Are you looking for the best mat to go under your office chair?
You’re in the right place!
In this ChairAdviser.com guide, you’ll learn:
- Which mat is best for your flooring
- What thickness you need
- Our top 7 best office chair mats
- And much more!
An office chair provides countless benefits, but using one regularly can damage the appearance and condition of your floors.
Caster wheels, especially those forged with cast iron and steel, can ruin the polish and finish of your hardwood and carpeted floors. These markings will make your floors look old and unkempt.
Fortunately, you can still use your office chair without ruining your floors by using an office chair mat.
Aside from protecting your floors, office chair mats can also improve the mobility of your chair, especially if you’re using one on carpeted flooring.
In this article, we will discuss some of the most important factors to consider when picking chair mats based on your floor type. This information will make it very easy for you to pick and use the best office chair mats!
Jump To A Section
| Floor Type | Mat Material | Bottom Surface | Thickness |
| Hard floor, such as linoleum, tile, vinyl or wood | Polycarbonate or PVC | Smooth | 1/8 inches |
| Deep carpet | Polycarbonate | Spiked or cleated | At least 3/16 inches |
| Low pile carpet | Polycarbonate or PVC | Spiked or cleated | No more than 1/8 inches |
| Medium pile carpet | Polycarbonate | Spiked or cleated | Up to 3/16 inches |
| Standard pile carpet (about 3/8 inches or less) | Polycarbonate or PVC | Spiked or cleated | Â About 1/8 inches |
| All | Tempered Glass | Smooth | 1/4 inches |
What To Consider When Buying An Office Chair Mat?
Flooring
The most important factor to consider when choosing a chair mat is the kind of flooring you have. Instead of providing protection, using the wrong chair mat will likely cause marks and create irreparable damage to your flooring.
If you have carpeted floors, you need to find and use chair mats that are spiked or cleated. This material will prevent your chair mats from slipping and ensure that your mats stay in place.
For hard floors, like ceramic tile, brick, or clay, it’s best to use chair mats with a smooth surface. Using chair mats with spikes or cleats will damage your hard floors and leave marks all over.
Material
Chair mats are now made using different materials. If you want to end up using the best office chair mats, you should know what these materials are and what their characteristics are.
Generally, the most common materials used in chair mats are polycarbonate, tempered glass, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). All of these materials can protect your floors, but you should still pay attention as different materials function differently in various flooring types.
- Polycarbonate: Chair mats made from polycarbonate can take heavier weights and come in different thicknesses. Because polycarbonate also comes in a wide variety of color options, you won’t have any problems finding the best office chair mats that perfectly match the aesthetics of your office!
- Tempered glass: Aside from being the most durable material used in chair mats, tempered glass is also eco-friendly and works well in all surface types. If you’re using a big and heavy office chair, a chair mat made from tempered glass is an excellent option as this material can withstand a lot of weight without sinking, bending, or curling.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Chair mats made from PVC are light, thin, and inexpensive. The characteristics of PVC are the reason why this material is commonly used in home offices. Depending on your preferences, you can use transparent PVC mats to showcase your unique hardwood floors or opt for patterned PVC mats to add more beauty to your plain-looking office.
Thickness
Aside from choosing chair mats with the right materials, you also need to pay attention to their thickness. This is another factor to consider in picking the best office chair mats.
Using a thin mat in low carpet flooring will make it very challenging for you to move as your office chair will only sink on the carpet. This will also cause damages to your carpet in the long run.
On the other hand, using a chair mat that’s too thick and heavy will also damage low pile carpeting.
Shape
Aside from being made using different materials, chair mats also come in various shapes. When choosing which shape to invest in, it’s best to consider your office layout.
- Bulb-shaped chair mats: Bulb-shaped chair mats are great options if you’re working in an L-shaped or corner office.
- Lip office chair mats: Lip office chair mats are rectangular mats with an extended edge. This shape can protect the floors under your desk whenever you push your chair all the way in.
- Square or rectangular chair mats: Aside from being one of the most common shapes, square or rectangular chair mats also fit common workplace layouts. So regardless if you’re working inside a traditional or open-plan office layout, you can never go wrong with a square or rectangular chair mat!
