2 inches of snow per hour when they are turned on before or early in a storm.
How much does it cost to run a heated walkway mat?
Most residential mats draw around 300 watts. Summerstep estimates under 2 dollars per snow day, depending on your electric rate.
Can you leave heated mats out all winter?
Yes. They are designed to stay outside all season. Just keep the cords and connectors out of standing water.
Do you need a separate power unit for HeatTrak mats?
Walkway and stair mats need a HeatTrak GFCI power unit sold separately. The entrance mats include their own power cord.