The Best Office Chair Mats for Carpet and Hard Floors
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the latest. Learn more
The short answer
Marvelux Polycarbonate Chair Mat
A tough polycarbonate mat that grips low and medium pile carpet, ships flat and resists the dents and cracks that cheaper vinyl mats get.
Buy it if: You have low or medium pile carpet and want a mat that lasts
- Size36 x 48 in, with lip
- Floor typeLow to medium pile carpet
- Thickness2.54 mm
A rolling chair is hard on floors. On carpet, the casters crush the pile and leave a worn patch. On wood or laminate, they scratch the finish. On both, they make your chair harder to roll. A good chair mat fixes all three, but only if you match it to your floor.
We compared six of the most popular office chair mats on Amazon using the makers' specs, independent reviews and patterns in owner feedback. We looked at floor type and carpet pile, thickness, material, grip and size. Here are the ones worth buying, and which floor each one suits.
All 6 picks
1
Best overall
Marvelux Polycarbonate Chair Mat
A tough polycarbonate mat that grips low and medium pile carpet, ships flat and resists the dents and cracks that cheaper vinyl mats get.
9.0/10Show details
Marvelux Polycarbonate Chair Mat
A tough polycarbonate mat that grips low and medium pile carpet, ships flat and resists the dents and cracks that cheaper vinyl mats get.- Size36 x 48 in, with lip
- Floor typeLow to medium pile carpet
- Thickness2.54 mm
- MaterialPolycarbonate
Buy it if: You have low or medium pile carpet and want a mat that lasts
Skip it if: Your carpet is thick, plush or shag
Before you buy
- Assembly
- No assembly, unroll and place
What we like
- Polycarbonate holds up better than vinyl under daily rolling
- Studded underside grips carpet up to about 0.5 in thick
- Lip covers the floor under your desk
Watch out for
- Not made for high pile or shag carpet
- Some buyers say it can arrive rolled and needs time to flatten
Most home offices have low or medium pile carpet, and the Marvelux is the mat we'd pick for it. It's made from polycarbonate, which is stiffer than the vinyl used in most budget mats, so it is less likely to dent, crack or curl over time. Independent reviews from Bob Vila and BestReviews both point to it as a durable choice.
The studded back is made to grip carpet up to about 0.5 in thick, and the lip slides under your desk to cover the spot where you pull in. At 36 x 48 in, it fits most home desks, and it ships flat.
The main trade-off is pile height. It's not meant for plush or high pile carpet, and a few owners say theirs arrived rolled and took time to lie flat. For everyday carpet, it's the mat to get. Check the current price of the Marvelux on Amazon.
2
Best budget
MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat
An affordable, rigid clear mat that works on hard floors and thin carpet, and looks closer to glass than most plastic mats.
8.5/10Show details
MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat
An affordable, rigid clear mat that works on hard floors and thin carpet, and looks closer to glass than most plastic mats.- Size47 x 35 in
- Floor typeHard floors and low pile carpet
- Thickness0.2 in
- MaterialRigid clear polymer (maker doesn't name it)
Buy it if: You have hard floors or thin carpet and want a clear, rigid mat
Skip it if: You need a mat that grips carpet firmly
Before you buy
- Assembly
- No assembly, lay it flat
What we like
- Budget-friendly, and sold in multipacks for several desks
- Thick 0.2 in sheet that stays flat and looks like glass
- Works on hard floors and low pile carpet, with no odor reported
Watch out for
- No spikes or lip, so it can shift on carpet
- Square, unbeveled edges
The MuArts is an affordable mat that doesn't look cheap. The 0.2 in clear sheet is rigid and stays flat, and Popular Science called it a good glass alternative at a much lower cost. This Old House notes owners say it doesn't scratch or crack in daily use, and it's sold in multipacks if you have more than one desk.
It works on hard floors and on low pile carpet, which makes it handy if your desk sits where a rug meets the floor.
There's no lip and no spikes, so it can shift on carpet, and the edges are square rather than beveled. If you want a clean, simple mat without spending much, it's a strong choice. check the current price of the MuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat on Amazon.
3
Best for thick carpet
ES Robbins EverLife High Pile Mat
The mat to get for thick, plush carpet, with long AnchorBar cleats rated for carpet up to 1 in including the pad.
