Are you looking for a way to protect your carpets from getting damaged by your chairs? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve reviewed the five best chair mats for carpets specifically designed to protect your carpet from wear and tear as well as dirt.
Keep reading today’s article to find the best chair mat for your carpets. You can find out more about the features and types of chair mats you have to choose from by referring to the buyer’s guide below. You can also learn more about carpet lips in the FAQ section.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Floortex Chair Mat for Standard Pile Carpet
- Best for Low Pile Carpet: Evolve Clear Chair Mat
- Best Grip: VARWANEO Office Chair Mat For Carpet
- Best for Thick Pile Carpet: OFM ESS Collection Chair Mat
- Best Budget: Crablux Chair Mat for Carpet
Chair Mats for Carpet Buying Advice
Best Overall: Floortex Chair Mat
Key Features
- Size: 36″ x 48″
- Material: Recycled Polymer
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangle
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Rolls up for easy storage
- Has grip backing to prevent it from slipping
- Made from recycled materials
Cons:
- May not be big enough for some chairs
- May start to fold up at the corners over time
The Floortex mat is a flexible chair mat that you can use to protect your carpets from getting damaged by your office chairs. It’s made with polymer material with no PVC. This mat also protects your carpet from getting dirty. There are small nodes on the base of the mat to prevent it from sliding on your carpet.
This chair mat is designed for standard pile carpets, so it shouldn’t be used on high pile flooring. The mat is manufactured using 30% renewable resources, which means it’s an environmentally friendly product.
You will appreciate that this mat is made with flexible material so you can easily roll it up and store it when it’s not in use. The material is durable so it won’t crack over time. This clear mat makes moving around your workstation a lot easier.
Best for Low Pile Carpet: Evolve Clear Chair Mat
Key Features
- Size: 33″ x 44″
- Material: Plastic
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Oval
Pros:
- Extra grip backing
- Smooth surface
- Flexible for easy storage
- Easy to maintain
Cons:
- May be difficult to see on lighter carpets
- May not be big enough, but larger sizes are available
The Evolve clear chair mat is made with a durable plastic material that won’t dent or tear over time. This mat is designed to protect carpets with a low pile of ¼ inches or less. The rounded corners provide a seamless appearance on your floor and provide extra safety so you don’t hook your foot on the seams.
To prevent the mat from sliding on your carpet, it has nodes on the bottom. You may want to only use this on dark carpets, though, because the clear material may be difficult to see on lighter flooring.
The Evolve clear chair mat is designed to protect hardwood floors and carpets. It’s made with a flexible material that can be stored easily when you’re not using it. Also, the plastic material makes it easy to clean the mat if it gets dirty. Simply wipe it down with a wet cloth to keep it clean.
Best Grip: VARWANEO Office Chair Mat
Key Features
- Size: 36″ x 48″ x 0.1″
- Material: Polyethylene
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangular with lip
Pros:
- Doesn’t slide when you move your chair around
- Thick, durable material
- Easy to maintain
- BPA-free
Cons:
- Sometimes curls up at the corners
- May be too thin
Only sold on Amazon
The VARWANEO chair mat is made with 100% polyethylene that doesn’t release any chemical smells. There are nodes on the backing for better grip so the mat doesn’t slide around on your carpet when you move your chair. It’s made with a flexible material that you can easily roll up and store when the mat isn’t in use.
This clear and flexible chair mat for carpets is BPA-free to ensure a clean indoor environment. The mat is 2 mm thick to protect your carpet from scuffs, wear, and dirt caused by chairs. Since this mat is made with clear PVC material, it will be easy to clean if you spill on it. Simply wipe the mat with a wet cloth to keep it clean.
The VARWANEO chair mat is designed to protect hard floors as well as carpets. This mat is large, so it provides sufficient space for you to move around in your office chair. It’s also made with a clear material with a slight tint so it’s easy to see on lighter carpet flooring.
