Getting the best chair mat for thick carpet or high pile is challenging because most chair mats have a smooth surface; hence, they hardly stay in place.
For this reason, chair mats that are meant for thick and high pile carpets are textured at the bottom with little spikes. This allows them to grip firmly onto the fibers of the carpet and stay in place without curling or flexing.
Therefore, in this article, we shall review 5 chair mats that stay in place on thick and high pile carpets.
But first, see these three options for a quick pick in case you don’t have time to read this review until the end.
At A Glance – Best Chair Mat for Thick Carpet & High Pile
- Best Chair Mat for Thick Carpet: AmazonBasics office carpet mat
- Best Price: Resilia-Deluxe Deep Pile Carpet
- Best for Any Floor Type: Lorell tempered Glass Chair Mat
- Best Quality: MuArts Store Crystal Clear Heavy Duty Hard Chair Mat
Best Chair Mat for Thick Carpet or High Pile Carpet – Comparison Table
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | AmazonBasics Polycarbonate Office Carpet Mat |
| Check Price at Amazon |
 | Resilia-Deluxe Clear Vinyl protector for Deep Pile Carpet |
| Check Price at Amazon |
 | Lorrel Tempered Glass Mat |
| Check Price at Amazon |
 | MuArts Store Crystal Clear Heavy Duty Hard Chair Mat |
| Check Price at Amazon |
 | Gorilla Grip Premium polycarbonate studded chair mat |
| Check Price at Amazon |
Best chair mat for thick carpet or high pile carpet
1. AmazonBasics Polycarbonate Office Carpet Mat
This chair mat is specially designed for thick high pile carpets and rugs.
It is made of high gauge polycarbonate so it is free of toxic chemicals like lead, phthalates, and cadmium. Also, it does not emit any gases or odor.
The reason why it works so well on thick high pile carpet is that it provides high impact resistance; thus, it does not flex, curl, or cup on any carpeted floor. In addition, it has a lightly textured top surface that controls the movement of the chair.
Moreover, this polycarbonate mat protects the carpet against damage from the wheels and casters of office chairs.
However, it is not ideal for a heavy person since the maximum recommended weight is 250lbs.
For a heavy person, you should get this AmazonBasics Polycarbonate heavy Duty Chair Mat that is designed for people weighing over 500lbs and works great on carpets and hard floors.
Pros
- Very easy to clean
- No chemical emissions or odor
- Lies flat on the carpet compared to vinyl mats
- Durable
- Very sturdy on the carpeted floor
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Cons
- You need to be extra careful when unwrapping it because it comes rolled up
2. Resilia-Deluxe Clear Vinyl protector for Deep Pile Carpet
It is not easy to find a chair mat for deep pile carpets. So when I came across this customizable vinyl runner, I had to add it to my list.
This mat can be customized to fit your office space and it is very easy to cut with a pair of scissors or utility knife.
It is made of heavy-duty or thick plastic vinyl so it’s strong enough to protect the carpet against wear and tear by the wheels of the chair, spills, and other possible causes of damage.
The underside is studded in order to ensure it stays firmly in place. However, the presence of studs or spike means that it is not ideal for use on hardwood, tile, or cement floors.
Pros
- Easy to customize
- Grips the carpet firmly
- Free of phthalate and any Prop 65 regulated contaminants
- It is easy to clean
- Lays flat on the carpet without curling on the sides
- Protects the carpet
- Very flexible
Cons
- It may take a little while to lay flat completely
See also: Best entry mats for hardwood floor
3. Lorrel Tempered Glass Mat
If you are looking for the best chair mat for a heavy person that can stay in place on a thick carpet, then this is it.
The Lorell chair mat is made of heavy-duty glass but can provide support to a maximum of 1,000lb.
In addition, it works perfectly on any type of floor from the low, medium, and high pile carpets to marble, hardwood, and ceramic floors.
Moreover, the glass is scratch-resistant and offers a smooth surface for your chair to roll on.
Pros
- It protects the carpet from chair and desk impressions and dents
- Very durable
- The chair rolls smoothly on it
- Great for heavy people
- It is very sturdy and stable on the carpet
- Costs much cheaper than other glass chair mat alternatives
Cons
- None so far. Users absolutely love this glass chair mat
See also: How to protect carpeted stairs
4. MuArts Store Crystal Clear Heavy Duty Hard Chair Mat
This chair mat is made from a special material that is crystal clear so you might mistake it for glass.
Although the manufacturer has not mentioned which material this is, they have clearly indicated that it is free of toxic compounds and odor.
Just like the previous glass chair mat we reviewed, this too can support weight over 1000lbs. To be specific, it can withstand about 1400lbs; hence, making it ideal for heavy persons and for commercial use.
