Buying Guide
The Best Chair Mats for Carpet
We weighed five chair mats on coverage and thickness; the BesWin 48 x 60 has the largest coverage, and the low-pile carpet mat costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Carpet mats use cleats or a rigid base so they do not slide under casters. Every mat here is made for carpet, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects size, coverage and thickness from maker specifications; we did not test these chair mats ourselves, and a missing thickness is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Chair Mat for Low Pile Carpet (47.5 x 35.5 in)
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting studs on the underside for the least money.
Our take Check price for Chair Mat for Low Pile Carpet (47.5 x 35.5 in) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
BesWin Office Chair Mat for Carpet (30 x 48 in)
2.2mm thickness.
Best for: Buyers who want 2.2mm thickness.
Our take Check price for BesWin Office Chair Mat for Carpet (30 x 48 in) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Staples Office Chair Mat with Lip for Flat-Pile Carpet
A lip.
Best for: Buyers who want lip.
Our take Check price for Staples Office Chair Mat with Lip for Flat-Pile Carpet (opens in a new tab)
Thickest Thickness
Gorilla Grip Office Chair Mat for Carpet
The thickest thickness here (2.3mm).
Best for: Buyers who put thickness first.
Our take Check price for Gorilla Grip Office Chair Mat for Carpet (opens in a new tab)
Largest Coverage
BesWin Office Chair Mat for Carpet (48 x 60 in)
The largest coverage here (2880 sq in).
Best for: Buyers who put coverage first.
Our take Check price for BesWin Office Chair Mat for Carpet (48 x 60 in) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Chair Mat for Low Pile Carpet (47.5 x 35.5 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The low-pile carpet mat stands out for studs on the underside, and it adds low-pile carpet up to 1/4 inch.
Best for
- Getting studs on the underside for the least money.
Skip if
- The maker gives no thickness, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It also offers a 1686 sq in coverage. On coverage it sits mid-pack at 1686 sq in: the BesWin 48 x 60 offers 2880 sq in, and the Gorilla Grip comes in at 1363 sq in. You get a 47.5 x 35.5 in size here, which sets it apart from the BesWin 48 x 60 and its a 48 x 60 in size.
It is the only pick here with a carpet up to 1/4 in floor type; the BesWin 30 x 48 has a carpet floor type instead. The low-pile carpet mat grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the BesWin 30 x 48 was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed thickness should compare it with the Gorilla Grip, which comes in at 2.3mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Size: 47.5 x 35.5 in
- Coverage: 1686 sq in
- Floor type: Carpet up to 1/4 in
Pros
- Studs on the underside
- Low-pile carpet up to 1/4 inch
- 47.5 x 35.5 inch size
- Coverage of 1686 sq in, ahead of the BesWin 30 x 48
Cons
- No published thickness
Also Consider2 of 5
BesWin Office Chair Mat for Carpet (30 x 48 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BesWin 30 x 48 is built around 2.2mm thickness, with 3mm studs underneath on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2.2mm thickness.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the low-pile carpet mat cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 1440 sq in coverage and offers a 2.2mm thickness. On coverage it sits mid-pack at 1440 sq in: the BesWin 48 x 60 offers 2880 sq in, and the Gorilla Grip comes in at 1363 sq in. A 30 x 48 in size is unique to it among these picks, while the Staples uses a 48 x 36 in size.
Like the Gorilla Grip and BesWin 48 x 60, it has a carpet floor type, while the low-pile carpet mat uses a carpet up to 1/4 in floor type. The BesWin 30 x 48 grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper low-pile carpet mat and the pricier Staples, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Size: 30 x 48 in
- Coverage: 1440 sq in
- Thickness: 2.2mm
- Floor type: Carpet
Pros
- 2.2mm thickness
- 3mm studs underneath
- 30 x 48 inch size
- Coverage of 1440 sq in, ahead of the Gorilla Grip
Cons
- Costs more than the low-pile carpet mat at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Staples Office Chair Mat with Lip for Flat-Pile Carpet on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Staples's lipped mat is rated for flat commercial carpet up to 1/8 inch.
