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If you have carpet, there are many reasons you might need a chair mat. Maybe you’re a renter who wants to ensure that you get your deposit back. Perhaps you’ve just purchased new carpets and want to ensure their longevity. Even the best office chairs can damage your floors or carpets with their rolling wheels. This is especially true if your desk and office chair remain in the same spot for the whole duration.
To protect your carpets, we’ve compiled a list of the eight best office chair mats for carpets for you to choose from. We want you to have a large variety of choices to best fit your needs and protect your precious carpets. Ready to upgrade your office? Read on to find out why we have decided on these mats and what makes them good at their job.
Top 8 Best Office Chair Mats for Carpets
- Amazon Basics Office Carpet Chair Mat – Top Pick
- Gorilla Grip Premium Chair Mat – Premium Pick
- OFM ESS Collection Chair Mat – Best Value
- Dimex Low Pile Carpet Office Mat – Honorable Mention
- Kuyal Office Chair Mat for Carpets – Most Pliable Carpet
- Evolve Office Chair Mat – Best with Lip
- Mind Reader Clear Carpet Mat – Good Value Alternative
- Crablux Chair Mat for Carpet Floor – Most Affordable
Are these the best options available? After carefully testing, analyzing, and reviewing these products, we can safely say these chair mats will offer the best solution to protect your carpet from your chair’s wheels. Throughout the list, you’ll find each item’s details, key features, specifications, and pros and cons, helping you get a better idea of which type of chair mat you might want to purchase for your home office!
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Mat name | Best for | Material | Key features |
Top carpet chair mat pick | Polycarbonate |
| |
Most resistant mat | Polycarbonate |
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Best vinyl chair mat for carpet | Vinyl |
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Best chair mat for low and medium pile | PVC |
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Most pliable carpet chair at | PVC |
| |
Best chair mat with lip | Plastic |
| |
Good price for value ratio | PVC |
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Cheapest carpet chair mat | PVC |
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1. Amazon Basics Office Carpet Chair Mat - Top Pick
This polycarbonate chair mat for carpet designed by Amazon Basics made it to the top of our list thanks to its high-quality material, durability, and ability to protect low pile carpets from any possible damage caused by the casters of your office chair.
During our testing, I found that with the addition of the easy glide rolling feature, the surface didn’t curl nor flex when used on carpets over 1/2″ thick. Furthermore, the added cleats to the bottom of the mat made it almost impossible to move when we slid the chair around on top of it. When it comes to grip, this mat is one of the best office chair mats for carpets.
Depending on your preference and the size of your workspace, Amazon Basics offers chairs with three dimensions: 35 x 47 inches, 47 x 53 inches, and 47 x 59 inches. In addition, the mat comes in two shapes, a perfectly rectangular one or one with a lip for higher carpet protection where your feet would be positioned.
Lastly, although this chair mat works very well for low pile carpets, we’ve encountered issues when used on medium and high pile ones. If you require a chair mat for high pile carpet or medium pile carpet, we recommend one of our different options.
KEY FEATURES:
- Polycarbonate material
- Cleated bottom
- Rectangular
- Transparent
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 35 X 47 inches
- Weight: 7.55 lbs
PROS:
- Great quality
- Rigid and durable
- Easy glide surface
- Different sizes and shapes available
CONS:
- Not suited for medium or high pile carpets
Firstly, the Gorilla Grip chair mat for carpets features a hard and sturdy surface that won’t only make moving the chair easier, effectively reducing leg fatigue during the workday, but it’ll also prevent the casters from sinking into it.
I’ve found that the high-quality polycarbonate used during the manufacturing process makes the mat quite durable. With constant pressure on these mats, they tend to flatten with use. This Gorilla Grip mat managed to maintain its shape even after intensive use. Additionally, it was pretty good at keeping scratching and ripping from occurring from the wheels.
The cleated bottom did a great job at keeping the mat in place even when you push the chair, and the transparent design helps make it less visible so that it can fit with your decor.
Gorilla Grip offers two sizes, a smaller one measuring 29 x 47 inches and a larger one of 36 x 48 inches. Both of them come with a lip to be positioned under the desk. This is a great heavy-duty chair mat for carpets.
On a negative note, although the manufacturer states the mat will be shipped flat, ours was not. Something to bear in mind as you may need to spend some time flatting it out to get the best out of it.