8.7/10Show details
ES Robbins EverLife High Pile Mat
The mat to get for thick, plush carpet, with long AnchorBar cleats rated for carpet up to 1 in including the pad.- Size46 x 60 in, with lip
- Floor typeHigh pile carpet up to 1 in
- Thickness0.2 in
- MaterialVinyl
Buy it if: You have thick, plush carpet up to about 1 in
Skip it if: You have hard floors
Before you buy
- Assembly
- No assembly, lay it flat
What we like
- Rated for high pile carpet up to 1 in thick, padding included
- Rounded AnchorBar cleats hold it in place without sharp spikes
- Made in the USA, GREENGUARD Gold certified, with a limited lifetime no-crack warranty
Watch out for
- Carpet only: not for hard floors
- Vinyl can dent under heavy use, and it ships rolled
Thick, plush carpet defeats most chair mats: the spikes don't reach through the pile and the mat sags. The ES Robbins EverLife for high pile carpet is built for this. It's rated for carpet up to 1 in thick including the pad, and its rounded AnchorBar cleats sink into the pile without sharp spikes.
The 46 x 60 in size with a lip covers a lot of floor, which suits larger desks and L-shaped setups. It's made in the USA, GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions, and backed by a limited lifetime no-crack warranty.
It's vinyl, so heavy use can leave dents, and it arrives rolled. It's for carpet only, so don't use it on hard floors. Check the current price of the ES Robbins EverLife on Amazon.
4
Best for hard floors
Dimex Hard Floor Chair Mat
A simple, clear vinyl mat for wood, laminate and tile, with a lip that reaches under the desk.
8.3/10Show details
Dimex Hard Floor Chair Mat
A simple, clear vinyl mat for wood, laminate and tile, with a lip that reaches under the desk.- Size36 x 48 in, with lip
- Floor typeHard floors
- MaterialClear vinyl
Buy it if: You have wood, laminate or tile and want simple protection
Skip it if: You have carpet of any kind
Before you buy
- Assembly
- No assembly, lay it flat
- Good to know
- Made for hard floors only, not carpet
What we like
- Smooth backing made for hard floors, so no spikes to scratch wood
- Front lip protects the floor under your desk
- BPA and phthalate free
Watch out for
- Vinyl isn't as rigid as polycarbonate or glass
- Not for carpet of any pile
For wood, laminate or tile, you want a mat with a smooth back, and the Dimex hard floor mat keeps things simple. It's clear vinyl, so your floor shows through, and the front lip reaches under the desk.
Dimex says it's BPA and phthalate free, which matters if you don't like the plastic smell some cheap mats give off. At 36 x 48 in, it fits a standard desk.
Vinyl isn't as stiff as polycarbonate or glass, so heavy daily use will wear it faster. It's also hard floors only. For a straightforward way to protect a wood floor, it does the job. check the current price of the Dimex Hard Floor Chair Mat on Amazon.
5
Best glass mat
Vitrazza Glass Chair Mat
The premium pick: a tempered glass mat that won't dent, curl or crack, and works on hard floors and carpet of any pile.
8.9/10Show details
Vitrazza Glass Chair Mat
The premium pick: a tempered glass mat that won't dent, curl or crack, and works on hard floors and carpet of any pile.- Size48 x 48 in
- Floor typeHard floors and all carpet
- Thickness0.25 in
- MaterialTempered glass (low-iron)
Buy it if: You want a mat that never dents or curls, on any floor
Skip it if: You want to move the mat around often
Before you buy
- Assembly
- No assembly, lay it flat; comes with grip bumpers and a lift tool
- Weight
- 49.6 lb mat (62 lb packaged)
- Warranty
- Lifetime, transferable
- Good to know
- Heavy at about 50 lb; freight delivery is curbside only
What we like
- Quarter-inch tempered glass that won't dent or curl like plastic
- Works on hard floors and low to high pile carpet with the included bumpers
- Transferable lifetime warranty
Watch out for
- Costs far more than any plastic mat here
- Very heavy, so it's hard to move once placed
If you're done replacing plastic mats, the Vitrazza is the upgrade. It's quarter-inch tempered glass, so it won't dent or curl the way plastic can. Popular Science named it its best overall chair mat, noting it's rated for more than 1,000 lb.
It works on almost any floor. Vitrazza includes its Stabil-a-dot bumpers, which keep the mat steady on hard floors and on medium and high pile carpet. This Luminoso version uses low-iron glass, which looks clearer than standard glass. Vitrazza backs its mats with a transferable lifetime warranty.
The trade-offs are cost and weight. It costs far more than every other mat here, and it's heavy to move. If you want a mat that lasts as long as your desk, it's worth it. Check the current price of the Vitrazza on Amazon.
6
Best decorative
Anji Mountain Rug'd Chair Mat
A chair mat that looks like a rug, with a woven top over a firm PVC core, for hard floors and low pile carpet.
