Best Office Chair Mats to Protect your Floors and Carpets

Did you know that the caster wheels on most office chair can actually damage your hardwood or even carpeted floor over time?

One of the best ways to preserve your floor is to use an office chair mat. On top of that, it can also improve your chair’s mobility, especially on medium to high pile carpeted flooring. This in turn can help prevent back and lower extremity pain by reducing the force you need to move your office chair around. More mobility less pain is what it’s all about.

In this post, we’ll discuss the most important factors to consider to pick out the best office chair mat based on the floor and desk type that you have.

Things to Consider When Buying an Office Chair Mat

Floor Type	Mat Material	Bottom Surface	Mat Thickness
Hard Floor (Wood, tile, vinyl, or linoleum)	PVC or Polycarbonate	Smooth	⅛”
Low Pile Carpet (¼” or less)	PVC or Polycarbonate	Cleated or Spiked	Up to ⅛”
Standard Pile Carpet ( ⅜” or less)	PVC or Polycarbonate	Cleated or Spiked	About ⅛” to 3/16”
Medium Pile Carpet (¾” or less)	Polycarbonate	Cleated or Spiked	Up to 3/16”
Deep Carpet (over ¾”)	Polycarbonate	Cleated or Spiked	3/16” or thicker
All	Tempered Glass	Smooth	¼”

Flooring

When choosing the perfect office chair mat, the first thing you need to consider is the type of flooring you have.

Carpeted floors require mats that are cleated or spiked to prevent it from sliding. Meanwhile, hard floors might get damaged from these spikes so we recommend mats with a smooth bottom surface.

Thickness

Looking at the chart above, you will notice that the surface type you have will also dictate the best thickness for your mat. There are several reasons for this.

A thin mat intended for low pile carpet flooring will just cause your office chair to sink down on a plush carpet, making it hard to move. A thicker office chair mat might be too heavy and damage low-pile carpeting.

How to Measure Carpet Thickness

Straighten the end of a paper clip and push it through your carpet until it touches the floor. Use your fingers to mark the point at the clip where it’s flush with the carpet. Use a ruler to determine the distance from your fingers to the end of the paper clip. This is the carpet’s thickness.

Material

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, and tempered glass – these are the most common materials that you can get when it comes to office chair mats. 

PVC, or vinyl, mats are light, thin, and cheap. This makes them a good option for light home office use. Since vinyl mats are thin, they should only be used for hard floors and low and standard pile carpeting. Transparent ones work great in showcasing beautiful hardwood floors while colored or patterned PVC mats can add beauty to an otherwise plain office.

Polycarbonate is a strong and durable material that can take heavier weights and more frequent use. Office chair mats made from this material come in different thicknesses. Just like PVC mats, there are transparent and different color options.

Lastly, you can go for tempered glass mats, the most durable (and expensive) out of the three materials we mentioned. It’s considered to be the most eco-friendly as well, with the lifespan of several plastic mats.

Aside from being suitable for all surface types, the strength of a tempered glass mat also makes it the best choice for big and heavy users. You also won’t have any issues with sinking, curling, or bending since it’s a completely smooth, flat surface.

Shape: Lip or No Lip?

Your workspace configuration will dictate what shape your chair mat needs to be. For most office layouts, the 3 basic mat shapes are often enough. 

Rectangular or square chair mats are the most versatile, fitting all common workspace layouts.

A lip office chair mat is basically just a rectangular mat with a protrusion or extended edge. This is useful in protecting the floor under the desk when you scoot your chair all the way in. Note that lip mat sizes include the lip so the rectangular part of the mat is smaller.

Finally, bulb-shaped chair mats are suited for corner and L-workstations.

Best Office Chair Mats Reviewed

Now that you have an idea of the kind of chair mat that’s suitable for your office, the following are our best picks for office chair mats in 2019:

1. Mysuntown Office Chair Mat– Best Chair Mat for Hardwood Floors
2. Somolux Rectangular Office Chair Mat– Runner Up for Hardwood Floors
3. Mushyn Chair Mat with Anti-Fatigue Area– Best Chair Mat for Standing Desks
4. Anji Mountain Rug Chair Mat– Best Decorative Office Chair Mat
5. Lorell Tempered Glass Chair Mat– Most Eco Friendly, Durable Office Chair Mat
6. Doublecheck Heavy Duty Office Chair Mat– Best Chair Mat for Low to Medium Pile Carpets
7. AmazonBasics Polycarbonate Office Carpet Chair Mat– Best Chair Mat for High Pile Carpets

Mysuntown Office Chair Mat

Best Chair Mat for Hardwood Floors

Suitable Surfaces	Hard Floor
Dimensions	36” x 48” including 20” x 10” lip
Thickness	0.1”
Weight	4.35 lbs
Material	PVC
Shape	Lip

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for hardwood, laminate, tile, and stone floors
• Non-toxic: BPA-free, no phthalates
• Made of 100% recycled PET
• Transparent
• Anti-slip smooth bottom
• Low-friction matte surface
• Limited lifetime warranty

First up is the Mysuntown Office Chair Mat, the best choice for protecting beautiful hardwood floors from your office chair, including the area under the desk.

