Consider the chair mat – a valuable asset that is a crucial shield against floor damage when maneuvering wheeled chairs over surfaces like wood floors, tiles, or carpets. While plastic chair mats are common, alternatives like glass and spike-backed mats offer enhanced grip, even on carpets. However, with numerous options from renowned brands such as IKEA and MuArts flooding the market, selecting the right one can be daunting.
Here at mybest, we have developed this comprehensive guide, presenting a meticulously curated ranking derived from the bestsellers on prominent platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Our focus extends beyond merely providing a list of top chair mats, as we aim to offer valuable insights into the distinguishing features that elevate a chair mat to the status of an indispensable asset in your workspace.
Since joining mybest, she has been in charge of furniture and interior goods and has overseen over 350 product tests for goods such as office chairs and desks. With the personal mission to deliver accurate information by thoroughly testing each product, she works hard to curate the best content that will be beneficial to users.
Table of Contents
Floor Protection: The chair mat's primary benefit is floor protection. It acts as a barrier between the chair's wheels and the flooring, preventing scratches, scuffs, and other forms of damage. This is particularly important for hardwood floors, tiles, or carpets, where constant movement of chair wheels can cause wear and tear over time. Beyond preventing unsightly scratches, these mats prove invaluable in rental situations, averting substantial repair costs ranging from $100 to $300.
Smooth Wheel Movement and Enhanced Mobility: Chair mats create a seamless surface for chair wheels, particularly advantageous on carpets where wheels could otherwise become entangled in the pile. This not only eases movement, reducing stress and wear on the carpet, but it also contributes to enhanced mobility on both hard flooring and carpet, fostering a more comfortable and efficient workspace.
Chair mats typically fall into four categories: glass, PVC, spike, and adhesive. Among these, the glass type emerges as a recommended choice due to its superior stability. Unlike counterparts such as PVC and adhesive mats, the glass mat demonstrates resilience against shifting, ensuring consistent placement during chair movement. Say goodbye to the constant shuffle dance with PVC and adhesive mats that just can't hold their ground.
After testing, we found that the glass type exhibits superior stability on flooring and carpets, remaining steadfast without shifting. The substantial weight of the glass mat prevents movement, ensuring a seamless experience even when the chair is in motion, eliminating concerns related to different floor types.
In contrast, PVC and adhesive types demonstrated inferior stability, shifting regardless of the floor type. This lack of stability is evident when moving your chair around during work, making it a hassle. You have to readjust the mat often, adding a touch of stress to your day.
Another benefit linked to glass mats is their ability to enable smooth movement of chair wheels. Without any pile, the wheels don't get caught, making it easy to move the chair effortlessly.
Conversely, chair mats featuring a surface pile tend to entangle the wheels easily, creating a constant stressor and possibly affecting your concentration.
Test results reveal that both glass and PVC chair mats are easy to maintain. Spills and stains can be promptly wiped clean, ensuring a consistently hygienic surface.
In contrast, polyester mats tend to absorb dirt and stain easily, demanding more meticulous hand washing and rendering them less suitable for busy environments or households with children.
There are two main types of chair mat shapes: square and T-shaped. It's advisable to choose one that suits the size of your workspace or desk space.
The T-shaped mat offers a distinctive advantage by fitting the front end neatly under the desk. This feature makes it particularly suitable for narrower spaces compared to the square type. Additionally, the T-shaped mat covers the area beneath your feet, ensuring comprehensive protection for the floor beneath the chair
If you're seeking a mat tailored for compact spaces, explore the T-shaped options featured in the rankings.
Washable | unknown |
---|---|
Non-slip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Lorell's tempered glass chair mat promises a durable, scratch-proof design that can safely support up to 1000 pounds. Notably, it also comes with a 5-year warranty. This sturdy glass mat received high praise for its resistance to slipping, regardless of the length of the carpet pile. With a weight of 70.4 ounces, it provides top-notch stability, and even with frequent chair movement, it barely moves at all. There will be no need to readjust the mat throughout your working day, keeping your space stress-free.
This mat also enables super smooth wheel movement, requiring little force to adjust your position or get in and out of your chair. Since there are no fibers on the mat's surface, there's no worry about snagging either. Additionally, it's about as easy to clean and maintain as you can get, needing only a quick wipe in the event of any splashes or spills. Combining its zero-slip grip, super smooth wheel movement, easy upkeep, and long-lasting glass construction, this mat is our top-rated product for any home or office.
