Are you setting up a home office? Perhaps you’ve got the perfect corner set up and a comfortable office chair picked out, and now you’ve got just one thing left: an office chair mat. We’ve done the legwork for you and have reviewed and picked the five best office chair mats.
We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide that highlights the features you should consider when you’re looking through different options. Important features you should always keep in mind include the type of floor, mat material, and size.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat
- Best Slip Resistant: Gorilla Grip Premium Polycarbonate Studded Chair Mat
- Best Budget: Starcounters Office Chair Mat
- Most Durable: HIWOOD Office Chair Mat
- Best Eco-Friendly: Resilia Office Desk Chair Mat With Lip
Office Chair Mat Buying Advice
Best Overall: MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat
Key Features:
- Size: 35” x 47”
- Material: Plexiglass
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangular
Pros:
- Durable
- Heavy-duty
- No sinking in of wheels
- Suitable for carpet and hardwood floors
Cons:
- Can scratch easily
- Can slide around, depending on the carpet pile or height
Only sold on Amazon
The Crystal Clear Heavy-Duty Hard Chair Mat is one of the thickest and heaviest chair mats available. Made from plexiglass, this durable option can’t bend, curl, tear, or fold. It’s also
suitable for use on both carpets and hard floors. Some consumers believe this option to be the best office chair mat for hardwood and carpet floors.
This crystal clear glass stylishly blends in with your existing floors, allowing you to maintain the decor and aesthetics in your space. This material can also easily withstand a weight of 1,200 lbs.
With every purchase, you’ll get a stress-free 12-month warranty as well as lifetime technical support for any queries. This model is durable, heavy-duty, and a great value for your money!
Best Slip-Resistant: Gorilla Grip Premium Polycarbonate Studded Chair Mat
Key Features:
- Size: 36” x 48”
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangular with lip
Pros:
- Wheels don’t sink
- Clear and clean design
- Underside is spiked and studded for traction
- Polycarbonate material is extra durable
Cons:
- Not ideal for high pile carpets
- May become dull over time
The Gorilla Grip Premium Polycarbonate Studded Chair Mat is specifically designed for carpeted flooring. Made with 100% polycarbonate, it features all the benefits that go with this durable type of material. With a thickness of over 3 mm, it won’t bend, curl or tear.
This chair mat features a slip-resistant backing that keeps your mat firmly in place on top of your carpet. With its transparent color, you’ll still be able to maintain the beauty and style of your current carpet flooring.
This durable carpet mat with its slip-resistant backing will not only protect your existing carpet, but your chair wheels also won’t sink into the mat. With a strong 3 mm surface, the mat is sturdy enough for all of your home office needs.
Best Budget: Starcounters Office Chair Mat
Key Features:
- Size: 48” x 36”
- Material: Plastic polycarbonate
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangular with lip
Pros:
- Edges don’t bend or curl
- Pronged, studded base
- Color blends with all décor types
- Heavy-duty and durable
Cons:
- Not suitable for hardwood floors
- May discolor over time
Only sold on Amazon
The Starcounters Office Chair Mat is a heavy-duty product made of tough, durable 100% polycarbonate material. With a size of 48” x 36”, it provides a large enough space to move your chair around easily. The clear color also won’t affect the aesthetics of your office space.
This mat ensures there’s no slipping, sliding, or discomfort when moving your office chair around your desk. With a pronged, studded base, the mat securely latches onto any carpet. What’s more, the mat doesn’t curl or bend at the edges, so you can easily roll off of and onto the mat with ease.
This environmentally friendly, heavy-duty product is 100% recyclable and free from harmful chemicals. It’s specially designed for use on top of carpet floors to provide a smooth surface for your office chair to easily move on. The mat is also easy to maintain. Simply wipe it down with a cloth or mop it clean.
Most Durable: HIWOOD Office Chair Mat
Key Features:
- Size: 36’’ x 48”
- Material: Plastic polycarbonate
- Color: Clear
- Shape: Rectangular with lip
Pros:
- Durable
- High-quality PVC material
- Doesn’t crack, dent, or bend
- Complies with environmental standards
Cons:
- Mat grippers tend to be too short for high pile carpets
- May not be big enough for larger workstations
Only sold on Amazon
This particular office chair mat is made of high-quality polycarbonate material, which makes it both durable and long-lasting. This HIWOOD mat won’t crack, dent, or bend and is primarily designed to be fixed to your carpeted floor. It’s important to note that this mat is ideally suited for low pile carpets.