Best for
- Buyers who want lip.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its thickness before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It measures 48 x 36 inches. Its 1728 sq in coverage ranks second of 5 here, behind the BesWin 48 x 60 (2880 sq in) and ahead of the Gorilla Grip (1363 sq in). It is the only pick here with a 48 x 36 in size; the low-pile carpet mat has a 47.5 x 35.5 in size instead.
A carpet up to 1/8 in floor type is unique to it among these picks, while the BesWin 30 x 48 uses a carpet floor type. It also comes with a lip. The Staples grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying.
When we checked, only the BesWin 30 x 48 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Gorilla Grip cost more. If you want a confirmed thickness, look to the Gorilla Grip instead: it comes in at 2.3mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Size: 48 x 36 in
- Coverage: 1728 sq in
- Floor type: Carpet up to 1/8 in
- Lip: Yes
Pros
- Lip
- Flat-pile commercial carpet up to 1/8 inch
- 48 x 36 inch size
- Coverage of 1728 sq in, ahead of the low-pile carpet mat
Cons
- No published thickness
- Costs more than the low-pile carpet mat at the time of writing
Thickest Thickness4 of 5
Gorilla Grip Office Chair Mat for Carpet on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gorilla Grip's carpet mat offers a 400 lb tested load.
Best for
- Buyers who put thickness first.
Skip if
- Skip it if coverage matters most to you; the BesWin 48 x 60 offers 2880 sq in.
Why we like it
It is 29 x 47 inches without a lip. Its 1363 sq in coverage is the smallest in this group; the BesWin 48 x 60 leads at 2880 sq in. Nothing else here matches its 2.3mm thickness; the BesWin 30 x 48 comes closest at 2.2mm.
It is the only pick here with a 29 x 47 in size; the low-pile carpet mat has a 47.5 x 35.5 in size instead. It shares a carpet floor type with the BesWin 30 x 48 and BesWin 48 x 60; the Staples goes with a carpet up to 1/8 in floor type. The Gorilla Grip grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying.
When we checked, only the Staples and cheaper picks cost less, and the BesWin 48 x 60 cost more. Coverage is its weakest area, and the BesWin 48 x 60 covers it better at 2880 sq in.
Key dimensions & specs
- Size: 29 x 47 in
- Coverage: 1363 sq in
- Thickness: 2.3mm
- Floor type: Carpet
- Lip: No
Pros
- 400 lb tested load
- 0.09 inch thickness
- 29 x 47 inch size without a lip
- Thickest thickness of the picks (2.3mm)
Cons
- Coverage trails the BesWin 48 x 60 (2880 sq in)
- Costs more than the low-pile carpet mat at the time of writing
Largest Coverage5 of 5
BesWin Office Chair Mat for Carpet (48 x 60 in) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
BesWin's 48 x 60 inch mat covers the largest rolling area here.
Best for
- Buyers who put coverage first.
Skip if
- Skip it if thickness matters most to you; the Gorilla Grip offers 2.3mm.
Why we like it
It keeps the 3mm carpet studs of the smaller version. Nothing else here matches its 2880 sq in coverage; the Staples comes closest at 1728 sq in. It matches the BesWin 30 x 48 on thickness (2.2mm).
No other pick in this guide offers a 48 x 60 in size; compare the Staples, which has a 48 x 36 in size. It shares a carpet floor type with the BesWin 30 x 48 and Gorilla Grip; the Staples goes with a carpet up to 1/8 in floor type. It also offers 2.2mm thickness.
