M3 and M4 are the two ESD mats in Maximum Matting's M-Series. Both are static-dissipative and built for electrostatic protected areas — but one goes on the bench and one goes on the floor. The short version: M3 for the work surface, M4 for the standing floor. They're often used together in one EPA workstation.
On the bench
M3 ESD Bench
Smooth, blue static-safe surface for fine work on sensitive components at electronics and repair benches.
From £21.99 · Buy M3
On the floor
M4 ESD Floor
Grey, bubble-surface ESD floor mat giving anti-fatigue comfort plus a grounded floor in static-controlled standing areas.
From £35.99 · Buy M4
Side by side
M3 vs M4 at a glance
| M3 ESD Bench | M4 ESD Floor | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | On a workbench / table | On the floor (standing area) |
| Job it does | Static-safe work surface | Grounded floor + anti-fatigue comfort |
| Surface | Smooth | Bubble |
| Colour | Blue | Grey |
| ESD range | 10^6–10^9 ohms (dissipative) | 10^6–10^9 ohms (dissipative) |
| Formats | Standard Mat, Cut to Length, ESD Kit | Standard Mat, Cut to Length, ESD Kit |
| Best for | Electronics labs, PCB/assembly, repair & inspection | Electronics manufacturing, testing, technical rooms |
| Price from | From £21.99 | From £35.99 |
Prices shown are recommended retail and pulled live from the current M-Series catalogue.
Choose M3 if…
- ✓You need a static-safe SURFACE on a bench or table
- ✓Fine work on sensitive components: PCBs, parts, repairs
- ✓Electronics labs, component assembly, inspection benches
- ✓Operators sit or work seated and are grounded via a wrist strap
Popular: 60 cm x 45 cm Blue — £21.99
Choose M4 if…
- ✓Operators STAND in an EPA and need anti-fatigue comfort
- ✓A grounded floor across electronics manufacturing or testing
- ✓Technical rooms and static-controlled standing workstations
- ✓Operators grounded via a shoe heel grounder while standing
Popular: 60 cm x 91 cm Grey — £35.99
Not either/or: a fully protected EPA workstation often runs a grounded M3 bench mat and a grounded M4 floor mat together — the bench keeps components safe while the floor keeps the standing operator at the same potential.
Make it work
Grounding and format both matter
Grounding: an ESD mat only protects when it is bonded to ground. Connect the mat to a common ground point with a grounding cord — ring- or socket-terminal versions — and an earth bonding plug, available in UK and Continental/EU formats. Ground the operator too: an antistatic wrist strap suits seated bench work on M3, while a shoe heel grounder suits operators standing on M4. Our ESD mat grounding setup guide walks through the full bonding chain.
Format: M3 and M4 both come as fixed-size Standard Mats, as Cut to Length per linear metre for long bench runs or aisles, and as an ESD Kit that bundles the mat with the grounding accessories. If you're setting up a complete bench, the M3 workstation guide covers a full electronics assembly setup.
Need to size up the floor area? Our sizing & coverage guide helps you measure up, and the surface types explained guide compares smooth, bubble, and the rest. For the comfort-only mats, see M1 vs M2, or browse the full range on the M-Series overview.
