The Best Chair Wheels
A good office chair can make the difference between an uncomfortable work shift that drags on and a pleasant shift that feels like it's flying by. If your office is your home away from home, then this is important. But what if you love your chair and just can’t stand the wheels? Maybe they’re too small, they can’t roll over cables, or they squeak when they roll. If that's the case, don't toss the whole chair when you can just replace the wheels. There are plenty of aftermarket wheels that can turn an annoying chair into a smooth, quiet one with ease. If you’re not sure what to look for, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of the top office chair wheels on the market today so you can get back to rolling in no time.
Lifelong Office Chair Replacement Wheels
Bigger and better
We’ve all seen those pesky plastic mats that sit under office chairs, absorbing the scratches and dents so that our floors don’t have to. They help wheels roll better on the carpet and protect hardwood floors from getting scratched up by plastic office chair casters. But what if the wheels were just made better in the first place?
That’s what these polyurethane wheels from Lifelong are made for. They’re bigger and better than their outdated, plastic predecessors. They come with softer material so that they’re gentle on hardwood, but they’re big enough to roll on carpets with ease. Roll smoother and faster with these superior replacement wheels.
Pros:
- Made with durable polyurethane
- Universal stem for easy installation
- Can support up to 650 pounds
Cons:
- Pricier than average
Office Owl Office Chair Wheels
Sitting in an office all day can be hard on your back. If your chair isn’t giving you the support you need, you may need to upgrade. But support doesn’t start in the chair — it starts in the wheels. That’s why it’s important to have soft, pressure-relieving wheels to take the impact of sitting for extended periods of time.
These wheels have an extra inch of added support when compared to standard plastic wheels. That’s one more inch of polyurethane to roll smoothly and quietly while alleviating stress on your back. These wheels can hold up to 650 pounds, too, so they’ll keep you rolling even when the stakes are high. Don’t just support your back — support your whole body with better wheels.
Pros:
- Good cost value
- Made with durable polyurethane
- Can hold up to 650 pounds
Cons:
- Sub-par quality control
The Office Oasis Office Chair Caster Wheels
Tough as nails
What do adrenaline-junkie daredevils and responsible office workers have in common? Well, if they use these office chair wheels, it could be polyurethane rollerblade-style wheels like these. No, office workers aren’t likely to start dropping into a halfpipe on their chairs once they equip these wheels, but they’re made of the same material that professional rollerblade wheels are made out of.
Just like rollerblade wheels, these are designed to work on any surface; whether it’s concrete, hardwood, tile, or carpet, they’ll roll on it all. Don’t waste any more time with outdated plastic wheels. Get polyurethane wheels and save yourself the hassle. If they’re tough enough for a skatepark, they’re tough enough for your office.
Pros:
- Made with polyurethane
- Fast-rolling and durable
- Soft on floors
- Decent price
Cons:
- Doesn’t include brakes
Stealtho Replacement Office Chair Caster Wheels
Put on the brakes
Rollerblade-style wheels are by far the smoothest, most stylish, and softest wheels to use in your office or home. Their soft material won’t scratch floors, and the easy-glide bearings roll quietly and effortlessly. Because of their efficient design and speedy bearings, however, these wheels can roll faster than anticipated. Some folks may prefer this, but if you’re not prepared for it, you could wind up slipping right out of your chair when you try to sit down. If you set them on a smooth floor, even agile users may slip.
That’s why Stealtho has made quality rollerblade-style replacement wheels with brakes included. You can roll fast when you need to, but also set the brakes when you’ll be getting in and out of the chair. Don’t sacrifice safety for speed. These brakes will help you out.
Pros:
- Made of high-tech elastic polyurethane
- High-quality ABEC-9 bearings
- Locking brake system
Cons:
- They’re quite pricy
Slipstick Rubber Office Chair Wheels
Save your wallet
If you just need to fix a pesky chair with a broken set of wheels and you need it done cheaply, this pack is your best bet. With rubber wheels and a simple design, these are easy to install and will be gentler on floors than their plastic counterparts. It’s a small price to pay for a smoother, quieter chair.
There are no tools needed for this installation, either; just pop off the old wheels and slide in the new ones. These are made to safely handle 330 pounds, so they can even handle heavy weight with ease. They may not be the fanciest or smoothest wheels available, but they’re sure to be the most affordable. For the buyer on a budget, this is a no-brainer.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Easy to install
- Rubber wheels
Cons:
- Not as smooth as rollerblade-style wheels
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all office chairs have brakes?
No. In fact, most office chair wheels don’t have brakes. While brakes are common on other objects with casters like tool chests, grills, portable kitchen islands, and metal clothing racks, they’re less common on chairs. This may be because most office chairs don’t normally need to stay perfectly still. Offices are built on level surfaces, so chairs don’t roll away on their own. However, rollerblade-style wheels can roll very fast, so there are some instances when brakes are necessary or at least preferred. For that reason, some manufacturers do make office chair wheels with brakes.
Are all office chair wheels the same size?
Most office chair replacement wheels come in sizes between two and three inches in diameter. Though there are no strict limitations on wheel sizes, you probably won’t find wheels that are six inches wide. At the same time, you probably won’t find a wheel that is one inch wide either, because these sizes aren’t very practical for office use.
The stem size for office chairs is the most important size. This determines whether a particular wheel will be compatible with your chair. Most office chairs use a universal stem size, so if your wheels are universal, you should be okay. However, some manufacturers use a different size. Places like Ikea may use their own measurements and replacements, so be sure to look into that before buying.
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