Our Reviews of the Top 7 Best Office Chair Mats
Even if you already know what factors to consider, narrowing down your options and finding the best chair mats can still be a challenge. This is especially true if you never bought or used a chair mat in the past.
If you still see yourself overwhelmed with too many options, take note of the information presented in this section.
We will provide information on some of the best chair mats in the market, making it easier for you to pick one.
AmazonBasics Polycarbonate Office Carpet Chair Mat
Best Chair Mat For Carpet
If your office has high pile carpets, we recommend the AmazonBasics Polycarbonate office carpet chair mat.
This lip-shaped chair mat is about 0.1 thick, weighs 10.05 pounds, and measures 47 inches by 53 inches.
The AmazonBasics Polycarbonate office carpet chair mat is also eco-friendly as it’s made from recyclable materials. This chair mat is also transparent, which means that you can still highlight the appearance of your floors even when you have this in your office.
One of the best features of the AmazonBasics Polycarbonate office carpet chair mat is its grippers. This helps your chair mat stay in place regardless of how often you move your office chair around. As long as it is cleaned regularly and used properly, this chair mat can last for years!
The AmazonBasics Polycarbonate office carpet chair mat is an excellent investment, but you need to be careful when unpacking it as the grippers are very sharp, so stay cautious when unfolding the mat.
Anji Mountain Rug Chair Mat
Best Office Chair Mat for Hard Wood
Your hard floor and low pile carpet flooring will be protected at all times when you use the Anji Mountain rug chair mat. This chair mat is about ¼ inches thick, weighs 12.55 pounds, and measures 36 inches by 48 inches.
Unlike most chair mats, the Anji Mountain rug chair mat comes in 16 unique designs. It’s rectangular in shape perfect for any office layout and size! Adding this chair mat into your office will surely improve the aesthetics of the space and even encourage you to work harder!
Aside from its aesthetics, the Anji Mountain rug chair mat also has a polyester surface that conceals the sound of rolling casters. This office mat comes folded when you buy it for the first time but doesn’t show any seams in the middle.
Although the Anji Mountain rug chair mat is made from a material that’s naturally resistant to water-based stains; oil-based stains such as margarine, cooking oil, salad dressing, and mayonnaise are tougher to remove. Oil-based stains will usually leave a mark on this chair mat.
DoubleCheck Heavy Duty Office Chair Mat
Best Office Chair Mat For Low Carpet
The DoubleCheck heavy-duty office chair mat is one of the best choices for individuals using office chairs in low to medium pile carpets. This chair mat is about 1/8 inch thick, weighs 8.75 pounds, and measures 36 inches by 48 inches (with 20 inches by 12 inches lip).
Because of its thickness, the DoubleCheckheavy duty office chair mat is firm enough to protect your floors from dents caused by your chair’s casters while allowing you to roll in your office chair with ease.
The DoubleCheck heavy-duty office chair mat is also non-toxic, which means that you’re not exposed to any harmful chemicals that may result in health issues in the future. This chair mat will also look good in any office as it’s transparent.
One issue reported by users about the DoubleCheck heavy-duty office chair mat is that it will slip around during use. However, we found out that this only happens when the chair mat is used on hard floors a surface that isn’t suitable for the chair mat in the first place. As long as you use this chair mat in low and medium pile carpeting, you won’t have to worry about experiencing such a problem.
Lorell Tempered Glass Chair Mat
Best All-Around Glass Chair Mat
Looking for a versatile chair mat that works well on all hard floors and carpets? The Lorell tempered glass chair mat is your best bet. This chair mat is about ¼ inch thick, weighs 39.7 pounds, and measures 36 inches by 46 inches.
The Lorell tempered glass chair mat is made from tempered glass, which many find fragile and prone to damage. Don’t let looks deceive you as the Lorell tempered glass chair mat is actually very durable and can withstand up to 1,000 pounds.
Because it’s very heavy, you won’t have to worry about slipping around when you use the Lorell tempered glass chair mat. This will allow you to work with ease and save time and effort from frequently rearranging your chair mat in your workstation.
