As parents ourselves, we’re aware of the never ending amount of decisions we need to make. Selecting the appropriate products for our children is like navigating a minefield of information and choices. When we set out to create the Mikro play mat, we wanted to take all the unnecessary thinking out of it for you. We especially didn’t want you to worry about the safety of the product which is why we searched far and wide for the perfect material.
In saying that, we’re aware that there are other brands available to you and today we wanted to take the opportunity to compare our product with the biggest of them all - Kmart. To be clear, we are absolutely huge fans of Kmart and love how they have become a destination for affordable household items. This is just a comparison of the Mikro play mat against the Kmart Padded Play & Floor mat.
Material
The single biggest difference is the choice of foam used.
Mikro uses a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam which is completely non-toxic. This was critical for us. TPU is a completely inert material and is widely used in the medical field for oxygen masks and tubing. It is tried and tested and passes the highest safety standard requirements. After we determined that TPU was non-toxic, we fell in love with the softness and durability of this wonder material. When thinking back to the older style of jigsaw puzzle mats, there is absolutely no comparison.
Kmart play mats use a material known as cross-linked polyethylene (XPE) foam. XPE is a fairly new material and although reports appear to confirm that it is non-toxic for babies, it still presents a similar risks to normal polyethylene which include off-gassing and leaching plastic additives. As it is a newer material and it doesn’t have nearly the softness that TPU offers, we steered clear of XPE even though it was a more affordable option.
Winner: Mikro
Designs
At the time of writing, we currently have 12 reversible designs available on the Mikro website. These are all designed to tastefully integrate with your home aesthetic while providing a beautiful space for your little one to play.
Kmart currently just offers 2 designs which makes it a little more difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for.
While we do appreciate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we believe that our wide range gives us the lead here.
Winner: Mikro
Sizes
Mikro play mats are available in 3 options
Small - 1m x 1.4m
Round - 1.4m diameter
Family - 2m x 1.4m
We created these options after listening to our customers feedback and responding accordingly. For example, for some smaller spaces, a large play mat is more of a nuisance so we created the small size.
Kmart offers 1 size, the 1.8m x 1.2m. It’s a generous size for the price but simply doesn’t offer any other options.
The thickness of a Mikro mat is also 1.5cm so it’s more plush and cushioned than the 1cm, thinner Kmart mat.
Winner: Mikro
Price
Mikro play mats can range from $89 to $189.99 depending on the style and size.
Kmart play mats are fixed currently at $39. This is an exceptionally low price which is a testament to Kmart’s ability to produce good quality, affordable basics.
Winner: Kmart
We hope you enjoyed reading this breakdown. If there’s any topics you’d like us to write about, please get in touch with us!