Best for Thick Pile Carpet: OFM ESS Collection Chair Mat
Key Features
- Size: 36″ x 48″
- Material: Vinyl
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangular with lip
Pros:
- Easy to maintain
- Thick, durable material
- Has ramped edges
Cons:
- Difficult to roll out flat when removing it from the box
- Some customers say the plastic is too soft
The OFM ESS chair mat is made of a durable vinyl material with an anti-slip backing. It has a 1-inch thickness to protect your carpets from dents and wear from chairs. The mat provides a sturdy surface for your chair for extra safety while you sit.
This chair mat is perfect for gamers, home offices, and people who spend most of their time in a computer chair. It provides a surface that’s easy to move on while protecting your carpets. The mat is made of a flexible material, so you can roll it up and store it when you’re not using it.
The OFM ESS Collection chair mat is 1 inch thick and has ramped edges so you can easily slide your chair off of and onto the mat. The plastic mat is easy to clean, too. Simply wipe it down with a wet cloth when it becomes dirty.
Best Budget: Crablux Chair Mat for Carpet
Key Features
- Size: Not specified
- Material: PVC
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangle
Pros:
- Easy to maintain
- Non-slip grip backing
- Flexible material
- Easy to store
Cons:
- The corners may fold up
- May be difficult to see on lighter carpets
Only sold on Amazon
The Crablux chair mat is made with strong PVC material that’s 2 mm thick. It’s designed to prevent damage from chairs on hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. The chair mat is a flexible material that can be rolled up easily for storage when you’re not using it.
This PVC chair mat has a non-slip grip backing so that the mat doesn’t move when you shift your chair. The mat contains no VOCs, so your indoor air quality won’t be affected. Additionally, the chair mat is clear, so it doesn’t affect the aesthetics of your decor.
You’ll appreciate how easy it is to clean this mat because it’s made from PVC. Simply wipe it down with a wet cloth when it gets dirty. The 2 mm thickness protects your carpet from dents and prevents damage to the integrity of the carpet.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Floortex Chair Mat View on Amazon –> View on Office Depot –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.6 | Size: 36″ x 48″ Material: Recycled Polymer Color: Clear Shape: Rectangle |
Evolve Clear Chair Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best for Low Pile Carpet Overall: 4.5 | Size: 33″ x 44″ Material: Plastic Color: Clear Shape: Oval |
VARWANEO Office Chair Mat View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Best Grip Overall: 4.2 | Size: 36″ x 48″ x 0.1″ Material: Polyethylene Color: Clear Shape: Rectangular with lip |
 OFM ESS Collection Chair Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best for Thick Pile Carpet Overall: 4.4 | Size: 36″ x 48″ Material: Vinyl Color: Clear Shape: Rectangular with lip |
 Crablux Chair Mat for Carpet View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Best Budget Overall: 4.3 | Size: Not specified Material: PVC Color: Clear Shape: Rectangle |
The Complete Chair Mats For Carpets Buyer’s Guide
Before buying a chair mat to protect your carpet, there are a few features you must consider first. There are two main types of chair mats and six important features to look out for before spending money on your chair mat. Read this section to help you pick the best chair mat for your carpet.
Why It’s Important To Use A Chair Mat On Carpet
Office chairs can damage the integrity of your carpet, especially if it’s a high pile carpet. Chair mats are designed to protect your carpet from dents and prevent your office chairs from ripping out the carpet fibers.
Additionally, some mat materials such as PVC, glass, and vinyl have a smooth surface, making it easy for you to move your office chair around your desk.
Types of Chair Mats For Carpets
There are two types of chair mats for carpets that you can buy. In this section, I’ll explain what the pros and cons are for each type of chair mat and which one will work better to protect your carpets.
- Anti-static: An anti-static chair mat prevents static buildup. These mats also have an anti-slip surface and grip backing so the mat doesn’t shift when you move your chair. An anti-static chair mat is specifically designed for dry environments that need anti-static products to protect electronic equipment. This type of mat is ideal if you work with computers or other sensitive electronic devices.
- Anchor chair mat: This type of mat has a textured finish to provide a non-slip surface to walk on. Additionally, it has a grip backing to prevent the mat from shifting. An anchor chair mat is made from vinyl, which makes it easy to clean. Also, it comes in three different thicknesses for various carpet piles.