Made of non-toxic and recycled PVC, this product has a matte surface that will prevent your office chair from sliding around. The smooth bottom gives just enough grip for the mat so it won’t move around during use. 

One satisfied buyer also noted that while the mat is thin, it still works well in preventing the floor from getting scratched. Factor in the protruded part and your hardwood floor is protected even when you push your office chair all the way in.

Most of the complaints about the Mysuntown has to do with it curling and not laying flat since it comes rolled to save space during shipping. This can be easily solved, however, by immersing it in hot water as per the company instructed.

All in all, the Mysuntown is an excellent buy if you want to cover even the hard floor under your table. Plus, it’s clear so it won’t interfere with your office decor.

Somolux Rectangular Office Chair Mat

Runner Up for Best Chair Mat for Hardwood Floors

Suitable Surfaces	Hard Floor
Dimensions	48” x 36”
Thickness	0.1″
Weight	4.75 lbs
Material	Polycarbonate
Shape	Rectangle

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for hardwood, tile, laminated, linoleum, and concrete floors
• BPA-free, no cadmium, no tin, no lead, no phthalate
• Smooth face, smooth bottom

Hard floor owners looking for a versatile rectangular chair mat that suits all types of office layouts won’t go wrong with the Sololux Office Chair Mat.

Rectangular in shape and coming in a highly transparent finish, this product is versatile enough to be used in different workstation configurations without messing with your office color scheme. It has a good weight to it that gives the impression of sturdiness. Office chair casters won’t dent it either.

One bonus that many buyers love is the fact that it promotes a non-toxic work environment. It does not contain many of the common hazardous chemicals that plastic sometimes contain. It has a low chemical emission, apart from being completely odor free.

As far as shortcomings, one owner complained the mat was impossible to completely flatten after un-packaging, though this seems to be an isolated incident.

To conclude, the Somolux has the flexibility and durability that you need to protect your hard floor regardless of how you set up your workstation.

Mushyn Chair Mat with Anti-Fatigue Area

Best Chair Mat for Standing Desks

Suitable Surfaces	Hard Floor, Low Pile Carpet
Dimensions	36” x 48” including 23” x 10” lip
Thickness	0.08”
Weight	8.6 lbs
Material	PVC
Shape	Lip

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for hardwood, tile, laminated, linoleum, and concrete floors and low pile carpet
• With anti-fatigue support foam
• Has anti-slip backing
• Scratch and stain-resistant
• CA PROP 65 compliant: phthalate and heavy metals free
• Limited lifetime warranty

The Mushyn Chair Mat is a great pick for fans of standing desks who want to keep their hard floor and low pile carpet blemish-free.

Equipped with an anti-fatigue area, you’re basically killing two birds with one stone by protecting the floor while relieving the pressure on your feet no matter if you’re sitting or standing. In fact, one buyer who has foot and ankle pain from using a foot pedal for years said that this product helped with her conditions.

Made of PVC, this lipped chair mat has an anti-slip backing that prevents it from moving around. It doesn’t stain or scratch easily either. Of course, being California Proposition 65 compliant, a regulation about chemical substances is a plus too.

The only issue that we found about the Mushyn is its tendency to off-gas while still new. Fortunately, the smell goes away after a few days.

Nonetheless, if you don’t have a sensitive sense of smell, we highly recommend the Mushyn for standing desk users and office workers who have foot or ankle pain.

Anji Mountain Rug Chair Mat

Best Decorative Office Chair Mat for Hardwood and Low Pile Carpets

Suitable Surfaces	Hard Floor and Low Pile Carpet
Dimensions	36” x 48”
Thickness	¼”
Weight	12.55 lbs
Material	PVC
Shape	Rectangle

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for hardwood, tile, laminated, linoleum, and concrete floors and low pile carpet
• Comes in different designs
• Polyester rug surface, PVC core, non-skid backing
• Phthalate-free

Add a touch of personality to your office while keeping your hard floor or low pile carpet in tip-top shape by using the Anji Mountain Rug Chair Mat.

Available in 16 different designs, the Anji Mountain Mat is one of our picks because of its ability to beautify any office. Unlike regular chair mats with a purely plastic surface, this product also has a polyester rug surface that not only looks cozy but muffles the sound of the rolling casters as well. Even better, it can adapt to different workstation layouts because of its rectangular shape.

The Anji Mountain Mat comes folded in half making it easy to move. Many buyers were impressed as well that even if it was folded, there wasn’t a telltale seam in the middle.

What you need to watch out for when using the Anji Mountain Mat are stains. Though polyester is naturally resistant to water-based stains, oil-based ones are harder to remove.

At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a versatile chair mat that’s not only functional but decorative as well, the Anji Mountain Mat is your best bet.