The extended lip supplements the underlying carpet and provides adequate protection under your desk or workstation area. Since the chair mat is transparent, it won’t hide the color of your original carpet. The mat also has enough grip to ensure it never moves when you’re rolling across it on your office chair.
This durable polycarbonate option provides optimum carpet protection while keeping your chair firmly in place. The non-slip texture design on this chair mat keeps your chair exactly where you want it.
Best Eco-Friendly: Resilia Office Desk Chair Mat With Lip
Key Features:
- Size: 36” x 48” with lip
- Material: Vinyl, PVC
- Color: Black, clear, brown
- Shape: Nonagonal
Pros:
- Fits any space – variety of sizes
- Environmentally friendly
- Non-slip grippers
- 3 available colors
Cons:
- Not suited for plush carpets
- Corners tend to lift when the chair moves
The Resilia Office Desk Mat provides your underlying carpet with protection against the wear and tear caused by everyday use of your office chair. This mat is designed to protect your carpets and is not suitable for hardwood floors.
This chair mat is flexible, but it won’t curl, break, tear, or discolor. Since it’s designed specifically for carpets, it works well on Berber, sheared, looped, and Saxony carpets. Not only is this mat made of eco-friendly vinyl, but it also doesn’t contain any regulated contaminants.
This mat is made in the USA by a family owned and operated business that manufactures office mats according to their customers’ needs. This model with its lip feature and superior craftsmanship ensures your carpet will be protected from spills, damage caused by office chair wheels, and dirt.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Best Overall Overall: 4.6 | Size: 35” x 47” Material: Plexiglass Color: Clear Shape: Rectangular |
 Gorilla Grip Premium Polycarbonate Studded Chair Mat View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Slip-Resistant Overall: 4.2 | Size: 36” x 48” Material: Polycarbonate Color: Clear Shape: Rectangular with lip |
 Starcounters Office Chair Mat View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Best Budget Overall: 4.4 | Size: 48” x 36” Material: Plastic polycarbonate Color: Clear Shape: Rectangular with lip |
 HIWOOD Office Chair Mat View on Amazon –> Only sold on Amazon | Most Durable Overall: 4.0 | Size: 36’’ x 48” Material: Plastic polycarbonate Color: Clear Shape: Rectangular with lip |
Resilia Office Desk Chair Mat With Lip View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Eco-Friendly Overall: 3.8 | Size: 36” x 48” with lip Material: Vinyl, PVC Color: Black, clear, brown Shape: Nonagonal |
The Complete Office Chair Mat Buyer’s Guide
Most people don’t give the mats under their chairs much consideration while setting up their home offices. Fortunately, after some trial and error, we were able to find the perfect mats that will not only help protect your carpet but will also allow your chair to effortlessly glide across the floor.
We’ve drawn up a buyer’s guide highlighting a few of the key features you should consider before you head out to the store to buy an office mat. Choosing a mat based on the features discussed below will ensure you end up with the best option for your home office!
Why You Need An Office Chair Mat
At first glance, you might think a mat for an office chair is unnecessary or even excessive. However, it’s important to realize the weight of an office chair can result in uneven wear or tread tracks as the chair moves around your floor. Over time, the fibers of your carpet may start to wear down, and you might even find unpleasant streaks across it.
The same goes for sensitive flooring such as laminate or hardwood floors. Office chairs can scratch sensitive flooring and cause additional damage such as dents over time.
Using a chair mat on a carpeted floor will allow the chair to move around more smoothly and also prevent tread tracks or tearing on your floors. Read my office chair mat reviews to see which one is best suited to protect the type of flooring you have.
How To Choose Your Office Chair Mat Material
Since your office chair will need to move around regularly in your newly set up home office, the mat it sits on will have to be made of durable material that will last many years. Some options include the following:
- PVC: One of the more affordable chair mat materials is vinyl or PVC. Choosing this cheaper option comes with some compromises, though; PVC mats don’t protect the underlying carpets from the dimpling effect created by office chairs’ castor wheels.
