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The 6 Best Peel-And-Stick Tiles, Tested and Reviewed

Upgrade your kitchen for a steal with these awesome picks

peel and stick tiles

The Spruce

You don’t have to spring for expensive tile if you’re hoping to give your kitchen or bathroom a refresh. With a set of the best peel-and-stick tiles, you can spruce up any space–including apartments with strict renovation rules–on a budget. 

As the name implies, these handy tiles are easy to install: Just peel off the backing to reveal the adhesive beneath, then stick them on your wall. Available in a variety of designs, peel-and-stick tiles can be used to create your dream backsplash or a tile design you love.

Of course, not all peel-and-stick tiles are made with the same quality, durability, or ease of installation. Most importantly, though, you need to choose tiles that are compatible with your walls. Not all tiles will stick on all surfaces. So, to find the best peel-and-stick tiles, we scoured the internet, researching options for different design preferences, rooms, and the needs of both homeowners and renters.

What We Like
  • Easy to adjust while installing

  • Adhere securely and stay in place

  • Hyper realistic appearance

What We Don’t Like
  • Bubbles up when placed above the stove

DIYing your own marble backsplash doesn’t have to cost a lot–we tested Carrara’s Marble Tile Decals and fell in love with these easy-to-apply peel-and-stick tiles. During our testing, we felt they had so many perks that they were well worth investing both our time and money in. 

These faux marble tiles are made with PVC that’s durable, yet flexible, and we had no fears that these decals would rip as we peeled away the backing. They were also super easy to install; the tiles come in pre-cut 12 x 12 inch squares with self-adhesive backing, and we loved how quickly we were able to line up those squares and place them on our walls.

We did need to adjust (trim, really) these peel-and-stick tiles to fit our space, which is common no matter what type you buy. We liked how easy these were to cut down, and we found they aligned easily, a detail that made installing them a much simpler and more streamlined process. If you’ve ever hung wallpaper, we found these tiles were far easier to work with. 

These peel-and stick marble tiles are lightweight and moveable, should you make a mistake, but we didn’t have to worry about them coming loose or falling off once we had them in place. Despite their durability, we were also impressed by how easily the tiles peeled off the wall–a key perk should you need to remove them when your lease ends.

Overall, we like how realistic these tiles look; we opted for a stone look, and people are shocked to find out that our backsplash isn’t real stone. Just be cautious about where you put them. While they perform well in most locations, we did find that when we put the decals up near the stove, they bubbled up–so we recommended avoiding anywhere the tiles might encounter a lot of heat.

Use Cases: Backsplash, flooring | Material: Polyester fabric | Design: Marble | Dimensions: 12 x 12 inches; 2 x 4 feet

What We Like
  • Heat-resistant and suitable for kitchen use

  • Realistic, glossy 3D appearance

  • Guaranteed against peeling, cracking, and other damage

What We Don’t Like
  • Not ideal for bumpy or uneven wall surfaces

At under $7 per square foot, we love this subway tile-inspired Smart Tiles Backsplash. Its budget-friendly price per sheet of tiles is a standout detail, but we also love that these peel-and-stick tiles are available in nine different color options, with a hyper-realistic appearance. 

These peel-and-stick tiles are great because they’re so versatile. They’re strong enough to stay secure in damp, humid bathrooms and are heat-resistant so they can survive in the kitchen, too. 

These subway-style adhesive tile sheets are made with Gel’O, which means they have a gel backing that helps create a three-dimensional appearance. The gel is also designed to be extra adhesive and durable–so much so the brand boasts a guarantee that after 48 hours, they’ll stay in place without peeling or cracking until you’re ready to remove them (granted you followed the installation instructions, that is.) 

The only issue you’re likely to encounter with these glossy peel-and-stick tiles is a less-than-perfect appearance if you install them on bumpy or unevenly-textured surfaces. Their glossy surface will reflect each and every bump, indent, or other imperfection on your wall, so these are really best used on perfectly smooth surfaces.

Use Cases: Backsplash, bathroom wall | Material: Gel’O | Design: Ceramic subway tile | Dimensions: 11.43 x 9 inches

What We Like
  • Realistic depth and slick porcelain-like appearance

  • Made from durable composite

  • Adds texture to walls

What We Don’t Like
  • Only suitable for use as backsplash

We love this pick from Aspect in the Bone Porcelain style, which offers a set of porcelain tiles that look like the real thing despite being made from a vinyl composite. These peel-and-stick tiles use brushed metal and durable vinyl to create the appearance of layers and depth wherever you need it most with its collage-style design. 

These tiles are another water-resistant pick, so you can use them in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink. Their ability to handle heat also makes them a great pick for creating fireplace surrounds.

We like this pick for people that want even more texture from their backsplash, and we think it’s super easy to trim to size. Installation isn’t too tricky, though the price per set of tiles means you’ll want to be careful not to waste too much material. 

