Show All ItemsI work from a home office situated in a carpeted room, where I sit for hours at a time next to a computer screen.To protect the flooring and provide a smooth rolling surface, I acquired a plastic chair mat from an office store.However, I soon found that I was extremely unsatisfied with the performance of my new chair mat. Despite buying a thicker version, my chair wheels still rested in "divots" in the mat. In the chair mat's defense, I am on the "huggable" side at 240-ish . . . But nonetheless, sitting in divots defeats one of the main benefits of the mat in the first place--the ability to roll and move the chair freely. Also, my work table is about 6 feet long. My computer sits on one half of the table and the other half is left open for other tasks. This plastic mat wasn't big enough to allow me to roll my chair to the other side when working on non-computer things.After a bit of searching I found that you can in fact purchase longer, thicker and more heavy-duty chair mats that would meet the needs I was trying to fill.
These bamboo ones look like an excellent choice, but they are not cheap.With that in mind, I decided to make my own. All said, I spent less than $75 USD on this mat and am perfectly happy with its performance. It is made from laminate flooring, particle board, and a bit of wood trim, all of which is available from any home improvement store.If you find yourself in a similar predicament and don't want to shell out big bucks, here's how to make your own wooden chair mat. Thanks for taking a look! Step 1: Prepare laminate flooring piecesShow All ItemsThe cheapest box of laminate flooring I could find was about $30 USD. One box covers an area roughly 4 feet by 5.5 feet, which is perfect in front of my 6-foot work table. A smaller mat can be made by simply not using all of the boards from the box.For this use, the cheapest laminate is the best choice not only for price, but because it is perfectly smooth. The more expensive laminate flooring styles have slight waves, gouges and mars to imitate real wood.
That looks nice in a dining area, but is the opposite of what a person would want in this application. The boards are made with a tongue-and-groove system that allows them to snap together along both the longer sides, as well as the narrow ends. Both the tongue side and the groove side have portions that extend out past the upper finished surface of the board, which are generally hidden once the boards are installed. (The groove side has a 1/2" tab that extends out from the bottom of the board that locks onto the bottom of the tongue side of the opposing board.)For this use, however, these extending portions must be removed from any areas that will become the perimeter of the assembled mat. I began by trimming away the bits from the narrow ends of all boards using a cross-cut sled on my table saw. Then, along the lengths of two boards I trimmed away the tongue from one board, and the locking tab below the groove from the other. These two boards will be the end pieces on the right and left sides of the assembled mat.
See photo notes for additional details.Sold & shipped by MyOfficeInnovationsShipping optionsFree pickup not available from this seller1Add to CartShipping optionsFree pickup not available from this seller$.$.$.+ $.$.$.+ Compare all 3 sellersColor: Clear Protects against wear and tear Smooth effortless rollModel Number: Read more.... About this itemImportant Made in USA Origin Disclaimer:The 46W x 60L ES Robbins Chair Mat for Hard Floors can provide instant protection for your hardwood and other types of flooring. The accessory is designed to preserve and protect the beauty of laminate, wood and tile. The clear chair mat features a special texture at the bottom that grips it securely in one location. Made of strong vinyl material, this mat assures effortless movement of your chair while protecting the floor from the wear and tear commonly caused by casters. This rectangle chair mat has been engineered for optimum clarity, high performance and a smooth, unchallenging roll. Protect your investment by using one of these clear floor mats at your computer desk.
The 46W x 60L ES Robbins Chair Mat for Hard Floors will help keep your floor well-maintained over the years.The 46W x 60L ES Robbins Chair Mat for Hard Floors will help keep your floor well-maintained over the years. ES Robbins Rectangular Chair Mat for Hard Floors, Clear: Color: Clear Material: Vinyl Width: 46" Length: 60" Rectangle chair mat is designed to protect laminate, wood, tile and other hard flooring Special texture reduces mat movement and keeps it securely in place Protects against wear and tear from chair casters Engineered for optimum clarity, high performance and a smooth effortless roll Clear vinyl mat ensures reliable performance and hassle-free maintenance Durable and protective mat is ideal for home or office use Mat does not inhibit the casters on an office chair from rolling Model Number:SpecificationsGenderIs RecyclableRecommended UseFabric ContentRecommended LocationConditionMaterialManufacturer Part NumberColorModelBrandFeaturesDoes product have a oder?by It looks like you are not signed in.
To proceed you will need to either sign in or create a new accountSign InDoes product have a oder?by It looks like you are not signed in. To proceed you will need to either sign in or create a new accountSign InDoes it have a lip?by It looks like you are not signed in. To proceed you will need to either sign in or create a new accountSign Indoes this mat have a beveled edge?by It looks like you are not signed in. To proceed you will need to either sign in or create a new accountSign InReviewsCustomer reviewssee all 50 reviews 112 Write a reviewShared by Policies & PlansGifting plansPricing policyOnline Price Match.Getting a great standing desk is only part of the battle. You do have to keep moving, of course, and standing while you work can be tough on your feet. That’s why most standing desk enthusiasts (ourselves included) suggest an anti-fatigue mat for use with your desk. This week we’re looking at five of the best, based on your suggestions. Earlier in the week we asked you which anti-fatigue mats were the best, and you turned up some surprising nominations.
We only have room for your top five though, so here they are, in no particular order. The mat that earned The Wirecutter’s recommendation for the best anti-fatigue mat comes with a pretty high pedigree. The team at The Wirecutter break down beautifully what you really want in a mat—including the fact that you want it to have some give, but you don’t want it to be too squishy (because that’s just uncomfortable on its own), and that you want one that also encourages you to move around a bit over the course of the day. There are some super expensive mats out there, but this one comes in at $100 for a 24”x36” mat at Amazon, has a soft and supportive core but is still firm enough to stand on for long periods, and the mat features a beveled edge that reduces the chances you’ll trip over it (and makes it easier to clean.) It’s generally a tough thicker than a number of other anti-fatigue mats, but that’s offset a bit by its firmness, and it comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.