KEY FEATURES:
- Hard surface
- Polycarbonate material
- Cleated underside
- Transparent
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 36 X 48 inches
- Weight: 7.48 lbs
PROS:
- Scratch resistant
- Durable
- Two sizes available
- Suited for low and medium pile carpets
CONS:
- The mat wasn’t shipped flat
While the choices above use polycarbonate material, this rectangular OFM chair mat is made of thick and sturdy vinyl, providing durable carpet protection against the damage casters can do. If you’re looking to protect your chair we have a review on memory foam seat cushions.
On the bottom side of the mat, you’ll notice multiple small, molded cleats and studs that cling to the carpet, making it anti-slip while securely holding the mat in place. Our testing has shown that the cleats on this type of material provided almost identical grip, with only slight movement from time to time. The mat sports a textured surface on the top side, providing easy mobility whenever you wish to move the chair.
While the mat is translucent, vinyl is more likely to show signs of wear and tear over time. However, this is one of the better office chair mats for thick carpets.
If you decide to purchase this item, we suggest you remove it from the box and keep it in a warm room to acclimate for a day. This way, the heat will help relax the material.
Moreover, the mat is see-through, meaning you‘ll still be able to see the carpet underneath and show it off. We’ve found that see-through mats are much more elegant.
Lastly, although the OFM mat is built to last, our testing has shown that daily use will eventually flatten the 1-inch-thick product. This is one of the best chair mats for carpets when it comes to value.
KEY FEATURES:
- Molded cleats and studs
- Made of vinyl
- Rectangular
- Textured surface
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 48 x 36 x 1 inches
- Weight: 4 lbs
PROS:
- See-through
- Sturdy
- Durable
- Provides easy mobility
CONS:
- It might flatten with use
This PVC chair mat from Dimex features a cleated backing on its bottom to ensure a firm grip on the carpet to avoid any possible sliding or slipping. While using this mat, I was surprised by just how good of a hold it had. At the same time, the top of the mat is smooth, which allows me to quickly move the chair whenever needed in the office.
This brand offers three different rectangular chair mats of three different sizes that will cover medium-sized working areas: 36 x 48 inches, 45 x 53 inches, and 46 x 60 inches. The carpet chair mat is made with recycled materials and is entirely see-through. The mat blended with my office beautifully without looking out of place.
The mat is suited for most types of carpets, from low pile ones to low-medium carpets, as shown by our testing. If the need arises, you may also use it on hard floors.
Lastly, this item doesn’t have a lip, and it’s made to last. The only downside I’ve noticed is that it comes rolled in a box, so you’ll need to put some weight on it first to make it flatten.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cleated bottom
- Smooth surface
- Rectangular
- Made of PVC
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 36 X 48 inches, 45 X 53 inches or 46 X 60 inches
- Weight: The smallest weighs 9.25 lbs
PROS:
- Durable materials
- Comes in different sizes
- Recycled materials
- See-through
CONS:
- You need to keep it weighted down for a couples of days to make it flatten
Kuyal offers one of the best office chair mats for carpets made of high-quality PVC. I’ve found that the studded underside of the mat helps it keep an effective grip on carpets, ensuring continuous floor protection. While using it, I had no problem with it sliding around the carpet.
On the other side, the mat’s surface has a unique texture designed to make moving the chair easier when you need to carry out daily tasks while keeping a firm enough grip on the casters to prevent the chair from skidding around. Testing has shown that the unique texture does, in fact, help with grip, all the while making sliding a very smooth task.
Using this mat on my carpet for a very long time has shown to wear or tear. Cracks and shatter are also nowhere to be seen with the help of the thick and sturdy yet very pliable. However, the downside of its pliability is that since it is shipped in a box while rolled up, you’ll need to keep some weight on it for a few days to ensure it flattens out completely.
KEY FEATURES:
- High-quality PVC
- Studded underside
- Textured surface
- Rectangular
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 30 X 48 inches
- Weight: 5.51 lbs
PROS:
- Suited for long-term use
- Suited for low and medium pile carpets
- Pliable
- Transparent
CONS:
- It is shipped rolled in a box and it’ll need a few days to flatten.
Evolve has developed a chair mat for carpets that works well with a pile that measures less than ¼ inch in thickness.