While Aspect’s Bone Porcelain tiles are more expensive than some other options on our list, we think their durable composite construction makes for a fair tradeoff. However, despite their durability once adhered to your walls, they really aren’t meant to handle constant wear; the manufacturer only recommends using these tiles for backsplash and no other purposes, which is a bit limiting.

Use Cases: Wall, backsplash | Material: Brushed metal, composite | Design: Collage | Dimensions: 12 x 6 inches

What We Like
  • Large individual tiles

  • Three color choices

  • Heat- and humidity-resistant

What We Don’t Like
  • Can look like stickers if placement is off

For a robust-looking stone backsplash, we opt for another pick from Smart Tiles. Just like the other Smart Tiles set on our list–our best budget pick–these realistic-looking stone tiles are backed by an impressive stay-put quality guarantee as long as you follow the installation instructions.

But what we particularly like about these peel-and-stick tiles is their large size. When it comes to something as heavy as stone, it’s nice to have an option as light and streamlined as this. They’re large but not unwieldy when it comes to installation, and the faux stones come in sets of two, sized at 12 x 22 inches each. 

We also love that the stone tiles are heat- and humidity-resistant, though the brand suggests avoiding putting them along the wall of your shower. No matter where you’re planning to install them, you can choose from three colors to more specifically accompany the rest of the design in your space: beige, gray, and white.

If you need to make adjustments, we like that these stones are as easy to cut with scissors as all of the other options on our list, though they still boast a durable finish in the end. Thanks to their durable adhesive, you shouldn’t have to worry about their longevity in bathrooms, kitchens, or any other spaces prone to heat or humidity. 

However, when installing these peel-and-stick tiles, you’ll want to be sure you don’t leave too much space between the slabs. Since these are pretty flat in appearance and not as three-dimensional as, say, the Carrara Marble Tile Decals (our overall best choice), extra space won’t create a grout look but will instead leave your tile looking like stickers.

Use Cases: Backsplash, bathroom wall | Material: Gel | Design: Stone slabs | Dimensions: 12 x 22 inches

What We Like
  • Made with actual glass

  • Bold color choices

  • Grout is optional

What We Don’t Like
  • Harder to cut than other tiles

While it’s easy to find peel-and-stick tiles made out of materials like PVC gel or aluminum, those seeking the most realistic tiles possible will want to opt for peel-and-stick products made with materials like true porcelain and glass–and in our opinion, these glass ones from WS Tiles are a perfect fit.

These tiles are made of glass, as WS Tiles uses quality Grade-A Float Glass, which is why it has the truly authentic appearance. They’re heavier than your average peel-and-stick set, and you’ll have a rainbow of bold hues to choose from. We really love the Royal Yellow option for a fun pop of bright, sunny color. Or, if you really want to go bold, you can buy a few different color sheets and combine them. 

Worried about the color lasting? One of the details we really like about these tiles is their durable construction; the color is burned into the back of the glass, so you don’t have to worry about fading or color peeling away as you stick them onto surfaces. 

Just be mindful that because these peel-and-stick tiles are made of actual glass, they can’t be cut with scissors like the others on our list. Instead, the brand recommends using a diamond tipped saw blade for trimming to size, which is certainly less accessible than other options that made the cut.

Use Cases: Backsplash, bathroom| Material: Glass | Design: Subway tile | Dimensions: 3 x 6 inches

What We Like
  • Fire-resistant for safe kitchen use

  • Shiny, brushed stainless steel look

  • Cuttable and customizable design

What We Don’t Like
  • Smaller sheets may mean more tedious application

If you love the look of clean, modern stainless steel, Art3d’s Peel and Stick Metal Backsplashes for Kitchen are a great peel-and-stick option. These easy-to-apply tiles use adhesives that are topped with an aluminum composite panel to create the realistic look of a brushed stainless steel metal finish. 

Like other backsplash options on our list, this one is safe for usage in kitchens and bathrooms, but it shouldn’t be used in the shower. They can’t handle too much direct water or dampness. They are, however, fire -resistant, which makes them a good pick for the kitchen, especially if you’re looking for tiling behind or near your stovetop.

Each pack of these adhesive tiles comes with 32 sheets that can be cut to size, which we like because it enables you to design it however you want to (vertically, diagonally, horizontally). While the sheets are cuttable, they are also smaller than most of the other picks on our list, which means setting these up may take longer as you’ll need more adhesive sheets to cover your space.

Use Cases: Backsplash, wall | Material: Aluminum sandwich plate | Design: Metal subway tile | Dimensions: 3 x 6 inches

Final Verdict

With an impressive hyper-realistic appearance plus simple installation and removal processes, the Carrara Marble Tile Decals are our clear-cut winner for the overall best peel-and-stick tiles. If you're searching for a budget-friendly and more colorful choice, we also like the Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash, which features a warranty-backed gel adhesive that's made for long-term use.