However, it is considered to be more durable than glass since it does not break.
In addition, the material is hard and heavy so it stays in place on thick carpets as well as medium and high pile carpets. It does not curl or flex rather it lays completely flat on the floor.
Pros
- It is made of durable heavy-duty material
- Easy to clean
- Lays flat on the carpet and floor
- It is crystal clear so you can see the floor pattern through it
- Comes with a 12-month warranty and lifetime technical support
- It is thick and heavy compared to most chair mats of similar size
- Works perfectly on both hardwood and carpeted floors
Cons
- It has sharp edges so you might have to add tape or bevel the edges
- Slides on low pile carpets
See also: Best weather stripping for old doors
5. Gorilla Grip Premium polycarbonate studded chair mat
This chair mat is made of 100% polycarbonate material so it is very strong, sturdy, and solid.
As the name suggests, the Gorilla Grip chair mat is designed to hold firmly onto the carpet so as to stay in place.
The underside has studs or spikes which dig into the fibers of a thick, deep, or high pile carpet. This helps to secure it in place so that it doesn’t move when the office chair is rolling on the surface.
In addition, the mat is clear and transparent, which allows the beauty of your carpet’s design and pattern to be seen.
Most importantly, it has a lip, which extends the protection of your carpet to under the desk so that you don’t get the carpet dirty with your feet.
Unlike most chair mats that come rolled up, this mat ships flat so it comes ready for immediate use and lies flat on the carpet pretty quickly.
Pros
- It is long-lasting and durable
- Stays in place due to the studded underside
- Provides under the desk protection with the extended lip
- Comes with a 10-year guarantee
- It does not curl on flex on a carpeted floor
- The wheels of the chair glide smoothly on the surface of this chair mat
Cons
- Not suitable for hardwood floor due to the studs and spikes
See also: How to stop cat scratching leather furniture
How to choose a chair mat for high pile thick carpet
There are many different types of chair mats available on the market today but how do you choose the right one to buy?
Here are some factors you might want to consider before making your purchase.
1. Material
Office chair mats are made from a variety of materials such as rubber, tempered glass, felt, plastic/vinyl, and polycarbonate.
The type of mat will depend on the needs of the office environment.
For example, a polycarbonate mat would be the best to protect against abrasion since it’s resistant to scratches.
If you are looking for something that is eco-friendly then a cork mat may be better suited for your needs.
2. Thickness
When choosing an office chair mat, you’ll want to pay attention to thickness. The average chair mat is about 4mm thick, but for some people, this is too thin.
It’s important to be aware of the thickness of the carpet when choosing a chair mat because some mats are not made for thick carpets.
Thicker carpets require thicker materials in order to provide sufficient grip and protection.
3. Size
The size of the mat will be determined by your office’s floor space.
The mat usually goes under the desk and chair so that the feet roll on the mat to protect the carpet or floor.
This means that you don’t have to choose one that will cover from one corner of the office to the other.
Consider the shape you like that will fit best under your furniture.
FAQ about the best office chair mat for carpet
Yes, chair mats are worth it because they provide padding that protects the carpet or floor from wear and tear caused by dragging chairs across it all day long.
As already stated, chair mats are meant to protect your carpet from damage caused by furniture such as desks and chairs. So they don’t ruin the carpet.
However, if you place a chair mat meant for carpet on your hardwood floor, it might ruin it. This is because carpet chair mats usually have a studded underside meant to hold them in place on thick carpets so they might ruin the wood floor finish.
No, you cannot use a hard floor chair mat on the carpet. This is because hard floor chair mats are usually quite thin and flexible for hard surfaces so they may sink into the carpet.
Also, they do not have cleats on the underside so they will not stay in place on carpets and especially those that are thick or high pile.
The best material for office chair mats is polycarbonate. This is based on the fact that it has excellent abrasion resistance so it does not scratch easily.
Also, it is quite flexible and heat resistant so it lasts a long time without breaking or cracking.
Yes, tempered glass chair mats are very safe. They do not break or scratch easily and they are resistant to stains since they are easy to wipe off in case of spills.
In addition, tempered glass does not contain any of the harmful chemicals found in traditional vinyl flooring, like formaldehyde and phthalates. Thus, tempered glass chair mats are non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
Moreover, they are easy to clean since they do not absorb liquids and food particles do not get stuck on them.
Conclusion
The best chair mat for thick carpet or high pile carpet is designed with a textured back surface to allow it to grip firmly onto the fibers of the carpet.
For this reason, mats meant for thick or high pile carpets are not suitable for hardwood or tiled floors as they may damage them.
