Everything is getting more expensive lately, and sometimes we try to cut corners to save money.
Chair mats are no exception to cost increases, but the purpose of a chair mat is to protect your physical health and your floor. These are both worthy reasons to spend your hard-earned money on the right product.
You can use a hard floor chair mat on a carpet, but you shouldn’t. A hard floor chair mat has grips on the bottom, designed for hardwood floors.
These grips will not hold on to the carpet, which will cause the mat to slide around and create a tripping hazard.
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What Kind of Chair Mat do I Need for Carpet?
You need a chair mat designed for carpet, which should have small spike-like grips on the bottom, with the length of these grips varying depending on the pile height of your carpet.
There are chair mats made specifically for low, medium, and high pile carpets. The small grips or teeth on the bottom of the mats are smaller for low to medium pile carpets, and longer for high pile carpets.
The grips on the bottom keep the mat from sliding out of place.
Another critical aspect of a chair mat is the material from which it is constructed. The mat should be durable and strong enough to hold your weight, protect the surface under the mat, and keep its shape over time.
Some common problems with chair mats are that they will sometimes crack or dent, the ends begin to warp upward, and some are not thick or strong enough to protect your floor from your office chair while you are sitting on it.
Most high-quality chair mats for carpets are made from polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate is strong, durable, and thick enough to protect your surfaces.
Can I use a Hard-Floor Chair Mat on Carpet?
Yes, you can use a hard-floor chair mat on a carpet. Most hard-floor mats have little to no grips or teeth on the bottom. These smaller grips are suitable for a hard floor but will usually slide around too much on carpets.
However, some mats are made for use on both hard-floor and low to medium pile carpets. These mats will usually have small grippy teeth on the bottom, enabling them to grip carpets and hard floors without damaging the mat or floor.
If the teeth are too long, they can bend, warp the mat, or damage the hard-wood floor.
Most hard-floor chair mats are safe to use on carpet, but they may slide too much. Sometimes this can cause a tripping hazard if the mat moves as you get into or out of your chair. It can also become an annoyance over time.
3 Best Chair Mats for Carpets
Now that we have discussed what type of chair mat to use on carpets, let’s discuss the three best mats available today.
There are many chair mats out there, but how can you tell which are the best? Do you base your choice on budget, style, or quality?
We’ve compiled a list of our top three chair mats for carpets based on budget, style, and quality. We hope our reviews will help you make the best decision for your home office.
Carpet Chair Mat Reviews
1. Gorilla Grip Premium Office Chair Mats For Carpets
Gorilla Grip is an established brand and is well known for producing quality products, including chair mats. We chose Gorilla Grip Premium Office Chair Mats due to their strength, durability, and reasonable price.
We believe the Gorilla Grip chair mat supplies the best value overall.
These mats will provide long-lasting protection for your carpet. Gorilla Grip mats are made of polycarbonate, one of the best materials for chair mats.
The part we liked most was its affordability. If you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck, Gorilla Grip is your brand.
The Gorilla Grip chair mat for carpets is best for low to medium pile carpets. The mat is transparent, thick, and durable for people who want to show off their carpet, protect it, and want their chair mat to last. This mat does what it was meant to do and looks good doing it.
What we like
- Gorilla Grip is a well-established brand in the chair mat industry.
- The polycarbonate material is strong and durable.
- This chair mat is well priced for the value.
- The stylish look allows you to show off your carpet and compliments any room.
- Gorilla Grip chair mats grip carpets well and are resistant to dents and cracks.
What we don’t like
- Some users reported that their chair mat was not shipped flat.
2. Amazon Basics Polycarbonate Office Chair Mat For Low to Medium Pile
The Amazon Basics product line continually produces quality products on a budget.
The Amazon Basics’ Polycarbonate Office Chair Mat for low to medium pile carpets is no exception. This chair mat is thick, strong, and budget-friendly.
We chose this product because, like the Gorilla Grip chair mat, the Amazon Basics’ chair mat is made from polycarbonate and is well-reviewed for its quality. This chair mat is thick and provides a good grip for low to medium pile carpets.
We recommend this mat for anyone with a home office carpeted with low to medium pile carpet. This chair mat protects carpets well and is transparent, allowing your carpet to show through.
The Amazon Basics chair mat is budget-friendly and built to last.
What we like
- This mat is well-reviewed and well priced.
- The Amazon Basics chair mat is made from thick polycarbonate for more strength and better protection.
- This mat is transparent, allowing your carpet to show through.
- The grip on the bottom of the mat works well on low to medium pile carpets.
What we don’t like
- Some users have pointed out that it may be dangerous to unbox this mat because it comes rolled up with tape around the middle. As you cut the tape, the chair mat unfolds with a large amount of force.
3. Essentials by OFM Chair Mat Model ESS-8800C
Essentials by OFM is a lesser-known brand than the other two in our review, but they are an established name in the chair mat industry. They are on the bestsellers list year after year and, like the others, are budget-friendly.
We chose this chair mat because it holds onto the carpet well. Its ability to grip is one of the critical features of a chair mat used on carpet, and this mat does the job.
The transparent look goes well with any design you have in your room, and it has a slightly textured top for better grip while rolling.
These mats by OFM are long-lasting and budget-friendly.
What we like
- We like the price.
- The OFM Essentials line of chair mats is long-lasting and durable.
- This chair mat is transparent, making it a perfect fit in any room.
- The textured top supports better rolling.
What we don’t like
- This chair mat is made from PVC and is thinner than the other two on our list.
FAQs:
Can I Use a Glass Chair Mat on Carpet?
Yes, many glass chair mats are highly rated for use on carpet.
Some users experience slippage between the mat and carpet, but the glass is typically strong, durable, and thick enough to protect your surface. Other reviews mention small cracks appearing over time on certain mats.
Overall, many people prefer a glass chair mat because of its sleek look, ease of roll, and its durability over time.
Conclusion
Yes, you can use a hard-floor chair mat on carpets.
There are many options for finding the perfect office chair mat for your home office. Whether you’re looking for a mat that fits your budget or the latest styles, there are many options.
We have reviewed and ranked the top three chair mats for carpets. The Gorilla Grip Premium Office Chair Mat was our favorite pick.
The Gorilla Grip chair mat offers the most value for your dollar. They supply good grip, quality material, and look beautiful.
Amazon Basics and Essential by OFM are also quality picks at an affordable price.
We hope this helps with your search for the best chair mat for your home office!
My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.