You can check out this product in more detail below:

Lorell Tempered Glass Chair Mat

Most Eco Friendly, Durable Office Chair Mat for All Floor Types

Suitable Surfaces	Hard Floor and All Carpets
Dimensions	36” x 46”
Thickness	¼”
Weight	39.7 lbs
Material	Tempered Glass
Shape	Rectangle

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for all types of surfaces
• Smooth, rounded edges
• Supports up to 1,000 lbs
• Limited lifetime warranty

The Lorell Tempered Glass Chair Mat is our best pick for you if you’re looking for a durable chair mat that works for all types of floor and office layouts.

Made from tempered glass, this product might look fragile, but it can actually handle an astounding 1,000 pounds of weight. You won’t have to worry about it slipping around either since it’s very heavy at 39.7 pounds. One buyer was completely sold in this mat’s durability when it came out free from scratches and cracks even after he accidentally dropped a 20-pound external hard drive enclosure from a considerable height.

We also love the all-around versatility of this tempered glass chair mat. It’s clear so it won’t clash with your office decor. Plus, it works in every kind of workstation layout and all floor types. You won’t have to worry about getting cut with the edges either since they’re smooth and rounded.

The main drawback to the Lorell is, of course, its weight. You’ll want to get the help of at least one person in moving it to be on the safe side.

Overall, this product is a must-try if you’re tired of changing chair mats because they don’t last more than a few years.

Doublecheck Heavy Duty Office Chair Mat

Best Chair Mat for Low to Medium Pile Carpets

Suitable Surfaces	Low and Medium Pile Carpets
Dimensions	36” x 48” including 20” x 12” lip
Thickness	⅛”
Weight	8.75 lbs
Material	Polycarbonate
Shape	Lip

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for low and medium pile carpets
• Studded underside
• Phthalate-free
• Transparent

The Doublecheck Heavy Duty Office Chair Mat should be your go-to floor protection if you have low to medium pile carpeting in your office.

It is a lip-shaped chair mat that’s made from ⅛” thick polycarbonate. This means that it is firm enough that the chair’s casters won’t dent it, allowing you to roll smoothly. Many customers who have had bad experiences with curling mats were also impressed that it was shipped flat.

Another good news is that the Doublecheck is non-toxic, making it a good partner for healthy offices. At the same time, it is transparent so it would fit in any color scheme,

We’ve read a lot of negative comments about how this mat would slip around during use. But, a closer look shows that these buyers used the Doublecheck on plush carpeting, which it isn’t made for. It shouldn’t be used for hard floors either since it has a studded underside.

To conclude, as long as you have low and medium pile carpeting, the Doublecheck can do a great job of protecting your floor, including the small area under your desk.

AmazonBasics Polycarbonate Office Carpet Chair Mat

Best Chair Mat for High Pile Carpets

Suitable Surfaces	High Pile Carpets
Dimensions	47” x 53” including
Thickness	0.1”
Weight	10.05 lbs
Material	Polycarbonate
Shape	Lip

List of noteworthy features:

• Suitable for high pile carpets
• Phthalate-free
• 100% recyclable
• Transparent
• Supports up to 500 lbs
• Smooth surface with studded underside

If a protective covering for thick carpets is what you’re looking for, you won’t go wrong with the Polycarbonate Office Carpet Chair Mat by AmazonBasics.

Made from non-toxic polycarbonate material, this recyclable product has what it takes to protect your shag carpet while giving you a safe working environment. It’s clear so it works for all types of decor. Plus, it’s tough enough to last for years even while supporting up to 500 pounds of weight.

The face of the AmazonBasics chair mat is smooth to provide a good glide for your chair’s casters. As for the underside, it is equipped with grippers that let it stay firmly in place on top of thick carpeting. The grippers combined with the firm material prevent the mat from bunching up, a feat that many buyers praised.

There are some things, though, that you need to be careful of when using this AmazonBasics mat. To start, you need to be careful when unpacking it since buyers said that it “explodes” open. What you’ll want to do is get the help of another person so you can slowly unfold it. The grippers are on the sharp side as well.

All things considered, these cons are actually some of the things that make it a great product. So, if you need a heavy-duty lipped mat for thick carpeting, the AmazonBasics is the way to go. 

Office Chair Mat Alternatives

Another option that you have in protecting your floor is to upgrade your office chair’s casters to rollerblade style wheels. Some of them are even lockable to prevent unwanted movements.

Unlike regular plastic wheels, these are typically made of polyurethane, a polymer that combines the flexibility of plastic and the elasticity of rubber. This means that it isn’t as hard on your floor.

Rollerblade style wheels also cover less surface area so they are less likely to damage your hard floor or carpeting.

Additionally, rollerblade style ones might be more suitable for you than chair mats if you tend to roll a lot and don’t want to be limited by your mat size.

Here’s how you can replace your office chair casters with rollerblade styles ones. Video