8.1/10Show details
Anji Mountain Rug'd Chair Mat
A chair mat that looks like a rug, with a woven top over a firm PVC core, for hard floors and low pile carpet.- Size36 x 48 in
- Floor typeHard floors and low pile carpet
- MaterialWoven polyester over PVC core
Buy it if: You want a mat that looks like a rug
Skip it if: You have medium or thick carpet
Before you buy
- Assembly
- No assembly, lay it flat
- Weight
- 10.6 lb
- Warranty
- 30 days
- Good to know
- Straight edge with no lip, so it will not tuck under a desk edge
What we like
- Woven polyester top in many patterns and colors
- Firm, phthalate-free PVC core keeps chairs rolling
- Silicone-dot felt backing instead of spikes
Watch out for
- Costs much more than a clear plastic mat
- Not recommended for thicker carpet
Clear plastic isn't for everyone. The Anji Mountain Rug'd looks like an area rug, with a woven polyester top in dozens of patterns, but a firm PVC core underneath keeps your chair rolling. Bob Vila picked it as its best decorative chair mat.
Instead of spikes, the back is recycled felt with silicone dots, so it's gentle on wood and tile and stays put on low pile carpet.
It costs much more than a clear mat, and it's not recommended for thicker carpet. If your office doubles as a living space, it's the one that looks the part. check the current price of the Anji Mountain Rug'd Chair Mat on Amazon.
Compare side by side
| Product | Score | Size | Floor type | Material | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overallMarvelux Polycarbonate Chair Mat | 9.0/10 | 36 x 48 in, with lip | Low to medium pile carpet | Polycarbonate | See price |
| Best budgetMuArts Crystal Clear Chair Mat | 8.5/10 | 47 x 35 in | Hard floors and low pile carpet | Rigid clear polymer (maker doesn't name it) | See price |
| Best for thick carpetES Robbins EverLife High Pile Mat | 8.7/10 | 46 x 60 in, with lip | High pile carpet up to 1 in | Vinyl | See price |
| Best for hard floorsDimex Hard Floor Chair Mat | 8.3/10 | 36 x 48 in, with lip | Hard floors | Clear vinyl | See price |
| Best glass matVitrazza Glass Chair Mat | 8.9/10 | 48 x 48 in | Hard floors and all carpet | Tempered glass (low-iron) | See price |
| Best decorativeAnji Mountain Rug'd Chair Mat | 8.1/10 | 36 x 48 in | Hard floors and low pile carpet | Woven polyester over PVC core | See price |
Complete your setup
Ready-made setups that include picks from this guide.
How to choose an office chair mat
Start with your floor. Carpet mats have spikes or cleats on the back to grip the pile. Hard floor mats have a smooth back. Don't put a spiked mat on wood: the spikes can scratch it. And a smooth mat will slide around on carpet.
Check your carpet pile. Press a coin into the carpet and see how far it sinks. Low pile is about 1/4 in or less, like berber or office carpet tiles. Medium pile is up to about 1/2 in. High pile and plush carpet is thicker, and needs a mat rated for it, like the ES Robbins EverLife. A mat that's too thin for your carpet will flex, crack or dimple.
Pick the material. Vinyl and PVC are the most affordable, but they can dent, curl or crack over time. Polycarbonate is stiffer and lasts longer. Tempered glass costs the most, but it won't dent or curl and works on any floor.
Size it to your chair's range. Measure how far you roll from your desk. A 36 x 48 in mat suits most home desks. If you roll between a desk and a return, or sit at an L-shaped desk, go for 46 x 60 in or larger.
Lip or no lip? A lip is a tongue that slides under your desk. It protects the floor where your feet and chair sit when you pull in close. Skip it if your desk has a modesty panel or drawers in the way.
Questions people ask
Can I use a carpet chair mat on a hardwood floor?
It's not a good idea. Carpet mats have spikes on the back that can scratch wood, laminate and vinyl plank. Use a smooth-backed hard floor mat, like the Dimex, or a glass mat with soft bumpers, like the Vitrazza.
What chair mat works on thick carpet?
Look for a mat rated for high pile. The ES Robbins EverLife for high pile carpet is rated for carpet up to 1 in thick including the pad, and uses long AnchorBar cleats to hold it in place. Glass mats like the Vitrazza also work on high pile.
Is polycarbonate better than vinyl for a chair mat?
Usually, yes. Polycarbonate is stiffer, so it resists the dents, cracks and curling that vinyl mats can get with daily use. Vinyl costs less and is fine for light use or hard floors.
How do I flatten a chair mat that arrived rolled?
Lay it flat in a warm room with the curl facing down and put some books on the corners. Most mats flatten in a day or two. Some owners roll it the opposite way for a few minutes to speed things up.