Features To Consider Before Buying Chair Mats For Carpets
Size
Before you purchase your chair mat, consider your working space and your rolling habits. Do you roll back and forth or all around your desk? Your rolling habits will help you pick the correct size chair mat for your needs. The most common chair mat sizes are the following:
- 36” x 48”
- 45” x 53”
- 46” x 60”
To find the right size, simply measure the width and length of your roll area. Choose a mat size that will cover the roll area completely.
Shape
Not all chair mats are square or rectangle-shaped. Furthermore, not all chair mats will be ideal for your workstation. There are five shapes to choose from, such as the following:
- Lip: This mat has a rectangle shape with a lip that fits under your desk where you rest your feet. It’s ideal for rectangle-shaped writing desks.
- Square: A square chair mat has four equal sides, and it’s ideal for L or U-shaped workstations.
- Contoured/Oval: This chair mat has an oval shape and is designed for corner workstations.
- L-Shaped: This mat is shaped similarly to the outline of a skirt. It’s rounded at the bottom and has a lip in the front. It’s designed for corner and L-shaped workstations.
- Rectangle: A rectangle mat can be used for any type of working environments such as U-shaped workstations or desk and credenza stations.
Maintenance
Chair mats can get dirty quickly, so choose a mat that’s easy to clean. A glass chair mat is easy to clean because you can either wipe it down with a cloth or mop it. PVC and vinyl are also easy chair mats to keep clean because they’re not made up of fibers.
Safety
Some chair mats have ramped edges so you can roll off of and onto the mat with ease. Choose a mat that doesn’t fold up at the corners because this can be a safety hazard. You also want a mat that has a firm grip on your carpet so it doesn’t slide around when you move your chair.
Another tip for added safety is to pick a chair mat with little to no VOCs so it doesn’t affect your air quality.
Durability
The mat you choose for your chair must be able to withstand heavy chairs rolling around on it all day. PVC and glass chair mats are the most durable products on the market. The purpose of a chair mat is to protect your carpet from getting damaged. If your chair mat isn’t durable, it won’t be able to protect your carpet.
Material
Here are three chair mat materials for you to choose from:
- PVC: PVC is a clear, rigid material that provides a stable surface for your chair. They come in a variety of thicknesses and are ideal for low-pile carpets and hard floors. PVC is odorless and BPA-free. The only drawback is this chair mat is not ideal for plush carpets because the weight of the mat will compress the fibers and flatten them.
- Vinyl: Vinyl is a flexible material that can be rolled up and stored when you’re not using it. The advantage of vinyl chair mats is that they’re ideal for low to high-pile carpets. This is because the material won’t compress your carpet fibers. Vinyl chair mats are also easy to clean and lightweight.
- Glass: A glass chair mat for a carpet is made with strong tempered glass, so it won’t crack under the pressure of your chair. It’s a heavy mat that won’t shift when you move your chair, and it provides a smooth surface to roll on. Glass chair mats usually have ramped edges so you can roll your chair on and off the surface easily.
FAQs
Your chair mat will only damage your carpet if you choose the incorrect type. Heavier chair mats can break down the fibers of your carpet and damage your flooring. That’s why you must buy a mat that’s specifically designed for the type of carpet pile you have.
What Does Mat With A Lip Mean?
The lip is an extension of the chair mat that fits under your desk where you rest your feet. This lip will protect your carpet if you scoot your chair under your desk.
Can You Use A Hard Floor Chair Mat On A Carpet?
There are chair mats designed to be used on hard floors and carpets. If you’re using a mat on a hard floor, make sure it doesn’t have cleated backing because it will scratch the surface of your flooring.
How Do You Prevent A Chair Mat From Sliding?
Most chair mats come with a cleated backing that will grip onto your carpet but won’t destroy the fibers. The cleated backing prevents the mat from shifting when you move your chair.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a durable chair mat that will protect your carpet and provide a smooth surface to move your chair around on, then you’ll want the Floortex Chair Mat. This is the clear winner of our roundup review because it’s made with recycled material, and it’s flexible, so you can roll it up and store it when it’s not in use. Also, the chair mat is designed to protect standard pile carpets and comes with cleated backing to prevent the mat from moving.
If you have any comments or firsthand experiences with chair mats for carpets, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
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