The BesWin 48 x 60 grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying. Only the Gorilla Grip came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. It gives ground on thickness, where the Gorilla Grip comes in at 2.3mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Size: 48 x 60 in
- Coverage: 2880 sq in
- Thickness: 2.2mm
- Floor type: Carpet
Pros
- Covers a wide rolling area
- 48 x 60 inch size
- 2.2mm thickness
- 3mm studs underneath
Cons
- Thickness trails the Gorilla Grip (2.3mm)
- Costs more than the low-pile carpet mat at the time of writing
How We Chose These Chair Mats for Carpet
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five chair Mats on size, coverage, thickness and floor type as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the low-pile carpet mat to the BesWin 48 x 60, state size, coverage and floor type.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The low-pile carpet mat and the Staples give no thickness; the low-pile carpet mat, the BesWin 30 x 48 and the BesWin 48 x 60 give no lip.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the low-pile carpet mat (under $50) to the BesWin 48 x 60 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Chair Mat for Carpet
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Coverage across these picks
Here coverage runs from 1363 sq in on the Gorilla Grip to 2880 sq in on the BesWin 48 x 60. The Staples comes second for less money.
How much thickness you need
Here thickness runs from 2.2mm on the BesWin 48 x 60 to 2.3mm on the Gorilla Grip. The Gorilla Grip is the pick for thickness. No figure for the low-pile carpet mat and the Staples.
Floor type
The low-pile carpet mat lists carpet up to 1/4 in; the BesWin 30 x 48, the Gorilla Grip and the BesWin 48 x 60 list carpet; the Staples lists carpet up to 1/8 in. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Lip
The Staples has it; the Gorilla Grip goes without. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
The low-pile carpet mat grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying.
How to Choose a Chair Mat for Carpet
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting studs on the underside for the least money | low-pile carpet mat | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 2.2mm thickness | BesWin 30 x 48 | 2.2mm thickness |
| Buyers who want lip | Staples | A lip |
| Buyers who put thickness first | Gorilla Grip | The thickest thickness here (2.3mm) |
| Buyers who put coverage first | BesWin 48 x 60 | The largest coverage here (2880 sq in) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The BesWin 48 x 60 leads on coverage at 2880 sq in, ahead of the Staples at 1728 sq in. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Chair Mat | Size | Coverage | Thickness | Floor type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| low-pile carpet mat | 47.5 x 35.5 in | 1686 sq in | Not listed | Carpet up to 1/4 in |
| BesWin 30 x 48 | 30 x 48 in | 1440 sq in | 2.2mm | Carpet |
| Staples | 48 x 36 in | 1728 sq in | Not listed | Carpet up to 1/8 in |
| Gorilla Grip | 29 x 47 in | 1363 sq in | 2.3mm | Carpet |
| BesWin 48 x 60 | 48 x 60 in | 2880 sq in | 2.2mm | Carpet |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The low-pile carpet mat was the lowest-priced pick and the BesWin 48 x 60 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Chair Mats |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | low-pile carpet mat, BesWin 30 x 48, Staples |
| About $50 to $100 | Gorilla Grip, BesWin 48 x 60 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest coverage: the BesWin 48 x 60 or the Staples?
The BesWin 48 x 60 leads at 2880 sq in, with the Staples at 1728 sq in. The Gorilla Grip is at the other end of this group with 1363 sq in.
Is the Gorilla Grip ahead of the BesWin 30 x 48 on thickness?
The Gorilla Grip leads at 2.3mm, with the BesWin 30 x 48 at 2.2mm. The low-pile carpet mat and the Staples don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What does the BesWin 48 x 60 add over the low-pile carpet mat?
On paper it adds coverage (2880 sq in against 1686 sq in). The low-pile carpet mat was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the BesWin 48 x 60 our Largest Coverage pick?
It earns the label for the largest coverage here (2880 sq in). It suits anyone who put coverage first.
Do the low-pile carpet mat and the BesWin 30 x 48 differ on size?
The low-pile carpet mat uses 47.5 x 35.5 in; the BesWin 30 x 48 uses 30 x 48 in; the Staples uses 48 x 36 in; the Gorilla Grip uses 29 x 47 in; the BesWin 48 x 60 uses 48 x 60 in.
Will the Gorilla Grip work with my setup?
The Gorilla Grip grips carpet with studs; check your pile height against the product page before buying. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Thickest Thickness pick.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the low-pile carpet mat, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the BesWin 30 x 48 for 2.2mm thickness, the Staples for a lip and the Gorilla Grip for the thickest thickness here (2.3mm) if those matter more to you.
Measure the area your chair actually rolls over.