The heavy-duty chair mat is completely made of transparent, rectangular plastic and small enough to fit most workspaces. With the help of Its smooth surface, it allowed me to move the chair very quickly around the whole mat. Additionally, the cleated underside keeps the mat firmly anchored to the carpet at all times.
This Evolve mat features a wide, tapered lip designed to keep the chair on the mat to minimize the chance of accidental roll-offs. I’ve tested this feature and found that the lip does, in fact, effectively stop the chair from going outside the mat, even at higher speeds.
On the downside, the mat should only be used on low pile carpets because, if used on medium pile ones, the chair wheels might sink into the mat as they did while we tested it. Other than that, the Evolve chair mat is an excellent solution to save your low-pile carpet without spending too much money.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cleated underside
- Smooth surface
- Made of plastic
- Has a wide lip
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 44 x 33 inches
- Weight: 6.4 lbs
PROS:
- Good price
- Sturdy
- Suited for low pile carpets
- Transparent
CONS:
- If used on medium plie carpets, the wheels of the chair might sink in
This 36 x 48 inch chair mat from Mind Reader comes for a little less than the items we’ve described so far, but it still includes some great features for your office floor.
Firstly, it’s made of wear-resistant PVC that surprisingly did a great job at preventing cracking and shattering. Secondly, its textured underside provides excellent non-slip resistance when gliding around your chair. At the same time, its smooth surface allowed for easy movement without skidding.
This item ensures protection for all low pile carpets up to ¼-inch thick. However, thicker carpets aren’t advised as we’ve found a much quicker deterioration. Lastly, the product is transparent and rectangle-shaped, which means it’ll fit in most decors.
KEY FEATURES:
- Made of PVC
- Textured underside
- Smooth surface
- Rectangular
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 36 X 48 inches
- Weight: 5.79 lbs
PROS:
- Pliable
- Suited for low pile carpets
- Good price
CONS:
- Not suited for carpets thicker than ¼-inch
This clear chair mat from Crablux is the cheapest item on our buying guide, and it was explicitly designed to be used on low-pile carpets. You can also DIY for own chair mat if you’re really struggling to but a proper char mat
The product turned out to be hard and sturdy but still flexible enough not to crack when it needed to be rolled up. Just like the other chair mats we’ve reviewed, this one features a cleated bottom to ensure an anti-slip grip on the carpet, and, at the same time, the surface is smooth and solid enough to allow the wheels of the chair to easily glide on it.
Last but not least, even though the mat is made of durable PVC, it still shouldn’t be used on medium pile carpets if you wish to prevent the wheels of your chair from sinking in.
KEY FEATURES:
- Made of PVC
- Anti-slip grip
- Smooth and solid surface
- Rectangular
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Dimensions: 48 x 36 inches
- Weight: 6.84 lbs
PROS:
- Cheapest item on the list
- Durable and sturdy
- Can be used on low pile carpets
- Transparent
CONS:
- It’s not suited for medium pile carpets
How We Decided
Ultimately, picking the best office chair mat for carpet is all about finding one that won’t slide around the carpet, is correct in size, and one that will last as long as possible. While creating this guide, I focused on a variety of aspects. This includes material, grip, surface, and compatibility.
Regarding material, I included a couple of mats for each material they usually come in. Polycarbonate, PVC, and Vinyl. Each has its pros and cons, so we have made sure you have the option to decide for yourself.
The grip is what defines a mat. People want the best grip from their mats as possible, so they don’t have to deal with a sliding mat when using their chair. All mats in this guide have high-quality cleats to ensure the mat holds its position at all times.
Surface refers to the material used on the top side of the mat. It’s also another essential aspect as that’s the main contact point between the casters and the mat. We’ve ensured that the surface texture and material are of high quality for smooth movement.
Compatibility is one of the more technical things when buying a mat for carpets. I’ve taken the time to include all types of mats, with each being better on certain carpet types than others. Some are universal.
Things to Look for When Buying Office Chair Mats for Carpets
Choosing the right chair mat for your carpet means ensuring it’ll prevent any damage the wheels of the chair might do. However, not all chair mats are the same, and, as you might have already noticed, some are more suited for certain types of carpets rather than others. To make things easier for you, we’ve prepared a list of key things to consider before choosing a chair mat for carpets:
Material
While most chair mats on the market today are made of vinyl, a material known to crack after a certain period, you have other options available. If you’re planning on purchasing a vinyl mat for your office, do so, knowing that you may need to replace it in a year or two. However, heavy users can lower that life span to as little as 3 months.