Width | 46 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 36 in. |
Thickness | 0.25 in. |
Weight | 445.2oz. |
Vacuum Compatibility | |
Heated Flooring Compatibility | unknown |
Carpet Compatibility |
Washable | |
---|---|
Non-slip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
MuArts' rectangular mat is suitable for both carpets and hard floors and is made of crystal-clear hard plastic. It's packaged unfolded, so it doesn't bend or develop and creases when shipped. Scoring highly in slip resistance, this mat's weight helped it to be very stable, preventing any sliding even with frequent wheel movement. It stayed firmly in place regardless of the length of the carpet pile. Moreover, the smooth surface made it less likely for the chair's wheels to snag, allowing you to stay focused on your work.
Thanks to its hard plastic material, this mat can be quickly brushed or wiped clean and offers great durability. We highly recommend this chair mat for any type of desk work, as it replicates the feeling of a hardwood floor and is very easy to maintain.
Width | 35 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 47 in. |
Thickness | 0.2 in. |
Weight | 224 oz. |
Vacuum Compatibility | |
Heated Flooring Compatibility | unknown |
Carpet Compatibility |
Washable | unknown |
---|---|
Non-slip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
This sleek tempered glass mat from BEAUTYPEAK features rounded corners for safety and a crystal-clear design that will blend in with any carpet color. This glass mat's more substantial weight kept it in place with almost zero slipping, even on long-pile carpets. This earned it one of the highest scores for slip resistance. The glass material stands up to stains and is scratch-resistant too, so it should look as good as new for longer.
This mat also received high marks for wheel mobility and smoothness thanks to its polished glass surface. Whatever type of carpet you have, this mat will make working at your desk more comfortable while protecting your floor from damage.
Width | 36 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 46 in. |
Thickness | 0.2 in. |
Weight | 684.8 oz. |
Vacuum Compatibility | |
Heated Flooring Compatibility | unknown |
Carpet Compatibility |
Washable | unknown |
---|---|
Non-slip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
MuArts' classic rectangular chair mat is made from durable clear plastic, so it will blend into your space with no chance of creasing or cracking. Thanks to its weight, this mat stayed in place even when rolled over constantly, earning it high ratings for slip resistance. Plus, its super-smooth surface means there's no chance of the wheels catching, allowing you to focus on your work. Testers commented that the movement felt so smooth it was like they were gliding on a wooden floor.
In addition, this chair mat is a cinch to maintain. You can quickly wipe away any spills and run the vacuum over it when needed, keeping your workspace fresh and clean. With its excellent slip-resistance, natural floor-like feeling, and suitability for all floor types, this chair mat is our top buy for desk work.
Width | 35 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 47 in. |
Thickness | 0.2 in. |
Weight | 224 oz. |
Vacuum Compatibility | |
Heated Flooring Compatibility | unknown |
Carpet Compatibility |
Washable | |
---|---|
Non-slip |
What we loved
What we didn't love
IKEA's KOLON Floor Protector is a transparent plastic mat that's ready to go straight out of the box. Whether used in the office or as an easy-clean solution under your toddler's high chair, it's suitable for all floor types. One highlight of this mat is its mid-range weight of just over 6 pounds. It's easy to move from room to room if needed, but it still offers stability, even if you move your chair frequently. Its smooth surface prevents wheel snagging and allows for seamless gliding, making it perfect for long work sessions without distraction.
The PVC material is stain-resistant, so even if you accidentally spill your coffee, it can be quickly wiped up. However, while suitable for most types of flooring, this material cannot be used on heated wooden floors.
Width | 47.25 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 39.38 in. |
Thickness | 0.125 in. |
Weight | 99 oz. |
Vacuum Compatibility | |
Heated Flooring Compatibility | |
Carpet Compatibility |
Washable | |
---|---|
Non-slip | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
BEAUTYPEAK's tempered glass chair mat looks great, with rounded corners for safety and a clear design that will blend in seamlessly with any flooring layout. This glass mat performed exceptionally well in our tests for slip resistance due to its substantial weight. As well as maintaining stability, its glass surface is resistant to stains and scratches. This mat is both easy to care for and long-lasting.
On the other hand, it didn't perform as well as we hoped when tested for ease of wheel movement. Its glass surface means there's minimal friction, making it really easy to roll over, but some of our testers said that it was actually too slippery. If you'd prefer more grip, either when moving or just sitting in your chair, you might want to consider other options.
Width | 36 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 46 in. |
Thickness | 0.20 in. |
Weight | 684.8 oz. |
Vacuum Compatibility | |
Heated Flooring Compatibility | unknown |
Carpet Compatibility | unknown |
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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