The 20 Best Ultra PRO MTG Playmats Ranked

Last updated on February 27, 2024

Cavern of Souls | Illustration by Alayna Danner

Are you still rocking some old playmat you won at a Magic event? Does it have various stains, fraying edges, and an image you’re tired of looking at? As someone who just grabbed some new playmats, I can tell you that, although we already spend perhaps too much money on this pastime, an influx of new art to sit in front of you while you play is quite the creative jolt to elevate the experience.

And although there are many great playmat sources out there, Ultra PRO has a huge variety and has an easy to navigate website. If that’s your destination, let me help you with a ranking of the 23 coolest playmats.

I’ve focused on the stock currently in print in case you want to get shopping.

What Are Ultra PRO Playmats in MTG?

Ultra PRO is known for various MTG and TCG accessories, including sleeves, deck boxes, and playmats. A playmat is something we didn’t use in the beginning of Magic (but we also didn’t sleeve our cards then!), but has come to be an indispensable tool for Magic players, whether it’s keeping clear what cards are yours in a crowded convention or tournament environment, keeping your cards safe from a patina of accumulated Cheeto dust at your LGS, or avoiding the cat fur on the kitchen table! Standard sized mats are 24in x 13.5in, and Ultra Pro specializes in original Magic artwork from actual cards.

Any search will show currently available products, which often heavily favor recent sets, but you can browse through all the sold out playmats on their website, including so many great pieces from early Magic. That should give you a sense of how long you can think about it before purchasing your favorite if you’re still debating.

#20. Poké Ball

j/k.

But if you really wanna tilt some Magic players on Commander night….

#19. Space Beleren

For sure, though, sometimes tilt is on your mind. You want your playmat to bug everyone else to get them off their game (Like Mike Long crouching in his chair with his knees above the table? Deep cut alert!) but you’re not that dude who rolls out some objectifying NSFW nonsense on your playmat. How about Scooter’s sweet 60s children’s book artwork for Space Beleren? It’s Unfinity. It’s got the threat of the miserable-for-Commander “space sculptor” mechanic. And it’s also Jace! Someone’s gonna hate this!

#18. Urza’s Command

Dominik Mayer’s art on Urza's Command is wild. It reminds me of movie posters from the 70s and 80s, and I’m here for it. Even though it’s a bit busy for a playmat, it really shines, and I think the gravity it gives the game is sometimes what you want to feel, especially if your deck is thematic and like totally foiled out and serious, man.

#17. Pantlaza, Sun-Favored

Sam Burley’s beautiful art for Pantlaza, Sun-Favored has got to be your choice for a dinosaur deck.  I tend to dislike playmats with a strong central character, as I find it distracting where to place creatures (do I cover their face? Do I not? Will I forget someone on the right or left?), but this is so dripping with dino goodness, I’d make an exception.

#16. Ashiok, Nightmare Muse

If you’re gonna sit down at a table with Dimir control, what else are you gonna play on? This Ashiok, Nightmare Muse playmat is maybe a little visually busy, but as a control mage, you’re not gonna have a board state anyway, so you can just bask in the glow of your hero as you pepper the table with “Resolves” voice notes.

#15. Sol Ring

This Sol Ring with the Mark Poole Commander Masters art looks pretty cool. I don’t know if I could use it, though. I’d always think I had a Sol Ring out, even when I didn’t!

#14. Cover Series Dungeon Master’s Guide

If you’re cool with promoting another game, this Dungeons & Dragons mat is perfect for a zombie typal deck. Tyler Jacobsen’s art is just so evocative without being overwhelming.

#13. Urabrask

The Phyrexian oil art was cool on the cards, but if, like me, you just don’t play a lot of Phyrexia: All Will Be One cards in your Commander decks, this playmat’s a nice way to enjoy the style, even if you’re not trying to win with poison counters. Urabrask is likely on theme there, which is why I chose this one! I love the stark black and white. It really pops.

#12. Quintorius

Featuring the showcase art for Quintorious Kand by Psydrian from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, this playmat will definitely stand out on the table! It would likely be a bit too busy and hypnotic for me, but if you want your playmat to pop, there’s nothing better.