Some alternatives to this issue to bear in made are tough materials like polycarbonate and tempered glass. While they’re usually more expensive, you’re more likely to save money in the long run instead of tearing through 3 to 4 mats a year.
Shape and Size
Chair mats come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s important to remember that buying several mats is’t a good idea to have the right mat coverage. It’s always much better to buy a single mat that fits well, as it’ll last longer and look much better.
When buying mats, there’s always some kind of measurement. It’s essential to measure your own workstation, so you can buy the ideal chair mat with matching dimensions that won’t get in the way.
Type of Carpeted Floors
This one is among one of the most important aspects to look for when buying a mat for carpets. You may have heard of the terms low, medium, and hard pile. The thickness of your floor and the thickness of your mat should increase together for the best results.
- Hard Floor – ⅛” thick chair mat is recommended
- Low Pile – The thickness of the floor is usually about ¼” thick. ¼” thick chair mat is recommended
- Medium Pile – The thickness of the floor is usually ¾,” and so the chair mat should also be around ¾” thick
- Plush Pile – The thickness of the floor is usually over ¾”. Over ¾” thick chair mat is recommended.
Type of Chair Caster Wheels
The type of wheels in your office chair is very important. As a general rule, the softer the caster wheels, the more stiff the chair mat should be. You need a softer mat to prevent faster deterioration if you have a chair with hard caster wheels.
Picking the right combination plays an important role. You will quickly notice the chair’s feel, comfort, and rolling movements. It’s worth mentioning that the office chair caster wheel can be replaced if you have no other option.
Final Thoughts
There are many things to consider when buying a rolling chair mat for carpets, which can quickly become overwhelming. When things become a chore, people often ignore them and go without a mat since it’s not an essential item to have. With the help of this guide, you should’ve a better understanding of which mat will fit your office and your carpet type.
The Amazon Basics mat is among the best office chair mat for carpets. It has a great grip to prevent it from sliding and an amazing surface for smooth rolling around the mat itself. Gorilla Grip mat is worth considering if you have a high budget since it improves on everything. You may also consider the most affordable option if you’re thigh on money.
If you prefer using a standing office chair we have mats for your feet!
Ultimately, I hope that this guide has at least given you an idea or maybe even learned something like I did. Either way, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Questions to Consider
Do chair mats work on any type of flooring?
The short answer is no. While there are some chair mats that can work on carpets as well as hardwood flooring, oftentimes you’ll need to choose between one or the other if you wish to get the best result possible. A mat that works for rolling chairs on carpet may not be a mat for hard floors.
What is the first thing I should check before buying a chair mat for carpets?
Before you start looking through chair mats available on Amazon, you should check whether you’ll use it on a low or medium pile carpet. Once you’re sure of the type of pile your carpet has, you can move on to looking for a chair mat specifically made for either low or medium pile.
Can I use a low pile mat on a medium pile carpet?
Using a low pile mat on a medium pile carpet isn’t advised. If you decide to do so, the wheels of your chair will most likely sink into the mat and, in the worst-case scenario you won’t be able to easily glide your chair on it.
How should the top of the mat be?
Generally speaking, whether it is textured or not, the surface of the mat should be smooth. A solid and smooth top allows you to glide the chair with ease whenever you need to move, therefore you should always check the description of the mat surface before buying it.
Is a cleated underside important?
Having a cleated underside is a key feature of any good chair mat for carpets. The studded bottom keeps your mat in place and prevents it from slipping whenever you move the chair.
How large should the mat be?
The dimensions of the mat entirely depend on your needs. If your chair is quite big, then you should consider buying a larger mat or, if your workspace is small, then a medium-sized mat should be fine. Luckily, most manufacturers offer different sizes of the same mat.
FAQs
Do office chair mats ruin carpet?
The heavier the mat, the more it’ll break down fibers and damage your carpets. You have an array of alternatives including clear vinyl or polycarbonate materials and for those who prefer a more eco-friendly solution, there are natural substances like bamboo.
Do you need a mat for a desk chair on carpet?
Should the mat have a lip?
Are all chair mats transparent?
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