How We Picked Peel-and-Stick Tiles

To find the best Peel-and-Stick Tiles, we scoured the market, looking at highly ranked products and best sellers. In the end, we narrowed our picks down based on a few key criteria.

To start, we wanted to include options that fit into a wide array of style preferences. This meant opting for highly ranked picks that were made of different materials and that came in different patterns. We wanted to ensure that no matter what room you were looking to put peel-and-stick tiles into, there would be a fit for you.

Beyond style and materials, we were sure to also include choices that were known for durability. Because of the nature of relying on adhesives to keep these in place, there is certainly the risk of the tiles peeling. We opted for options that impressed us for their ability to stay in place.

Finally, we wanted to ensure that we accommodated everybody’s wallets. That meant including some picks that were a bit more affordable than others. And of course, we considered the opinions and insights of our experts in making all of our choices.

Importantly, our best overall option was tested by us. During that process, we were effectively able to note just how easy it was to install, adjust, style, and of course, how realistic it looked.

How to Choose the Best Peel-and-Stick-Tiles

Think About Where You’ll Apply the Tiles

Knowing where you intend to put the peel-and-stick tiles will be vital to ensure that you get something that can handle the environment. Peel-and-stick tiles are typically durable enough to handle everyday wear, tear, and messes. But these aren't anywhere as "sticky" (or permanent) as true tiles.

For example, picks that are intended to be used above the sink should definitely be resistant to water, like Commomydeco’sr 3D Sage Green Linear Mosaic Peel and Stick Wall Tile (best for bathrooms). But while peel-and-stick tiles may be able to handle water, many manufacturers warn against putting them directly in a shower, because they can’t handle being drenched.

Additionally, you'll want to check the manufacturer recommendations if you're planning to install them near heat sources, like fireplace surrounds or behind your stove. Heat can mess with the adhesive on peel-and-stick tiles, which can cause them to come off your walls sooner (or worse, see issues like melting!) if they aren't heat-safe.

Conversely, if you intend to put something over your stove, make sure it’s a choice that’s fire resistant like Art3d’s Peel and Stick Metal Backsplashes for Kitchen (best metal).

We advocate following the advice of Luciana Todeschini, owner of Todeschini Interior Design, who suggests being “careful with installation and application and mak[ing] sure you use somebody who is very handy, because even though it’s a DIY product, precision is key,” or else you run the risk of it not looking great.

Choose Your Material Carefully

Make sure you understand the style and look you’re going for before purchasing your peel-and-stick tiles. While you may know you want a subway tile look, that doesn’t mean all subway tile designs are the same; you'll not only have plenty of colors and tile sizes to consider, but also different tile "materials" available.

While most peel-and-stick tiles are typically made with a slick, flat exterior and a durably sticky adhesive on the reverse side, the material the tiles are meant to mimic is what you'll find most important. That's what we mean when we say material: The peel-and-stick tiles can look like rough stone, glossy ceramic, or colorfully veined marble or granite.

For example, if you want a glass option with a bit of fun coloring to it, consider WS Tiles’ Glass Peel and Stick Subway Tile (our favorite glass option) in royal yellow for a glass look, but if you want the appearance of ceramic tiles, go for Smart Tiles’ Peel and Stick Backsplash (our best budget pick).

Shape, Design, and Size All Matter

In addition to material, the overall look you’re going for will entirely be changed if you opt for different designs. For example, a stone pick like Smart Tiles’ Peel and Stick Gel Backsplash Tile Blok (best stone) sets an entirely different tone to the room than something like Commomydecor’s 3D Sage Green Linear Mosaic Peel and Stick Wall Tile (best for bathrooms). Be sure to understand exactly what you want the space to look like before picking a shape and design.

Additionally, while the shape of the tiles matters from a design perspective, keep in mind you can always adjust peel-and-stick tile. You'll need multiple sheets of tiles for just about any job, but it's always a good idea to have a surplus before you get started for adjustments, cuts, and the occasional mistake.

Peel-and-stick tile is usually pretty easy to cut to size, which is especially handy if you're trying to put a backsplash up in an odd or unique space. We particularly like Aspect’s Peel and Stick Collage Tile (our best porcelain pick), which is super simple to trim and adjust.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jack Byram is a writer and editor who has been covering home related items for the Spruce since 2022. As a design fanatic, he is constantly speaking with designers to better understand what risks are worth taking to make a space pop, and what people should avoid. To write this article, he spoke with two expert interior designers to understand the benefits of peel-and-stick tiles, in addition to researching different products and combing through testing insights from members of The Spruce's team who've used these tiles in their own homes.

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