#11. Commander Masters Pop Collage

I know these profile designs from Commander Masters are kind of love ‘em or hate ‘em, but if you’re in the latter camp, maybe seeing them in this collage will change your mind? Kitschy and cool.

You can kind of fit your cards into the rectangles, sort of, so if you’ll constantly feel like making micro-adjustments in your card placements, maybe this mat isn't actually for you!

#10. Zur, Eternal Schemer

Dan Mumfor’s stained glass Zur, Eternal Schemer is one of my favorites of the Dominaria United stained glass treatments, and it really works in big size on this playmat. Maybe you gotta be playing some kind of enchantress deck to feel good about this one, but it looks great!

#9. Japanese Mystical Archive Blue Sun’s Zenith

Have you seen this art before? How can you not want to rock this playmat featuring art by Ezoi? It unfortunately cuts off the full card art of the original, but it’ll still give you magical vibes as you play.

#8. Ixalan Ruin Symbol

I love the art. I’m waiting for Quintorius and Indiana Jones to creep by! I’d be especially interested in unrolling this if I’m running any Ixalan typal decks or a landfall deck.

#7. Niv-Mizzet, Supreme

This art for Niv-Mizzet, Supreme by Isis from the March of the Machine: The Aftermath Ravnica showcase frame is just perfect for your Izzet decks (even though this is full 5-color Niv territory). You fill the playmat with your Young Pyromancer tokens, and then after the board wipe, you can regroup while communing with your guild’s master.

#6. Restless Spire

Sorry, this is your Izzet playmat! Is the tower being put together or taken apart? Ha! That’s what your deck is feeling like after that last topdeck! Did I rate Restless Spire too high in my review of Wilds of Eldraine lands, or is everyone just not playing it right yet? Either way, this is the mat I want in front of me when I’m holding a Fire / Ice and Goblin Electromancer in my hand!

#5. Virtue of Courage

If you’re going to be the person who tries to make fetch, I mean burn, happen in EDH with either Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might or Imodane, the Pyrohammer, you deserve a playmat which dramatizes your struggle! This mat, with Pitor Dura’s sick art is just waiting for you to start across the lake of fire!

#4. Virtue of Persistence

Piotr Dura’s art really shines in a larger size than the Virtue of Persistence card on this playmat. It’s creepy cool, while being subdued and a bit subtle. Perfect for that monoblack cEDH monster you’ve been itching to call a 7 in power level and unleash on the casual table?

#3. Thought Vessel

Dani Pendergast’s bonkers new Secret Lair art for Thought Vessel makes for a great playmat. Sometimes games of Commander make me feel like there’s a black hole in my head sucking out my brains. And occasionally I need a visual aid for those kinds of vibes.

#2. Force of Will

The boomer’s choice! Old school Magic artist Richard Kane Ferguson is back with this sweet art for Force of Will from Dominaria Remastered. This playmat will feel like the 90s while you slow the game down to 90s speed with your draw-go deck selection! Also this is somehow holofoil on a playmat!? Sounds shiny, without the chances of pringling!

#1. Cavern of Souls

Featuring the awesome new art for Cavern of Souls by Alayna Danner, this playmat is the perfect combination of chill, interesting and flavorful. It’s great to look at if you want but doesn’t distract you from the game. Your cards will pop on the purple background, and if you’re playing a typal deck, it probably just feels right to play them all out in the Cavern!

Wrap Up

Force of Will | Illustration by Richard Kane Ferguson

There are plenty more great playmats to choose from, especially if you don’t have my bias against art with a big character in the middle! Plus loads of interesting Dungeons & Dragons mats if you don’t mind crossing your IPs or plan to use them for live RPGs.

And if you don’t already have a playmat, I’d suggest you seriously consider it. Before I started using them, I would often discover otherwise invisible bits of condensation on the table regularly enough to annoy. Sure, if you’re double-sleeved your cards are still safe, but it’s so hard to dry things to shuffling readiness!

What’s your favorite playmat? Do you have some old, threadbare thing you still use after all these years? Or did you just pick up a new beauty? Let us know in the comments below or on Discord! Happy gaming!

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