- Polycarbonate: A more durable material option is polycarbonate. It’s popular because it’s crack-resistant and doesn’t curl at the edges. What’s more, the nubs on the underside provide more grip to the underlying carpet.
- Bamboo or wood: If you prefer a more natural material, bamboo is a great option. Chair mats made of bamboo have additional noise absorption and are generally durable.
- Tempered glass: A more expensive option is tempered glass, which offers a smooth surface for your chair and provides excellent protection to the floor underneath.
Features To Consider
Choosing an office floor mat deserves the same consideration that you put into selecting a hallway or living room floor mat. Just because this mat is only used in a small corner of your home doesn’t make it unimportant.
These mats ensure carpet safety and your comfort and also keep the underlying carpet clean. Read on to find out what features you should consider when shortlisting options to find the best mat for an office chair.
Purpose
The first feature to consider is the purpose of the mat. Establish where you want to place the mat and what you hope to gain from it. Will you need a carpeted mat to provide warmth for your feet on a colder floor surface? Or will you need a mat to protect the flooring underneath your chair?
Once you establish the exact reason for the floor mat, it’ll be easier to assess what type of mat you need.
Type of Office Floor
The next step is to consider the type of floor you want to place the mat on. If you have a tiled floor, you may want a carpeted mat to provide some warmth under your feet. If you have carpeted flooring, you may want a glass office mat to help you move around easily.
Working on a concrete or hardwood floor might be uncomfortable! The chair mat you choose must provide enough traction so it doesn’t move around with the chair, especially on slippery floors such as concrete. If you’re going to be working in your home office during the winter months, you should determine how much warmth your mat will provide under your feet.
Size and Shape
It’s important to determine the size of the area your office chair will be used on. This will guarantee you won’t end up with a chair mat that’s too small or too big. Decide if you’d prefer a mat underneath the whole workstation or just the area under your chair.
Ideally, you want a carpet mat that provides enough space for you to move your office chair around on. Fortunately, chair mats can be ordered in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate your space.
Consider getting a mat with a lip that fits under your desk to protect your flooring when you push your chair under your table.
Style and Color
In addition to the functional features of an office chair mat, you might also use it to accentuate your office space. Choose a mat in any color or style you like. A tip here would be to not sacrifice functionality for style or color. It’s a lot easier to get used to a boring colored mat than to repair a torn carpet!
Cost and Quality
If you’re going to spend a considerable amount of time in your home office, it’s crucial to opt for a quality mat. You should choose a durable mat that will last for many years. Consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. This will give you an idea of the manufacturer’s faith in their product.
When it comes to establishing a reasonable cost for your mat, it’s necessary to evaluate the features you get. When you’ve listed your specific needs, check which option ticks the most boxes on your “must-have” list.
Maintenance
Another point to consider is how easy it is to clean the mat. Choose an office chair mat that you can mop, wash in a washing machine, or wipe clean.
FAQs
Choosing an office chair mat that’s too thin won’t protect your floors. Ideally, a chair mat should have a minimum thickness of 3 mm to ensure substantial grip. If the underlying carpet is a “deep pile,” your chair mat will have to be at least 5 mm thick. If you choose a carpet mat, make sure it isn’t too fluffy, as it may prevent your chair from moving around smoothly.
Does a chair mat need to have a lip?
On a chair mat, the lip refers to the part of the mat that fits under the table or workstation. The lip of the chair mat is shaped to allow a more narrow piece that fits easily under your desk. This is so your chair doesn’t damage the area under the table when you push your chair in towards it.
If the subfloor surface under your carpet is made of concrete or hardwood, the mat lip can also provide some warmth for your feet.
Will a chair mat damage my carpet?
The purpose of a chair mat is to protect your carpet. However, there are chair mats designed for specific pile carpets. A glass or heavier chair mat is suitable for low to medium pile carpets because it won’t flatten the fibers. For a high pile carpet you want a lighter chair mat such as a plastic sheet. The lightweight mat will protect your carpet from scuff marks and it won’t destroy the integrity of your carpet.
Final Thoughts
Based on our research for the best office chair mat for a carpet, our recommendation is the MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat. This chair mat stands out because it’s made of plexiglass making it very durable. It’s also one of the few models that’s suitable for both carpets and hard floors!
If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with choosing the best office chair mat for a carpet, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
Back to Top