Those of you who nominated the CumulusPRO (disclosure, I did) pointed out all of these features specifically, and noted also that those beveled edges won’t curl up over time and long term use. Some of you called out the smaller version of the same mat as an equally good deal if you don’t want—or don’t have—the same amount of space as this one requires, but overall, it’s a good buy if you have the money to drop on it. You can read more in its nomination thread here. For about $62 at Amazon (for the brown one, the black one is $68) you can have a more affordable option that’s still comfortable, appropriately thick and firm, but still giving enough to use while wearing shoes or over long periods without making your feet ache. This model is a 20”x39” mat that’s a little thinner and longer than many, but perfect for the space in front of a desk. Like any good mat, this one has a beveled edge to prevent tripping and injury, and also is made of a firm, rubberized material that’s easy to clean and dries quickly.
This mat is also designed so the edges never curl, and has just the right amount of give whether you stand all day or just occasionally throughout the day. Those of you who nominated the Sky Mat pointed out that you’ve owned yours for ages and love it, and several of you chimed in noting your satisfaction with it as well. You correctly noted that the Sky Mat is the number one anti-fatigue mat on Amazon, and the ratings are full of stories of satisfied customers who are happy with their product—and the price they paid for it. You also praised the Sky Mat for retaining its good looks for years without getting ragged or rough around the edges, which is definitely a testament to its durability. SmartCells’ mats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and specifically tops. The standard smooth-topped 24”x36” anti-fatigue mat will set you back $106 at Amazon, and the 24”x36” version with a textured top is the same price. For a little less, you can get this replaceable carpet-topped model for $130.
Either way, the original two are generally what people nominated, and they’re the closest to a standard anti-fatigue mat. SmartCells says their mats have just the right amount of give and can stay in place even under an office chair if you switch between sitting and standing over the course of the day. Instead of having a single core and outer layer, these mats have rubberized “cells” that allow them to adapt to where on the mat you’re standing, kind of like springs on a bed. The SmartCells mats also have beveled edges to prevent tripping, and because of the cells, they’re remarkably firm and supportive to stand on. Those of you who nominated the SmartCells mats pointed out that it’s that lack of squishiness that drew you to the mats—that they’re supportive without giving too much, and they’re a breath of fresh air if you don’t like super squishy anti-fatigue mats. You also praised the company for its attention to detail and myriad options for different sizes of mats, types of mats, and, most notably, that some of the mats come in different shapes to fit various workspaces that may not always be right a rectangle behind a desk.
You can read more in the nomination thread here. This Stanley 24”x36” utility mat will set you back $50 at Amazon, a mere fraction of many of the other mats in the roundup, but that’s because it’s not totally designed to be an anti-fatigue mat for standing desk use. You’re not really supposed to stand on it all day, it’s more of a utility mat that’s supposed to provide some support for your feet while you stand at a workstation, to be resistant to spills and messes, and to be easy to clean. The Stanley mat is certainly all of those things, with its textured top resembling a kind of gunmetal pattern that’s super easy to clean, and the firm, consistent body offering just enough firmness to keep you on your feet without getting uncomfortable. You’ll still need to take periodic breaks and sit or walk around with this one—it’s not designed to be an all-day mat, but it is designed to be easy to clean, difficult to trip over, and perfect for just about any workstation, no matter where it’s located.
It packs a 20 year warranty, should you pick one up. Those of you who nominated it said that the anti-skid bottom and the textured top make it easy to put anywhere—even indoors—and that it’s rugged enough to take a lot of punishment. Plus you noted that it feels just fine to use with your standing desk, without having to spend a ton of money on a designer anti-fatigue mat with more features but also a much higher price tag. You mentioned that you do use it with your standing desks, and that it’s much thicker than many other standing desk mats—this one’s about one to two inches thick, and that gives it a bit more support than other mats. You also praised it for showing no signs of wear after over a year of use, all day long. For $80 at Amazon you can get this just-squishy-enough floor mat that might be too squishy for some (it’s actually a kitchen mat, and not explicitly designed for standing desks, but Smart Step suggests it for any workspace) but just right for others.
They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and widths, with this one being 36”x20”, which gives you a good deal of space for not a lot of money compared to many of the others. Like the others in the roundup, this one features beveled edges to prevent tripping, a rubberized surface that’s super easy to clean and is resistant to spills and stains, and carries a 7 year warranty in case you need it replaced for any reason. The mat is commercial Polyurethane that’s comfortable and offers anti-slipping features, but is also non-toxic, and puncture and heat-resistant. Plus, if you have a larger workspace, there’s a 72”x20” version that’s only $141. Those of you who nominated this one (disclosure, it was me again) pointed out that even though it’s not traditionally a standing desk mat, it’s an exceptional mat for general use everywhere, and those people who want a bit more support while standing all day might want something a touch firmer—but I found that it’s just the right balance of squishy and supportive that I actually want to keep moving while I stand on it
, which you should do with your standing desk anyway. Plus, the price tag isn’t too bad for the space you get. You can read more in its nomination thread here.Now that you’ve seen the top five, it’s time to put them to an all-out vote to determine the community favorite: No honorable mentions this week, since the nominations fell off quickly after the five here. Still, there were a couple of other good ones mentioned in the nomination thread, even though these were by far the most popular. Just remember that if you do go with a good mat and a standing desk, it’s not a panacea—you still need to get around and move regularly. Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn’t included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Don’t just complain about the top five, let us know what your preferred alternative is—and make your case for it—in the discussions below.