PU leather vs. real leather desk mat — which should I buy?

PU leather is the dominant pick across mainstream reviewers because it's waterproof, easy to wipe down, and inexpensive. Real (full-grain) leather is praised in specialist desk-setup threads for feel and patina but costs 3–5x more and is more sensitive to moisture and heat. If you spill coffee or eat at your desk, PU is the safer call; if you want a heirloom-feel surface, real leather wins on aesthetics.