The Lorell tempered glass chair mat is versatile because you can use it in any office layout. Because it’s clear, this chair mat won’t clash any of your office decor or conceal the appearance of your flooring or carpets.
One of the biggest disadvantages of the Lorell tempered glass chair mat is its weight. Sure, the weight of this chair mat will allow it to stay in place, but its weight can also become an issue whenever you want to move it. If you want to move this chair mat to another area, you’ll need to ask for help from at least one person.
Mushyn Chair Mat with Anti-Fatigue Area
Most Comfortable Chair Mat
If you regularly work behind a standing desk, the Mushyn chair mat with anti-fatigue area should be your top choice.
This chair mat is an excellent option if you want to protect hard floors, concrete floors, and low pile carpets.
As for the specs, the Mushyn chair mat is about 0.08 inches thick, weighs 8.6 pounds, and measures 36 inches by 48 inches (with 23 inches by10 inches lip).
Because of its anti-fatigue area, using the Mushyn chair mat is like hitting two birds with one stone you get to protect your floors from damage while being able to relieve pressure from your feet. One study also confirmed that anti-fatigue mats can reduce lower back pain.
The Mushyn chair mat with the anti-fatigue area is made from PVC. This material doesn’t move around or cause any scratches or stains on the floor. The Mushin chair mat is also compliant with California Proposition 65, which means that it doesn’t contain any chemicals or toxic substances known to cause cancer and congenital disabilities.
The only issue you’ll likely experience with the Mushyn chair mat with anti-fatigue area is that it has off-gas, especially when it’s still new. Fortunately, the smell eventually goes away after a few days of using the chair mat.
Mysuntown Office Chair Mat
Best Value Chair Mats
Protecting your hard floors will come off easier when you use the Mysuntown office chair mat.
This chair mat is 0.1 inches thick, weighs 4.35 pounds, and measures 36 inches by 48 inches (with a 20 inches by 10 inches lip).
The Mysuntown office chair mat is L-shaped, and using one is a great way to protect the area under your desk. This chair mat also comes with a matte surface that prevents your office chair from sliding around and a smooth bottom to ensure that the mat stays in place during use.
When you buy the Mysuntown office chair mat, expect that it will curl and not lay flat on your floor for the first couple of days. This happens because chair mats are often rolled during shipping. Fortunately, you can easily solve this problem by soaking the mat in hot water.
Somolux Rectangular Office Chair Mat
Best Simple Chair Mat
Another chair mat ideal for hardwood floors is the Somolux rectangular office chair mat.
This chair mat is 0.1 inches thick, weighs 4.75 pounds, and measures 48 inches by 36 inches.
If you’re looking for a chair mat that suits various office layouts, you should use the Somolux rectangular office chair mat. This chair mat comes in a rectangular shape and transparent finish, which means that you can protect your floors without messing with the current layout or aesthetics of your workstation.
The materials of the Somolux rectangular office chair mat are also non-toxic. This chair mat doesn’t contain any hazardous chemicals, unlike plastic. Because it has a low chemical emission, the Somolux rectangular office chair mat is odor-free and doesn’t release any chemical compounds into the air.
Some users of the Somolux rectangular office chair mat complained about struggling to flatten the mat after unpacking it. Upon closer look, we found out that this issue is isolated and doesn’t happen to everyone.
Looking for Alternatives?
If you’re not too comfortable with the idea of placing a mat on your floors, you can always upgrade your chair’s casters and use rollerblade-style wheels.
These kinds of wheels can be locked to prevent your chair from moving around, reducing your chair’s ability to leave marks, scratches, and other types of damages on your floors.
Rollerblade-style wheels are made from polyurethane, a material with the elasticity of rubber and the flexibility of traffic. This material isn’t too hard on your floors.
Using rollerblade-style wheels on your office chairs is also a great option if you don’t want a mat to limit your movement around your office.
This is especially useful if you tend to roll your chair and visit other people’s desks.
Takeaway Points
An office chair is always a need when working, but this doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the appearance and condition of your floors just to use it.
As long as you use the right chair mat or upgrade your chair’s wheel, you can comfortably roll around with your office chair and not worry about how your floors will look!
